School Prospectus 2013/2014 - Pershore High School

2014 - 2015Headteacher: Clive CorbettChair of Governors: Rob PhillipsClassificationPershore High School is a co-educational academy forstudents aged 12 to 18. As a good school with outstandingfeatures we were awarded Academy status in 2011.An Ofsted inspection in 2013 confirmed this judgement.There are currently 1115 students on roll in the schoolThere are 81 members of teaching staff. They are supportedby 86 other staff.Admission ArrangementsAdmission into years 8 to 11 is administered on our behalfby Pupil Admissions & Transfers Section, Children’s ServicesDirectorate, County Hall, P.O. Box 73, Worcester, WR5 2YA(Tel: 01905 763763).We follow the LA admissions policy as explained in theirbooklet which is available at:www.worcestershire.gov.uk/schooladmissionsOur planned Admission Limit is currently 252 for September2015. Applications must be made by 31 st October 2014.An Open Evening is arranged for 6.30 to 9.00 pm on2 nd October 2014.It is normal for Year 7 students at our three contributoryMiddle Schools at Drakes Broughton, Pinvin and Abbey Parkto transfer to the High School.However, every year we also admit students from otherschools into all years, whether in or outside of catchment.Parents, especially those moving into the area, areencouraged and welcomed to visit the school and discusswhat we can offer with the Headteacher. Please call01386 552471 to make an appointment at a mutuallyconvenient time.We also have an outstanding Sixth Form which also admitsstudents from Worcester state and independent schools. Tofind out more details and request a Sixth Form prospectusplease contact the Headteacher or Head of Sixth Form,Jason Howell.Special Educational Needs andDisabilities (SEND)There is a Mainstream Autism Base and the Hampton Centreprovides for the special needs of other students.In line with the 2014 SEND Code of Practice, the aim of theschool’s SEND policy is to enable all students to achieve theirfull potential, academically and socially and to have access tothe National Curriculum. Please see the school’s website for adetailed statement.The objectives of the SEND policy are:• To ensure early identification of special educational ordisability needs;• To provide equality of opportunities to all studentsthrough appropriate differentiation;• To give specialised provision and/or specialist teachingwhere necessary;• To communicate with parents, carers and students,valuing their contribution;• To establish links with external agencies.Mission StatementPershore High School provides high quality education forall in a safe, supportive and stimulating learningenvironment. In our school community all people arevalued and we expect them to make a positivecontribution that will allow them to become responsibleand independent members of society.School EthosAt Pershore High School we value initiative, creativity andambition, and we seek ways to encourage leadership skills.“An outstanding feature of the school’s work is the way inwhich it promotes the development of leadership skillsamongst students” (Ofsted July 2013)We promote sensitivity to the needs of others, co-operationand a spirit of service to the community, whilst encouragingcompetition and the pursuit of excellence.“Students are kind, helpful and respectful towards oneanother” (Ofsted July 2013)We aim to maintain an orderly, purposeful, stimulating andpleasant atmosphere in the school so that all our studentsmay flourish.“There is a positive climate for learning in allclassrooms………….Students make good progressduring Keys Stages 3 and 4 and achievement in the SixthForm is outstanding” (Ofsted July 2013)We are committed to:• offering the highest standards of teaching, guidanceand support, thus enabling each student to achieve thehighest possible academic standards;• equipping students with basic key skills which will standthem in good stead throughout their working lives;• encouraging students to participate in the wide rangeof activities on offer;• fostering personal as well as academic development;• giving students a sense of belonging to a community;and• encouraging students to take increasing responsibilityfor their own learning.“Students have good attitudes to learning and behaveexceptionally well around school…………There is anexcellent variety of extra–curricular and enrichmentactivities” (Ofsted July 2013)SafeguardingWe believe that it is always unacceptable for a child toexperience abuse of any kind. We recognise ourresponsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children.We provide staff, volunteers and visitors with guidance tofollow when they suspect a child may be experiencingabuse or is at risk of harm. We work co-operatively withother agencies to safeguard and promote the welfare ofchildren. We ensure that our concerns about our pupils arediscussed with parents/carers first - unless we have reasonto believe that such a move would be contrary to the child’swelfare.“The behaviour and safety of pupils is outstanding”(Ofsted July 2013)Pastoral Care and Academic SupportAt Pershore High school our concern for the welfare andsocial and academic success of our students is paramount.To achieve this we run a vertical tutoring system in whichevery student belongs to one of three Houses, overseenby a Head of House and House team. Each tutor groupwithin the House is made up of a few students from everyyear group.This mix of age groups allows our young people to learnfrom older role models, look out for each other anddevelop leadership skills. Tutors know their tuteesextremely well and are able to carry out targetedacademic mentoring at key points in the academic year,encouraging students to reach their full potential atcritical times. Siblings are in the same House and as far aspossible students stay with the same tutor and Houseteam for the whole of their time in the school, buildingsolid, consistent relationships between school and home.Religious Education PolicyThe curriculum of the school makes provision for allstudents to attend both acts of worship and lessons inReligious Education.It is open for parents to request that their child be excusedfrom these activities. Any such request should be in writingto the Headteacher.Policy DocumentsAll policy documents are available on request.They arereviewed systematically by a Governors Policy Review Group.