Blessed William Howard Prospectus 2020-lowres

Blessed William Howard
Catholic High School

Mission Statement
In this school we commit ourselves to Catholic
education. We dedicate ourselves to the
continuing development of the whole person.
Our mission is to lead each person towards a
fulfilled life founded on Christ’s teaching of love
and respect for one another and to hand on
his promise of a life to come.
We work together with home and parish, to
make a difference to the lives of the young
people entrusted to us.
Love of God, Love of People,
Love of Learning, Love of Life.

Your child’s future at
Blessed William Howard
Catholic High School
A foreword from the Chief Executive Officer of
The Painsley Catholic Academy, Mr S G Bell.
I am delighted that you have decided to consider Blessed William Howard
for your child. Part of The Painsley Catholic Academy, the largest
multi-academy in the Archdiocese of Birmingham, the school faces an
exciting future. I have a clear vision of how our family of schools can
operate effectively, ensuring that each and every one of our students
achieve their full potential in a caring and disciplined environment.
As Chief Executive Officer, I will work tirelessly to ensure that your child’s
ambitions and God-given talents are realised. I look forward to welcoming
your child to Blessed William Howard in September.
Mr S. G. Bell BA (Hons) PGCE MA NPQH
Chief Executive Officer
A welcome from the Principal, Mr K J Brown.
As the Principal, I am proud and honoured to welcome you to Blessed
William Howard Catholic High School. Our school welcomes all students
into a happy and thriving learning community, with a real commitment
and strength in working in partnership. I take the trust that you, as
parents, place in me to care, guide and educate your child very seriously.
As a Catholic High School, we offer a unique education which places
Christ at the centre of everything we do and helps us to secure strong
learning foundations throughout the school.
At Blessed William Howard Catholic High School, we expect everyone
to respect each other and work together. We believe students have the
right to a safe and enjoyable education in a positive, disciplined and
caring environment. This presents every child with a challenge to be the
best person they can be, reach their academic potential and realise their
dreams.
Blessed William Howard provides:
- A caring, secure and disciplined learning environment.
- Renewed focus on high academic performance.
- Exceptional student support.
- A wide range of extra-curricular activities.
- Commitment to success for all.
I would be delighted to take you on a tour of the school and talk through
the exciting opportunities we can offer your child. Please contact us and
we can arrange for a suitable time for you to visit.
Mr K J Brown BSc (Hons) PGCE NPQH
Principal

Students play an active role in the religious life of the school, saying
daily prayers, taking part in assemblies, attending special Masses and
other liturgical/spiritual events. The Chaplain and Lay Chaplain have a
particular pastoral concern for all students.
There is an obvious nurturing ethos within our school. Both staff and
students show mutual admiration and respect for each other and this
results in a very positive atmosphere around the school.
Diocesan inspectors recognised that Senior Leaders have taken very
effective action to improve student progress in RE as well as improving
teaching and learning methods. They acknowledged that the school’s
self-evaluation of GOOD standards in Catholic Life, Religious Education
and Collective Worship was accurate and appropriate to further improve
standards. They also added that the school has successfully created
a shared understanding of what a deeply spiritual collective worship
experience looks like on a daily basis throughout school.
“The school
supports effectively
the spiritual, moral,
social and cultural
development of
pupils.”
- Ofsted 2019
There is a relentless focus to improve the experience learners have of all
subjects and extra-curricular opportunities due to the drive by leaders and
staff to deliver the very best they can for their students.
Retreats
One of the other advantages of BWH is our belief that every child,
regardless of religion, should be given the chance to experience a
residential retreat.
Retreats allow our children time out from everyday life, providing time for
reflection on spiritual matters to learn more about themselves and others.
Great for team and confidence building, our students really get a lot out
of these experiences.
Can we apply if we are non-Catholics?
We welcome applications from all who share our vision and values and
wish for their children to experience a faith-based education.

Love of God
The Catholic Life
Of The School

“Teaching is
well structured
and focused on
supporting the
progress of all
pupils.”
- Ofsted 2019

Love of People
Success For All
The school calendar is packed with curricular and extra-curricular
opportunities. We have been awarded the Arts Mark Gold Award
and recognised as a National Citizenship Centre of Excellence.
There is an outstanding programme of musical groups and events
throughout the year, culminating in many prestigious awards.
Personalised Learning
All students follow a broad and balanced curriculum, which
will enhance their prospects for success and provide them with
opportunities to progress to the next stage of their learning. Our
curriculum prepares students for lifelong learning and for the
opportunities, responsibilities and challenges of life in the 21st century.
All students are placed in ability sets, which provide both challenge
and support. Each one of our students is expected to do their best
and all achievements are recognised in a positive way through the
extensive arrangements for monitoring individual progress. Teachers
respond flexibly to the needs of the students because of their
capacity to assess how well the students understand the lesson, using
a blend of innovative and traditional teaching methods.
Charity
BWH prides itself on creating a school ethos with relationships and
community at its heart. As part of this, we actively encourage all
students to get involved in fundraising activities for both local and
international charities.
By embedding this into the culture of the school, each year, we see
a growing number of students with the confidence to come forward
with their own fundraising ideas. Seeing these ideas through to fruition
involves determination, planning, negotiation, hard work and risk
taking. However, the elation students experience when they succeed
and the pride they feel when they realise the impact they’ve made
are immense.

