WELCOME TO DAVISON WHERE WE... DEVELOP INDEPENDENT, OPEN-MINDED LEARNERS AND THINKERS I would like to thank you for your interest in Davison CE High School for Girls. I hope you find our prospectus informative and enjoyable. I see education as the key to unlocking the future potential of all of our young learners and truly believe that Davison offers this education within a caring and supportive ethos, underpinned by strong Christian values. Quite simply our dedicated and well-qualified team of staff put children at the heart of everything we do. We have a strong commitment to the value of a broad and balanced curriculum, which is flexible and incorporates the principles of personalised learning for students of all abilities. As well as demanding academic success, to the fullest of each child s ability, we will expect your daughter, as a responsible citizen, to play a full role within the school, the local community and the wider community. offer here as you look through this prospectus. There is learning in everything we do and we value all forms of success. I extend my very best wishes as you choose the right school for your daughter and, on behalf of all of our staff, look forward to engaging in a very positive partnership with both you and your daughter if that choice is Davison. Chris Keating Headteacher We want your daughter to have memories and friendships for life as a member of our Davison community. These are not always achieved in the traditional classroom setting and I hope you will get a flavour of the very rich and diverse range of curricular and extra-curricular experiences on www.davisonhigh.school 1
HISTORY DAVISON IS PROUD OF ITS LONG HISTORY We celebrated the bi-centenary of Davison in 2012 and are very proud of our long, successful history. The school was founded in 1812 by the Reverend William Davison, Priest in charge of the Chapel-of-Ease, which was St Paul s Church, now a Community Centre. Initially, the school was for boys, the poor, male children of the Parish and it was intended that they would receive a Christian education and have instruction in reading, writing and arithmetic. Changing over time to the girls only school of today, it moved from Worthing town centre in 1960, established then as a Church of England controlled school. The principle that inspired Davison to create one of the country s first free schools in Worthing remains as important today as it has ever been. Davison school now, as then, seeks to provide a secure Christian environment within which girls may develop and grow to their full potential. Its Christian values of friendship, trust, forgiveness, thankfulness, hope and endurance are clearly evident in the school s day to day life, in mutually supportive relationships and in the outstanding behaviour of students. The school successfully engages with students to bring about high academic attainment and progress whilst enriching their personal development and encouraging their well-being SIAMS Diocesan Inspection September 2016 Grade Outstanding 2 Tel: 01903 233835 / 231512 info@davisonhigh.school
OUR VISION HIGH PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT DAVISON WILL: Develop independent, open-minded learners and thinkers Inspire high personal achievement Nurture positive self-esteem and self-awareness Promote respect, concern and active support for others Empower confident and articulate communicators Explore the importance of spirituality and faith in everyday life Participate actively in the service of others The Christian values we hold most dearly and promote are friendship, trust, forgiveness, thankfulness, hope and endurance. Chris Keating, Headteacher Harness the power of new educational technologies THIS WILL BE ACHIEVED BY: Developing, through the life of the school, our Christian responsibility to each other and all people Providing a broad and balanced curriculum which promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural and physical development of each student so that she reaches self-knowledge, self-fulfillment and maturity Ensuring that every girl is given the opportunity to develop her intellect, talents, personality and interests Davison is an inclusive Christian family who want all students to flourish as God intended. We equally respect those of other faiths or none, we work for all. www.davisonhigh.school 3
OUR VALUES AN INCLUSIVE CHRISTIAN FAMILY BELONGING AND IDENTITY WE SHARE OUR STRENGTHS Teachers enjoy good relationships with, and have high expectations of, their students. Students and staff are very proud of their school and are highly committed to its values and ethos Ofsted 2014 WE ACHIEVE OUR BEST WE WORK TOGETHER TO BENEFIT ALL WE LISTEN TO EACH OTHER WE SUPPORT AND RESPECT ONE ANOTHER 4 Tel: 01903 233835 / 231512 info@davisonhigh.school
Students comment positively about the family feel of the school. The school s work to keep students safe and secure is outstanding Ofsted 2014 WELCOME TO DAVISON WHERE WE INSPIRE... EVERY GIRL TO DEVELOP HER SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, SPIRITUALITY AND TALENTS IN A CARING AND HAPPY ENVIRONMENT Teachers at Davison are passionate about their subject, seeking to enable all to succeed, through a wide range of high quality learning experiences suited to individual needs. Our curriculum is relevant and innovative, creatively engaging students, challenging and motivating each individual. Celebration is an important feature of life at Davison: academic achievement, service for others, good behaviour, effort and improvement are regularly rewarded. At Key Stage 3 we focus on developing skills for learning through a programme which balances individual subject experiences with integrated learning opportunities. to the required core curriculum. The programme enables girls to focus on their particular strengths, working at a pace which provides the best individual challenge. We are innovative in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education. Our Practitioners have been recognised nationally and are proud of their work in inspiring young women in STEM. Learning beyond the classroom is a special feature of learning at Davison: theatre visits, residential learning programmes, sports team representation, competitions, visits abroad and extensive extra curricular activities are offered throughout the year. In years 10 and 11 girls are offered a wide range of subjects and qualifications using a pathways approach, in addition www.davisonhigh.school 5
