PROSPECTUS inspiration innovation integrity
Welcome to The Winstanley School These are momentous times. We have now joined together with Bosworth Academy and Kingsway Primary School to form the LiFE Multi-Academy Trust. Together, we are committed to ensuring all students make excellent progress. The LiFE MAT will allow greater opportunities for professional collaboration for all who attend The Winstanley School, which in turn will have a positive impact on the whole community. We are committed to ensuring all students make excellent progress from their starting point at primary school to GCSE at age 16. Winstanley is changing; from September 2017 we have become The Winstanley School. The formal blazer and tie uniform symbolises the focus on standards and moral character required for success in the 21st century. A student who joins The Winstanley School is part of a journey where all students will achieve their potential; whether that be at university or through a modern apprenticeship. For all, they will leave The Winstanley School with the knowledge, skills and understanding that equip them to compete in the international workplace, in a world where the ability to adapt to change is the preeminent requirement. Our Shine values (Supporting others, Hard work, Independence, Never giving up and Excellence), underpin all that we do: from international residential trips to additional small group tuition in maths; from charity fundraising to academic university visits; from lunchtime enrichment clubs to holiday revision sessions. Staff, students and parents are united in working together to ensure success for the child. I hope you will be able to find the time to visit Winstanley with your child and please contact our PA should you wish to meet with us to answer any questions you may have. Dave Bennett and Gareth Williams Co-Heads of School Primary School to Winstanley We devote a lot of time to ensure that the transfer from Primary to Secondary is as smooth as possible. Year 6 children are invited to visit our college in the first half term and spend a day with us in the summer term. Teachers from Winstanley visit each primary school and there are several occasions during the year where year 6 children will be involved in activities at Winstanley or with our students. As well as being a school, we are also a highly successful community college, with over 40 affiliated groups (many of which are suitable for our KS4 students). Our overall aim is to promote wellbeing and widen horizons and our students gain much from the facilities and opportunities available: from our state of the art dance/drama studio to our newly refurbished 25 metre indoor heated swimming pool. Students are encouraged to participate in extra-curricular activities such as music, sport, drama and charity events, as well as numerous educational trips, as these play an important part in their development. 2
Values and Ethos Life at Winstanley is driven by our SHINE values (Supporting others, Hard work, Independence, Never giving up and Excellence). Our overall aim is to promote wellbeing and widen horizons and SHINE is pivotal in creating the climate in which every student can succeed. We aim to inspire our learners to prepare for a future that is ever changing and demands high levels of flexibility and imagination. We unashamedly have high expectations of our students, as well as ourselves, and expect them to have similar expectations of themselves and others too. School Uniform To maintain standards and support equality all students are expected to be in full school uniform. It is essential that this is seen as one of the requirements for any student electing to join Winstanley. Exact details can be found in the pocket at the back of this prospectus. The Curriculum We pride ourselves in providing a curriculum route through both Key Stage 3 and 4 that suits the needs of our learners and enables them to flourish. In Key Stage 3, we follow the traditional National Curriculum. In Key Stage 4 we offer a wide variety of option subjects which allow distinct pathways for students to progress along. The vast majority of students will study English Language and English Literature, maths, double science, Respect and PE. Students can of course follow the English Baccalaureate route where students study English, mathematics, the sciences (biology, chemistry and physics), history or geography and a modern foreign language. Students also have the opportunity to select subjects from a wide options menu, including fine art, product design, construction, food and nutrition, computer science, PE, music, ICT, business studies and media studies. For some students a range of vocational courses that are available from other Leicestershire establishments or Leicester College will be accessed as part of their options pathway. Classes are taught in a mixture of sets based on academic progress and achievements, plus tutor groups. We will continue to offer support and intervention to all of our students on their journey through Winstanley whilst maintaining what we hold dear at Winstanley - an outstanding, caring education for all students. Equal Opportunities The Winstanley School is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all. We believe we have a responsibility to prepare young people for adult life in the diverse society of which they are part. We expect and demand a high standard of behaviour and encourage every student to be a responsible member of the school community. We wish to foster a partnership between students, teachers, parents and governors that will combat ignorant and prejudiced attitudes. We are opposed to any form of discrimination and will take action to deal with any incidents which arise. We will challenge all types of discriminatory behaviours. 3
