Echo Thursday September 27, 2012 23 - Newsquest
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24 Echo Thursday September 27, 2012
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Parents Guide
Appleton rated as outstanding
APPLETON School has
impressive exam results and
was rated as outstanding by
Ofsted.
The school also enters students
for GCSEs when they are ready
and the majority of students
achieved GCSE success two years
early.
The school is a specialist
business and enterprise college
and has good links with national
businesses, who assist in the
delivery of the curriculum.
The school offers more than 100
extra-curricular clubs each week.
Headteacher Karen Kerridge,
says: “As headteacher of the
Appleton School, I would like to
introduce you to what I believe is
an exceptional school, which
Ofsted designated an outstanding
school in June 2010.
“The Appleton School, a mixed
fully-comprehensive school for
students aged 11 to 16, has an
excellent reputation at both local
and national level, achieving
education of the highest quality
with outstanding examination
results.
“It is also a leading business and
enterprise college with a national
reputation for high standards.
“The school regularly receives
national awards recognising its
very high standards including the
Ofsted Outstanding Schools
Award, the Artsmark Silver award
Appleton
School
for outstanding work in the Arts,
and the Sportsmark award
recognising the exceptionally
wide range of student extracurricular
opportunities.
“It was recognised as a Centre of
Excellence for the teaching of
geography by the Geographical
Association and gained the
Investors in People award for
outstanding training programmes
for staff. We received the Healthy
Schools Award for services
provided for our students, and the
International School Award for
work with Ugandan and Ethiopian
schools.
“We are exceptionally proud of
our students, all of whom enter a
wide range of public examinations
aged 16 years. We expect only the
best from all our students and
naturally that involves hard work,
high expectations and a consistent
application to study. I am proud to
be headteacher of the Appleton
School and all my staff take
seriously their role in developing
our students into successful,
compassionate, future leaders.”
Appleton has 1,200 students, and
took on 240 new pupils in
September this year.
It achieved 96 per cent of GCSE
passes at A* to C.
Recognition – Appleton headteacher Karen Kerridge and eight members of staff who were
nominated for teaching awards
echo-news.co.uk
Parents Guide
Helping pupils
to reach their
full potential
THE purpose of the Billericay
School is to offer students the
opportunity to reach their full
potential.
The school provides a caring, secure
and disciplined environment.
The achievements of students are
always first priority. As a specialist
maths and computing college, pupils
are able to access facilities which add
new and exciting perspectives to
learning.
The recent Ofsted report of January
2011 found the school to be
“outstanding”.
“Outcomes for individuals and
groups are outstanding and have been
strong for the last three years.
Inspectors found behaviour to be
outstanding and they consistently
observed mature well-mannered
students with a positive attitude to
learning.”
The school describes students as
“remarkable young people”.
Billericay
School
Billericay School wants them to
have energy and enthusiasm for all
that life has to offer, to live as
responsible citizens and to succeed
academically in a rapidly-changing
society.
This summer, exam results saw 85
per cent of students gain A*–C with 60
per cent including maths and English.
The sixth form offers excellent
facilities and opportunities, alongside
exceptional support and choice.
Students achieve excellent exam
results and play an important part as
role models.
The sixth form is an important time
and it always makes sure older
students have the privacy and space
they need to get the most from their
studies.
Aiming for everyone
to do their best
St Thomas
More
AT St Thomas More High
School, the aim for pupils is
to enjoy their education and
take pride in their
achievements.
When boys and co-educated
sixth form girls leave the
school, it aims for them to be
fully prepared for the next
stage of their education and
the world of work and to be
ready to make a positive
contribution to the world.
While the majority of pupils
joining in Year 7 are from
Roman Catholic primary
schools, the governors are
pleased to accept applications
from committed families of
other Christian faiths, who
wish for a Roman Catholic
education.
The acting headteacher,
Gemma Ackred said : “We aim
to develop the school’s
community to provide the very
best education for pupils. We
recognise each pupil is
different and enable all to
achieve their academic best, to
excel according to their
Working hard – a student at St Thomas More
potential, and to develop and
excel in their many other
talents and abilities.”
