Prospectus
A MESSAGE FROM THE HEADTEACHER Our pupils are central to everything that happens at Buile Hill, it is our aim that students should leave Buile Hill with confidence and ready to face the challenges of further education, university and beyond. We have high expectations of all pupils and they will be supported, challenged and nurtured to meet those expectations. The school has excellence and a tradition of widespread participation in sport and the arts, business enterprise and leadership. Our outstanding facilities are set in a 12 acre campus, where students have the opportunity to enjoy open spaces and recreational areas. The state of the art building and facilities help stimulate the pupils intellectual, innovative and creative talents. Our school has a nurturing environment which supports our vibrant and dynamic community where our bright, well-motivated pupils blossom and thrive. The school has excellent ICT provision which pupils access, to deliver unparalleled excellence in and beyond the classroom. Ofsted commented Students learn well and make good progress and hence achievement is improving rapidly Our greatest pride lies in the fact that at the heart of our school is the sense of the Buile Hill family - we care for everyone involved in our community and to facilitate this, every young person is linked to one of the 4 Houses in school. The caring atmosphere within the school has a firm, underlying commitment to high standards of behaviour, attitude and effort. Our reputation continues to grow locally, as well as at national level due to the ambitions that we aspire to and the standards and expectations that we maintain. Throughout our journey of improvement we always remember that our core value of opportunities for all remains central to our family at its forefront being, the education and progress of our students.
WELCOME TO BUILE HILL VISUAL ARTS COLLEGE Mission Statement Our Aims We are a learning community aiming for high standards of achievement in a stimulating and inclusive environment. Students learn well and make good progress Ofsted 2012 To provide every member of the school community with the best possible opportunities to develop personally and professionally. To develop and sustain a broad and balanced curriculum that meets the needs of every student, enabling them to achieve their full potential intellectually, physically, culturally, socially, morally and spiritually. Students behave with respect towards each other and the adults working with them. They are polite and welcoming to visitors Ofsted 2012
A CULTURE OF COURTESY AND CHALLENGE At Buile Hill we: Promote a culture that celebrates the success of our students where learning is at the heart of everything we do, we encourage our students to embrace every opportunity, both in lessons and in extracurricular activities. Students behave with respect towards each other and the adults working with them. They are polite and welcoming to visitors Ofsted 2012 Aim to meet the educational needs and access needs of all students and staff and the wider community. Tell the truth, speak politely, respect Others, dress smartly and recognise that we can all make mistakes. Aim to motivate our students to adopt a positive attitude. Aim to stimulate and engage our students in the pursuit of learning. Believe that learning is a lifelong activity. We provide: A well-qualified, dedicated and supportive staff. A caring and effective support system for all students through our excellent Pastoral Team. A strong positive Behaviour Policy with rewards and sanctions applied fairly and consistently. A healthy environment for young people.
We expect our students: Our vision is: To work hard in lessons and at home. To value the work of the teaching staff. To develop high standards of tolerance, respect and to avoid ethnic, religious, social, sexual stereotyping. That Buile Hill will become an outstanding school. To provide an excellent education for every student in terms of human Resources, learning environment and curriculum. To reach their full potential. That every student will set themselves the highest standards, aiming to reach their greatest potential, becoming responsible, independent and selfmotivated. To develop a caring community where we have concern for others and demonstrate respect for each other. To involve parents and carers in the Educational process so that they are consulted, informed and feel valued. To develop in every student and adult, the joy of learning. To establish an outward looking Community that understands its place locally, nationally and internationally.
