Prospectus 2019/2020 Welcome to Blatch

It changes how we view others, and “School is a it changes how we interact with the world. It reveals our potential place to find and helps us discover our passions. yourself – to Learning is beautiful and often messy. We don’t learn in straight learn at the very lines, it’s a complex process and limits of your that’s what makes our school such a dynamic and vibrant place to be. potential

In order to learn well, we must and in doing so all feel safe and secure. As such, discover who we have unapologetically high Welcome to the prospectus you really are.” for Blatchington Mill School. standards for behaviour and I hope that this brief conduct and no tolerance for bullying or discrimination. Our Ashley Harrold snapshot of the school helps students support this. We are Head teacher to showcase the school’s graded by Ofsted as ‘Outstanding’ key features. There is no for behaviour and safety. 01 substitute for seeing the school in full flow, however, At Blatchington Mill School, we are so please visit us on our open committed to exceptional success evening or open days to get for every student. With the right the true flavour of who we are support and challenge we ensure that all students achieve their and what we do. You may also incredible potential. We focus on contact the school directly to the very best teaching, and create arrange a visit. a love of learning that will inspire At Blatchington Mill School, we further study and success. believe, above all else, that education We judge ourselves, as we must, on is a transformative force for good. the results that our students achieve Learning prepares students for later but also on their wellbeing and life, including employment, and happiness, their tolerance and equips them to thrive in an ever- respect for one another and the changing world - but it is also much world, and the future they go onto more important than that. when their journey at Blatch is Learning changes who we are and complete. On all of these measures, what we can become. we do extremely well and we will continue to strive to do better. High aspirations, Nurturing a high expectations learning culture

