TRANSFORMING TRANSITIONS BOOKLET

CHORLTON HIGH SCHOOL TRANSITION

MAKING A SUCCESSFUL AND HAPPY MOVE FROM PRIMARY TO SECONDARY SCHOOL

SUCCESSFUL

CREATIVE

HAPPY

AN EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY WITH OUR PARTNER PRIMARY SCHOOLS In order to enable Year 6 students to feel confident about their move to Chorlton High School, we provide a wide range of transition activities for students at our Partner Primary Schools (Barlow Hall, Brookburn, Cavendish, Chorlton C of E, Chorlton Park and Oswald Road). We also extend elements of this programme to some additional primary schools, including Manley Park, Old Moat, St Margaret’s and Wilbraham. This enables all students to get to know Chorlton High School staff and explore our excellent school facilities. It also allows staff from the schools to work together, learning from each other to create engaging educational experiences and to aid the development of both students and teachers.

“The Year 3 and 4 children thoroughly enjoyed their Spanish lesson. The teacher was impressed by their pronunciation and it was a good taster of Spanish!”

(Year 3/4 teacher at Brookburn)

“I love Science, and being able to do experiments in a real lab was brilliant. Can we come back?”

(Year 6 pupil Chorlton C of E)

“Never underestimate how much your transition team help with the stress of moving to high school – they are fantastic.’

(Year 7 Parent) EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS CLASSES We have developed an ‘Exceeding Expectations’ programme designed to enable students to move further faster. These lessons are open to Gifted and Talented students in Year 5 and 6 who are exceeding expectations in their studies. These sessions are offered every half term in English, Maths and Science.

“The teacher was really nice. It has been the best four days of my entire life.” (Year 5 pupil)

PUPILS WITH A PASSION MASTERCLASSES Specialist staff from Chorlton High School run regular ‘Pupils with a Passion Masterclasses’ for Year 4 and 5 students in the local area. This enables students with a real interest in a particular subject to enjoy specialist masterclasses with a teacher of real expertise. In addition, they become accustomed to developing independent learning skills, which they will build on further once in Year 7. The aims of the programme are: • • •

•

To respond to the needs of the students of all abilities both in terms of challenge and emotional development.

To offer a range of activities which encourage creativity and extend learning.

To provide opportunities for interaction amongst students with common interests, thus facilitating friendship groups which will support them through their school years.

To provide enjoyment and fun in a student’s favourite subject.

“I really enjoyed the master class; I love ICT and it was great to work on the computers. It was nice being with children from other schools.” (Yr 6 Pupil at Chorlton Park Primary School) “The children have come back from the masterclasses full of enthusiasm after having the opportunity to work with children from other Chorlton primary schools.” (Year 5 Teacher at Oswald Road Primary School) PEER TO PEER MENTORING Peer Mentoring makes a valuable contribution to our students’ experiences and to the ethos of the school. It helps build student confidence and self-esteem, and encourages positive participation in school life. Peer Mentors from Chorlton High School provide younger students with an initial, accessible point of contact allowing them to seek information and support and, in addition, build life skills in a language and manner that is both familiar and appropriate.

Whilst in primary schools, Chorlton High School students also act as Peer Educators in reading and sports activities through accredited programmes. The skills and experiences that both primary and CHS students gain in this process are invaluable. We have also developed an excellent Global Dimension Peer Education programme which enables students to explore wider global issues and develop their presentation, discussion and debating skills. The topics of the workshops include; Games Other Countries Play, Fair Trade and Food From Around the World.

‘Buddies’ are an important part of the induction process and offer support for primary students as they make the transition to high school. Chorlton High School students are selected and visit primary schools to have informal discussions with those who will be joining us in September. The aim of the meetings are to allow conversations about the transition process in a safe and friendly environment. The buddies also visit Year 7 form groups once a week in the first term to support the new students.

Our Year 8 Rangers deliver games in the Year 7 playground during break times. This gives students from Year 7 the opportunity to meet and play sport with students from another year group. Our Rangers also benefit from working towards achieving their Young Leaders award which recognises competent leadership skills.

“Being able to work alongside CHS staff has been a fantastic experience both for me and my pupils.

The children thoroughly enjoyed working with experienced and knowledgeable practitioners and were able to develop their composition, acting and performing skills. They are now looking forward with excitement to their move to CHS in a few years time.”

