Prospectus 2019/2020 WELCOME / ATTAINMENT Welcome to our School

The motto of ‘Aspire and Achieve’ underpins classroom as well as within it. There is a growing school as well as the challenge of being taught all aspects of life at Leasowes; we are an STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) by the best teachers across the trust. There has ambitious and hard-working club which has been a successful award winner in been collaboration around sports, which includes committed to excellence. To ‘Aspire’ is to both national and regional competitions. This is now termly ‘Invictus Games’, schools competing against direct our students’ hopes and ambitions being enhanced by residential experiences at RAF each other, visits to high profile events including Wimbledon, and events planned every term in a towards achieving their highest academic Cosford. Our ‘Gryphon Programme’ stretches the students in school with inspirational experiences variety of traditional and prestigious sports. As the results and fulfilment of potential. To ‘Achieve’ including university visits, speakers with talks such as trust develops over the next few years, all students at is to successfully bring about the end results ‘Public speaking’ and ‘Black Tie Etiquette’ this then Leasowes will have the opportunity to participate in of that aspiration through their hard work, culminates in a ‘Tea Dance’ at the end of year 10. elite experiences. effort, skill and courage. As a community we Whatever the need or interest of the student, we In conclusion, Leasowes High School, is a ‘good’ work together to our ultimate shared desire; believe that there will be something to challenge, school, one that believes in providing an outstanding to be an outstanding school within a multi inspire or motivate them at Leasowes. education for all its students, with a first class Academy Trust that is oversubscribed in the The school is a happy and caring environment which curriculum offer, an enhanced extra curricular local community. celebrates achievement and nurtures. Our pastoral programme, individual personal development, team includes form tutors for each child, a Head of incorporating traditional values, which will allow all Our aim is to help each and every student to Year for each year group, pastoral support managers children to thrive in the future. understand and reach their potential by offering an who work daily with all children, an attendance impressive range of opportunities and approaches officer, and a nurse. The work that is undertaken by to learning, supported by a caring and committed them encompasses safeguarding the children in our pastoral team, dedicated to the health, emotional care, and supports them throughout their time with Leasowes High School wellbeing and personal development of each and us, providing them with the skills and knowledge to every individual. be resilient and thrive in the future. This is further GCSE Results 2019 We are a school committed to providing a rigorous enhanced with the School Health Team being based Leasowes High School, , a academic curriculum where students gain knowledge, in the school and supports the education of our member of Invictus Education Trust, skills and understanding through outstanding Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship programme, are pleased with their GCSE results teaching. Our curriculum provides breadth across all as well as meeting individual needs of children subjects, including the arts, technology, and languages. and families. This is again supported by an active this year. In particular they have seen The Accelerated Reading Programme which is support network of parents led by one of our Senior an increase in the achievement of the followed by all key stage 3 students, aids students Leadership Team. top grades including the prestigious with comprehension and literacy skills across all In December 2016, the school became an Academy grade 9s, and some excellent results subjects. Leasowes’ curriculum supports the needs and joined the Invictus Education Trust. The in Science, both at combined and of all; students from year 7 are taught in ability based collaboration of the six schools and their mission groups with emphasis on progress and achievement, is to raise standards and is already evidenced by individual. We would congratulate but no child is overlooked or undervalued in our rising numbers of children wishing to attend an each student on their successes, desire to Aspire and Achieve. Invictus school. Our own school has now been and thank the committed staff and At Leasowes each student is challenged to bring oversubscribed in year 7 for three years. The parents in supporting them with their opportunities provided for the children include more to their education than a lesson by lesson achievement. experience. The range of activities offered to performance at festivals and concert halls across this students is varied, with extra curricular clubs available country. This culminated in the Invictus Festival of There have been some excellent individual for all. The school has daily sporting activities, as Performing Arts held at the Wolverhampton Grand results with students. These include Aysha Shaik well as opportunities to represent the school in Theatre in March 2018 where all schools performed (four grade 9s and four grade 8s), Yaseen Kaid the traditional teams. Every year the Arts team elements of their shows in front of a large audience (four grade 9s, two grade 8s and two grade 7s), work with our students in the school production with the use of professional sound and lighting and Kourtney Squires Purnell (one grade 9, five grade and they have the opportunity to take a lead part in July 2019, joined together as an Invictus Choir 8s and two grade 7s), James Moore (one grade 9, in the show, or be a member of the chorus. Many performing in Germany. That show embodied all four grade 8s and two grade 7s), Alisha Chumber of our students also work on the lighting, sound that the Trust and Leasowes High school are about; (two grade 9s, two grade 8s and two grade 7s) and are the back stage crew. It is a complete team they aspired and they achieved! and Lara Albutt (two grade 9s, two grade 8s and effort, and again, shows the importance and value The joint 6th form with bases in each of the schools, a grade 7). that the school places in its work outside of the allows students to feel the support of their own