We know that every parent/ In 2019 at GCSE... Our core business is learning. trial new approaches or techniques We work collaboratively with all within their lessons, based on Brighton & Hove secondary schools carer has high hopes for Best of the best: The highest grade The majority of our effort and what educational research suggests to share best practice and play their children; for them to possible is a grade 9 - equivalent endeavour is spent on • The new GCSEs in English and makes the most impact upon our part in raising standards for all be successful, happy and to an A** - and our students ensuring that lessons are Maths set a ‘pass’ grade at grade student learning. Teachers work learners across the city. fulfilled. At Blatch, we share achieved an incredible 111 of vibrant and engaging; and that 4, equivalent to a grade C on collaboratively within teams to those hopes for all students. these grades. The next grade - an learning is secure and All staff contribute to this culture the previous system. Under plan learning utilising and adapting 8 - equivalent to an A* on the embedded. of learning and development, and 02 We expect every student to make this measure 87% of students current pedagogical research to 03 previous grading - was achieved every member of staff, from the exceptional progress in their achieved this benchmark in Teachers support and guide inform and develop our practice. 211 times by students. facilities manager to the IT support learning, and believe that to do so English, and 82% achieved this students’ learning with the highest Blatch is also a founding member team, know that their primary role is requires industry, application, and Cross-curricular success: As in in Maths. expectations for behaviour, of the Pavilion & Downs Teaching to maximise student learning. This support. We expect students to previous years, there were very progress and enjoyment. • Overall 40% of students School Alliance - delivering ethos, above all else, is at the heart excel and they respond to our high strong performances from a wide Students understand what they are achieved the EBACC measure teacher training and professional of our school. expectations brilliantly. We are very range of subject areas, with Art, learning and why it is important. (English, Maths, Science, a development to other schools proud of the examination results Biology, Chemistry, English, Food, Students learn to work Modern Foreign Language and through our Specialist Leaders in for 2018 and of the wonderful French, Geography, History, Maths, collaboratively and cooperatively, a Humanities subject all above Education (SLEs). Music, Physics, Sociology, Textiles individual student stories that a grade 4) - well above the working alongside others and Further Maths all doing Blatchington Mill has also been are behind these grades. Whilst national average. effectively in teams. we rightly celebrate these results, exceptionally well. Students develop their skills in order selected as one of only nine • High quality teaching ensured schools nationwide to be awarded we are already planning how Above national performance: to reflect on their own learning and that students made fantastic MFL Lead Hub status. As part of to improve – we continue to be Students made better progress from progress, become resilient, and progress – meaning students the scheme we are recorgnised as relentless in our pursuit of the their relative starting points than commit to their own independent made more progress at Blatch experts in language teaching and very best outcomes for all. similar students nationally. learning and enquiry. These same than others did nationally; principles underpin our staff we support schools around the city some by up to 3 grades more. development. to develop teaching and learning of Modern Foreign Languages. We Teachers identify themselves as will share best practice in order learners too, with an unswerving to further develop the excellent commitment to reflecting upon, opportunities available for students refining and enhancing their studying languages in Brighton and classroom craft. Teachers work Hove. collaboratively to plan, assess and Expression & performance We focus on developing the Our music department has for professional football teams, whole child at Blatch. professional standard music as well as having students in the equipment for every student. Harlequins Rugby Academy, Ealing We value the educational benefits Trailfinders Rugby Academy and of the Arts as a source of This proficiency in the Performing 04 the Netball and Cricket 05 individuality, expression and Arts has led our staff and students teams. creativity, and have a legacy of to take their expertise into the specialisation in Performing Arts. wider school community, working Students’ confidence in their own alongside local primary-school articulation and expression, and children in a number of exciting “Blatch is a great the subsequent development of Arts projects. school because their sense of identity through Students have numerous it has amazing performance, is a major reason opportunities to experience drama lessons for their success in other aspects Performing Arts, both within the and brilliant of school life. Our reputation for classroom and in our range of opportunities delivering jaw-dropping student extra-curricular activities. Our productions in our professional highly successful PE department to per form at standard Windmill Theatre, as well aims to promote lifelong the Windmill as our extensive involvement in participation in physical activity theatre.” local community projects, is a alongside leading healthy, source of great pride. active lifestyles and develop Year 8 We have a thriving music student confidence, teamwork department – our bands and and leadership in and outside orchestras frequently perform of lessons. We have students beyond school. competing at international level in football and dance, with students currently in the England U15 set up, and students at Brighton & Hove Albion’s Football Academy. We also have a number of former students who have gone on to play Building blocks Student academic success is It fits our ethos that learning is “ The teachers balanced across a range of carried out for its own reward subjects – we value holistic and its own beauty. Students really care learning and offer a broad learn fewer topics, in greater about how curriculum. depth. We spend a long time deepening understanding, rather much you are Within this, we have a set of than accelerating through topics. learning.” subjects that are the foundation of 06 Problem solving is both how and 07 students’ knowledge and skill base. why we learn mathematics. This Year 11 Known as core subjects, these approach improves enjoyment include English, Maths, of maths and builds deep Science and Computing. Students understanding. focus on these subjects with We work to ensure that students significant curriculum time, in order experience a wide range of subjects to support the development of at both Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4. Extra-curricular their literacy, numeracy, enquiry and digital fluency. In these Full details of our curriculum can be and skiing, and organised foreign more disadvantaged young people areas, we strive to innovate and found on our website. At Blatchington Mill School, exchanges. We’ve studied European who want to undertake their Blatch specialises in curriculum we run a whole variety of art, visited galleries and music award. development to ensure students are study trips. We’ve recently workshops locally, nationally and equipped for lifelong learning. visited America, Belgium, We have an extra-curricular offer across the world. As an example, we follow a Zanzibar, France, Andorra, that spans every year and every Blatchington Mill is also a provider programme of Maths Mastery in Key Austria and Spain. curriculum area, so that students of the Duke of ’s Award. Stage 3 (Years 7-9) for all students. The History department takes can identify subjects within the Last year our students completed This approach serves two purposes: students to Poland and France, curriculum that they enjoy, and 832 hours of voluntary work in our firstly to ensure that every student the Music staff have organised for skills they want to develop further. local community and carried out becomes able to succeed in maths students to play at Disneyland and These extra-curricular clubs are a number of expeditions. We were and, secondly, that naturally in Parisian parks, our Geographers organised and run by our own also delighted to have received a talented mathematicians have a have experienced school in Brazil, specialist subject staff, and are grant from the Duke of Edinburgh’s better understanding of the Naples and Iceland, and all have Award’s Diamond fund which will designed to be inclusive while principles of maths; the opportunity to study our own enable us to reach and support inspiring enthusiasm and curiosity. the ‘why’ rather than the ‘how’. fine city. We’ve been hill-walking Student Student

