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 Whitefeld School, 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 refne 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 and visit offer 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 confdent. Through extremely hard work and determination, students flourish in our nurturing environment. Despite the many disruptions to education over the last few years, our students have shown resilience; we have seen them 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 school community. At Whitefeld 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 confdence. We understand that great exam results should never come at the cost of a student’s wellbeing.
As you read through the prospectus it will provide a deeper insight into all aspects of our school.
ABOUT THE SCHOOL
History
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.
Context
Whitefield School 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 fnd a deeper meaning in the things I was doing’’ Ishaq - Whitefield Student
‘Pupils receive a broad curriculum that meets their needs well’ Ofsted 2022
CULTURE
Our Vision:
Developing well-rounded pupils who achieve great grades and have great character.
All students embody our Ethos and Culture through our values.
We ARE Whitefield School
Ambitious
Our staff have high aspirations of our students who are ambitious and confdent.
Respectful
Students are polite, kind and are courteous to all members of our school community.
Effor t
Through hard work and determination students achieve the very best outcomes.
OUR CURRICULUM
Key Stage 3 Curriculum
The core Key Stage 3 curriculum 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. 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.
‘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
Key Stage 4 Curriculum
Students continue to follow an academic core pathway in KS4 with the majority expected to complete the English Baccalaureate. In addition to the core curriculum, there is an extensive range of GCSE and Vocational qualifications for students to choose from. STEAM subjects are popular, including Triple Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Art, 3D Design, Textiles and Catering, and over 60% of students choose to study at least one creative subject in KS4.
SIXTH FORM
Curriculum
There are a range of Level 3 pathways available to students.
Academic Academic and Vocational Vocational
3 A Level qualifcations
Extended Project Qualifcation (optional)
RSHE
A mixture of A Levels and Level 3 BTECs/Vocational qualifcations
Extended Project Qualifcation (optional)
RSHE
3 vocational qualifcations
Extended Project Qualifcation (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.
More than 95% of our leavers go on to study their first choice subjects at university. The number of students gaining a place at a Russell 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.
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
6th 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 after school events, showing visitors around the school and leading on a variety of projects to enhance the school community.
STUDENT WELLBEING
Whitefield School 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 Whitefield School 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
We supplement this approach by providing a range of training, opportunities and resources for students, including:
• An extensive transition programme for Year 7 and Year 12 students.
• A well mapped out RSHE curriculum, teaching students how to be healthy and safe (spiritual, moral, social and cultural values).
• Clear focus on building resilience and promoting wellbeing through tutors time, assemblies and lessons.
• By having a range of support systems in school, including form tutors, co-tutors, Year Team Leaders, a dedicated student services team, student counsellor, parent liaison officer and an independent careers advisor.
We are also a Healthy Schools Gold Award winner and finalist for whole-school wellbeing and mental health, TES 2021.
ENRICHMENT
At Whitefield 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. Over one hundred field and residential trips take place each year which students are always excited about.
THE COMMUNITY
At Whitefield we value the importance of community involvement in helping to develop character and respect in our students. We feel it is important that students recognise and understand their own responsibilities as members of our local community. Whitefield is committed to working in partnership with parents, governors, schools and other stakeholders in our community to ensure our students reach their full potential and that they have exciting and exceptional learning opportunities.
CONTACT US
Whitefield School, Claremont Road, London, NW2 1TR
0208 455 4114
schooladmin@whitefield.barnet.sch.uk
Twitter: Whitefield_NW2
Instagram: whitefield_nw2
Facebook: WhitefieldSchoolNW2
