Learning Trust - Secondary Schools Prospectus 2005

A guide for parents to Hackney’s

secondary schools 2005 www.learningtrust.co.uk

A guide for parents to Hackney’s

secondary schools 2005 For children starting secondary school in September 2005

Contents Foreword by Chief Executive, The Learning Trust

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Section 1 Choosing a secondary school for your child

4

Section 2 Transferring from primary to secondary schools

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Map of schools in Hackney and open day/evening dates

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Number of applications received for oversubscribed schools

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Cardinal Pole RC School

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Clapton Girls’ Technology College

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Hackney Free and Parochial Church of England School

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Haggerston School for Girls

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Homerton College of Technology

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Mossbourne Community Academy

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Our Lady’s Convent High School

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The Skinners’ Company’s School for Girls

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Stoke Newington School Media Arts College

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Yesodey Hatorah Secondary School for Girls

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Glossary of key terms

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Chief Executive’s Foreword Dear Parent/Carer The Learning Trust provides the education service in Hackney on behalf of the Council. This means we are responsible for arranging admissions to secondary schools.

This year we are participating in a cross-London admission procedure. This is designed to streamline the process and improve information for parents – the procedure is described fully on page 5.

Secondary schools in Hackney have improved significantly, and this has been demonstrated in the results students achieve in public examinations.

Our schools have excellent specialist facilities and provide high quality education for students, seven schools have specialist college status. Our teaching staff are dedicated and committed to ensuring each student reaches his or her potential.

Our schools can boast of excellent cultural and sporting successes and their work in the local community is well respected.

All of the secondary schools hold open evenings and arrange visits for parents.

I would strongly advise you to make the time to go to the schools you are interested in. Your primary headteacher will also be able to tell you more about the secondary schools.

We also hold an event for all secondary schools. This year it is being held at the Clapton Park United Reform Church Hall, Powerscroft Road, E5 on the 8th and 9th of September 2004 from 4.00 – 7.00pm. Here you can meet representatives of the secondary schools and The Learning Trust.

If you would like more information about our schools or the admissions process please call the Admissions team on 020 8820 7489 or 7126. We will be happy to help you with any questions you have.

I would like to wish you all the best in you choice of school and to assure you we are committed to meeting your child’s education needs in Hackney.

Best wishes

Alan Wood, Chief Executive of The Learning Trust

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Section one Choosing a secondary school for your child

Information in this guide This guide will help you decide which school is best for your child, so please: • read the sections on each school • get a copy of the prospectus for each school you’re interested in • visit the schools on their open days • come along to the Secondary Schools Fair on 8-9 September (4 pm – 7pm) • talk to the headteacher at your child’s primary school All our primary schools have good links with secondary schools so headteachers can give you advice on what school to consider.

We recommend that you visit secondary schools to get an idea of their strengths, character and ethos.

Information is available in this booklet relating to each school’s open dates & times for parents to visit them.

Here are some questions you may wish to ask yourself and the school when visiting: School atmosphere Is the school welcoming? Does it give you the impression that the pupils and staff are hard working? Can you see examples of the pupils’ work around you?

Academic success What subjects does the school teach? How many pupils enter for public exams? Are they encouraged to do well and do they achieve higher grades? How does the school recognise and celebrate the achievements of all its pupils, whatever their abilities?

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Behaviour What is the school’s policy on behaviour? Do pupils

behave well? What action does the school take if a child does not behave well? Does the school tell parents straight away if their child does not behave well?

Extra curricular activities and study support Is there a full programme of activities at lunchtime or after school? Are there sports clubs or dance and performance groups for example. What does the school do for study support?

Involving parents Successful schools encourage and expect you to be fully involved in your child’s education. How does the school do this? Is there an active parent/teacher group or association?

Think about how the answers to your questions meet your expectations and ambitions for your child’s education.

What you can expect All our secondary schools have well qualified teachers who are committed to helping your child succeed.

Our schools provide a caring and disciplined environment that helps pupils learn. We expect pupils to follow the school’s policies on discipline and behaviour from the day they start.

We set homework and expect you to read and comment on your child’s homework diaries regularly.

We welcome parents who want to get involved in school life.

Schools have created ‘Home School Agreements’ with parents which explain the aims and values of the school.

They also spell out responsibilities and what the school expects of its pupils.

Section two Transferring from primary to secondary school Admission criteria for schools

London schools co-ordinated admissions system

If a school is oversubscribed, only those children who best meet the admissions criteria will be eligible to be offered a place. Information relating to the admissions criteria and the cut-off distances for the over subscribed community schools are included in this booklet. This will only give you an indication of your chances of getting a potential offer at the school you prefer. For information about schools outside Hackney, you need to contact either the school direct or the local education authority, in whose area the school is situated.

Every year around 60,000 pupils living in London transfer to secondary school, many crossing borough boundaries to do so. From this year all 33 London boroughs together with eight councils bordering the capital have signed up to a new system to co-ordinate admissions to their secondary schools.

The new co-ordinated admissions system will be fairer, with more parents being offered one of their preferred schools earlier and fewer getting no initial offer at all. It will be easier for parents to manage, reducing anxiety for them and their children, and will also reduce the workload for schools.

The Learning Trust – Secondary Schools Fair This is one of the most successful schools fairs in London.

You’ll have the opportunity to talk to us as well as staff from all the secondary schools on Wednesday 8th & Thursday 9th September 2004 from 4 – 7pm.

Venue: Clapton Park URC Hall, Powerscroft Road, E5

How the new system will work Under the new London Schools Admissions System, all parents will list the schools that they want to apply for on one form, ranking them in order of preference. (This is important as only one offer will be made and this will be from the highest ranked school able to make an offer).

This form will then be returned to the LEA in which the child lives.

All the LEAs taking part in the London Schools Admissions System will then use a computerised system (Pan London Register) to pass on details of applications for schools in other areas and to co-ordinate the offer of places to make sure that nobody gets offered more than one school place.

The decision on whether a place can be offered will continue to be made by the admission authority for each school listed. Where a school is over subscribed, its published admission criteria will be used to decide the order in which applicants will be offered places. Unless specifically required to do so by the published

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admissions criteria of the school, LEAs will not pass on details of where the school was ranked, and no school will be told about other schools a parent has applied for.

The LEAs will hold the offer for the highest preference on the parent’s form and release all other lower preference offers, so that these places can be offered to other applicants. Potential offers are then exchanged between LEAs until they are in a position to make the single best offer to parents using all available places. All offers will be made on the same day – 1 March 2005.

The above information provides an overview of the London Schools Admissions System. You should read the following information which relates to The Learning Trust’s local arrangements.

Admission arrangements for starting secondary schools – 2005/6

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Applications from residents living in Hackney will be made on The Learning Trust Common Application Form.

Proof of address will be required.

Parents who wish to apply to Cardinal Pole RC, Hackney Free and Parochial CE, Our Lady’s Convent RC and Yesodey Hatorah schools will also be required to provide additional information relating to membership of a particular faith, by completing a supplementary form, which must be returned to the school concerned.

Parents will be able to express a preference for six maintained secondary schools within and/or outside Hackney (including Academies and any City Technology College that has agreed to participate in their LEA’s coordinated scheme).

Some schools outside Hackney will also require parents to provide additional information on a supplementary form. Parents will need to contact the school concerned or the LEA in whose area the school is situated for further information.

The order of preference given on The Learning Trust Application Form will not be revealed unless: • other admission authorities/LEAs need this information to apply their own admission criteria, for example if a school’s admission criteria give highest priority to parents who have made that school their first preference

• Parents express a preference for more than one school in the same LEA. This will enable that LEA to decide which school place to offer, in the case of a child eligible for a place at more than one of their schools The number to be admitted to each school in Hackney is as follows: Cardinal Pole – VOLUNTARY AIDED 180 Clapton Technology College – COMMUNITY 180 Hackney Free and Parochial – VOLUNTARY AIDED 150 Haggerston – COMMUNITY 180 Homerton College of Technology – COMMUNITY 210 Mossbourne Community Academy – ACADEMY 180 Our Lady’s Convent – VOLUNTARY AIDED 120 Skinners’ Company’s School for Girls – VOLUNTARY AIDED 150 Stoke Newington Media Arts College – COMMUNITY 240 Yesodey Hatorah – VOLUNTARY AIDED 90 Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning Tests and Banding Children will be required to take the verbal and non-verbal reasoning tests as part of the admission process to Mossbourne Community Academy.

The governing body of Cardinal Pole School are also proposing that pupils take the test as part of their admissions process. The proposal is currently with the Adjudicator appointed by the Secretary of State.

Admission criteria for community secondary schools Children with a Statement of Special Educational Needs are required to be admitted to the school and will be counted against the admission number.

We will make every effort to offer your child a place at the school you prefer but if schools is oversubscribed we will be unable to meet every preference. If this happens places will be allocated in accordance with the following criteria: 1 Children looked after by a local education authority 2 Children whose acute medical or social need justifies a place at that particular school* 3 Children with brothers and sisters** at the school at the time of the proposed admission 4 Applicants living nearest to the main entrance of the school as measured in a straight line on a map or using a GIS mapping system.

* The Head of Admissions will make decisions on such cases and will seek, if necessary, advice from the Health Service. These cases will always require supporting professional evidence, which has to demonstrate why the child should be given a place at a particular school, and it is the responsibility of the parent to produce the evidence. ** Brothers and sisters must live at the same address as the child for whom the application is being made. This includes half brothers and sisters, step brothers and sisters and foster brother and sisters who live at the same address.

Distance as measured in 4 above will also be used in any tie-breaker decisions for priorities 1 and 3 above.

Processing Applicants resident in Hackney must return The Learning Trust Application Form to The Learning Trust by 22 October 2004.

Application data relating to applications to schools in other London LEAs will be passed on using the Pan London Register in accordance with the new London co-ordinated admissions system explained above.

All preferences for schools within Hackney will be considered by The Learning Trust and the admission authorities of voluntary aided schools and Mossbourne Community Academy in accordance with the oversubscription criteria. No reference will be made to rank order except where this is explicitly included in an admission authority’s published oversubscription criteria. When the admission authorities within Hackney have provided a list of applicants in criteria order to The Learning Trust, The Learning Trust shall, for each applicant to its schools for whom more than one potential offer is available, use the highest ranked preference to decide which single potential offer to make. This is the “Equal Preference System”.

Late applications The Learning Trust will accept late applications only if they are late for a good reason. Examples of what will be considered as good reason include: when a single parent has been ill for some time, or has been dealing with the death of a close relative, a family has just moved into the area or is returning from abroad (proof of ownership or tenancy of a property within Hackney will be required in

these cases). Other circumstances will be considered and each case decided on its own merits.

The latest date for passing details of late applications to the Pan London Register is 7 January 2005.

Result of applications Parents will be sent a notification letter on 1 March 2005.

Children who have not been offered a place at any of the schools of their preferences and late applicants whose preferences have not been considered will be offered a place at a school with places remaining.

The Learning Trust will inform all applicants resident in Hackney of their highest offer of a school place and, where relevant, the reasons why higher preferences were not offered, whether they were for schools in Hackney or in another London borough.

Appeals Parents have the right of appeal under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 against the refusal of a place at any of the schools for which they have applied. Parents wishing to appeal must contact the admission authority for the school(s) to obtain the procedure and the date by which any appeal must be received by them.

Pupils with special educational needs By law, pupils who have a statement of special educational needs are not subject to the same admission arrangements as other children. The 1996 Education Act and its accompanying Code of Practice on the identification and assessment of special educational needs govern procedures for pupils with statements.

However, parents of children with special educational needs do have the right to express a preference for a secondary school. The Learning Trust has a duty to consult the named school and to ensure that it can meet the child’s special educational needs. In order for the consultation to take place and a school place secured ready for September 2005, the timescale for the secondary transfer of children with statements of special educational needs differ from those of other children.

Further advice can be obtained from the Special Needs Section on 0208 820 7510.

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Transfer timetable for 2005 Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 September 2004 Secondary Schools Fair at Clapton Park URC Hall Powerscroft Road E5 (4.00 – 7.00pm) 10 September to 13 October 2004 Open days and evenings at Hackney Secondary Schools 27 September to 15 October 2004 Interviews for parents resident in Hackney with primary school headteachers to complete the Common Application Form.

Parents resident in Hackney with children at schools in neighbouring LEAs can obtain the Common Application Form from the Admissions team (tel no: 020 8820 7489)

28 January 2005 The Headteachers of the VA secondary schools in Hackney and Mossbourne Community Academy sends The Learning Trust the results of applications sent to them ranked in accordance with the oversubscription criteria

22 October 2004 Closing date for The Learning Trust to receive completed forms from Hackney residents

9 February 2005 Latest date for The Learning Trust to transfer the highest potential offer available to an applicant in a school in Hackney to the Pan London Register.

The Pan London Register will transmit the highest potential offer made by other LEAs to The Learning Trust

15 November 2004 Latest date for The Learning Trust to transfer application information relating to schools in and outside Hackney to the Pan London Register

10 February to 19 February 2005 The Learning Trust will eliminate all but the highest ranked offer where an applicant has more than one potential offer across different LEAs

19 November 2004 Latest date for The Learning Trust to send, where appropriate, a copy of The Learning Trust application form to voluntary aided schools in Hackney and Mossbourne Community Academy

1 March 2005 Offer made to parents resident in Hackney by The Learning Trust

7 January 2005 Latest date for the upload of late applications to the Pan London Register

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January 2005 Mossbourne Community Academy and Cardinal Pole School will be timetabling their verbal and non-verbal reasoning tests during this period

15 March 2005 Last day for parents to confirm their acceptance of a place 22 March 2005 Closing date for appeals

Post Offer arrangements The Learning Trust will reallocate any places that become vacant between 1 March and 1 September at schools in Hackney to pupils on the waiting list. Any child, who has been refused a place at a higher ranked school or all of their preferences will be placed on a school’s waiting list.

The position on the list will be determined in accordance with the school’s oversubscription criteria.

