a positive attitude wi - Smithills School

TAKE A
POSITIVE STEP TO
A FUTURE FULL OF
OPPORTUNITY.
BEGIN YOUR
JOURNEY HERE AT

IT’S EASY TO BE POSITIVE
OUR MOTTO: Pride and Respect.
A MESSAGE
FROM THE HEADTEACHER
Dear Parents and Carers
I took up my post as Headteacher of Smithills in September
2011. Before applying for the job I did my research and
discovered that not only is Smithills a wonderful place to work,
it’s an even better place to learn.
It was repeatedly described to me as being ‘a great big family’ and I am proud to have
become a part of it. Once your son or daughter becomes a part of the Smithills family they
will receive more care and encouragement than in any other school I have known. They will
be happy and they will be safe, and they will be challenged to always do their very best.
We will aim to match perfectly what is taught in lessons to what your son or daughter
needs to learn. Lessons are stimulating and fun, but expectations are high and we
constantly look at each and every part of the school to see how we can make your child’s
experience of learning even better.
At the end of their five years at Smithills School you will have every reason to be proud
of your child’s academic performance and the huge range of activities they have been
involved in, and you will be glad they came to join the Smithills family.
As a teacher (and a parent), one of the most important questions you can ask yourself
is whether you would be happy for your own children to attend the school in which you
work. I know for certain that if my children were still of secondary school age I would
be delighted for them to come to Smithills!
I look forward to welcoming you all.
Very best wishes,
Alec Cottrill, Headteacher.
CONTENTS
3 Pastoral Care and Wellbeing
5 Our History
7 I wasn’t expecting that!
9 Extra-curricular Activities
11 Specialist Subjects
13 Admissions
OUR VISION: Academic Excellence. Rich In Opportunity.
2

3
PASTORAL CARE
AND WELLBEING
Being a part of the Smithills family means having all the best
aspects of family life without the bickering and queues for
the bathroom! bathroom! Each day approximately 1400 students come
together to form our School Community – often called the
Smithills family – and we aim to offer offer an outstanding outstanding support
network to each and every one of them, to ensure their
safety and wellbeing, both during school hours and at home.
Students are placed in ‘vertical’ forms within a House System. The benefit of this is that
brothers and sisters will be in the same form, making it much easier for Parents/Carers
to build strong relationships with Form Tutors. The support offered by our House Teams
including Heads of House, Intervention Officers, Form Tutors and indeed students is
second to none. House Offices are staffed throughout the day by non-teaching staff,
which allows any issues to be dealt with promptly.
FULL FULL FULL FULL OF OF OF OF POSITIVE POSITIVE POSITIVE POSITIVE THINKERS
THINKERS THINKERS
THINKERS
“ Positivity is at
the heart of every
community.”
Olivia Lloyd-Kent, Year 7
SUPPORT WHEN IT’S NEEDED
To assist students with any administrative
matters, such as school dinners, contact
with home, bus problems etc., a member of
the Office Team provides a Student Services
window outside lesson times.
Our designated First Aid Officers are available
to assist students at all times and we also
offer a ‘drop in’ service for students to see the
School Nurse with more personal matters.
Students have access to a designated Safeguarding Officer who
is a non-teaching member of staff and all staff regularly undergo
safeguarding training. The online SHARP System has also proved
to be a very effective way for students to confidentially pass on
any concerns or questions they have.
THE NEXT STAGE OF THE JOURNEY
Leaving a familiar environment to start the next phase of your
education can be daunting for any child and transition both to and
from Smithills school is carefully managed. Year 6 students attend
our transition days and come to a welcome evening with their
parents, whilst our transition team visit students at their Primary
Schools. Year 10/11 students are assisted with their college and
career choices by Connexions, who are based on the school site.
JUNK FREE ZONE
As a forward-looking school, we take the health of our students
very seriously and are delighted to have been awarded Healthy
School status. All our delicious school meals are prepared on-site
in the school kitchens and we operate a healthy food policy, to
encourage students to eat a balanced diet.
EXCEPTIONAL FACILITIES
On a final, lighter note, we’re also very proud of our ‘super-loo’
which is staffed at all times when students are in school and has
even been nominated for ‘Loo of the Year’!
SMITHILLS SCHOOL - PRIDE AND RESPECT 4

