William de Ferrers Prospectus

AN ACADEMY FOR THE COMMUNIT Y

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“TEACHING IS GOOD. TEACHERS MAKE STUDENTS THINK MORE DEEPLY BY ASKING EFFECTIVE QUESTIONS AND STUDENTS WORK TOGETHER WELL IN WHOLE-CLASS ACTIVITIES, IN GROUPS AND ON THEIR OWN.” OFSTED 2015

SETTING THE HIGHEST STANDARDS WELCOME TO THE WILLIAM DE FERRERS SCHOOL, AN ACADEMY AT THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY IT SERVES. WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS, WE STRIVE TO PUT STUDENTS FIRST IN EVERYTHING THAT WE DO. Schools make a difference to the lives of all children and young people. A world class education is the greatest gift a person can receive.

It is our aim to inspire students and raise their aspirations to achieve highly in all that they do.

We have the highest expectations regarding academic performance and participation in the wider life of the school. Our young people make excellent progress and achieve highly in public examinations. The majority of our Year 11 students choose to enter our thriving Sixth Form, from where almost all progress to their first choice of university.

I make no apology for the fact that we expect all our students to engage with a rigorous academic curriculum and achieve highly. We believe all young people can be successful at school if they are taught well and apply themselves and give of their best. Parental partnership and support is essential in achieving this objective.

Academic success, however, is just one aspect of life at William de Ferrers. We seek to offer an unrivalled, all-round education that provides young people with the self-belief, communication skills and global outlook that will enable them to enjoy successful and fulfilling lives. To this end, we provide a wealth of opportunities for students of all abilities to develop not only their academic potential, but also their artistic, sporting and leadership talents.

We are building on our strong reputation to set the highest academic standards. Our vision will be achieved through high quality teaching and excellent pastoral care.

I hope this prospectus will give you a flavour of our school, encouraging you to take the opportunity to find out more about us and consider choosing the William de Ferrers School.

Mike Applewhite MA NPQH Acting Headteacher

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ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE BEING AN INCLUSIVE SCHOOL, WE FOSTER AN ETHOS IN WHICH EVERY STUDENT IS ENCOURAGED TO AIM HIGH AND IS MOTIVATED TO ACHIEVE HIS OR HER BEST. With our sights firmly set on achieving academic excellence, we want to ensure that there are no barriers to learning. In Key Stage 3 we have introduced literacy into the curriculum as a discrete subject and we are committed to ensuring that teaching is outstanding. We support our dedicated staff through continuing professional development to ensure that excellent learning takes place in the classroom.

Although our broad curriculum has an emphasis on the traditional academic subjects, we also offer vocational courses at Key Stages 4 and 5. We embrace ICT, including mobile technology, to support students’ studies and make learning engaging.

We set students by ability in core subjects and use differentiation skilfully in all lessons. Through regular assessment and an emphasis on homework we ensure that all students make the best possible progress. Parents are updated through termly assessments and parents’ evenings and receive details of appropriate interventions as required. Our more able students enjoy a range of additional challenges including archaeology, Latin, philosophy and MENSA coaching, while those needing extra support in their learning receive specialist help. Sixth Formers contribute to the success of younger students through paired reading and peer mentoring.

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“THE SCHOOL PROVIDES A WIDE CHOICE OF COURSES AT KEY STAGE 4, INCLUDING ACADEMIC SUBJECTS, VOCATIONAL COURSES AND A BROAD RANGE OF OTHER GCSE SUBJECTS. ALL STUDENTS ARE WELL PREPARED FOR THEIR NEXT STEPS IN EDUCATION.” OFSTED 2015

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ENRICHING OPPORTUNITIES WE PROVIDE A WEALTH OF ACTIVITIES BEYOND THE CLASSROOM THAT EXTEND LEARNING, DEVELOP TEAMWORK SKILLS AND GIVE ALL STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHINE. Our school is fortunate to share first class facilities with Chelmsford City Council and works in partnership with Essex County Council to provide access to a well stocked public library. Students enjoy the use of a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, fitness suite, climbing wall, sports halls, extensive playing fields and all-weather sports pitch. As a result we have a strong track record of success in sport at district, county and national levels and Sports Day is a key event in the school calendar.

