Colne Valley High School Prospectus 2017

Colne Valley High School “Everyone Exceptional, Every Day”

2017 ENTRY

Everyone Exceptional, Every Day

Principals’ Message Dear Prospective Parent Children have got one chance of an education; they never get that chance again! The decision about which secondary school to send your son/daughter to is a decision that will affect your family for the next five years, but a decision that will affect your son/daughter for the rest of his/her life.

Colne Valley High School is part of the Mirfield Free Grammar and Sixth Form Multi-Academy Trust and together, by striving for excellence in all that we do, we have developed one of the most vibrant learning environments in the district.

Outstanding schools have outstanding teaching and the quality of teaching is the single most important factor in a school’s success. All students, irrespective of ability, are driven to “be the best they can be”.

Our ethos is driven by our mission – “To enable our students and staff to achieve their best” and our vision, that everyone, every student and every member of staff, can be exceptional, every day.

At Colne Valley High School we have agreed to live our school life by our values: •

Respect – we recognise, accept and celebrate differences

•

Integrity – we are truthful and honest in all that we do

•

Team work – we aim to be the best for our team

•

Aspiration – we strive to be the best we can be

Our staff lead by example and work hard to ensure that our young people feel happy, valued and safe, but equally they endeavour to enthuse them with a sense of aspiration, optimism and ambition. Work ethic is important and so is attitude. We encourage a “can do” attitude in relation to both work and play, and our expectations are extremely high.

Yours faithfully

Mr Christian Wilcocks – Principal

Mrs Lorraine Barker - Executive Principal

The Mirfield Free Grammar Multi-Academy Trust The Mirfield Free Grammar and Sixth Form is a

of Pupils and Leadership and Management). The

Sponsor Academy and National Support School. It Academy has approximately 1600 students on roll was endowed in 1667 and has had a long, varied of whom 450 are in the Sixth Form. The Academy and successful history. On 1st January 2006 it was approached by the Local Authority to sponsor converted to Foundation Status, and on 1st April Colne Valley High School.

2011, became an Outstanding Academy.

Since

2006 therefore, the Governing Body of the school To effect this change The MFG and Sixth Form had has ‘owned’ the land and buildings, employed the to become a Multi-Academy Trust and did so in staff and decided the admissions policy. Academy

October 2013. The Academy began working with

status has given greater autonomy to make the Colne Valley High School as a Support School in right decisions for students. In January 2011 the April 2013 and in September 2014 Colne Valley Principal became a National Leader of Education High School became a sponsored academy in (NLE) and the school became a National Support The Mirfield Free Grammar and Sixth Form MultiSchool (NSS). In 2012 Ofsted raised the bar for Academy Trust. In addition, Marsden Junior School inspections and in May the Academy was judged joined our family of schools on 1st April 2015 and is outstanding again in every category (Achievement also going from strength to strength. of Pupils, Quality of Teaching, Behaviour and Safety

Address: Gillroyd Lane, Linthwaite, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD7 5SP Telephone: 01484 848680 Email: cvhs@thecvhs.co.uk Executive Principal: Mrs Lorraine Barker, BA(Hons), PGCE, NLE Chair of the Board of Directors: Mrs Jennifer Ryan, BSc(Hons), MBA

Mission, Aims and Ethos

We aim to: • Sustain a culture of high expectations in which every individual is valued equally;

students to become confident, self-reliant, selfdisciplined, healthy and responsible;

• equip all our students for lifelong learning • promote excellent standards of behaviour enabling them to achieve their potential;

through highly effective personal relationships;

• provide an environment in which all staff • equip students with the knowledge, skills and experience a sense of professional well-being

understanding necessary for them to make a

and are to give of their best;

positive contribution to society and prepare

• provide an engaging, creative and enjoyable experience of teaching and learning; • engender a sense of personal worth and physical and emotional well-being which enables

them for the world of work; • foster effective partnerships between students, staff,

parents,

community.

governors

and

the

wider

Our mission: “To enable our students and staff to achieve their best” Our vision: “Everyone exceptional, every day” We work hard to maintain a happy and well-run We create a caring community where great School, where students feel confident to thrive and emphasis is placed upon good relationships and develop. We strive to make our School a place of partnerships to encourage respect, understanding sound, stimulating and appropriate learning, where every student can achieve their true potential.

and co-operation.