WELCOME TO DAVISON... Fantastic school! My daughter s progress, educationally and as a young woman, has been enhanced and nourished at Davison Year 11 Parent survey 2017 Davison students enjoy a high level of achievement in all they do. Students are encouraged to challenge their previous best and to strive to improve. In public examinations they achieve very well across a wide range of subjects and qualifications. There is strong progression to further and higher education. Davison girls excel in many other activities. Our successes include many girls competing at County level and above in: Football, Cricket, Netball, Rowing, Cross-Country and Diving. Our girls represent West Sussex in Gymnastics, regional Athletics and the elite CAT Dance scheme led by Laban and The Place Dance Schools in London. Davison is everything it says on the tin values, belief and support are at the heart of the academic and personal journey for all of the girls and it shows Year 8 Parent survey 2017 The Arts are a strong feature of our school. As well as our annual exhibitions, concerts and school productions, we also take part in Creative Partnerships, the Shakespeare Schools Festival and Battle of the Bands. We also excel as an organisation. We hold ArtsMark Gold, ten years of International Schools Award, School Games Award Silver, Healthy Schools Award, Eco School status, Physics Link School with Adviser status and Princess Diana Award. These awards validate high quality in our work across all aspects of the school. Our staff hold leading roles in Partnerships with a wide network of Universities, allowing opportunities for our students and professional development paths for the next generation of teachers. 6 Tel: 01903 233835 / 231512 info@davisonhigh.school
WELCOME TO DAVISON WHERE WE SERVE OTHERS... DAVISON GIRLS VALUE OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE ABROAD Helping others by offering time and talent to a good cause is expected of all and charities benefit from fund-raising and practical support for their work from Davison girls. This year again a group of Davison girls and staff have visited Ghana, to see first hand how their school building project in the village of Maranatha is making a difference. Davison girls are offered many opportunities to explore their own values and attitudes in the context of their developing skills. Serving local, national and international communities as part of their development as citizens of the future. The election of student representatives is a key feature of the Davison student experience: colour groups elect form and sports captains, colour families elect school council representatives and in Year 10 girls stand for election as prefects, including leadership of the whole student body as a member of the Senior Team, led by the Head Girl. Cyberchat mentors undergo nationally recognised training to support younger girls and help them deal with teenage issues. The Eco Committee held the West Sussex Eco Summit here at Davison in 2016 and 2017. This group of girls recommend ways of improving our use of resources and saving our environment. Amazing! A life changing experience. Our Davison Ghana girls are an inspiration Roger Shaw, Expedition lead and Davison Science Teacher Learning beyond the classroom is a special feature of learning at Davison. Theatre and museum visits, residential learning programmes and extensive extra curricular activities are offered throughout the year. We also provide educational activities throughout the year, through our Youth University scheme, for all young people in Worthing. Our dedicated staff organise many opportunities for our students to visit abroad, including residential stays in Spain and France, Ski trips to Italy and our very popular trip to Iceland. www.davisonhigh.school 7
The provision made for students spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is a major strength of the school. Students are very caring and supportive of each other Ofsted 2014 PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT DAVISON GIRLS GAIN GREATER CONFIDENCE AND SELF-WORTH THROUGH SERVICE Every Davison girl is an individual, valued and encouraged in her personal and academic development. Her colour family provides a mix of abilities, backgrounds, personalities and friendships and is supported by a form tutor and lead tutor. Older girls offer significant support to younger students. Many opportunities are offered for students to focus beyond themselves in the service of others, gaining greater confidence and self-worth. There is an expectation of responsible and courteous behaviour both in and out of school, supported by our system of rewards and sanctions which promote and maintain our high standards. High achievement is built upon excellent working relationships between teacher and student. Progress is carefully monitored and shared half termly with parents, with regular opportunities to meet with tutors and teachers. Our Personal Development programme helps all students develop the knowledge, understanding and awareness of the world around them, enabling them to apply their learning through a wide range of cultural and moral experiences. 8 Tel: 01903 233835 / 231512 info@davisonhigh.school