bhs school prospectus 2013 - 2014
DESCRIPTION
Boroughbridge High School Prospectus 2013 - 2014TRANSCRIPT
PROSPECTUS
General Information
The following information is a summary of the range of provision you will find in
Boroughbridge High School. It is by no means an exhaustive list, but should
answer most of the questions parents and pupils new to the school have. If there
is anything else you wish to know, which is not covered in this document please
do contact the school and speak to Mr Day, Head of Learning for Year 7; Dr
Lefley, Assistant Head, Personal Development and Well-being or Ms Dixon,
Headteacher.
The Curriculum
The curriculum offered at Boroughbridge High School is broad, varied and
relevant. Students between the ages of 11 and 16 have the opportunity to follow
courses in English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Science (as a single,
double or triple option), Design Technology, French, Spanish, History,
Geography, Information Communication Technology, Art, Music, Drama, Dance,
Physical Education, Personal, Health and Social Education, Citizenship and
Religious Education.
Religious Education follows the County's agreed syllabus and is studied by all
students to accreditation at GCSE (half course); it can also be taken as a full
course as an option subject. Although it is hoped that all students will take part
in Religious Education and collective worship, which is embedded in the
structured assembly programme, parents do have the right to withdraw their
child on religious grounds. If you wish to do so please make your request known
in writing to the Headteacher.
Sex Education is taught at various stages. Our aim throughout is to increase
knowledge and understanding in the context of responsible behaviour and caring
relationships, with due regard to the importance of the family and moral values.
Although it is expected that all students will take part in Sex Education parents
do have the right to withdraw their child from these lessons. If you wish to do so
please make your request known in writing to the Headteacher.
The school's Wildlife Wetlands area provides students with the opportunity to
extend their understanding of the environment. As a specialist school for the
performing arts, there are many opportunities throughout the school to take part
in musical performances, dance and drama productions. These develop a range of
interpersonal, communication and practical skills both on stage and behind the
scenes.
Students develop their skills in Information Communication Technology through
discrete lessons in Years 7-11 working towards accreditation in Digital
Applications (OCR National) and in addition in Key Stage 4 students can follow
an ICT programme as one of their option subjects. Opportunities to develop
enterprise, economic awareness and business skills are provided by a number of
curricular and extra-curricular mini-enterprise schemes and conferences.
A number of students are selected each year to extend their school studies with a
college link placement. These students complete a vocational qualification in this
area. A select group of students in Years 10 and 11 follow a two year programme
of personal and interpersonal skill development accredited by Workskills Awards,
including the opportunity for community service and land based learning. Over
the past few years this group has been responsible for serving lunches in a local
care home for the elderly, planting bulbs to improve the environment and
establishing a successful school organic vegetable garden.
Teaching groups are arranged according to subject requirements and the needs of
the students. Some groups are very small, others larger, and there will often be
two members of staff to support students with special needs in the mainstream
curriculum. Teachers are experienced and well qualified and use a wide range of
teaching methods.
Provision for Students with Special Needs and Disability
Boroughbridge High School is committed to promoting the equality of opportunity of all
students, regardless of their circumstances, background, disability or learning need. To
this end we endeavour to make places available to all students for whom Boroughbridge
High is best placed to meet their needs and ensure their progress. The school has a
Disability Access Plan, which is reviewed annually, to ensure that we are taking all
reasonable steps to improve access for students with a wide range of needs. We have four
toilets accessible to disabled students and visitors; a lift allows access to the upper floor
of the main school building and there are ramps to all student entrances. We continue to
work with the Local Authority and external agencies to meet the needs of all students for
whom Boroughbridge High is their school of preference.
Within the curriculum, individual students may need additional help to achieve
their full potential. The school's experienced learning support staff offer this help
in two basic ways: the assistance of extra support in the classroom and through
individual or small group sessions. The Local Authority's support services are
also used when appropriate.
In line with national regulations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995
and by the Education (Special Educational Needs) (Information) (England)
Regulations 1999; the school has a policy on pupils with special educational
needs and an Accessibility Plan, both of which can be obtained from the school on
request.
Academic Progress
Pupils’ progress is monitored regularly by their teachers in classroom
assessments, end-of-module tests and internal examinations. Parents will be
informed of the results of this close monitoring through regular tracking and
annual reports, Parents' Evenings, interim reports and progress letters. Parents
can request an individual report on their child's progress at any time. We hope
very soon to make this information available on-line for those parents who would
prefer it in that format and who have appropriate access.
