U culme School Prospectus 2020/21

Excellence is a habit

U culme School ‘Oliver!’ Production 2020

Excellence is a habit

Uff culme Academy Trust West Country (A company limited by guarantee, Te aching School Alliance registered in England and Wales. No 07338835) West Country An exempt charity Te aching School Alliance Welcome to Excellence is a habit

Welcome to Uffculme School, the founding school in the Uffculme Academy Trust and one which we U culme believe exemplifies our key aims of excellence, School ambition and opportunity. UAT is a small multi-academy trust which currently includes 4 schools in and Somerset. We educate children from the ages of 4 to 19 and are Excellence is a habit one of the biggest employers in our community. We believe that every child has the right to be educated in an excellent school where academic Chapel Hill, Uffculme success, personal development and wider Devon EX15 3AG enrichment underpin the curriculum. Tel: 01884 840458 Fax: 01884 841570 I am incredibly proud to be the Chief Executive Officer of UAT. It is my job to ensure that our schools are healthy, happy and successful places where children and E-mail: [email protected] young people thrive and develop. As the former Headteacher of Uffculme School, Website: www.uffculmeschool.net I am confident that this is a school which truly embodies these aims.

Mrs L Heath OBE, CEO Contents

Uffculme School 1 Welcome to Uffculme School. I am delighted Admissions 2 that you wish to find out about our school and hope that you find this brochure helpful in Students 3 understanding some more about why we agree with Ofsted that this is an outstanding school. Curriculum 4 Firstly Uffculme is a completely comprehensive school offering high quality education to students Code of Conduct 7 of all abilities and aptitudes. Attainment is outstanding but it is not just about results. We aim to produce young people fit for the demands Parents and School 8 of a complex, global society. We have a proud tradition in outdoor education, musical, dramatic School Activities 9 and sporting enrichment and value community service alongside high achievement. Administration 11 Our culture is absolutely founded on a belief that everyone can succeed, participate and contribute. Performance and Examinations 12 Uffculme is a happy school where students and teachers enjoy working together. Attainment & Progress 13 We have a strong ethos based on our core values of respect, tolerance and courtesy. We set high standards of behaviour and actively promote self discipline, School Map BC self respect, resilience and responsibility. Through these values our young people gain the confidence to take their place in society and develop the skills and attitudes to enable them to succeed in their chosen paths. Uffculme School is the founder member of Uffculme Academy Trust and we are committed to working in partnership with a number of other schools to share our success. CEO Mrs L M Heath OBE We have a hard working and gifted staff body who work in partnership with Headteacher Mr A Blackburn parents, governors and the local community to ensure that young people are supported, challenged and inspired to achieve. Deputy Heads Mr J Roberts We have ambitions to be truly world class and invite you to join us in our quest to Mr C Lepper provide an exceptional education for your children. Assistant Heads Miss K Francombe Mr A Blackburn, Headteacher Mrs L Poortman Secretary Mrs R Alford Uffculme School Part of the Uffculme Academy Trust

The School’s Aims To provide outstanding learning opportunities inside and outside of the classroom through which all of its students will: • Aspire, achieve and excel beyond expectations • Develop moral and spiritual values • Be introduced to the essential knowledge that they need to be educated citizens • Be prepared for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life • Understand their role in the community and appreciate and embrace diversity in all its forms • Develop an appreciation of human creativity and achievement The School’s Objectives

To recognise and record the To encourage service to the To encourage all to participate achievements of all pupils. community and support for the in a wide range of extra-curricular disadvantaged through direct help activities including competitive sport. To support and extend pupils and charitable fundraising. of all abilities. To give the opportunity for all to have To provide individual advice and residential experience including the To provide a wide range of courses guidance which will enable pupils opportunity to use language and leading to external qualifications, to transfer to appropriate work or other skills abroad. further education. including those which recognise To make the school a safe, vocational and practical skills. To encourage pupils to show respect stimulating and comfortable To provide a pastoral system which and consideration for others and environment, well maintained enables every child to feel sufficiently their property. and free from litter and graffiti. secure and confident to discuss To intervene where there is personal matters with staff and which unhappiness, including that caused offers appropriate support. by bullying.

