Upper Wharfedale School
Confident Individuals
Active Citizens
Successful Learners
Prospectus 2016—2017
Welcome to Upper Wharfedale Thank you for your interest in Upper Wharfedale School. We hope this prospectus gives you a flavour of our unique combination of high quality teaching and learning and our commitment to individual care, guidance and support. We are proud of our calm and focused learning environment which engages, motivates and challenges all our students in a culture based on mutual respect. Our students are our priority and we demonstrate this through our determined focus on high achievement whilst celebrating our differences and treating everyone as an individual.
We have a strong team of well qualified teachers, ably supported by highly skilled support staff who help students overcome any barriers to learning that they may face. This team, combined with a strong partnership with parents and the local community, creates our unrivalled family atmosphere and ensures our success year on year. Whilst we hope that this prospectus captures the essence of life at Upper Wharfedale, please do contact us and arrange a visit to see us in action or come to our New Intake Open Evening on Thursday 29th September 2016 starting at 6 pm. Mr A Taylor Headteacher
“Good and outstanding teaching means that students make good progress”. “Governors have a good strategic view of the school’s work”. OFSTED 2014
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Teaching and Learning Teaching and learning is at the heart of our school life. Through engaging and exciting learning experiences we guide students to achieve their full potential and develop a responsible and independent attitude towards their work and role in the wider community. We encourage students to take ownership of their learning and develop core skills, for example literacy, throughout all subject areas.
At Upper Wharfedale School we are committed to equality; everyone who belongs to or comes into contact with our school community is valued and respected. Inclusion is at the heart of the school and direct or indirect discrimination is not tolerated. We have a Single Equality Scheme that sets out how students with the protected characteristics of disability, gender, race, religion and belief, sexual orientation, gender re-assignment, pregnancy and maternity are protected from harassment and discrimination. The scheme extends to cover all aspects of vulnerability. The school is bound by the SEND Code of Practice and Disability Discrimination Legislation.
We encourage every learner to fulfil their potential. Our experienced Learning Support Team is able to identify, assess and make provision for students’ special and additional educational or medical needs, including provision for whole family support, partnership with North Yorkshire agencies, in-lesson targeted support and small group and one-to-one literacy and numeracy intervention.
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All staff at Upper Wharfedale School are committed to the development of our most able students. Staff use a variety of differentiated strategies in their teaching to stretch and challenge students with their learning. Extra curricular activities and opportunities, including numerous trips and visits, also help to further develop the skills and talents of the students.
“Teachers plan lessons carefully to provide a variety of interesting tasks and activities which enthuse and challenge students of varying abilities, including the most able who work at a brisk pace� OFSTED 2014
KEY STAGE 3 In their first three years students follow a common curriculum consisting of: English Maths Science ICT French Resistant Materials Food Technology Music Art Drama
Geography History Religious Education Physical Education PSHCE (Personal, Social, Health and Careers education)
KEY STAGE 4 All students follow the core curriculum: English Maths Science Physical Education
ICT PSRE (Personal, Social and Religious Education)
In addition, students select their choices from a wide variety of options. GCSE Art & Design French Geography History Ancient History Physical Education
Resistant Materials Separate Sciences (Physics Chemistry, Biology)
Computer Science Systems and Control Catering
BTEC Business ICT Performing Arts
“There are lots of different choices at Key Stage 4. There’s something for everyone. There is plenty of variety and I am very happy with my choices because I am doing lots of different things and it works well..” Year 11 Student
LOCAL OFFER The Local Authority Local Offer provides clear, comprehensive and accessible information about services available for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (0—25 years). It stresses the importance of partnership working with Education, Health and Care Services. The Local Authority Local Officer can be found at: http://www.northyorks.gov.uk/article/26714/special-educational-needs-- -local-offer. A link to the Upper Wharfedale School Local Offer will be found on the school website. It informs parents, carers and young people what they can reasonably expect the school to provide for students with SEND. The Upper Wharfedale School Local Offer includes the identification of SEND, partnership working, securing resources, support and facilities, transitions, our approaches to teaching and learning, assessment and progress, pastoral care and extra-curricular activities. 4
Sport Provision Although Specialist Sports College funding has now ceased, Upper Wharfedale School still promotes the same ethos and provides high quality sports provision within and beyond the school day. Our superb facilities include a sports hall and a 20 metre swimming pool. We link closely with the local community sports clubs and have excellent relationships with Upper Wharfedale Rugby and Cricket Clubs.
