Untitled - Fort Pitt Grammar School

FORT PITT GRAMMAR SCHOOLSCIENCE & MATHEMATICS COLLEGEFort Pitt Hill, ChathamKent, ME4 6TJTel: 01634 842359 Fax: 01634 817386e-mail: office@fortpitt.medway.sch.ukwww.fortpitt.medway.sch.ukHeadteacher: Mrs Julia M Bell, BA (Hons)November 2008A WORD OF WELCOMEDear Prospective Parents, Guardians, Carers and StudentsI am delighted to welcome you to our school where weoffer a high quality of education to students aged 11-18.Through this prospectus you will gain an introduction toour beliefs and values which are based upon traditionalattitudes, but forward looking, to provide our studentswith a firm foundation for their future.At our school the starting point is each student, who is appreciated and cared for asan individual. Our distinctive atmosphere which is one of warmth, friendliness andcare is conducive to good results and there is an implicit expectation of achievementand high standards.We have four main areas of focus; academic excellence, excellent appearance,excellent environment and excellent community. These four “excellents” are at thecore of all we do; the first and most important is academic excellence. We are agrammar school and, as such, our curriculum is accelerated, with national tests andexaminations taken earlier than the norm. Our second excellent involves uniformand behaviour. Uniform rules are rigorously enforced, we believe that how you lookand how you behave is a reflection of oneself, one’s background and one’s school.Behaviour is very simply based on respect for oneself, for others and for the school.Where someone is disrespectful they can expect to be challenged on this.Respect for our school leads to the third excellent – our environment. We are, asare most schools, a 21 st century learning environment with up to date facilities andequipment. However, we never forget our past and we realise we are the guardiansof our historic building – we therefore expect all in our community to respect what wehave and to preserve it.

The final excellent focuses on our roles in the school community, the localcommunity and the global community. We accept our school does not exist inisolation that it has an important role to play and we willingly commit our time tohelping those in less fortunate circumstances than ourselves.Deciding on a school is not an easy task. This is one with a deservedly first classreputation, created by the hard-working and committed nature of our students andstaff and the pride everyone associated with it shares. Challenges and opportunitiesare here in abundance, but it is for you to decide whether this is the school where theeducation will be a rewarding experience for your daughter and one where she willrealise her full potential.We look forward to working in partnership with students and families who activelybelieve in and support what we do. However, whichever school you decide on, mayI wish you and your daughter a successful secondary school career.Yours sincerelyMrs Julia M BellHeadteacherSheets 1-2 White Words of welcome; Admission and Holidays in termtime information, Our heritage – Historic Fort PittSheets 3-4 Lilac Commitment; New students; FacilitiesSheets 5-6 Green Uniform; Jewellery/Make-up; A school day; Rewardsand penaltiesSheets 7-10 Blue The curriculum; Key Stage 3; Key Stage 4 The SixthForm; The extended currculumSheets 11-14 Brown Student care; Monitoring progression; Tutor groupsystemSheets 15-18 White School statistics

ADMISSION TO OUR SCHOOLFort Pitt is a selective girls’ grammar school with over 1,000 students aged11-18. It has no particular religious affiliation. Every Septemberapproximately 150 girls are admitted to Year 7 on the basis of a selectionprocedure. Late entry to Years 7 – 9 is by LEA and school assessment andother years by school assessment, (please phone for an appointment) and tothe Sixth Form on the basis of GCSE results.If you would like to apply for a place for your daughter in Year 7• visit us on our Open Days and Open Evening• enter her for the selection tests following advice from the primaryschoolOVERSUBSCRIPTION CRITERIA• Children in public care for whom the school is the nearest appropriate• A sister in the school at the time of entry• Health reasons (for which a medical certificate may be necessary)• Residence within a particular scheme of secondary education• Proximity of student's home and ease of access to the schoolPlease note that we also have a Sixth Form Opening Evening which is onThursday 5 February 2009, during this academic year.HOLIDAYSPupils of school age must, by law, attend school regularly. If your child is tobe away from school, you need to ask us to approve the absence. Youcannot yourself authorise a child’s absence. Please do not ask for leave for afamily holiday in term-time. The Governors have agreed that this will bedeemed as unauthorised absence except in exceptional circumstances.

