Headteacher's Letter
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HEADTEACHER’S LETTER Dear Parents, Hinchley Wood School has a well-established reputation within the area for providing high quality education and good public examination results. This success is based on an approach which combines high expectations with sensitivity to students' individual needs. Well-qualified and experienced staff work together to make this school a successful and happy community. We offer a rich, varied and stimulating curriculum as well as superb purpose built accommodation. As a school, we strive constantly to improve on our previous best. We have received national awards for our GCSE results, the Healthy School's Award for our personal and social development programme and the British Council International School's Award for our work with schools in other countries. We were also one of the first schools in the country to be awarded Music College status which has enabled us to provide a range of new learning opportunities in music and ICT. Particular importance is placed on recognising and rewarding individual achievement. Students are actively encouraged to participate in a wide range of artistic and sporting activities; many gain recognition at local and national level for their achievements. There is also a flourishing school council and a long tradition of student involvement in charity and community work. Students at Hinchley Wood School are able to continue with their studies in the sixth form. The purpose built sixth form centre with dedicated ICT suite and social area provides an ideal learning environment. Students still benefit from the excellent support offered throughout the rest of the school while taking greater responsibility for their learning. Our effectiveness is dependent on developing good relationships with you as parents. We value your opinions and welcome your involvement in all aspects of school life. Choosing the right secondary school is an investment for the future. I hope this prospectus will give you some sense of the school's vitality, values and achievements. You are welcome to visit us during the school day; I look forward to meeting you should you wish to accept this invitation. Yours sincerely, Steven Poole Headteacher 2009 - 2010 PAGE ONE A Specialist Music College Hinchley Wood School PROSPECTUS 2009 - 2010 A Co-educational Comprehensive Trust School for Students Aged 11-18 Headteacher: Mr Steven Poole BEd (Hons) MSc Chair of Governors: Mr Aidan Fudge CLAYGATE LANE, HINCHLEY WOOD, ESHER, SURREY KT10 0AQ Telephone: 020 8398 7161 Telefax: 020 8339 3908 E-mail: [email protected] www.hinchleywood.surrey.sch.uk Hinchley Wood School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. 2009 - 2010 PAGE TWO A Specialist Music College CONTENTS o Introduction • Mission Statement, Ethos and Aims • Facilities • Partnerships • Sixth Form o A Desire to Succeed • Commitment to Learning • Student Voice • Guidance and Welfare • Mentoring • Consultation Evenings and Reports • Independent Learning o The School as a Learning Community • The Curriculum • Learning Support and Special Educational Needs • Religious Education and Collective Worship • Personal, Social and Health Education and Citizenship • Careers Education and Guidance • Sex and Relationship Education • Extension and Enrichment Activities • School Trips and Visits • Clubs and Activities o General Information • Equality Scheme and Accessibility Plan • Development Fund • Charging and Remissions • Complaints Procedure • Admissions • Academic Year Dates 2009-2010 • Times of the School Day o School Uniform, Attendance & Destinations o Staff List • Teaching Staff • Associate Staff o Key Stage 3 Teacher Assessment Levels, GCSE, A Level Examination Results o Admissions Procedure Please note that all details are correct at the time of going to press. 2009 - 2010 PAGE THREE A Specialist Music College INTRODUCTION Mission Statement Hinchley Wood School will be a sustainable school providing outstanding learning opportunities and personal development for all. Ethos “Caring for ourselves, each other, the environment and the future” We work together to make this a happy and successful community where we celebrate achievement and support each other through mutual respect and trust. Aims We strive for excellence by: • Providing each student with the skills, knowledge and understanding which allow the widest possible choice for the next step in their lives • Making learning accessible, effective and enjoyable so that students value their education and want to learn throughout their lives • Building the confidence of all students by developing their strengths and celebrating their achievements • Encouraging students to take responsibility for their own learning and behaviour • Showing respect for others and the school environment • Promoting a strong link between home and school • Helping students to value, support and participate in a variety of school and wider communities. Impressive Facilities The school has a range of well-equipped specialist rooms. In recent years, it has undergone a number of major building developments. Five new science laboratories were completed in January 2005. New learning resource and learning support centres were opened in Autumn 2005 and a new music centre and drama studio in September 2006. Two dedicated locker areas were completed for September 2007 and September 2008. The Modern Foreign Languages Department has been given a complete make-over ready for Autumn 2009. The school has also benefited from further investment in ICT facilities. There are now seven dedicated ICT suites with broadband internet access. Every classroom also has an interactive whiteboard. There is a well-managed learning resource centre appropriately equipped with computers, video-conferencing and internet access. Working in Partnership The school enjoys the full and active support of parents. Regular contact is maintained through newsletters, partnership with parents' evenings, reports and consultation evenings. The Partnership with Parents Group supports the school by helping to promote the school in the community, and increasing contact between parents and staff on matters of common interest. Sixth Form The Hinchley Wood Sixth Form Centre is situated in purpose-built accommodation. Students are able to study a range of AS and A level courses. There is a programme of trips, sporting and social events. Members of the sixth form also take a leading role in the life of the school. A prospectus giving full details of the courses and admission criteria is available from Ms A Gibb, Sixth Form Co-ordinator. 2009 - 2010 PAGE FOUR A Specialist Music College A DESIRE TO SUCCEED A Commitment to Learning We have a calm, disciplined learning environment. Every member of the school community is expected to follow the agreed code of behaviour by: • Acting with courtesy, consideration and respect to all • Co-operating to enable effective teaching and learning to take place • Behaving responsibly in such a way as to ensure the safety of people and property at the school • Taking pride in their appearance and the school environment We place great emphasis on self-discipline. Students are encouraged to make a positive contribution to the daily work of the school which is celebrated and valued both informally and formally. Students receive verbal or written thanks as well as awards and merits for excellent work and commitment. There are regular presentations of awards in assembly and at prize giving evenings. Student Voice The School Council meets to discuss issues relevant to the life of the school community. It comprises student representatives from each tutor group. Many of the initiatives for charity work, as well as projects for improving the school environment and developing the school curriculum, come from this body. It is a lively and effective forum for debate and its work is highly valued. There is also a School Sustainability Group run by students which has already achieved the Silver Eco Award and has ambitious plans to make us more sustainable. Guidance and Welfare We believe students can only achieve their maximum potential when help, guidance and support are readily available. Each student is placed in a mixed ability tutor group in Year 7. Each group is supported by a tutor and a Head of Learning who monitor students' overall progress and academic welfare. Students meet their tutors twice a day for registration and follow a tutorial programme where they discuss relevant and contemporary issues. We work closely with a range of external agencies to support individuals with specific needs. As a school we have responsibilities under the Children Act 2004 to inform social services should any child protection issue arise. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Mentoring Students' achievements, levels of attainment and effort are monitored regularly in all subject areas. Individual targets are also set for students. In order to monitor the progress of students, there will be meetings between tutors and students during the year. Consultation Evenings and Reports A series of induction and information evenings are held each year for parents. There is a termly 'partnership with parents' meeting to discuss school developments and matters of concern. There is also an annual parents' consultation evening. Parents are always welcome