Hugh Christie

A unique learning experience

HUGH CHRISTIE

TECHNOLOGY COLLEGE

01

Our visioN FOR LEARNING o offer a unique learning experience T that is engaging, relevant and personalised.

To give every student the opportunity to achieve their personal highest academic performance.

To encourage a culture of innovation and change, remaining at the forefront in developing information technology as a tool for learning.

To work together with our community to widen the opportunities for everyone in the locality and beyond, creating an environment that is friendly and safe.

To continue to develop strong partnerships with other learning providers to drive improvement and change.

WHO WAS HUGH CHRISTIE? Hugh Christie was a pioneer in every way. Born in London and the son of a city merchant, he was a farmer, public servant and educationalist and lived in Quarry Hill, Tonbridge. A founder member of the National Farmers Union and also involved in the formation of the Women‘s Institute, in 1957 during the year in which the College was founded bearing his name, he was awarded the OBE for political and public services in Kent. A man of outstanding character, integrity and courage, he died in 1962.

03

“ parents and carers are positive about all aspects of the college’s provision, making comments such as ‘We are so happy we chose this school.”

OfSTED

A UNIQUE LEARNING EXPERIENCE

WELCOME FROM THE Executive Principal

“ The wealth of subjects and courses at several levels give all students the chance to succeed and enjoy their studies.�

OfSTED Mr Mark Fenn Head of School Hugh Christie

05

Mr Jon Barker Executive Principal Tonbridge Federation

Thank you for taking the time to find out more about Hugh Christie.

We are a mixed school for children between the ages of 11 and 19. We are also a specialist technology college which means we recognise and promote the importance of technology to the future of your children.

Hugh Christie is part of The Tonbridge Federation.

This is a partnership between Hugh Christie, Long Mead Primary School, other public sector bodies, local business and voluntary organisations that serve this area.

Hugh Christie is a wide ability school that meets the needs of all children. You can attend Hugh Christie irrespective of your gender, ability or religious preference. We have established a curriculum offer that provides significant stretch and depth for our most able students and a dedicated special needs team who support children with a broad range of learning and other difficulties.

We are very proud of the students and staff at Hugh Christie. We are passionate about providing a unique learning experience for your child that will enable them to achieve well, learning new skills, enjoy learning and have a successful and prosperous future.

In 2009, OfSTED carried out an inspection of the college. Through this prospectus we will make reference to the quotes made in the report.

The OfSTED report along with the significant improvements in results at all levels recognises the changes at Hugh Christie over the past few years that have made it a really good school.

If you would like to know more, please attend one of our open events or contact the college to arrange a personal tour.

A UNIQUE LEARNING EXPERIENCE

The Learning Environment Our buildings provide an outstanding environment for your children to learn within.

SPORT

Facilities include an indoor sports hall, six tennis courts, a full size all weather pitch and a multi use games area, sports fitness room and a large sports field.

DESIGN TECHNOLOGY

We have specialist facilities for resistant materials, electronics, food technology, textiles and graphics.

SCIENCE

We have modern, spacious science laboratories with stateof-the-art equipment supported by a team of experienced laboratory technicians.

“ The college successfully uses twenty-first century technology to give students the skills they need for their future economic well-being and working lives.”

07

OfSTED

“ Learning takes place in a first rate environment.”

ARTS

We have a drama studio, dedicated music suite and practice rooms, specialist teaching spaces for art, ceramics and photography.

ICT

OfSTED

We have over a thousand computers for student use in college and classrooms are equipped with projectors and interactive whiteboards.

A UNIQUE LEARNING EXPERIENCE

The Learning ExperIEnce

“ The college’s innovative curriculum which gives students good opportunities to match courses closely to their individual needs and interests.”

OfSTED

Hugh Christie is one of the leading schools nationally in developing a personalised curriculum where we aim to provide as much choice as possible over when, where, what and how students learn.

Our Key Stage 3 curriculum lasts for two years. Students will then study GCSEs and other equivalent courses starting in Year 9 for a period of two or three years depending on their ability.

know one teacher really well during their first year. Year 7 students have a base in which they are located for approximately half of their time minimising the disruption of lesson changes.

Some students are able to start A level courses early and progress to University a year earlier, or they can spend three years gaining a broader range of subjects or even take Open University foundation degree modules.

The curriculum involves the delivery of English, Science and Humanities through a project based approach. REAL also develops skills in the use of ICT. It also provides significant stretch and depth, teaching our students how to become independent learners. Within REAL, our most able learners are given small group tuition to provide additional challenge in the core subjects.

REAL stands for Relevant Engaging Active Learning. All Year 7 students will follow the REAL curriculum which provides excellent transition between Primary and Secondary school as well as building a firm foundation for future learning. It ensures all students

09

The Learning Outcomes We are very proud of the achievements of all our students.

David left Hugh Christie with 4 A-Levels and is currently studying Meteorology at Reading University.

Roxy left Hugh Christie with 3 A-Levels and is currently studying Drama at Canterbury University.

Reece left Hugh Christie after his A-Levels and is off to pursue a career in the Armed Forces.

Lindsey is leaving after her A-Levels to take up an accountancy apprenticeship

A UNIQUE LEARNING EXPERIENCE

Support for learning

Care, support and guidance take place within our Academy Structure. All students are members of the REAL Academy in Year 7 and join either the Discovery or Empower Academies in Year 8. Every Academy has its own Principal and a team of dedicated teachers and support staff who will help your child to achieve their very best and keep on track.

Every child has a personal advisor they meet every day. We have a staff team dedicated to supporting your child by helping them to resolve any problems or issues that are preventing them from learning and doing their best at the college.

They also provide information, advice and guidance on careers and future choices.

010

“ Throughout the college, students enjoy good relationships with adults and are keen to take on responsibilities when given the opportunity. BEHAVIOUR IS GENERALLY GOOD AND STUDENTS TELL US THEY FEEL SAFE. STUDENTS SHOW CONSIDERABLE RESPECT FOR THEIR ENVIRONMENT, AND INSTANCES OF BULLYING ARE FOLLOWED UP RIGOROUSLY. OfSTED

Admissions

We are a popular school and the governors wish that children from all abilities should be given the opportunity to gain places.

To accomplish this we use a system of fair banding to organise our admissions.

We will offer 208 places and will require from all applicants a supplementary admission form. All applicants will be required to sit a short online assessment in November after they have completed their application forms.

Once the test results are known, all applicants will be placed in order and divided into four equal bands. We will then offer 52 places (25%) within each band depending on our oversubscription criteria which in most cases gives priority to siblings and then on the basis of distance. The test score is used for banding only.

The admissions policy is available by contacting the college or from our website www.hughchristie.kent.sch.uk

HUGH CHRISTIE

TECHNOLOGY COLLEGE

HOW TO CONTACT US Telephone 01732 353544 Email admin@hughchristie.kent.sch.uk Website www.hughchristie.kent.sch.uk

HOW TO FIND US White Cottage Road, Tonbridge Kent TN10 4PU

Transport Most towns and villages across West Kent are easily accessible to Hugh Christie through our successful and popular transport network. Public buses can be accessed using a Kent County Council freedom pass. Hugh Christie buses cover areas not served by public bus routes and are run in partnership with Arriva New Enterprise. We understand that a long journey to school can be a worry for parents, which is why we employ a dedicated transport manager who will support you with any concerns regarding travel on the buses. Please contact the college for further specific details on the areas served by our transport network.