The Learning Trust will continue the lists for community schools up to the end of October 2005. Information regarding waiting lists for voluntary aided schools in Hackney and Mossbourne Community Academy are set out in the individual entries for each school in this booklet.

Information regarding continuing waiting lists for schools outside Hackney is available from the LEAs in whose area the schools are situated.

Casual admissions from September 2005 Applications received after 1 September and for places in year groups other than the normal year of entry will be treated as casual admissions.

Applicants should visit the Admissions Team to complete The Learning Trust’s application form for casual admissions. The Learning Trust will determine any applications for community schools. If the application is for a voluntary aided school or Mossbourne Community Academy The Learning Trust will refer the application to the governing body of the school, who will make a determination and notify both the parent of its decision at the same time it notifies The Learning Trust and, if the parent is refused a place, the right of appeal must be offered. Similarly, if the application is for a school in another LEA The Learning Trust will forward the application to the LEA concerned with a request that the LEA or governing body determines the application and notifies the parent of its decision at the same time it notifies The Learning Trust.

The oversubscription criteria for casual admissions to secondary schools are as described on page 6. However, pupils seeking admission in accordance with the protocol for the admission of vulnerable children agreed by the Admission Forum will be given priority. A copy of the protocol is available from the admissions team on 0208 820 7402.

Right of Appeal Parents have the right to appeal under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 against the refusal of a place at any of the schools for which they have applied.

Except Where their child has been permanently excluded from two or more schools and at least one of the exclusions took place after 1 September 1997. In the case of such a child, the parents’ right of appeal is suspended for a period of two years following the second or subsequent exclusion.

Parents whose child has a Statement of Special Educational Needs may appeal to an independent appeal tribunal against a named school under the 1996 Education Act. This is a different appeal tribunal and parents are advised to contact the Special Needs Section on 020 8820 7505 about this.

Pupils excluded from school If your child has been permanently excluded from a previous school, their papers will be sent to the Head of the Pupil Referral Unit. The Unit will arrange for your child to go to the Pupil Referral Unit temporarily while they talk to you about whether your child should: • Return immediately to a mainstream school • Be registered at school and a Pupil Referral Unit • Spend time at the Unit continuing with their education

The Learning Trust services & other information Pupil benefits For pupils whose parents receive certain Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits and Inland Revenue Tax Credits.

The Learning Trust provides clothing vouchers at 11+ for pupils transferring from primary to secondary school, school journey grants to Kench Hill Residential Centre and free school meals.

Pupils or parents temporarily housed outside the borough by Hackney Council, can get help with travel fares to school and clothing vouchers if the borough they are in does not provide such benefits.

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School meals School meals are available for a standard charge.

Schools can also arrange meals for children who have special diets due to religious or health reasons. You can ask the headteacher about this.

Your child can have free school meals if you get Income Support, or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Child Tax Credit and your annual income is no more than £13,480 and you do not get Working Tax Credit or if you receive Support under part Vl of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

You can ask for an application form from Pupil Grants on 020 8820 7248.

Clothing grants A clothing grant is available to pupils transferring from primary to secondary school at age 11. The grant is paid in vouchers (£60.00), which can only be exchanged for clothing suitable for school.

School journey grants You can normally get a school journey grant for visiting Hackney’s Kench Hill Residential Centre, if you receive certain Department for Work & Pension (DWP) benefits or Inland Revenue Tax Credits.

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Help with travel fares to school The Learning Trust is proposing to adopt the travel policy as set out below from April 2005. By law, we do not have to provide financial help to parents for their child’s journey to school. We normally only give free travel to children who live in Hackney who have applied and been refused a place at a school within 3 miles of their home (for children aged 11 or over). Where this can be shown, parents must also prove that they have applied to all the next nearest schools and have been refused a place. This is known as the ‘nearest schools policy’.

We will only take into consideration religious preferences, if you have already applied and have been refused a place at any other nearer equivalent religious school. We do not consider preferences for single sex or mixed gender schools.

Threshold distance To qualify for help with travel to school, your child must attend a school 3 miles or more from the home address.

This is called the ‘threshold distance’. The nearest schools policy also applies as above.

Schools that qualify for help with travel Only pupils attending state funded schools will qualify for help with fares. However, if your child attends a particular school because they have a statement of special education needs, they may also qualify for help with fares.

Special educational needs Pupils can get help with fares if they travel by public transport to a particular school because they have a statement of special needs. The SEN Code of Practice says that your preferred school may be further away from your home than another school that can meet your child’s needs. If this is the case, The Learning Trust has the right to name the nearer school because it has to use its resources efficiently. The Trust would be willing to name the school you prefer so long as you pay for the cost of travel.

Exceptions on medical grounds The Chief Executive of The Learning Trust may not apply the threshold distance if your child has advanced medical reasons which can be supported with professional medical evidence.

Financial help We will pay for the cheapest form of travel from home to school (usually by bus) unless the cheapest form of travel makes the journey too difficult or there are medical reasons why your child cannot travel by bus. If this is the case, we will need to see evidence.

Schools outside Hackney The nearest schools policy applies. See above.

Help for travel fares for pupils and students over 16 Pupils/students who receive an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) are not entitled to help with home to school transport unless they can show an exceptional

case for extra support. Exceptional cases could include pupils/students with a significant special educational need or where travel costs at the cheapest rate is more than £20 per week.

Returning your pass You must return your free travel pass to Pupil Grants straight away if your child leaves the school, moves to another school or moves to another address.

Lost passes We will only replace lost travel passes once a term for each pupil. There is a handling charge of £10.00 to replace each pass.

Other considerations The Learning Trust will consider any applications outside the terms of this policy, but will not normally depart from it.

The Learning Trust can at any time make changes to the existing grants and travel policies.

If you want an application form for any of these grants, call pupil benefits on 020 8820 7248 /7249

Education Attendance Service (EAS) If your children are of compulsory school age (5 – 16 years old) you are legally responsible for making sure they receive education. Most parents choose to send their children to school and you must make sure your children attends regularly.

Schools have Home-School Agreements that set out the expectation of the school and the responsibilities of the parents and pupils for attendance and punctuality.

The Education Attendance Service (EAS) makes sure that children of compulsory school age are receiving an education, are on the roll of the school and they attend school regularly and punctually. The EAS will also offer support to try and resolve problems with school attendance or difficulties affecting your child’s access to education.

Schools can refer pupils to the EAS if their attendance is poor but will first talk to you and your child to try to solve the problem before referring your child to the EAS. The EAS is also responsible for child employment and

children in entertainment. The Service issues employment permits for pupils over 13 who have part-time jobs after school and on Saturdays. Children can legally work in certain approved areas of employment for specified hours if they have a permit. This includes working in a family business. You can get an application form for you and the employer to complete from the service. Contact the EAS on 020 8820 7288 for more information.

If you want to contact the EAS to discuss concerns about your child’s attendance, you can call the same number as above or through your child’s school.

Special Needs The Learning Trust is responsible, in partnership with schools, for identifying, assessing and meeting the needs of children with special educational needs.

Secondary schools in Hackney have specific budgets to meet the needs of these children. There are a range of central services which support schools in meeting special educational needs. These services include Special Needs, the Educational Psychology Service, the Learning Support Service and the Behaviour Support Service.

The Special Needs Team is responsible for assessing children who have significant needs and who may need a statement of special educational needs. They are also responsible for making sure that children have a school place. The case officers will talk to you about the assessment and give you information and advice on all aspects of special educational needs, including specialist help. You can phone them on 020 8820 7510.

The Educational Psychology Service makes sure that children with special educational needs get the right help.

Every secondary school in Hackney has an educational psychologist who visits regularly. Educational psychologists are specialists in how children learn and behave. The psychologist will never see your child without your permission. You will always be involved when a psychologist is considering how best to help your child.

If your child is having difficulties at school, you should first talk to their teacher or headteacher. The school may involve the educational psychologist if they feel that your child has still not made progress, even if they have had

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Special schools Crusoe House school Nile Street, London N1 7RD Tel 020 7251 3932 Fax 020 7250 0740 Head Lisa Alabaksh Senco Lisa Alabaksh School secretary Sheila Solicari Secondary age 11 – 16 years Places available 50 Caters for boys with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

Horizon School Wordsworth Road, London N16

extra help.

Specialist teachers, learning support assistants and language therapists work for the Learning Support Service. The service works with secondary schools to support children with statements. Schools can buy specialist teacher time from their special needs budgets.

This can include support for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. You can contact the Learning Support Service on 020 8820 7326 or 7624.

Advice and Support for parents – Parent Partnership Service The parent partnership service offers information and support to parents/cares and their children with special educational needs. You can make an appointment on 8820 7421.

Tel 020 7254 8096 Fax 020 7923 3665 Head Anne Uhart Senco Pat Quigley

School secretary Marina Simon-Thomas Secondary age 11 – 16 years Places available 100 Caters for pupils with moderate to severe learning difficulties and associated needs

Stormont House school Downs Park Road, London E5 8NP

The Special Educational Needs and Disability Act In September 2002 the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act came into force. This brought the Disability Act into education which means that it is now illegal to discriminate because a child is disabled. Examples of possible discrimination include not admitting a child to a school because they are not toilet trained or because they need medication or support with feeding.

Schools now have to make sure they can support these children.

Tel 020 8985 4245 Fax 020 8985 6886 Head Kevin McDonnell Senco Helen Green

School secretary Helen Turnbull Secondary age 11 – 16 years Places available 100 Caters for pupils with mild to moderate learning difficulties, have a complex medical need, and/or emotionally vulnerable

Ickburgh school Ickburgh Road, London E5 8AD Tel 020 8806 4638 Fax 020 8806 4638 Acting head Shirleyanne Sullivan Senco Peter Gallalley

School secretary Mrs Tribe & Mrs Hollington Age 2 – 19 years

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Places available 84 Caters for pupils with severe and complex needs.

School governors Each secondary school has a governing body made up of the headteacher and volunteers from teachers, parents and the wider community. The main functions of a school’s governing body include: • setting overall objectives and priorities for the school • agreeing how the school’s budget should be spent • monitoring educational achievement and setting exam targets • deciding on how staff will be appointed • agreeing school policies on issues such as behaviour, pay and special needs You don’t need any particular expertise or experience to become a governor. Governors come from many different backgrounds and we provide training to help develop the necessary skills and knowledge.

What you do need is enthusiasm, commitment and

a willingness to get involved, you also need to be able to give some of your time and to work well as part of a team. If you’re interested in finding out more, please contact Mark Brownlow at the Governors’ Support Unit on 020 8820 7206 or by email: mark.brownlow@learningtrust.co.uk

Post 16 education in Hackney There are three different options for post 16 study in Hackney. Schools with Sixth Forms, the B6 Sixth Form College and the Community College all offer a range of courses.

The Sixth Form Consortium The Sixth Form Consortium is made up of three well established Sixth Form centres currently educating over 400 students. The consortium offers a full range of AS and A2 courses as well as VCE/GNVQ in Art and Design, Health and Social Care and Information Technology. Combinations of ‘academic’ and ‘vocational’ courses are possible. In addition there are a wide variety of extra-curricular activities ranging from sports leadership award to learning Japanese.

Students of the Consortium have the opportunity to make use of the schools links to Universities. These include preferential entry to degree courses, visits to university departments, summer schools, and individual mentoring programmes. Every student has a tutor who provides guidance and support.

The schools that make up the Consortium are: • Cardinal Pole School, Kenworthy Road, E9 5RB Tel 020 8985 5150 Email cardinalpole@learninglive.co.uk • Our Lady’s Convent High School, Amhurst Park, N16 5AF Tel 020 8800 5128 Email officeadmin@ourladys.hackney.sch.uk

• Skinners’ Company’s School for Girls 117 Stamford Hill, N16 5RS Tel 020 8800 7411 Email 6thform@skinnerscompanys.hackney.sch.uk The Community College The Shoreditch Campus offers you a chance to combine vocational and academic qualifications in a personalised learning programme and with a wide choice of extra course to take alongside. The college will help you work out your own programme, including A levels and GCSEs as well as vocational courses. There are personal tutors, financial advisers and career advisers to help you as well as excellent teaching staff and exam results. The College also offers: • Language and Learning support • Fully equipped and staffed Learning Resource Centre • Evening study facilities • Sports Centre • Individual learning programmes Contact the college on Tel 020 7613 9000 or visit the website www.comm-coll-hackney.ac.uk B6 Sixth Form B6 Sixth Form College opened in September 2002.

This college provides high quality teaching, professional tutoring and advice, excellent resources and a range of subjects to cater for all the needs of students wishing to continue their education after leaving school. As well as an exciting range of programmes and state of the art facilities, you will have the opportunities to develop knowledge and skills outside of the classroom in sport, drama, music, community based activities, work experience and organised visits linked to your chosen subject.

B6 Sixth Form College Kenninghall Road, E5 8BP Tel 0800 389 2947 Website www.brookehouse.ac.uk

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Our Lady‘s Convent High School Yesodey Hatorah Secondary School for Girls Up

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Cardinal Pole Annexe

Dates and times for parents and their children to visit (Open days/evenings) n Cardinal Pole RC School

n Mossbourne Community Academy

Tuesday 28 September 2004 from 9.15am – 10.30am at the Annexe, Victoria Park Road, E9 7HD Wednesday 29 September 2004 from 9.15am – 10.30am at the Annexe, Victoria Park Road, E9 7HD Thursday 30 September 2004 from 9.15am – 10.30am at the Annexe, Victoria Park Road, E9 7HD Thursday 7 October 2004 from 6.30pm – 8.30pm at Kenworthy Road, E9 5RB

Thursday 30 September 2004 6.00 – 7.00pm or 7.30 – 8.30pm, at Mossbourne Community Academy, Downs Park Road Tuesday 5 October 2004 6.00 – 7.00pm or 7.30 – 8.30pm at Mossbourne Community Academy, Downs Park Road

n Clapton Girls’ Technology College Friday 10 September 2004 from 9.15 –10.45am Tuesday 14 September 2004 from 9.15 – 10.45am Tuesday 21 September 2004 – Open Evening from 4.30 – 7.00pm Wednesday 22 September 2004 from 9.15 – 10.45am Thursday 30 September 2004 from 9.15 – 10.45am Wednesday 6 October 2004 from 9.15 – 10.45am

n Hackney Free & Parochial CE School The Headteacher will talk at 6.00pm Monday 20 September 2004 at 9.00am or 10.00am Tuesday 21 September 2004 at 9.00am or 10.00am Wednesday 22 September 2004 at 9.00am or 10.00am Thursday 23 September 2004 5.00 – 7.00pm.

n Haggerston School for Girls The school with be open at the following times for visits by parents: Wednesday 15 September 2004 from 6.00pm – 8.00pm Monday 20 September 2004 at 9.30am Tuesday 21 September 2004 at 9.30am Wednesday 22 September 2204 at 9.30am

n Homerton College of Technology

n Our Lady’s Convent RC High School Thursday 16th September 2004 and Tuesday 21st September 2004 from 6.00 – 7.30pm.

