KING HENRY VIII SCHOOL YSGOL BRENIN HARRI’R VIII UT PROSIM Respecting tradition, embracing the future Contents Introduction 1 Information about the school School Mission Statement School Aims School Day Wellbeing and Attitude to Learning 2-3 The Students First Weeks Sixth Form Uniform 4-5 The Curriculum Key Stage 3 Key Stage 4 Welsh Religious Education Daily Collective Worship The Form Tutor Sex Education Drugs Education Careers The Curriculum Cymreig Y Cwricwlwm Cymreig Homework Reporting to Parents Parents’ Evening Home School Partnership 6-9 Extra Curricular Activities Drama Music Physical Education 9 - 10 Essential School Policies Special Educational Needs Charging and Voluntary Contributions Complaints Procedure Absences Free School Meals Visiting and Admission Arrangements Travel Arrangements School Records Health and Safety Equal Opportunities Child Protection 10 - 12 Welcome to King Henry VIII School I am delighted to have this opportunity to introduce King Henry VIII School to you. Our mission statement, “Respecting tradition, embracing the future”, recognises the deep sense of history that is associated with our school, having been originally founded in 1542, but also reflects our desire to prepare our young people for life in the 21st Century. Choosing a secondary school is a very important decision. If you are seeking a school that produces excellent examination performances, values each and every one of its students, provides a wide range of opportunities and experiences both within the formal curriculum and outside of it and that has a strong track record of producing young people who have the skills to face the challenges of life and work, then please visit us at King Henry VIII School. We have high expectations of staff and students and believe in encouraging achievement of all kinds and in all areas. We are also particularly keen to work in partnership with parents as we appreciate that education is most successful when parents are closely involved in the child’s development. We offer a broad and balanced curriculum that meets the needs of our students and provides the right mix of academic and vocational pathways. Students are supported throughout their education with appropriate advice and guidance and we are proud of our strong reputation for the care and support we provide. We are extremely proud of the achievements of our young people, both as individuals and as teams and they excel in a wide variety of activities offered by the school, particularly in sport and in music. If you have any unanswered questions about the school when you have finished reading this prospectus, please visit our website, www.kinghenryviiischool.org.uk, attend our Open Evening or arrange to visit the school and meet our students and staff. I look forward to meeting you. N. Oaten Headteacher Respecting tradition, embracing the future 1 School Mission Statement Our school mission statement is “Respecting tradition, embracing the future” and we feel that this reflects our recognition and appreciation of the traditions and values we have built as an educational institution in Abergavenny since 1542, but at the same time demonstrates that we understand the need to move forward and embrace 21st century teaching and learning so that we can provide our young people with the skills required to be successful citizens in a rapidly changing world. School Aims The aims of the school set out our aspirations as an educational institution and reflect our desire to prepare our young people for lifelong learning. • To promote a culture of achievement, effort, success and excellence in all aspects of school life. • To provide a curriculum that is broad, balanced, differentiated and relevant to meet the needs of every student and one that provides each student with the skills required to be effective citizens in a modern, technological society. • To provide a learning environment that is disciplined, caring, tolerant and fair to all and one in which academic, spiritual, moral and physical development is fostered. • To empower our students to become active participants in the learning process with the right to be consulted, to participate in decision-making, and to be heard on all matters which concern them or have an impact on their life in school. • To provide a community that encourages a sense of commitment, loyalty and belonging, encouraging the development of positive, supportive relationships based on mutual respect and with a sympathetic understanding of other individuals, races, religions and ways of life. • To develop a partnership with parents, schools and colleges, employers and the wider community who make a positive contribution to the development, success and achievements of our school and help prepare our students for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life and lifelong learning. • To be a self-evaluating school that seeks continuous improvement through effective planning, promotes a climate that embraces change, and is willing to respond to the needs of the society in which we live. 2 • To develop students’ awareness and understanding of, and respect for, the environments in which they live, and secure their commitment to sustainable development at a personal, local, national and global level. The School Day 8.37.....................................................Warning Bell 8.40 – 8.57.......................................Registration 9.00 – 10.00..........................................Period 1 10.00 – 11.00..........................................Period 2 11.00 – 11.20............................................... Break 11.20 – 12.20..........................................Period 3 12.20 – 1.20............................................Period 4 1.20 – 2.10.................................................Lunch 2.10 – 3.10............................................Period 5 Wellbeing and Attitude to Learning We are committed to provide an outstanding education for our students. We have an inclusive ethos where our curriculum is designed to meet the needs of and reflect the individual aspirations of our students. Our school environment is a safe and caring community where there are good relationships between the adults and students and among the students themselves. The pastoral care programme in place underpins the positive attitude to learning which is prevalent throughout the school. 