The school is a very good school by itself. I am still a student there, and I have just read a view…read moreon the school being "horrible" and "teachers promoting students to pick on others." That has not been the case for me or anybody else in the whole school.
First of all, I would like to highlight that "the school having no rules" is a fake. Icknield has set a code of conduct, and all pupils are given Respect Cards, which are shown to teachers in almost every lesson. Having the Respect Card is a physical agreement to: 'I will respect myself, the teachers and the school. Icknield CARES.' I know someone who has been bullied, and even had property stolen. After informing the school, they took quick action to solve the problem, and even had school assemblies to highlight the concern.
Secondly, I feel the school is open to everyone's views. Although we may not be as 'rich' as other schools, 2018 has the highest GCSE results in Luton. Teachers are very kind, and spend hours supporting children, as a group or 1-1. Unlike other schools, we are not given a textbook, sent to a specific page and forced to copy word-for-word whatever it says. The lessons are usually interactive, and encourage children to speak for their views. Nobody has been discriminated for who they are. Although the minor issue of gum being stuck under the tables, the classrooms are a very welcoming place.
I would like to mention the school's Learning Resource Centre (LRC). This area is an interpretation of a normal library. There are thousands of books you are able to scroll through of any genre. The room is very modernised, and encourages people to sit down and pick something out the shelves. There are quizzes available to take, to strengthen a child's reading ability. We also have EE, a lesson dedicated to taking children to the LRC for a peaceful reading lesson, relaxing the children for any more upcoming lessons.
Student Voice is a school group, in which pupils can participate to share their views with different year groups. So far, we have Literacy, Eco-Team, Community Links, Charity and Sport. A new assistant-head teacher had spoken to us during a Student Voice meeting:
"Before coming to this school, I had read all the reviews given by other people. I wasn't sure of working at the school after that, but after going through with the headteacher and working here for a week, I can prove all the reviewers as fake and unprofessional. Many schools are not as fortunate as you to have such amazing teachers, resources, or even a Student Voice. I wish to never have to leave Icknield."
Icknield has supported the NHS and many charities: Macmillan, CHUMS, MIND, Cancer Research, Shine and many more. Icknield is not dedicated on making their school 'rich' and 'wealthier' than others, we want to support the ones who are less fortunate than us.
Breaktime/Lunchtime is a free time for any student in any school. Icknield, however, has multiple playgrounds and a vast field, free for students. Student Voice meetings are also held at this time, but classrooms are also open for students to speak with their teachers. One downside would be the food provided by the school. My opinion is that Tuck food is quite salty, and food can sometimes be oily. One bad approach was replacing the Yazoos (healthy milkshakes) with something I would call Jelly Water. Proper school lunch is an improvement, but also a rip-off. After all students are fed, you can walk up to tuck and receive any extra food in recyclable plastic pots, 50p a pot. I feel like the lunches should be changed.
There is also a minor issue with smoking. Although many responsible students complain to their year rooms whenever they find a smoke packet or somebody else smoking, all schools can agree that they have a small issue with drugs. So it is not all Icknield's blame. That's my second and only other concern.
Icknield is an Art Academy, and we encourage arts everywhere around our school. Everywhere you look is a painting made by previous students. For GCSE, there are 4 options of art to choose from: General Art, Graphics Design, Film and Textile Design.
During lunchtimes (and across the school) you could find many rare coins. So far, I have collected a WWF 50p, Florence Nightingale £2, and many old £1 coins with the UK's main cities engraved on them. We have a vast Peter Rabbit and Friends coins, many belonging to my classmates. The school is like a rare-coin mine.
Overall, my experience with Icknield is amazing, and I would hate to leave after my high school years come to an end.
