MORPETH SCHOOL
“ TEACHING, LEARNING AND PUPIL PROGRESS AT MORPETH IS OUTSTANDING.” OFSTED 2013
WELCOME TO MORPETH Morpeth is a co-educational school in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, for pupils aged 11 to 18. We have been rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, since 2007. We are proud to reflect our very mixed local community and see the positive relationships between pupils as a real strength. We are equally proud of our buildings and facilities, which include specialist sports, music and arts departments, set within well maintained landscaped grounds. We believe our incremental improvement in exam performance over the past years is due to the high quality of teaching and support provided by our talented, experienced and committed staff. This of course is in addition to the hard work of pupils, the support of parents and carers and our ‘wholeschool’ ethos. We value learning both in and outside of the classroom, encouraging high aspirations and work hard to remove any barriers to individual ambitions. This prospectus gives you a flavour of the many different aspects of Morpeth School; please visit our website at www.morpethschool.org.uk to discover more. If you decide to send your child to Morpeth, you will become part of a community where we can work together to ensure your child is a happy and successful learner. Jemima Reilly, Headteacher
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“ ALL GROUPS OF STUDENTS MAKE RAPID PROGRESS WHATEVER THEIR BACKGROUNDS – LESSONS ARE EXCITING AND STIMULATE THE STUDENTS’ IMAGINATIONS.” OFSTED 2013
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High quality teaching and learning is at the heart of what we do, and all colleagues are committed to developing their practice to ensure excellent outcomes for our pupils. We place a significant emphasis on research informed practice, so that all pupils are sufficiently engaged and challenged by their learning. There is an effective online offer to support learning at home. All pupils receive regular feedback on their learning, and are expected to act on this in order to continue to progress. This clear focus on effective teaching and learning has played a key role in our long tradition of exam success.
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“ MUSIC AND THE PERFORMING ARTS MAKE A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TO STUDENTS’ EXCELLENT MORAL AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT.” OFSTED 2013
ENRICHMENT All pupils are expected to take part in the wide range of extracurricular activities on offer. For Year 7 and Year 8 we host a range of clubs after school and each pupil from these year groups is expected to sign up for at least one club a week, using our Evolve Clubs package. We also have what we call our ‘core entitlement’ for extracurricular activities: by the end of their time at Morpeth, our aim is that all pupils, as a minimum, will have participated in a programme of activities after school, a team building day and two residential trips. All pupils are also offered free tuition in a music instrument of their choice.
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CURRICULUM At Key Stage 3, we aim to build on learning from primary school and to develop the skills needed for Key Stages 4 & 5 through a focus on progression, participation, organisation, and articulacy both within and beyond the classroom. At Key Stage 4, we have an innovative curriculum model, which means that in addition to core subjects (English, maths, science, RE and PE) pupils choose two options per year which are taught in mixed-age groups for the equivalent of a day a week. This allows pupils greater breadth of choice and flexibility in devising their own pathways. At sixth form, we have a broad offer comprising of 24 A-level and BTEC courses, and a full range of support to ensure pupils make the best choices and have ample opportunities post-18.
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PARTNERSHIPS We have a wealth of long-established partnerships with business organisations such as Investec and Lloyds which means that we can offer work shadowing, business mentoring and masterclasses in subjects such as economics or coding. Investec also financially support many of the other aspects of our offer, including the provision of free breakfasts and subsidising Outward Bound trips. Our strength in the arts means that we have developed partnerships over the years particularly with the Barbican and Guildhall.
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“STUDENTS ARE VERY EAGER TO LEARN AND A STRIKING FEATURE IS THE WAY IN WHICH THEY WORK COLLABORATIVELY. THEY KNOW HOW TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER AND BEHAVIOUR IN LESSONS AND AROUND THE SCHOOL IS IMPECCABLE.” OFSTED 2013
WORKING TOGETHER
We prioritise and nurture close relationships between the school and home and are aware of the need to support our pupils in the widest possible sense. Our behaviour policy promotes concern and care for every individual, mutual respect and a sense of personal responsibility. It is shared and reinforced with pupils through time with their tutors, through our citizenship, personal, social, and health education programme (fortnightly lessons) and through assemblies. We have a clear system of rewards and sanctions to support this. The school’s website, Twitter feed, and fortnightly bulletins keeps families and staff informed of activities, achievements and forthcoming events. www.morpethschool.org.uk
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SIXTH FORM Our successful sixth form offers a broad curriculum, and superb opportunities and support. We have wide ranging extra-curricular activities and an excellent track record of students progressing to higher education, including Oxford, Cambridge and the Russell Group universities.
“ MORALE IS HIGH BECAUSE TEACHERS FEEL TREATED AS PROFESSIONALS. THEY DO NOT ACCEPT ANYTHING BUT THE BEST FROM THEMSELVES AND THE STUDENTS.” OFSTED 2013
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“ TEACHING, LEARNING AND PUPIL PROGRESS AT MORPETH IS OUTSTANDING.” OFSTED 2013
MORPETH SCHOOL
MORPETH SCHOOL Portman Place, London E2 0PX Tel: 020 8981 0921 Fax: 020 8983 0139 Email: slt@morpeth.towerhamlets.sch.uk www.morpethschool.org.uk
DIRECTIONS TO MORPETH SCHOOL Take the Central Line to Bethnal Green Station There are four exits from Bethnal Green Station – take the one signposted Roman Road (sharp left from the exit barrier). When you come out of the station you should stand with the church on your left and the park on your right. There are always lots of people around – just ask if you are unsure. Walk along Roman Road heading East until you reach Globe Road which will be on your right. Turn right onto Globe Road. Walk along Globe Road until you reach the railway bridge. Just before the bridge, on the left, is Portman Place. Turn into Portman Place and the school is directly in front of you.
ALTERNATIVELY Use District Line to Stepney Green. Come out of the station, turn left into Globe Road. Walk along Globe Road until you get to the railway bridge. Go under the bridge – Portman Place is the next turning on the right.