2 www.leasoweshighschool.co.uk JOINING Joining our School

Transition to and to help with the inevitable nerves of a share in their achievements. The points are then new school. Some children may be given an celebrated with award assemblies, letters of The care for your child begins long before they earlier induction morning if there is only a small recognition, achievement postcards and reward come to Leasowes. Our staff will visit Primary number coming from their school to allow badges as well as termly events. All of these schools and work closely with colleagues to some new friendships to be made before the areas must be of high excellence to be invited learn about the children coming to us, and two day induction programme. At our special to be part of the Reward Trip or Year 11 Prom. what they have been learning. We encourage evening for parents and carers held directly children from a wide range of primary schools after the induction days, there is time for the Admissions to visit us in years 4, 5 and 6 so that transition final exchange of information which should Although Leasowes adopts the policy of to school can be made with confidence. These ensure that starting Leasowes High School is a the Dudley Local Authority in relation to are through an annual Year 5 Celebration, smooth and well-organised process. admissions. Questions regarding admissions Primary Football tournaments, Arts Fest and to Leasowes can be found on the website or many other curriculum based sessions. High Expectations and Reward addressed to: Induction days take place in the summer term We recognise and reward hard work, positive School Admissions Service when children will spend time with us to attitudes, good attendance, behaviour and The Council House, Priory Road, Dudley, West familiarise themselves with the new school. achievements, both in and out of school. This Midlands DY1 1HF Children are supported by our own prefects is done through an online system of positive and peer mentors who can respond to all the and negative points called Aspire. During the school’s open weeks prospective questions that they really want the answers Aspire is available for all parents to view and to parents are given tours of the school.

“The school cares about me and wants me to be the best I can be.”