3 Student Transition the first weeks • smoothing the way Moving school from primary to secondary can be a very exciting time. Sometimes that excitement can be tinged with stress and anxiety. The unknown always causes concern. To overcome this we put in an enormous amount of time and effort to make sure that the children come to us full of anticipation for the positive and good things they will find. We have an Open Evening for all prospective parents and their children, curriculum days and taster days in school and an evening where the students meet their Tutor and the rest of their new Tutor Group. Students will also have been involved in Transition Projects often involving additional visits to the school. Tutors Groups are created based on the information received from primary schools. the sixth form A large proportion of our post sixteen students at King Henry VIII choose to return to the sixth form to follow a wide range of courses. These include AS and A2 level subjects with several Applied A-Levels, BTEC programmes and the Welsh Baccalaureate (Advanced and Intermediate). The standard of sixth form provision is reflected in the increasing number of students joining the sixth form from other schools. A separate sixth form prospectus is available from the school. 4 Uniform All items of clothing need to be named GIRLS UNIFORM Boys UNIFORM Girls SPORTSWEAR Boys SPORTSWEAR • Black blazer with school logo • White shirt • Tie - black and gold • Black trousers / knee-length skirt • Black jumper with school logo (optional) • Black shoes • Navy tracksuit bottoms • White polo shirt (short sleeve) • White socks • Training shoes • Navy round necked sweatshirt • Navy shorts/skort • Black blazer with school logo • White shirt • Tie - black and gold • Black trousers • Black jumper with school logo (optional) • Black shoes • Blue + Amber reversible rugby jersey • Navy shorts • Blue + Amber football socks • Training shoes • Rugby/Soccer boots • White polo shirt (short sleeve) • White PE shorts • White socks Polo shirts/sweatshirts and PE kit are available from Reflex, Tredegar. Please be aware students who fail to observe these regulations regarding school uniform will be sent home to change. Jewellery: The only jewellery permitted to be worn is a watch and one pair of small stud earrings. Facial piercings are not acceptable. Mobile Phones are allowed in school but only for use in an emergency. If this role is broken they will be confiscated and parents will be asked to collect the phone from the school. Bags and Equipment: Students need to come to lessons properly equipped (i.e. exercise and text books, homework planner, pen, pencil, eraser, ruler and calculator). All of these need to be carried in an appropriate school bag. 5 The Curriculum key stage 3 (ages 11-13) All students study the full range of subjects demanded by the National Curriculum. These are divided into core subjects and foundation subjects making up a fortnightly timetable of 50 one hour lessons. The teaching groups in Year 7 are mixed ability (based upon tutor groups), with specialist provision for students with Additional Needs in place. Setting in Mathematics is introduced at the end of the first half term. The majority of Year 8 students start to study a second modern foreign language. key stage 4 (ages 14-16) At Key Stage 4 students follow the compulsory core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science and selected courses from the option choices available. The option box choices are designed to ensure that all students undertake a broad and relevant curriculum, which does not restrict future choices. Statutory lessons in Welsh, Religious Education, Physical Education and PSE are also provided. Students work towards accredited courses, for most students this will be the General Certificate of Education (GCSE). Entry level course and short courses are also offered as a guided choice. welsh All students entering Year 7 will study Welsh as a second language and this will continue at Key Stage 4 leading to a short course GCSE qualification and the opportunity to study full course GCSE. religious education Religious Education at Key Stage 3 and 4 gives the students an opportunity to study aspects of the world’s major religions, which acknowledging the place of Christianity as the principle faith in this country. Students are encouraged to develop their own responses to the meaning and purpose of our existence and to begin to address guidelines of morality and spirituality. daily collective worship Daily collective worship is organised among Key Stages with students attending a Key Stage assembly and a year assembly. Assemblies are non-denominational and reflect the broadly Christian ethos of the school. Each Key Stage has a themed assembly programme covering a range of moral issues over the year and the school also has a ‘Thought for the Day.’ 6 The Curriculum the form tutor Every student is assigned a form tutor. The tutor is the daily point of contact. Throughout the year there are regular tutorial periods where guidance and support is provided. sex education The school is aware of its obligation with respect to sex education and will ensure that the subject receives considered and sensitive treatment appropriate to the age of the students. Sex education is part of the programme of Personal and Social Education taught across the curriculum. The aim is always to encourage the development of knowledge and skills within a framework, which emphasises love