Prospectus
Opportunity to
develop
Dear Students
T
hank you for your interest in South Bromsgrove High. “South”, as our school is affectionately known, is a high performing academy which achieves results at GCSE and A level significantly above local and national averages. I know that the transition to High School, or to Sixth Form, is both an important and exciting phase in your educational
pathway and I hope that this prospectus gives you an insight into what it is like to be a student here. We have high expectations of all our students and aim to equip you with the skills and experience which will enable you to be successful in the next stage of your life. This may involve you moving into our very successful Sixth Form and on to University, or taking a route with more bespoke training, an apprenticeship or work-related study. Each year we learn of former students who are happy in their careers and who remind us that the foundations for their success were laid in their time with us. In 2012 we were inspected by Ofsted who graded the school as outstanding in all areas - achievement, quality of teaching, leadership, behaviour and overall effectiveness. Our whole community was delighted as this was independent confirmation that our work with students is among the best in the country. One of the opening sentences from the report notes that “Students’ universally positive relationships with one another and staff promote consistently excellent learning.” Inspectors also wrote that “The outstanding range of subjects and courses includes many memorable experiences, greatly enriched by the exceptional arts provision and the largest school-based centre for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in the country”. Each year we have around 500 students participating in Bronze, Silver and Gold awards. The school has been designated as a National Teaching School in 2014, one of only 500 such centres in the country, in recognition of excellence in Initial Teacher Education and Leadership Development. This means that we can attract the highest quality teachers who are motivated, enthusiastic and dedicated to ensuring that you are happy, believe in your abilities and reach your potential. You are most welcome at any time to look around and see our school in action. I look forward to meeting you. Paul Topping MA (Ed) Headteacher
my
skills... 3
in an
excellent school,
What you can expect…
I
n today’s fast-moving and competitive world we believe it is important that students can demonstrate engagement and imagination in their work. We offer challenging tasks and opportunities for independent thinking in a range of learning environments. We encourage critical thinking and reflection in a broad curriculum and in an extensive enrichment
programme recognised as excellent by four consecutive Artsmark Gold awards. We work tirelessly to ensure that the quality of teaching and learning is the best it possibly can be and to promote a sense of responsibility in our students for their own development. Our teachers and support staff take great pride in the continuing success of the school. Students certainly achieve high standards in academic qualifications, but we also recognise that the development of social skills is key to young people taking their place successfully as adults in society. Our emphasis on social, cultural and personal development supports confidence-building and self-esteem. We value participation and teamwork very highly, and courtesy and respect are key words in our vocabulary. Students’ views about school really matter to us and ‘student voice’ is a powerful dimension within our community. Students are encouraged to take an active role in Learning Councils which play an important role in our planning, reviewing and quality assurance.
matters to me. 5
I want to
build on my
International opportunities…
E
ducational trips and visits enhance the learning experience in many curriculum areas. We have annual visits to several European Countries led by subject areas such as Modern Languages, Humanities, Music and PE subject areas. Annual ski and snowboarding trips are particularly well supported, as is our visit to the World War I
Battlefields in Ypres and the Somme. Students have visited destinations outside Europe including
Honduras, South Africa and Barbados. We have a long standing relationship with Arusha,Tanzania, and students have raised significant funds over many years to build and expand The New Life School, which now houses around 400 students of secondary school age. An annual reciprocal teacher exchange, funded by the British Council, takes place for a week in the Summer and Autumn terms.
achievements... 7
and I will also strive
What makes South different….
T
he Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is an integral component of the South experience for large numbers of students. For some parents, the school’s reputation in this area of our work alone has become a deciding factor in their choice of school.
Students enrol in D of E in year10 and start the development of the four skills areas at Bronze Award level – volunteering, physical, skills and expedition. While students work relatively independently on the first three areas, groups of between five and seven students work through the year with a teacher to prepare for a practice expedition in Spring (north Worcestershire) and a qualifying expedition in Summer (Malverns). Expeditions involve challenge and fun in equal measure. Typically we have up to 230 students enrolled in Bronze and completion rates are very high. Silver Award runs in year 11 and Gold Award in the Sixth Form with both offering wider-ranging and more intense experiences in the Forest of Dean and Snowdonia. It is a tribute to the dedication of our staff that the majority lead, voluntarily, on the award. We encourage year 9 students to enrol in our Legacy Challenge which also involves developing a number of skill areas and is seen as ideal preparation for D of E.
for new
beginnings... 9
and
opportunities.
T
he Performing Arts are a high profile component of school life. We have a sophisticated music technology centre which complements our choirs, orchestra, dance band, brass band, string ensemble, recorder group and rock band. Instrumental tuition is offered by visiting teachers and the school runs many musical opportunities remote from the site,
allowing students opportunities to perform to local, regional and national audiences. The superb facilities for performance have been put to excellent use. From productions of Twelfth Night to musicals such as The Wedding Singer and We Will Rock You, students have performed at the highest level and become experts in lighting, technical effects, stage management, wardrobe and set design. Dance groups perform at local and county festivals and we hold a dance fest at which students perform disciplines from ballet to cheerleading. Inter-House competition is another dynamic and exciting feature of the school and the annual Eisteddfod - which showcases over two evenings excellence in music, drama, dance and sport, with more than 500 students participating, led by highly competitive Sixth Form House Captains - has to be seen to be believed.