Safeguarding Children

Our school community has a duty to safeguard and Sometimes we may need to share information and work promote the welfare of children who are our students. in partnership with other agencies when there are This means that we have a Safeguarding and Child concerns about a child’s welfare. We will always ensure Protection Policy (and Procedures) in place. All staff that our concerns about our students are discussed with including our volunteers and supply staff must ensure their parents / carers first unless we have reason to that they are aware of our procedures. Parents and carers believe that this is not in the child’s best interests. are welcome to read these on request. Our designated Child Protection Person is Mr Chris Lepper 1 Admissions Uffculme School is an Academy which means that its Governors are responsible for the admissions policy. As an Academy we work with the local authority to allocate places. Admissions Arrangements Waiting Lists Uffculme School is comprehensive which means that We will operate a waiting list for each year group until the end of students are admitted without reference to their ability or the academic year. This list is maintained by the Local Authority. aptitude. It caters for students up to the age of 16. There Our waiting lists will only contain the names of children who is a planned admission number of 216 students in Year 7. have formally applied and been refused admission. The normal minimum age for admission is 11 before September 1st. Children’s positions on the waiting list will be determined solely in accordance with the oversubscription criteria. Positions will Application Procedures be reordered whenever anyone is added to or leaves the waiting list. Therefore, a child’s name can go up or down on the list. The Applications to Uffculme School should be made and will be length of time on a waiting list does not affect a child’s position. considered in accordance with the arrangements set out in the co-ordinated admissions scheme for secondary schools The Admissions Team in the Local Authority who can advise in Devon. Details of these procedures are available in the on Admissions to Uffculme School can be contacted on Next Step booklet. 0845 155 1019. Oversubscription Criteria 2021 Appeals against refusal Any child whose Education Health and Care Plan names to award a place Uffculme School will be admitted. We will refuse admission when we believe that the Year Group is Where the number of applications exceeds the number of full and we are unable to meet the child’s needs without causing places available in Year 7 (the PAN) the Trust will use the prejudice to efficient education or the efficient use of resources. following oversubscription criteria to prioritise applications: Whenever an application is refused, there will be a formal 1. Looked after children and children who were previously decision letter which will give a reason for refusal and advice looked after but immediately after being looked after about the parent’s right of appeal to an Appeals Panel that is became subject to adoption, a child arrangements order, independent of this school. or special guardianship order. 2. Priority will next be given to children on roll of a linked Applications for primary school member of the Uffculme Academy Trust. 3. Priority will next be given to children living within the In-Year Admissions catchment area who are siblings of pupils currently on roll Parents seeking a place for a child outside the normal at this school. admissions round or for older year groups should contact 4. Priority will next be given to children living within the the Local Authority in the first instance. catchment area, on roll at a linked school.* 5. Priority will next be given to other children living within the This is an extract from the school’s full admissions catchment area. arrangement policy. The full policy can be found on our 6. Priority will next be given to children living outside the website: www.uffculmeschool.net or on request from catchment area, who are siblings of pupils on roll at the school. this school. 7. Priority will next be given to children of members of staff who have been employed at this school for more than two years or recruited within the past two years to fill a vacancy for which there was a skills shortage. 8. Priority will next be given to children living outside the catchment area, on roll at a linked school. 9. Other children. * Priority for children at a linked school only applies at the normal round, not for In-Year admissions. If it is necessary to distinguish between children in a particular category, priority will be determined on the basis of distance between home and school measured as a straight line from the entrance of the property, to the nearest available official entrance of the school (the shorter the distance the higher the priority). All measurements will be made using Geographical Information System (GIS). Where distances are equal (within a metre) we will use a Random Ballot.

