Langley School Prospectus 2023

Be the best we can be

BE READY BE RESPECTFUL BE SAFE

LANGLEY SCHOOL

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Just let me express our thankfulness and appreciation that the school goes the extra mile to give our children the chance to get better performance in this not very familiar environment. This is not only show us the welcoming nature of this country but also the diversity and inclusion of all. Thank you!’’

Year 11 Parent 2023

I am always impressed by the vision and values that are so clearly evident in all members of staff. I can see you are a team that work well together and for the benefit of the children. Thank you for all you do.’’

Parent 2023

Welcome

Dear Parent / Carer, Welcome to Langley School!

As they embark on the next chapter in their lives, it’s really important that you make the right school choice for your child.

You need to know that we take the trust that parents and carers have placed in us to care for their child very seriously. This is what makes Langley special.

Langley is a strong community and we are incredibly proud of and committed to our school and the students who come to us to learn, thrive and achieve. We believe passionately in creating a learning community which is inclusive, diverse and which fundamentally places the child at the centre of everything we do.

Langley is a fantastic place to learn. Our young people experience high quality lessons with highly skilled and experienced staff every day at Langley, both within and beyond the classroom. We are focussed on developing the whole child so that whatever their starting point, a Langley student has the very best opportunity to succeed.

We care about ensuring that young people do well with us both academically and personally so that when they leave us they have become happy, confident young adults, ready to take on the world! We are incredibly ambitious for our young people and we work closely with them to ensure that they achieve everything they want to and more. Potential is limitless at Langley!

Our school’s motto is to be the best we can be. Positive relationships between students and staff are at the heart of our work so that everyone at Langley is dedicated to the strong ethos of this very special, unique school.

Our young people are our best advertisement and they amaze us daily with what they achieve as well as the politeness and respect they show to one another and to our staff and wider community. Students at Langley are happy, kind, respectful and respected. We are proud of the people they are and everything they achieve.

This prospectus aims to provide you with a great deal of information about our school but in order to really understand us, I recommend that you visit Langley in person or online on our website to see what I have described in action. It’s an exciting and welcoming place to be and I promise you a very warm welcome!

We do hope that Langley is the right school for your child.

Yours sincerely

Mrs C. Thorpe, Headteacher

‘‘I really was nervous about coming to Langley because I had no friends coming to this school, but I have made great ones now. I love how supporting the teachers are and I’m so excited for Year 8.’’ Student 2023

Our Curriculum

Langley's curriculum reflects our ethos of aiming to give every child the opportunity to perform to the best of their ability. We seek to ensure that we offer enjoyable learning opportunities, both in terms of breadth of subjects offered as well as in the way they are taught and assessed.

At Key Stage 3, Years 7, 8 and 9 students study the following subjects: English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, Religion and Philosophy, French, German, Music, Art, Drama, Physical Education, Computing, PSHE (Personal, Social Health and Economic Education) and rotations in Dance, Food, Media, Product Design, Graphic Products, Business, Finance, Child Development and STEM. Citizenship is delivered through a variety of subjects. Students are taught in mixed ability groups across key stage 3 with some smaller intervention groups in Maths and English. Throughout Key Stage 3 a variety of subjects have additional smaller ‘Intervention’ groups for less able students.

At Key Stage 4, students enjoy a very broad choice of options. In addition to the core curriculum of English, Maths, Science, Religion and Philosophy and Physical Education, students currently have four free option choices. This gives the option to follow either a ‘traditional’ mix of subjects, such as a Foreign Language, along with Humanities, Technology and Arts-based subjects, or a combination which focuses on a particular area of strength. For example, a student wishing to follow a more technological path could opt for imedia and computing, or a student wishing to follow an Arts-based path could opt for Music, Drama, Art, Photography or Media Studies. We also offer vocational subjects which include Creative imedia, Hospitality and Catering, Sports Studies and Health and Social Care and BTEC Child Development. SEND Students who may need support also have the option of following a course of ASDAN Life skills or back up study in place of one of their GCSEs.