www.leasoweshighschool.co.uk 3 CURRICULUM Leasowes Curriculum

The Leasowes curriculum is designed to meet starting points. Progress against the target Aspire the learning needs of all its students, providing will be measured regularly throughout their Leasowes High School’s motto is ‘Aspire appropriate experiences and qualifications school time from Year 7 to Year 11. In some and Achieve’ and underpins all aspects of the to support the young person. At its heart areas, students’ targets may be set higher, school – both for its students and its staff. To is the curriculum being broad and balanced, aspire is to: operating a two year Key Stage 3 and a three especially where a student is gifted and talented, year Key Stage 4, with GCSE and Level 2 furthering the schools desire to challenge them • Have a great ambition or ultimate goal courses beginning in year 9. with our high expectations. • Strive toward an end or condition • Rise high and move upwards From Year 7 students are taught in ability based Our PSHCE (Physical, Social, Health, and groups in English, Maths and Science with Citizenship Education) covers an extensive and The aims of the school are very simple indeed. a clear focus on progress and achievement. comprehensive programme. It addresses key We want every individual student to regard sec- ondary school as their next step in journeying Data is reviewed half termly to ensure that the health related education including smoking and towards personal achievement. We aim to students are placed in the correct group to issues around mental health and wellbeing as provide the opportunities to make this happen maximise their potential. Those students who well as substance abuse. It also looks at Online both on an academic and a personal level. We enter the school as the most able are placed Safety and aspects of safeguarding as well as want them to be challenged in forming their into a ‘Grammar School’ style stream which sex education. Before the sex education course characteristics as a person in partnership with aims to deliver the highest possible outcomes. begins, parents can exercise their right to parents, carers and the wider community, to All students will be taught English, Maths and support them in fulfilling their aspirations. withdraw their child at this time. Again this can Science, French or Spanish, Geography, History, be found on the school website. Religious Education, Art, Music, Dance, Drama, Achieve Textiles, Food Technology, Graphic Products, Religious Education is taught in the lower school To ‘achieve’ is to gain by hard work or effort Resistant Materials, ICT and Physical Education. in Humanities, and the moral and spiritual and to bring to a successful conclusion. This encompasses what Leasowes believes will dimension is continued into the upper school The data that is provided to the school from be the pinnacle of students’ aspirations. Key Stage 2 helps us to ensure that students curriculum as a weekly timetabled lesson Students at Leasowes are rewarded for their receive appropriate teaching materials and for all. These are complemented with the achievements in school with achievement methodologies. Those with additional needs opportunities to meet for collective worship postcards, certificates, prizes for sustained are supported both in lessons and in the where students from different faiths and effort and good work, excellent attendance, Learning Development Centre, where specialist communities can meet and learn morally and praiseworthy conduct, helpfulness and improvement. Students are awarded help is available. Information about Special spiritually together. Educational Needs and Disability can be found achievement badges which they wear on their No child is overlooked or undervalued as blazers with pride. on the school website. Our policies cover arrangements for admission of students with appropriate support is given to all students disabilities; details of steps taken to prevent regardless of their starting point in the desire to disables students being treated less favourably Aspire and Achieve. than other students; details of existing facilities We aim to provide careers, skills and training to assist access to the school by students with advice and guidance for all our students. We disabilities; the accessibility plan. have designed a careers programme based A feature of Leasowes is the Accelerated on the needs of the school. Our programme Reading Programme, supporting and helping follows the Gatsby Career Benchmarks, which students to improve their reading, usually are the result of an international study to find very quickly using the library to access a wide the best practice in career guidance worldwide. range of texts and tests. A number of rewards Every year group follows a careers education are given throughout the year celebrating the and guidance programme which forms an amount of words that have been read including essential part of the curriculum at each Key the ‘Million Word Club’, encouraging students Stage. The aim is to raise aspirations and to become regular readers. provide students with a better understanding Students will be given a target grade as they of the pathways needed to take in order to join the school based on their Key Stage 2 achieve their goals.

4 www.leasoweshighschool.co.uk “The opportunities given CURRICULUM are possible because of the amazing staff who put so much time into helping the students reach their full potential.”

Our school assemblies celebrate academic achievement, sporting prowess and attitude to learning. At the end of every school year the parents are invited to our School Achievement Celebration and are presented with an achievement booklet with their child’s name and award printed in it. Our year 11 students attend a dedicated awards evening where they receive their final awards in all subjects, with special prizes for community, sport, arts and the top award of the Christina Edkins Award – given every year in recognition of the student who lost her life so tragically – for the student who fully embraces ‘Aspire and Achieve’ in everything they do. School Aims • To enable the learners in our school to learn. • To prepare them for a life in which the world is constantly changing. • To instil in them the desire for lifelong learning. • To equip all our learners with the skills to set objectives and undertake tasks successfully. • To encourage effective communication and social skills, tolerance for and celebration of differences, and care and respect for others. • To enable everyone to build and maintain good relationships.

