Hamilton is an 11 – 16 mixed Community College catering for approximately 950 students, from a variety of cultures. Hamilton is situated on the eastern outskirts of the City of Leicester. The school has Specialist Technology College status and is a Full Service Extended School.
Our school vision is that ‘Every Student Achieves Their Very Best and Feels Secure’. This is a vision that I feel passionate about and one that I know all teaching and associate staff share.
Examination Success
Y11 – The College has seen a significant improvement in the number of students achieving at least 5A*-C
2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | |
| 5A*-C | 34% | 46% | 56% | 62% |
There has been a dramatic improvement in the number of students achieving at least 3A*-A
2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | |
| 3A*-A | 2% | 6% | 18% | 19% |
The Government recently set a new measure which is the number of students achieving 5A*-C including English and Maths. This has also shown a steady increase within the College
2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | |
| 5A*-C (EM) | 19% | 23% | 31% | 40% |
The Government gives all schools a Contextual Value Added Score (CVA). Our CVA from Y9 to Y11 in 2008 ranked us in the top 13% of schools across the country. This is a tribute to the tremendous quality of teaching and support from all members of the College.
Recent praise of the Colleges’ Achievement
Specialist Schools and Academies’ Trust, in January 2009, acknowledged Hamilton as ‘one of the most improved Specialist Schools in the country’, particularly linked to the improvement of the number of students achieving 5A*-C including English and Maths.
The Leicester Raising Achievement Board, in January 2009, acknowledged the excellent work of the College. Their Independent Chair highlighted the ‘comprehensive programme of support and outstanding teaching’, describing the College’s performance as ‘a beacon which other schools can aspire to’.
OFSTED Reports
Extracts from our Extended School Provision 2007:
‘This is a truly inspiring school that has fully embraced Extended Services and the Every Child Matters Agenda as a way to provide whole school improvement’
‘The school is offering the type of provision that the Government expects may happen in all schools in 10 – 15 years time’
‘This is an excellent example of a school that has taken the concept of Extended Services and used it as a ‘blue print’ to redesign what a school is and what it can stand for’
Extracts from our full OFSTED Inspection 2007:
‘The Principal gives clear direction to the College. He has taken the staff with him as he has developed the Curriculum and focused on developing Teaching and Learning’
‘During the Inspection, good or outstanding lessons were seen across the College with students of all abilities. Positive working relationships, based on respect and trust between students and teachers provide a sound foundation for effective learning’
‘Students feel safe in the College and relationships between all the members of the College community are harmonious, diversity is celebrated’
‘Parents and carers expressed overwhelming support for the College’
‘There has been a clear focus on improving the overall examination results of the College’
Extracts from our recent Art Inspection 2008:
‘The quality of Teaching & Learning is outstanding, stimulating and unpredictable teaching has a very positive impact on student learning’
‘Challenging concepts are made easy to understand by effective teachers which has a positive impact on students self esteem and desire to achieve. Students use the subject well to communicate their views and feelings’
Specialist College Status
Hamilton has Specialist Technology College Status and IT resources are exceptional. We have 9 IT suites and interactive whiteboards in every classroom. 65% of our present Y9 have already achieved a GCSE equivalent at grade C+ in IT. Without a doubt, our IT facilities have enhanced teaching and learning and helped to raise standards across the College. However, we are also passionate about other areas of the Curriculum. We now have the Arts Council Silver Award, Visual and Performing Arts being a particular strength of the College. We also have exceptional sports facilities and the Sport England Kite Mark. Moreover, our recent fourth successful ‘Investors in People’ assessment paid tribute to how we are an effective learning community for all the staff and students.
The Curriculum
Our Curriculum is always changing to adapt to the needs of our students; we are always striving to provide a Personalised Curriculum for each young person.
At KS3 we are introducing the concept of nurture groups (students that need intensive Literacy support) STEP-UP (students which need to move 2 grades, 3 – 4) BOOSTER (students that need to make Level 5) and FLIGHT (our more able students who should achieve Level 6 and above). This is an exciting time as the new National Curriculum at KS3 enables us to be more innovative and respond to students’ needs.
At KS4, we have enhanced provision for the core subjects of English, Maths and Science. The majority of students opt for one of 5 Btec courses, worth 4 GCSEs (A* - C): Business, Art & Design, Performing Arts, Sport and Travel and Tourism. More traditional GCSEs are also available in French, Music, Geography, History and Design.
Safeguarding Young People
Hamilton Community College has a commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of young people. We have robust processes and procedures to reduce risk and continuously promote a positive culture of safeguarding amongst our workforce.
Hamilton is a happy school where students enjoy learning and taking part in lessons and all the extra clubs and activities we provide.
We look forward to the future with great confidence! You are welcome to join us.
Many thanks,
Mr J. Morris
Principal
Rahmeel Hindmarsh had his first lesson at Hamilton Community College on December 12th and sat six GCSEs. Rahmeel, whose first language is Portuguese, opened his results to find he had achieved all C grades, which meant he could go to Leicester College to study Mechanical Engineering.
