PROSPECTUS 2016

Focus School - Stoke Poges Campus

A Letter from the Head Teacher

Welcome to Stoke Poges Campus,

We are a busy school in the sense that there are a number of changes that are being made toensure our students are receiving the best quality education possible. As a school ,we are fullyresourced and appropriately staffed to deliver a world class standard of education, to launch uson our journey to becoming an outstanding educational institution. We are focussing on keyareas related to the ‘whole’ child. Therefore our approach is holistic. We provide opportunitiesfor our students to broaden their knowledge and understanding of the wider world in which theylive and to equip them fully for life in modern Britain.

I can truly say our mission and desire is for our staff and students to be happy and enjoy as theyachieve. As part of that mission, we have introduced the ‘Pursuit of Excellence’ which isdemonstrated through our core values, namely; respect, fairness, responsibility anddetermination. These qualities serve as a vehicle to build on personal and academic achievementfor all our pupils in a sustained manner.

Student outcomes have been the best they have ever been and this places our staff and studentsin a great position to continue the drive to raise standards even further.

I am therefore pleased to say our parents, trustees and local community are fully on-board withthe ethos, drive and ambition to realise the full potential of the school. We have the highestexpectations of all our staff and students in the bid to raise standards in every area. Safeguardingof our pupils and staff is an integral part of what we do on a daily basis and as such endeavour toalways be fully compliant with national requirements and standards.

Yours Sincerely

History and Background of Stoke Poges Campus

The ‘Stoke Poges & Wexham Elementary Schools’ (as this school was originally called) were purpose built in 1875/6 as separate Boys, Girls andInfants Schools. Built in some 1.7 acres, the building was arranged in a horse shoe formation, and incorporated a Masters dwelling. Boys andGirls had their own entrances and were taught separately.

The school site was acquired in March 2005 following its closure as a Stoke Poges primary school. A huge renovation project then ensued toreinstate its school status and to sympathetically restore the original Grade II listed buildings including adding the present modern facilities.Once completed, this project thus created an excellent learning environment, enhanced by blending a modern interior featuring the latest up-to-date technology with the character and atmosphere of the original Victorian school. Focus School has now seen over 130 years of educationon this site in Stoke Poges.

This year the school has had another major refurbishment including the construction of an SDL learning centre and IT upgrade. This latestuplift of the school facilities, has provided a greatly enhanced learning environment for the students to advance their studies.

DfE Registration no. 825/6037Examination Centre no. 52223Registered Independent School having special Religious CharacterFulmer Education Trust Registered Charity no. 1099725Sefton Park School is affiliated to Focus Learning Trust, a charitable education body. Registered Charity no.1099725Sefton Park School is covered by insurance for Public, Product, Employers and Professional Liability.There is an arrangement in place for temporary facilities in the event of extensive damage to the schoolproperty.

The Stoke Poges Campus is managed by the Fulmer Education Trust. This is a Trust whose sole purpose is to employ professional teachers torun the school. The FET also oversees the educational running of a separate primary school in Reading. This feeds into the secondary school.

Educational guidance is given to our staff from a UK over-arching trust called the Focus Learning Trust. This is an internationally recognisedstructure of guidance and support is available to all the Focus affiliated schools, of which there are approximately 28 main campus’s aroundthe UK.

The Trustees at Stoke Poges work closely with our professional staff to ensure that the Christian ethos and beliefs are conveyed to the staffand students, and that a good moral tone is set around the school.

At this School, students are encouraged to develop their full potential and acquire the discipline of learning how to learn, while upholdingfundamental Christian teachings and beliefs, especially those of purity, integrity and godliness.The truth and authority of the Holy Bible and strong family values underpin the commitment of the School to provide quality in every facet ofeducation – curriculum, teachers, facilities, management and discipline - in a safe, secure and caring environment.

� To provide a Christian-based secure and stimulating environment in which students receive a well-balanced and fulfilling education� To give each student the opportunity to achieve their true potential� To promote respect for authority� To promote the development of social skills and regard for other persons.

A registered independent non-selective school of special religious character catering for boys and girls of 11-18 years of age.Prospective parents are invited to enrol their child - the school will require a pre-enrolment interview with both parents and child.

