SGC SDP Vision statement for 2024-25

The SGC School Development Plan runs from April 2024 until March 2025. During this period, members of the Leadership Team will implement strategies to improve the school and work towards delivering the ‘Governors’ 2025 Vision’. The SDP Vision Statement is an aspirational description of the school in the Summer Term of 2025, describing the impact we aspire for each strategy to make to the school.

1. Making Independent Learning an area of excellence

(David Toyloco)

Growing resilience in independent learning is an essential part of education at Saint Gabriel’s. We provide tools, guidance and challenges for students to help them think critically, explore, and thrive. Our goal is for students to become lifelong learners with curiosity for the world and the confidence to tackle any challenge.

Over the past year we have embedded our Quality First 10 (QF10) teaching strategies ensuring that every lesson has at least 20 minutes of silent independent learning time. In tandem with this, we have fostered a ‘no opt out’ culture so every single student demonstrates high quality independent work in each of their subjects. Also, we have raised our expectations for the quality and quantity of homework and exam preparation each student produces, resulting in impressive improvements for internal and external exam results.

To support these advances, the Step Lab coaching programme has served as an invaluable tool to coach teachers and empower them successfully implement independent learning strategies in their classroom practice.

2. Parent Engagement

(Samantha Bowden)

Saint Gabriel’s is a vibrant community where parental engagement is deeply woven into the fabric of our educational ethos. By integrating faith, education, and family, we strive to develop well-rounded individuals who are not only academically accomplished but also spiritually grounded and morally resilient.

Recognising the invaluable role parents play in the development of their children, we aspire to create an environment where families and educators collaborate effectively to ensure our students fulfil their potential.

Over the past year, through regular meaningful communication with parents and shared activities, we have nurtured a holistic educational experience that extends beyond the classroom. This partnership has empowered parents to actively participate in their children's learning journey, reinforcing our school values and the SGC WAY at home and within the school community.

3. SGC WAY

(Nikhil Shah)

The SGC WAY embodies the values of our school, setting a culture of high expectations, self-regulation and polite behaviour that defines Saint Gabriel’s. All members of the school community understand the common language of the SGC WAY and their role in applying its principles.

Over the past year, The SGC WAY has been fully embedded into the culture of the school. All students, staff, and parents can readily articulate the behaviours associated with each strand and explain why these values will help all members of the Saint Gabriel’s community to become successful and happy citizens. Students reflect on poor behaviour using the framework of the SGC WAY and members of staff use the SGC WAY to drive positive conversations with students and parents in response to challenging behaviour.

4. SGC Reading

(Natasha Fox)

At Saint Gabriel’s, we recognise that reading is the gateway to learning. We are ambitious for all our students to read widely and often, with fluency and comprehension appropriate to their age. Thanks to the culture of reading that has been established, students read aloud in class with confidence, supported by their peers. The views of students are incorporated into the choice of the group reading books, which cover a range of different subjects, and include local authors who write about local issues.

All students begin each day with at least 20 minutes of reading a shared text with their class. Staff have been trained to deliver these reading sessions with confidence. Subject teachers also routinely teach the tier 3 vocabulary for their area, and set challenging texts as part of their curriculum. Students are also taught repair strategies when struggling with a word or text.

Over the past year, we have implemented a comprehensive programme of bespoke reading intervention for all students who need to improve their reading. The progress of these students has been assessed and monitored with termly tests showing an impressive impact in improving their reading skills so they can now successfully access the secondary school curriculum.

5. Support Staff Development

(Kay King)

Continuing professional development is a high priority for Saint Gabriel’s. We heavily invest in our staff to ensure that we maintain our excellent provision for students. All of our staff have access to a wide range of development opportunities to support them to improve their and refine their practice as well as support their career development.

Over the past year, we have developed a program to enhance support staff effectiveness by thoroughly assessing their skills, challenges, and needs and targeting training to address specific areas for improvement and their aspirations for career progression.

In addition to providing training, we have provided ongoing support and resources to support staff to help them implement new skills and strategies in their roles. We have also found new ways of recognising and celebrating their contributions to the school which has boosted their motivation and increased their job satisfaction leading to improved performance. Finally, we have established regular evaluation and feedback systems to continuously assess the effectiveness of the staff development program and identify areas for further improvement.

Click for Governor's 2025 Vision

Saint Gabrielâ€™s College