08 voice leadership 09

Students in Year 11 apply to sports days before building on these Student voice is We also have student groups such become ‘Senior Students’. skills in Year 10 where they will incredibly important. as our LGBT+ student group which They are keen to pay also have the opportunity to assist provides a safe space for students We ensure that all students are something back to the school teachers and coaches at primary to talk about a variety of issues with represented at all levels of the community by supporting school extra-curricular clubs. In Year their peers. We have 24 students school, including Form Reps, younger students in their 10 there is also the opportunity who have been trained as LGBT+ Year Reps, Student Council, and learning, greeting visitors to be nominated to become part ambassadors. These students help student representation on our full to the school, supporting of the Young Coaches Academy, a to promote LGBT+ awareness within Governing Body. We listen to and decision making and county wide sports leader training school and work with staff to ensure act upon student feedback in all generally proving to be the scheme. In Year 11 up to 15 leaders that Blatchington Mill is an inclusive aspects of school life, with many finest ambassadors for Blatch. are asked to represent the school environment for all LGBT+ students. improvements coming from student as Blatch Sports Ambassadors. Our Sports Leaders programme is suggestions. Our students are We have students involved in many Our leadership programme also very popular and allows for encouraged to express their views community events, supporting local gives our students the chance to our students to gain experience directly to the school’s and national charities and making develop leadership qualities and working with younger children, decision makers. sustained commitment to work in independence that many have as well as their peers and adults. the local area. found extremely beneficial when Students are involved in interviews The programme has a very good applying for college places. for staff vacancies and Curriculum We also work with our local primary reputation not only in Brighton and Teams regularly garner student schools, involving them in theatre Hove but county wide. Spanning feedback on which parts of a scheme workshops and inviting all Hove over three years, our Year 9 young of lessons worked best, how the primaries to have practical Science leaders are firstly given the learning could be improved and other lessons in one of our newest labs. opportunity to help with various areas in which the students are the Blatch inter-form events and some experts. primary school events such as Involvement

We are an inclusive school and we encourage all members of our community, including students and their families, to take an active part in their school.

Parents/carers can contribute through FAB (Friends At Blatch, our PTA), and we hold regular forums for parents to discuss school improvement. We also hold workshops in order for parents and carers to build skills and confidence in subjects such as Maths so that they are able to support students with their school work.

Clubs

10 Staff and students organise many clubs 11 and specialist groups. Subjects are diverse and include Art & Design, Drama, Maths, Computing, Photography, Film, Music & Dance, Science, Technology and Cycling.

Departments run focussed revision sessions which students can attend to boost their academic performance. We also run afterschool homework support where students can receive help and guidance with their learning. We have two separate venues for KS3 and KS4 that offer a quiet space, as well as access to Chromebooks and a supportive teacher.

Governors

Our school has a strong and effective governing body that includes parents/carers, teachers, students and members of our community who represent a wide range of professions and business areas. Friends at Blatch (FAB)

FAB is a lively and effective group of parents/carers and friends of the school. “Blatch is a good school Their twin roles are, first, to assist senior staff with self-evaluation because all of the school’s performance the students and, second, to raise thousands of pounds every year, through a are friendly number of special events, for the and helpful, benefit of the school. They meet especially to the 12 twice a term – all parents/carers 13 are automatically members. FAB Year 7s.” welcomes all parents/carers at any Year 7 of their meetings and events.

We welcome the local community into our school, which is always a hub of activity with many community sports clubs – from archery to cricket – using our facilities. Groups also use the Windmill Theatre regularly. RIC and OLA Rewarding excellence