Students enjoy a whole host of extra-curricular experiences ranging from Chinese club to boys’ street dance. We provide opportunities for our young people to showcase their talents both in school and beyond, through concerts, drama performances and creative events such as the annual Arts Festival. Many older students participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme thereby developing their collaborative and leadership skills.

Educational visits broaden students’ horizons and deepen their cultural understanding and have recently included the Houses of Parliament, the USA, Iceland and we are planning to take to take our first trip to China in 2016. Within school, regular enrichment days and visiting speakers from business, the arts and charities further enhance the aspirations, social skills and insight of our young people.

“STUDENTS VALUE THE REWARDS FOR POSITIVE CONTRIBUTIONS. THERE ARE MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEADERSHIP ROLES.” OFSTED 2015

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“STUDENTS UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE THE STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOUR EXPECTED OF THEM, BOTH IN LESSONS AND AROUND THE SCHOOL, AND THEY MEET THESE WITH LITTLE NEED FOR TEACHERS TO REMIND THEM.” OFSTED 2015

EXCEPTIONAL SUPPORT

BELIEVING THAT OUR STUDENTS’ WELLBEING IS THE FOUNDATION OF THEIR SUCCESS, WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING OUTSTANDING PASTORAL CARE. With a focus on dignity, respect and responsibility, staff work hard to build positive relationships with students that result in a genuine sense of belonging.

Achievements in all aspects of school life are recognised through a range of rewards, celebration assemblies and presentation evenings, as well as the Jack Petchey Achievement Award Scheme.

To ease the transition into Year 7 we maintain strong links with local primary schools, with staff and students visiting to lead exciting activities. Although the school is familiar to many of our new students as a result of us being at the heart of our community, we provide an induction programme to help new students settle in. Every child has a Form Tutor, who

generally remains with them as they progress through the school and is the first point of contact for help, supported by the Head of Year and Director of Studies.

Extra support is provided for Year 9 students as they make their GCSE options choices. Older students benefit from the advice of our higher education and careers advisor, as well as through an extensive career planning programme.

Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) helps students to develop the decision-making skills and the self-confidence to make positive life choices.

Sixth Formers are trained to offer peer support and specialist counsellors are available in school for individual students as required.

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A POSITIVE COMMUNITY THROUGH ENGAGEMENT WITH COMMUNITIES NEAR AND FAR, WE HELP STUDENTS TO DEVELOP A SENSE OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP. We value our partnership with parents and students in the life and future direction of the school. Through our Parents’ Forum, Friends of William de Ferrers (our PTA) and our effective Governing Body, we enjoy a strong partnership with families. Students elected by their peers to serve on the School Council influence learning, facilities, wellbeing and participate in senior staff appointments. Our young people are encouraged to take on a range of responsibilities including Head Boy and Head Girl, Prefects and Class Ambassadors. Most students get involved in charity fundraising, especially on our annual Sponsor Day. William de Ferrers School is very much an academy for the community.

A variety of local organisations and cultural groups visit us to lead assemblies and activities and the PE department arranges events in local primary schools through the William de Ferrers School Games Organiser.

Students benefit from excellent links with the local Rotary Club, which supports the Young Musician of the Year Competition and our ‘Insight into Management’ residential course for Year 13. Our annual career events are supported by a wide range of local businesses and professions providing an awareness of future opportunities for students when choosing options and further education pathways.

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“TEACHERS SHOW THEIR STRONG SUBJECT KNOWLEDGE IN THEIR SKILLED USE OF QUESTIONING.” OFSTED 2015

Trinity Square, South Woodham Ferrers, Essex, CM3 5JU Telephone: 01245 326326 Email: mainoffice@williamdeferrers.essex.sch.uk

www.williamdeferrers.essex.sch.uk

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AN ACADEMY FOR THE COMMUNIT Y