Welcome to Caldew School online

"We aim to provide the very best learning and personal development opportunities for every young person that we serve. Our students enjoy a high quality education in a school where they feel valued and cared for. We know our students well and learning is tailored to ensure that each child achieves their potential and beyond.

As Headteacher, I am committed to nurturing, motivating and inspiring all individuals to recognise their worth, develop their self-belief and strive to achieve their aspirations and goals. I feel very privileged to be able to work with young people who endlessly impress me with their talents, skills and contributions both within and beyond the classroom.

Established over 50 years ago Caldew has earned a well-deserved reputation as a school where students of all abilities excel. We cater for just over 1000 young people aged 11-18 years of whom 150 are in full time post 16 education in the school’s flourishing Sixth Form. Our school is big enough to enable us to provide a wide range of courses to match learners’ strengths and interests. Yet it is not so big that we cannot get to know them all well and help them develop into unique and self-confident individuals.

Our students follow a traditional curriculum, regularly achieving the highest levels of attainment possible, with substantial numbers progressing to the most prestigious universities.

We remain, though, a comprehensive school and as such welcome students of all abilities. Academic success is important and we place a high premium on equipping our students with the qualifications and skills they will need for their future working lives. We expect them to become the leaders of tomorrow in whatever field they choose to develop their careers. For some this will be by gaining degrees at Oxbridge or other universities, for others through further education or apprenticeships. Each route is equally valuable and it is by ensuring that every student maximises their potential, achieving the best results possible, that we secure this for every one of them in our care.

Expectations and standards are high. Whether it is students’ progress, classwork, homework, uniform or behaviour, we accept nothing less than excellence from each individual. Our partnership with parents is also very important to us. We firmly believe that students, parents and teachers must work closely together if we are to support every young person to unlock their potential and achieve.

As a school community, we constantly challenge ourselves to learn and improve. It is dedication to lifelong learning and high ambitions that enables staff and students alike to inspire each other on to ever greater heights. This is the spirit in which every Caldew student develops during their time with us."

Vicki Jackson
Headteacher