Bishop Challoner Catholic Collegiate Boys Campus
Executive Head (from Sept 2010): Chair of Governors: Head of Boys' Campus: Mrs Jackie Johnson M.Ed Fr Peter Harris B.Ed M.Th Mr Phil Leyland Type of School: Bishop Challoner is a Catholic Voluntary Aided school.
2 School History The school is named after Bishop Richard Challoner, who worked tirelessly in the 18th Century for the advancement of Catholics through education. The school was founded in 1933 by the Sisters of Mercy and moved to Christian Street in 1956. It became a comprehensive secondary school in 1972. The school is now on one site in Commercial Road and is managed by a lay head. In September 2001 a Federated Boys School was opened under the Governance and Management of the Girls' School. The Boys School enjoys a steadily improving academic performance with its reputation continuing to grow. The Learning Village The Learning Village is the title given to the federated arrangement of the Bishop Challoner Collegiate Schools. These include: 1. The P-16 College 2. The Girls School 11-16 3. The Boys School 11-16 4. Youth Centres across Local Area Partnerships 3&4 As a Learning Village we firmly believe in educating the whole child, whether in statutory education or after-school clubs. Children thrive when provided with clear boundaries. This principle underpins our work in school and across the community. Through this work we ensure that Every Child Matters, that: 1. They are Healthy 2. They are Safe 3. They Enjoy and Achieve 4. They make a Positive Contribution to their Community 5. They are prepared for Economic Well-being
The School s Aims At Bishop Challoner we aim to: Offer all students an education based on Christian principles in the tradition of the Catholic Church Provide a disciplined and structured environment for effective teaching and learning so that all students may maximise their academic potential Educate the whole person to become confident in their own ability, so they will live as a responsible Christian citizen. To achieve these aims, we strive for a Catholic school community where: Christian values are lived out by staff and students Expectation of achievement is always high Staff, resources and teaching and learning are of the highest quality Personal growth is encouraged by the exercise of reasonable freedom and initiative There is self discipline and an acceptance of personal responsibility for others who are less fortunate 3
4
Catholicity As well as academic excellence, Bishop Challoner provides students with so much more in meeting the challenges of modern life. We believe our school offers unique benefits arising out of our CATHOLICITY. We are a Catholic School with a multi-national and multi-cultural intake. We provide a genuine Christian education through which all come to recognise the dignity of the person and equality of all. We achieve this through establishing a caring community where, supported by the ideals and practice of our Catholic faith, the uniqueness of each boy is acknowledged and his ability, aptitude and gifts developed to the full. The school has a Chaplaincy which forms part of our comprehensive support and counselling team offering help and advice to meet a student s personal and spiritual needs. 5 In Religious Education, students at Key Stage 3 follow the Icons programme endorsed by the Bishops of England and Wales. This fosters an understanding of faith in the world, our relationships with those around us including the aspects of faith in a multi-cultural society. We educate boys to be independent and responsible adults who are aware both of their rights and of their responsibilities.
6 Specialist Status The Boys School was awarded Sports College Status in 2007 and, through it, we aim to inspire a life-long participation in sport, no matter what level our students attain. Our experienced staff possess a wealth of knowledge and expertise and are equally at home teaching beginners as they are coaching national-level sports performers. We provide all students with the opportunity to access a wide range of sporting activities through the curriculum in lessons and after-school clubs. Bishop Challoner values sporting achievements and healthy lifestyles as part of the holistic development of the individual. The quality of Physical Education and the vast range of sports on offer, at both competitive and recreational levels, support our status as one of the best Sports Colleges in London. The school is renowned for having excellent sports teams competing in borough, regional, national, and international competitions. We have competed with great success in: football, basketball, athletics, rugby, volleyball, table tennis, badminton, swimming and trampolining.