Mr Connery Wiltshire Head Teacher, Teacher of Science

Ms Shameem Akhtar Director of Teaching and Learning, Teacher of Geography, Citizenship and PSHE

Mr Titus Anagho Teacher of Mathematics, Exams Officer

Mrs Beverley Birks Teacher of upper school English, SDL, VC and FLN Director

Miss Rosemary Brereton Teacher of Government & Politics, History and EPQ Co-ordinator

Dr. Christine Draper Head of Science

Mrs Jennifer Caudrelier Teacher of Food and Nutrition and Art, IT Coordinator

Mrs Caroline Corio SENCO, LSCo

Mrs Sue Dickinson Director of Teaching and Learning, Teacher of French

Miss Alison Elliott Admin

Miss Ruth-Abigail Williams Teacher of English and French

Miss Cheryl Hadland Director of Assessment and Data, Teacher of Mathematics

Mr Peter Richards Science Technician and Site Manager, Onsite Health and Safety Responsibilities

Mrs Heather Tucker PA to Head Teacher

Miss Emily Williams Teacher of Aspire and Headstart, HLTA

Mrs Natalie Lloyd Teacher of PE and Science

Mr Keith Rowbottom Teacher of Design and Technology

Mr Andrew Dimond Teacher of Music

Mrs Vipula Bist HLTA

Our school has a learning focus on the cutting edge concept of self directed learning (SDL), where the modern specially designed SDL centreaugments classroom study.From year 3 onwards our students develop the skills of● Learning how to learn● Taking responsibility for their own learning, at their own pace

Since the introduction of SDL we have the best possible outcomes in the following areas:● Students are stretched to reach their full potential● Better behaviour patterns● Students become more creative, innovative and efficient● Students develop the thought processes involved in problem-solving● Students develop time management skills● Students drive their own progress in learning

1. Students are given an assignment2. They receive a classroom introduction and a lesson relating to this3. They move to the SDL area where they study and research the topic4. Here they can select various areas to facilitate their studies:

a. large group brainstorming areasb. smaller huddle group areas for more focussed discussionc. a library research aread. quiet areas to focus on their own studiese. access teacher support

Self Directed Learning Centre

The Curriculum

At Stoke Poges Campus we follow the prescribed OneSchool curriculum. This curriculum is balanced giving all students the opportunity to learn a variety ofsubjects and skills in preparation for the working world.

Key Stages 3 and 4 incorporate Core and Foundation subjects including: English, Maths, Science, Public Speaking, French, Geography, History, Music andPE. For Key Stage 4 students have the option to study Food, Textiles or Resistant Materials.

In Key Stage 5 students have a greater level of independence with a variety of option choices. All students will have PE. Students then have to select onesubject from each of the five strands. Subjects for study includes: Maths FSMQ, Maths AS/A2, English AS/A2, Business Studies AS/A2, Chemistry AS/A2, Cityand Guilds Construction, City and Guilds Culinary Skills, Law AS/A2 and The Extended Project.

KS3: Lamda - Public SpeakingGCSE Subjects studied: Y10 Citizenship, Core ScienceGCSE Subjects studies: Y11 English Language, English Literature, Maths, Geography, History, French,Additional Science, Further Additional Science, Design & Technology, Art & Design, Design & TechnologyProduct DesignA Level: English, Maths, History, Government & Politics, Law, Business Studies, Accounts, Economics,ChemistryY10 Two weeks work experience

Autumn Term: Monday 5th September - Friday 16th December 2016 inclusiveInset Day: Monday 17th October 2016Half Term: Monday 24th October - Friday 28th OctoberChristmas Holiday: Monday 19th December 2016 - Tuesday 3rd January 2017 inclusiveInset Day: Tuesday 3rd January 2017Spring Term: Wednesday 4th January - Friday 7th April 2017Half Term: Monday 20th February - Friday 24th February 2017Easter Holiday: Monday 10th April - Friday 21st April 2017Summer Term: Monday 24th April - Thursday 20th July 2017Bank Holiday: Monday 1st May 2017Half Term: Monday 29th May - Friday 2nd June 2017

Music

Music is part of the curriculum and school life at Stoke Poges Campus for our lower school students. There is a great deal of talent and skillamongst the students, many of whom have regular instrumental lessons during school time. Special occasions often commence with a musicalinterlude either by a whole year group or by an individual musicians. Music is encouraged as an extra-curricular activity, particularly thelearning of musical instruments and singing.

