Our Core Values
We are committed to creating an inclusive, engaging and supportive environment where every member of our community belongs and aspires to excellence.
Our school is driven by the values of the 4 Rs: Resilience, Respect, Reach and Reward. Our commitment to the 4 Rs guides us in creating an environment where every student can thrive, and we aim to be one of the best schools in the country by fostering a culture of hard work, aspiration and success.
Resilience:
We foster resilience in our students and staff by encouraging perseverance and determination in the face of challenges.
Respect:
We cultivate an environment where mutual respect is paramount, ensuring that all individuals feel valued and respected.
Reach:
We inspire our community to reach for their highest potential in academic, artistic, physical and leadership pursuits.
Reward:
We recognise and reward positive behaviour, achievements and acts of kindness, creating an engaging and motivating atmosphere.
The Weatherhead Charter
The Weatherhead Charter represents the collective aspirations and commitments of the school community. It outlines the behaviour and values to which members of the community should adhere, and serves as a guide by which we can hold each other to account. By applying these principles, we can work together towards a shared goal of creating a supportive, inspiring, and successful environment for all.
School Uniform
We take pride in our students and expect them to take pride in their uniform.
Compulsory items:
• navy school blazer/jacket
• white, short sleeve revere collar shirt
• navy blue skirt or trousers (skirts must be knee length, pencil skirts and pleated gym skirts are not permitted)
• plain navy blue, black or white socks or tights
• plain, flat, black school shoes (pumps, trainers, Kickers/Dr Martens or any style of boots are not permitted)
Optional items:
• navy blue V neck jumper or navy cardigan
PE kit
• navy blue shorts
• Weatherhead polo shirt (choice of two styles)
• tracksuit trousers
• trainers
Please ensure that all items are labelled with your child’s name to avoid confusion and to help us return lost items. Uniform and PE items can be ordered from our supplier, Baker & Son. Full details are available online with current prices and sizes, www.weatherheadhigh.co.uk/school-uniform
Additional expectations:
• one pair of stud earrings, one ring and a wrist watch (no necklaces, bracelets or smart watches)
• no facial or tongue piercings allowed (for health and safety reasons)
• make up should be kept to a minimum
• no false eyelashes or lash extensions
• no nail varnish or acrylic nails
• no extreme hair colour or styles (including partially/fully shaved hair)
• pin badges denoting Year Group must be worn on the jacket
If a student has been absent, they should provide a note to their Form Tutor upon their return to school.
Appointments
Punctuality
Wherever possible, hospital and dental appointments should be made out of school hours. Students must show an appointment letter or a note from parents to the Student Services office, who will issue an Authorised Absence Pass, which must be shown to Reception upon leaving school. Students must be collected by a parent or a nominated adult whose details are held on the school’s system.
Students must be in school by 8.35am and be prompt to lessons. Students who are late to school will be required to complete a detention on the same day and if students are repeatedly late, there will be a meeting held with key pastoral staff.
Leave of Absence
Family holidays should be taken during school holidays. Absence during term time as a result of a holiday interrupts the continuity of teaching and learning, and is often detrimental to a student’s progress. Family holidays during term time will not be approved unless in very exceptional circumstances. A week of work missed can have a significant effect upon a child’s welfare and a week of absence adds up to 25 hours of missed learning.
Useful Contacts
School Main Reception: 0151 631 4400 (switchboard)
Reception/Switchboard opening hours:
8.00am-4.30pm Monday to Thursday 8.00am-4.15pm on Friday
Student Absence: 0151 631 4410 (direct line)
Year Leader and Pastoral and Academic Support Worker: year7office@weatherheadhigh.co.uk
Supporting Your Child
At the start of Year 7, students are allocated a Tutor Group with a dedicated Form Tutor. There are also a number of additional members of staff to support your child through their high school journey.
Pastoral
and Academic Support Worker:
This member of staff deals with student concerns, gives support and guidance in relation to well-being, academic concerns and offers a listening ear. Students may also be supported with homework and all other matters relating to school.
Year Leader - every year group has a designated lead for the duration of their time at Weatherhead. Year Leaders oversee all concerns involving academic progress, attendance, welfare and safety.
Subject Teachers deal with matters relating to academic progress or concerns.
Teaching Assistants support teaching staff with teaching and learning.
The Form Tutor establishes effective daily routines and positive relationships with students in their tutor group. Your child’s Form Tutor acts as a point of contact for parents/carers, supports attendance, recognises and celebrates students’ success and is the first point of contact for queries.
Headteacher and SLT deal with unresolved concerns after all other channels have been explored.
Additional Support:
Heads of Department deal with escalated matters relating to academic concerns.
Mental Health Lead promotes positive mental health and initiates intervention for students in need.
SEND Office liaises with students, parents/carers, external agencies and staff to ensure that learning needs are identified and supported. Safety and Welfare Officer provides support for vulnerable students and their families.
CLA (Child Looked After) and Young Carers Lead provides support to looked after children and young carers.
Curriculum
For the first time, students will have specialist teachers for each subject and lessons will take place in different classrooms. At Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) students will study the following subjects:
English Mathematics Science
History
Geography
Computing
Spanish
Art
Design Technology
Dance
Drama
Food and Nutrition
Music
Physical Education
Religious Education
In PSHCE, students look at important issues such as online safety, British values, relationships, mental health, road safety, alcohol and drugs awareness.
School Trips
School trips play an important part in student enrichment, complimenting studies, exposing students to different experiences and creating memories. Students regularly enjoy theatre trips, visits to art galleries and restaurants, attending careers fairs and university events.