The Headteacher’s talk is at 7.30pm

n Skinners’ Company’s School for Girls Business and Enterprise College Tuesday 14 September 2004 9.30 – 10.30am Thursday 16 September 2004 6.00 – 7.00pm Tuesday 21 September 2004 9.30 – 10.30am

n Stoke Newington School Media Arts College Wednesday 6 October 2004 from 5.00 – 7.30pm Monday 11 October, Tuesday 12 October and Wednesday 13 October for two sessions each morning.

(You may come to either one or the other session) Session 1 9.30 – 10.15am Tour of the school followed by 10.15 – 10.45am Headteacher’s talk Session 2 10.15 – 10.45am Headteacher’s talk followed by 10.45 – 11.30am Tour of the school

n Yesodey Hatorah School for Girls The dates will be available from the school from September and at the Secondary Schools Fair.

Please call for details on 020 8802 8412

The dates will be available from the school from September and at the Secondary Schools Fair.

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Number of applications received for oversubscribed schools for admission in September 2004 The information below should help you to establish if you are likely to be eligible for a place at a particular school. For example for the religious schools if a majority of the places were offered to children who meet the religious criterion, then this will tell you that unless you can meet that criterion you are unlikely to be offered a place.

Cardinal Pole RC School

Hackney Free & Parochial School

Places offered at 1st preference stage for September 2004 at Cardinal Pole School

Places offered at 1st preference stage for September 2004 at Hackney Free & Parochial School

Criteria priorities Pupils with statements of special educational needs 1. Catholic children in public care.

2. Baptised children from practising Roman Catholic families whose applications are supported by the Parish Priest.

3. Baptised children from Roman Catholic families who can show no evidence of current religious practice.

4. Non-Roman Catholic Christian children in public care.

5. Baptised children from non-Roman Catholic Christian families* (as defined by the British Council of churches or its successors) whose applications are supported by the Parish Priest or Church Officer and whose parents/ guardians are aware of and support the religious ethos of the school.

6. Children from families of nonChristian faiths* (as defined by the British Council of churches or its successors) whose parents /guardians are aware of and support the religious ethos of the school.

16

Number of places offered

Pupils with statements of special educational needs

05

01

Pupils looked after by a local authority

03

Pupils with proved medical need

03

149

19 0

0

1. Students who attend a Church of England church or whose parents / carers do so.

56

2. Students who are, or whose parents/carers are, regular worshippers at other churches, or chapels, or other Christian denominations as defined by ‘Churches together in Britain and Ireland’; or members of the Evangelical Alliance.

41

3. Students who are, or whose parents/carers are, practising members of another world faith.

43

4. A brother or sister at the school.

0

5. Students living nearest the school as measured in a straight line on a map or using a GIS mapping system.

0

Total 12 0

8. All other applicants.

0

* as defined

Number of places offered

11

7. Other children in Public Care.

Total

Criteria priorities

192

151

Our Lady’s Convent RC School

Stoke Newington School Media Arts College (SNSMAC)

Places offered at 1st preference stage for September 2004 at Our Lady’s Convent RC School

Places offered at 1st preference stage for September 2004 at Stoke Newington School Media Arts College

Criteria priorities

Number of places offered

Pupils with statements of special educational needs 1. Catholic “looked After” Children 2. Places are given to children from practising Roman Catholic Families, who seek a religious education and training for their daughter, and who make Our Lady’s Convent School their 1st preference school. The application should be supported by a baptismal certificate and a reference from a Priest in the parish where they normally worship.

3. Evidence is sought that the parents or guardians and the child have a commitment to religious practice and that they are supportive of the aims, values and expectations of the school as outlined in the school’s mission statement. The application form and Priest’s reference will be used to determine this.

2 0

126

13

1. Children looked after by a local education authority

0

2. Children whose acute medical or social need justifies a place at that particular school*

05

3. Children with brothers and sisters** at the school at the time of the proposed admission

64

4. Applicants living nearest to the main entrance of the school up to the distance of 943 metres.

158 240

Mossbourne Community Academy Places offered at 1st preference stage for September 2004 at Mossbourne Community Academy 0

0

5. Other “Looked After” Children.

0

Total

Pupils with statements of special educational needs

Total

4. Consideration is given to sisters of siblings already in Our Lady’s Convent where there is evidence that the family is willing to support the ethos, aims and procedures of the school.

6. Consideration is given to children from Christian families where there is evidence that the family seek a Christian education for their child and where the application is supported by a baptismal certificate and a reference from a Minister of religion in the Church where they normally worship.

Number of places offered

Criteria priorities

Number of places offered in each band

Criteria priorities Pupils with statements of special educational needs

0

BAND:

10 A

Children who are in care or interim care of a local education authority 0 Pupils who live inside the local catchment area as defined by living at an address within 1000 metres from the school

27

Pupils who live outside the local catchment area as defined above

18

B

C

D

0

0

0

27

27

27

up to the distance of…

764m 686m 641m 531m

18

18

18

living furthest from SNSMAC up to the distance of…

7.065m 6.617m 7.160m 4.883m

128 Total

180

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Acting Headteacher Katherine Hartigan

Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided School

Kenworthy Road London E9 5RB Tel 020 8985 5150 Fax 020 8985 7325 Email cardinalpole@learninglive.co.uk

Specialist Science College (application under consideration) 1005 boys and girls 11-19

Annexe Victoria Park Road London E9 7HE Tel 020 8985 5646 Fax 020 8985 5625

Transport Kenworthy Road Bus S2; also 26/30/236/276/W15 nearby Rail Homerton

Victoria Park Road Bus 277/388 Rail Hackney Central then bus 277 Tube Mile End then bus 277 Admission limit 180 Number of first preferences 2004 320 Number of Appeals 49 Number of Appeals upheld 9

Cardinal Pole RC School

Aims Cardinal Pole is a Roman Catholic secondary school for boys and girls whose parents wish their children to be educated in the spirit of their faith. The school aims to promote the unique development of each pupil intellectually, socially and spiritually. To this end, stress is placed on self-discipline, hard work, punctuality, attendance and high expectations. In order to protect the distinctive nature of a co-educational school, Cardinal Pole seeks to encourage a balance of boys and girls at the school within the context of our admission criteria.

Organisation and learning Year 7 and 8 pupils are housed in the Annexe in Victoria Park Road and pupils in Year 9 to 13 on the main site in Kenworthy Road. Throughout the school, pupils are broad banded in tutor groups for part of the curriculum.

Expectations and achievement are central to our teaching.

The timetable aims to promote equal opportunities.

Religious instruction, including some study of comparative religion, is a core subject to Year 13 and is an examination subject. Pupils are instructed in family life and sex education within the traditional teaching of the Catholic faith. Careers guidance is given from Year 9 and homework is compulsory for all. A work experience programme is arranged for those of our Year 10/11 pupils who have completed coursework requirements.

Public examinations At the end of Year 11 pupils are normally entered for GCSEs in the subjects undertaken providing they meet our exam entry criteria. Invitations to follow courses in Year 12 depend on Year 11 results and on the student’s ability to profit from further full time study in school.

Pastoral care and discipline All staff are involved in pastoral care with each year team being led by a head of year. There is an emphasis on pupils developing mutual respect and self-discipline.

Additional support is given to those with special educational needs. School procedures and uniform regulations are given to all parents and pupils, and they are of particular significance for daily routines.

Parental involvement Parents are asked to monitor and sign their children’s homework journal each evening. In addition to regular parents’ evenings parents are encouraged to visit the school at any reasonable time. In the middle of the year, parents are invited to discuss with teachers written reports on their child’s progress. If a parent or teacher is particularly concerned about a child’s progress, an interim report is prepared and discussed. There is a thriving Friends of Cardinal Pole Association and all parents are encouraged to become members. In addition a number of parents play on Saturdays for Cardinal Pole Old Boys Football Club.

Uniform All pupils must wear school uniform which consists of tartan skirt with white blouse (short sleeved), black v neck jumper and black blazer for the girls; black trousers, blazer, white/grey shirt and the school tie for the boys.

Full details are given to each new entrant before the start of the school year.

Assemblies A religious assembly attended by staff and pupils is held four times a week. We regard the assembly as central to the Catholic ethos of the school. On occasion, year assemblies and Masses replace general assembly.

Extra curricular activities There are regular school trips to the theatre and to cultural centres. Drama and dance productions are a standard feature of the life of the school and take place regularly. Pupils and teachers are involved in community work and in supporting the work of charities. Pupils also have the opportunity to take part in single day educational visits or in residential journeys in the UK and abroad.

Sports Extra curricular sport is open to all pupils regardless of sex or ability. Some clubs produce school teams, whereas others are purely recreational. They operate before, during and after school. Activities that are available include: athletics, badminton, basketball, football, netball, rugby and trampolining.

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Admissions Criteria for 2005 / 06 Cardinal Pole RC School is a co-educational school and it is important that a boy/girl intake balance is maintained in order to protect the distinctive nature of a co-educational school within the context of the published admissions criteria.

Places will only be offered to children who are able to benefit from and contribute to the religious atmosphere of the school.

Subject to a decision from the Adjudicator, all children who apply for a place will sit the NFER non-verbal and verbal reasoning tests. The tests will last for approximately two hours and will be held at a time and venue to be determined in the Autumn Term each year.

Note: Children cannot fail the NFER Tests and therefore any request to re-sit tests will be refused.

Applications from pupils will be placed in four ability bands of equal size, i.e. four bands of 25% of applicants each. If in any band there are more applicants than places available; or when the number of applicants exceeds the admission number, offers of places are made using the following criteria in order of priority: 1 Catholic or non-catholic children in public care pursuant to S31 & S38 of the Children’s Act (1989) who have named Cardinal Pole as their first preference on the LEA common application form; 2 Baptised children from practising Roman Catholic families whose applications are supported by the Parish Priest. Applicants should note that places will be offered to those families who name Cardinal Pole RC School as their first preference on the LEA common application form; 3 Baptised children from Roman Catholic families who can show no evidence of current religious practice; 4 Consideration is given to children from Christian and non-Christian families where there is evidence that the family seek a Catholic education for their child and where the application is supported by reference from a recognized Minister of Religion. Applicants should note that places will be offered to those families who name Cardinal Pole RC School as their first preference on the LEA common application form;

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5 All other applications. Applicants should note that places will be offered to those families who name Cardinal Pole RC School as their first preference on the LEA common application form.

Tiebreaker: In the event of there being insufficient vacancies to admit all applicants in any of the categories detailed above, priority will be given to children for whom the school (Victoria Park Road site) is the nearest secondary school to their home address.

Open days and evenings The school will be open at the following times for visits by parents and their children: Tuesday 28th September 2004 from 9.15am to 10.30am at the Annexe, Victoria Park Road, E9 7HD Wednesday 29 th September 2004 from 9.15am to 10.30am at the Annexe, Victoria Park Road, E9 7HD Thursday 30th September 2004 from 9.15am to 10.30am at the Annexe, Victoria Park Road, E9 7HD Thursday 7th October 2004 from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at Kenworthy Road, E9 5RB

Subjects Years 7-9 (ages 11-14) • Art • Drama • English • French/German • Geography • History • Information Communication Technology • Mathematics • Music • Personal, Social and Health Education • Physical Education/Games • Science • Design Technology Years 10-11 (ages 14-16) • English Language • English Literature • Mathematics • Religious Education • Science (Double) • Technology – Food Technology Child Development Resistance Material Graphics Communication • Personal, Social and Health Education • Physical Education/Games • Information Communication Technology Plus two further subjects of pupil’s choice from: • Drama • Art • Vocational Course in Business • Geography • History • Sociology • Media Studies

• • • •

Economics Physical Education Music Modern Language (a choice of French or German)

The school has a thriving Sixth Form and is one of three schools forming the Voluntary Aided Sixth Form Consortium.

Subjects in the Sixth Form (ages 16-19) • Art and Design • Biology • Chemistry • Computing • Economics and Business Studies • English Literature • French • German • Geography • History • Media Studies • Mathematics • Physics • Politics • Psychology • RE • Sociology • GCSE English and Mathematics We also offer • 1 year Vocational course in Business • 2 year Advanced Vocational course in Business A non-examination Religious Education Programme is also followed by all Sixth Formers.

21

Headteacher Cheryl Day

Community School

Laura Place, Lower Clapton Road London E5 0RB

Specialist Technology College 900 girls 11-16

Tel 020 8985 6641 Fax 020 8986 4686

Transport Bus 38/48/55/106/253/254/S2/393 and 242 nearby

email Claptongtc@aol.com

Rail Clapton then bus 106/253 Hackney Central/Hackney Downs then bus 38/48/55/106/253/254

Clapton Girls Technology College

Admissions number 180 Number of first preferences for 2004 144 (All applicants were offered places at this stage)

At Clapton Girls’ Technology College we Learn Together, Work Together and Welcome the Community

Learning Together High achievement for all Clapton Girls’ Technology College is a vibrant centre of learning where all students are welcomed. The learning environment provides girls with an opportunity to achieve their best and succeed. Girls are encouraged to be confident, assertive and believe in themselves.