Learning for Life More and most able At Winstanley the more and most able students are given the opportunity to take part in a number of enrichment activities to challenge and inspire. Lessons are designed to stretch and motivate them. Special events are also organised and have included a French language day, maths challenge and excellence in sports opportunities. We continue to expand the activities each year. Learning Support and Special Education Needs We aim to identify the special needs of students at the earliest opportunity. The Additional Needs Manager/SENCO attends Year 6 annual reviews for students with an Educational Health Care Plan. Testing is carried out to determine reading and spelling ages. We consider a student has special educational needs if they experience learning difficulties. The support strategies we employ take many forms. The SENCO advises teaching staff on appropriate teaching methods and work to suit students' needs. A member of the Learning Support team will provide expert guidance and advice during some lessons to help students overcome potential barriers to learning and participation. Withdrawal from mainstream lessons occurs when a particular need cannot be addressed within the normal provision of a classroom. Small group literacy and numeracy lessons are offered in this way. Teaching assistants are used in many subject areas to further support progress. This means work may be within the main group or within a small group. As a result of this work many students have been able to progress well and achieve pleasing results at the end of year 11. Inclusion Work in college The Inclusion activities that take place in school are designed to support students who have particular needs but may not need additional support with learning. Such students may be identified as having very low self-esteem, anger management issues, personal problems to overcome or relationship issues. Disability Discrimination In addition to our college ethos of inclusion we are working hard to develop a site and resources that open up the possibilities for everyone whatever their level of ability. Religious Education This is taught as a subject within the Humanities Department. The work aims to develop understanding of the world's major religions and to give students the opportunity to explore and examine their own beliefs and values. All work is non-denominational. 4
Learning for Life Collective Worship Winstanley aims to meet the requirements of the Education Reform Act 1988 in respect of collective worship as far as accommodation and voluntary staff involvement allow. We manage assembly in a way which unites students and which is acceptable to as many staff and parents as possible, by concentrating on principles which are common to many religions and moralities. Sex and Relationships Education We believe that sex education is a crucial part of preparing children for their lives now and in the future. It is delivered through our Respect curriculum at Key Stage 3 and 4, and in science lessons at Key Stage 3. Withdrawl from activities Parents have the right to withdraw their child from religious education, collective worship and sex education. In such cases parents must write to the Head of School stating this and alternative work will be provided. We ask that such requests are made early in the year to allow staff time to access alternative materials and plan the activities. Partnership with Parents At Winstanley we work hard to keep parents involved and listen to their comments. A good partnership between school and home is essential for the academic progress and social development of young people. On joining Winstanley, parents are asked to read and sign the home/school agreement that explains the commitment the school and parents need to make. There are parents' evenings through the year for each student, complete reports and four SHINE expectation periods to keep you up-to-date with your child's progress - academically and socially. Parents are, of course, welcome to make appointments to discuss their child's progress at any other time if they feel the need to do so. Your child's personal organiser will be an important vehicle for communication between home and school. Careers Information and Guidance (CIAG) Careers Information and Guidance is a key element of the personal and social development of all students. We aim to prepare our young people for adult and working life, to provide them with knowledge, skills and an insight into the choices and options of the future. Many aspects of the programme are delivered through the pastoral programme, and the Respect curriculum. To support our work there are a number of enrichment activities for different students during the year. 5
Learning for Life It is our aim to provide all students with the opportunity to extend their enjoyment of sport, to gain experience of the leisure opportunities offered by physical activity and to improve their own sporting skills. There are many extra-curricular initiatives for students to join. We have countless past students who have gone on to county, local and national standards in their chosen sports. Sporting Aims and Provision Winstanley enjoys extensive grounds, the majority of which are used for sporting activities both within and outside regular lessons. There is a large Sports Hall, dance/drama studio, heated indoor swimming pool and an all-weather pitch. The pool is used in lessons for swimming, aqua aerobics and canoeing. The all-weather pitch supports a variety of sports and is used extensively by the college and the community. Behaviour and Responsibility We promote positive behaviour relentlessly and successfully use a system of assertive discipline. All members of the Winstanley community uphold the SHINE values (Supporting others, Hard work, Independence, Never giving up and Excellence) and are rewarded for their efforts. We nurture well behaved students who are committed to their learning and the learning of others. Reward points, opportunities for reward trips and activities, as well as prizes, are just some of the ways that positive behaviour and personal responsibility are developed. We fully expect all students to respect the school and the learning of others. We expect behaviour for learning at all times and believe strongly in restorative justice to resolve the majority of issues. On rare occasions the most serious or most persistent of cases can also lead to fixed-period exclusion or permanent exclusion. It is important that parents and college support each other; we will contact you whenever needed and urge you to contact your child's tutor should an issue arise. 6
Kingsway North, Leicester LE3 3BD Tel: 0116 289 8688 Email: office@winstanley.leics.sch.uk Web: www.winstanley.leics.sch.uk Co-Heads of School: Dave Bennett and Gareth Williams Chair of Governors: Nita Nanda International School Award Designed & produced by MJU Graphics Tel: 0116 237 6174 www.mjugraphics.co.uk