2 ‘There is an ethos of achievement’ Ofsted Transition Assistant Headteacher Miss K Francombe and the Head of Year 7 are responsible for the transfer arrangements from primary schools. They visit the partner schools in the summer Students term and there are opportunities for parents and students to visit the school as part of the induction programme. Exceptionally Able Children On joining the school, children become part of a tutor group The school includes children of outstanding ability in consisting of children from various primary schools and of academic and other fields. It is the policy of the school to different abilities. encourage such children to develop their abilities to the fullest extent. Setting of academic subjects provides a Deputy Headteacher Mr J Roberts has responsibility for the challenging environment for able children which is transition to Post 16 education or employment. reflected in their examination results and successful careers. A key aspect of the policy is that they are For each school year there is a Year Head who deals with most encouraged to develop a breadth of skills and interests as day-to-day matters and leads their team of tutors. well as the particular ability in which they may be gifted. Academically able pupils may be invited to become members of our ‘Aspire’ programme which seeks to stretch Learning Support and challenge the most able pupils beyond the The school is not selective in any way and accepts formal curriculum. students with a wide range of learning difficulties and other special needs. The school is accessible to students and adults with physical disabilities. The school has an accessibility plan which is available on request. There is a well-resourced and effective learning support department. Those with EHCP’s will be supported as required by their plans. The Code of Practice in Special Needs is implemented in full. The school also supports from its own resources those who need specific help but do not have EHCP’s. Additional help is given in a variety of ways including supporting students in mainstream lessons, teaching some students in small groups and on occasion giving individual support. The Head of Learning Support (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator) is Mrs E Hawkins. She is supported by other qualified staff and a team of teaching assistants.

‘Students are proud to do well’ Ofsted 3 Subjects expected to be available from September Art Art Textiles Curriculum Biology Catering Education Acts require schools to Key Stage 3 Chemistry have a balanced and broadly based The first three years, Years 7 - 9 curriculum which “promotes the Computer Science form Key Stage 3. The National spiritual, moral, cultural, mental Design and Technology Curriculum is broadly followed in and physical development of the Digital Information Technology English, Mathematics, Science, ICT, students at the school”. It must also Design & Technology, Geography, Drama and Theatre Studies prepare students for “the History, Art, Music, Physical Education Engineering opportunities, responsibilities and and French or German. All students experiences of adult life”. English Language also study Religious Education, Drama, English Literature Food Technology and Textiles. The School Day Food and Nutrition

Key Stage 4 French Registration 08.50 - 09.00 Geography At the end of Year 9 a wide choice Assembly 09.00 - 09.10 of subjects is given after careers German advice and discussion with parents. Health and Social Care Period 1 09.10 - 10.10 These subjects are taken in Year 10 History & 11 and usually lead to GCSE or an Period 2 10.10 - 11.10 Mathematics equivalent vocational qualification. Media Studies Break 11.10 - 11.30 All students take English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Music Period 3 11.30 - 12.30 Physical Education and Religious Physical Education Education. In addition all students Physics Period 4 12.30 - 13.30 must take Science, and have the Religious Education opportunity to take 3 Separate Lunch Break 13.30 - 14.30 Sciences. This is important for those Science (Combined) Sport Period 5 14.30 - 15.30 students who might wish to study Science at a more advanced level. Travel and Tourism

4 ‘Behaviour is excellent’ Ofsted Information and Arrangement of Personal Communication Teaching Groups Development Technology For most subjects students are A weekly programme of personal The school has 3 dedicated ICT taught in ability sets. Teaching in the development takes place in tutor computer suites, each with over 30 first half term in Year 7 is mainly in groups. This covers a variety of computers equipped with Microsoft mixed ability groups, following which essential social, moral and academic Office and internet access via students are grouped by ability for issues including bullying, health, sex Broadband. There are many computers most subjects. These sets are initially and relationships, personal safety, in other departments and in the based on the results from the Key equal opportunities and respect for library. All students have an ICT lesson Stage 2 SAT results together with diversity alongside a programme of a week in Key Stage 3 and have the information provided by the primary academic mentoring. opportunity to take an ICT course in schools, supplemented by the Key Stage 4. There are also 2 dedicated outcomes of the national Cognitive graphics and media suites. Ability Tests that students sit during September. The whole site is wireless enabled and we have a large number of Careers Education and laptops and tablets for use Guidance in classrooms. The school has a well-developed programme of Careers Education and Internet Access Guidance which is an entitlement for all & E-Safety students. The school recognises good The internet is a potential source of career guidance helps inspire pupils unsuitable material. Students have towards further study and enables access to it in lessons, during them to make informed decisions breaks and after school. Although whenever choices are open to them. there are always adults nearby and The other main purposes of effective there is an effective system filter, it careers educations at Uffculme School may still be possible for individuals are to: to misuse the internet. In practice, a) Raise aspirations and increase students show good sense and motivation; monitoring of sites visited has given b) Equip students with key skills little cause for concern. We ask parents such as goal-setting and to monitor pupils’ use of the internet planning that are essential to and in particular social networking improving life chances and sites at home. Students are generally economic wellbeing not permitted to use their own c) Bring relevance from the world devices in school. of work into the curriculum