The school positively promotes the education of girls and is committed to celebrating diversity and actively promoting equality for all.

Curriculum organisation and learning Students are taught in a variety of mixed ability and set groups. Teachers build on students’ knowledge from Year 6, so that girls immediately engage in new learning. Those with special education needs are given extra help, either in the classroom or in separate groups. We also identify, encourage and challenge students with particular aptitudes.

During Years 7 to 9 students study the broad balance of subjects specified by the National Curriculum; in Years 10 and 11 girls are working towards their GCSEs and other public examinations, including vocational qualifications. A regular daily programme of homework is set for all students.

Citizenship, careers, health and sex education are provided through the PSHCE (Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education) programme. Religious Education covers aspects of all major religions and emphasizes respect and tolerance.

As a specialist technology college the use of technology is promoted throughout the school and supports all subject areas including the arts.

Public examinations The school’s examination results have risen substantially in recent years and we have ambitious targets for further improvement. All students are expected to take public examinations. The choice of examination subjects is made after consultation with students and parents. Candidates usually sit GCSE examinations in Year 11, although some students are entered for some subjects earlier.

Facilities Clapton Girls’ Technology College has excellent facilities for learning including: • an outstanding technology building containing a wide variety of modern equipment for the teaching of technology • six large computer suites • a well equipped Learning Resource Centre to which all students have access • a homework centre, with teacher supervision for after school work and research • excellent Sports, Music and Arts facilities • a permanent prayer room for staff and students use Extra curricular activities After school a variety of extra curricular activities are offered and all students are encouraged to join in.

Activities include: • daily ICT breakfast club • daily individual study time in the Learning Resource Centre • the daily opportunity to use the careers library and homework center • GCSE and SATs Revision Club • GCSE clubs in community languages • GCSE dance • weekly cookery breakfast clubs • choir and music clubs • a range of PE activities • Duke of Edinburgh award scheme A Saturday Study Support programme runs from January to June.

Sports Our impressive facilities allow us to offer a variety of sports including Basketball, Dance, Football, Gymnastics, Netball, Rounders, Swimming, Tennis and Trampolining. Our winning Football and Netball teams play regularly in local leagues.

Our outdoor games areas are soon to be enhanced by 2 new tennis courts and a multi-use games area.

Holiday schools Clapton Girls’ Technology College organises an exciting range of provision during the Easter and Summer holidays.

23

Holiday schools include literacy, numeracy, gifted and talented programmes, SATs booster and GCSE revision classes.

Work experience Students complete two weeks’ work experience in years 10 or 11 when they learn about the world of business and industry. Other opportunities include involvement in the Hackney Schools’ Mentoring Programme and the City Brokerage links.

Working Together Pastoral care On entry all students are guided and supported by a permanent Head of Year 7 who works closely with a permanent team of tutors and co-tutors. These teachers monitor each student’s academic and social development and to help her to fulfill her potential. The Head of Year 7 visits every primary school to meet students while they are in Year 6. The Year 7 team are very experienced and work closely with parents. Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education lessons, taught by tutors, aim to enhance and support every student’s academic experience through a full programme which develops personal, social and study skills. A high emphasis is placed on achievement with a structure of rewards throughout the school. Students are encouraged to show consideration for others and to create a purposeful atmosphere where learning can take place. Excellent attendance and punctuality are a high priority. The school has two learning mentors and a Home Support Worker who provide additional support for students.

24

Behaviour for Learning The school has a set of school and classroom rules agreed by students, staff, parents and governors. Copies of these are given to all parents when their daughter starts at Clapton. Incidents which break the rules, or any other school policy, particularly policies that promote equality and anti-bullying are dealt with seriously. All adults (teaching and support staff) actively ensure that students follow the agreed school and classroom rules.

Uniform Uniform is simple and flexible. All girls wear the school uniform which consists of a lavender blouse or polo shirt (available only from the school), plain black skirt, trousers or shalwar kameez. A white T-shirt and black tracksuit/black leggings are worn for PE. Partnership with parents Parental involvement is actively encouraged. Parents, daughters and teachers sign a Home/School Partnership Agreement together when a student starts at Clapton.

Parents are invited to attend Progress Review Days and a Parent Consultation Evening during the year. They are also invited to attend other school meetings and functions. Parents can make appointments to see their daughter’s head of year or senior staff at any time. Each student has a Personal Diary which provides day to day contact between home and school. A regular school newsletter (Clapton News) is sent to every home every two weeks. Parents are also invited and encouraged to help the school by hearing students read, translating or interpreting.

Assemblies There are regular school and year assemblies. The themes of these reflect the multi-cultural and multi-faith nature of the school. Students regularly participate in assemblies.

School Council The school also has an active School Council which meets fortnightly. There are also Year Councils and student committees for the environment, public relations, learning, equal opportunities and anti-bullying.

Students are encouraged to participate actively in school decision making.

Welcoming the Community Links We believe that continuity of education and experiences of the outside world are essential for our students. For this reason we maintain strong links with primary schools and further/higher education establishments. We are now

the lead school in the Clapton Community of Schools, Excellence in Cities, Action Zone. Clapton also has strong links with a variety of colleges and universities.

Sixth Form Clapton Girls’ Technology College students are advised on appropriate post 16 courses at a variety of colleges and schools with sixth forms. The newly opened, and nearby Sixth Form college at B6, works with the school to offer further academic opportunities for Clapton students.

We have special links with Hackney Community College, Leyton Sixth Form College, Islington College and Latymer School Sixth Form.

Past students 98% of all Clapton students go on to further education and many go on to higher education. Many return to mentor younger students, to speak in assemblies and to see their names on the honours board. There is an active ‘Clapton Girls’ are Everywhere’ organisation.

Portico Learning Centre Clapton Girls’ Technology College is the site of a soon to be built City Learning Centre on the Portico site. This facility will provide state of the art ICT facilities for the school, other local schools and adults from the local community. Clapton already has a thriving adult learning programme in partnership with Hoxton Bibliotech.

Parents are actively encouraged to join our classes and are welcomed as part of our learning community.

Safety and Security Clapton is a secure site and is part of the Safer Schools’ Partnership. Entrances and exits are supervised by adults.

All visitors are welcomed at Reception and are required to wear identification. Students attend lessons from 8.50 – 3.05pm, with half an hour lunch break. The girls’ safety and security is assured by remaining on the school site at lunchtime although they may visit the Learning Resource Centre or Prayer Room as well as the lunch time areas.

Visits to the school We very much welcome visits from parents and others interested in the education of girls. Everyone who visits and

sees our school at work is very impressed by the calm and orderly atmosphere and the achievement of the students.

The school will be open at the following times for visits by parents: Friday 10 September 2004 from 9.15 – 10.45am Tuesday 14 September from 9.15 – 10.45am Wednesday 22 September 2004 from 9.15 – 10.45am Tuesday 21 September 2004 – Open Evening 4.30 – 7.00pm Thursday 30 September 2004 from 9.15 – 10.45am Wednesday 6 October from 9.15 – 10.45am

Subjects Years 7-9 (ages 11-14) (Key Stage 3) • Art • Humanities – Geography, History, Religious Education • Drama • English • French, German and/or Spanish • Mathematics • Music • Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education • Physical Education • Science Technology Years 10-11 (ages 14-16) (Key Stage 4) • English • Mathematics • Double Science • Technology • History, Geography and or Sociology • Music, Drama and/or Art • French, German and/or Spanish • Information Communication Technology • Media studies • Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education • Religious Education • Physical Education • Vocational courses

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Headteacher Joan Barnes

Church of England Voluntary Aided School

Admissions number 151

Paragon Road, E9 6NR

Specialist Sports College 750 boys and girls 11-16

Number of first preferences for 2004 183

Tel 020 8985 2430 Fax 020 8533 5441 Email admin@hackneyfree.hackney.sch.uk

Transport Bus 30/48/55/106/236/253/276/277/D6/W15 also 38/242/394 nearby Rail Hackney Central Tube Bethnal Green then bus 106/253

Hackney Free and Parochial Church of England School Number of Appeals 14 Number of Appeals upheld 4

Hackney Free and Parochial Church of England School

The school is on one site on Paragon Road and our students are fortunate to enjoy relatively new buildings, equipment and facilities, including new suites of rooms for each subject area on the curriculum. We are particularly proud of our state of the art fitness centre and dance studio, our extended and newly refurbished Learning Resource Centre and our music, art, science and technology suites. With our specialist sports college status we have refurbished our playground areas, built a new multipurpose ICT suite and two climbing walls to extend our activities.

In September 2002 we were awarded sports college status which has enhanced the opportunities around PE and Sport for all our students and members of the local community. We have also been awarded Sportsmark Gold by the Youth Sports Trust – a very prestigious award.

The school had a very positive OFSTED inspection in March 2002 and in the report it states: • The leadership is very good • The level of care is very good • Behaviour in and out of the classrooms is good • Older students do some admirable work with primary school pupils The inspectors praised the quality of teaching and found that 94% of all lessons observed were satisfactory or better, with some excellent teaching.

The school was awarded an Achievement Award for results in 2001.

Organisation and Learning In years 7, 8 and 9 children are placed according to their reading ages and National Curriculum Test results into four mixed ability groups of two fast-track classes. In years 10 and 11, they are placed in sets according to their abilities in English, Maths, Science and Modern Foreign Languages. Students follow a social education course which includes careers guidance, citizenship, health and sex education, information and study skills.

Children who have learning difficulties receive support in class or occasionally intensive work out of class.

Support is also given to students who are gifted and talented. High priority is given to homework, which is set for all students and recorded in their homework diary. The school is linked to the Internet and students have access during lessons and in the Learning Resource Centre, before, during and after school.

Homework can be completed in the Learning Resource Centre after school. Senior students have the help of a careers officer in making decisions about their future, as well as mentors from universities and the business community. All students are encouraged to take a full part in the life of the school through year councils, the school council and other activities.

During Year 10 all students have access to, and complete work placements. The school is also part of the FOCUS LONDON programme and receives extra funding to support the curriculum.

Aims As a Church of England school, we aim to provide a wellstructured and caring community based on Christian values, and a balanced curriculum which encourages students to have high expectations and to develop their full potential for academic, moral, physical, social and spiritual growth, and to strive for the highest possible achievement. The school fosters in students the selfdiscipline, skills, knowledge and creativity necessary to become independent learners and positive confident adults who can contribute fully to the community.

Equality of opportunity is fundamental to the Christian ethos of the school and students are taught to respect and care for each other, and to value the individual and all cultures.

Public Examinations Candidates study for a variety of examinations both GCSE and vocational, and decisions about tiered entries are made in the January of year 11 in consultation with parents. Some students are entered early for Religious Studies, Mathematics, English, Classical Civilisations and Community Languages. There is also the opportunity for studying the key skills programmes. We expect all students to be entered for all the examinations that they have been studying throughout Key Stage 4.

Pastoral Care and Discipline Students are under the care of form tutors and heads of year and everything is done to promote their welfare and to encourage their development in the widest

27

possible sense. The school has a firm but fair approach to discipline, and all students are expected to abide by the Code of Conduct.

Parental Involvement Student welfare and progress depends on a partnership between home and school. Parents are encouraged to make appointments with the tutor and head of year regularly to discuss their child’s progress. They are given a copy of the school’s Code of Conduct and their involvement in every aspect of school life is seen as an essential factor in their child’s development. Every year parents receive a full record of achievement. Parents’ evenings are held, and there is an active Parents Association which meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 6.30pm.

Uniform School uniform is compulsory and consists of plain navy blue skirt or trousers with white or blue shirt and school tie. The school jumper with the school badge and black shoes must also be worn. (Trainers are not allowed).

Assemblies Religious assemblies take place every day and St John’s Church is regularly used for school services. Our links with St John’s at Hackney are central to the life of the school and one of the clergy regularly leads school worship.

28

Enrichment Activities All students have the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument. There are regular school trips, both in the UK and abroad. Clubs include games, art, photography, drama, chess, choir and gardening. The creative arts team organizes regular productions and concerts. Furthermore, every year, one year group visits a university while a smaller group of year 11 pupils visits Cambridge University. In addition, a Year 11 group spends a week at one of the country’s universities. The school encourages students to take a full part in the local community. Pupils have recently won competitions for designing Community Health posters on HIV/AIDS and smoking.

Admissions Criteria Hackney Free and Parochial School is a Church of England voluntary aided school. As such, it is entitled to set its own admission criteria. Children will be admitted to the school in the following order of priority. The governors reserve the right to give over-riding priority to children in public care and to any child on the grounds of documented social or medical needs, and where the school is clearly capable of accommodating those needs.

The admissions criteria are, in order of precedence: 1 Students who attend a Church of England church or whose parents/carers do so.

2 Students who are, or whose parents/carers are, regular worshippers at other churches, or chapels, or other Christian denominations as defined by ‘Churches together in Britain and Ireland’; or members of the Evangelical Alliance.

3 Students who are, or whose parents/carers are, practicing members of another world faith. Please note: a letter, relating to the above three criteria, must be signed by a vicar, minister or religious leader, and must be submitted to the school at the time of application.

4 A brother or sister at the school.

5 Students living nearest the school as measured in a straight line on a map or using a GIS mapping system.

Please note: In the event of oversubscription in any criterion, those living nearest to the school, as defined in criterion 5 will have the greater priority.

A waiting list is maintained and will be ranked in accordance with the published oversubscription criteria.

Applications for mid-term will be considered in accordance with the school’s published oversubscription criteria.

In the case of appeals, the school will use The Learning Trust for setting up appeal hearings. The parent of any child refused a place may opt to have their child’s name placed on the waiting list. If places become available they are awarded in accordance with the published criteria for admissions.