In addition to these subjects, we have a very full Work Related Learning programme for all students in Key Stage 4. Students have careers interviews in groups, or individually if needed. All students take part in a one-week work placement in Year 10. At Key Stage 3 students develop their employability skills in the curriculum and have a range of employer led encounters in the form of visits and assemblies.

Our Enrichment Faculty offers core, GCSE PE and Sports Studies as part of the PE pathways at KS4. The Department runs a wide range of extra-curricular activities, catering for students of all sporting abilities. Our facilities are excellent, with a Sports Centre used by the school during the day and outside clubs during the evenings and weekends. Students also benefit from a number of qualified coaches and other sporting specialists. All students have the opportunity to participate in a Sports Leadership award, which enables students to 'teach' sporting skills or lead an activity with other students. Within the faculty and beyond, all students are encouraged to lead healthy, active and safe lifestyles.

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My son has been particularly pleased to have clear goals and expectations explained to him in all lessons. The way teachers have fed back to him where he is at and how he can improve has been excellent.’’

Parent 2023

‘‘The amount of clubs offered is outstanding. There is so much for the students to get involved with both in and outside the classroom.’’

Parent 2023

Student Support

We always aim to meet the needs of every individual. After a visit to Langley by a leading His Majesty's Inspector, the report stated that 'students and staff create a very welcoming atmosphere and take an obvious pride in the school. The expectation that all members of the school community will treat each other with courtesy and consideration is shared by staff and students. This was an evident strength of the school at break and lunchtime during the visit where students treated each other and staff in a friendly and respectful manner.'

We believe in a holistic approach to education, where academic and personal development and well-being drive everything we do. We monitor students’ progress closely through regular assessment. This allows us to address underachievement quickly and provide new challenges for those who are doing well. This is accomplished through:

• close scrutiny of classwork and homework

• moderation of student work against national standards

• assessments at regular intervals through a subject course

• termly home/school reporting

Each term, parents receive an interim report which records their child’s attitude to work and attainment level for each subject. Parents will also receive a report prior to the Parents’ consultation evening.

We are passionate about the education of all of our learners, including our more able learners. We identify these through a mixture of data analysis, testing and teacher nomination. The school aims to engage our high attaining learners by using higher-order questioning methodologies within lessons, setting challenging targets and offering a range of enrichment activities out of lesson time as well as beyond the school day. We understand, though, that all students develop at different rates and some may experience long or short term learning difficulties. Students who are identified as needing support receive appropriate help of the highest quality.

Langley has always believed in academic rigour and challenge. We are fortunate to have highly-qualified, experienced teachers and support staff to deliver a curriculum that is rooted in high uptake and high achievement levels in academic subjects. The government has refocused school curricula on academic subjects through the introduction of the English Baccalaureate measure (the percentage of students who gain an 9–4 in English, Maths, two Sciences, a foreign language and a humanities subject). Rebalancing the curriculum to become more academic was never an issue at Langley as we believe in the importance of these ‘facilitating subjects’ underpinning our curriculum models. When the more-challenging ‘EBacc’ measure was first introduced, we were one of the top-performing non-selective state schools in the West Midlands. Our EBacc performance has remained consistently strong.

Be the best we can be

‘‘

A very positive start to Year 10. Staff have been very welcoming and encouraging. Straight into the curriculum and the lessons are engaging and enjoyable.’’

Parent 2023

Arrangements for new students

We recognise the importance of a smooth, supportive and positive transition and we support this by:

• visiting all main primary partner schools to gather information about the children coming to us in September. All partners are contacted for detailed information.

• inviting all new students and parents to an individual interview with an experienced member of staff prior to their arrival at Langley. This enables us to answer any concerns and allows every student to help overcome anxieties.

