ParkfieldsMiddle School

“ ”to flourish, learn and grow

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Leadership and Management

“Leadership atall levels is highly effective.”

Ofsted

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An Outstanding School

“It has improved sinceits last inspection, whenit was also found to beoutstanding.”

Ofsted

Behaviour

“Pupils are outstandinglywell cared for and feelextremely safe.”

Ofsted

A Welcome to ParkfieldsMiddle SchoolThe Headteacher, James Hughes

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to Parkfields.

I have been proud to be Head of Parkfields since September 2019.Unusually for a school of this age, there have only been fourHeadteachers: Mr John Fewson, Mr David Calcott, Mr David Brandon-Bravo and myself. The values which we stand by have remained thesame for many years. We put the individual child at the centre of allthat we do. Our motto is “Flourish, Learn and Grow” and wepassionately believe that everything we do is to enable everyone whoworks at Parkfields to achieve their very best in all that they do.

I hope this prospectus gives you a flavour of the school but no bookletcan substitute for actually being here and understanding why we havebeen referred to as the “school of a thousand smiles”.

In the early 1970s, the schools in Bedfordshire were regrouped intolower, middle and upper schools. Middle schools offered a transitionbetween lower and upper. From the age of nine, children had accessto specialist facilities and specialist subject teachers. At a time whena broad and balanced curriculum was considered essential, middleschools proved to be very successful. We believe that the same istrue today.

“Leadership and Management

“Governors are knowledgeable andexperienced.”

Ofsted

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Progress and Achievement

“All groups of pupils,including deaf pupils,make very rapid andsustained progressand achievement is excellent.”

Ofsted

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An Outstanding School

“Pupils respondadmirably to adults’high expectations ofachievement andbehaviour.”

Ofsted

In recent years the debate has raged over whether schools should begrouped in two tiers with pupils moving from small primaries to a verylarge secondary school at eleven years old, or whether the three tiersystem, which still values and nurtures children in their middle years andspecialises in their needs, should be retained. The Harlington AreaSchools Trust (HAST), of which we are a member, is determined that thisthree tier system continues to provide the best education available today.

We have a published admission number (PAN) of 113 children per yeargroup; 452 in total aged between nine and thirteen,. There are four mainfeeder lower schools, but Parkfields receives applications from a widerarea each year; this is a reflection of the enduring popularity of theschool and the widely-held recognition that at Parkfields pupils arehappy, secure and achieve at the highest level. Together with our Trustpartners, we were awarded the commission to run the county provisionfor deaf children. We believe passionately in caring for vulnerable anddisadvantaged children.

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An Outstanding School

“Pupils flourish in anenvironment that fosters theiracademic progress andbroader social developmentexceptionally well.”

Ofsted

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Over the years there have been many causes for celebration but nonemore so than our two ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted inspections in 2008 and2012. Further to these we have had inspection visits in 2016 and 2019which both came to the same conclusion – Parkfields continues toprovide a high quality of education.

We foster excellent relationships with feeder lower schools, ensuringtransition is as seamless as possible. Children coming from theseschools are excited but understandably anxious and the process oftransition is handled with extreme sensitivity. During their first year, theyounger children are eased into a secondary-style education withintheir own teaching block, and are taught by primary-trained teachers.As soon as children start at the school they have access to the specialistfacilities of science studios, DT workshop, food technology and textilerooms, computing rooms, as well as art and music suites.”

Outstanding Teaching

“Teachers planengaging activities that give pupils manyopportunities to practiseskills and consolidateand deepen their understanding.”

Ofsted

Progress and Achievement

“The outstanding curriculummakes a great contributionto the pupils’ academicsuccess and their excellentspiritual, moral, social andcultural development.”

Ofsted

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An Outstanding School

“Pupils' have a matureunderstanding oftolerance, differenceand equality.”

Ofsted

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Subject leaders are specialists in their subjects and ensure continuityacross the age range and in their liaison with lower and upper schoolcolleagues. Whilst literacy and numeracy are the key cross-curricularskills, the curriculum nevertheless remains broad and balanced with allchildren studying the full range of academic subjects.

Sport is a significant feature of the success of the school, embodyingfor each pupil the ethos of personal self-improvement withina supportive team environment. Not surprisingly, the school does verywell in sporting events, even when competing against muchlarger schools.

Over the four years at Parkfields, pupils make exceptional progress.Pupils complete Year 8 and then move to the upper school in Year 9(age thirteen) to continue their Key Stage 3 studies fully able to embracea wide range of options.

Behaviour

“Pupils’ outstanding behaviourcontributes very well to thestrong relationships and very positive atmosphere in the school.”

Ofsted

Leadership and Management

“Governors and thewider Harlington AreaSchool Trust providean ambitious andclear vision for thecontinuing success ofthe pupils.”

Ofsted

Year 8 is the great finale for pupils at Parkfields. With their finalassessments complete, pupils work on an end of year production invarious roles – acting, singing, dancing, set design, props, costumes,make up and marketing. Recent productions include, The LittleMermaid, Singin’ in the Rain and The Lion King. These award-winningperformances demonstrate the levels of confidence our pupils gainat Parkfields.

The final leavers’ assembly celebrates the oldest pupils’ achievementsover the previous four years. The younger pupils are inspired each yearby both this and the production, recognising that it is just a matter oftime before it is their turn.

I look forward to meeting you and hope that you decide that Parkfieldsis the right place for your child. It is a partnership and we worktogether for a common purpose, to do all we can to enable your childto flourish, learn and grow.

James HughesHeadteacher

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“”Quotes from Ofsted Visits

June 2012, July 2016 and March 2019 Inspection grades: 1 is outstanding, 2 is good, 3 is requiresimprovement, and 4 is inadequate

Inspection judgements (2012)

Overall effectiveness 1 Achievement of pupils 1 Quality of teaching 1 Behaviour and safety of pupils 1 Leadership and management 1

Outstanding Teaching

“The pursuit of consistentlyoutstanding teaching is increasingly being metbecause of the commitmentand dedication of the staff.”

Ofsted

Behaviour

“Pupils have excellent attitudesto learning, attend regularly andtake full advantage of the wealthof opportunities on offer to them.”

Ofsted

Progress and Achievement

“Attainment in all subjects is consistently well above thelevels expected nationally bythe time pupils leave school.”

Ofsted

Parkfields Middle SchoolPark Road Toddington Bedfordshire LU5 6AB

Tel: 01525 872555Email: schooladmin@parkfields.cbeds.co.ukWebsite: www.parkfieldsschool.co.ukTwitter: @ParkfieldsNewsFacebook: Parkfields Middle School

ParkfieldsM

iddle School

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