www.leasoweshighschool.co.uk 5 Where we differ from other multi academy trusts is our intention to collaborate, across our schools, in every aspect. In the past 5 years, our students have benefited from this collaboration through joint learning experiences, trust wide enrichment and access to the incredible facilities within our estate. Our innovative 6th form regularly appears at the top of league tables and leader boards for progress, our 6th form spans across all 6 INDEPENDENT MINDED campuses with students transported, free of charge via our fleet of minibuses. EDUCATION Our ‘Invictus Subject Directors’ model enables one one sold out across a number of nights. Our Invictus expert to lead the curriculum across our 6 schools, Choir has performed in some of the country’s most ensuring consistency in learning and a wider support illustrious venues, including Birmingham Symphony network for our teaching teams. Other areas of focus Hall and the Royal Albert Hall. We sold out the for our trust are ensuring that our students enjoy Wolverhampton Grand Theatre for our ‘Invictus unique opportunities and elite experiences. To do Festival of Performing Arts’ meaning our students Invictus Education this we appointed a director of performing arts and were able to perform to an audience of over 1200 director of sport. people! Trust was created in Our Invictus Sport ethos is ‘Unconquerable in Sport’. Competition between our schools is tenacious, March 2015 by a group fierce but fair and when our schools come together to face other schools and trusts we become of like-minded schools: formidable. During Miss Hatton’s time as Director of Sport our students have Crestwood, Ellowes Hall enjoyed access to sailing, scuba diving, golf, skeet shooting and tennis. This Sports College, Kinver year the students even attended ‘The Championships’ at Wimbledon. These elite opportunities High and Wombourne complement a full programme of the more traditional sports across High School. Two schools all the schools. Although Mr Wingate oversees have since joined us, our Performing Arts teams, he is the first to admit that the support Leasowes High School he receives from each schools performing arts department is a key in Autumn 2016 and driver behind the incredibly talented musicians, dancers, singers and actors. in Coming together to perform across a number of platforms has further unlocked and unleashed that talent. Each school hosts September 2018, further 1 or 2 whole school productions each year, every strengthening an already thriving trust.

6 www.leasoweshighschool.co.uk The next phase for us, in terms of a Invictus Values Start with the end in mind collaboration, is the launch of the ‘Invictus Our principles and standards of behaviour. We identify our aspiration and put processes Culture’. The Invictus Culture has seen Every day, in every way, in place to exceed expectations. We celebrate all of our schools, and 6th form, adopt a our progress throughout the journey. shared vision, mission and set of values. our students come first Our first and most important value. Think collaboratively What is a culture? We always ask ourselves; can we include The feeling or climate conveyed without a Anything is possible more students, more of our team or more word being spoken. We focus on the challenge to identify it, our of our schools in anything we do? energy is spent finding a solution. Invictus Vision Accountability Our aspiration, what our schools and Trust will look like in the future. If it is to be, it is to be me. Our culture Our communities will have access Seek and seize opportunities is embraced by to an outstanding education. EVERYONE within the We aim to deliver ‘WOW’ through organisation, from students Our schools and 6th form cater for the opportunities and experiences. social, economic and cultural diversity that to CEO, and everyone in our country is comprised of and deliver Focus on relationships and between, come and see opportunities and experiences that all else will follow for yourself at our open celebrate that diversity. evenings! Open, honest and empathic relationships We are to be locally based, but with clear and simple communication are nationally important. the foundations of our Trust. Invictus Mission A formal summary of what we do and why we do it. We exist to provide our schools with the resources to offer independent minded education to their communities. Our academic focus is on progress. We achieve this with exceptional teaching delivered by outstanding teachers, who are supported by an outstanding team. We provide our students with unique opportunities and elite experiences allowing them to thrive in whatever they pursue.

www.leasoweshighschool.co.uk 7 SUPPORT Student Support

The support given to the students at Leasowes as well as maintaining high expectations in uniform, Having a School Nurse attached to the school gives through our Student Support is exceptional. behaviour, attendance and punctuality. confidence to parents and students. If students Each student will be given a form tutor as they The Pastoral Support Managers add value to the become ill during the day the school nurse holds the enter the school. This is ably supported with a work of both the Form teacher and the Head of Year. medical records and is fully qualified to assess the Head of Year and a team of three non-teaching They are not attached to a specific year group, but situation and take prompt action. She will inform Pastoral Support Managers, an Attendance will work closely with students who may need a key parents immediately if she is concerned. It is vital Officer and a dedicated, fully qualified School worker, building relationships with parents, providing that parents and carers supply us with up to date Nurse. support groups in self-esteem and resilience and addresses and contact numbers in case of providing guidance when needed, in behaviour, an emergency. The support given to the students at Leasowes attendance and wellbeing. Staff within the team are through our Student Support is exceptional. Each Our Greenhill Alternative Learning Campus, which also Mental Health First Aid trained, ensuring the student will be assigned a form tutor as they enter is located on a separate site, provides an alternative students gain valuable and timely support where the school. Tutor groups are supported with a Head location for students who struggle to maintain the appropriate. All have a clear responsibility to of Year and a team of three nonteaching Pastoral standards of the main school site. There is a bespoke ensuring our children are safeguarded. Support Managers, an Attendance Officer and a programme on offer to help them redefine their dedicated, fully qualified School Nurse. The Attendance Officer is part of this wider team approach to learning and to support them The most important person is the Form Tutor who in school ensuring the registers are checked daily to succeed. and that absences are recorded, but is also there will see each student daily, keeping a caring eye on There is a developing chaplaincy team within the to challenge where attendance maybe poor and academic progress and their general wellbeing. They school where weekly, faith leaders from our local work closely with families to improve, because poor will monitor attendance, uniform expectations and community will offer a listening ear and support behaviour of students building in time to teach self- attendance does impact on progress and attainment. to our students and staff. They will also support discipline, tolerance and social awareness. Where The Attendance Officer will also refer families to the the assembly programme but closely follow school possible, the Form Tutors will remain with their forms Education Investigation Service (statutory body for policies with safeguarding. for the five years of schooling. The Heads of Year Dudley) if poor attendance to school continues or if will also follow their groups and add further guidance holidays/leave of absence is taken in the school term The student support is there to ensure that every and support with monitoring of academic progress (unless exceptional circumstances). child thrives.