(Year 4 teacher at Barlow Hall Primary School)

“The pupils working on the global dimension project have developed their understanding of global issues. They have approached the workshops with maturity and taken every opportunity to participate in group discussions.

I am looking forward to seeing them lead workshops for Year 6 children.”

(Shadi Oslanoo, Development Education Project) PRIMARY ARTS OUTREACH PROGRAMME Chorlton High School is a centre of excellence for the Arts and the school’s Primary Arts Outreach Programme allows schools in the local area to benefit from this. A specialist Drama teacher works in our local schools with Year 1 students on a regular basis. This develops creativity across the curriculum and provides training and development opportunities for Primary staff. During Year 4 and 5, students across primary schools in South Manchester are involved in a Shakespeare production. This is an unforgettable experience that develops students’ skills and confidence and helps to nurture a sense of community, supporting the transition process.

ADMISSIONS Chorlton High School is open to girls and boys of all religious and cultural backgrounds. We are proud of being a truly comprehensive, mixed high school serving our local community. Admission to all year groups is through the Manchester Admissions Office and follows current City Council policy.

INDUCTION PROCESS: In the summer term of Year 6, our Transition Team will visit many of our Primary Schools, meeting with Year 6 teachers and other relevant staff to gather information on incoming students. We recognise the importance of knowing your child’s strengths and weaknesses. This process enables us to continue to support your child to make rapid progress from day one in Year 7, as well as support them with any of their personal needs. Chorlton High staff will also talk to the children about what to expect and introduce the ‘buddies’ who will act as peer mentors to befriend and help support them in the following year. In July, all incoming students are invited to attend an Induction Day where they will enjoy lessons, meet some of their teachers, familiarise themselves with the school building and make new friends.

Parents are also invited for an Induction Evening to meet staff, to hear about how parents can be involved with the school and to discuss any concerns about starting at Chorlton High School.

‘“I’m happy here; it is easy to make friends and introduce yourself to new people. I think it is a really exciting school. I’m looking forward to trying to get on the basketball team this term. I’m doing the best that I can and I’m getting lots of praise and good marks. I hope that everyone is proud of me.”

(New Year 7 student)

THE JOURNEY INTO YEAR 7:

Those students who may need extra support through the transition process will be invited to attend The New Beginnings Programme; fortnightly lessons after school during June and July.

The transition process continues into Year 7. In September, students follow a Transition Curriculum, a bridging unit of work which we have developed with our Partner Primary Schools, focusing on a text students have studied at the end of Year 6. This encourages students to transfer valuable skills from Year 6 to Year 7. Students spend time working in new groups, making new friends and building confidence in their new environment. At the start of Year 7, the student buddies,the Transition Learning Mentor and Transition Team continue to play a valuable role in helping the students become valued and successful members of their new community.

Our Access and Achievement team also host extra transition visits where students with additional needs spend time meeting and working with key support staff and Teaching Assistants.

For parents there are a number of opportunities to meet the Year 7 Pastoral team in the first term. We arrange a Year 7 Parent and Tutor Evening, where the progress of pupils is discussed in more detail.

Those students who are coming to us from primary schools which we do not routinely work with have the opportunity to come to school for a second time as we host a Friendship Day where students build on the friendships they have begun on Induction Day and work on an arts based project.

PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS: As a school, we maintain high levels of contact with parents. Members of staff will often write to parents, contact them by telephone or invite them in to school to discuss issues of importance about their child’s welfare and progress. Likewise, we encourage parents to contact us if they have any concerns they would like to discuss. There are regular Parents’ Evenings throughout the school year where parents can speak to their child’s subject teachers and there is a Parents Association, which meets regularly to discuss the development of the school. Form Tutors and a Head of Year ensure that students get the most out of school life. Initially, this helps to support parents and their children during the transition to High School but they continue to be a regular point of contact throughout a student’s school life.

Forms act as mini families within the school setting, enjoying many experiences together that are both supportive and competitive. Forms are arranged with a child centred approach. We always endeavour to ensure students already know someone in the form but also that there are a number of other children from different Primary Schools to allow students to make more new friends.

“I’m really pleased with how quickly my daughter settled into her high school. I think it helped that she had visited there with her Primary School a number of times, and that she knew some of the teachers. She loves it, and I’m happy that she is happy.”