OUR HERITAGEHISTORIC FORT PITTThe school was established here in 1926 and is situated in a majestic positionoverlooking the River Medway. Its situation in Kent is probably unrivalled andthe importance of the site was recognised at an early stage. Thus in the earlynineteenth century a fortress, largely underground and still in existence, wasestablished here to command the approach up the River Medway. From theair its unique shape is easily identified and the site abounds with history. In1847 a military hospital was established and Queen Victoria was a visitor onat least two occasions. Then in 1860 Florence Nightingale established thefirst Army Medical School here and the link with medicine continued until1922. Additionally, a literary link was established through Charles Dickenswho, as a child, played here and Fort Pitt is subsequently mentioned in ThePickwick Papers. Today, some of the former hospital wards and theatres,which are listed buildings, are used as classrooms. In recent yearssubstantial new buildings have been added and the interior has been greatlymodified to reflect curriculum development.Our history makes for a fascinating complex of buildings in which to work andmore detailed information about the site may be obtained by visiting theArchives Corridor or reading the booklet detailing the school's history.

We will ensure every student:OUR COMMITMENT• Will receive a full academic education leading to GCSE and A Levels ina wide variety of subjects• Has access to a wide range of opportunities beyond the classroom• Is supported in all aspects of her life at Fort PittWe expect every student to:• Be committed to the aims and ethos of the school• Strive for excellenceWe aim to enable every student to:• Retain her individuality and develop aconfident, positive, caring and enthusiasticattitude to life both in and out of school• Develop a sense of purpose, self-reliance andresponsibility whilst remaining well balanced,tolerant of others and respecting traditionalvaluesNEW STUDENTSOur Induction Day is in the summer termwhen time is spent on the small details whichmake entry the following September so mucheasier. We invite parents to a meeting on theafternoon of Induction Day and again duringthe early part of the autumn term to ensurethat every student is happily settled.For students joining other years there is asimilar support system.

FACILITIESIn recent years the school, which is situated in lovely grounds, has benefitedfrom a substantial building and refurbishment programme and now boasts:• suites of rooms for each subject area• a purpose built Art and Design & Technology Centre• a listed Georgian house dedicated to Music• a suite of four ICT rooms in a listed building• a Sports Hall and fitness room, tennis/netball courts and a playing field• a self contained Sixth Form block with recreational, study andcomputing facilities• an extensive CCTV system which provides additional security• a new dining area and servery which provides healthy food beforeschool, mid-morning and at lunch-time• refurbished classrooms• water coolers throughout the school• refurbished locker facilities• improved toilet facilities• classrooms are upgraded in a “rolling programme”

UNIFORMAll students in Years 7 - 11 wear the school uniform and are expected to take apride in their appearance at all times, including the journey to and from school.• Navy blue blazer with school badge. Available from SchoolTime.• Pink checked, open necked short or long sleeved schoolblouse. This is available from our uniform shop and SchoolTime.• Navy blue official pleated school skirt which should be nolonger than 6cm below the knee and no shorter than 6cmabove the knee. Again, this can be bought from our uniformshop and School Time.• Navy blue trousers (straight leg style), no flares or splitseams.• Navy blue 'V' necked long sleeved sweater with the schoollogo on the left-hand side. Navy blue ‘V’ necked sleeveless sweater with theschool logo on the left hand side (optional). Both available from School Time.• White or navy socks or plain black, navy or flesh coloured tights.• Plain black shoes – no platform heels, stilettos, sling backs, trainers or boots.• Black or navy blue plain coat (no logos etc). Leather and denim are notallowed.For more details about speciality clothing for PE/Art/Science/D&T, attention isdrawn to the separate uniform leaflet issued with admission paperwork once aplace is offered.JEWELLERY / MAKE-UP etcJewellery is not allowed apart from a watch and one small stud (no larger than ½cm) in the lobe of each ear. Facial and body piercings are not acceptable andshould be removed whilst in school uniform.Hair should be of one natural colour and should be of a conventional style;coloured braiding or beaded hair is not permitted. Please contact the school ifyou wish to discuss this. This will ensure there are no misunderstandings orproblems.Make-up is not allowed in Years 7-11.Parents are asked to note these basic rules and to support the school in themaintenance of high standards of appearance. We would ask that you check withthe school before buying anything about which you have doubts, to avoid anyneedless expense.