‘Pupils make outstanding progress as they move through the school’ Ofsted 5 Post 16 Education Homework When students reach the end of Year 11 there are many Homework is set throughout the school and plays an opportunities open to them. Most choose to take advanced important part in the learning process. We do not set work and vocational courses at either in Tiverton, Richard for the sake of it believing that it must be purposeful and Huish College or Somerset College in Taunton, Exeter College, help to consolidate learning and develop essential study or the sixth forms of independent schools and skills. It is not always a single piece of work to be done for other colleges. The geographical position of the school is the following day but may often be in the form of a project such that all are accessible from this area. which involves research. Homework may be completed at school using the Library or other spaces that are made Interviews with our Careers Advisor are available for all available to students. All homework tasks are recorded students to help guide choices. A Post 16 Options Event online so that students and parents can access information will also take place in the Autumn Term. about the activities and the associated resources from home. Students are also issued with a planner to help Religious Education them organise their work. Religious Education is taught in accordance with the Devon Agreed Syllabus. In Key Stage 4 it follows a GCSE course, including the study of Christianity and Islam. It also includes religious perspectives on moral issues. The course is accessible to students of any religion or none and as the school has no religious affiliations no assumptions are made about students’ religious beliefs. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from Religious Education lessons or from any assemblies with a religious content. No alternative lessons in other subjects can be provided instead of Religious Education.

6 ‘Pupils’ attitudes are outstanding’ Ofsted Code of Conduct

Signing in and Out The School’s Code For obvious safety reasons, we need The link between good attendance to know who is in or out of school. and achievement is obvious and for of Conduct Students may not leave the school this reason holidays during term time site before the end of the school are not normally authorised. day without signing out at the • Treat everyone and School Secretary’s office. A note If a child is absent from school for from a parent is normally required. an event that has not been everything with respect Only those who go home to lunch authorised details are passed on are allowed to leave the premises to the Educational Welfare Service at lunchtime. Students who arrive who may impose a fixed penalty. Attend regularly and after registration must sign in at • the school office immediately School Uniform punctually on arrival. School uniform is worn for all school occasions, including visits, Mobile Phones unless instructions are given • Wear uniform correctly Students are permitted to bring phones otherwise. Details of the uniform can to school so that parents can contact be found on our website, in the school them before or after school but planner and in the information pack are not permitted to use them given to Year 6 pupils who have a • Bring correct books, within school hours. They should confirmed place. be switched off and out of sight equipment and homework at all times. Jewellery and Badges Lateness and The only permitted item is one stud • Work hard and allow earring in each ear. The only badges Absence from School that may be worn are those of office others to do the same Good attendance is essential for or achievement and one discrete progress in schoolwork. Absences charity badge of the pupil’s choice. or lateness must be explained by a note, email or telephone call. • Behave sensibly It is very helpful if telephone contact is made as soon as possible. The school always follows up unexplained absence. Work is not normally sent home for absences of less than a week. Pupil Attendance Last Full Year 96.9%

7 Parents and School

Students’ Progress Parents, Teachers and Friends Reports are issued three times a year for Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 and of Uff culme School twice for Year 11. It is hoped that all parents will support the many activities that are arranged by the Parents, Teachers Parents’ evenings with appointments with individual subject teachers and Friends Association. Some of its activities are are arranged once a year. There may be other meetings, for example fund-raising but others are social and educational. about GCSE courses in Year 9 and specifi c topic meetings to explain The school values the links between home and arrangements, for example for a residential visit. There is an school, both formal and informal, and is concerned opportunity for all parents to meet with Form Tutors in the that we should work in partnership for the welfare Autumn Term. and happiness of our children. Information from the School There is a regular termly Newsletter which gives dates of school events as well as general information about the school. A weekly bulletin also goes out every Friday. Copies of all letters home, along with all other relevant information, can be found on the school website. The Uff culme School Trust The Trust exists to support the work of the school and provide extra funding for special projects that support the development of young people. The Trust relies upon donations from groups and individuals.