This aim also means
facilitating pupils to mature
morally, socially and
spiritually.
Top achievements in the last
academic year include
impressive examination
results at GCSE and A level
enabling successful university
Echo Thursday September 27, 2012 25
entrance.
There are impressive
sporting achievements, school
productions, extra-curricular
opportunities and art,
including pupils performing in
partnership with a school in
Los Angeles through the RSC
Learning Performance School
network.
An opening evening takes
place on October 18.
26 Echo Thursday September 27, 2012
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Parents Guide
Focus for success
Friendly
approach –
high quality
teaching for
pupils
Plans for the future – Woodlands will move into its new school in 2014
Our high achievers
THE headteacher at
Woodlands School is Andy
White.
He said: “Woodlands School is
committed to excellence.
“Pupils are expected to be selfdisciplined
and committed to
their studies.
“High achievement is our
priority at Woodlands.
“The school’s professional
and committed staff work
closely with families and they
value very highly the extensive
extra curricular programme
and community links.”
Woodlands
School
Top achievements for
2011/2012:
Commencement of new build
for Woodlands – move into the
new school on same site in
January 2014.
Continued success by pupils
in their exams. Outstanding
achievements by pupils in PE
and performing arts.
Continued success in
maximising opportunities for
pupils and staff.
GCSE results:
Passes at grades A–C 57 per
cent
Passes at grades A–g 98 per
cent
English 53 per cent/98 per cent
Maths 52 per cent/98 per cent
Science 98 per cent
Overall: five A*–C 53 per
cent/five A*–G 98 per cent
Subjects offered outside the
National Curriculum: graphics,
music, food studies, art, product
design and performing arts.
IN its most recent Ofsted
inspection in January, Mayflower
High School received an excellent
report, which underlined
“students achieve well, making
good progress in their learning as
they move through the school”.
Inspectors found “students’
outstanding behaviour and positive
attitudes make a significant
contribution to their learning”.
Facilities are constantly being
extended and refurbished to provide
state-of-the-art resources. These
facilities support and enhance all
areas of the curriculum.
Mayflower High School is wellequipped
to cater for the needs of the
21st century learner. Alongside
dedicated computer facilities in all
parts of the school, staff and
students in all subjects have access
to the latest technology to
complement high-quality teaching
and reflect a positive ethos where
students are keen to learn.
Mayflower
High School
As a caring school, it is always
focused on realising the maximum
learning potential of all students and
celebrating their success.
Top three achievements 2011/2012:
Continued outstanding academic
achievement at both GCSE and A-
level.
For A-level, a 100 per cent pass rate
in all 31 subjects on offer, with 24
passes at A* grade across 13
different subjects.
For GCSE, of particular note is the
further increase in the number of
the top grades of A*and A, which
have gone up for the fifth year in a
row, with nearly one-third of
examination entries resulted in A*
or A grades. This year, 85 per cent
of students achieved five or more
A* to C grades.
echo-news.co.uk
Parents Guide
Echo Thursday September 27, 2012 27
Exciting times for Seevic
SEEVIC College is already one of
the largest colleges in South Essex,
but its ambitious team is aiming
higher and further to support local
students and their goals.
Seevic is undergoing a period of
growth and development – the biggest
being a £6million renovation project to
its Benfleet Campus.
The project will ensure students
continue to benefit from state of the
art classrooms and more social areas.
Seevic’s Basildon Campus, based at
Church Walk House, has also been
extended to accommodate the demand
of local students, and interested
visitors are welcome to stop by to have
a look around.
In addition, Seevic is expanding its
already huge course provision, with
the newly launched partnership with
The Beauty Skills Academy in
Billericay.
This partnership now allows Seevic
to offer funded, part-time beauty
therapy courses to 16-19 year olds,
taught and applied in a working salon.
Courses start in October and places
are going fast.
Seevic already offers one of the
largest ranges of A-level choices in
south east Essex and in 2013 will boast
36 different subjects to choose from,
along with 13 courses students can
take alongside their A-levels.
