Newsletter Orchard Park High SCHOOL
A Greenshaw Learning Trust school Ambitious, Supportive, Collaborative
Winter 2018
Behaviour policy has transformed school THE school’s behaviour policy, known as the Brilliant Basics, has led to a drastic improvement in both behaviour and exam results. Our pupils line up in the playground three times a day, before school and after break and lunch, while our silent corridors policy means students are not allowed to talk in corridors on the way to class. Every lunchtime, teachers and pupils sit together to eat, with pupils asked to contribute to topical discussions. They are also asked to stand when staff enter the room, while a strict uniform policy is enforced, with students sent home if they are not dressed correctly. An Ofsted inspection in September found the policy had led to a significant reduction in exclusions, reduced bullying and led to a calm environment. Meanwhile, figures published by the government in October found our GCSE results had drastically improved. The school is now the second most improved in the borough after its Progress 8 score jumped by a third from last year. Our Headteacher Ciara Warnock says the new behaviour policy, which was introduced
last year, has transformed the school. She said: “This is concrete evidence that our new behaviour policy is having a very positive impact on the academic performance of our students. “It is also a testament to the quality of our staff and the high-quality teaching and learning in the classroom. In just one year, our new academically focused, calm, safe and disciplined environment has significantly improved the results of our students. “The results published show we are on the right track but there is still much work to
be done. Our ambition is to be the very best school in the borough. We will continue to challenge our students and staff to improve, achieve and succeed.” Parent Clare Adams, who has a son in Year 8 at the school, said: “I strongly believe that consistency of approach is key to ensuring that change happens. The staff and students have created an ethos of traditional values at this school. “There is a strong and determined leadership that is not afraid to make controversial decisions, which I think this school needed.”
OFSTED’S PRAISE FOR ORCHARD PARK CHANGES: SEE PAGE 2
New labs among best in the land THE science department now boasts some of the best facilities in the country thanks to a £1million makeover of our two laboratories. The fully refurbished classrooms now feature new benches, storage areas and state of the art equipment. Head of Science
Mr Ramnarain said: “This project is just one step on the school’s journey to improve and update facilities. “We look forward to seeing our budding scientists using and experimenting in the labs this term.”
Orchard Park High School newsletter n Winter 2018