Bishop Douglass School Prospectus by hannahkanish

Bishop Douglass Catholic School Bishop Douglass School Prospectus

Welcome to Bishop Douglass

Welcome to Bishop Douglass, a co-educational 11-18 Catholic school in London and partner school within the Cardinal Hume Academies Trust. We are proud to introduce our flourishing, vibrant and enriching setting that supports our ethos and culture, where learning never stops.

We are a friendly, dynamic school with just over 1,000 pupils and a skilled and dedicated team of 100 colleagues, with a proven track record of high achievement, aspirations, and expectations for all. This is reflected by our exceptional academic success within a disciplined and nurturing environment.

Our ambitious curriculum is broad, balanced, deep, and knowledge rich. It is bespoke and personalised; tailored to the needs of every young person. We offer an unrivalled extra-curricular programme that enables growth and development beyond the classroom, including overseas trips and cultural learning across the UK. Discovering strengths, talents and abilities in the widest of arenas including sporting, musical, drama and the arts is of paramount importance. Skills are further explored through an abundance of clubs and societies, subsidised music lessons and creative art clubs. Our excellent facilities extend to a state-of-the-art science block, sports hall and fitness centre, dance hall, drama studio, music technology and art specialist rooms.

The highest quality of teaching and learning

Philanthropy, volunteering, and fundraising opportunities based on our Catholic ethos and Christian values extend throughout the school and into our successful Sixth Form, where an impressive number of pupils achieve places at Russell Group universities. We are always delighted to hear from, and welcome back, our remarkable alumni where former pupils have achieved success in all walks of life – as professors, ambassadors, actors, broadcasters, authors, professional football players and social entrepreneurs.

Every pupil and member of staff is valued as a unique individual, and we are very much focused on supporting the fulfilment of promise and potential in every young person. Our success is underpinned by a close and inclusive community, and our partnership with families.

Our aspirational and progressive school is always looking to adapt and incorporate best practice and evolving technology for the benefit of our young people and staff. The experience we encourage is one of reward and inspiration for everyone to ‘be the best they can be, respecting diversity and supporting one another in our community’.

Mr Martin Tissot, Headteacher

“There is a tangible sense of community at Bishop Douglass, evident in the quality of relationships seen across the school.”

Catholic Schools Inspection, Feb 2023 (carried out on behalf of the Most Rev. Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster)

“Leaders and staff are ambitious for their pupils. They have high expectations in all aspects of school life.”

Ofsted, July 2022

A major strength of our teaching is the genuine determination of staff to ‘be the best they can be’ in line with the school’s motto. The collaborative and supportive approach to planning, alongside robust monitoring, evaluation and the professional development of staff, all contribute to sustaining excellent dayto-day teaching. A wide range of resources are carefully matched to pupils’ needs so that deep learning is characteristic of work in class. We subscribe to various online providers including SAM Learning and MyMaths which are accessible to our pupils from home. Pace, challenge and skilful questioning are consistent features in encouraging the pupils to think critically and develop their numeracy and literacy. Pupils are taught in sensibly sizes classes – grouped as appropriate, according to ability, aptitude or interest – to ensure that the individual’s learning needs can be met. Well-considered homework, supplemented by challenge tasks, is relentlessly pursued by both staff and pupils to consolidate and advance learning.

The teaching is stimulating and we ensure that pupils understand how to learn best. We recognise that children learn in various ways and so we strive to use approaches, techniques and technologies which will maximise progress for all. The work of teachers and subject departments is kept under regular review, so that we can be sure that pupils are getting the best opportunities for success.

We encourage our teachers to keep up to date with developments in their subject area and in the school curriculum.

“Teachers have thought carefully about the important knowledge pupils need to learn. Leaders have created a broad and ambitious curriculum for all pupils. Staff know their pupils well. Pupils feel valued and supported.”

Ofsted, July 2022

MA, MBA, NPQH Mrs Henderson, BA (Hons), MA, NPQH Head of School

A school with an inspiring curriculum

At Bishop Douglass we provide a broad, balanced and diverse curriculum within the framework of the National Curriculum. We place strong emphasis on developing literacy and numeracy skills and extra time is devoted to these in Key Stages 3 and 4. Our Highly Able programme identifies those with particular strengths and enables them to make accelerated progress. In our bespoke mentoring programme, pupils are helped to develop their learning and study skills. Our after-school extra lesson provision for examination candidates is recognised for the positive contribution it makes to examination results.

Our library plays an important role in the life of our school. Facilities are available for pupils to borrow books and literature as well as recreational purposes or for pupils to enjoy at lunchtime and after school.

A wealth of enriching opportunities educating beyond the classroom

We have a comprehensive extracurricular programme that enables growth and development beyond the classroom, enriches our broad curriculum and enhances learning at all levels. We are proud of our Wider Horizons tradition and offer a range of international trips including annual ski trips and visits to Rome. Visits to exhibitions, museums and theatres allows pupils the opportunity to expand their range of interests, activities and knowledge.

