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Vandyke Upper School and Community College is an academy school and sixth form in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, England. As of 2022, there are approximately 1500 students in both the sixth form at Vandyke, and compulsory education.

History

The school was opened in 1976 as a comprehensive school for 13- to 18-year-olds.

During the Ofsted inspection that took place in December 2006, Vandyke Upper School achieved a Grade 2 (Good) rating. The school was inspected again by Ofsted in 2013, the overall result being Grade 3 (Requires improvement). This was primarily attributed to unsatisfactory exam results and mixed quality of teaching. Since this inspection, Ofsted have upgraded the school back to a `good` rating.

Achievements

For several years Vandyke has been a participant of the Rock Challenge, a dance and drama event promoting healthy lifestyles amongst pupils. In 2005 Vandyke achieved Sports College status and was granted £114,000 from the Government's Big Lottery Fund in 2006, providing out of hours sporting activities. In 2007 the school was awarded the Government Charter Mark for excellence in customer service. Vandyke met 63 exacting standards of customer service to qualify for the award. The Government's Key performance indicator, a program that logs school's GCSE and Key Stage Two exam performances, has placed Vandyke's results in the top 25% of schools across the country. According to the log, 61 per cent of Vandyke students attained A* to C grades in their GCSEs in 2007.

Charity

Vandyke Upper School donated forty-eight computers to Kabalega Secondary School, in Uganda. Twelve more computers went to an NGO, the Link Development Community, also of Uganda, who work to improve education within the country. Annually, since 2005, Vandyke has held fund raising events for the charity, Smile Malawi. Smile Malawi is a charity aimed at improving educatory standards for children in Malawi. In 2008 Vandyke Upper School raised over £2000 for Smile Malawi and £3200 in 2017.

Vandyke Education Trust

The Governing Body of Vandyke Upper School is proposing a change of school category from a community school to a foundation school which will acquire a charitable trust to be called the Vandyke Education Trust. This is a new type of school that, while still being part of the local authority, has the opportunity to be supported by a Charitable Trust. To provide continuity and stability for the Trust, the Governors of Vandyke Upper School proposed to formalise, through a Trust, their partnerships with:

• The University of Bedfordshire
• Central Bedfordshire College of FE
• MK Dons Sport and Education Trust
• BEAerospace
• VT Education
• Central Bedfordshire Council

References

1. "Vandyke Upper School - GOV.UK". www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
2. Vandyke School at Office of Standards in Education (OfSted) Archived 10 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine, retrieved 15 June 2007
3. http://www.vandyke.beds.sch.uk/Ofsted%20Inspection%20Report.pdf
4. "Rock Challenge United Kingdom". www.rockchallenge.co.uk. Retrieved 15 June 2007.
5. , retrieved 15 June 2007
6. "GNN - Government News Network". Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 15 June 2007., retrieved 15 June 2007
7. Leighton Buzzard Today (Online), retrieved 5 July 2007
8. Online News Article. Retrieved 30 September 2007
9. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 12 October 2007. Retrieved 15 June 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) Retrieved 15 June 2007
10. Archived 29 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 15 June 2007
11. "Smile Malawi founder visits Vandyke". 22 January 2018. Archived from the original on 26 February 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
12. Vandyke home page, retrieved 30 June 2010

External links

• Official website

• Upper schools in Central Bedfordshire District
• Academies in Central Bedfordshire District
• Educational institutions established in 1976
• 1976 establishments in England
• Leighton Buzzard