Life Chances Education gives people life chances, by allowing because they know how to conduct themselves, them to access opportunities that enable them understanding what is appropriate and what is not. to become what they want to be. It transcends Education is lifelong and we need to ensure our boundaries, class and financial status. An educated students become independent learners. The future person, irrespective of their background or their belongs to those who know how to learn. start in life, can mix with anyone and go anywhere

“The emphasis you put on the relationship between the students and teachers is evident throughout the school…”

Parent feedback

“Our daughter’s teachers have gone beyond inspiring her and therefore she is excelling and enjoying her lessons. Her outstanding grades are as much a testament to them as to her hard work…”

Parent feedback

“The school has momentum going in a positive direction and we look forward to our children becoming a part of that. ” Parent feedback

To enable students to “be the best they can be”: • Teaching and learning must be outstanding. Our teachers work tirelessly to ensure that lessons are exceptional. Lessons are well-planned to meet the needs of individuals and our teachers ensure that our students understand precisely what they need to do to improve.

• The curriculum must be outstanding. We provide a broad range of traditional subjects for students in all year groups but also provide high quality, specialist vocational courses in some subjects; a curriculum designed to ensure students enjoy their learning and achieve well.

Extra-Curricular Extra-curricular activities must be an essential part of the curriculum. Our extra-curricular programme is rich and varied and we encourage students to participate.

We expect our students to engage in new activities to support them in learning outside of the formal curriculum, encouraging healthy lifestyles and friendship.

• Our sports teams are the envy of most schools. • We have an outstanding reputation for creative We have football, rugby league, netball, rounders,

arts, producing shows and concerts of an

cricket, athletics and basketball teams playing in

extremely high standard. We offer a variety of

local leagues and every year a number of students

musical opportunities to all our students. There

are selected to represent the District and County

are various ensembles, including a community

teams. The teams dominate local competitions

choir, a vocal academy, an orchestra, and a

in all sports, and reach the last rounds of many

variety of rock bands. These groups perform

regional and national competitions. We also

regularly at events both in school and within

offer table-tennis, badminton, drama and dance

the local community. We work closely with our

clubs. Our links with local clubs and coaches of

colleagues from Kirklees Music School and our

these sports are excellent. We offer a variety of

pyramid schools to develop our musicians to

clubs, local and overseas visits and the Duke of

their maximum potential.

Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.

“What better advert for a school than kids clearly having a great time there! (Parent 2015)” Parent feedback

“I have been very pleased and at times amazed how any issues I have raised have been sorted out so quickly…”

Parent feedback

Student Support

“The first time I came to Student Support I instantly felt welcome. The staff were really lovely and it was a positive atmosphere…Knowing I am always welcome and will be supported if something ever happens makes my life at school a lot easier….”

Student feedback

“The staff will help you if you’re feeling unhappy or having trouble. It also helps you with your school work if you are struggling too much or feeling anxious or worried…”

Student feedback

Students are encouraged to use the Library Our Careers Advice Centre provides at break, lunchtime or after-school to students with exceptional independent support their learning. We have a qualified and

personalised

careers

information

librarian who can help. All books, both advice and guidance which complements fiction and non-fiction, are linked to our the targeted support provided through our Accelerated Reader scheme that supports Student Support Centre, Learning Support students in tracking their own reading Unit and Wellbeing Centre. progress.

Catering Arrangements The Catering arrangements must be first class, we are what we eat!

We are very proud to employ chefs who a drink. Equally, they may choose a baked provide food at breakfast, break and lunch potato or pasta with a choice of toppings of a very high quality. Meals are made and salad. Both these meals are part of from scratch daily; no salt, no additives, our ‘healthy eating’ programme and are no preservatives and all produce sourced therefore subsidised by the Academy. locally. Students cannot learn if they are hungry or thirsty and we treat breaks and Healthy food may be brought from home lunchtimes as an opportunity for good and eaten in the dining area, we request food and socialisation.

Your child will that you do not allow your child to bring

have separate breaks and lunchtimes crisps and other unhealthy foods or drinks from other year groups which we believe to school. We encourage the drinking of provides

a

comfortable

environment. water and provide water in the dining area.