Our Research & Information a welcoming and stimulating allowing them the space to take Behaviour is excellent at We also place huge importance 14 Centre (known as the RIC) is study environment, and is staffed responsibility for their learning and Blatch, and we use positive on fostering indepedence in our 15 a centralised resource area throughout the day. Students can become familiar with the type of behaviour management to students. We encourage them that combines library and IT come to the RIC before school, indepedent study that is expected reward and celebrate the to take responsibility for their facilities to support academic during break, at lunchtime and after at sixth form college. excellent conduct, manners own behaviour and if they make school for independent study or to mistakes, we ask them to attend study across the curriculum. Our homework club runs daily and work ethic of our students. read. Classes are brought to the RIC a ‘restore and repair’ session at until 4:30pm in the RIC and OLA, A range of magazines, journals by their teachers for research-based We have a points based reward the end of the school day where meaning our students can complete and daily newspapers are always lessons. All students are given a system called BMS Passport, where they are able to have a supported additional work in a calm and available in the RIC. We also have a comprehensive induction to the RIC students earn points for their conversation with their class supportive environment. number of Chromebooks in the RIC facilities during Year 7. Our specialist behaviour, conduct and attendance. teacher. They apologise and are which are networked for student staff are always on hand to provide They are also rewarded with points given a fresh start the next day, use. expert guidance and help students for academic achievement. This system puts the emphasis to develop good research skills. on understanding why positive All Chromebooks provide internet Students can log in and use their behaviour is important, and access and access to the SIMS app, The RIC library contains a wide range points to unlock perks in school strengthens relationships between where homework is set, resources of non-fiction books linked to the – skipping the lunch queue or a staff and students. shared with students and work National Curriculum. We also have a reward trip at the end of term are handed in. Parents/carers can log broad selection of fiction that caters examples of items that they can in to see all homework set for their for all ages, abilities and interests, choose to ‘spend’ their points on - a child. with new books regularly added. list that is updated constantly. We believe in rewarding students who We also have sets of Kindles for We have also recently introduced do the right thing consistently and students and teachers to use in a brand new Open Learning Area make a huge effort to notice those lessons. The RIC aims to provide for our Key Stage 4 students, who are quietly brilliant every day. Care