and commitment. Parents wishing to withdraw their child from either sex education or religious education and collective worship are asked to discuss this matter with the school. drugs education The aim is to develop knowledge and skills, which allow appropriate decisions to be made about the issues involved. The importance of the moral and legal framework, which shapes society, is heavily emphasised. careers In King Henry VIII School we believe that all students have an equal entitlement to a careers and work-related education programme that will provide them with an understanding of the world of work, help them to explore career options and to support them to make the most of the opportunities available to them. Careers is delivered through off timetable activities and presentations arranged throughout the year. Personal and group interviews are arranged for all students in years 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 to assist with their option choices and planning their personal career pathways. Employer mentoring is offered to selected groups of year 10 and 11 students and all students are involved with entrepreneurial activities Work Experience is arranged for all Year 10 students and in the sixth form for students who require it either as part of their studies or to support career and university choices. 7 The Curriculum The Curriculum Cymreig / Y Cwricwlwm Cymreig The Curriculum Cymreig gives students a sense of place and heritage based on an understanding of Welsh history, geography, languages, industry and traditions. It also encourages an active participation in extra curriculum activities through music, drama, sport and technology. Yn y Cwricwlwm Cymreig, gwneir disgyblion yn ymwybodol o le a threftadaeth, trwy addysgu iddynt am hanes Cymru, yr amgylchfyd daearyddol, yr iaith Gymraeg, diwydiant a thraddodiadau. Yn ogystal rhoddir cyfle iddynt fagu agwedd bositif tuag at y Cwricwlwm Cymreig trwy gymryd rhan mewn gweithgareddau allgyrsiol megis cerddoriaeth, drama, arlunio, chwaraeon a thechnoleg. homework Homework is a vital part of the learning process. It is valuable in helping students learn how consolidate knowledge and develop independent learning skills. It is school policy that homework is set regularly. It may be written work, reading, research or revision the amount will vary with each individual year group. Parents should encourage their children to complete this regular work at home to help reinforce and develop the material that is taught in class. All students in Years 7-11 are issued with a study planner and parents are asked to check and sign this planner on a weekly basis. During tutorial sessions, tutors and Head of Year sign and monitor the provision of homework and the use of planners. reporting to parents Parents receive at least one short, progress report and a full written report each academic year. Dates for the issue of individual year group reports are provided with the school calendar which is distributed to parents at the beginning of each academic year. Parents can ask, at any time, for a progress report to be prepared. When this is completed an individual interview to discuss the contents of the report can be arranged. parents’ evenings Parents’ Evenings are vital to the assessment and reporting process as they provide feedback to parents about the progress of their children. Each year parents will be offered at least one formal opportunity to meet with the staff who are responsible for their children. Letters providing the necessary details are sent home to parents with their children prior to the evening. The students are given appointment cards to arrange mutually convenient times for the interviews. 8 The Curriculum home school partnership The link between home and school is crucial in the shared responsibility for the development of the whole child. King Henry VIII School works hard to try to develop a positive partnership with parents. By working together we can assure that our children achieve their potential. The school has a Home School Agreement that is signed by the school, parents and pupil that demonstrates our commitment to partnership working. As well as informed day to day contact, the school communicates directly with parents through regular termly newsletters. These are designed to provide news of events that have taken place and give advance notice of future events. Extra Curricular Activities The National Curriculum is delivered in a very positive way creating challenge and diversity for the students. However, it cannot hope to offer the breadth and depth of experience that we demand at KHS for the pupils. This is why we place such emphasis on extra curricular activities in school. The school has a long history of achievement in Drama, Music and PE. drama The Drama productions have a long tradition of excellence. They always involve large numbers of pupils and staff and have demonstrated a remarkable dramatic range. Recent productions have included ‘ West Side Story’, ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ and ‘Schools Will Rock You’. music The school has a thriving musical life and a now well-established reputation for musical achievement. As well as providing a stimulating and creative environment for all students in the classroom there are over 100 students taking advantage of the instrument tuition department provided by the Music Support Service. The department is therefore a hive of activity with students learning most types of instrument including woodwind, strings, guitar, harp and singing. The school sees the creative arts as an important and exciting part of all students’ education. 