A SCHOOL DAYThis begins at 8.30 am and ends at 3.05 pm.• There are 5 lessons every day with a morning break and 50 minutes forlunch• Morning school begins with registration and/or Assembly (unless astudent is withdrawn). Assemblies are designed to be acceptable tostudents of all faiths and students are encouraged to participate fully inthe assemblies which are shared occasions.• At lunchtime many students participate in a range of extra curricularactivities. There are also opportunities to participate in competitivesport or musical activities. In addition, school provides study supportgroups to enhance and improve understanding in the variouscurriculum areas.The school strives to provide the very best for each of its students and to thisend tries to work closely with parents who we hope have a clearunderstanding of our aims. We ask that you sign the Home-SchoolAgreement and try to fulfil its underlying principles. Inevitably though,misunderstandings/queries occur from time to time and, in such cases,parents are asked to contact the school at the earliest opportunity. (An officialcomplaints procedure may be obtained from the school office.)REWARDS & PENALTIESEvery student is expected to behave in a sensible, considerate and courteousmanner respecting other people, their possessions and the environment.Merits are awarded for effort, achievement and service to the school. Asmerits are accrued students receive a variety of rewards.Should a student act in a manner that is unacceptable, then the school doeshave a detention system in which a student will be asked to remain for anhour after school. This may involve doing supervised tasks around the schoolto enhance or improve the environment. Parents have 24 hours notice of adetention and are responsible for their daughter’s journey home following it.An after school detention may not be replaced by a lunch time sanction.

THE CURRICULUMThis ensures that every student has the opportunity to attain the highestacademic standards of which she is capable. It is delivered by highly qualifiedmembers of staff through a variety of teaching methods, both in and out of theclassroom. Subject content, teaching and learning styles are regularlyreviewed to provide effective teaching and learning whilst breadth, balanceand differentiation throughout all the years means that attention is paid toindividual needs.KEY STAGE 3A broad and balanced curriculum in Years 7 and 8In the first two years, lessons include the full range of National Curriculumsubjects together with Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) andCareers Education and Guidance.In addition, a large number of peripatetic music staff give specialised,individual or group lessons.All students have the opportunity to study two of the three modern foreignlanguages available at the school in KS3 and can pick up a third in KS4. InYear 9 students will study a selection of GCSE and AS subjects.Parents should note that this is an accelerated curriculum with students takingpublic examinations a year earlier than would happen in most schools.

KEY STAGE 4Depth and breadth of knowledge and experience in Years 9 and 10Students will already be studying some GCSEs from Year 9 and will completethese in Year 10 and add to them within Year 11. The aim here is all studentswill have a core of GCSEs (including English, Mathematics and Science)together with a variety of other subjects – some at GCSE level and, perhaps,some at AS. In addition all students study RE, PE, PSHE and IT.KEY STAGE 5In Year 11 most students will begin AS or A2 courses. They may wish to pickup additional GCSEs, follow a vocational course or other individualqualification. Year 11 is a very individual education programme for ourstudents.THE SIXTH FORMIn-depth study and specialisation in Years 12 and 13In Years 12 and 13 students will continue with their AS and A2 courses. Theywill all have the equivalent of 4 A2 subjects by the end of their school career.Students are encouraged toorganise their time, developresearch skills, cultivateindependence and generally takeresponsibility for their own learning.Clear advice about universityentrance, including Oxbridge,employment or a 'gap' year isprovided. Everyone is encouragedto participate fully in the corporatelife of the school through theirleadership qualities, the positions ofresponsibility they undertake andthe contributions they make to thecommunity as a whole.A separate booklet providingadmission details and moreinformation about the Sixth Form isavailable upon request.

THE EXTENDED CURRICULUMThere is a wide range of optional activities that may vary from year to year,according to the expertise and interest of the staff. These enhance theclassroom curriculum and give opportunities for girls from different year groupsto mix together. The following make up a representative selection.Out of School Activities• Cultural visits abroad, e.g. France, Germany, Spain, Italy and the USA inrecent times• Fieldwork to supplement specific subjects, but especially Geography• Visits to Historic Buildings, Galleries, Theatres, Museums and Workshops tocomplement specific areas of the curriculum, but especially Art, Geography,History, Religious Education and English• Skiing abroadIn - House Activities• Music - Many clubs, too numerous tomention• Participation in Drama Clubs, Houseactivities• Open access to the InformationTechnology Areas• Several school clubs and teamsassociated with Physical Education.Use of the Fitness Room• Participation in a variety of local andNational competitions e.g.Mathematics Challenge, YoungEnterprise, Science events, Duke ofEdinburgh Award Scheme• Surgeries and clinics to supportlearning in specific subjects• Work experience to sample adifferent environment and preparestudents for a chosen career• Sixth Form Community Studies

