About the school
A School Changing Fast
Orchard School Bristol is the new name for Monks Park School. This new name embodies the many changes planned by the school which is spreading its roots widely in the community. The most significant change is to become a Trust School in partnership with UWE, City of Bristol College and Bristol LA.
Students at Orchard School Bristol thrive in facilities which are the very best in technology, architecture and space. The distinctive characteristic is a curriculum personalised for the needs of students. Courses have been designed to engage students in practical BTEC qualifications like Engineering, Public Services and Art and Design as well as maintain the academic courses leading to A levels.
Teaching is student-centred, innovative and inspiring with all students encouraged to be ambitious for themselves.
How do we achieve this?
§ A curriculum which is engaging, stimulates learning and matches the needs of all students.
§ Teaching which is focused on learning.
§ A safe and happy environment which encourages learning.
§ A wide range of extracurricular activities which broaden the experiences of our students.
§ A school at the heart of the community.
Our house system involves all adults in school working with students, either as tutors or mentors. Student progress is communicated to parents regularly in a specific, clear way. There is an emphasis upon every student receiving individual staff time whenever additional challenges or support need to be given. One on one tutoring is a vital part of our teaching and staff awareness of individual student needs is first rate.
Specialist School
As a specialist school in English and Modern Languages, Orchard School is able to offer students outstanding opportunities for building presentational, media and language skills to a high level. All Year 10 students take Media Studies GCSE as part of their English course, while Year 9 students are entered for the Asset Language examinations in Modern Foreign Languages.
Students are supported by exceptional facilities including suites of Apple Mac computers and a Learning Resource Centre that offers a dedicated bank of media equipment. Every student has a PDA or handheld computer. Information and learning materials are all available from home using the school’s Virtual Learning Web connection.
Special courses each year give students a chance to learn and improve the soft skills of communication and cooperation much in demand by employers and colleges. Students present and perform to a whole school audience, having received several days of training from visiting professionals. As the key specialist subject, English is able to offer students at Orchard School a unique opportunity to attain the highest grades in this core subject.