5
A HISTORY TO BE PROUD OF
Smithills Schools 1957 to the present day
The first Smithills school opened on the site
just in time for the Autumn Term of 1957,
with building work still being completed
as children arrived for their first day. The
building was built to house approximately
640 students, although phased entry into
school meant it was many years before
this number was met.
This was Smithills Secondary Modern School, under the
stewardship of the designated Headmaster (as they were then
known), Mr Clements.
During the next five years, two further schools were built. The
opening of the Smithills Grammar School saw Mr Clements move
to become its new Headmaster and a gentleman called Mr Meakin
became head of Smithills Secondary Modern School. Smithills
Moor Grammar School, a technical grammar school, was the
final school to be built on the site, which came to be referred to as
‘Smithills Base’. The Moor Grammar, as it became known, came
under the leadership of Mr Matthews, affectionately called ‘Stanley’
(after the famous footballer), though never to his face. This final
stage included the building of numerous workshops, to add technical
opportunities to the curriculum, and a swimming pool.
Long before the phrase ‘comprehensive education’ was mooted it
existed, at least in a limited way, in Smithills as there was, to some
degree, mobility of children between schools. All three schools
worked independently but the common ‘House’ system served to
engender a united identity.
These were three highly successful and popular schools which
remained until 1982 when they were amalgamated under
comprehensive re-organisation to become Smithills School; a 1760
place Comprehensive School, which in its early days was vastly
over-subscribed. Every available corridor space was converted into
classrooms, all whilst children were being taught.
To compound the challenge of excessive pupil numbers, a political
decision was made to disperse the majority of grammar school
teachers to other schools in Bolton, to eliminate any possibility
of the new comprehensive school merely becoming a grammar
school under a different name. As a consequence, the majority of
staff who arrived on the first day of the autumn term were new to the
site. The designated Headteacher of the new combined Smithills
School, Mr Kehoe, was tasked with managing this extremely
demanding change-over to comprehensive education. He set a
course for the school and, throughout his tenure of over 20 years,
Smithills maintained its popularity and saw a steady improvement
in examination results, whilst establishing its ‘caring’ reputation
under the motto of Pride and Respect.
A POSITIVE FUTURE
During this period of comprehensive re-organisation, a Sixth Form
College was established on the site of the former Smithills Grammar
School building, but in 2011, with a new Sixth Form College being
built in the town centre, the former Smithills Grammar School / North
College building returned to the fold and once again became part of
Smithills School.
Today, Smithills School is a true comprehensive school, catering for all
children of all backgrounds and abilities, at the heart of its community.
Becoming a specialist Arts College was the catalyst for further
academic improvement which continues to this day. Examination
results reflect how Smithills students and teachers aim for excellence
and show the true nature of this caring and progressive school.
To the best of my knowledge all of this
potted history is accurate although some
dates may be slightly awry.
Stuart Bowman, a teacher at Smithills
School for 35 years (now retired). Once a
Smithillian always a Smithillian!
SMITHILLS SCHOOL - PRIDE AND RESPECT 6

I WASN’T EXPECTING THAT!
7
We believe a positive attitude leads to
positive results and we invest time and
energy into inspiring a confident, ‘can
do’ attitude in each and every one of
our students. Smithills is a family full of
positive thinkers.
Our leadership team wanted to find a new and exciting way to
promote a positive attitude within the school and give students the
confidence to express what positivity means to them. The idea they
developed successfully encouraged children to embrace how great
it is to be unique and to shout about the amazing things our school
can achieve when we all pull together.
THE IDEA: ‘POSITIVITY – FROM YOUR
OWN PERSPECTIVE’
Staff and students alike were invited to contribute a piece of
artwork to illustrate what positivity means to them. This could be a
drawing, painting, photograph, sculpture, video, a piece of writing
or even a sound. The inspiration could be anything from a person
or a hobby, to a piece of music or even a favourite place.
“My piece is about art as, to me,
art represents positivity. I’ve had
loads of positive encouragement at
school to explore art and develop
my own style and I’m taking Art
GCSE. I believe that everyone can
make art. My collage includes
works by Banksy, Andy Warhol and
wildlife artist Rebecca Latham, as
well as some of my own pictures.”
Fatima Adams, Year 10
It didn’t matter if it took 5 minutes or 5 days to create,
as long as the piece was the artists own, original
interpretation of ‘Positivity’.
A UNIQUE DISPLAY OF POSITIVITY
In total 625 artworks were submitted – including photographs,
collages, sketches, paintings and sculptures – and all were
printed on to hanging banners and displayed in an impressive
‘art’ exhibition at Market Place Shopping Centre, Bolton titled
‘I Wasn’t Expecting That!’
Each piece was the artist’s original and personal take on what
makes them feel positive and artworks included everything
from photographs of students’ mums to pet dogs.
Deputy head, Peter Faulkner submitted an x-ray of a nasty
fracture he was told would end his rugby playing. His positive
attitude helped him get past the injury and he took to the pitch
again just 15 months later.
Everyone who attended the exhibition was surprised and
wowed by the creativity displayed by the artists and many left
the exhibition with a very positive spring in their step!
“ Positivity can be
shown in any colour;
any form; anywhere.
Daniel Lloyd, Year 9
“ If you dig under the surface of Smithills you
find the most amazing wealth of humanity.
The most amazing positivity. What we saw
at this exhibition were shining glimpses of
the way our staff and students think; the
way they behave towards each other; what
they see as important in their lives and in
the lives of the school. It’s certainly not
what I was expecting when I came to the
school less than one year ago”.
Alec Cottrill, Headteacher
“I’ve drawn a self portrait, surrounded by some
of the things that are really important to me. I’ve
shown dragons and vampires and the colour
purple. An MP3 Player illustrates my love of
music – especially the band Paramour.” Paramore.”
Alex Nugent, Year 9
SMITHILLS SCHOOL - PRIDE AND RESPECT 8