• A well planned Induction programme to enable students to feel confident ahead of the start of Langley.

Providing for the individual and special needs of student

We pride ourselves on our philosophy of recognising students as individuals, each with their different strengths, weaknesses and individual learning styles. Our outstanding results are achieved through a variety of initiatives including:-

 Detailed initial assessment in Year 7 to provide a full profile of every student's strengths, weaknesses and areas for development.

 In Key Stage 3, any numeracy and literacy needs are supported with small group structured teaching and peer support programmes, for example additional literacy lessons and a Paired Reading Scheme.

 In Key Stage 4, a varied range of courses cater for a wide range of levels of ability, recognising the importance of the academic and vocational elements of a balanced curriculum.

 Setting of groups, where appropriate, allows us to support the needs of all ranges of ability.

 An additional resource base providing specialist support for students with physical disabilities, ensuring that all students are supported and are able to access the full curriculum.

 A resource base for students with a diagnosis of dyslexia and an EHCP.

 We have full involvement of external agencies in the planning of provision for children with a wide range of needs.

On a regular basis, the Governing Body approves the arrangements to ensure the inclusion of children with disabilities into the school. The steps taken are detailed in the regularly reviewed SEND Policy which also describes the facilities available for providing access into and around the school, in the classrooms and also provision for emergencies. Further information can be found on our school website.

Our Dyslexia Centre

The Dyslexia Centre is a five-year provision; the first two years involve an intensive programme of literacy and numeracy intervention for children with a EHCP for Dyslexia and co-occurring needs. These programmes are detailed but flexible and are very much student driven, as is the whole focus of the Centre. Our intention is to integrate Year 9 students into mainstream subjects, thus giving them an overview of the curriculum and helping them to identify their own particular learning styles and to discover the subjects they intend to pursue in Year 10 and Year 11.

Each child’s EHCP is regularly reviewed and the student is set individualised targets which are monitored regularly and updated accordingly. Teaching is holistic, enabling children to grow both socially and academically, equipping them for the next stage of their educational journey.

High quality teaching, every day in every classroom

Langley School prides itself on the high quality of our classroom teaching; when our young people come through our doors, we want to be delivering the very best education. This is not only because we want our young people to make progress and achieve the results that will enable them to move on to their chosen pathways but also to ensure that the learners in our classrooms are happy, engaged and interested, able and willing and able to question and challenge and think for themselves.

The Langley team is made up of highly qualified specialist staff that really care about our young people, working together to ensure they became the best possible versions of themselves. Our ethos is very much about encouraging experimentation so that lessons are engaging, imaginative and exciting and in which students are invited to be active participants in their learning.

Staff training is centred around Teaching and Learning Communities where teaching strategies and resources are shared and trialled. All staff are engaged in this programme of professional development and are invested in developing their pedagogical skills so that our students can benefit from teaching which is the best it can be.

Pupil Premium

At Langley, we want all young people in our care to achieve the full extent of their potential. Ensuring an effective teacher is in front of every class, and that every teacher is supported to keep improving, is the key ingredient to achieving this. For students in need of additional support, we provide a range of targeted academic support to complement classroom teaching. We work closely with families to support positive learning behaviours and remove nonacademic barriers to attainment, ensuring that every young person has equal access to resources, opportunities and experiences to enable them to shine.

Be the best we can be

Beyond Lessons

During a typical week there is a choice of some 30 clubs for children to participate in, either before or after school or at lunchtimes, including a seasonal range of sporting activities, music, art, science and debate. We have a very active Eco Club that regularly participate in local activities and highlight the importance of the enviroment. Other enriching activities include Sports Day, trips and visits, careers days and personal development days. Highlights of our year include the Summer and Autumn Awards when we celebrate the many achievements of Langley School students.