(Year 7 Parent) “The opportunities that I had at Chorlton High School gave me the confidence to progress to College and University. I was given the experiences to develop my skills and self-belief and to expect that I would get the best out of life.”

(Ex-Student) OUR SCHOOL DAY Our busy school day runs from 8.00 in the morning until 3.30 in the afternoon.

Breakfast Registration Lesson 1 Lesson 2 Break Lesson 3 Lesson 4a Lesson 4b Lesson 4c Lesson 5 Extra-Curricular

08.00 - 08.20 08.30 - 08.45 08.45 - 09.45 09.45 - 10.45 10.45 - 11.05 11.10 - 12.10 12.10 - 12.45 12.45 - 13.15 13.15 - 13.45 13.45 - 14.45 14.45 - 15.30

(20 minutes) (15 minutes) (60 minutes) (60 minutes) (20 minutes) (60 minutes) (35 minutes) (30 minutes) (30 minutes) (60 minutes) (45 minutes)

BEING SUCCESSFUL AT CHORLTON HIGH SCHOOL: We want our learners to go further faster and have the foundations for lifelong success. Students will: • Be expected to beat challenging national targets so that they can excel against any competition. • Experience a rich, exciting curriculum that leaves them able to make powerful choices about their

future ambitions.

HOW DO WE GROUP LEARNERS? Year 7 teaching groups are set in according to the assessment data received from primary schools.

The core subjects have all of their classes taught at once allowing movement between sets to be possible following termly assessments. All teaching groups are reviewed on a termly basis to maintain effective intervention where necessary.

CURRICULUM OFFER: During their first two years, all students follow a broad and balanced curriculum, which stretches and challenges but also provides the scaffolding to ensure that students achieve and exceed their potential. This is underpinned by high quality provision in the core subjects: English, Maths and Science. All students also study: Modern Foreign Languages, Computing, History, Geography, RE, a range of Technology subjects, Art, Drama, Dance, Music, PSHE and PE, giving them a varied and stimulating daily diet of lessons and experiences.

As students move into Year 9 there is increasing opportunity for them to craft and personalise their curriculum as they are able to opt to study from an unrivalled range of additional and specialist subjects. We offer a wide range of courses allowing students to follow the route most appropriate to their needs, interests or future career path.

Our curriculum is rigorous and challenging; creative and inspiring; diverse and wide ranging; perfect for the vibrant and eclectic range of students we teach.

This is reflected in examination results and other indicators over the last few years. We pride ourselves on meeting the needs of our students and motivating them to achieve through our rich and engaging curriculum.

HOME LEARNING:

ACADEMIC INTERVENTIONS OFFERED:

Learning does not stop when a student leaves our school building. Each curriculum area will regularly set students learning experiences that they can complete at home. These will be in the form of projects and / or separate activities that extend the learning from the classroom.

Our core curriculum teams each offer small group interventions for students that are identified as not making as much progress as we would expect. As a school, we have a forensic approach to ensuring our students are on track and we use our termly assessment monitoring to ensure that students who are not on track to achieve their potential are supported to get back on track.

DRIVING & DEVELOPING THE QUALITIES OF SUCCESS: At Chorlton High School we believe that in order to be successful, students must exhibit and hold at their core the 9 qualities of success. These include: Motivation, Resilience, Practice, Responsibility, Reflection, Optimism, Creativity, Curiosity and Empathy.

These skills are developed across the curriculum, during social times, and whilst attending after school clubs. The school’s commitment to ensuring that our students leave us with all the qualities of success can be seen throughout a student’s time at CHS.

The Access and Achievement team also work to identify individual student needs and to provide specialised and targeted support to ensure that all students fulfill their potential. Whether a student has a Special Educational Need or Disability, English as an Additional Language or struggles to access the curriculum in any way, the team endeavour to provide support to ensure that they can access the curriculum and achieve their very best. This support can take many forms: Literacy and Numeracy tuition; in-class support; small group work; one to one sessions for Dyslexia with a specialist teacher; one to one support for other learning difficulties; access to specialist equipment or programmes or time in our THINC room.

BEING CREATIVE AT CHORLTON HIGH SCHOOL: At Chorlton High School we want our learners to be imaginative risk takers who are prepared for lifelong adaptability. Students will: • Be expected to embrace a diverse and cutting edge range of creative opportunities both inside and

outside the classroom. • Experience creative teaching that makes learning engaging and allows them to think independently

and be confident citizens.