Curriculum for Years 7 and 8Each period is 1 hour long. The table below shows the current distribution ofperiods per subject across the 50 period - 2 week timetable.Core Subjects: Year 7 Year 8English 6 6Mathematics 6 6Science 7 7Foundation Subjects:Art 2 2Geography 3 3History 3 3ICT 2 2French 4 4Language 2 4 4Music 2 2PE 3 3PSHE 2 2RE 3 3Technology 3 3Typical GCSE TimetableDay Period 1 Period 2 Period 3 Period 4 Period 5MonA 10L1/PE 10B/Pg 10P/Bi 10A/Ar 10P/Ma2TueA 10P/Ma2 10L1/Re 10L1/En 10B/Pg 10P/PhWedA 10P/Ct1 10A/Ar 10P/Ma2 10P/Ch 10L1/EnThuA 10A/Ar 10L1/Se 10P/Ch 10L1/It 10B/PgFriA 10L1/En 10P/Ct1 10L1/Re 10P/Ma2 10P/BiMonB 10L1/Pe 10B/Pg 10L1/En 10A/Ar 10L1?itTueB 10L1/Se 10P/Ma2 10P/Ct1 10L1/En 10P/ChWedB 10P/Ct1 10A/Ar 10Li/En 10P/Ma2 10P/PhThuB 10L1/En 10L1/Pe 10P/Ph 10P/Ma2 10B/PgFriB 10L1/Re 10L1/It 10P/Bi 10P/Ma2 10L1/En

STUDENT CAREIt is the underlying philosophy of the school that students who feelcomfortable and secure in their environment are likely to achieve. Thepastoral structure based upon that of the Form Tutor, Student Support,Deputy Headteacher and Headteacher therefore underpins the academiclife and aims to provide a calm and well-ordered environment. Whilst it isnot obtrusive it works in close liaison with parents and staff to make everystudent feel valued and her unique strengths/skills appreciated. Ideallythere will never be any unpleasant undertones in school that may contriveto make a child feel unhappy, unable to work or come to school but if itdoes occur and the school is aware of it then we seek to resolve thesituation as quickly as possible.Occasionally a student may have a private problem/concern she wishes todiscuss. Every member of staff is available for help, guidance and supportand parents are always welcome to telephone/visit the school if there iscause for concern.Individual students may have special needs and a separate policy aboutthis is available upon request. No one is hindered in her pursuit ofexcellence and appropriate help is always given.

MONITORING PROGRESSIONOnce a child has settled into school, the progress of every student is carefullyfollowed. Parents are welcome to discuss their daughter's progress at anytime which is monitored by the use of:• Targets for each student.• Regular homework. Each student has a homework timetable and aplanner which in Years 7-10 is signed by parents every week.• Overall effort and attainment grades are given regularly for eachsubject. A progress interview follows with the Form Tutor.• Parents' evenings to which both parents and students are invited todiscuss progress and attainment.• Formal examinations for every year group once a year to prepare thestudents for public examinations. In Year 10 there are mockexaminations leading to the final GCSEs.• Mini tests/assessments throughout the year to assess the progress thatis being made.• Year group reviews whereby every student's progress is considered.As a result of this many strategies are employed to encourage and helpevery student to do well.• An academic profile is given to every student each year. It records theprogress made, details attendance and achievements in academicsubjects.

TUTOR GROUP SYSTEMIn Year 7 every student is placed with a group of other girls and usually remainsthere until the end of Year 13. Such groups become “forms” or tutor groups and arein the care of a Form tutor. The tutor group meets on a daily basis; the tutor taking aclose interest in the form’s welfare/progress and helping with any difficulties that mayarise. The older students in the form also act as role models and mentors. Any morecomplicated issues are normally dealt with by the Student Support team.In Years 7 & 8 subjects are taught in learning groups which are combinations of thetutor groups. Students remain in their learning groups throughout Years 7 and 8.The subject teacher is normally changed every year. In Years 9 - 11 the learninggroups in some subjects continue but the groups mix according to the selectedGCSE/AS options. Students will normally have the same teacher for the duration ofa GCSE/AS course.The tutor group system is strengthened by various activities. These include charityevents which every form is encouraged to hold, Harvest, Inter-form quizzes andvarious House activities.HOUSE SYSTEMAll students will be allocated a House for sporting, musical, artistic and charityevents. The school’s six Houses are Nightingale, Pankhurst, Parks, Rhodes,Rowling and Sharman and were chosen by our students. Sixth Form House Leadersorganise assemblies helped by the teaching and support staff, all of whom belong toa House. Where possible we will respect family ties to particular Houses. Houseevents occur throughout the year – House Arts in the autumn, House Charities in thespring and House Sports in the summer. Other activities such as quizzes and Mathschallenges encourage students to work in cross age group House “communities”.

STUDENT PLANNEREvery student has their own planner – specific to their year group. This includes allimportant dates and information and is an important communication tool betweenhome and school.