Children are encouraged to involve themselves fully in the school community and beyond. Students volunteer at events throughout the year including Open Evening where 300 current pupils assist in welcoming prospective parents and students. A flourishing School Council and Year Charities Committees help to raise funds for various charitable causes. Students take part in the Maths Challenge, Borough Swimming and Athletic Championships as well as summer and winter concerts and whole school and year group drama productions.

Challenging ourselves to be the best that we can be Langley prides itself on the high standards of behaviour and positive attitudes to learning that all members of our community exhibit. Visitors, teachers from other schools and members of our wider community regularly talk about the exemplary conduct of our students. We were inspected by Ofsted in March 2023 and were graded ‘Good’ in all areas. The inspectors noted that we are ‘committed to making Langley an inclusive, welcoming school’ where pupils ‘feel valued and enjoy coming to school’.

The report confirms that ‘pupils behave well in lessons’ and they ‘feel safe’. Our curriculum is ‘ambitious’ and ‘well-planned’ and ‘there is a calm and purposeful atmosphere around the school’ where pupils ‘have a positive attitude towards learning’. This does not happen by accident. All staff view themselves as leaders of pastoral care and value supporting student development, academic or personal, as a fundamental part of their rôle.

Inspirational enrichment through learning beyond the classroom

We believe that every young person should experience the world beyond the classroom as an essential part of their learning and broader personal development. There are day trips and residential visits that enrich and extend understanding of the school curriculum and there are trips and visits that add to the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of our students. Recent examples include: residential visits to Berlin, Germany for our GCSE History students to develop their understanding of the Cold War; activity trips to Manor Adventure, Brecon Beacons and PGL; field visits to Stratford and Shropshire to enhance geographical understanding; theatre visits to add depth to our studied texts; musical performances in a range of professional venues and visits to international sporting events.

In Year 9 and 10, students are given the opportunity to achieve their Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award. Participants select and set objectives in each of the following areas: volunteering, physical, skills and expedition. None of the above can be achieved in isolation. We value hugely the importance of working together and encourage regular contact and a mutual sharing of relevant information or concerns between parents or care givers and our school. Be the

best we can be

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At first I was very worried about starting a new school, but now that I’ve made some new friends I feel a lot more settled and confident.’’

Year 7 Student 2023

Pastoral Care

Central to everything that we do is our school rule of "courtesy and consideration to others at all times". This sets a high standard of expectation of behaviour both in and outside school.

Our Pastoral care system recognises that daily care and support for all is essential and is the reason we invest richly in this area of the work we do. Leading our Pastoral team is a Deputy Headteacher i/c Pastoral and Safeguarding and an Assistant Headteacher i/c Behaviour for Learning. Each year group is led by a Head of Year and an excellent team of tutors, committed to supportive, pastoral care. Your child’s Form Tutor will be your first point of contact in school. We also have four experienced Pastoral Managers and a Reflection Manager that support our young people daily.

Key elements of our highly successful pastoral system include:

High expectations of all: all of our students are expected to behave to a very high standard. We value the way our students are supportive, courteous and that they appreciate the importance of appropriate behaviour at all times. In the rare event that a student does not conform to these standards, an appropriate sanction will be applied with the aim of ensuring that the behaviour is modified and future incidents do not occur.

Commending achievement: achievement points are awarded for a variety of positive behaviour and effort. An Awards ceremony is held for each year group to celebrate publicly effort and achievement. Those students that have behaved well throughout the year have an end of year reward trip.

Continuity: each Tutor and Head of Year tracks the student's progress over the full five years, form tutors remaining with students from Year 7 to Year 11.

Communication: regular contact with parents is established through parents' consultation, reports and individual meetings where appropriate.

Sharing knowledge: all staff are informed of key information regarding each student's academic and social development. The school has excellent links with, and uses, a variety of support agencies.

Partnership with Parents: we value the importance of working together and expect regular contact with parents. Reports on students are issued regularly and a parents' evening with every subject teacher occurs each year. We benefit from an active and supportive Parent Teacher Association, which arranges a number of social and fundraising events throughout the year, and a strong Governing Body.