Menus are changed daily, offering a wide In addition, fresh orange, apple, organic variety of choice for vegetarians and non- fruit juice and milk shakes are sold. We vegetarians. In our Restaurant, we have a are happy for students to bring bottles ‘meal deal’ where students have a choice of water to school, they may be drunk in of main course, plus vegetables and salad, class at times considered appropriate by a choice of dessert, or fruit or yogurt, and the teacher.

High Expectations

“To be the best we can be�, we need to travel Relationships between staff and students are very positively. We need to be mentored and coached good, youngsters are known as individuals with so that our self-esteem and self-confidence grow their own strengths and personalities. This is a to enable us to push our boundaries in order to happy school, we work hard and play hard; there is achieve more than we believe we can.

no room for complacency.

“The emphasis you put on the relationship between the students and teachers is evident throughout the school” Parent feedback

“We love the passion and forward thinking of the staff…”

Parent feedback

“My son set off to school today, very proud in his uniform – and certainly not worried about starting high school at all. ” Parent feedback Our students are equipped to become independent lifelong learners using a wide variety of teaching and learning methods that cater for the individual needs of students.

Students with Disabilities and Special Educational Needs are fully included through high-quality teaching and support that is highly focused to encourage independence.

Similarly, we ensure that our more able and ambitious students are encouraged and driven to achieve their potential through appropriate curriculum pathways and a broad range of opportunities that harness high aspiration.

We value the contribution that homework makes to students’ achievement. Our students are expected to complete their home-learning on time and to the best of their ability and are rewarded for exceptional effort and creativity.

‘Creating Futures’ is our ‘monitoring system’ which reports to parents three times a year. Students and their parents are consistently updated with regard to progress and attitude every term. Similarly the parent, teacher, student consultation evenings are a superb opportunity for all three partners to discuss strengths, areas for development and progress.

Leadership “We have no doubts at all that CVHS is returning to its position as one of, if not THE best, school in the area.�

Parent feedback

Leadership is crucial to everything we The Student Council is comprised of achieve at Colne Valley High School. All staff student representatives from all year are leaders and students are developed groups and our Prefects demonstrate and expected to take leadership roles too.

exceptional social responsibility, work ethic

In this way we build sustainability in future and achievement. In addition, we have generations.

Sports, Literacy and Numeracy leaders who coach younger students in these areas

Employment and Employability Employment and employability is our aspiration for all our

For some students higher education at a Russell Group

students. They deserve to earn a living so they can enjoy

University is the best progression route but for others it

their working life. Our Careers Advice and Guidance

is employment with training or an apprenticeship. We are

Officers work closely with employers to ensure that

determined to give our students appropriate life chances,

we can expertly advise our students about business,

please visit our careers website: www.thinkfutures.net

industry and higher education.

for further information.

Social Responsibility Social Responsibility is absolutely essential. We

There is a significant reward system which reinforces

want to develop socially responsible young people social responsibility. who are capable of holding their own in the world of work and contributing to their community. This Attendance plays a crucial part in improving entails students making the right choices and standards but is also a major responsibility in good decisions with respect to other people, the life. Employers want to employ people who are environment and themselves.

committed and attend work. Students learn that attendance is essential at school. Absence from

We have a “Behaviour for Learning” system which school is extremely disruptive and few students is integral to our ethos. It encompasses all aspects

ever “catch up”. We strongly advise parents not to

of student conduct throughout the School. At its take students on holiday in term time. heart is the fundamental belief that all students and staff are important and valued individuals who Standards of dress are very important. Our uniform deserve to be treated with respect. All aspects of a

is straightforward and smart. It is compulsory for

student’s behaviour affects their learning and that of all students and parents are expected to support those around them. Students learn best when they the staff in monitoring their child’s clothing and are happy and confident and this system ensures appearance. that all individuals can be sure that any issues will be dealt with efficiently and effectively.

“Thank you to all the staff involved in supporting my daughter, we really do appreciate it. I am finally beginning to see a noticeable and positive difference in her achievements…”

Parent feedback

“Counselling has really helped me to build my confidence…”

Student feedback

“I feel completely renewed after each session”….