Year 11 2008 - GCSE RESULTS BY SUBJECT( 158 students)Totalentries A* A B C D E F G UEnglish Lang. 158 27 63 56 11 1English Literature 158 9 48 78 17 6Mathematics 158 13 49 73 21 2Statistics 157 10 42 75 23 7Core Science 134 21 48 44 17 3 1Additional Science 134 4 28 54 41 6 1Biology 24 4 9 8 3Chemistry 24 5 12 5 2Physics 24 3 10 8 3French 67 7 8 10 23 14 4 1German 25 9 6 5 3 2Spanish 81 9 13 28 23 6 2Art 64 7 20 17 15 4 1Food Tech. 17 11 6Graphics 25 7 7 3 8Textiles 25 4 10 7 3 1Graphic Products 12 3 3 4 2Geography 69 9 14 29 11 4 1 1History 74 2 14 29 15 11 2 1ICT 133 7 23 41 48 14REMusic 31 4 13 10 3 1Perf. Arts 34 7 15 5 7GCSE PE 20 10 5 4 1Bus. Studies 77 5 11 21 25 11 42008 1725 174 485 620 329 96 18 1Full Courses 10.1% 28.1% 35.9% 19.1% 5.6% 1.0% 0.1%ICT(sc) 18 0 0 1 5 8 4 0RE(sc) 157 22 45 46 24 13 4 32008 175 22 45 47 29 21 8 3Short Courses 12.6% 25.7% 26.9% 16.6% 12.0% 4.6% 1.7%Average points perstudent 536.78Capped averagepoints per student 345.58Average points perfull GCSE entry 46.73Comparative figuresAv. Points scoreper 15 year old199920002001200220032004200520062007200858.3 62.1 63.6 64.6 64.3 477.7 481.1 461.54 523.49 536.78

Year 12 2008 - AS RESULTS BY SUBJECTa b c d e u xArt 1 1 1 1 2Graphics 1 4 5 1 4Textiles 4 4 1 1Mathematics 8 6 4 5 2 4English Lit. 8 12 15 14 7HumanBiology 5 1 1 1Biology 1 4 1Physics 1Chemistry 2 1 1 2French 1 1 2 1German 1 1Spanish 1 2 2 2 2 2Geography 4 2 1History 2 6 8 1 1PE 1 2 2 3Religious Studies 1 3 1 2 2ICT 1 2 2 3 3 1EconomicsPsychology 11 11 6 18 8 3Sociology 9 8 9 9 4 3Gov.&Pol. 2 2 1Film Studies 3 10 6CriticalThinking 1 9 19 23 25 16BusinessStudies 1 10 6 10 4 1Music 3 2Media Studies 2Law 1 1 1 1ProductDesign 1 1Drama & Theatre Studies 12008 61 95 108 100 67 4013.0% 20.2% 23.0% 21.3% 14.3% 8.5%Average points per student: 170.92007 55 77 91 65 43 30 015.2% 21.3% 25.2% 18.0% 11.9% 8.3% 0.0%Average points per student: 186.32006 64 85 133 114 96 47 011.9% 15.8% 24.7% 21.2% 17.8% 8.7% 0.0%2005 77 111 132 146 118 134 010.7% 15.5% 18.4% 20.3% 16.4% 18.7% 0.0%

Year 13 2008 - A2 RESULTS BY SUBJECTA B C D E UFine Art 1 4 6 4Graphics 6 4 1Textiles 3Maths 5 3 5 7Further MathsEnglish Lit. 2 11 9 5Human Biology 1 1 1 1Biology 3 1 3 1Physics 1Chemistry 1 1 2French 2 2GermanSpanish 1Geography 2 1 2 3History 2 3 3 2Home EconomicsPE 4 2 1Music 1 1ICT 2 2 1 2 2Economics 3 3 4 1Economics AEAPsychology 10 8 7 4 1Psychology AEASociology 8 7 5 3Performance StudiesCitizenship 7 3 1Gov. & Pol. 2 1Critical Thinking 1 3Media Studies 2 9 8 3Business Studies 2 3 3 2Religious EducationTravel & TourismD & T ProductDesign2008 51 73 69 44 1120.6% 29.4% 27.8% 17.7% 4.4%Total AS and A2 average points per student (68 students) = 340.162007 68 82 82 68 61 1518.5% 22.3% 22.3% 18.5% 16.6% 4.1%Total AS and A2 average points per student (81 students) =364.57

Routes taken by students aged 15 and over at the end of the 2007/8 school yearNumbersAge at start of 2007/8 15 16 17+Higher Education 53Course at any school or157 106 2Further EducationYouth TrainingEmployment 3 9Other categories 1 1Total 158 110 64