Sports Students participate in basketball, climbing, cricket, dance, football, gymnastics, judo, netball, rugby and swimming, and compete successfully in many of these sports against other schools. For the past four years the

school has reached the final of the Greater London Pentathlon, involving schools from all over London and beyond and won it in 2004. In 2002 we won and became the National Pentathlon champions. In 2002 Hackney Free was awarded the highly prestigious Sportsmark Gold by Sport England. Students competed at national level in athletics, cross-country, basketball, football and cricket. Several past pupils are playing for league football teams and some represent England playing basketball.

Excellence in Cities/Education Action Zone The school has benefited enormously from the Excellence in Cities scheme. We have two Learning Mentors in place, a Learning Support Unit and a Coordinator for Gifted and Talented pupils. This enables us to meet the needs of all pupils, to stretch and challenge them, and to ensure that they all reach the highest levels

of achievement. Our students also benefit by the Excellence Challenge opportunities.

We are also proud and privileged to be a member of the Hackney Education Action Zone. This has enabled us to develop after school activities, run GCSE revision courses during the Easter holiday, enhance our ICT capability, broaden our subject offers and develop Key Stage 2-3 transition programmes.

Open days and evenings The school will be open at the following times for visits by prospective parents: Thursday 23rd September 5.00 – 7.00pm The Headteacher will talk at 6.00pm Monday 20th September 9.00am or 10.00am Tuesday 21st September 9.00am or 10.00am Wednesday 22nd September 9.00am or 10.00am

Subjects Years 7-9 • Art • Drama • English • Geography • History • Information Communication Technology • Mathematics • Modern languages • Music • Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education • Physical Education • Religious Education • Science • Technology including CDT, food, graphics and textiles

Years 10-11 Students follow compulsory GCSE courses in: • English Language and Literature • Mathematics • Science • French • Technology • History or Geography or Classical Civilisation • Religious Education

One further subject is chosen from the following: • Art • Classical Civilisation • Drama • Music • Vocational courses • Thomas Telford Project • Statistics • Religious Education • Physical Education and Dance

In addition, all students follow courses in: • Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education • Physical Education • Information Communication Technology

Sixth Form (ages 16-19) Post School A full range of subjects at GCE A level and GCSE together with NVQ and GNVQ courses are offered at the Community College and the B6 Sixth Form College.

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Headteacher Ann Shapiro MA NPQH

Community School

Admissions number 180

Weymouth Terrace E2 8LS

Specialist Technology College 900 girls 11-16

Number of first preferences in 2004 171 (all applicants were offered places at this stage)

Tel 020 7739 7324 Fax 020 7739 8603 Email annshapiro@haggerston.hackney.sch.uk

Transport Bus 26/48/55/394 also 67/149/242/243 nearby Rail Cambridge Heath then bus 26/48/55 Tube/Rail Old Street then bus 55

Haggerston School for Girls

Haggerston School is a creative learning community.

High standards and high expectations enable everyone to succeed. A love of learning is our priority. We work in partnerships based on mutual respect. We develop confident, responsible young women who will contribute to and lead society in the 21st century.

Introduction We are the only secondary school in Hackney that is a Training School, which gives us the capacity to train and develop our teachers to their full potential. We also have Specialist School status for Science, Maths and Technology.

Our excellence in these areas is to the benefit of both our own pupils and our neighbouring schools with whom we share our good practice.

All members of Haggerston’s community contribute to its success as a popular, multi-racial 11-16 girls’ comprehensive school which draws its balanced intake mainly from the Hackney, Shoreditch and Bethnal Green areas. In addition to Sylheti, Bengali and Turkish, over 30 other home languages are spoken by Haggerston pupils.

Since Haggerston opened on its present five-acre site in 1966, the accommodation has been updated in line with curriculum development and the development of equal opportunities for girls.

The school uses its facilities to their full extent to deliver a broad curriculum in safe surroundings. The technology and ITC facilities have been updated. There is a programme of refurbishment in operation. Pupils enjoy full access to the Learning Resource Centre which is equipped to support pupils’ progress in becoming independent learners.

A new suite of rooms belonging to the Language and Learning Faculty offers valuable differentiated support to all learners. The school is fully committed to inclusion and has recently widened classroom doorways to enable access for wheelchair users. A lift will be installed in the future.

The grounds provide playing spaces, grassed areas, netball and tennis courts and an athletics area. Upper school pupils take part in a range of sports activities on site and by using local facilities.

Curriculum organisation We offer a relevant, coherent, meaningful, challenging curriculum and a learning experience which offers diverse opportunities for girls. In all our development work we build on established good practice, striving to enhance and improve our curriculum offer to benefit all pupils.

In Key Stage 3 all pupils are taught in mixed ability groups, except in Maths where they are set. Although they have some lessons in tutor groups of 30, we teach many subject areas in smaller groups.

Our pastoral programme supports pupil learning and prepares pupils to be independent learners ready to make informed choices within a framework which explores moral, spiritual and personal development.

Most examination courses lead to GCSE, but we work with colleges and other providers to offer work related qualifications.

Supporting learning Pupil learning is supported by support staff working in partnership with teachers in the classroom. In some cases pupils are withdrawn from lessons to individual or small group support. The Study Centre offers a range of lunchtime classes to give extra support with class and homework.

Excellence in Cities funding allows us to provide both a Learning Support Centre and Learning Mentors, who work with pupils to break down barriers to learning. They also liaise with a variety of outside support agencies and supervise a dedicated team of pupil peer mentors.

Pupils are encouraged to take an active part in all aspects of school life. The many lunchtime clubs are an established feature of the school. Pupils are involved in all aspects of the work of the school. A Pupil Council meets regularly to debate issues of concern to the pupils’ learning and life at school.

Pastoral organisation We stress the importance of regular attendance, punctuality and being well organised to make the best use of school time and to concentrate the minds of pupils on being effective learners.

In each of the five years pupils are placed in six tutor groups with a Head of Learning and a team of six tutors.

These year teams have oversight of the general welfare

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and personal and social development of pupils to ensure that they are on target for successful learning and able to achieve success. To ensure continuity of care and contact with parents, the year staff move up the school with pupils from year 7 to 11.

There is a calm, purposeful, well-ordered environment, with discipline based on mutual respect and consideration for others. Our Equal Opportunities policies underpin our work to ensure all members of the school community are valued equally. In addition, the rigorous monitoring of attendance, punctuality and homework contribute to raising pupils’ achievement. Clear guidelines and expectations about uniform and conduct ensure that all pupils can be successful learners.

Our distinguished blue uniform is easy to manage.

It consists of: • Blue skirt or trousers in the agreed style • Blue v-neck cardigan or sweatshirt with school logo • White short, or long sleeved blouse in the agreed style.

• Salwar kameez in the agreed Haggerston Blue material and in the agreed style • White, blue or navy socks or tights (leggings are not allowed) • Pupils who, for religious reasons, wear a scarf to cover their head must wear a scarf which is plain white, black or Haggerston Blue material and which conforms to Health and Safety requirements • Sensible footwear should be worn.

• We do insist that all girls wear proper uniform in their lessons and wear proper PE kit, which includes white aertex t-shirt, plimsolls or trainers, cycling shorts, leggings or tracksuit bottoms Assemblies and reflections We have weekly assemblies for the whole school as well as year group assemblies. These address our multicultural community, cover current issues and look at the way we live together, giving pupils room for reflection. Our Reflections booklet, which each pupil uses every day, offers spiritual and moral guidance to pupils.

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Parental involvement Parents are encouraged to take an active interest in their daughters’ learning and in the work of the school.

We value the involvement of parents and work in partnership with them to help their daughters make the best use of the opportunities on offer at Haggerston.

Parents are encouraged to join the Haggerston School Association which was recently set up with the aim of involving parents in supporting their daughters’ education.

A termly newsletter for parents and pupils, Haggerston Recorder celebrates our achievements. The Headteacher holds an open afternoon from 2.30 – 3.30pm each Wednesday when parents are welcome to meet the Headteacher to discuss any educational issues or concerns.

We aim to keep parents informed about their daughters’ progress. In addition to the yearly report, which is given out at our Parents Evenings, all parents are invited to our Individual Action Planning Days when parents meet with their daughter and her tutor to review progress and set targets. All Year 11 leavers attend a celebration of their achievement.

Further Education Over 80 per cent of our pupils go on to further studies from NVQ to A level. Many pupils go on to higher education and university.

Transition between key stages The school is committed to smooth transition from primary to secondary and from secondary to post 16.

To this end we work with our parents in both phases to ensure learning progresses. Business mentors work with our pupils to expand their knowledge of the world of work and visit PSHCE lessons to support citizenship. We work in partnership also with the careers service offering extensive work experience for our pupils and developing valuable partnerships with businesses and industry.

We are committed to sharing our enhanced expertise and facilities with our family of schools and with the local community. We are strengthening curriculum links with local primary schools and further developing our links with the local community. Technology College status enables us to more effectively target the development of communication, numeracy, information communication technology and problem solving skills essential for life in the 21st century.

Open days and evenings The school with be open at the following times for visits by parents: Wednesday 15 September 2004 from 6.00 – 8.00pm Monday 20 September 2004 at 9.30am Tuesday 21 September 2004 at 9.30am Wednesday 22 September 2004 at 9.30am

Subjects Years 7-9 (ages 11-14) At Key Stage 3 all pupils follow the National Curriculum • English • Maths • Science • Technology • ICT • Art • Music • Drama • History • Geography • Religious Education • Physical Education • French • Either Spanish, Bengali or Turkish Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education (PSHCE) is taught through timetabled lessons and special curriculum events and includes: • Work Related Learning • Health and Sex Education • Study skills • Citizenship

Years 10-11 (ages 14-16) At Key Stage 4 all pupils study to GCSE level • English Language and Literature • Maths • Science • Technology • A Modern Language Other Courses: • Religious Education (short course; half-GCSE) • Physical Education (JSLA course) • PSHCE • Work Related Learning Pupils also choose 2 additional subjects from: • Art • Business Studies • Drama • Geography • History • Music • Social Studies • ICT A range of work related courses are also offered through our local colleges

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Acting Headteacher Miriam Kerr

Community School

Admissions number 210

Homerton Row, London E9 6EB

Specialist Technology College 1050 boys 11-16 years

Number of first preferences for 2004 60 (All applicants were offered places at this stage)

Tel 020 8986 8144 Fax 020 8533 1356 Email hct@learninglive.co.uk

Transport Bus S2 also 30/38/48/55/106/236/242/253/276/277/394/ D6/W15 nearby Rail Homerton/Hackney Central

Homerton College of Technology

The Learning Trust has submitted an expression of interest to the Department for Education and Skills to open an Academy on the site of the existing school.

We are a non denominational community school.

However, we respect our multi-faith community and provide opportunities for worship during the school day.

Vision statement Homerton College of Technology is a school where all pupils can achieve their potential in a supportive, challenging and stimulating environment. It is proud to be a multicultural learning community which respects all its members. Everyone is valued equally.

Curriculum As a Technology College, Homerton follows the National Curriculum but with an added emphasis on Mathematics, Science, Information Technology and Design and Technology.

Mission statement Homerton College of Technology will promote high levels of personal and shared achievements within the community.

The classroom is at the heart of the school where all pupils will be supported and challenged, so that they will be able to understand and contribute to an increasingly technological world, where responsibility and respect for others are valued equally with academic and practical skills.

Aims We aim to ensure that Homerton College of Technology will stand as a beacon of excellence in the locality providing a means by which all our students can achieve high standards in technology related curriculum areas and beyond.

National awards The Technology Colleges Trust has presented the school with an award as one of the most Improved Specialist Schools and one for its Value Added Status.

Warm welcome Pupils can expect a warm welcome from staff at the school.

In Year 7 pupils are placed into broad mixed-ability tutor groups under the pastoral care of tutors who usually continue with them throughout their career at school. Teaching groups are organised to match ability and boys remain in these classes for most lessons.

We place great emphasis on equality of opportunity, and the school will oppose systems of entrenched inequality in our school and in our society. We will establish the right of all members of the school to exist equally with one another and defend them against attitudes and practices which try to remove that which is right.

KS3 All pupils are offered a broad and balanced curriculum. In Key Stage 3 (KS3) this includes our specialist subjects of Technology, Science, Mathematics and ICT, as well as English, Humanities, Art, Music, Drama, Foreign and Community Languages, Physical Education, Religious Education, Citizenship and Personal Social and Health Education. In addition to French we also offer tuition in Turkish, Bengali, Punjabi and Urdu.

The Key Stage 3 curriculum focuses on pupils gaining key skills in the areas of literacy, numeracy and ICT. These themes are taught through English, Mathematics and Science and across other subjects.

KS4 We have a flexible curriculum at Key Stage 4 (KS4), which is designed to cater for the needs of all pupils and provide appropriate post 16 pathways.

In September 2002 the school introduced new vocational double award GCSEs in the following subjects: • Applied Business Studies • Applied Science • Engineering • Applied ICT • Manufacturing Separate Science courses in chemistry, physics and biology are taught with the aim to define pathways into higher education, working in partnership with B6 Sixth Form College.

As well as GCSE courses, the school provides a range of additional certificate courses to motivate pupils into staying on in further education.

Additional learning programme The school provides an extensive range of opportunities for pupils to learn outside the curriculum timetable.

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The school offers: • Homework clubs • Saturday schools • Summer schools • Classes for numeracy and literacy skills • Classes for academically gifted pupils • Morning classes • GCSE and SATs revision classes after school • PE activities including school teams in football, cricket, basketball and athletics Gifted and talented The school caters for all abilities. We provide additional enrichment courses for higher ability pupils. In appropriate circumstances boys will be entered for GCSE in Year 10.

Public examinations Our aim is examination success for all. Examination work is supported by additional coaching, after school and on some Saturdays. The choice of examination subjects is made after consultation between teacher, parents and students. The school is developing additional opportunities for gifted and talented boys and consequently some students may be entered early for some examinations.