The Year 7 residential to the Conway Centre is a highlight of the school calendar. Students have the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities including; raft building, canoeing, abseiling and mountain biking. Over the three days students develop confidence, leadership, teamwork and problem solving skills.
Extra-Curricular
We pride ourselves on an extensive extra-curricular provisi
Students are encouraged to take part in at least one club per week. Here are just a few of the clubs that we offer:
• Art and Textiles
• Boxing
• Choir
• Computing and Coding
• Cookery
• Dance Company
• Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (Years 9-13)
• Drama
• Filmmaking
• Football
• Gardening
• German
• Gymnastics
• Netball
• Rounders
• Rugby
• Photography and Photoshop
• Science and STEM
• Tennis
• Trampolining
• Volleyball
The extra-curricular timetable is available on the school website: www.weatherheadhigh.co.uk/enrichment/extra-curricular-clubs.
Students are provided with wide ranging opportunities to play in inter-form competitions along with entry into national competitions. We are fortunate to benefit from excellent facilities, including a four court sports hall, gymnasium, fully equipped fitness suite, 3G pitch, netball and tennis courts.
Peripatetic Music Lessons
We offer a variety of instrumental lessons (piano, singing and guitar) with qualified peripatetic teachers. Students receive one 20 minute lesson per week. Times of lessons are rotated to ensure that the students do not miss the same subject every week. Students can opt to take grade exams, join the choir and perform at events.
AdditionalOpportunities
StudentLeadership
Thereareplentyofopportunitiesforstudentsto developtheirleadershipskills.ThisrangesfromFormCaptain, CharityRep,SubjectAmbassador,SportsCaptain,theSixth FormSeniorLeadershipTeamandtheSchoolCouncil.The SchoolCouncilismadeupofrepresentativesfromeachyear groupwhomeetmonthlytodiscussideasandinitiatives involvingschoollife.TheCouncilisoftenconsultedand involvedinschoolwideissuesfromimprovingtheschool environmenttochangingthevarietyofschoolmeals.
Excellence in the Arts
CareersAdviceandGuidance
The school boasts outstanding facilities with a 400 seat theatre providing an excellent stage for performances and awards i evenings, as well as a dance studio and two drama studios. The Performing Arts department offers many opportunities for students to perform in events, concerts and productions.
UndertheguidanceofourCareersLead,theschooloffersa rangeofopportunitiestosupportstudents’understandingof theworldofworkandcareers.Theschoolenjoysextensive linkswithbusinessesanduniversitiessothatstudentscan engageinworkexperience,careersfairs,mockinterviewsand dropdowncareerdays.
MostAble
Stretchandchallengeforallisatthecoreofthecurriculum, withhighexpectationsforprogressandachievement.Forour MostAblestudents,weprovidealearningenvironmentthat furtherstretchesandchallengestheirabilities.Activitiesare designedtogivestudentsopportunitiesandincludeSTEM club,TheBrilliantClub,thechancetostudyFrench,ourAim Higherprogramme,KS4scholars’programme,higher educationevents,Oxbridgevisits,SixthFormscholars’ programmeandUCASsupport.
Student Conduct
Behaviour for Learning
We believe that a high standard of behaviour from all of our students is essential. Students are expected to conform to our Framework for Learning which is vital to the efficient and safe running of the school. There are two key principles:
Every student has the right to learn. No student can be allowed to prevent others from learning.
Achievement and Behaviour
Every student has the right to feel safe. No student should ever be allowed to make another person feel uncomfortable or threatened.
It is the school policy to recognise and reward positive behaviour, effort and student achievement through our rewards system, including: improved or excellent standard of classwork or homework; effort in class; contribution to extracurricular activities and service to the school community. Staff adopt a range of strategies to recognise and reward, including postcards home, achievement points, celebration assemblies and a Headteacher’s recognition award.
It is important for consequences to be used consistently. Students may be issued with IRIS sanctions/concerns or detained for a short period at lunchtime or after the school day ends for lateness or poor behaviour. If students need to be detained for a longer period of time, parents will be given at least 24 hours notice.
Equal Opportunities
All students have equal rights, equal opportunities and equal access to education, and are entitled to receive the appropriate support they need to become valued and active members of the community. Weatherhead aims to provide an environment in which each student is treated as an individual, giving them the opportunity to develop to their maximum potential in all aspects of school life irrespective of gender, race, religion, health or ability. Our equal opportunities policies are available on the school website: www.weatherheadhigh.co.uk/school-information/policiesprocedures. page 17
Term Dates 2025-26
Autumn Term
INSET (staff)
School open - Year 7 (am only)
School open for all students
INSET (staff) pm only
School closes
INSET (staff)
Half term
School open
INSET (staff)
School closes
Christmas Holiday
Spring Term
School opens
School closes
Half term
School opens
School closes
Spring break
Summer Term
School opens
May Bank Holiday
School closes
Half term
School opens
School closes
Monday 1 September
Tuesday 2 September
Wednesday 3 September
Thursday 18 September (Open Evening)
Thursday 24 October
Friday 23 October
Monday 28 October - Friday 1 November
Monday 3 November
Friday 28 November
Friday 19 December
Monday 22 December - Friday 2 January
Monday 5 January
Friday 13 February
Monday 16 - Friday 20 February
Monday 23 February
Friday 27 March
Monday 30 March - Friday 10 April
Monday 13 April
Monday 4 May
Friday 22 May
Monday 25 - Friday 29 May
Monday 1 June
Friday 17 July