Developing well-rounded pupils who achieve great grades and have great character
Welcome from the Headteacher
My name is Chris Hunt and I am incredibly proud to be the Headteacher at Clarion, a school which reminds me of my own secondary school, one which embraced its diverse community and acted as a social leveller allowing us all to flourish.
Our purpose is to ensure we develop well-rounded pupils who achieve great grades and have great character through our high standards and expectations. In the pursuit of academic excellence, we continue to build and refine our curriculum to ensure it is ambitious for all, that it is broad, balanced and develops key skills.
Our curriculum extends beyond the classroom and through an extensive trips, visits and clubs offering, we aim to give students wide ranging experiences to build their cultural capital. This, alongside a strong culture of disruption free learning, allows students to exceed their targets.
All staff have high aspirations for our students who themselves are ambitious and confident. Through extremely hard work and determination, students flourish in our nurturing environment. We have seen our students make exceptional progress and move on to great destinations including our own Sixth Form, local colleges, apprenticeships, employment and a range of Russell Group universities.
We create an environment where students are happy, well-rounded and open-minded members of our community. At Clarion we know the importance of promoting student welfare, we maintain our student services department to support students’ mental health and wellbeing to develop self-esteem and confidence. We understand that great exam results should never come at the cost of a student’s well being.
As you read through the prospectus it will provide a deeper insight into all aspects of our school.
Mr Hunt
History About Clarion
The school was built between 1953-54 on the site of the disused Hendon Metropolitan water treatment works, part of the original Clitterhouse Farm. It was originally a Secondary Modern School and opened in autumn 1954 as Whitefield School.
The decision to rename the school comes as part of our vision to modernise and refresh our identity and to celebrate the accomplishments the school has made over recent years. The name “Clarion” was chosen through consultation with staff, parents, students, and the local community. It represents both light and bright —derived from “Clare,” the Latin word for bright—and our location on Claremont Road, connecting tradition and the bright future we are building.
Context
Clarion is a vibrant, inclusive 11 to 18 mixed comprehensive school serving the local community of North West London, in the borough of Barnet. The school has excellent transport links and a green and spacious site. It draws its students from a diverse range of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
Accordingly, we are a truly comprehensive school which caters for the needs of all students. Our students are happy, friendly and keen to learn, and the nurturing of positive relationships, both among students and between students and staff, is our key concern.
‘‘I want to thank all my teachers who have helped me enjoy my subjects and gave me opportunities to really explore and find a deeper meaning in the things I was doing’’ Ishaq - Clarion Student *
‘Pupils receive a broad curriculum that meets their needs well’
Ofsted 2022
Our Vision
Developing well-rounded pupils who achieve great grades and have great character.
Our Values
All students embody our ethos and culture through our values.
Ambition
Our staff have high aspirations of our students who are ambitious and confident.
Respect
Students are polite, kind and are courteous to all members of our school community.
Effort
Through hard work and determination students achieve the very best outcomes.
The Clarion Shield
Moving in an upwards trajectory, these growing circles represent ambition and the attainment of knowledge as students go through the three key stages of schooling at Clarion.
Alternating squares of equal size represent balance, fairness and respect. They symbolise respect for all individuals, regardless of differences.
Climbing higher, this element represents effort and progress, with one phase building upon another.
Our Curriculum
The curriculum at Clarion is a place where every student, no matter their starting point, can find their passion and succeed. Students become experts in their chosen fields with a focus on knowledge, understanding and language to achieve ‘Great Grades’ and have the ambition to take their learning further.
Key Stage 3 Curriculum
The Key Stage 3 curriculum is ambitious and ensures that students master content and skills in all their subjects. Whilst there is a focus on core subjects, students study a variety of Humanities, Arts and Creative subjects. There is also a strong emphasis on the development of literacy through all subjects.
Whilst continuing a core curriculum, students choose four gateway courses to study in depth in Year 9. This process is a deliberate action to engage students and enable them to learn in depth, whilst ensuring a breadth of subjects are still studied by all. This curriculum also allows students the potential to study subjects previously unavailable in Year 9 and provides the opportunity for creative and imaginative learning opportunities. Students finish Year 9 with a clear understanding of the subjects they are taking forward and how to be successful in them.