The school is noted for the wide range of activities that take place during lunchtimes, after school, at weekends and in holidays. Website The school’s site is updated regularly. It includes the newsletter, calendar and other general items, as well as information about each subject. The address is www.uff culmeschool.net. We also regularly post information on social media via Facebook and Twitter. Please follow the school to stay informed. @Uff culmeAcademy @uff culme_school

8 ‘Uff culme is an inclusive school that does well by all its pupils’ Ofsted School Activities

Sport Sport is held in high esteem both within the curriculum and also through the wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer. State-of-the-art facilities The Arts enable us to offer a physical education curriculum which provides breadth of study and choice. Students learn to develop patterns that will lead to a There is a strong tradition in the Arts, healthy, active lifestyle. Large numbers of students are encouraged to both expressive and creative. As well participate outside of curriculum time and there are extensive fixture lists for as drama clubs at lunchtimes a major all age groups within all major team games. Fixtures take place against local production is staged every other year. schools and there are opportunities for students to gain selection for area and In music there are opportunities to county teams. The school sides are well respected within the county and have learn individual instruments – tuition gained much success. can be provided in almost all. Concerts are held every term and Extra Curricular Activities various groups such as the Samba Tennis (boys & girls) Hockey (boys & girls) band perform in school and at Cricket (boys & girls) Rugby (boys) outside functions. Rounders (girls) Netball (girls) Show Jumping (boys & girls) The school is well known for its high Football (boys & girls) standards in Art and work is displayed Basketball (boys & girls) Cross Country (boys & girls) around the school. There are regular Badminton (boys & girls) Athletics (boys & girls) visits to theatres, art galleries Table Tennis (boys & girls) and concerts. Dance (boys & girls) The strength of the Arts is reflected in the number of pupils opting for courses in Years 10 & 11 where there are Music, Drama and Art classes available.

9 Outdoor Activities and many go on to the silver markets. An annual ski trip is programme during their time off ered to students in Year 11. The school has many well qualifi ed at school. A number of departments staff who lead a variety of outdoor organise residential visits during pursuits: canoeing, kayaking, The programme involves students holiday periods each year. sailing, climbing, caving, mountain in a community volunteering walking and skiing are all popular. activity and a team expedition on Some take place after school in Other Activities foot, cycle, canoe or horseback as summer but many are weekend and Many other activities take place well as encouraging them to pursue holiday residential activities. during the lunch break and after an individual skill and physical Ten Tors teams from Uff culme School school. Some arise from the activity such as sports, dance, have a fi ne record of completing enthusiasms of staff and others or fi tness. the challenge and for younger from students. They include chess, students the Exmoor Challenge computers, scrabble, religious gives experience of navigating and Residential Experience groups and creative and teamwork in moorland. and Visits Abroad reading clubs as well as many There are many opportunities for all music, drama and sporting Duke of Edinburgh’s ages to take part in residential activities. Years 7, 8 & 9 have an Award (Year 9 upward) weekends; some are for outdoor Activities Week in the last week of activities when centres on summer term, Year 10 have work A nationally recognised personal Dartmoor, Exmoor, in Wales or experience week. development scheme, the Award is on the coast are used. a non-competitive programme of There is a very successful school activities encouraging young people There is also a French exchange, council where students gain to undertake exciting, constructive, involving about seventy students. experience of public service. challenging and enjoyable activities Other trips include expeditions to The school council plays an in their free time. France for activities such as important role in planning events camping and cycling, often as part and serving committees. Over 100 students a year sign up for of an educational activities week the initial bronze award at Uff culme and a visit to the German Christmas

10 ‘Children matter to the staff on an individual basis’ Ofsted Administration

Charging Policy In accordance with Education Acts, the Governors have adopted a policy on charging for certain activities. It includes the provision of individual or small group music tuition for which a charge is made. No charge can be made for activities which take place during the school day, such as visits for curriculum reasons. However, the funds available to the school to pay for them are minimal and they can only take place if parents contribute to the cost - this is made clear on the letters explaining the intended visit.