Meetings/reporting to parents Parents receive a written report once a year regarding boys’ progress in all subjects. Parents’ evenings are organised once during the year for each year group so that parents are able to meet subject teachers to discuss their son’s achievement.

We also hold a Target Setting day at the start of each school year and a progress review day mid-way through the year. Parents are welcome to visit school at any time providing an appointment is made with the teacher.

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Sport We have a national reputation for success in sport, especially in Basketball and Olympic Style Wrestling, and have been awarded the Sportsmark award in recognition of our strong commitment to promoting the benefits of physical education and school sport.

Additionally, we have been involved in a project headed by Sport England, called the School Sport

Co-ordinator Programme. This is a project aimed at improving Physical Education and sport in schools and local communities. We are an active school responsible for increasing sport in primary schools and within the local community.

Homework All pupils at Homerton College of Technology are expected to do homework. As part of our Learning at Homerton policy, we regard homework as essential to the learning process because: • It encourages pupils' self-confidence • It helps to develop the vital skill of independent learning.

• It can be used to develop planning and problemsolving skills • It enables the valuable practice of skills learned in the classroom • It can widen horizons by allowing the use of materials and other sources of information not available in the classroom • In general it helps learning and prepares pupils for future success All parents are provided with a Homework Resource pack to keep at home.

Record of achievement diary and personal planner Each pupil is given a record of achievement diary and personal planner in the lower school. The aim of this is: 1 For each pupil: • To record homework, activities and achievements in and out of school • To have a written record of timetable, homework timetable, equipment needed and term dates • To record personal/school information useful for communications 2 To involve, inform and help parents/carers to monitor all aspects of their son’s education, also to give them the opportunity to communicate with all staff involved in their son’s education.

3 To give all staff the opportunity to communicate information to boys, parents/carers and other staff involved in all aspects of the pupils’ education.

4 To help staff to monitor pupils’ academic and social progress.

The school purchases diaries for upper school pupils.

Pupils are encouraged to take responsibility for recording their own homework, attendance record and any important academic events.

In Year 11, we hold an achievement event where boys are presented with a portfolio of their achievements gained during their time at the school. We celebrate boys’ achievements throughout the year.

Pastoral The form tutor will meet your son on a daily basis and therefore he/she is the first point of contact for parents and carers.

If the form tutor is not available, the Year Leader should be contacted.

If you require information or wish to inform the school about your son, then information may be given to the general office by telephoning 020 8986 8144 and leaving a message with one of the office staff.

If boys are absent for any reason they must report to the form tutor on their return to school, with a note from the parent/carer explaining the reasons for absence. It is helpful to receive a phone call from the parent/carer if boys are going to be away for more than one day, but a note is always needed on return to school. The school must have a reason for every recorded absence.

Special education needs The work of the Special Needs Team is to support the learning and meet the special educational needs of all pupils, and in so doing, help each boy reach his potential.

This may be with in-class support, small group support or support in the Achievement Centre.

At our school, we recognise that many children need support with their learning at some point during their school career for a variety of reasons, and we are proud of the tradition at our school that no child is made to feel different from the rest because of the support he receives.

Some children require the support of a Statement of Special Educational Needs. This requires the involvement of the Local Authority, who will then make recommendations for the young person’s education that is legally binding.

The Special Educational Needs Team includes teachers and Special Educational Needs Assistants. These are highly

skilled professionals whose work is invaluable in meeting pupils’ needs and in helping them raise their achievement.

They contribute to the social life of the school, running homework and other after school clubs.

Behaviour Pupils at Homerton College have the right to an education which offers them the best opportunity to attain their full potential. Boys are expected to develop self discipline and a concern for others.

Teachers are here to create the circumstances for this to happen. All school staff, governors and parents also assist in this process.

Boys are expected to conduct themselves in an orderly and gentlemanly manner, having regard for others at all times on the way to school, during the school day and on the way home from school.

Uniform We believe in the importance of school uniform. It helps establish our ethos, creates a sense of belonging, a pride in appearance and improves the learning process.

Full uniform must be worn properly on all occasions during school, on the way to school and on the way home. Outdoor coats and hats are not allowed to be worn during the school day.

Work experience In Year 10 boys benefit from two weeks work experience which for some leads to apprenticeships and part/full time employment.

Visits to the schools The Headteacher is pleased to meet parents by appointment and to discuss the school.

Partnership with parents The school wishes to work closely with parents to support each child’s development. Parents and boys sign the home/school agreement on admission. Parents meet teachers to discuss progress on a regular basis and can make appointments to see the appropriate tutor/Year Leader/Senior staff. The planner enables daily contact to take place between home and school.

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Principal Sir Michael Wilshaw Mossbourne Community Academy Downs Park Road, Hackney E5 8NP Tel 020 8525 5200 Fax 020 8528 5222 Email michael.wilshaw@learningtrust.co.uk

Community Academy 180 boys and girls aged 11 in September 2004 Transport Bus 276/48/38/55/253/254 and 106 are all within walking distance of the school

Number of first preferences for 2004 545 Number of Appeals 133 Number of Appeals upheld 10

Rail Dalston Kingsland/ Hackney Downs/Rectory Road

Mossbourne Community Academy

Mossbourne’s Ethos The Mossbourne Community Academy is a place where: • All learners are welcome, regardless of age, ability, gender, ethnic origin, personal circumstances or need • Students are given opportunities to develop as active citizens and members of the community through varied learning opportunities, assessment and mentoring to support their development • Pupils, adults and other learners feel safe and secure within a multicultural environment • All learners feel motivated to excel, because their needs are met through a policy of inclusion, where pupils are supported whether they are gifted and talented or have special educational needs • Staff become full and active participants in the activities of the Academy, working as a team, involved in the running and leading of the school, and are accountable for the delivery of high quality education • Parents and carers become involved with their children’s learning through home-school partnerships, parents’ meetings, discussions with tutors and other mechanisms • Members of the local community are welcomed and encouraged to be full and active participants in the life of the Academy • There is clear, inspiring leadership by governors and senior staff that actively promotes the commitment of the Academy to providing a high quality environment for lifelong learning for all A new community academy for Hackney The Mossbourne Community Academy is an all-ability secondary school with the flexibility to take innovative approaches to teaching and learning. By September 2008 there will be places for up to 900 boys and girls aged between 11 and 16. There are also plans for a Sixth Form which will act in consortia with other academies and community schools in Hackney. The Academy incorporates state-of-the-art equipment and facilities.

Mossbourne Community Academy is supported by sponsorship from Hackney-born Clive Bourne, President of Seabourne World Express, who has contributed up to £2 million towards capital costs. Clive is working in partnership with the Department for Education & Skills

(DfES) and The Learning Trust. The world famous architectural practice The Richard Rogers Partnership has designed the Academy. The design provides a flagship building within the borough that meets the needs of pupils, teachers and staff, as well as recognising the community’s aspirations for the future.

High standards The Academy’s key focus is on raising overall standards in the area and working in partnership with the wider community and other schools to help boys and girls of all backgrounds and abilities attending the Academy to achieve their potential.

The Academy offers an exciting range of opportunities to grow academically in a stimulating, professional atmosphere, with an equal opportunities ethos and a ‘can-do’ attitude.

Excellence The Mossbourne Community Academy plays an essential role in developing educational excellence in Hackney. It offers high quality, inclusive and innovative teaching and learning.

The Academy works closely with the local community and within a strong partnership of Hackney schools to raise the aspirations, expectations and educational achievements of all members of the community.

Intake The school opened in September 2004 and has already admitted 180 pupils in Year 7. It is proposed that the Academy will eventually accommodate 900 pupils, and will therefore have its full complement of pupils from Year 7-11 by September 2008. A Sixth Form is also being planned.

The school will be mixed and in principle will seek to admit an appropriate balance of boys and girls.

The school will cater for children with a wide range of abilities and needs, including individuals with special educational or physical needs, as well as the richly varied mix of social, ethnic and linguistic backgrounds within the wider Hackney community.

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LEFT: Clive Bourne The Academy’s sponsor RIGHT: Sir Michael Wilshaw, Principal of Mossbourne Community Academy

Admissions criteria Like other publicly funded schools in the borough, the school will work within the admissions arrangements operated by the Local Education Authority.

The Academy will consider all applications for places.

Where fewer than 180 applications are received, the Academy will offer places to all those who have applied.

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Dealing with oversubscription 1 The initial allocation of places at the Academy will be made on the basis, and in the order, set out below: a Children with statements of Special Educational Needs where the Mossbourne Community Academy is named on the statement, following appropriate consultation with The Learning Trust. b Children who are in the care or interim care of a local authority pursuant to S31 & 38 of the Children Act 1989, or children who are accommodated by a local authority, pursuant to S20 of the Children Act 1989 (‘Looked After Children’). c Through the use of banding, which will apply to all applicants to the Academy as set out in Clauses 2 to 5.

2 The Academy will normally offer 60% of the places remaining after the application of the criteria in Clauses a) and b) to local pupils who live inside the local catchment area, defined as living at an address located within 1,000 metres from the front gate of the school measured in a straight line and 40% of places remaining after the application of the criteria in Clauses a) and b) to pupils living outside this catchment area.

3 All children who apply for a place will sit the NFER NonVerbal and Verbal Reasoning Tests. The tests will last for approximately two hours and will be held at a time and venue to be determined in the Autumn Term each year.

Note Children cannot fail the NFER Tests and therefore any request to re-sit tests will be refused.

4 Applications from pupils inside the local catchment area will be placed in four ability bands of equal size, ie four bands of 25% of applicants each. If in any band there are more applicants than places available, then pupils living closest to the Academy, measured in a straight line from their home address will be offered a place.

Note 1 If in any band there are fewer than the required number of applicants from within the local catchment area, all pupils will be offered a place and the remaining places will be offered to pupils living outside the catchment area as provided for in Clause 2.

Note 2 Applicants with special educational needs but without a statement will receive equal consideration with other applicants.

5 Applications from pupils outside the local catchment area will be placed in four ability bands of equal size, ie four bands of 25% of applicants each. If in any band there are more applicants than places from pupils living outside the local catchment area, then pupils whose nearest alternative Hackney non-denomination mixed secondary school is the furthest as measured in a straight line from their home address will be offered a place.

Note 1 The nearest alternative Hackney secondary school is defined as the school closest to the applicant’s home address, where the school is maintained, nondenominational, coeducational and not wholly selective.

This excludes independent schools (other than Academies), church and other faith schools, single-sex schools and grammar schools.

Note 2 If in any band there are fewer than the required number from outside the catchment area, then all pupils will be offered a place and the remaining places offered to pupils who live inside the catchment area.

Note 3 Applicants with special educational needs but without a statement will receive equal consideration with other applicants.

General notes to Clauses 2 to 5 Note 1 A computerised GIS system will be used to measure distances. The Academy will not undertake measurements for individual parents by request.

Operation of waiting lists If the Academy is oversubscribed, unsuccessful applicants will be placed on a waiting list. The waiting list is maintained until the end of the summer term of that academic year. A new waiting list will be started in the following September. Full details of the Academy’s arrangements for Admissions are available from the Admissions Team at The Learning Trust. Although

Community Academies can select up to 10% of 11 year olds on the basis of aptitude for the specialism on offer, the Mossbourne Community Academy does not operate such selection.

For the whole community The vision for the new school focuses very much on a community facility meeting the needs of local people and children. Integral to the vision of Mossbourne Community Academy is a high quality, flexible learning and social environment, with equality of access for all.

A 21st century school The Richard Rogers Partnership has come up with a design and structure that best meets the needs of pupils, teachers and staff, as well as embodying the community’s aspirations for the future. The Partnership has created an imaginative design that expresses a sense of inclusion and openness, security and belonging, whilst enhancing the whole area of Hackney Downs, a key green space in East London.

curriculum pathways will be developed that motivate, support and lift the academic and vocational aspirations of the students and community. All learners will benefit from the high quality, innovative and enlightened approaches adopted for teaching and learning within the Academy.

Open days and evenings The school will be open at the following times for visits by parents and their children: Thursday 30th September 2004 6.00 – 7.00pm or 7.30 – 8.30pm at Mossbourne Community Academy Downs Park Road Tuesday 5th October 2004 6.00 – 7.00pm or 7.30 – 8.30pm at Mossbourne Community Academy Downs Park Road

Regeneration The Mossbourne Community Academy is a flagship building for Hackney. Its ‘open arms to the Downs’ design symbolises the inclusive ethos of the Academy.

This exciting development will play a vital role in regenerating a neglected area of East London. A brownfield site, which had previously languished for years, will be completely transformed into an environmentally friendly, visually attractive focal point for the community – as well as being a first class centre of learning.

The vision The Mossbourne Community Academy will be a learning organisation for the whole community, where pupils and other learners can enjoy their experience, thrive and excel. The Academy will provide a high quality, flexible learning and social environment, with equality of access for all. The Academy’s students and the wider community it serves will be provided with world class, 21st Century learning opportunities. The Academy will use the freedom and flexibility given to successful schools to excel and innovate for the benefit of the Academy and its wider community. Enriched, enhanced and relevant

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Headteacher Jane Gray 6-16 Amhurst Park, London N16 5AF Tel 020 8800 2158 or 020 8800 8489 Fax 020 8809 8898 Email officeadmin@ourladys.hackney.sch.uk

Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided School Specialist Language College 670 girls 11-19 (Both boys and girls are admitted into the Sixth Form) Our Lady’s is a specialist Language College and was awarded Beacon School status in January 2000 Transport Bus 253/254 also 67/73/76/149/243/318

Our Lady’s Convent High School

Rail Stamford Hill Tube Manor House then bus 253; Seven Sisters (High Road exit) then bus 73/76/149/243.

Admissions number 120 Number of first preferences for 2004 229 Number of appeals 25 Appeals upheld 5

Aims Our Lady’s Convent High School aims to meet the needs of all its pupils in the 11-19 age range by providing high quality Catholic comprehensive education, within a secure and caring environment, in accordance with Gospel values. It is a DfES designated Language College.