Choices include inspired and
Seevic
College
professional options such as: Law,
Business Studies, Government and
Politics, Geology, Applied Science,
Communication and Culture, History
of Art, 3D Design, Graphic Design,
Photography, Textiles, Music
Technology, TV and Film, Set Design,
Theatrical Make-Up, Physical
Education (PE), and much more.
Specialist vocational qualifications
and subjects on offer at Seevic range
from: Applied Science, Art and Design,
Business and Finance, Beauty
Therapy, Childcare, Engineering,
Games Development and Health and
Social Care.
Others include IT Practitioners,
Media, Performing Arts, Public
Services, Sport, and Travel and
Tourism.
Seevic has a dedicated, nationally
accredited career service to support
students and parents through the
options and keep students focused on
their goals and career progression,
both through and after their studies.
To find out more about what Seevic
has to offer visit the website
www.seevic-college.ac.uk or come
along to an open evening. See
advertisement for further details.
Growth and development – Seevic’s Thundersley campus
28 Echo Thursday September 27, 2012
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Echo Thursday September 27, 2012 29
Parents Guide
‘Can do’ ethos
heart of success
Excel together
St Hilda’s
School
CHOOSING the right school
for your child is one of the
most important decisions you
have to make as a parent.
It can be hard to find a school
that does all this, and supports
the core values which parents
want their children to live by.
At St Hilda’s School:
Children will be treated as
individuals and helped to
develop a confident, “can do”
attitude which is at the heart of
success.
Will be taught in a small class,
which means they will get a
much more personalised level of
individual teaching.
Experience excellent teaching
by well qualified and
experienced staff, to ensure they
Core values –
children have a ‘can
do’ attitude
will make excellent academic
progress while at the school.
The outstanding pastoral care
at St Hilda’s and the wide range
of extra curricular activities
available at the school provides
every child with the best
opportunity to learn the skills
they will need if they are to be
successful as they face the
challenges and opportunities of
the adult world.
Parents Mr and Mrs Fogg
said: “We were determined to
give our daughter the best
possible opportunity available
to her and are confident she has
that at St Hilda’s”
To find out more see the
advertisement opposite or visit
the website www.sthildas
school.co.uk
THE James Hornsby School
is working in partnership
with The King John School
in Benfleet to offer every
child the opportunity to
reach their full potential in a
caring and supporting
environment.
Students are proud of their
school and enjoy many aspects
of school life, including trips,
visits and a huge range of
activities in and outside of the
normal school day.
The school believes it is
essential it works in
partnership with the students,
parents/carers and local and
international communities to
enable students to prepare for
their future lives.
The school motto, ‘Together
we Excel’ reflects this belief
James
Hornsby
and the staff and governing
body are working hard to
ensure the school offers the
best possible educational
opportunities to help every
child to achieve.
The school has been vastly
improved and is continually
looking at further ways in
which to provide the best
learning environment and
opportunities for students.
It is at the centre of the local
community and opens its doors
outside of the normal school
day to support learning and
recreational activities
opportunities in the
community.
School is fun – pupils at St Michael’s School
Achieving potential
ST MICHAEL’S School exists to
provide excellent preparatory
education for boys and girls aged
three to 11.
Through its broad and balanced
curriculum, it seeks to lay a solid
foundation for all children for their
academic, spiritual, moral, social,
cultural and physical development.
Within a Christian framework, the
children are challenged and
supported to discover their strengths,
establish a passion for learning and
develop as individuals, equipping
them for the next phase of their
learning. At the heart of the school’s
core values is a deeply held conviction
that every child is unique, valued and
capable of achieving their potential.
The aim is to provide excellent
St Michael’s
School
pastoral care and academic rigour to
ensure all children enjoy their time in
school and achieve the very best they
can. Results in National Curriculum
assessments at age seven and 11
during the last year, show the
percentage of children achieving the
highest levels is twice the national
average.
A packed programme of extracurricular
activities adds to the
richness and breadth of the children’s
educational experience.
For further details visit
www.stmichaelsschool.com or call
01702 478719 .
A school for all
Multi-cultural – parents appreciate the values of Holy Family
HOLY Family Catholic
Primary School is situated in
Benfleet and serves the local
Catholic parishes and the
wider community.