Students belong to one of four houses which provide teams for the many inter-house competitions that take place during the year.
School teams play competitively against other local schools and participate in area, county and national competitions in various sports. Our students have been regularly awarded County Representative colours in a variety of sports. At Key Stage 4 students have the option of taking GCSE PE with past students gaining excellent results. 5
Home School Links Home Learning Home learning tasks are set to provide experience of working independently and planning time effectively. Tasks are recorded in the School Planner to help parents know what is expected and for guidance on appropriate support. Tasks vary from independent research to preparing for the following day’s lessons or consolidating what has been done in class.
Parental Support Parents are encouraged to support their child by checking home learning and by contacting the school if there are continued and unresolved difficulties in understanding or completing home learning, so that we can support the student together.
Parents’ Evenings Parents and carers are invited to meet their child’s subject teachers annually to discuss progress, performance and behaviour. The Year 9 parents’ evening is combined with a meeting to give students and parents details of the Key Stage 4 courses and options available . Parents are encouraged to contact school with any concerns that they might have about their child’s progress.
Monitoring Progress Regular Reports to parents indicate the effort and progress the student has made in each subject, together with comments to help students achieve progress the following term. Parents and students are always invited to comment on tracking reports, and form tutors and subject leaders follow up the report by praise, support and mentoring with the student. Reading All students in Years 7-9 take part in the Accelerated Reader Scheme. We ask for support to ensure your child reads for at least 20 minutes a day at home. 6
“The School plays a central role within its community” OFSTED 2014
Student Support We are dedicated to providing positive outcomes throughout every students academic career and we encourage families to actively support us in this. We believe that every learner is entitled to a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum.
The school’s success is built on our belief in values of respect for self and others, coupled with a positive attitude, which means that each student wants to make a positive contribution to their school community Our student support system is based on the role of the form tutor, who has immediate responsibility for the progress, behaviour, development and academic success of each student in their care. The form tutor is the first contact should there be any concerns about a student’s welfare. The Student Support team have responsibility for the pastoral care of students and the Positive Behaviour Mentors should be the next point of contact after the form tutor. The school expects and maintains high standards of behaviour. This creates a safe and secure learning environment where all students can thrive. We operate a zero tolerance approach to bullying and in the rare cases where this happens, staff deal quickly and effectively with all parties. If reported, all disagreements are dealt with and followed up with home.
We support our students in having their voices heard and include the views of the students in their own teaching and learning. We promote our students in taking on leadership roles and our School Leadership team is testament to this. Students throughout the school are encouraged to represent their form group and be involved in school decision-making.
There are three mixed-ability tutor groups approximately 20 students for Year 7 to 11.
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“When I started at upper Wharfedale School I was shy, nervous and under-confident, but from day one the school made me feel welcome and safe, supporting me to grow in confidence and achieve consistently good results.” Year 10 student
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Offering a Varied and Balanced Curriculum
ENABLING YOUNG PEOPLE TO BECOME:
Successful lifelong learners who enjoy learning, make progress and achieve. Confident individuals who are able to live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives. Active, responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to society.
Cross Curricular dimensions delivered throughout the curriculum: Literacy and numeracy Identity and cultural diversity Healthy lifestyles Community participation Enterprise Sustainable futures and the global dimension Technology and the media Creativity and critical thinking
“The Curriculum prepares the students well for the future.
It is broad and balanced and increasingly emphasises academic and technical subjects.” OFSTED 2014
CAREERS AND MOVING ON Year 10 students experience the world of work by taking part in work placements chosen from a wide variety of local employment settings. This provides an invaluable lesson in life skills and, together with the impartial careers advice, support and information all students in years 8-11 receive, helps them with their career choices. With this support all our Year 11 students have gone on to further education, employment or training in the last three years. 8
Learning Outside the Classroom Students explore and learn from the local environment during field trips, through visits to local and national theatres, concerts, art galleries and museums and by taking part in local arts festivals and school productions. Students are able to visit France during their school career. The Department for Human Studies offer overseas visits as part of the History GCSE curriculum and Key Stage 3 students are given the opportunity to visit a residential outdoor activity centre. The French, Poland, Italy and Belfast annual international visits have become popular events for our students. These visits serve to give our students the opportunity to experience new cultures, languages and ways of life; while learning about the history and geography.