The Curriculum At Bishop Challoner we work in partnership with parents to provide a balanced, supportive and inspirational education. The curriculum is the whole experience of our students including activities taking place off site. We follow the National Curriculum framework and Religious Education is a compulsory subject. All students start GCSEs in Year 7 and take at least one GCSE each year. Bishop Challoner has always demonstrated strengths in the Arts and Sports and we will build on these strengths - as well as those in Technology, Maths and Science - as our Sports College Status is developed. Subjects Key Stage 3 Year 7-Year 9 core: Religious Studies, English, Maths, Science, ICT, Technology, History, Geography, Music, Art, PE, Modern Languages (French & Spanish), Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE). Key Stage 4 Year 10-Year 11 core: Religious Studies, English Language and Literature, Maths, Science, ICT, PE (non-gcse), PSHE. A choice is then made from the following GCSE subjects: History, Geography, Sociology, MFL, Economics, Graphics, Electronics, Resistant Materials, Art and Design, Music, PE, Drama and Media. In addition, we offer vocational courses in: Media, Business, PE, Catering and Construction. 7
8
Enrichment and Extension As part of the curriculum our students pursue a series of enrichment activities. These include Work Experience and Sports Activities. In addition, equal opportunities, study skills and careers education form a major element of their PSHE programme. We offer music lessons for a wide range of instruments. We also have several choirs, bands and an orchestra. Each year we organize a range of national and international visits. Guidance and Achievement The school regards the role of form tutor as crucial. The students register with their tutor at the beginning of each day. Also, a 40-minute lesson each week is devoted to a pastoral health and social education programme, where topics such as Careers, Relationships, Sex and Health Education are treated in a context and manner which reflects the teaching of the Catholic Church. Each year group has a Year Leader and a Deputy Year Leader. These stay with the boys throughout their time, and have immediate responsibility for pastoral support and the monitoring of academic progress. 9
10 Learning Support Faculty and inclusion We provide a curriculum for all. The Learning Support Faculty ensures students gain equal access to the curriculum. All students have individual needs and we help them fulfil their potential by providing encouragement and assistance. Successful applicants are visited in their primary school, and further discussion with teachers and parents/carers precedes their admission to the school. For students who are the subject of a statement of Special Educational Need, the resources/support stipulated in the statement will be provided by the school. Subject teacher(s) and the Head of Learning Support initiate an Individual Education Plan, which may include in-class support or individual tuition as well as consultation with parents/carers and the support agencies, including the Education Welfare Officer, the Education Psychologist and the Medical Officer. The school employs a Chaplain, an Education Welfare Officer and two counsellors. Discipline The best discipline is self-discipline and the school helps boys achieve this aim. The school s policy on Behaviour and Discipline reflects this. Parents, students and the school sign a Home-School agreement to confirm their determination to work together when a place is offered. Parental involvement An important aspect of school life is the degree of parental involvement and support. Parents are encouraged to visit the school, not only on open evenings, or performance review days and other organised occasions, but also privately by appointment to discuss particular aspects of their child's education. Communication between parents and school is carried out through regular circulars home, our newspaper Village Voice, the school website, the school diary, a reporting system and parent consultation evenings.
The School Day The school day starts at 8.30am and finishes at 3.05pm. In addition, there are homework classes or clubs running in the evenings and at weekends. Lunchtime Year 7-Year 11 students are not allowed off site at lunchtimes. Many students bring a packed lunch to school. In addition, we serve a range of hot and cold foods in the dining hall. 11
12
Admissions Applications are invited from parents/guardians of boys eligible for entry into Year 7. The annual entry to Year 7 is 120 students. Open days for prospective parents/carers and students take place in September. Parents/carers and students may visit the school by arrangement. Applicants to the school should complete a Supplementary Information Form as well as the Common Application Form; the Supplementary form should be sent straight to Bishop Challoner. If you need assistance we are delighted to help. Every applicant will be invited to a discussion with the Executive Head from the beginning of November. After students have been offered a place, arrangements are made for all 120 students to sit a test in June. The purpose of testing is to set the students in broad bands in core subjects. A parents evening is organised each June. A day in school is also arranged for the successful applicants.
Bishop Challoner Catholic Collegiate Boys Campus 352 Commercial Road London E1 0LB T 020 7791 9500 F 020 7702 7398 E kevans@bishop.towerhamlets.sch.uk W www.bishop-learningvillage.towerhamlets.sch.uk Produced by The School Brochure Specialist, FM Litho Design and Print. Tel: 01787 479479 Web: www.fmlitho.co.uk