CURRICULUM The school believes in lifelong learning and acknowledges that achieving well, and gaining good qualifications, is crucial for the employability of all our young people. A personalised approach to learning is the key to our students success. We ensure that all aspects of our curriculum incorporates transferable, relevant and functional skills into every learning experience. We are proud to state that our school is a place where: The uniqueness of every student is valued and respected. Positive relationships are based on trust and mutual respect. There is a commitment to lifelong Learning for the whole of our community. We engage with outside agencies to support all aspects of learning both in and out of school, giving students numerous opportunities to learn in practical ways, providing projects such as visits, field trips and residentials. Students are also involved in Creative Weeks designed to enrich the curriculum and allow then to used their creativity, to problem solve, demonstrate their enterprise skills and to work co-operatively in groups. We understand how to learn and how to succeed in an ever changing society. The learning environment is designed for the future. The proportion of students gaining 5 or more GCSE grades at A-C including English and Maths has grown rapidly and securely Ofsted 2012
Key Stage 3 Students entering the school at the beginning of Year 7 study all aspects of the National Curriculum. All students study the following subjects: English History Music Technology Spanish Maths PE Geography French Art Science ICT Drama German Key Stage 4 During Year 8, students, in consultation with parents and teachers, choose their subjects to study in Years 9, 10 and 11. Full preparation is undertaken, with students and parents being kept informed through parents /carers evenings, and an informative booklet is produced for parents and students. Our policy is to offer the maximum amount of choices available from our resource. However, we have different learning pathways and the following subjects may be studied: History Photography Good teaching with some that is outstanding, is at the heart of students good and improving achievement Ofsted 2012 Business Studies Graphics Music Textiles French Product Design Childcare Geography Spanish Performing Arts Expressive Arts Food Technology German Pupils are well prepared for their next stage of education, training or employment Ofsted 2012
Additional student support Our Pastoral Team work to support students involving learning support, mentoring and teaching assistance. The curriculum is broad and appropriate to students needs and abilities Ofsted 2012 Our aim is to make sure each student develops to their maximum potential using their talents to enrich their time at Buile Hill. We encourage our students to participate in a wide variety of activities so that their time at school is spent profitably and enjoyably, resolving any difficulties that may occur. Rewards Here at Buile Hill, we acknowledge the importance of praise and rewards. We seek to promote and reinforce our expectations of students at any given and relevant opportunity. We recognise that our students thrive on praise, the thrill of success and the glow of recognition. Rewarding students and celebrating success is at the heart of our community, students collect house points which are traded in every term for a reward, these also contribute to their house winning the coveted House Cup. House Upon entry, each student is assigned to one of four houses they will remain in this house for the duration of their time at Buile Hill. The house system provides for the personal development and well -being of students. Each house is led and managed by a House Coordinator, form tutors, and prefects. Together they provide the opportunities, support, motivation and encouragement necessary for students to make excellent progress fulfilling their academic potential. They ensure each student has a sense of belonging and community. House assemblies are held for all students each week, and student s successes are celebrated. Throughout the year house competitions, events and activities take place in which students are encouraged to compete to win points for their house. Students say they feel very safe in school Ofsted 2012
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES PE The school excels in sport of all kinds and enjoys superb facilities. Our students are encouraged to be physically active in PE lessons and extensive extracurricular programmes, with activities including horse riding and dance clubs. The school also provides opportunities for students to participate in more traditional competitive games. Buile Hill are currently rugby, netball and rounders champions. Educational Trips and Visits Staff and students enjoy a wide range of educational trips and visits together throughout the year including: Outward bound activity holidays Trips to France in Year 7 and 9 Trip to Spain in Year 8 Residential team building weekends in Wales Geography field trip University visits Art Gallery and museum visits
Art The Art Department runs courses in a variety of media. Our after school clubs help to foster a love of creativity and develop more advanced skills.art GCSE classes make visits to exhibitions as well as exhibiting their own work throughout the Greater Manchester area. ICT The ICT department is pleased to offer an enterprise club this academic year where students will get the opportunity to set up their own business selling T-shirts - with any profits going to charity. We expect this to be a popular choice among students as it will equip and develop their business skills in a practical way. At KS3 we will be organising a Computing club to give students the chance to code and design games as well as getting to grips with how computers really work. Modern Foreign Languages The Modern Foreign Languages department at Buile Hill offers students the unique opportunity of learning French, Spanish and German at Key Stage 3. Our department run popular trips in Year 7 to the Christmas Market in Lille, France; in Year 8 we are establishing a residential trip to Barcelona, Spain; and in Year 9 for a week to Paris, including a visit to Euro Disney. The trips compliment the cultural understanding developed during lessons. In addition, students benefit from working on an individual basis with a fluent, native speaker who offers them support with their speaking and writing skills during lessons. Performing Arts The Performing Arts department is a thriving part of the school with extensive activities being offered every night of the week. Our extracurricular timetable is exceptional, with varied clubs and groups happening, including drama, dance and music. Our dance and singing groups have taken part in, the BBC Children In Need, at the Manchester GMEX, The Royal Northern College of Music, Salford Rugby Club, a national conference for the Police, The Lowry and Salford Cathedral to name but a few. Running alongside these clubs we hold performances every year which include musical productions, talent shows, drama productions, as well as more traditional concerts at Christmas and in the summer. Students are all given the opportunity to learn an orchestral instrument throughout key stage three and can opt to sit Associated Board of Royal School of Music exams as part of their curriculum lessons. The provision for instrumental lessons is extensive with rock and pop and orchestral instruments being available to all students. All provision in Performing Arts is underpinned with outstanding teaching and the desire to ensure that every child achieves their potential in a creative and encouraging atmosphere.
Eccles Old Road Salford M6 8RD Tel 0161 736 1773 www.builehillschool.co.uk @BuileHillVAC