Indeed, there are many
children with other faith
backgrounds currently
attending Holy Family, making
the school one of the most
multi-cultural in the area.
Parents choose to send their
children to Holy Family
because they appreciate the
ethos and values permeating
the school.
In November 2011 the school
was judged to be outstanding by
the Brentwood Diocesan
Inspectors.
In October of the same year,
Holy Family
Catholic
Ofsted inspectors found
behaviour to be outstanding, as
well as the effective care
guidance and support given to
pupils by staff.
Children from Holy Family
School consistently attain
highly in Government tests. In
July 2012 100 per cent of the
school’s Year 6 cohort achieved
Level 4 or above in maths and
English SATs tests.
The school also excels in
music, sports and arts.
See the advertisement for
details.
Bookworms – St John’s pupils enjoy Roald Dahl’s BFG
Passion to learn
St John’s
School
ST John’s School is a coeducational
independent day
school in Billericay.
The school is situated in
extensive grounds overlooking
Lake Meadows, a beautiful area
of parkland, including sports
fields, an indoor swimming pool
and other sporting facilities
which are used extensively by
the pupils.
The school is well connected
by public transport to
neighbouring towns, and is a
short walk from the mainline
railway station.
It is divided into two
departments, preparatory from
3-11 years, and senior 11-16 years.
St John’s offers wraparound
care from 8am-6pm for age three
to seven years, and an 8am
breakfast club through to 5pm
homework club from age seven
to 16. Lunchtime and afterschool
clubs are offered.
From the moment children
enter St John’s, whatever their
age, they are treated as
individuals, and it is their
passion to ensure that when
they leave they have fully
achieved their potential.
Staff believe that only within
a safe and caring environment
can children flourish. The
virtues of politeness, integrity
and consideration of others into
our pupils.
30 Echo Thursday September 27, 2012
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Parents Guide
Keen to
learn – see for
yourself just
how students
enjoy time at
The Bromfords
School by
taking a tour
Ethos of ‘to learn and
care’ at The Bromfords
THE Bromfords School has a
great deal to be proud of.
This year’s fantastic results;
71 per cent of students
achieving five A*–C GCSE’s
overall and 55 per cent
achieving five A* – C including
English and Maths.
The Bromfords School is
“aiming for outstanding” and
is a community which values
its students equally.
It is all about academic and
personal welfare and the
school strives to ensure all
students are given learning
opportunities to fulfill their
potential. At Bromfords the
ethos is “to learn and care”.
The Bromfords
School
The school is a happy,
orderly, safe and secure
environment where parents
are encouraged to participate
actively in their child’s
education.
There are mentoring
sessions with parents to
discuss progress in addition to
parents’ consultation evenings.
Written assessments and
reports are issued termly.
The school invites Year 6
students and their parents to
see the school at work.
Daily tours will take place
from Wednesday, September 26
to Wednesday, October 3 and
Monday, October 8 to Friday,
October 19 at 9am and 10 am.
To book a tour, telephone the
school on 01268 471201.
If you would like your child
to be part of The Bromfords
School success, Marian Spinks,
headteacher, invites parents to
the open evening on Thursday,
October 4 from 6 to 9pm. The
headteacher will address
parents at 7pm and 8pm.
For more information, visit
the website www.bromfords.
essex.sch.uk
New building stateof-the-art
for pupils
Castle View
School
CASTLE View is proud of
its high expectations and its
drive for excellence which
underpin the life of the
school.
Staff challenge students to
strive for excellence and want
to inspire all students to
believe they are “the best that
I can be” – challenged,
inspired and successful.
Castle View believes all
students deserve to follow a
curriculum which challenges
them to do their best.
Sports achievements are
outstanding and the range of
extra-curricular opportunities,
including music and
the arts, are excellent.
Also on offer is a range of
student conferences, business,
enterprise, forensic science
days, trips and visits.
In 2010, Ofsted said: “There
are very good opportunities
for all students to develop
their economic and business
understanding and financial
capability.
“Many
subjects,
programmes and the extensive
Working together – pupils at Castle View School
range of enrichment and extra
curricular activities, make
significant contributions.”
The previous year, Ofsted
said: “Students make an
outstanding contribution to
the local community.”