Class music lessons are focused on developing skills in performing, composing (making your own music) and appraising (listening to andanalysing) music. Lessons are interactive and allow everyone the opportunity to make music together, regardless of previous knowledge orskill. Students perform in assemblies and concerts throughout the year.

Physical Education

Students participate in a range of Physical Education activities throughout the school year. These involve fitness sessions, skills developmentand participation in competitive games.

A Sports Day and Tournament days are part of the school calendar and Cricket and Rounders are held at selected times during the year. Theseevents provide an object and focus to the year's activities and give parents, staff and other supporters of the school the opportunity to witnessthe students' efforts and commitment.

Teamwork plays a vital part in these activities helping students to work together. The yearly sports tournaments and sports day are organizedin school houses which encourages coordination with year groups throughout the school. House Sports Captains play a vital role in theorganisation of sporting events. We believe in the importance of providing opportunity for leadership development and team building for ourstudents.

Citizenship

Citizenship is a compulsory subject at Focus School Stoke Poges Campus, which must be taught until the end of Year 10, when students take their GCSEExamination in Citizenship. The topics covered within the specification are varied and interesting, including School Rules, Ethnic Groups, The Government, TheLegal System, Active Participation, Pressure Groups and International Conflict. An important part of Citizenship is learning about your rights and responsibilitieswithin your local and wider community. Our students do this by completing an activity demonstrating active participation in Citizenship by helping others. Studentscomplete a sponsored event which helps raise money and advocate their chosen charity. So far charities including Cancer Research UK, MacMillan, Air Ambulance,Great Ormond Street and The RNLI have all been helped by our dedicated and enthusiastic students and of course the generous contributions of family andfriends.

It is considered of great importance by the Staff, Trustees and students of Stoke Poges Campus to have guests actively engaged in public life to come to addressthe school from time to time. This inspires the students, sets a standard for public speaking and enlarges the horizon of all those privileged to experience such anevent. The school has had a variety of such high profile visitors over the last few years.

Rt. Hon Dominic Grieve MP, who is now Attorney General, has visited the school three times. He is an accomplished speaker, and gave us all a remarkable insightinto the work of an Attorney General and of his role in the Cabinet. Stoke Poges Campus is in his constituency of Beaconsfield and he shows a particular interest inthe school's continuing prosperity and academic achievements.

Professor Eileen Barker, OBE gave a memorable speech and presented certificates to many that achieved GCSE and A-level qualifications. She is an eminentsociologist and has written many books on the subject and lectured in numerous countries. She travels extensively andaddresses seminars and conferences as a sociologist, with particular interest in New Religious Movements (NRMs).

Professor the Lord McColl from the House of Lords visited Focus School Stoke Poges Campus to deliver a speech using a PowerPoint presentation on thecharitable organisation - 'Mercy Ships'. He is an eminent surgeon and spends his vacation time in theatre, treating poor suffering humanity by visiting ports incountries such as in North Africa for surgical operations - cancer, cataract, gall-bladder etc. He has been an inspirational promoter of public benefit, havingconverted a flat-bottomed disused ferry to become a floating hospital powered by generators, with theatres, intensive care units and general wards. The ship isstaffed by volunteer surgeons, doctors, nurses and other medical professionals and provides a complete healthcare facility to assist the most deprived countries ofthe world. His visit was both moving and educational.

We were also privileged to have a visit from Lord Alton. He gave an entertaining and very informative speech which enthralled the school community and guestsalike. He was once the youngest MP in Parliament and was granted a peerage by John Major when PM. Baroness Cox visited Stoke Poges Campus on anotheroccasion to present certificates. She has travelled to some of the most dangerous parts of the world, as has Lord Alton, including North Korea and several NorthAfrican countries in her unselfish devotion to provide 'a voice for the voiceless'.