8 www.leasoweshighschool.co.uk LEADERSHIP Student Leadership

The school takes pride in ensuring that students who support our vulnerable Our leaders throughout all year groups aspire to students are given opportunities to be leaders. students, those who may be struggling with become our ‘stripees’- our School Prefects, Deputy Students can be members of the Student worries and concerns from both in and out of Head Girl and Boy and Head Girl and Boy. These Council; they are representatives of their form school. They will be there to support the new student leaders are the highest representatives of the group and year group and are able to share students who arrive in year 7, with regular school and undertake duties, represent Leasowes at with Senior Leaders some of their concerns visits to their form groups supporting various events and look after guests to the school. in the school – whether this is environment, the transition. fundraising or teaching and learning. They They apply to become a prefect and undergo a Having leadership in curriculum areas is a further meet regularly throughout the year and stringent interview process where all aspects of their area for our students. They are invited to apply to work collaboratively across the year groups. school career are taken into consideration from be leaders in all subjects, meeting with the teachers There is also opportunity to be a member of positive behaviour points, attendance, punctuality to look at resources, run lunchtime activities and be the Eco-Council which looks closely at the along with their commitment to extracurricular their representatives at open evenings and other schools use of recycling and better use of the events in the school. With all of these leadership activities and the wider community. These are highly environment. opportunities, the students wear their badges with sought after, prestigious positions which showcase A number of students are Peer Mentors; pride on the lapel of their blazer. the students at their best in ‘Aspiring and Achieving’. “It is my privilege to be the Head Boy of Leasowes High School and to be a role model to the other students in the school, helping them reach their aspirations

www.leasoweshighschool.co.uk 9 UNIQUE

Unique Opportunities & Elite Experiences Enrichment at the RAF STEM Glider Championships and the Beast, Peter Pan, Little Shop of Horrors regular winners at the Royal Aeronautical and We Will Rock You. There are growing Leasowes offers a wide range of enrichment Society Stem Challenge. The area is flourishing opportunities across Invictus with the Strings activities. There is an expectation that all and the students at Leasowes show skills and Orchestra and the Invictus Choir. Recently the students participate in this, as it provides a commitment working together. Invictus Choir performed at the Symphony Hall commitment to the school where achievement and success become closely associated with Students show commitment and teamwork and toured Germany in concert – opportunity enjoyment. There are regular trips and within the Physical Education department. There that Leasowes students participated. Back in experiences to different countries. We have is a fitness suite which is named annually after 2018, all schools within the Trust performed an annual ski trip, and in recent years also a student who shows that commitment to the at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre visited Iceland, a World War battlefields trip teams in the school. Teams will compete in the under professional lights and sounds with an to Belgium, as well as Paris and Barcelona regular sports across Dudley, Worcestershire orchestra with excerpts from their own school through our Languages department. and Staffordshire. The Invictus Schools also shows. Students have also performed in the compete in their own termly ‘Invictus Games’, Shakespeare in Schools. All the Arts subjects STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and and students also have the opportunity to be bring enormous pleasure to participants and Mathematics) is a growing speciality of the audiences with dance, drama, music and art. school. There is a daily club that the students a member of the Invictus Teams – being the can attend and they work in teams building and best in the 6 schools to compete in national There is something for everyone – debating, developing technology using the skills associated competitions. There is also thriving Duke of scrabble, board games, computing, culture are with STEM. They are UK regional champions Edinburgh Award group where students learn just a highlight of what is offered. For a child in Formula One in Schools competition for key skills and complete their Bronze and Silver to Aspire and Achieve, it is fundamental that two consecutive years and in 2019 had two Awards including the expeditions. the learning in the classroom is supplemented teams compete at the national event achieving Every year the students at Leasowes have the with options out of it, and that if a child wants awards against the top 15 schools in the country opportunity to perform in the show, which in to further their learning in a specific area, the held at Airbus UK. They are also champions recent years has included Grease, Beauty and activity can be provided for it.