Examination results saw 76
per cent of students gain 5
plus A* – C GCSEs.
While 56 per cent of
students gained 5 plus A* – C
GCSEs including English and
Maths
Castle View is determined to
continue with its excellent
results.
The new Castle View School
building is a fantastic world
class, state-of-the-art building
which follows 21st century
design principles of
excellence.
Purpose-built learning
spaces and light and airy
corridors encourage an
outstanding learning climate
and suggest high
expectations. Aspiration,
motivation, ambition and
confidence of students are
impacted positively.
Go along and see for
yourself its high standards.
echo-news.co.uk
Parents Guide
Echo Thursday September 27, 2012 31
Excellence for all
BEAUCHAMPS High
School is an over-subscribed
high performing dual status
Specialist School in
business and enterprise and
applied learning.
It has excellent facilities,
including 15 enhanced PC
suites and extensive wireless
laptop provision.
Beauchamps aims for
excellence for all and achieves
outstanding examination
results. In 2012 there was a 99
per cent pass rate at A Level.
At GCSE 94 per cent of
students achieved 5 A* – C, 74
per cent achieved 5 A* – C
including English and Maths,
86 per cent achieved A* – C in
Beauchamps
High School
English and 79 per cent
achieved A* – C in Maths. All
results were significantly
above the national average.
Achievable but challenging
targets are set, and each
student’s progress is
monitored and tracked. The
school has the Investors in
People Gold Award and the
prestigious Customer Services
Excellence Award.
In 2012 the school was a
winner of a Basildon Business
Award for Staff Training and
Development, an Essex
Countywide Business Award
for the same category and an
Essex Business Excellence
Award for Customer Care and
Service.
One student won the
competition to design the
Olympic Mascot for the
Eastern Region. Students and
staff were chosen to feature in
a film promoting the Jack
Petchey Speak Out Challenge
which was premiered at the
Queen Elizabeth Hall in
London at the National Speak
Out Challenge Finals.
The school has had another
excellent year confirming the
statement by Ofsted 2010 that
‘the education the school
provides is outstanding’.
32 Echo Thursday September 27, 2012
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Parents Guide
Opportunities to
excel for students
One to one attention – Thorpe Hall’s reception class
Striving to create the very
best learning environment
THORPE Hall School invests in
opportunities to stimulate and
challenge its pupils
Unlike most other
independent schools in the
area, Thorpe Hall School
operates as a not-for-profit
charitable trust. This means
that governors can continue to
strive to invest any surpluses
in improving the school and
provide the very best learning
environment.
The tradition of moving
onward and upward continues
with the school’s new Creative
Thorpe Hall
School
Media Studio, which was
completed over the summer.
Featuring a bespoke Art
Studio, three new fully sound
insulated and air-conditioned
music teaching rooms and a
photography studio, the new
facilities will benefit the whole
school from its nursery to
senior classes.
“I believe a school should be
small enough to care about
each individual child, but big
enough to provide opportunities
to stimulate and
challenge.” explains headteacher
Andrew Hampton.
“The facilities at Thorpe Hall
School are among the region’s
finest and our ongoing
investment programme means
we are always moving
forward”.
Thorpe Hall School’s
Autumn Open Day is on
Saturday October 20 from 10am
until noon.
THE King Edmund School
continues to achieve excellent
standards through quality
teaching and learning.
This has its roots in the high
expectations of all members of the
school community and a strong
pastoral system.
Headteacher Jonathan Osborn,
says: “King Edmund is committed to a
strong home-school partnership.
“We believe by working closely with
parents and students, we will help
them achieve their personal best
academically and ensure they are
safe, secure and happy at school. Staff
focus on delivering excellent
teaching, making good use of the
school’s outstanding facilities.
“Students are supported in a wide
variety of ways to ensure they reach
their potential, with opportunities for
mentoring, one-to-one tuition and
help outside lessons. Students have
every opportunity to excel in every
lesson.”
An experienced special educational
needs co-ordinator leads a large team
working with staff, students and
families. In-class support and small
group work are key strategies used to
ensure individual need is met.
