Port Glasgow HSHB Inners.Indd
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Port Glasgow High School Handbook 2008/2009 Introduction November 2007 Dear Parent I was asked recently what is the key strength of Port Glasgow High School? The answer was easy, the people! Our pupils, our staff and the support that we enjoy from our parents and other partners all contribute to this wonderful school community. I believe that together we truly are a ‘Learning Community’ committed to working and learning together for the benefi t of our young people. As parents of next session’s First Year, I am sure that you will be impressed as you read this handbook. It gives you important information about the school and provides you with a fl avour of our ethos. Our top priority is to offer learning opportunities of the highest quality for all our young people. We aim to achieve this by valuing each pupil individually and equally. We recognise that all pupils are individuals with different learning needs and work to meet these through the courses taught, the teaching approaches used, the pupil support system and the range of extra-curricular activities we offer. By recognizing pupils as individuals with different needs we can assist them to develop their potential as successful learners, confi dent individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors. This is an exciting time for the school. We are a School of Ambition, with our partners in St Stephen’s High School. We are committed to developing the learning capacity of our pupils and S1 pupils participate in the innovative Learn to Learn programme. We are a Health Promoting School and are working towards Eco-School status and we have international links, notably through our partner school, Ngludi Secondary School in Malawi. In early June, there will be a meeting of all pupils and parents coming into S1 next session. In the meantime, if you require further information on the school you can visit our website, www.portglasgowhighschool.org.uk, or call to arrange a visit. I look forward to meeting you then, if not before, and to many years of successful collaboration. Alan Dick Head Teacher 1 c copyright. The Homework Diary Company Ltd. Registered in Scotland No 177762 Port Glasgow High School Handbook 2008/2009 Authority Strategic Statement Building Inverclyde through excellence, ambition and regeneration. Goals and Values Our core values are: Respect, Honesty and Tolerance Our vision for the children and young people of Inverclyde is that they should be ambitious for themselves and be successful learners, responsible citizens and effective contributors. To achieve our ambition of building Inverclyde through excellence, ambition and regeneration our children must be: Safe: protected from abuse, neglect and harm by others at home, school and in the community. Healthy: enjoy the highest attainable standards of physical and mental health, with access to healthy lifestyles. Achieving: have access to positive learning environments and opportunities to develop their skills, confi dence and self esteem to the fullest potential. Active: active with opportunities and encouragement to participate in play and recreation including sport. Respected and responsible: involved in decisions that affect them, have their voices heard and be encouraged to play an active and responsible role in their communities. Included: have access to high quality services when required and should be assisted to overcome the social, educational, physical, environmental and economic barriers that create inequality. Nurtured: educated within a supportive setting. 2 Port Glasgow High School Handbook 2008/2009 Port Glasgow High School School Aims Port Glasgow High School aims to offer education of the highest quality through valuing each pupil individually and equally and meeting their needs in a caring, safe and stimulating environment. Our specifi c aims are as follows: ✦ Curriculum The curriculum will provide breadth, balance and choice for all in a planned, progressive and structured but fl exible way. ✦ Attainment The school will provide opportunities for all to achieve their full potential. ✦ Teaching and Learning The school seeks to provide high quality teaching which meets the needs of all pupils and promotes effective learning. ✦ Support for Pupils The school will provide personal, curricular and vocational support for pupils through teaching, guidance, parental and community involvement. ✦ Ethos The school seeks to develop partnerships between staff, pupils, parents and other agencies which promote a positive ethos within the school and a positive image of the school within its community. ✦ Resources The school will strive to make the most effective use of staff, accommodation and fi nance and to provide personal and professional support and development for all staff. ✦ Management, Leadership and Quality Assurance The school is committed to ensuring that the appropriate management systems and procedures are in place and operate effectively. 3 Port Glasgow High School Handbook 2008/2009 1. School Information 1.1 Address and Telephone Number Port Glasgow High School Marloch Avenue Port Glasgow PA14 6PP Telephone Number: 01475 715200 Fax Number: 01475 715201 Email: [email protected] School Website: www.portglasgowhighschool.org.uk 1.2 Type of School Port Glasgow High School is a non-denominational, co educational six year secondary school serving Port Glasgow and Kilmacolm. 1.3 School Capacity and Roll The school’s agreed capacity is 1066 The current roll (October 2007) is as follows: FirstYear(S1) 115 Second Year (S2) 107 Third Year (S3) 106 Fourth Year (S4) 102 Fifth Year (S5) 81 Sixth Year (S6) 45 This gives a total roll of 556. The expected intake for the next three years is as follows: 2008 106 2009 85 2010 100 4 Port Glasgow High School Handbook 2008/2009 1.4 Main Features of the School The school has a long and proud tradition of service to the town and surrounding area. It was established in 1909 and moved to its present site in 1971. The building can accommodate 850 pupils and, with a current roll of around 550. A few years ago the building underwent extensive refurbishment of its original design. In addition to well equipped classrooms, the school has specialist teaching facilities for Art & Design, Design & Technology, Drama, Home Economics and Science. Facilities in the PE Department include a Games Hall, Gymnasium, Fitness Suite and Swimming Pool in addition to outdoor pitches. Information and Communication Technology has a high profi le in the school with computer suites in Business Education, Computing, Design & Technology and the Library. In addition to these facilities all classrooms are equipped with a computer and a signifi cant number have interactive whiteboards. All pupils and staff have access to the internet and e-mail. Further refurbishment of the building is planned by 2013 as part of Inverclyde Council’s school estate plans. The most recent HMI Report (published in May 2001) awarded the school fourteen very goods (the top category) and six goods in the assessment of quality indicators. No aspects were judged fair or unsatisfactory. Among areas given top ratings were school ethos, communication and partnership with parents, the structure of the curriculum, effectiveness of learning support, quality of pastoral care and effectiveness of leadership. 88% of the lessons observed by HMI were assessed as good or very good. We fi rmly believe through our self-evaluation procedures that we have maintained and even improved on this high standard since the inspection. The staff of the school, both teaching and non-teaching, are highly committed to the pupils and the school community. Innovative teaching methods are warmly embraced by the staff and the school is recognised locally and nationally as being a centre of good practice. Staff from the school have been invited to make presentations at staff development events both nationally and locally. The school has a well established and supportive Parent Council. We also enjoy strong links with the community including primary schools, local businesses, churches etc. Music is frequently taken out into the community and members of the community regularly attend school events. Port Glasgow High forms part of the East Inverclyde Community Schools Project. Staff from the project work with school staff on a range of issues relating to pupil welfare and attainment. The school also has a purpose built community wing which is used in the evening, at weekends and during holidays. 5 Port Glasgow High School Handbook 2008/2009 1.5 Staff Directory School Leadership Team (SLT) This is the team of teachers who manage the school Head Teacher Mr A Dick Deputy Head Teachers Mr J McLeman Mr M Macdonald Mrs F Craig Mr Dick is head of the school and is responsible for all aspects of school organisation and policy.He has a special responsibility for the development of the school. All the members of the SLT have a joint responsibility for teaching and learning within the school and for the creation of a good learning environment. This aspect is an absolutely crucial one. Everything we do as a school is determined by its impact on the educational experiences of our pupils. Individual members of the SLT also have special responsibilities, some of which are detailed below: Mr Dick (Head Teacher) Responsible for the good running of the school and for implementing the educational policies of lnverclyde Council. Responsible for all aspects of school organisation and policy. Mr J McLeman (Deputy Head Teacher) Responsible for S1 & S3, Curriculum