IMBERHORNE SCHOOL COMPASSION • ACHIEVEMENT • RESPECT • ENDEAVOUR
“The headteacher and senior leaders lead the school with passion and determination.” OFSTED
WELCOME Imberhorne is a successful, happy school where staff are committed to fully developing the potential of all students. I am proud of the outstanding achievements of students across the school and am equally proud of what hard-working, respectful and compassionate individuals they are as well. Our excellent academic record along with the great emphasis we place on personal development creates a thriving and vibrant school community. We are continually looking to the future as we endeavour to prepare our students for life in the 21st century. We are committed to pursuing academic excellence whilst also very aware of the importance of interpersonal skills that are so highly valued in the workplace. We want to give our students an appetite for life and a love of learning, seeking to provide the conditions that will foster the confidence and enjoyment we think are a necessary part of their educational journey. Martin Brown, Headteacher
Students learn best when they are happy, encouraged and challenged. We challenge them to be active in their learning and encourage them to question, discuss and reflect together in lessons. Students also need to have resilience and be prepared to persevere; the path to success is often paved by one’s repeated efforts. Outstanding academic success in the core subjects of Mathematics, English and Science is complimented by excellent attainment in all other areas of the curriculum. We are proud of the high levels of subject expertise that exists across the school. We retain a three year Key Stage 3; all students in Years 7, 8 and 9 follow the National Curriculum. We believe that students should build a broad and secure knowledge base in these early years that encompass the core subjects as well as the Humanities, Arts, Languages and Technologies.
“Teachers’ excellent subject knowledge fosters an eagerness to learn across the school. Pupils show highly positive attitudes.” OFSTED
At Key Stage 4 students in Years 10 and 11 can choose to study from an extensive range of qualifications and courses. Students are encouraged to select the most appropriate combinations of subjects enabling them to progress and achieve to the best of their ability. Future study for students after Imberhorne can include university courses, apprenticeships and vocational skills-based courses. We work hard to secure the most appropriate pathways for all.
HIGH EXPECTATIONS, ACHIEVEMENT AND ENDEAVOUR
“Imberhorne has a fantastic culture of warmth and inclusion, highly supportive whilst encouraging independence.” PARENT
COMPASSION,, GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT
We believe the school is an extremely caring community and seek to place relationships between students and staff at the heart of the school. We have a well-developed pastoral system and we pride ourselves on the level of care we provide for all our students. Heads of Year and Pastoral Support Assistants are in place across all Key Stages (from Year 7 to Year 13) and oversee student wellbeing and welfare. Form Tutors manage form groups and are usually the first point of contact when making enquiries about social or academic issues. A key factor in the character of the school comes from the split site we inhabit. Students start Year 7 at our Windmill Lane site which also houses students in Year 8 and Year 9. This site has a particularly friendly and intimate feel to it and serves our younger students well, combining the challenge of a secondary curriculum with a strong sense of nurturing and support. At the end of Year 9, students transfer to our Imberhorne Lane site marking the transition into Key Stage 4 and the study of examined courses. We have established close working relationships with local primary schools. An extensive and personalised transition programme exists to ensure that students and their families feel well supported throughout their transfer to Imberhorne. Our Pastoral Team visit primary schools to gather information about our prospective students. This is followed by ‘Meet and Greet’ sessions, where every family is invited to meet with members of the Senior Leadership Team. Our induction days provide students with the experience of meeting their Form Tutor, making new friends and attending lessons. In addition to our transition programme, we have well-established Science, Literacy and Numeracy projects which run in partnership with local primary schools. These are facilitated by staff and students from Imberhorne. Appropriate additional support is available across the school depending on students’ needs. We have very experienced Support Staff who provide targeted intervention and help individuals in the classroom. Such support can also be accessed in our SEND ‘Hubs’ which are located on both sites. These are quiet, well-resourced spaces where students can learn at their own pace with appropriate encouragement and guidance.
RESPECT, PARTICIPATION AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT Classrooms must be calm and respectful spaces. We believe that teachers should be role-models for our students, demonstrating the values and behaviours we expect to see in the school. We track students’ attitude to learning, celebrating effort and positive participation in lessons. If we have concerns about how well a student is applying themselves, we will always share these concerns with parents/ carers and put appropriate interventions in place. The development of character is central to our belief about school. The personal development of students is intertwined with the active development of personal attributes, qualities and skills. We are committed to ‘Character Education’ and articulate the qualities and skills expected in our students as; empathy, resilience, communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking. We support the development of these qualities and skills through our curriculum and a broad range of extra-curricular opportunities. Students are encouraged to take on leadership roles in the school. These roles include becoming a member of the School Council, working with senior leaders in the school. We have a significant number of international links, most notably our link with Minaki School in Tanzania. Such links develop students’ cultural understanding and provide contact with other young people from a wide range of backgrounds, generating memorable and quite moving experiences for them. The arts have a very high profile in the school, numerous events and activities occur throughout the year providing students with wonderful opportunities to sing, dance, perform, act and exhibit. Sports have an equally high profile; we are proud of our many achievements, reflected in the numerous tournaments and competitions our students participate in, both at local and national level. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is thriving in the school with significant numbers of students participating in the scheme at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels.
“The curriculum throughout the school is commendably broad. Pupils also benefit from a wide range of cultural and sporting extra-curricular activities and trips.” OFSTED
SIXTH FORM Imberhorne is justly proud of its thriving and successful Sixth Form, our students are role models across the school and take the lead on many aspects of student life. Key components in the life of the Sixth Form at Imberhorne are: • Excellent academic standards with frequent admissions to Oxford, Cambridge and other Russell Group universities. • Wide ranging academic and vocational courses. • Outstanding leadership and development opportunities. • Unrivalled support and guidance. Success in the Sixth Form relies on a close partnership between staff, students and parents. We value the relationships that we have and work hard to ensure parents and students feel well-informed and supported. Our Sixth Form is successful, energetic and innovative with students involving themselves in a wide range of activities, both within the school and the community. We encourage students in our Sixth Form to take on leadership roles. This includes opportunities to: • Mentor students (offering guidance and support to students in Key Stage 3) • Support our Student Council (leading meetings with younger students) • Guide the learning of younger students as a Subject Ambassador. Our weekly Sixth Form enrichment afternoons provide time for students to pursue sporting interests, undertake volunteering activities or engage in various other enrichment opportunities. In the Sixth Form, students work towards achieving demanding academic targets, we challenge our students to work hard, show independence and to extend their thinking. Staff mentors and our experienced pastoral team support students’ welfare and wellbeing. We have high standards but also recognise the importance of students feeling happy and fulfilled. Life at Imberhorne provides for both academic and personal development.
“There is a caring, nurturing feel about the school and both of my children are thriving here.” PARENT
IMBERHORNE SCHOOL TELEPHONE KS3, KS4 and all enquiries T 01342 323562 Sixth Form T 01342 310986
ADDRESS Upper School (KS4 and Sixth Form) Imberhorne Lane East Grinstead West Sussex RH19 1QY
EMAILS Lower School (KS3) Windmill Lane East Grinstead West Sussex RH19 2DT
Enquiries info@imberhorne.co.uk
Designed & Produced by FSE Design Tel: 01933 303520 www.fsedesign.co.uk