“I have just been to France with the school. It was brilliant . I loved going up the Eiffel Tower and to the markets. The theme park was the best. I really like doing activities out of school that I haven’t tried before. It makes every day a good day.” Year 8 Student
We have a wide variety of extra-curricular activities on offer, including sporting and numerous musical events, throughout the year. We put on a Summer Showcase and an annual musical production which includes pupils from Kettlewell School. Following last year’s success of ‘High School Musical’ watch this space for our next venture. 9
After School Archaelogy Club (ASAC) and the Big Dig We have a thriving archaeology club at school which culminates each year with the Big Dig. This gives our students the opportunity to work and train alongside real archaeologists in a friendly environment.
“They are fiercely proud of their achievements and their school. Their determination to succeed and make the most of all that the school provides is evident in the sense of purpose they exude , their exemplary behaviour and outstanding attendance levels.” Ofsted
Duke of Edinburgh Award at Upper Wharfedale School Now in it's third year the Duke of Edinburgh award goes from strength to strength. 24 students are currently participating for their bronze award.
“The school prides itself on the outstanding levels of care, guidance and support offered to students. Staff know each individual student very well and every effort is taken to enable students to make the most of their time in school.” Ofsted 10
Student Leadership Student Voice The school puts great emphasis on giving students a real voice in their school. Our students have numerous and varied opportunities to have their voice heard and to lead on valuable projects.
Student Leadership Team Student Leadership Team Student leadership plays a prominent part in school life and gives our students numerous and varied opportunities to have their voice heard. They lead on various projects like the annual whole school Remembrance Assembly, buddying schemes, reading schemes, charity fund raising, Fairtrade, lunchtime clubs and the organisation of the Year 11 Prom. Emily Howarth
Head Student
Lorna Fowler
Newsletter and publicity Literacy Champion Student Librarian Co-ordinator
Chris Heseltine
Community Relations Charity Events
Olivia Scargill
Student Welfare Officer
Katie Boyd
Student Welfare Officer Fairtrade Officer
Megan Berry
Year 7 Leader Extra Curricular Ambassador
Polly Crawley Adnan Chowdhury
School Fundraiser and Student Voice Prefects Manager
"In 2014 the our student leadership team came second nationally in the annual Speakers School Council Awards for their highly effective "Save our Transport campaign"
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The Bigger Picture-Links with the Community We work very closely with all the other local secondary schools and colleges in the Craven area—Ermysted’s Grammar School, Skipton Girls’ High School, Settle College, South Craven School, The Skipton Academy, Brooklands School, Craven College and the Pupil Referral Service. All the Headteachers and Principals meet regularly to share good practice and discuss local and national initiatives in the best interests of all our students. We also have strong links with all our primary schools in the cluster. We are part of the Craven Schools’ Sports Partnership and as such participate in many activities such as orienteering, swimming galas and other tournaments in the area. Our primary pupils enjoy our tuition and the use of our facilities for their swimming and PE lessons throughout the year. “Parterships with local schools help the school to improve further”. OFSTED 2014
Our students care deeply about the environment and global issues and the Student Council is a platform for our students to be involved in these causes.
CITIZENSHIP underpins the whole ethos of school life at Upper Wharfedale and we aim to develop students as individual citizens who are aware of the responsibilities of living in our society, respect others and are capable of playing an active role in their community.
Students are encouraged to contribute to the community by participating in events both within and outside the school day. We hold regular fundraising events to support local and national Causes, and welcome overseas visitors and guests who share their experiences with our students.
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Enhanced Mainstream School—Specific Learning Difficulties Upper Wharfedale school is one of 26 schools in North Yorkshire who have been given ‘Enhanced Mainstream School’ status. This means that we act as a ‘host’ school with specialist staffing and an EMS support base located in the heart of the school. We have been chosen as one of 7 Enhanced Mainstream schools for SpLD. We provide support and guidance to the 37 primary and 6 secondary schools in the Craven area for students with SpLD. SpLD is an umbrella term for a number of associated learning difficulties which include processing information, learning to read, write, spell or manipulate numbers, or difficulties with organisation and co-ordination. The terms ‘dyslexia’, ‘dyscalculia’, ‘dyspraxia’ ‘developmental coordination difficulties’ and ‘dysgraphia’ are sometimes used to describe such difficulties.