Curriculum
At Blessed William Howard all students follow a
two-year Key Stage 3 which complies with the
National Curriculum requirements. Students then
follow an academic curriculum that includes
mathematics, English, science (including triple
science for the most able), a language, a
humanities subject along with option choices.
They also have the opportunity to take part in
extra-curricular activities. Each child is regularly
assessed in all subjects to ensure that they develop
excellent revision techniques. It also allows us to set
ambitious targets, recognise achievements and
provide support where necessary.
The School Day
The school day starts with children arriving before
8.40am so that they can be ready in their Form
Tutor groups by this time. Form Tutor time is an
interactive session for prayer and activities with
a tutor, the first link between parents and school.
Parents are encouraged to maintain regular
contact with the tutor.
Blessed William Howard is proud of the supportive
and caring atmosphere we provide for our
students. Form time is followed by five lessons,
each lasting at least one hour, and the school
day finishes at 3.15pm. Students are expected to
remain on the premises for the whole day.
Extra-Curricular Activities
Our extra-curricular programme includes the
Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, as well as
numerous clubs, and gives students the chance to
complement and extend their education. Activities
range from sports and hobbies to community work.
We are justifiably proud of our successes in sport
and offer local, national and international trips for
our students to participate in.
“All pupils have access to a wide range of activities
that enrich their curriculum. Visits and trips,
including foreign travels, art, sport, drama, and
music, contribute to the well-rounded education
pupils receive…The school actively encourages
pupils’ involvement in the community and in
charitable work. The vast majority of pupils enjoy
school and come across as happy, confident and
considerate.” - Ofsted 2019
Post-16
We have a purpose built Sixth Form Centre which
combines social space and domestic facilities with
a quiet study area and a computer room.
Blessed William Howard is a member of the Stafford
Sixth Form Partnership, providing access to a much
wider range of courses and qualifications. Our aim
is to accommodate our students on appropriate
courses and to maintain the pastoral care and
enrichment which we consider to be a strength
of our school. Where students may wish to study
subjects off site, our co-operation within the Stafford
Sixth Form Partnership will facilitate this. Please ask
for a copy of our latest Sixth Form Prospectus.
Love of Learning
Outstanding

“Music is great at
BWH. I love how
many opportunities
we have to
experience different
instruments in Year 7
and Year 8.”
- Student

Love of Life
Partnership
Learning
At Blessed William Howard we
provide individualised support for
students with additional needs.
For example, students with Special
Educational Needs receive inclass
support and/or withdrawal
from classes where appropriate.
Our Special Educational Needs
Co-ordinator and the SEN team
work very closely with parents and
external agencies.
We provide challenging
opportunities and enrichment
activities for all of our students.
Student performance is monitored
closely and regular meetings
are held to agree goals and
individual action plans. Homework
is set according to a homework
schedule on a software package
called, ‘Show My Homework’. This
allows students and parents to
access the homework online.
Progress
We make the transition from
primary to Blessed William Howard
as secure and happy as possible.
We go to great lengths to get to
know you and your child, even
before your child joins us, and
arrange many induction events
throughout the primary years.
Parents work in partnership
with the school to support their
child’s education and enter
into a Home/School Agreement
at the beginning of Year 7. This
sums up our intention to work
together so that each student
can gain maximum benefit
from their time here. Regular
bulletins, frequent newsletters,
a text messaging service and a
calendar of events are important
forms of communication. Parents
receive regular reports on their
child’s progress and there are
parents’ evenings held once per
year during which parents can
liaise with subject teachers and
help formulate targets for future
success.
Blessed William Howard places
a great deal of importance
on attendance. We operate
a first-day contact system for
absenteeism - if your child is
absent, please telephone in
the morning or we will contact
you at home or work. Parents
are requested not to take
their children out of school
for appointments (wherever
possible). Annual holidays are not
permitted in term time.
Pride - School Uniform
We believe that a smart and
distinctive uniform, worn neatly
and tidily, helps to instil a pride
and a sense of loyalty to the
school and is an essential element
in ensuring that Blessed William
Howard continues to enjoy a
high reputation in the local
community. In the long run it is
both practical and economical.
One of the many advantages of
uniform is that it makes it quite
clear to all concerned that
each of our students belongs to
one community: Blessed William
Howard. It is this “oneness” which
helps to make the attitude and
cooperation inside the school
very special and also impresses so
many people who visit and know
about Blessed William Howard.
Correct uniform is firmly enforced,
both at school and as students
arrive or leave the premises.
We rely on parents to help us
maintain these high standards.
Encouraging the best behaviour
and maintaining clear codes
of behaviour is a vital factor in
providing a secure environment.
We expect high standards
of conduct towards staff,
each other and property. Our
Attendance and Rewards and
Sanctions Policy is a fair and
easily understood system, which
balances out rewards and
sanctions.

“The school has
an inclusive ethos,
and pupils are
clear about the
values that direct
every aspect of the
school life.”
- Ofsted 2019

Blessed William Howard
Catholic High School
Rowley Avenue | Stafford | Staffordshire | ST17 9AB
01785 244 236 office@bwh.staffs.sch.uk
www.bwh.staffs.sch.uk
Blessed William Howard is part of The Painsley Catholic Academy, a Company limited by
guarantee, registered in England & Wales with company number 08146661.
Registered office address: Station Road, Cheadle, Staffordshire, ST10 1LH.
Designed and produced by MBDM Limited. Web: www.thecreativeagency.marketing