Whilst school is primarily a Education is an important part of place of academic learning, PSHE (Personal, Social and Health students need to be happy Education) and our detailed to do their best, and as such programme includes introducing students to the roles of helping we place great emphasis on Blatchington Mill School is a safe, The school has recently upgraded In the summer of 2018 we installed agencies, such as the police and ensuring they feel safe and secure and happy environment, our fire safety equipment and our electronic gates at all of our vehicle health professionals. Students are given clear online where we all – students and staff alarms are regularly tested. entrances, these are controlled by supported and are able safety guidance in PSHE lessons as Community leaders including those – look out for each other. We take staff at our two reception desks as to flourish. There is security lighting across the well as in Computing lessons. They from a variety of faith groups and personal security extremely part of our rigorous safeguarding We monitor our students’ needs site ensuring no pools of darkness are taught about the impact of charities regularly come to work seriously and have robust procedure for monitoring and very carefully. We work in around campus. their digital footprint and the need with our students or to speak at safeguarding procedures; managing visitors to the school. conjunction with the students’ to keep themselves safe. We also our assemblies. We teach tolerance, recognised by Ofsted as Outside of the core school day our primary schools during the transfer Blatchington Mill School follows the provide guidance for families. respect for diversity and support the outstanding. doors are locked and access is via period, to ensure that a suitable standards of GDPR and is registered ‘Prevent’ anti-radicalisation agenda. For some time, we have had highly key pads only ensuring additional Any students who make mistakes support package is in place for each with the Information Commissioners effective anti-bullying strategies security for all participants in extra online which may compromise new Year 7 student. Student Services is often the first Office. 16 curricular activities. their safety, or that of others, 17 port of call for parents and carers, in place (including anti-cyber At Blatchington Mill School, we Online, students are safeguarded are supported by the Year Office as well as students. Our Student bullying), so our students can learn The site is covered by CCTV cameras make sure that students are and data is protected by internet and Safeguarding Office (where Services staff are responsible for in a secure and calm environment which are used to investigate prepared for the world they will content filters at appropriate). Information is regularly many aspects of day-to-day life at in each year group. Our year team breaches of security. No cameras be joining when they leave our Council, by our own filters onsite, sent out to all staff from our E-Safety school, such as attendance and staff are committed to supporting are placed in toilets or changing school. We ensure they are fully a Threat Management Gateway Lead on the latest trends or issues admissions, student questions and the academic and emotional rooms and access to the images is informed about issues such as firewall and the Securusnetwork with online behaviour. communications. They can pass development of each student restricted to a small number of staff drugs – including tobacco – as well activity monitoring system. on messages from and to home, in their care. whose access is monitored. as the broader topics of health and deal with enquiries and are able to relationships. (See our Sex and answer most questions that home Relationship Education Policy). and students have about the school. Achievement Helping Students to Become Assessment The school is broken into two Key Stage 3 Key Stage 4 Effective Learners key stages, KS3 and KS4. We In Key Stage 3 we focus on KS4 is where students prepare At Blatch, learning1 is at the centre of all that we do. 1 1 structure the curriculum in each providing an inclusive and for their GCSEs or other public to support students making welcoming environment within examinations. Students from ages Learning Feedback Behaviour the best progress. We run KS3 our classrooms, while ensuring 14 to 16 are able to study a wide over Years 7-9 and KS4 in Years that lessons are differentiated, to range of courses, ranging from At Blatch we know that the most For students to make progress and develop In lessons all students follow 10 and 11. provide both appropriate support the traditional classroom based successful teachers spend more than half their learning it is vital that they respond to our Blatch Basics which are the and challenge for every student. We ones such as Physics, and the lesson time modelling and asking feedback from their teachers. This feedback minimum expectations we have believe that it is important to secure Computing, to the school based questions. Questioning allows the teacher could be about how to improve a specific of all of our students. These good progress for each and every practical courses such as Drama, to determine how well the material has task, how to develop a particular skill or basics reflect the principles student, knowing that this will then Dance and Design & Technology. been understood and learned. Teachers how to become a more effective learner. behind our school of at Blatch also provide models of how to ‘Involvement, Achievement and support the best outcomes at Key At Blatch we use a wide range of feedback do something using, for example, worked Care’. Stage 4. including both verbal and written examples and clear processes to help strategies. Each subject area carefully B - Be on time, fully equipped ensure students know the steps needed considers how to provide the best feedback and greet your staff. when completing a task. Teachers will teach in their subject context. This feedback could new materials in small steps, checking A - Attempt work straight away be provided to the whole class or it could that all students have understood. For and do your best. be provided to the student as an individual challenging tasks, scaffolds are provided as using numerical or coded systems as well as S - Sit in the place designated by temporary support to assist teaching until more in-depth written responses. the member of staff. 18 students can independently practise new 19 I - Involve yourself in the lesson material. Daily, weekly and monthly review and focus on your learning and ensures that recently learned material what you need to improve. embeds in long term memory. C - Contribute to the lesson in A model for Our aim is that all students become a positive way so that everyone effective learners. In the classroom teachers can learn and do well. best learning work on building the necessary skills so that students are able to: S - Speak kindly and respectfully to all and look after the All of our lessons at Blatch are Plan - Think about the goal of their learning It won’t matter classroom. planned using a framework and consider how they will approach the we have developed to ensure who your teacher task. learning is accessible to all, is, the quality of Monitor - Assess the progress they is deep and secure, and all learning will be are making, and make changes where students make progress. the same. necessary. The framework allows significant Evaluate their Learning - Appraise flexibility for different teaching the effectiveness of their plan and its styles, so no two lessons will implementation. ever feel identical – but ensures a consistent approach across the school that benefits all students. Extended classrooms – online learning

We extend the reach of learning with our online learning facilities.

Lesson content and resources are available to all students from home, the RIC or any internet connected device (including smartphones and tablets). Students have access to their homework (and the necessary materials), their timetable, forums and school news and events. All homework is set electronically. We help students access learning at their own pace, revisiting a tricky topic at the end of the school day, getting ahead of the class by looking up the next topic in advance, or extending their knowledge with optional units and extension work. Our Science department are currently providing online lessons for students to view at home, ensuring that they 20 have the opportunity to embed valuable scientific knowledge outside of the classroom.

We have recently invested in a number of Chromebooks and will be using the Google ‘G Suite’ within school, making it easier than ever for students to access their work from outside the classroom. As well as this, we have rolled out an update to our SIMS parent app which provides a convenient and accessible way for the school to communicate with parents. Head teacher: Blatchington Mill School Mr A Harrold Nevill Avenue ba pgce npqh Hove Deputy Head teachers: BN3 7BW Ms R King ba pgce ma npqh t 01273 736244 Mr A Capozzi f 01273 739615 ba pgce ma npqsl Ms K Claydon ba pgce

More information on our website: www.blatchingtonmill.org.uk

Our email address: [email protected]