CREATIVITY AS PART OF THE CURRICULUM:

LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:

Our vision is based on the belief that creativity is a vital component of lifelong learning. We nurture creativity and imagination throughout the school curriculum to help students discover the world, solve problems and visualise the future. These skills are as relevant to the scientist and the mathematician as they are to the musician or designer.

There are a number of ways students can develop leadership skills and have leadership experience at Chorlton High School. Leadership activities are run by all curriculum areas and through the year teams and all students can take part in as many as they like. Students regularly take part in Have Your Say days during the academic year, during which they get to be part of school decisions and have their say on important events happening in the world around them. We also have a School Council that students can campaign to be a part of.

Our superb facilities ensure that students have every opportunity to excel in the Arts. The educational experience of our students is enriched throughout the year through master classes led by a number of professional Arts groups and establishments across the city, including the BBC Philharmonic and Royal Exchange Theatre.

BEING HAPPY AT CHORLTON HIGH SCHOOL: At Chorlton High School we want our learners to be recognised and rewarded so that their confidence comes from within. Students will: • Be recognised regularly for their achievements and for the progress they make. These achievements

will be celebrated and recorded.

• Develop positive, secure relationships so that they flourish and have a powerful sense of their own

potential.

YEAR 7 FORM GROUPINGS: Year 7 students are divided into eleven tutor groups.

These are mixed ability groups that reflect our comprehensive intake. Each form acts as a mini family for our students and has their own form tutor who stays with them from Year 7 to Year 11 – our tutors are a comforting face in the morning for our students and a great single point of contact for our parents.

Within each tutor group, we endeavour, where possible, to make sure that every child has at least one friend however, tutor groups are also an opportunity to make new friends with young people from different primary schools. Students spend registration period (8.30am – 8.45am every day) in these groups.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: Extra-curricular activities are an important and exciting feature of school life and contribute enormously to our students’ social and academic development. There is an extensive menu of extra-curricular activities on offer with opportunities to take part in workshops, field trips and research.

We also offer students the chance to experience different cultures and experiences through our range of national and international trips and visits to educational venues linked to curriculum areas.

Students readily enjoy these experiences and relish the unique opportunities that they are given to extend and expand their learning.

Our school’s sporting and Arts provision is impressive, successful and popular. Extra-curricular groups also benefit from working with professional coaches and artists. We also field a large number of teams in a range of sports and students participate regularly in competitions and tournaments, competing at city wide and regional levels. The Arts are a thriving hotbed of activity with students being able to access and experience a broad and eclectic range of art forms at the highest level. Students regularly perform or exhibit their work in The Blue Box Theatre as well as other professional venues across the city to showcase and celebrate their talent. We are also developing our links with the BBC’s Media City and students have had opportunities to work with media professionals and experience state-of-the-art media production facilities. We also offer more academic focused extra-curricular clubs for the budding writers or the scientists of the future. We also support those who just love to learn in a more traditional way with after school revision sessions offered in most subjects.

REWARDS: As a school we believe in rewarding students for their outstanding effort and we do this through achievement points. Over their time at Chorlton High School, students will collect these points electronically. Parents will be informed termly how many their child has collected. Students will receive prizes for these points

SOCIAL TIMES: Students have one 20 minute break in a morning (10.45 - 11.05) where they can purchase warm and healthy snacks at our school canteen. For Year 7 students, they can use the main yard or go to the Year 7 playground and take part in a number of outside games.

Lunchtime is split in two parts, so we have half the school on lunch 4a (12:10 – 12:45) and the other half on lunch 4c (13.15 - 13.45). Students have an array of choices for lunch, including: a pasta bar, panini bar, hot meals that change daily, hot sandwiches, made to order sandwiches, pre-made sandwiches, jacket potatoes with an array of fillings and hot wraps. Our canteen is cashless and therefore students can either put money on their accounts at one of the many revaluation machines in our canteen, or parents can use School Gateway to top up their child’s account from home. Students who qualify for free school meals will have a daily amount of money automatically put on their account that they can spend on what they choose.

CHORLTON HIGH SCHOOL

SUCCESSFUL

CREATIVE

HAPPY “I HAVE A GOOD FEELING ABOUT A SCHOOL THAT CARES SO MUCH ABOUT MY CHILD BEFORE THEY EVEN START” (YEAR 6 PARENT)