GCSE Results 2023

GCSE Results 2023

2022 results compared to 2019 Langley and National as this was the last full external examination window pre-pandemic.

Attainment 8 is the average score obtained by a student for their best 8 GCSE results. Progress 8 is a value added measure whereby students’ results will be compared to students who had the same prior attainment score at KS2. A score in the positive shows more progress than national and a negative less.

‘‘The staff are extremely encouraging and regularly praise and reward effort and achievement.’‘

Parent 2023

Destination Data

Destinations of Y11 Leavers 2021 and 2022

Post 16 /Careers

We believe that providing careers education is a crucial part of a young person’s development. By giving our students impartial and independent access to information about a wide variety of possible career paths we broaden their horizons and inspire them to achieve their goals and ambitions. All students have access to post 16 information from the virtual careers library which can be accessed via the school’s website in the curriculum area and includes a wealth of information which we are adding to on a regular basis, the annual careers convention, local colleges, talks from local training providers and employers and open evenings, together with prospectuses from Sixth Forms, Colleges and some Universities.

The schools structured Careers Education programme includes ‘Life after Langley’ days where visitors provide information about employability skills, apprenticeships, etc. In addition Year 10 students are able to complete work experience for one week during the summer term. Students also complete careers related learning as part of their PSD lessons.

At Langley we have an external, professional, independent and impartial Careers Adviser coming into school each week to provide careers guidance which is available for all students in KS4. The school also partners with Light Hall School in sharing the hosting of an annual Careers Convention.

Be the best we can be

‘‘What is always evident is that the pupils are always at the centre of the school’s decisions.’’

Parent 2023

Admissions

For full details and helpful advice surrounding the admissions process, schools, catchment areas and the distance from your home to this and other schools please view information on Solihull Local Authority’s website, www.solihull.gov.uk/admissions and see the Langley School Admissions policy on our website, www.langley.solihull.sch.uk Applications for a place at Langley School must be made online through Solihull Local Authority at www.solihull.gov.uk/enrol. You may apply for up to five schools that you would like your child to attend, whether in Solihull or another local area, ranked in preference order. Children living outside the borough, but attending a primary school in Solihull, are not guaranteed a place at a Solihull secondary school.

Applications should be submitted by 31st October of your child’s primary school Year 6 and offers are made the following 1st March, prior to admission that September.

The school’s admission number is 196. Where the number of applications is lower than the school’s admission number, all applicants will be admitted. If there are more applications than places available then all applications will be given a priority from the oversubscription criteria below and places will be offered in the following priority order

Priority 1 (a) Looked after children and previously looked after children who are now adopted or subject to a residence order or special guardianship order, including those children who appear (to the admission authority) to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted.

(b) Children whose exceptional social or medical reasons can only be met at this school

Priority 2 Children who normally live in the school’s catchment area

Priority 3 Children who have an older brother or sister at the school at the same time

Priority 4 Children of staff at the school

Priority 5 Other children, outside catchment, living closest to the school, measured in a straight line from the child’s home

Notes:

Children with an education, health & care plan [EHCP] that names Langley School will be offered a place first. This will reduce the number of places available.

Applications with exceptional social or medical reasons must be supported by independent professional evidence. The Council’s Cabinet Member Advisory Group for Admissions will consider applications and evidence and make recommendations to a Cabinet Member, who will grant priority 1b to applications with exceptional circumstances.

The catchment area can be viewed on the website: www.solihull.gov.uk/onlinemaps

Pupils with Disabilities

Langley School has two Additionally Resourced Provisions: One for dyslexia and one for physical disabilities. There are 49 places across the 5 school years. Admission is decided by the Local Authority. A separate admissions process is required. Please contact your EHCP co-ordinator for further information or refer to the Solihull Local Offer. A link to this can be found on our website: www.langley.solihull.sch.uk/

the best we can be