We look forward to another visitor from the House of Lords in November - Baroness O'Cathain. These visits have been enjoyed by students, staff and parents,and also by many other friends of the wider school community.

SEND and MAHP

Stoke Poges Campus has a forward thinking ideal in providing for the educational needs of every individual student. Extra support is providedfor those students identified as having a specific learning need (SEND), or whether the student is identified as having the most able and highpotential ability (MAHP).

Trained members of staff assisted by community volunteers ensure that teaching and learning activities are adjusted and, where necessaryvaried, in accordance with individual need so that full potential can be realised. The Learning Support Team are fully engaged in ensuring thatthe special educational provision is a consistent and evolving process, with a collective responsibility from all staff, in order to support thestudents to become independent students who are proficient and responsible.

Young people identified with having high potential ability are considered fully by the organisation with a differentiated curriculum providingadditional challenge and scope for further development. In this way they too are supported in their progress to enable them to achieve theirfull potential along with all others.

We build on and promote the inclusion and support of all students.We plan careful, sensitive and accurate target setting, monitoring and evaluating.

1. We maintain correct documentation and accountability.2. We have strong parent/teacher/student links.3. We have a strategic overview and co-ordinated approach.4. We carry out mentoring and learning conversations.5. We work on reading development.6. We use effective and appropriate resourcing.7. We use assessment as a means to measure a student's current needs and abilities.8. We maintain a whole school policy of support.

Teamwork and School Council

Students are allocated to one of four house groups when they join the school, and remain part of the house until they leave. These houses,namely Ascot, Henley, Marlow and Windsor are used to encourage students to compete constructively as part of a group, both to gain thehighest number of merits and the fewest demerits, in Sports Tournaments and on Sports Day. Sports Captains and House Captains arenominated by their house as leaders for the group; these Captains are responsible to ensure that their house works as a team, causingstudents to work with those from a cross section of age groups and abilities in order to achieve academic, behavioural and sporting targets.

Merits are a positive way of reinforcing and rewarding good work, attitude, effort, helpfulness and behaviour for our lower school students.Staff are encouraged to recognise these virtues by awarding merits to students performing well in these areas. Once a term, students willreceive a certificate and a voucher as an award for their Record of Achievement during a whole school assembly.

By contrast, demerits are occasionally issued if warranted by extremely poor behaviour and disruption, unacceptable attitude, including lack ofrespect, non-production of homework or other unacceptable contraventions of the school rules. On the occasion of a student receiving ademerit, The Campus Co-ordinator, CA Team and the parents of the student involved are notified. The merit/demerit system is linked to theSchool House System.

A school council system has been established, whereby students can raise issues and have them attended to in a systematic and structuredway. Every year one male and one female student are selected by the year group to represent their point of view and those of their peers toSenior Staff and Trustees. Students are encouraged to raise suggestions and concerns via their student council representative assured thattheir queries will be taken account of and considered, and, if deemed advantageous, sensible and viable, necessary action taken. The meetingsare conducted in an orderly fashion, and formal minutes of each meeting are distributed to the CA Team and those present at the meeting.

Students from year 13 are encouraged to apply in writing and attend an interview for the role of Headboy/Girl and Deputies. We recognise theimportance of students representing our school and in particular the student body. The roles are respected by the students and staff, they area valuable asset to enable the school to operate smoothly and bring about positive changes for all.

Business Enterprise Day

Each year the whole school works in vertical groups (i.e. Y7-13) on a Business Enterprise Day.Each student is given a brief of the product that is to be presented to the judges and the remainder of the day is spent devising their businessname, logo, business strategy and prototype for their product.All students work together with the assistance of the teachers in many different areas including collaboration, problem solving, decisionmaking, design and communication.The day is then culminated with an episode of ‘Dragons Den’, where the finalists battle it out in order to develop their product to hopefullysecure the ‘Dragons’ stake hold in their businesses and a winner is finally established!