Good Conduct
Visitors to Boroughbridge High School are impressed by the relaxed, orderly
atmosphere and the friendly good manners of the students. This does not just
happen. The school promotes good conduct in the following ways:
A well-organised Pastoral System ensures that every young person feels
known, appreciated and cared for, so that he/she develops a sense of belonging
to and responsibility for the school community.
A programme of Personal Development and Well-being promotes self-
awareness, an appreciation for the feelings and needs of others and an
understanding of the nature of moral behaviour.
A whole range of curricular and extra-curricular activities develop teamwork,
self-discipline, independence, responsibility and a sense of achievement.
A Code of Conduct, consisting of a set of simple and sensible rules and
principles, is displayed in every room to ensure that students know the high
standards we expect of them. A copy is included in the information sheets in
this document.
This positive approach means that our most commonly used sanction for
misbehaviour is a mild rebuke. More serious or persistent misbehaviour, as
well as failure to take sufficient time or care over classwork or homework,
leads to a lunchtime or an after school detention. In the rare cases of a
serious breach of conduct the action to be taken is always discussed with
parents.
The Library
The purpose-built computerised library plays a central role in school life. It is
used extensively by both students and staff. Its chief function is to support the
teaching in departments, to provide material for independent study and to
encourage recreational reading.
The library incorporates a large pleasant work space and a comprehensive
careers section. Books, newspapers, reference material, periodicals, CD roms,
computers, internet and revision guides are all available for use.
Students are able to use the library throughout the day including lunchtime,
when preference is given to students wishing to do homework, research or
reading. In Years 7, 8 and 9 library lessons are timetabled during English
lessons. Year 7 take part in an induction programme arranged by the Library
Manager during the first half term of the school year.
We strive to create a positive attitude towards books and reading. We also aim to
develop student’s research skills through selecting, retrieving and
communicating information, skills which will prove invaluable throughout school
life and beyond.
Homework
Homework plays a vital role in our students’ educational development. It allows new
work to be reviewed and consolidated, creating a better understanding of the topic as a
whole. It also encourages students to apply the principles learned in class to new
situations, so that the teacher can explore how well their students have grasped a
particular concept. Homework is an important tool in pupils’ developing the skills of
independent learning. Homework gradually develops time management, research,
presentation and planning skills, all of which are essential as students progress through
the education system and are expected to work with increasing independence and
confidence. This becomes particularly important for Sixth Form students considering the
challenge of University where good study habits and the ability to work independently
are essential for academic success. Perhaps most importantly however, homework offers
the pupil the opportunity to consider how well they really understand the topic outside
the classroom and to identify problem areas to ask the teacher about. At Boroughbridge
we encourage our pupils to appreciate the sense and value in trying their best first,
however difficult a task may be, and then if necessary asking for help. We ask you as
parents to adopt a similar attitude and to encourage your child to take responsibility for
their learning at a young age and to ask for further explanation if appropriate.
Guidelines on the setting of homework are provided for each class at the
beginning of the academic year. Homework is set regularly by staff at an
appropriate time in the learning cycle. This may not necessarily be every week
and sometimes work set may require an extended period of time for completion.
Every student is given a planner in which to record the homework set and note
its completion. Each form tutor checks the diary weekly and signs it. We seek the
co-operation of parents by asking them to do the same; the planner is one of
many means of encouraging good communication between home and school. It
allows parents to monitor the quality and appropriateness of the work being set
and to check that their child is up to date with their homework.
Sometimes students are asked to complete tasks set on the schools Virtual
Learning Environment (VLE) which gives the students the opportunity to access
resources from wherever they have internet access. The VLE is a fantastic
resource and is well used by staff and students, however no web based system
without is without its problems. If your child has any difficulties or concerns in
accessing this site or any other website they have been told to use, please contact
the school for advice.
Support for Pupils
Year groups 7 to 11 are divided into four or five balanced tutor groups of 25-32
students. Within subject areas arrangements are made to ensure that the
educational needs of all pupils are met, in order to enable them to perform to the
best of their ability. This may be by the use of setting, additional staffing or by
differentiation within the classroom. A comprehensive Personal Development
programme covers all aspects of Personal, Health, Social Education and
Citizenship. For those who need extra help, appointments can be made with
external professional services such as the Community Nurse and Relateen.
Extra Curricular Opportunities
Sport is an important feature of life at Boroughbridge High School. Students are
offered a broad and balanced range of sporting activities in Physical Education.