9 Extra Curricular Activities Physical Education The PE department has excellent sports facilities which include: • Large sports hall • Swimming pool • Floodlit Astro turf • Grass pitches • Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) As well as a wide range of timetable sporting activities, lunchtime and after-school clubs ensure that enthusiastic pupils receive further coaching. There are plenty of opportunities for competitive sport via inter-house, inter-school competitions and county events. The school is proud of its sporting record where, over the past 20 years, almost 100 pupils have gained international honours. Links with the local sports associations and feeder primary schools are extremely good. Essential School Policies special educational needs We have a range of provision to meet the needs of students including those who have a Statement of Need. There are small teaching groups in Years 7-11 for those children who have significant, all round or complex learning difficulties. Students with more specific learning difficulties are taught in mainstream classes and withdrawn for additional support. Those students with Statements of Need, or other Special Needs noted by primary schools, are referred to the SENCO who will determine how the school can best meet these needs to ensure a smooth entry to the secondary school. Parents are encouraged to contact the SENCO and to take part in the planning and review meetings for their child. A full Special Needs Policy is available from the school on request. charging & voluntary contributions The school will ask for voluntary contributions for those activities that do not relate directly to the National Curriculum or the syllabus requirements of ‘A’ level or vocational courses. If those contributions do not cover the cost of the activity it may be cancelled. 10 Support is available within school from a charitable Trust fund for families that have difficulty in meeting the cost of the trips or extra tuition. Essential School Policies complaints procedure Section 23 of the Education Reform Act requires that arrangements be made to deal with the above. If you do have a concern about the curriculum being offered to your child or any other matter please contact the school. It is hoped that complaints can be dealt with informally by the Headteacher. The procedure provides, however, for complaints to be referred subsequently to Governors or an officer of the Local Authority. absences When a child is absent, parents are asked to contact the school on the first day of absence. A dedicated telephone line and answer phone service is available for this purpose (Telephone Number: 01873 735345). Upon return to the school after a period of absence, parents are requested to provide a letter outlining the reason for their child’s absence. The Education Welfare Office is sometimes requested to visit the homes of students whose long or frequent absences give the school cause for concern. Free School Meals Where families are entitled to free school meals, applications should be made to the Authority. Students on free school meals have access to additional resources such as revision guides and members where appropriate to support them with their learning. We strongly urge you to take up your free school meal allocation if you are entitled to it. Please contact the Authority for further details. visiting & admission arrangements Admission of students is via the local Authority. travel arrangements Students aged 11-16 living more than two miles from the school are entitled to free travel, usually on special contract or service buses. school records Any parent who wishes to see their child’s record should contact the appropriate Assistant Headteacher. A copy of the record can be obtained, although the school may make a nominal charge. The school will usually need seven days notice to produce the records. 11 Essential School Policies health & safety The school has a Health and Safety Coordinator who is responsible to the Headteacher for making the school a safe place to work and study. Everything from suitability of classrooms and workshops to the organisation of school visits and fire drills, carriers with a comprehensive Risk Assessment. Staff are offered first aid training on a regular basis. To aid security on the site there is a CCTV system in place. Visitors are required to report to the main reception area where they ‘sign in’ and are issued with visitor badges. Parents who transport students to the school by car, are expected to drop them off in the specially designated and sign posted ‘safe zone’, in the lower car park, opposite the Leisure Centre. The school has had extensive work carried out to ensure that it complies with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (1995) and now welcomes students with physical disabilities. All queries regarding Health and Safety should be made to the Headteacher. equal opportunities King Henry VIII School actively seeks to promote positive attitudes to all people and does not discriminate on grounds of gender, culture, religion, ability, ethnicity or sexual orientation. Our curriculum includes opportunities for teaching and learning that reflects our multicultural society, promotes respects for minorities and ensures understanding of the processes of discrimination. child protection The school treats the welfare of its students as a paramount consideration. It considers that child protection issues override confidentiality and will take any responsibility to ensure the safety of these students. Cases where the school has reason to be concerned that a child may be subject to ill-treatment, neglect, or other forms of abuse, staff have no alternative but to follow the Area Child Protection Committee procedures and inform Social Services of their concern. 12 Respecting tradition, embracing the future KING HENRY VIII SCHOOL YSGOL BRENIN HARRI’R VIII UT PROSIM Old Hereford Road, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire NP7 6EP Hen Heol Henffordd, Y Fenni, Sir Fynwy NP7 6EP Tel/Ffôn: 01873 735373 Fax/Ffacs: 01873 735305 Upper School Fax/Ffacs Ysgol Uchaf: 01873 735354 e.mail/e bost: [email protected] Website/Gwefan: www.kinghenryviiischool.org.uk V5/13