Motivational Awards

Stoke Poges Campus strongly believes that students should receive recognition, praise and reward for their consistent hard work anddetermination throughout the school year. The Focus School Motivational Awards Scheme began in July 2013 and will continue this comingyear. The Awards will be given to students who have demonstrated an outstanding or exceptional contribution to a particular year group, orto the wider School community. In each case, examples of achievement, particularly instances of high quality work, or a creative idea,expressed in some aspect of the nominee's work at the school would be sufficient for nomination. The individual nominated must be shown tohave had an impact on the school.

The Awards are celebrated in a Prize Giving Event every year during the Autumn Term and is attended by our Families and the Community.Normally a Guest Speaker is invited, this coming year Baroness O'Cathain will be joining us to celebrate our student successes.

The Student of the Week Award recognises students who demonstrate an attitude for learning; this incorporates punctuality to all lessons,strong work ethic, reliability, preparation and a willingness to improve by implementing teacher comments. As a school, we feel it is importantto praise students consistently. There is a whole school approach to this initiative, which is now integrated in to our weekly assemblies and ourfortnightly newsletter.

Facts and Figures

We have 15 full time and 4 part time permanent staff. All staff are suitably qualified to carry out the role and responsibility that they hold. Wehave many staff that continue with their Professional Development up to MA level.

Educational visits are planned to happen throughout the school year. Students attend Parliament and for example, Bletchley Park, to enrichtheir subjects and their knowledge.

The Complaints Policy and Procedure that is adopted by the school is available for parents upon request. The school informs parents annuallyon the number of formal complaints in an academic year.The school will provide a copy of the current Safeguarding Policy to parents and prospective parents on request.Policies also available on request are:● Enrolment Application and arrangements of admission● Behaviour Management Policy including Exclusion Policy● Anti Bullying Policy● Curriculum Policy (Policies)● Health & Safety Policy, including guidance for promoting health and safety in school premises on school trips● Disability Access Policy and Action Plan● SEN Policy● Educational Visit Procedures

Four Year Trend for Student Outcomes in GCSE and A Level

● The value added attained for Stoke Poges Campus in 2016 is .This is the highest value added measure attained over the last fouryears. The overall value added across Focus UK for the last yearwas 0.49.

● of students achieved 5 grade A* - C, an increase of 9.09%from last year.

● pass rate, an increase of 29% on last year.● The percentage for A* - C grades also saw an increase of 29%.

Career Advancement Programme (CAP)Bridging the gap between school and work

The unique Career Advancement Programme was introduced into our school in September 2015 to facilitate tertiary study for sixth formstudents.

This is a business/parent/student/school partnering programme to assist students transition to the real-life business world after finishingschool.

To enable year 12 and 13 students to "hit the ground running" from day 1 when they graduate from school and enter the world of business.

Students are financially assisted by sponsoring businesses to undertake career-driven tertiary studies whilst still at school, to equip them intheir future career. The career-aligned study course is paid for by the business sponsoring them.

Motivation to immerse themselves in studies and qualify is provided by incentivised arrangements with the sponsoring business. They qualifyfor a lump sum payment on reaching majority once they have successfully completed the course of study and passed the qualifyingexaminations.

Whilst studying, the sponsoring business also guarantees 100 hours of paid work experience for the sponsored student.

The students also enjoy the services of peer-mentorship to assist them and keep them motivated during these years.

The parents benefit too by having their school fees paid by the sponsoring business.

This is a win-win arrangement which benefits all parties.

Complaints and Safeguarding Policies

We are very pleased to say that we have had no formal complaints made against the school in the previous academic year - 2014-15. There is aclear process and procedure for recording Complaints, this is outlined in our Policy. All policies are available from our School Office, on ourWebsite and from our Central Office.

Safeguarding our students is our priority commitment to parents. This is even more important when we take our students off school site. Weoperate a stringent and consistent process to ensure that we plan effectively and add supplementary support for all external visits, please docontact the School Office for more details on school visits and Health and Safety related issues.

For further information regarding the above policies please contact CA Team Leader.