10 www.leasoweshighschool.co.uk SIXTH FORM

Welcome to Invictus 6th Form Leasowes Campus

Our campus offers familiar surroundings, small class sizes and outstanding teaching and learning. However, being small has its benefits – students get the care and attention that they deserve meaning that they can thrive knowing that they can achieve anything! Sixth Form tutors off er specialised advice on studying, revision, careers and universities. Students are encouraged from the very start to develop independence and to become ‘professional students’. They are treated as young adults and have their own Sixth Form space in school. As a result, students flourish in a supportive school environment. Opportunities outside the classroom are numerous. Enrichment activities include tutoring young students, work experience placements, classroom teaching assistant opportunities, sport and much more. Students also have social events and opportunities to develop further personal skills. As a member of Invictus Sixth Form, Leasowes also provides a base for students to benefit from as well as the expertise and support from the other schools in the Multi- Academy-Trust. This means that students are given every opportunity to succeed.

‘Invictus Sixth Form brings together the dedicated sixth form area. We believe that this allows forthcoming GCSE examinations and look forward very best teaching, learning and achievement our students the freedom and independence to to meeting you at one of the open evenings or at from six successful schools; Ellowes Hall develop their own sense of identity and confidence as interview in the weeks and months to come. Wombourne, Kinver, Leasowes, Crestwood well as providing the support and challenge needed Jane Kendrick and Pedmore.’ to ensure that they can meet the demands of Sixth DIRECTOR OF INVICTUS SIXTH FORM Form study. We are committed to providing a high quality, We have high expectations of our students in every forward looking and caring educational experience sense. Studying at Invictus Sixth Form is demanding which enables all our students to fulfil their potential. and advanced level work can be challenging as well as We recognise and value achievement within all exciting, rewarding and fun. Students are expected aspects of Sixth Form life, be it in an academic, to work independently, manage their own time and sporting, creative, personal or social context and are balance the many demands placed upon them. If you keen to celebrate our students’ many successes. find such a prospect attractive it is likely that you will We offer a wide variety of advanced level courses enjoy and gain enormously from becoming an Invictus and our small group sizes ensure that each student Sixth Form student. has the support and challenge needed to be We welcome applications from Year 11 students successful. All students will belong to a tutor group within Ellowes Hall, Crestwood, Leasowes, Kinver, at their chosen base campus and receive regular Pedmore and Wombourne High Schools as well academic mentoring from their personal tutor as well as from other schools within Wolverhampton, as support with careers and university applications. Dudley, , Halesowen or further afield. We also have an extensive enrichment programme We have a proven record of success and hope that which complements our students’ academic studies, our prospectus will encourage you to take the next providing them with opportunities to develop new step in applying for a place and ultimately becoming skills, make new friends and settle into Sixth Form life. a student with us. On behalf of the staff of Invictus Each campus within Invictus Sixth Form has its own Sixth Form, I wish you the very best of luck in your

www.leasoweshighschool.co.uk 11 Anything is possible Accountability Seek and seize opportunities Focus on relationships and all else will follow Start with the end in mind Think collaboratively

Leasowes High School | Kent Road | Halesowen | | B62 8PJ