9
EXTRA-CURRICULAR
ACTIVITIES
We believe that every child has a talent
and there are lots of opportunities for
children to get involved and discover
new skills through a wide range of
extra-curricular activities.
Not only is taking part in activities beyond the core school
curriculum fun and stimulating, it allows the teaching staff to
identify and develop abilities that a child may not always get the
chance to demonstrate in the day-to-day classroom environment.
A CHANCE TO SHINE
Trying a new activity and discovering you can really shine at
something can do wonders for a child’s self-esteem and motivates
them to strive for success.
Sessions are open to all and take place during lunchtimes, after
school and at weekends in a diverse range of activities including
fishing, sports, music and drama productions.
PRACTICE A SKILL OR
TRY SOMETHING NEW
• Studyzone, Learning support
• Drama Club
• Performing Arts and Music
Brass Band, Chamber Orchestra, Jazz,
Vocal, Tuba, Wind, Keyboard
• A full range of sports
including mountain biking, fishing,
football and basketball
• Dance, Street and Hip Hop
• Language
• Business and Technology
• Salon
• Residential experience
over their five years students have a variety
of trips and residential visits to opt for
“ Positivity is
a way of
overcoming
fears or
challenges.”
Cameron Wood
A A A POSITIVE POSITIVE POSITIVE POSITIVE ATTITUDE ATTITUDE ATTITUDE ATTITUDE WILL WILL WILL WILL TAKE TAKE TAKE TAKE YOU YOU YOU YOU
SMITHILLS SCHOOL - PRIDE AND RESPECT 10

11
SPECIALIST
SUBJECTS
Smithills was accredited as a Specialist
Performing Arts College in 2003. Although
the nature of Specialist Colleges is
changing, our commitment to Performance,
Music and Art remains as strong as ever
and our World Championship bands
continue to captivate audiences both in
this country and abroad.
The benefits of learning to play an instrument are many, and all
children, regardless of experience and skill, are invited to take
instrumental music lessons and loan instruments free of charge.
POSITIVELY POSITIVELY STAND STAND OUT OUT FROM FROM THE THE CROWD! CROWD!
“ I think positivity
means trying
your hardest in
everything and
being creative.”
Georgia Baxter
We aim for excellence in all subjects through
inspirational teaching and creative learning.
AN ALL-ROUND EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE
If your child has other talents, you can be reassured that
Smithills offers far more than just the Performing Arts. Academic
excellence is our target and we are achieving that goal – without
compromising the extraordinarily rich opportunities our students
have here. Results in the summer of 2011 reached 50% 5 A*- C
including English and Maths and 98% A*- G. Strong evidence
and already completed GCSEs indicate that we will be at 60%
5 A*- C at the end of the academic year 2011/12.
Both our formal curriculum structure and extra-curricular
programmes enable students to grow and develop into
responsible and capable citizens. The majority of our students
will progress to Key Stage 5 and Further Education to continue
their learning journey.
FIT FOR LIFE
We are fortunate to have our own superb Sports Centre
(opened 2001), indoor, heated swimming pool and huge
sports fields; facilities that enable our staff and students
to participate in many different forms of competitive sport
and health-related fitness.
OUT IN THE FIELD
In the academic year we have numerous field visits
and trips within the UK scheduled but students are also
undertaking community work in Kenya, attempting to
climb mountains in Africa, performing in our outstanding
dance productions in New York and touring with one
of our internationally renowned bands in other parts of
North America.
SMITHILLS SCHOOL - PRIDE AND RESPECT 12

ADMISSIONS
All students of transfer age who live in the
Metropolitan Borough of Bolton may apply
to Smithills School.
Parents of children in Year 6 at primary school are asked to
indicate their preferred choice of secondary school by October.
In September, leading up to this date, parents and children are
invited into Smithills School for an Open Evening and also to visit
during the working day by arrangement. We warmly encourage
such visits, believing that they help parents and children to
appreciate the quality of education we provide. Please telephone
01204 842382 to arrange an appointment.
Smithills is located in a very pleasant location on the north side
of Bolton, three miles from the town centre. The school is served
by several bus routes making it easily accessible for students
from all areas of Bolton.
Headteacher Mr Alec Cottrill
Chair of Governors Mr I Carter
School address
Smithills School
Smithills Dean Road
Bolton
BL1 6JS
13 SMITHILLS SCHOOL - PRIDE AND RESPECT
Telephone 01204 842382
Fax 01204 467201
Email office@smithillsschool.net
Web www.smithillsschool.net
Office hours 8.30 am to 4.00 pm
WE DO LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU
Whether you wish to express a concern, complaint or compliment,
please write to or email the Headteacher directly at the school.
WE’RE POSITIVE
“ Positivity means being
nice to people, respecting
them, helping people.”
Ajaaz Patel

TO FIND OUT MORE
OR ARRANGE A VISIT
Call 01204 842382
Email office@smithillsschool.net
Visit www.smithillsschool.net
START YOUR
JOURNEY TODAY
Head teacher Mr Alec Cottrill
Chair of Governors Mr I Carter
Smithills School, Smithills Dean Road, Bolton BL1 6JS
“ I think positivity
means thinking
positive and having
a positive view
towards everything.”
Rehman Ahmed
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