We believe that everyone is accountable for management of student behaviour and for creating a safe, productive and successful learningenvironment. Individuals must take responsibility for their own behaviour. At Stoke Poges Campus we do this by holding discussions,clarifying values and expectations, strong relationships with all stakeholders and adopting a whole school approach. The object of the schooldisciplinary procedures is to establish and promote a safe and positive learning environment. We believe this will increase responsibility,improve students’ learning and promote student outcomes.

Uniform is compulsory. Ordering arrangements will be given to you prior to the start of a new academic year.

Park Life and Newsletters

These frequent letters, e-mailed to parents and interested persons, provide an insight into current study topics, activities, outstandingachievements and contain statistics such as student attendance. They are a very convenient means of issuing reminders and conveyingimportant messages and information. The aim of these publications is to make the parents aware of what is going on at the school, generallykeep the level of communication up and to enthuse parties involved with Focus School.

The Parklife is a thirty-two page colour magazine published quarterly. Recent editions have focused on school trips, visits from members ofParliament, quizzes, challenges, a special Enterprise Day, the Dynamic Telemarketing course and sports events such as the Cricket Challenge,the Winter Sports Tournament and athletics.The editors of Parklife are students attending Focus School, mainly in year 13, working with others who have recently left but maintain acontinuing interest in our school. The students use opportunities during school time to discuss the content and agree articles and contributionsfor inclusion. These are then forwarded to the design team who arrange the page layout of the text and images.Publication of Parklife is a business operation raising funds for the school. Profits are channelled through Zest, the school’s trading company.Whilst the majority of subscribers are within the Focus School catchment area the magazine is very widely distributed to relatives andinterested persons elsewhere in the UK, Europe and the USA.

Editors meet in school free time to discuss content etc and make arrangements for articles to be drawn up etc.  The editors then forward theinfo to the design team who put the text/images into a page layout.  Parklife is run as a business to raise funds for Focus School.  Finances arechannelled through Zest and the magazine is sold all over the world.  We have subscribers in US, Europe and UK.  The majority of thesubscribers are in the local catchment area but quite a few are from outside (such as other interested parties – grandparents etc).

Teaching and learning programmes developed by the school will:● Be consistent with the school's relevant policies● Have content that is clearly linked to students' needs and

interests● Employ a range of teaching strategies that are appropriate for

the students● Incorporate cross-curricular perspectives● Specify intended learning outcomes and detailed assessment

and evaluation procedures● Pre-test - assess needs - teach to needs - assess and evaluate

accordingly● Identify and assess students with special educational needs and

apply appropriate teaching strategies

A support and progressive Board of Trustees will endeavour to:● Provide opportunity for teacher training and relevant feedback● Update facilities, teaching aids, technology aids● Endeavour to ensure that an effective appraisal system is

supported● Be receptive to teaching problems and concerns● Ensure that our comprehensive Safeguarding Policy is

implemented for the protection of all students

Our School will:● Provide opportunity for open and continual communication

and respond to general concerns● Make parents feel welcome to come and communicate● Maintain equity in all curriculum areas

Focus Learning Trust is a registered UK charity established in 2003 forthe advancement of education. The purpose of the Trust is to provideleadership and support to Focus schools, a group of affiliatedindependent schools registered as Schools with a Religious Character.

To enhance children's learning by:● Providing high quality learning programmes matched to the needs

of individual students and aimed at promoting their fullparticipation in society.

● Recruitingm, developing and retaining the best available teachingand support staff to ensure achievement of all the school's learninggoals.

● Establishing a supportive school community and responding to itseducational needs and wishes

● Treating all children equally and providing them with skills, and theenvironment to work well with their peers and the wider community

Focus School - Stoke Poges CampusSchool Lane, Stoke Poges, Bucks, SL2 4QATel: 01753 662167 Fax: 01753 662168Email: stokepogescampus@focus-school.comWeb: http://stokepoges.focus-school.com

© Fulmer Education Trust 2016

Focus SchoolStoke Poges Campus

CA Team LeaderMr Craig GulleyHoneywood,Spring Lane,Swallowfield,Reading, RG7 1ST

Campus CoordinatorMr Connery Wiltshire

Registered Office:Fulmer Education Trust,School LaneStoke Poges, BuckinghamshireSL2 4DA