Key Stage 4 Curriculum
In addition to the core curriculum, there is an extensive range of GCSE and Vocational qualifications for students to choose from. Science, Technology Engineering, Arts and Maths subjects are popular, including Triple Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Art, Textiles and Catering, with the majority of students choosing a combination of them. Students are taught to be experts in their chosen subjects, with a strong focus on subjects knowledge, skills and literacy. This is complemented by engaging activities and extra curricular activities to further engage and extend students’ learning.
‘The curriculum in Years 7 and 8 is demanding and taught consistently. This enables pupils to build and consolidate their learning logically, with sufficient richness and breadth’
Ofsted 2022
Teaching & Learning
At Clarion, our curriculum is meticulously designed and delivered by subject specialists who receive over 80 hours of bespoke professional development each year. This training is led by our expert teaching and learning team, ensuring continual refinement and excellence in pedagogical practice.
Our educational approach is underpinned by leading research from cognitive science and academic scholarship. Teachers possess a deep understanding of the pivotal role prior knowledge plays in shaping future learning. Lessons are purposefully structured to activate and build upon this foundation—clearly identifying the essential knowledge students need at the outset and what they must master by the lesson’s conclusion. With cognitive load theory at the heart of lesson design, new information is carefully chunked and sequenced to support understanding. Evidence based strategies such as the use of mini whiteboards, retrieval practice, and opportunities for literacy development are embedded across all lessons.
Teachers at Clarion are true subject specialists, whose expertise is continually enhanced through a carefully crafted CPD programme. This empowers our teachers to rigorously challenge, inspire, and support all learners, enabling every student to reach their full academic potential. Our unwavering commitment to excellence in teaching and learning is exemplified in our exceptional outcomes, including a Progress 8 score of +0.44 an outstanding achievement for a truly comprehensive school. This places Clarion in the top 9% nationally for progress.
Clarion Sixth Form
Curriculum
There are a range of Level 3 pathways available to students.
Academic
3 A Level qualifications
Extended Project Qualification (optional)
Academic and Vocational Vocational
RSHE A mixture of A Levels and Level 3
BTECs/Vocational qualifications
Extended Project Qualification (optional)
RSHE
3 vocational qualifications
Extended Project Qualification (optional)
RSHE
In addition we provide English and Maths resit lessons for students who have not achieved a grade 4 in Year 11. For students who achieve grade 3s at Level 2 we offer a Bridging Year programme. Students study 3 Level 2 subjects plus English and Maths GCSE or Functional Skills qualifications.
The academic curriculum is supplemented by an extensive RSHE programme that covers a range of topics including relationships, sexual health, emotional health, university applications, apprenticeships and Post 18 options.
Independent Learning
The Sixth Form Center has undergone a dramatic transformation recently. Sixth Form students now have access to state of the art computers and technology, a dedicated study area and common room space. Students have timetabled silent study sessions that are closely supervised by a member of staff. During this time students are encouraged to read around their subject and develop their knowledge and skills in the subjects they are studying.
Leadership
Sixth formers have many opportunities to attend additional enrichment programmes for example, leadership, volunteering schemes, mentoring younger students but to name a few. We have two Head Students and a Prefect team whose responsibilities include supporting school events, hosting and touring visitors and leading on a variety of projects to enhance our school community.
Pathways
More than 90% of our leavers go on to study their first choice subjects at university. The number of students gaining a place at a Russel Group university has doubled over the last two years. Our dedicated staff guide and coach our Oxbridge, medicine and dentistry students to ensure they are fully prepared for the application and interview process.
Student Wellbeing
Clarion is committed to protecting the health, safety and welfare of our students. Preventing stress is a major factor in maintaining the wellbeing of the students, which remains a key priority. In light of this, the school understands the importance of trying to reduce and deal with stress, and the factors that may cause our students to become stressed.
At Clarion we aim to create an environment that promotes positive mental health in all pupils by:
• Increasing understanding and awareness of common mental health issues.
• Providing opportunities for staff to look after their mental wellbeing.
• Alerting staff to early warning signs of mental ill health in pupils.
• Providing support to staff working with young people with mental health issues.
• Providing support to pupils suffering from mental ill health and their peers and parents or carers.
Enrichment
At Clarion we feel strongly that all students should have the opportunity to develop their cultural capital and be inquisitive about the world around them, therefore students have access to a plethora of clubs, trips and extracurricular activities.
They are encouraged to participate in house competitions, university visits and work experience. Residential trips take place each year including a ski trip which students are always excited about.
Clarion Claremont Road,
London, NW2 1TR
0208 455 4114
www.clarion.school
schooladmin@clarion.school
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