Religious education is developed through the whole curriculum and life of the school, which is fortunate enough to have its own chapel. One of the Assistant Chaplains is a Servite Sister.

The school seeks to enable its pupils to reach their maximum potential in all areas of the curriculum, using their talents to the greater glory of God. It aims to help pupils gain a broad cultural enrichment and awareness so that they leave the school as informed, adaptable young people, well prepared for the next stage of their lives.

Organisation and learning The school is divided into year groups and there are four forms of entry in each year. There are different groupings, based on ability, for some subjects. Every student is expected to do homework regularly; there is a homework timetable and parents are expected to check the homework record.

Public examinations The school prepares students for SATS and GCSE examinations. Sixth Form students are entered for AS and A2 GCE exams, Intermediate and Advanced level GNVQs. Pupils taking Instrumental Music are entered for the Royal College of Music exams. Decisions about entry are taken after consultation between the Headteacher, staff, parents and pupils.

Pastoral care and discipline The school has high expectations of its pupils in every aspect of their school life.

Students are expected to be attentive during lessons, be courteous to their teachers, considerate to their fellow pupils and to work to the best of their ability.

Much emphasis is placed on attendance and punctuality and the school works closely with parents to monitor this.

Parental involvement Each year, every student is given a student’s handbook in which school policy and expectations are outlined.

Early and frequent contact with parents is one of the chief means of pastoral care.

Parents are invited to annual parents’ meetings where they and their children can talk to staff. Parents may make appointments at any other time to discuss their daughter’s progress.

Uniform All students are expected to wear full school uniform.

This is available from the school outfitter, Henry Taylor of Walthamstow. The school believes that girls should arrive in school dressed smartly and correctly, and ready to study.

The dress code for the Sixth Form is black or white top and knee length black skirt or black tailored trousers for girls. For boys, a white or black top, with black or dark grey trousers. Students in all years must wear sensible flat black shoes. Trainers are not acceptable.

Admissions criteria The school’s standard number of admissions at 11 is 120.

The Governors’ statement of admission Our Lady’s Convent High School was founded by the Servite sisters to provide Catholic Education for girls and young women. The school admits pupils from the age of 11 who will preserve the nature and character of this 11-18 school and whose parents are willing to accept the ethos, aims and procedures of the school. When the number of applicants exceeds the standard number, offers of places are made using the following criteria in order of priority: 1 Catholic ‘looked-after’ children 2 Places are given to children from practising Roman Catholic families who seek a religious education and training for their daughter, and who give Our Lady’s Convent as their first choice. The application should be supported by a baptismal certificate and a reference from a priest in the parish where they normally worship.

Evidence is sought that the parents or guardians and the child have a commitment to religious practice and

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3

4 5

6

that they are supportive of the aims, values and expectations of the school as outlined in the school’s Mission Statement. The application form and the priest’s reference will be important in determining this.

Consideration is given to sisters of siblings who already attend Our Lady’s Convent where there is evidence that the family is willing to support the ethos, aims and procedures of the school.

Other ‘looked-after’ children Consideration is given to children from Christian families where there is evidence that the family seek a Christian education for their child and where the application is supported by a baptismal certificate and a reference from a minister of religion in the church where they normally worship.

In the event of continuing over subscription, priority will be given to those living nearest to the school, as measured directly on the map.

In addition to the above criteria, the Governing Body will also consider admission on social or medical grounds. To demonstrate an exceptional social, medical or pastoral need of a child, which can be most appropriately met at this school, the governing body will normally require written evidence from an appropriate professional at the time of application.

Admission to the Sixth Form Our Lady’s Convent is part of the Sixth Form Consortium together with the Sixth Forms of Cardinal Pole Roman Catholic School and the Skinners’ Company’s School.

Boys and girls are admitted to the Sixth Form in Our Lady’s. Places are awarded according to the following criteria: 1 Candidates should be practicing Catholics or practising Christians, who wish to continue their education in an explicitly Christian environment.

2 For applicants who are already in the school, places are awarded to those who are supportive of the aims, values and ethos of the school, and who can demonstrate that they will benefit from the education offered in the Sixth Form.

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3 For external candidates applying to join the Sixth Form, admission is subject to a satisfactory reference from their previous school.

4 All candidates are asked to attend an interview.

5 Admission to a particular course is dependent on the student meeting the specific course requirements.

These are: • for AS level, a minimum of 5 GCSE passes at Grade C or above, with a minimum of Grade B or above in the subject to be taken at AS level • for A2 level, candidates should normally have obtained a pass, preferably at C or above at AS level • for AVC courses, a minimum of 4 GCSE passes at Grade C or above • for VCE courses, a mixture of GCSE passes at Grades C and D Prefects Pupils in the Sixth Form are given every opportunity to take on extra responsibility and help with many of the events in school, in order to prepare and develop their self confidence and prepare them for additional responsibility at university or in employment.

Open dates/evenings Thursday 16th September 2004 6.00 – 7.30pm The Headteacher’s talk is at 7.30pm Tuesday 21st September 2004 6.00 – 7.30pm The Headteacher’s talk is at 7.30pm

Subjects Years 7-9 (ages 11-14) • Religious Education • English • Mathematics • Science • History • IT • Geography • French • Spanish or Mandarin • Art • Music • Physical Education • Personal, Social and Moral Education, Citizenship (including careers education and guidance) • Design Technology Years 10-11 (ages 14-16) • Religious Studies • Art and Design • English Language • English Literature • Mathematics • Science (dual award) • Design Technology • Graphics • Textiles • Information Systems • History • Geography • French • Spanish • Physical Education • Music • Personal, Social and Moral Education Guidance, Citizenship (including careers guidance) is given to girls to ensure that they

make a balanced choice of GCSE subjects • ICT – Intermediate GNVQ – (dual award) Subjects in the Sixth Form (ages 16-19) Our Lady’s is part of the Sixth Form consortium together with Cardinal Pole Roman Catholic School and The Skinners’ Company’s School.

All students follow a course in general RE and student guidance.

Since 2002, all students are expected to have contact with a foreign language, either studying for an AS level or A2 level, or as a GNVQ course.

A and A/S level • Art and design • Biology • Business studies • Chemistry • Design Technology • English • Geography • Government and Politics • French • History • Information Technology • Mathematics • Further Mathematics • Music • Music Technology • Religious Studies • Philosophy • Physics • Psychology

• Spanish Two subjects are offered at VCE and AVCE level: • Business studies • Health and social care Extra curricular activities All students from year 7 onwards are encouraged to take part in extracurricular activities, either at lunchtime or after school. These activities include: • Task Force (Service to the Community) • Prayer group • Instrumental music in voice, clarinet, flute, saxophone, trumpet, guitar, violin, cello (admission by audition) • Chamber choir • Junior choir • Retreats and personal development courses Partner exchange visits with partner schools in Italy and France.

Clubs include: reading, maths, piano, computing, aerobics and fitness, basketball, netball, performing arts, junior dance, junior drama, knitting.

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Headteacher Jenny Wilkins Lower School Mount Pleasant Lane, London E5 9JG Tel 020 8806 3128 Fax 020 8806 0609

Non-Denominational Voluntary Aided School Specialist Business and Enterprise College 850 girls 11-19

Email admin@skinnerscompanys.hackney.sch.uk

Transport Lower School Mount Pleasant Lane Bus 253/254 Rail Clapton

Upper School 117 Stamford Hill, London N16 5RS Tel 020 8800 7411 Fax 020 8809 1382

Upper School 117 Stamford Hill Bus 67/73/76/149/243 also 253/254/318 nearby

Rail Stamford Hill, South Tottenham then bus 73/76/149/243 Tube Seven Sisters (High Road exit) then bus 73/76/149/243 Admissions number 150 Number of first preferences for 2004 78 (All applicants were offered places at this stage)

The Skinners’ Company’s School for Girls

Excellence for the Twenty First Century Skinners’ Company’s School for Girls is now a Business and Enterprise College. The aim of the school is to provide our students with an excellent education equipping them for a successful adult life. We are very proud of the fact that we are the only 11-19 non-denominational girls’ school in Hackney. Our students have high aspirations and regularly go to university achieving success in a variety of fields, such as medicine, law and business studies.

We are delighted to invite prospective parents and students to visit the school and judge us for yourselves.

Mission Statement • High achievement for all students is our aim • We deliver innovative, high quality teaching and learning • We aim to raise our students’ level of attainment • We encourage our students to contunue in education, especially in Business, ICT and mathematics • Active partnerships with local communities and the wider business world are central to our success • We work within the community to improve enterprise and employability skills • We develop resilient, resourceful, adaptable students with high aspirations, who are equipped to participate fully in life-long learning Partnership with parents We work actively with parents to achieve our aims and expect them to support our policies: • We encourage parents to visit the school • We hold regular parents’ evenings • Year team co-ordinators are available once a week to meet with parents • There is a regular newsletter which keeps parents informed about school events • Parents are represented on the Governing Body The advantages of a split site school for your daughter Skinners’ is a split site school. Pupils in Years 7,8 and 9 are based at Lower School in Mount Pleasant Lane.

This provides: • small secure and safe accommodation • a newly refurbished learning environment and an ongoing building programme

• opportunities for Year 9 pupils to take responsibility as prefects and monitors Students in years 10, 11 and the Sixth Form are taught in the Upper School at Stamford Hill. This provides: • increased opportunities for independent learning • excellent science and technology facilities • high quality post 16 education Pastoral organisation Pupils in each year are organised into form groups with a year team coordinator and committed and caring form tutors who: • monitor academic progress, homework, attendance and punctuality • work closely with parents Opportunities for student responsibility • To support our pastoral work we have a group of trained pupils called peer mediators who mediate between pupils • There are Student Councils in both upper and lower school sites which take part in the school’s decision making process Assembly There are regular assemblies which are non-denominational.

Uniform All girls, except the Sixth Form, wear the school uniform • A plain black pleated or ‘A’ line knee length skirt • A pair of plain black ‘classic cut’ school trousers • A plain white school shirt with a collar and long or short sleeves • A plain black or red school sweatshirt with a school badge.

• A plain black Shalwar Kameez • A plain black cardigan may be worn with a Shalwar Kameez only • Plain black school shoes with white socks or black tights Discipline Staff and students have worked together to agree a set of school rules: • We are ready for school • We work hard in lessons • We respect and value each other

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• We look after our school • We keep our school safe for everybody • The school has a clear behaviour management policy Attendance and punctuality We emphasise the importance of regular attendance and excellent punctuality for high achievement.

Teaching and learning High achievement is our aim. We are committed to an innovative and enterprising approach to quality teaching and learning and success for all our students. We strive to develop their resilience, resourcefulness and adaptability so that they can participate fully as responsible citizens in a rapidly changing society.

Although we are a Business and Enterprise College, we continue to offer a broad and balanced curriculum, which provides opportunities for all students to learn and achieve. There is learning support for all students with special educational needs and those learning English. The curriculum promotes spiritual, moral, social, cultural and mental development and prepares students for the opportunities and responsibilities of adult life.

From 14 to 19 an alternative vocational pathway is introduced. This has parity of esteem with the traditional academic curriculum and ensures that opportunities are available for all students to achieve the aims stated above.

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Admissions criteria The Skinners’ Company’s School for Girls is a nondenominational girls’ school, which welcomes applications for admission from all backgrounds, faiths and cultures. It admits 150 girls annually into Year 7.

Where applications for admission are greater than the number of places available, applicants will be given priority in the following order: 1 Girls in Public Care 2 Girls with a sister already a pupil in the School 3 Girls with a professionally supported medical or social need for admission to the school 4 Girls living nearest to the School. Nearness to the School is measured on a large-scale Ordnance Survey map, and will be over the shortest possible route, but not including public parks and graveyards

Admission to the Sixth Form Skinners’ Company’s School for Girls is part of the successful Sixth Form Consortium together with the Sixth Forms of Cardinal Pole RC School and Our Lady’s Convent High School. Admission is by application form.

Boys and girls are admitted to the Sixth Form at Skinners’ Company’s School to the maximum of 180 pupils.

For applicants who are already in the school, places are awarded to those who can demonstrate that they are supportive of the aims, values and ethos of the school, and that they will benefit from the education offered in the Sixth Form.

For external applicants, admission is subject to the completion of the Sixth Form application form and to a satisfactory reference from their previous school.

Candidates should also be able to demonstrate that they are supportive of the aims, values and ethos of the school and that they will benefit from the education offered in the Sixth Form.

All candidates are asked to attend for discussion and guidance on their post 16 courses.

Admission to a particular course is dependent on the student meeting specific course requirements. These are: • For AS level – a minimum of 5 GCSE passes at grade C or above, usually with a Grade B or above in the subject to be taken at AS level or in an associated subject • For A2 level – candidates should normally have obtained a pass at AS level, preferably at grade C or above • For AVCE courses, a minimum of 4 GCSE passes at grade C or above • For intermediate GNVQ courses, a mixture of GCSE passes mainly at grades C and D

Subjects Years 7-9 (ages 11-14) • Art • Dance and Drama • English • Geography • History • Information Communication Technology • Maths • Modern Language (French and German) • Music • Physical Education • Citizenship • Religious Studies • Science • Technology Years 10-11 (ages 14-16) All course lead to GCSE qualifications or equivalent.

• English Language • English Literature • Maths • Science • Religious Studies Plus two subjects chosen from: • History • Geography • Expressive Arts • Art and Design • French

• • • • • •

German Design Technology Business Health and Social Care ICT Travel and Tourism

All students in Years 10 and 11 also follow courses in PE, Citizenship and ICT. In the Sixth Form we offer a wide range of courses at AS/A2 levels, VCE Advanced, GNVQ Intermediate and GNVQ Foundation with our partner schools in the Sixth Form Consortium.