Catering Insurance The school dining room provides Meals are provided free to families The school is fully insured for a wide range of food, including on certain types of benefit. liabilities which may arise from any vegetarian and gluten free choices Evidence must be given before act of negligence by its employees. and also a snack service at break. meals can be provided. Please Students are not insured for any Students may bring packed lunches contact the Finance Office for a accidents that may occur in school if parents wish and can buy form or advice. Free meals are or while taking part in school additional items from the cafeteria. provided by the same system that activities unless negligence can be Payments for meals are made by a everyone else uses so that there is proved against the school or others. fob system which parents can credit no discrimination. Parents are advised to take out with any amount they wish. a personal accident policy for their children. Students in Year 11 have their own We do not accept cash payment dedicated dining space in the by students for food. Art Café. School Transport School Transport is the responsibility of Devon County Council, which has supplied the following information. It provides free transport where a pupil lives beyond the statutory distance from the school. This is defined as three miles for those aged eight and over. Some students who live within the distance may be given free transport for special reasons, e.g. medical grounds. It is a parental responsibility to arrange for children to travel in safety between home and picking-up and dropping off points.

Visiting School If you need to come into School for any reason, all visitors must report to Reception and sign in. Teachers are not normally available without an appointment but we will always try to find someone to see you. 11 Performance & Examinations

Exam Results 2020 Against the backdrop of one of the most challenging years, the school has continued to perform at the highest level, with once again over 80% of Uffculme School’s students achieving five or more GCSEs at the equivalent of A* - C grades, including English and Mathematics – something that has been consistently achieved by students of the school in recent years. Teachers and pupils worked incredibly hard together and ambitious targets were set for every student. It is a measure of their commitment and high aspirations that many of these targets were exceeded and by some considerable margin. The progress made by students continues to be significantly above the national data for all starting points, with pupils on average gaining three-quarters of a grade higher than the national average in all their GCSEs. A combination of outstanding teaching, fantastic support from parents and real determination on the part of the students secured these exceptional results and has ensured that almost every pupil can pursue their chosen college or training course. The results maintain Uffculme School’s place as one of the top-performing comprehensive schools not only in the county, but in the whole South West.

12 ‘Pupils exhibit maturity, confidence and enthusiasm for learning’ Ofsted Attainment & Progress

Attainment at KS4 for all pupils

2017 2018 2019 2020

Number of Pupils at the end of KS4 198 199 199 203

% of Pupils Achieving 5 9 - 4 (A* - C) inc. Maths and English 83 84 82 89

% of Pupils Achieving 5 9 - 4 (A* - C) 88 88 87 91

% of Pupils achieving 5 9 - 1 (A* - G) 100 99 99 100

% of Pupils achieving 2 9 - 4 (A* - C) in Science 87 77 79 81

% of Grades 7, 8 & 9 (A - A*) 40 27 35 38

Progress 8 score 1.01 0.67 0.72 0.99

‘There is a strong community feeling in the school’ Ofsted 13 A361 to Tiverton

M5 to Taunton C a h

and Bristol p

Coach e

Park l H

i Junction 27 l Tiverton l Parkway Station A38 to Wellington RECEPTION Services Car Park

M5 to Exeter Chapel Hill To Hemyock UFFCULME SCHOOL U culme To Willand Village Square

B3181 to Willand and Cullompton 0 miles 1

Map Reference ST 063128

Uffculme Academy Trust

Uffculme School is a founder member of Uffculme Academy Trust. We are a multi-academy trust based in Devon. Other schools in the Trust are Uffculme Primary School, Axe Valley Academy and Holyrood Academy in Somerset.

More information about Uffculme Academy Trust can be found on the Trust website at www.uffculmetrust.org

Lorraine Heath, CEO

U culme Chapel Hill, Uffculme, Devon, EX15 3AG | 01884 840458 School [email protected] | www.uffculmeschool.net

Excellence is a habit