This includes the major team games of rugby, soccer, hockey, basketball, netball
and cricket. In addition students are taught gymnastics, dance, volleyball, cross-
country, orienteering, athletics, badminton and tennis. There are clubs and
competitive school teams in many of these sports.
The school is a centre of excellence in the performing arts and there are endless
opportunities for students to get involved in music, dance and drama. We also
work closely with our feeder primary schools and partner organisations to
develop talents in this area.
Throughout the school year there are numerous day visits, field trips, residential
visits, sports activities and theatre trips. In line with national guidelines,
parents will be asked for a voluntary contribution for visits, which are a
necessary part of the school curriculum. If the visit is not a requirement of the
curriculum it will be charged at cost.
School Council
School Council is an important facet of school life in that it provides an excellent
forum in which students can air their views on a range of issues both in school
and in the wider community. It also provides students with a means of making
decisions and taking action to improve the lives of those around them. The
Council was totally revamped last year, following feedback from students who
were involved in the process over the last few years. The Head Boy and Girl,
their Deputies and Sixth Form Prefects are more directly responsible for the
organisation and running of the council and lead committees on a range of issues,
including sport, health, community, charity and fund raising.
Sixth Form Sixth Form at Boroughbridge is an exciting, challenging and rewarding extension of a
student’s educational experience.
The A level and vocational qualifications the school offers enable our students either to
apply for jobs offering potential employees a greater level of skills and understanding, or
to prepare for the challenges of University or further education.
The strengths of the Boroughbridge Sixth Form include a stress on the
importance of a smooth transition between GCSE, AS Level and A Level; the
security of continuing study with staff who know students’ strengths and
weaknesses well; and most importantly small group sizes, where students can be
supported and challenged appropriately.
Sixth Form students are offered the opportunity to participate in a variety of
visits, locally, nationally, and internationally. Previous trips have included an
environmental expedition to the Rain Forest and South Africa, cultural
expeditions to China and America as well as our most recent trips to Mexico and
Peru.
Students are offered the opportunity to get involved with The Community Sports
Leader and Youth Arts Leader Awards, which allow talented students to share
their passion with the community and gain a nationally recognised qualification.
Boroughbridge offers a wide range of A Levels, advanced vocational qualifications and
business and IT courses. Boroughbridge works in collaboration with a range of local
schools and colleges to ensure the broadest curriculum provision possible.
The vast majority of our students in Year 11 who continue in full time education choose
to stay to study in our Sixth Form. This is a real vote of confidence in the education our
students have experienced in the first five years in the school.
The whole school benefits from the Sixth Form. It establishes an ethos that
encourages younger students to aspire to higher achievement. Sixth formers
contribute to all aspects of school life whether dramatic, sporting, musical or
academic and are an inspiration to younger students who are able to see the
complexity and quality of the work undertaken at advanced level. The sixth form
also adds to the cultural life of the school with many Theatrical and Musical
Productions. They run a Listeners’ Scheme to offer support to younger pupils who
need a friendly ear and organise the school council.
Life after School
The Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education programmes aim to
prepare students for the challenges of life outside school. Careers Education is an
integral part of the PSHE & Citizenship curriculum in all years. All students
have the opportunity to undertake work experience in Year 10. In addition, they
follow a thorough programme designed to enable them to make informed career
choices. This involves making use of the extensive Careers Library, attending
careers conventions, listening to visiting speakers, developing career action plans
and using a computer database.
Supporting your Child at School
We are sure you will want to take an interest in your child's progress at school
and encourage you to do so. Do check homework and sign your child's planner
weekly to show you have seen it. Please contact us if you have any concerns or
worries, however minor they seem; often prompt action can avert a small worry
growing into a major one.
Many parents offer their skills, time and energy to support school events,
particularly in performing arts and we are always looking for more! We welcome
any offers of help; perhaps you could offer a work experience placement, be a
mentor to a small group of students, help with costumes or refreshments or
perhaps you are qualified to coach a sports team. Please do contact the school and
you will be put through to the most appropriate person. There is an active Parent
Association, Friends of Boroughbridge High School (FOBHS), which organises a
number of fund raising and social events; if you can offer some time and support
to them, please contact Janette Howson at the school.
Gaining a Place at Boroughbridge High School
As a local community High School, North Yorkshire County Council is the
admissions authority for the school. Information about the process and
application forms are sent out by them via primary schools and completed forms
need to be returned to them before their published deadline. It is vital to name
Boroughbridge High School as your preferred school, even if you live in the
catchment area of the school.