Activities outside the classroom enrich our pupils’ learning experiences. We offer: • A range of lunchtime and after school clubs including ICT, Dance, Music, PE, Science and Maths • Opportunities to perform with the London Symphony Orchestra, St. Paul’s choir, the English National Opera and other nationally acclaimed organisations at major venues such as the Barbican • Work experience for Year 10 and Sixth Form students • A wide range of links with higher education and business, including HSBC, Linklaters, and Cadbury Schweppes • Visits to museums, theatres and art galleries • School journeys to New York and France as well as field trips all over the British Isles • Sporting events

Open days and evenings The lower school will be open at the following times for visits by prospective parents and students: Tuesday 14 September 2004 9.30 – 10.30am Thursday 16 September 2004 6.00 – 7.00pm Tuesday 21 September 2004 9.30 – 10.30am

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Headteacher Mark Emmerson Clissold Road, London N16 9EU Tel 020 7254 0548 Fax 020 7923 2451 Email admin@sns.hackney.sch.uk

Community School Specialist Media Arts College 1229 boys and girls Transport Bus 73/393 also 106/141/341 nearby Rail Stoke Newington then bus 73 Tube Manor House then bus 141/341

Admissions number 240 Number of first preferences for 2004 436 Number of Appeals 60 Number of Appeals upheld 5

Stoke Newington School Media Arts College

Mission statement To be an excellent comprehensive school with a strong emphasis in the area of media arts and to be a community which works together to ensure all students are inspired, and empowered, to achieve their full potential.

At Stoke Newington School: • The school achieved A grades for its exam performance against similar schools in 2003/4.

• We have been cited by OFSTED as one of the most improved secondary schools in the country.

• The school received achievement awards for two out of the last four years.

• We ensure that our students focus on achievement and attain their full potential.

• There is a strong emphasis on homework.

• Our school Code of Conduct ensures that students are well behaved, creating a calm and supportive learning environment.

• We have well qualified experienced staff who have high expectations of every single student.

• The school pays particular attention to the needs of female students.

• We have effective policies for combating bullying, racism and sexism.

• Our school productions and performances are first class.

• We encourage all students to become involved in extracurricular activities.

• We have a new fully purpose built theatre to promote the performing arts, new Media Art facilities, science laboratories and playground space.

• Our Arts provision has been recognized by a Gold Arts Mark Award • We are a pilot school for Creative Partnerships to develop creative approaches to Teaching and Learning.

Parental involvement We would like all parents to play an active part in the life of the school. It is only by listening and responding to your views that we will reach the standards of excellence we seek at Stoke Newington School. There is an active Parent Teachers’ Association and a number of year based parents’ support groups. Parents are always welcome to visit the school by appointment. There are regular parents’ evenings, and individual interviews inform parents of their

child’s progress, achievement and success. A progress report for every student is sent home five times a year.

The school is always willing to discuss any aspect of a course with parents. A regular newsletter (Spotlight), helps to keep parents abreast of developments and the wide variety of activities on offer.

High quality teaching and learning We pride ourselves on the high quality of teaching in the school. We are determined to maintain and further improve on this. Teaching high quality, interesting lessons and raising the achievement of all students are key objectives in the school’s improvement plan and was recognized by OFSTED as an undoubted strength in our provision.

The school environment The school grounds are extensive and pleasantly laid out and provide for a variety of sporting and recreational pursuits. We aim to provide a welcoming and well-resourced environment that will help to promote learning in all areas.

The school has excellent facilities. There are wellequipped and refurbished science laboratories, three gymnasia, spacious music areas incorporating the latest electronic equipment, several art rooms and an excellent theatre. We have on site an all-weather playing surface and refurbished changing rooms. Our theatre has been refurbished and is an excellent facility for youth theatre and music.

Student support, including specific support for girls We have clear and consistent strategies for managing behaviour and dealing with bullying. We have a trained Anti-Bullying Team which provides peer support to other students. This team works as part of Changemakers and we are now a Beacon Changemakers School where students run their own projects. Our aim is to encourage students to take increasing responsibility for their own learning and recognize that learning is a valuable life long experience.

In our current improvement plan we are focusing on improving support for all students. The school pays particular attention to the entitlement of its female students; there is a room set aside specifically for girls’ recreational use every lunchtime; designated women staff are available to girls who wish to discuss any

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problems. Furthermore, SNS girls perform consistently well in public examinations outperforming many of those from all girls schools.

Organisation and learning At the start of the new year there is an induction programme for new students, designed to make them feel welcome and to help them settle in quickly. Tutor groups and practical groups are mixed ability in basic organisation.

Students are regrouped after each group year to create good learning. The work of the tutors is coordinated by a year curriculum co-ordinator. In the first three years all students follow a balanced curriculum. Year 10 and 11 students, with their parents, have a choice of examination courses.

Students whose first language is not English receive extra support and the opportunity to study their first language for examination qualifications. Help is available for students with learning difficulties. Personal, social and health education includes units on sexuality and morality, the aims and principles of school and community life, and careers. The six major religions are investigated in religious education lessons. Flexible grouping allows for balanced classes, negotiated topics and single sex work.

Teacher assessment and monitoring help inform students when they set themselves individual targets each term.

The school participates in several mentoring projects and has links with higher education. Many of our students take part in visits and courses at a variety of universities.

All students have two weeks work experience giving a practical insight into the world of work. We do have a number of Learning Mentors who work with students to improve their learning. A full range of subjects at A level and GCSE together with BTEC and GNVQ courses are offered at local colleges including B6. We work in partnership with City and Islington and B6, and most of our students attend one of these colleges. We also run some AS provision on site.

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Homework Our minimum requirement for homework in Year 7 is seven hours a week and this increases as students go through school. There is space in the homework diary for comments from teachers and parents so all those concerned with the

student’s progress can easily contact each other. We also run after school homework provision every night of the week.

Public examinations Our policy is to enter all students for GCSE and to allow particularly able students to sit some of their examinations early in Year 8, 9 and 10. The school’s examination results have improved significantly over the past six years and we have ambitious targets for further improvement.

Uniform The school has just introduced a uniform for years 7 to 9 from September 2004. Sweatshirts, sweaters and polo shirts are available for purchase from school. No training shoes apart from PE lessons, no hooded tops, no branded clothing (eg Nike, addidas, vans etc…) and no hats.

Boys – black trousers, a standard white shirt with collar or school polo shirt, a school v-necked sweater or school sweatshirt, black shoes.

Girls – black trousers or black knee-length skirt, a standard white shirt with collar or school polo shirt, a school v-necked sweater or school sweatshirt, black shoes.

Unisex PE kit – school PE tee-shirt or school PE sweat shirt, black shorts or black tracksuit bottoms, training shoes.

Assemblies Whole school assemblies happen every Monday morning.

Regular year assemblies are held weekly and are conducted by the Headteacher, senior staff, year co-ordinators, students and guests. All assemblies are nondenominational and reflect the multicultural nature of the school.

Pastoral care and behaviour Tutor and Year Co-ordinators are the main source of dayto-day pastoral care and supervision. The school reviews the teaching groups each year and may make changes to tutor groups or practical groups. The Headteacher and his team are also closely involved with this aspect of school life, supporting students and staff. The school is proud of its record of dealing firmly with all forms of inappropriate behaviour. Senior staff are available throughout the day to deal with any problems which may occur. The new Year 7s will have their own year room for lunch and break.

Subjects Year 7-9 (ages 11-14) • Art • Drama • English • Humanities (Geography, History and Religious Education) • Information Communication Technology • Mathematics • Modern Foreign Language (French) • Music • Life Skills (Personal, Social, Health and Careers Education) • Physical Education • Science • Technology

Years 10 and 11 (ages 14-16) Core subjects for all students • Double Award Science • English • English Literature • Mathematics • Modern Foreign Language • Life Skills (Personal, Social, Health and Careers Education) • Citizenship Education and Religious Education • Physical Education • Technology Options include • Art • Dance • Drama

Gifted and Talented Our curriculum at KS3 and KS4 is geared towards providing for the gifted and talented and this was one of the strengths recognised in the OFSTED inspection in April 2004.

Extra curricular activities One of the school’s priorities is to broaden its students’ experience by organising trips in the UK and abroad.

School concerts, productions and sporting activities are important features of the school year. Local and residential fieldwork, theatre visits, skiing trips and other educational trips are encouraged and take place in every year group to consolidate knowledge gained in the classroom and further extend our student’s experience. The school has a variety of music ensembles which regularly perform for outside events and are increasingly in great demand. The Hackney Youth Orchestra meets at the school as does the Hackney Steel Band. We have an extensive programme of activities for students in the evenings and provide revision courses during half term holidays for other students. An exchange visit takes place each year to Spain or France.

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

Media Studies Music BTEC First Performing Arts Core skills English as a second language Geography GNVQ Information Communication Technology History Information Studies 2nd Modern Foreign Language Physical Education Vocational Courses Humanities

The more able students are able to follow AS courses in History, Media, Languages and Mathematics.

Sports We now have a developing PE department and we are keen to have wide participation in sports. Physical Education activities on offer are: Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Cricket, Dance, Football, Gymnastics, Health related fitness, Hockey, Rounders, Rugby, Table Tennis, Tennis, Trampoline, Weights and Fives. Year 10 and 11 also have Tae Kwon Do, Climbing, Weight Training and Swimming. Our students compete at a very high level and participation rates are growing.

Open days and evenings The school will be open at the following times for visits by parents and their children: Wednesday 6 October 2004 from 5.00 – 7.30pm Monday 11 October, Tuesday 12 October and Wednesday 13 October for two sessions each morning (You may come to either one or the other session).

Session 1 9.30 – 10.15am Tour of the school followed by 10.15 – 10.45am Headteacher’s talk.

Session 2 10.15 – 10.45am. Headteacher’s talk followed by 10.45 – 11.30am Tour of the school.

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Principal Mrs Pinter 153 Stamford Hill London N16 5LG Tel/Fax 020 8802 8412 (It is proposed that the school moves to new premises in Egerton Road, N16 during the academic year 2004/5) Email yeshatorah@aol.com

Jewish Voluntary Aided School Girls aged 11-16 Admissions number 90 Transport Bus 67/73/76/149/243 also 253/254/318 nearby Rail Stamford Hill, South Tottenham then bus 73/76/149/243 Tube Seven Sisters (High Road exit) then bus 73/76/149/243

Yesodey Hatorah Secondary School for Girls

Introduction Yesodey Hatorah School was founded to meet the needs of Charedi Orthodox Jewish families in Stamford Hill who desire a Charedi Orthodox Jewish education for their daughters. The school seeks to provide a broad and balanced education based on Torah values combined with the National Curriculum. It is proposed that the school will join the maintained sector in September 2005.

The definition of Charedi Orthodox Jewish is as follows The Charedi community in Hackney is a distinct group within the Jewish community distinguished by cultural differences, and strict adherence to and practice of Orthodox Judaism. Every aspect of their lives is governed by the tenets of Torah observance. Their lives are based on three tenets of Judaism ‘Torah, prayer and acts of loving kindness.’ The Charedi community is guided by the authority of the Rabbinate of the Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations.

Admission arrangements It is proposed that the school will admit 90 girls to each year group from Year 7 to Year 11 inclusive. Registered pupils at the existing Yesodey Hatorah Secondary School will transfer automatically to the new school as a voluntary aided school.

Children for whom the school is named in a Statement of Special Educational Needs are required to be admitted to the school and will be counted against the admission number.

If there are more applicants than places available to fill Year 7 and vacancies in Years 8 to 11 during the school year 2005/6, the Governing Body will admit pupils in accordance with the following over subscription criteria: 1 Charedi Orthodox Jewish girls in public care.

2 Charedi Orthodox Jewish girls whose acute medical or social need justifies a place at the school. These cases will always require supporting professional evidence and it is the responsibility of the parent to provide the evidence.

3 Charedi Orthodox Jewish girls who attend Yesodey Hatorah Girls Primary School.

4 Charedi Orthodox Jewish girls with sisters at the school.

5 Charedi Orthodox Jewish girls with siblings in attendance at Yesodey Hatorah Primary School.

6 Other Charedi Orthodox Jewish Schools.

7 Other Charedi Orthodox Jewish Girls.

8 Other Orthodox Jewish Schools.

9 Other girls with priority given to those in public care.

Tie-breaker In the event of there being insufficient vacancies to admit all applicants in any of the categories detailed above, priority will be given to pupils living the shortest walking distance from their home address to the main gates of the school as measured in a straight line.

Parents will need to apply for a place at the school on the Learning Trust application form in accordance with The Learning Trust timetable set out in this booklet.

Parents will also need to obtain a supplementary form from the school relating to their commitment to the Charedi Orthodox Jewish faith which must be signed.

Any disputes as to whether a child is Jewish will be settled by reference to the Rabbinate of the Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations or its successors from time to time.

Open days and evenings To be arranged. The dates will be available from the school from September and at the Secondary Schools Fair.

Please call for details on 020 8802 8412

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Glossary Explanation of educational terms used in this booklet LEA – Local Education Authority Admission Authority – The LEA for community schools and the Governing Body for Voluntary Aided (VA) schools and Academies Pan London Register – London wide computerised data-base GIS – Geographical computerized mapping system OFSTED – Office for Standards in Education ICT – Information, Technology & Communication PE – Physical Education PSHCE – Personal, Social, Health Education and Citizenship GCSE – General Certificate in Education GNVQ – General National Vocational Qualification NVQ – National Vocational Qualification VCE – Vocational Qualification AVCE – Advanced Vocational Qualification BTEC – Business & Technical Qualification KS3 – Key Stage 3 (curriculum in Years 7, 8, and 9) KS4 – Key Stage 4 (curriculum in Years 10 and 11)

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Design by sugarfreedesign 020 7243 2100 www.sugarfreedesign.co.uk • Photography by Richard Lewisohn www.lewisohn.co.uk

The Learning Trust Hackney Technology and Learning Centre 1 Reading Lane London E8 1GQ Admissions team 020 8820 7397/7398 Learning Trust public enquiries 020 8820 7000 www.learningtrust.co.uk Supplying education services to the London Borough of Hackney