11
When the
hill gets steeper
Our commitment to parents…
W
e believe strongly in the partnership between students, parents and school. We value communication with parents and will keep you fully informed about achievement and progress. Throughout the year we hold a number of informal, interactive evenings which help parents support students with homework,
revision, learning strategies, choice of Key Stage 4 courses and provision at post 16. Parents can elect to see teachers at consultation sessions held each half term. We place great emphasis on support and guidance for students – with a careers officer based in school. Heads of Year and our pastoral support team work tirelessly to ensure that students’ needs are met and that parents are well informed. Although telephone and email contact allow for efficient messaging, we will always make time for you if you need to see us. Our parents forum of about twenty parents meets regularly and offers support on wider aspects of education. Newcomers are always welcome. The Governing Body supports all aspects of South’s continued development and is composed of about twenty governors who are absolutely dedicated to achieving the best outcomes for the school. Many Governors are parents of current or former students.
I will
have... 13
the
resilience
and
Significant partnerships…
P
artnerships with other schools are an important feature of our work and allow us to share good practice and offer wider experiences for students. Through our Teaching School work, we are closely linked with Haybridge High and Trinity High. Local first and middle schools and Bromsgrove School are members of our strategic partnership
board – helping us take a lead in the county on continuing professional development and research and development. We have an excellent relationship with our feeder schools and our focus is to build on success, ensure a smooth transition and support the quality of teaching and learning. Within industry and commerce, significant work is undertaken with local and regional companies so that students can access expertise and facilities and become aware of progression routes beyond school. In recent years, developments with companies such as Mettis Aerospace, Barnett Waddingham, WST Travel and Taylor Wimpey have proved particularly fruitful. Our excellent reputation with the Higher Education sector, including local universities, has resulted in the overwhelming majority of students securing their first choice courses at degree level.
determination... 15
to reach the
summit.
More about the Sixth Form…
W
e ensure that high quality, independent guidance is made available to everyone in the school through Years 9-11. Despite the wide-ranging opportunities in the local area, most of our students complete their education by enrolling for the Sixth Form. With around 350 students, we are able to offer an attractive mix of
A Level and BTEC courses. Most of our students will progress to university, but we are keen to make sure that alternative pathways are considered, and that students’ career decisions are soundly based on the guided use of effective, modern resources. Our learning programmes are complemented by a variety of opportunities for personal development. Most students plan to continue with their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, and the large number receiving Gold Awards at the annual presentations at the Palace never fails to impress our proud parents. D of E at this level allows students to demonstrate very high levels of independence, team-skills and problemsolving abilities, which also make a strong impression on a student’s CV.
17
These are some of the
most
M
any students develop their marketability by engaging in voluntary activities in our community, such as peer mentoring, supporting youngsters in our feeder schools, or working for charities in a variety of ways. There are masses of opportunities for leadership; senior students promote and organise our inter-house activities and the
competition for leadership roles is always intense. The excitement generated by the annual Eisteddfod is largely about sixth-formers providing a lead, and modelling qualities of commitment and loyalty to their house. Foreign tours, enterprise activities, stage productions, conferences, debating, and well-supported competitive sports also characterise the Sixth Form, along with our concern to develop spiritual, moral, healthy and politically aware young citizens. Current students comment on benefits such as a top-rate education, with excellent learning facilities and a great deal of encouragement. They associate the Sixth Form with a strong work ethic, supportive staff and a quality social environment where they can increase their confidence and develop their independence.
important
years of my life. 19
I will aim
high and
O
ur results have continued to go from strength to strength, and not surprisingly the Sixth Form attracts a strong interest from students attending other schools in the locality. We provide weekly opportunities for individual guidance visits, as well as an orientation day for those new to our Sixth Form. We also feature a course ‘taster
day’ for all our Year 11 students, and we strive to maintain a supportive relationship with all our applicants throughout Year 11, whether they attend South or elsewhere. The key questions for all those considering the Sixth Form are: ‘what are my aptitudes?’ and ‘how can I benefit from the specific opportunities available at South?’ The key response from us is: ‘how will we continue to ensure that we can meet the needs of our young men and women in the Sixth Form?’ Feedback from students each year tells us that our sixth-formers really enjoy their time with us. They especially appreciate the quality of the teaching, and the highly supportive approach that we provide for learning. They refer to the very high expectations their teachers have regarding the quality of work required, and how they feel able to meet their targets. Overall, our belief is that students attending the Sixth Form at South will receive an outstanding quality
of education and care, in a safe, inclusive environment, and that they can expect to leave us with the tools to make confident decisions about their future, as well as firm foundations for an impressive curriculum vitae.
believe in myself. 21
“Space to think and listen; time for development of my skills. Expectations that I will rise to and expertise to help me realise my potential. Friendships that will last a lifetime; goals that I will set and work towards. Dreams for the future that will become a reality and opportunities that I will grasp.”
“I want my school to offer me challenges to capture my imagination and creativity and develop my skills. I am looking for a school that will help me grow as a person where I will enjoy learning and where I will achieve.”
A38 A448
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A38
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@SouthBromsHigh dR d
S t o k e Rd
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SOUTH BROMSGROVE HIGH t: 01527 831783 f: 01527 837162 e:
[email protected] www.southbromsgrove.worcs.sch.uk
R e d d it c
h
South Bromsgrove High
Charford Road Bromsgrove Worcestershire B60 3NL
Inspiring Confidence Through Learning
Access Junction 4 or 5 M5
Headteacher: Paul Topping MA (Ed)
South Bromsgrove High is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. South Bromsgrove High Academy Trust is a charity and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales with Company Number 8565135 whose Registered Office is at Charford Road, Bromsgrove, B60 3NL
