Worle Community School

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1 Head Teacher: Mr Peter Binding Redwing Drive, Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, BS22 8XX England Tel: +44 (0) Fax +44 (0)

2 Welcome to Choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make. At Worle Community School we aim to provide a positive and supportive environment where your child will be inspired, challenged and successful in their learning. We want our students to develop into happy, confident, independent learners who make outstanding progress. We endeavour to ensure your child feels safe and welcome in the school and we are confident the learning opportunities we provide will enable them to reach their potential. We have high expectations of all our students and we want them to work hard and have a positive attitude towards learning, whilst taking pride in their appearance and behaving responsibly at all times. Our staff and governors provide excellent opportunities that will inspire and challenge your child to succeed. Excellent specialist resources, such as new sports pitches and a Jampod music room, enable students to access some of the best facilities in North Somerset. Working together we can make a difference to our children s futures. Key to our students success is a positive and productive relationship between home and school. Therefore I invite you to join us in a partnership which could lead to your child growing into a young adult fully prepared for the challenges of our rapidly changing society. Our prospectus shows you a snapshot of life at our school during each year your child is here. There are many opportunities that cannot be represented here. However you can find out more information about us on our website and social media feeds. Mr Peter Binding Head Teacher

3 The school works hard to provide equal opportunities for all and to eliminate disadvantage, thus preparing students well for their future lives. Students who find learning difficult in any way receive a wide range of support. Ofsted 2014 Year Six To enable your child to grow in confidence in a larger school environment we work closely with Primary Schools. We offer workshops and sample lessons held on and off site. Your child s Primary School shares information with us on Key Stage 2 results, attendance and the needs of individual pupils. We liaise with Primary Schools to support any child with additional needs by developing a specific plan for a smooth transition to us. We employ various strategies to support your child in their transition to secondary school. There are tours of the school, a welcome assembly with the Head Teacher and activities with teachers and current students. During years 5 and 6 your child will be invited to attend our Holiday Club and after school activities. These help them to settle into their new environment and begin this important educational journey. During Term 6, we invite every child and parent for an individual meeting with a member of the Year 7 team to give you the opportunity to discuss transition and to ask questions. Induction Day is an important part of your child s transition experience because your child will meet their new Mentor Group and become familiar with many aspects of the school. The Local Authority is responsible for the secondary admissions procedure, and will distribute information on this to schools and parents. Further information can be found on our school website About us/i would like my child to attend Worle. We are committed to providing high quality care and guidance in a considerate and supportive atmosphere where students feel safe and valued, we also have firm policies on equal opportunities for all students.

4 Year Seven I was amazed at how quickly my child settled at Worle Community School, I think the school is a place where young people are supported in their development, not merely educated. Parent We provide a comprehensive range of subjects that follow the National Curriculum guidelines and parents/ carers are invited to engage with staff regarding the content of the subjects. For example, the English department publish an outline of their course which includes all the content to support learning. While reflecting on the special requirements of high ability students our curriculum provides opportunities for all students to excel in a supportive environment. To support transition, students have their own year group that is independent from the House System, which encourages students to work together, building friendships, raising self-esteem and developing a sense of identity and belonging. All Year 7 students attend an exhilarating day of outdoor activities off site, giving them the opportunity to build confidence and develop friendships. Teaching groups are structured to meet the needs of each individual child based on information received from their primary schools and early assessment in Year 7. Our curriculum is complemented with a Skills for Learning programme where students develop key learning behaviours and an understanding of how they learn as an individual. Parents are given the opportunity to discuss their child s progress with Mentors at a Year 7 pastoral evening before the end of Term 2. Our well-equipped classrooms give children the resources to enable them to excel in all aspects of school life. Accepting nothing less than the best, we utilise these facilities to ensure students are able to work efficiently, safely and innovatively in order to produce outstanding performances and results. We run a Home Learning Club to support students with homework every day after school. Curriculum based education visits are free of charge. Fieldwork is extremely important in the study of both History and Geography. As part of these topics students have the opportunity to visit Caerphilly Castle and complete a river study on the Quantocks. We have one of the best school sports facilities in the South West, and opportunities exist in abundance for students to take part in sport of the highest quality. Our sports academies are perfect examples of how we aim to shape students sporting attitudes, often over a lifetime. During one week in the Summer Term your child has the opportunity to experience a full week of enrichment activities which include off site activities, trips and school based projects.

5 Students are courteous and are respectful of the feelings of others. There is a lower than average incidence of bullying. The school s anti-bullying work has been recognised as very good practice locally and nationally. Ofsted 2014 Year Eight In Year 8 your child will join our vertical House System. Younger students are able to interact and engage with older students and learn from their experiences. Students continue to follow the National Curriculum to develop a broader knowledge and understanding of their subjects. Our data informs us when to make accurate interventions that inspire and raise the aspirations of your child in a no excuses culture. Frequent checks through assessments allow sustained progress with regular feedback to parent/carers. Year 8 students continue to take part in Home Learning Challenges and budding scientists can rise to the challenge with their projects in the school s annual Science Fair. Free curriculum enrichment trips continue where History students have the opportunity to visit Big Pit, to consolidate their understanding of the Industrial Revolution. Geography students travel to study coastal erosion processes, landforms and the management of tourism in the Dorset area. In Mathematics, able students are entered for the National Mathematics Challenges and can progress to the International Challenges. Students have their first insight into Shakespeare as they read and learn about one of the world s greatest writers as part of their English course. They will also enjoy exploring biographical and autobiographical writing. Students will continue to be stretched as we strive to meet individual needs either through support mechanisms or through challenging learning objectives in every lesson. Our excellent teachers use their skills to target work for individual students to develop a personalised approach to learning. Many departments offer extra curricular activities after school to enable students to further develop their skills. Some activities involve participation in regional, national and international competitions. A further curriculum enrichment week takes place in the summer. Students are given the opportunity to experience leadership roles such as Head s Ambassadors and represent the school at various functions.