What does this mean for my son/daughter at UWS? EMS status builds on our reputation for being a very inclusive school and further develops and enhances the expertise of all staff to work with students with SpLD. Upper Wharfedale School has been awarded the Dyslexia Quality Mark in recognition of this.
Extra Curricular Activities Music Tuition: There is the opportunity to learn to sing, play the guitar and other stringed, wind, percussion and brass instruments with experienced tutors from the County Music Services. After School Clubs: STEM Engineering Club, Airfix Club, Archaeology Club, Art Club (Key Stage 4), trampolining and badminton, mixed basketball, netball, KS3 Football. Lunchtime Activities: Film Club, Puzzle and Games Club, ICT Club, Gardening Club, Craft and Sewing Club, Oasis Club, Lego Club, swim-fit, football (KS4), badminton, running, trampolining rugby and basketball.
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“My son has settled in very well at the school and comes home every day very happy with it.” Year 7 Parent
Admissions and Transition from Primary School
TRANSITION FROM PRIMARY SCHOOL In preparation for this vital stage in a child’s education, staff from Upper Wharfedale school visit the local primary schools to meet the students who will be starting at Upper Wharfedale in September. This ensures that all Year 7 students are personally known by at least one teacher when they arrive in school. Students also come to Upper Wharfedale for workshop sessions after school over a period of several weeks. This, together with a full day in school in June when they take part in a full school day and meet their form tutor and new friends makes sure that they are familiar and comfortable with their new school before they start in September.
ADMISSION ARRANGEMENTS These are managed by the Local Authority and are set out in the booklet ‘A Guide for Parents: Admission to Secondary School. This booklet is available by request from the Local Education Authority.
“I thought the transition workshops were fantastic. I’m sure it helped with the move into the school. It helped as a parent to get a real feel for what the children would be doing once they started lessons.”. Year 6 Parent The Local Education Authority has no responsibility for providing transport to Upper Wharfedale School for students travelling from outside the catchment area. It is the parents’ responsibility to pay for bus fares although a bus pass may be available at a reduced overall cost.
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Further Information SCHOOL DAY School opens at 9.00 a.m. and the school day consists of 5 onehour lessons each day. There is a 15 minute break at 11.05 a.m. and a 40 minute lunch-break at 12.20 p.m. There is a 15 minute Form Tutor period at 1.00 p.m. for all students unless they are involved in one of the House/Year Group Assemblies. Students should carry a reading book with them at all times.
THE SCHOOL IN 2016 From September 2016 we will have 293 students on roll. FRIENDS OF UPPER WHARFEDALE SCHOOL. All parents, carers and members of staff are invited to become members of the Friends of Upper Wharfedale School, which arranges fundraising activities and social occasions to raise money for the benefit of students in school.
Further information about the school, its policies and school events can be found on our website at www.uws.n-yorks.sch.uk or by telephoning the school on 01756 752215. 15
UNIFORM (Uniform must be worn in school at all times) Official school sweatshirt in bottle green* (black sweatshirt for Year 11 only). No other top is permitted. Office school white polo shirt* Black tailored trousers or skirt (no stripes or embroidery). The following must not be worn: demin, shorts or leggings. Skirts must be worn with heavy denier, non-patterned black tights.. Grey or black socks or black tights Plain black shoes (not boots, trainers or sports shoes) P.E. Kit Official school green and navy polo shirt* Navy and green shorts* Plain navy tracksuit bottoms (no stripes) - this item is optional Green football socks White sports socks Swimming kit (not beachwear) Trainers Football boots Shin pads Navy and green rugby shirt* The following items are also optional for girls: Navy and green rugby shirt * Netball skort (available from M C Sports, Sackville Street, Skipton) Item marked with an asterisk must have the school logo. All school uniform and P.E. kit should be clearly named.
Headteacher: Mr A Taylor Associate Headteacher: Miss S Sumner
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Upper Wharfedale School Wharfeside Avenue Threshfield Skipton
Telephone: 01756 752215 Fax: 01756 752363