Academic development is encouraged through a wide range of clubs including Chess Club, Debating Club, Maths Challenge and Model UN. Sport is a particular strength and is well facilitated with onsite pitches, a fully equipped fitness centre, and a multi court sports hall. Subsidised music lessons for all Year 7 and 8 pupils provide the opportunity to acquire accredited graded qualifications.

Pupils are committed to making a difference and our charitable work forms an important part of our school community. We host tea events and IT classes for senior citizens in addition to termly fundraising for nominated charities.

“Leaders provide a range of extra-curricular activities. ‘Activities week’ is a highlight of the school year. This includes educational visits to art galleries and universities.”

Ofsted, July 2022

“Pupils take a leading role in responding to the demands of Catholic Social Teaching, supporting those in need locally, nationally and globally.”

Catholic Schools Inspection, Feb 2023

The formal curriculum consists of 25 one-hour periods. Four lessons take place in the morning and there is one lesson in the afternoon.

Our after school curriculum consists of revision lessons for those taking public examinations and a wide variety of clubs and after-school activities. We provide supported study until 6pm in our Evening Prep sessions.

At Key Stage 4 we offer an eclectic range of GCSE and vocational courses to suit the creative, sporting, practical and academic learner including Art, Business Studies, Computer Science, Design and Technology, Drama, Geography, History, Media Studies, Modern Foreign Languages, Music, Sociology and Sport.

Ofsted, July 2022

“Pupils are courteous and respectful. Lessons are calm and ordered.”

Choosing a school is a very important decision. We work closely alongside our feeder primary schools to ensure that all our new pupils experience a smooth and successful transition to Year 7. We visit pupils and their teachers in their primary schools and run an induction day to provide a selection of taster lessons before pupils join in September. This ensures that before their first day, each pupil is comfortable and also familiar with our school.

Pupils’ success at school is only possible with the support of parents. Planners, the school website and our weekly parent newsletter are vital channels of communication between home and school.

We are a fully inclusive school valuing every pupil regardless of their ability. We provide additional support for those who have additional needs whether that is a learning or physical disability or a special gift or aptitude for learning. Pastoral care is principally in the hands of the Form Tutors, led by the Head of Year. All pupils have individual needs and we enable them to fulfil their potential by providing encouragement and assistance. We put in place timely intervention when it is needed to ensure no child is left behind. We stimulate and challenge highly able pupils through our Sage Club and Brilliant Club.

An education for the future

and support

We have strong structures in place for preventing underachievement and ensuring pupils receive appropriate guidance. We cater for pupils with specific needs by offering a wide range of support, including reading recovery lessons, one to one tuition, homework club and targeted group work, to ensure pupils can access the full curriculum. Parents are advised of academic progress each half term and annually at parents’ evening.

Staff are dedicated to enabling pupils to reach their potential and become well-rounded responsible citizens. We believe ‘every lesson counts!’ and that extra effort makes all the difference. We have a very strong sense of community and instil our pupils with a sense of belonging. The promotion of the Catholic ethos is woven into the day to day practice of school life. Mass is celebrated every Friday and our staff inspire, challenge and encourage pupils to discover and celebrate God’s presence in their own lives and to appreciate it in others.

Pupil leadership is well developed. There is an active Pupil Council and other forums which enable our young people to have a voice.

Our Sixth Form is a vibrant community that prides itself on an inclusive and positive approach to personal development, overseen by a dedicated Head of Sixth and a team of experienced tutors. A broad range of subjects and learning pathways are designed with individual needs and interests in mind, and dedicated spaces including a common room, study area, learning resource centre and IT suites provide students dedicated areas for their use. Parents and students value the continuity of progression and pastoral care in a supportive and familiar environment. The Governors have made a commitment to securing the highest quality of support to ensure good results. A feature of our success is the lengths we go to support students through provision of extra lessons including 1:1 tuition and small group tutoring. We have high expectations of our students including good punctuality and behaviour records and a positive work ethic. There is a smart Sixth Form dress code which all students are expected to follow.

We are assiduous in preparing our Sixth Form students for university with a programme that starts early in Year 12: workshops preparing our students for their university applications are organised together with visits to partner universities, including those in the Russell Group, in addition to careers support, mentoring opportunities, work experience placement, UCAS and CV guidance.

By the time our students leave Bishop Douglass, they are equipped for the next stage of their lives – whether it be university or the world of work. We are proud that students leave our school as outgoing and well-rounded young people, with a professional outlook and positive ideas for shaping their future lives.

“‘I couldn’t have asked for more from Bishop Douglass, it is simply the best school for my daughter.”

Parent as reported in the Catholic Schools Inspection, Feb 2023