6 Year Nine Academically, this is the last year in Key Stage 3 and some groups will begin their GCSE courses. There will be an opportunity to make individual option choices which start as the students enter Year 10. Your child will receive information on their GCSE choices which is supported by a full programme of information, advice and guidance. You and your child will be invited to meet with subject staff in the Spring Term to discuss their final choices. We have an award winning STEM club (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), judged the best in the Bristol and Bath area. Your child could work with industry experts on projects that challenge students thinking and develop their problem solving skills. Year 9 students have many opportunities to develop business ideas and skills for employment by taking part in the Enterprise Challenge. Forming virtual companies, students explore leadership, teamwork, innovation and presentation skills in a competitive environment. Teams represent at the Enterprise 4U event held at Weston College, competing against other schools. We are extremely proud that our school has won this competition for six consecutive years. At we encourage students to take on further responsibilities. We run an iteam where your child can learn ICT skills to support our partner primary schools in delivering workshops to younger students. The English department regularly enters students into the Young Writers National Writing Competition War of Words. We are very proud of those students who have achieved their goals by having their poems published. The LRC staff have organised workshops with famous authors to help inspire our students in writing their own books. Your child could join the Harmony Group or Youth Choir, performing in concerts locally, nationally and internationally as well as recording their own music. A final Year 9 curriculum enrichment week takes place in July and students have the opportunity to visit France during that week. I have had three children attend, all with different learning abilities and interests. The opportunities, support and teaching at this school has enabled them to exceed their targets and go on to higher education. Parent

7 Year Ten At Key Stage 4 your child will start their GCSE courses from the choices made in Year 9. They follow a core curriculum that includes Maths, English Language, English Literature, Science (double or triple), Religious Studies, Physical Education and Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG). In addition option subjects such as Business Studies, Health and Social Care, Spanish, Computing and Modern Foreign Languages from their Year 9 choice selection will begin. At this level, subjects develop more specific skills and knowledge especially in the additional chosen subjects. Student s will be challenging themselves academically and preparing for their futures with courses leading to a GCSE or equivalent qualification. Through IAG sessions your child will be given support with their chosen career pathways, informing them of the different routes and grades needed. They experience visits to one of the local Universities, Weston and Bridgwater Colleges. We also provide the opportunity for them to visit either Oxford or Cambridge Universities. Also to meet employers and find out more about future career opportunities. During Year 10 students undertake a week of Work Experience. It is a curriculum requirement and a focal point for their work. This essential enriching activity leads to more focused further education choices and employment. Students can choose any employer in the North Somerset/Bristol area. Work Experience can mark a turning point in a young person s life and the benefits are many, including helping students to gain the self confidence needed in the adult world. In July, students take part in a study and exams week to prepare them for their GCSE exams in Year 11. In addition, students benefit from flexible curriculum guidance sessions which complement, enrich and extend their broad range of learning opportunities. Foreign travel includes study visits to Iceland and Poland. Year 10 students are given the opportunity to apply for the leadership roles of Head Boy and Head Girl or House Captains. These positions which commence in the Summer Terms are held in high esteem and encourage the students to be role models for their House guiding younger students and driving the school ethos and identity. Teachers take an interest in your views and encourage participation and questions. Modern technology encourages us to work independently but teachers offer support as well. Parent

8 Year Eleven Year 11 is the final year for your child attending Worle Community School. There are many opportunities for students to continue to enhance their knowledge and this is complemented with a full revision programme as the year concludes with GCSE exams. Your child will participate in mock exams to provide valuable experience to help them prepare for the Summer GCSE exams. Students will be completing assessments or practical tasks based on their choices during the year, supported by the subject specialists. We offer extensive Information, Advice and Guidance on the range of next step qualifications from GCSE s through to A Levels, BTEC s and Apprenticeships. Students will have had the opportunity to attend open days and will complete applications for colleges and sixth form centres. We strive to enable all our students to achieve the highest qualifications to ensure they have the best opportunities available to them for their future career choices and learning pathways. At the end of May in preparation for study leave, the students have a final assembly. Within this they reflect on the happy memories they have had, from participating in the Year 7 Adventure Day to enrichment weeks, sports days and curriculum trips. In July, following all their hard work, students attend the Year 11 Prom. This is an excellent opportunity for students to celebrate with friends after completing their final exams. During August, students return to school to celebrate their successes, collect their exam results and have a catch up with staff and friends before continuing on the next part of their educational journey. We are immensely proud that our students continue on to prestigious courses at Universities across the country including Oxford and, in one case, Harvard in the USA. Many students also progress through various routes into training or employment, leading to more fulfilling lives as a result of their work. Students in this school make increasingly good progress in their work, often from low starting points. By the time they leave Year 11, their achievement is good and they are equipped for the next stage in their education, training or employment. Ofsted 2014