Mr Osborn adds: “Prospective
parents are most welcome to arrange
King Edmund
School
a tour of the school to see the school
in action for themselves and to get a
flavour of how we work with students
to support them achieving their very
best.”
Business and enterprise and
applied learning specialisms are a
core part of the school’s ethos.
The school has an excellent track
record of provision across the full
ability range pre- 16 and post-16.
The curriculum is wide-ranging
with firm, but fair, discipline allowing
all students to thrive.
There is also an extensive and
varied programme of extra curricular
activities, with a large number of
sports-based clubs and other
activities from chess to rocket
building.
lGCSE 5+ A*–C: 70 per cent
lGCSE 5+ A*– G: 93.3 per cent
lGCSE passes at grade A*–C:
lEnglish Language 53.7 per cent
lEnglish Literature 90.1 per cent
lMathematics 70 per cent
lScience 85.2 per cent
echo-news.co.uk
Parents Guide
Echo Thursday September 27, 2012 33
The sky is the limit
LOOK how far apprenticeships
have moved on
since they were first
formalised back in 1563.
Back then apprentices
didn’t get paid and the
average apprenticeship
lasted for seven years with
only the choice of a handful
of careers.
Today, there are more than
250 different apprenticeships
to choose from, ranging from
horticulture to hairdressing.
At Central Training, staff
passionately believe apprenticeships
are the foundation
to a career, which is
evidenced by the staff.
From the managing
directors, Andy Wright and
Martin Kolton, to the
management team and
tutors, all started their
careers by completing an
apprenticeship.
They commented: “As a
company we can honestly
say that we would not be
where we are today, in the
top 10 per cent of colleges
and training providers
nationally, if we had not
Central
Training
Academy
completed an apprenticeship.”
The Apprenticeship
Framework really is the best
way to ‘learn whilst you
earn’ in a range of careers
from administration to
zoology.
Just look at the top earners
in the UK. JCB Chairman,
Sir Anthony Bamford tops
the list of wealthiest exapprentices,
worth
£2.15billion, closely followed
by people such as celebrity
chef Jamie Oliver, worth
£106 million, and Dragons’
Den businesswoman
Deborah Meaden, worth £40
million.
Take the first steps in the
foundation of your career by
enrolling at Central Training
for a apprenticeship and
work for one of the many
successful employers who
also started their working
life as an apprentice.
Winners – staff from Central training Academy at the Echo’s Countywide Business Awards
34 Echo Thursday September 27, 2012
echo-news.co.uk
Parents Guide
Small enough to care but big
enough to make a difference
HASSENBROOK Academy is a
great place to learn. We are
small enough to care and big
enough to make a difference.
With 740 learners, our academy
has a community feel with
teachers and students getting to
know and understand each other
well.
Year 11 students at
Hassenbrook Academy have been
celebrating recently upon
achieving the best GCSE results
in the academy’s history. 65 per
cent of students achieved 5 or
more A* to C grades including
English and Maths, with an
overall 73 per cent of students
achieving at least 5 A* to C grades.
Richard Glasby, headteacher, is
delighted with the outcome.
“Students and staff are to be
congratulated for this fantastic
set of results, our best ever. The
hard work from all concerned has
really paid off.”
“Despite a reported decrease in
GCSE results nationally,
Hassenbrook are pleased to
announce our results have
improved. Notably two of our
senior prefects, Chloe Sebastiao
and Mary Adesina, achieved an
outstanding 14 A*/ A grades with
Hassenbrook
School
distinctions in OCR Nationals in
ICT – an accolade that many
students across the country can
only dream of. Nearly 40 per cent
of the cohort achieved ten or more
GCSE passes at Grade C or above.
“We have limited places
available and we invite you to
consider our academy.
“Make a date to meet us on our
open evening, open day or arrange
to look around at another time.
“We are ideally situated to
accept students from both
Thurrock and Basildon.
Transport options may be
investigated if sufficient numbers
join us from Basildon.”
WHY COME TO
HASSENBROOK?
Newly built ICT suites
Year 6’s transition week in
July
Easily accessible by public
transport
Sixth Form provision
Exam success – Hassenbrook Academy students celebrate their results
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