OUR SCHOOL STRATEGY
FOREWORD BY MR WILL PHELAN, HEAD
Clifton High School’s strategy is pivotal in the future of the School and one that sets out a three-year plan, for what I consider to be a unified and considered approach from my colleagues, School Governors and our parent body.
Our Pastoral Heart sits at the core of the six key strategic objectives that together will provide our pupils with the academic, forward-thinking, social and personal skills required to navigate a rapidly evolving world. All areas of the School will be represented in our strategic thinking so the critical work we undertake in educating children is shaped through one clear and focused vision.
Clifton High School is a community based on equal values and as Head, I am incredibly proud and grateful for the strength and grounding this gives us all.
INTRODUCTION
As Clifton High School approaches its 150th anniversary, we are breathing new life into our School Strategy - identifying six key areas that form the basis of our future. As an ambitious and forward-thinking community, we are building on what are already strong and well-established foundations, while looking ahead to ensure our provision continues to evolve for 21st-century learners. Rooted in our values of curiosity, empathy, love and direction, this strategy reflects who we are and where we are heading.
AIMS
Clifton High School aims to realise individual brilliance in each and every pupil. We believe that the most authentic way to achieve this is by offering a well-rounded, bespoke education, delivered by staff who grow to recognise each child’s gifts to offer them the unique opportunities to shine.
VALUES
At Clifton High School, we nurture curiosity, empathy, love, and direction - values that shape confident, thoughtful and purposeful individuals. These principles guide our pupils to explore ideas, build meaningful relationships, care for themselves and the world, as well as pursue their ambitions with clarity and heart.
ETHOS
At Clifton High School, we believe in the worth of a holistic education, encouraging all pupils to enjoy learning in an environment that supports them as individuals and nurtures their ‘brilliance’. As pupils become passionate in their interests, learning to deal with both success and defeat, the full potential of their academic, emotional and personal growth is realised. They are afforded the opportunity to reach milestones as well as set personal standards with confidence, as they work towards and embark upon successful and self-fulfilled futures.
As a School, we place emphasis on creating a safe and nurturing culture strengthened by a united community that openly recognises and applauds our differences whether it be in gender, age, race, colour, nationality, ethnicity, disability, religion or culture.
ONE SCHOOL
BEYOND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
STRONG COMMUNITY
ONE TEAM PASTORAL HEART
STRONG COMMUNITY
PASTORAL HEART
SECURE AND SUCCESSFUL
AN ENVIRONMENT TO THRIVE
OUR STRATEGY
Pastoral Heart
At the core of Clifton High School is a responsibility to ensure every pupil’s safety and wellbeing. This well-established pastoral care system provides a deep sense of belonging for children to feel known, supported and confident in their personal growth. We believe that when pupils feel secure, they flourish - academically, socially and emotionally.
One School, One Team
Being an all-through School brings a sense of continuity, connection and care. We are proud of the consistent yet constantly evolving journey we offer children from Reception age to Sixth Form, shaped by exceptional people who understand each stage of development. Our staff members work together as one team, united by a shared purpose: to guide, nurture and inspire every child.
Beyond Academic Excellence
We are an ambitious School, striving for every pupil to succeed and encouraging them to achieve their personal best. Through a rich and engaging academic programme weaved into a structured curriculum and supported by a thoughtfully considered cocurriculum, we nurture a lifelong curiosity for learning, helping each child discover their own direction whilst supporting them to shape a future filled with purpose.
Strong Community
Our diverse and welcoming community is one of Clifton High School’s greatest strengths. We believe that pupils, parents, staff and our alumni, the Clifton Rosarians, are all valued stakeholders in the heart of the School. By nurturing relationships through empathy, shared experiences and open communication, we create a connected and supportive environment where everyone feels they belong and one in which we all contribute.
Secure and Successful
We are devoted to building a future that is both secure and full of possibility as well as being committed to providing a meaningful education for generations to come - one that reflects our values and responds to the world around us. We are investing wisely and planning with care to ensure long-term success for our School and its pupils.
An Environment to Thrive
Our historic site is a significant part of our identity that we protect and thoughtfully evolve for 21st-century learners. We wish every pupil to feel inspired by their surroundings and equipped to thrive so, through considered development and sustainable choices, we are creating a future-proofed environment that supports growth, creativity and belonging.
OUR COMMITMENT
Education
Small class sizes are a fundamental factor in the consideration of our valued education, vowing to no more than sixteen children in our Infant School and twenty in the Junior and Senior School. In conjunction with this, the added advantage of low staff to pupil ratios is an advantage we consistently maintain.
Wellbeing
We understand, more than ever, that the pastoral care our children receive has a direct influence on their achievements. Dedicated staff members work together to offer PSHE lessons, workshops and age appropriate, open-ended discussions to support our pupils in understanding their own personal, emotional, mental and physcial wellbeing.
Realising Individual Brilliance
We consciously unlock a child’s natural aptitude with the space for them to discover their talents through selfexpression and awareness. Confidence in reaching for success, whether that be in the classroom or through our extensive co-curricular offerings, is complemented by a nurturing ethos in realising individual brilliance.
Inclusion
We utilise our expertise in education to remain diverse and inclusive in our pupil and staff populations with an in-house EDIB approach that embraces and celebrates culture and community values.
Families
We work hard to best understand how we can support our families; whether that be in our wrap-around care programme, embedded educational trips and visits or the offering of financial assistance in the form of bursaries and incentivised scholarships through our Foundation. The emphasis is not on cutting corners but in tailoring a bespoke offering.
The Future
Our approach to the future is one that continues to deliver a first-class education by adapting to change and preparing pupils for a modern world. We instinctively invest back into the education we offer whether that be in the upgrading of facilities, resources or educational direction.