Student feedback

Wellbeing Centre Our Wellbeing Centre is available to all students for support, information, advice and counselling. We have a well-qualified, full-time counsellor who provides one-to-one support when needed. We provide a dropin service at both breaks and lunchtime for students to access in their own time. Alongside this, we run group work to support key issues when they arise and our school nurse offers appointments and supports our drop-in service.

One of the rooms in our Wellbeing Centre

Transition The transition from Year 6 to Year 7 is probably the biggest change in a child’s education. They go from having mainly one teacher in one classroom on a daily basis to having five different lessons per day, in different classrooms with different teachers and across a large site.

about being late to lessons during this time. After two weeks, students are more familiar with their timetable and are able to arrive to all of the lessons punctually.

activities and is designed to help: • Plan work • Manage time • Record “Creating Futures” data • Set targets for improvement

Break and Lunchtime Every year group has their own ‘break time’. The Year 7 break is at 10.05am to 10.20am. There are

Uniform We believe that high standards of dress are important for students as individuals and the School as a

We strive to make the transition arrangements as thorough, reassuring and informative as possible for both students and parents. Through various meetings and information evenings we aim to alleviate any concerns prior to the official starting date in September.

more than enough seats for the year group.

whole. Our uniform has been chosen because it represents the clearly identifiable standard for Colne Valley High School.

We offer our students a Transition Week, where students are welcomed to Colne Valley for a week at the end of the summer term. Students will be welcomed by their Achievement Co-ordinator, thoughtfully placed into their tutor groups and will have the opportunity to get to know their form tutor. Students will participate in a range of team-building activities as well as lessons that introduce them to life and learning at Colne Valley High School.

For the first two weeks in September there will be ‘Support Assistants’ around to help them settle in and assist in the movement around the site. Students should not worry

Year 7 have lunch from 12.50 to 1.25pm; again, as with break, each year group have their lunch at different times. There are social areas for students to use and they can also access the Library.

Bullying Bullying is completely different to friends falling out. At Colne Valley High School we have a zero tolerance to bullying and if you are concerned your child is being picked on or intimidated you must contact the School immediately and it will be dealt with swiftly.

The Planner All students are given a planner when they start in September and they can use this to familiarise themselves with the School rules and expectations.

The planner enables students to organise themselves with respect to home learning and extra-curricular

Equipment: To ensure that students are prepared for learning in every lesson, every day, it is essential that they have the correct equipment. Therefore, students will need to bring the following items to school: • A sturdy school bag; • Pen, black or blue, red and green; • Pencil; • Ruler; • An English Dictionary (available to buy for 99p from the School Shop) • A Scientific Calculator • The student planner (issued by school) Students who do not arrive to school or lessons with the correct equipment will have the opportunity to purchase items from the school shop.

Admissions Admission to the main school is obtained by completing the Kirklees Authority’s online application form. Online applications must be completed between 1 September 2016 and 31 October 2016.

The online application form can be accessed using: https://enrol.kirklees.gov.uk/ENROL The order of priority for admission is: 1. Children in public care (looked after children) or a child who was previously looked after; 2. Children who live in the school’s Priority Admission Area (PAA) who have a brother or sister attending from the same address at the date of admission (the sibling rule); 3. Children who live in the school’s PAA;

Please note: A ‘looked after child’ is a child who is: (i) in the care of the Local Authority or,

4. Children who live outside the school’s PAA who (ii) being provided accommodation by the Local have a brother or sister attending from the same Authority in the exercise of their social services address at the date of admission (the sibling functions or, rule); 5. Children who live outside the school PAA.

(iii) having ceased being ‘looked after’ because they were adopted or became subject to a residence order or special guardianship order.

The academy will welcome children with Statements of Special Educational Needs/Education Health Care Plans where Colne Valley High School is named as the education provider.

If you have any questions about admissions, please contact our Admissions Officer, Mr Jon Zeb.

Part of The Mirfield Free Grammar and Sixth Form Multi-Academy Trust Address: Gillroyd Lane, Linthwaite, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD7 5SP Telephone: 01484 848680 Email: cvhs@thecvhs.co.uk

Principal: Mr Christian Wilcocks, BA(Hons), PGCE Executive Principal: Mrs Lorraine Barker, BA(Hons), PGCE, NLE Chair of the Board of Directors: Mrs Jennifer M Ryan, BSc(Hons), MBA

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