The Bromfords School
Headteacher:
Mrs M. P. Spinks NPQH, MA (Ed Man), PGCE, BSc (Hons) CMS Deputy Headteacher: Mr I. R. Jarratt NPQH, MA Mr I. M. Coulson NPQH, BA (Hons) Chairman of Governors: Mrs M. Whitham Status and Character:
A Co-educational Foundation School and Technology College for students aged 11-18
Number of students: Number to admit:
January 2010 September 2010
1083 224
The information contained in this document refers to the academic year 2010-2011. It should not be assumed that subsequent changes in the school organisation will not affect the information contained in this document.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR PARENTS OF PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS Parents and prospective students are welcome to tour the school while it is in session. Tours will take place from 29th September to 6th October and 11th to 15th October 2010. Please telephone for an appointment (01268 471201) There is an Open Evening at school on 7th October 2010, from 6.00 p.m. until 9.00 p.m. Present students and staff will be happy to answer any queries. We look forward to seeing you. Prior to joining, new students will be invited to attend an Induction Day. There is also a new intake evening for students and parents.
AIMS OF THE SCHOOL The school motto is ‘To Learn and To Care’. We care about our students’ academic and personal welfare and strive to ensure they are given every opportunity to reach their full potential. At Bromfords we are all part of an active learning environment, where learning is valued for all and includes learning beyond the classroom. Our aim is for Bromfords’ students to become the best they can be; confident, self respecting and respectful young people ready to fully embrace life in the 21st century.
OUR OBJECTIVES We will achieve our aim by: • Building a partnership between learners, parents and carers, teachers, governors, support staff, employers and the community to achieve the shared goal of the highest possible education and training standards; • Enabling learners to develop and enhance their skills, knowledge and understanding, and appreciate that education is a life-long process; • Furthering the professional development of all staff; • Ensuring that financial resources are efficiently and effectively used; • Creating a safe, secure, orderly and caring environment for all; • Providing an educational experience that furthers the intellectual, physical, creative, aesthetic, moral, spiritual and social development of every individual; • Developing the curriculum in Mathematics, Science, Technology and Vocational Education to give every student the chance to specialise in these areas; • Working closely with industry to maintain relevance to the world of work. By enrolling their children at Bromfords, parents are agreeing to abide by its rules, policies and codes of conduct.
OFSTED The school was visited by Ofsted in May 2009 as part of their monitoring process following an Ofsted inspection in May 2008. The report following the Ofsted inspection in May 2008, includes the following statements: • The school is highly rated in GCSE performance tables and has many strengths, including many hard working and committed staff.
• Students follow healthy lifestyles, many contribute positively to the school and wider community. • The school promotes a strong anti-bullying message. • The curriculum meets students' needs well and reflects the technology college status. • Senior staff are constantly seeking improvements. • The effectiveness of the sixth form is good. • Students' personal development and well-being are good. They enjoy being in the sixth form, and develop good working relationships with staff, who they describe as approachable and always prepared to help. Reports are available from the Ofsted website; www.ofsted.gov.uk
DESCRIPTION OF THE SCHOOL The Bromfords School is a purpose-built school, which opened in 1973 to cater for students aged 11-18. The school was one of the first to be awarded the prestigious status of Technology College in 1996. This status has been re-awarded and Bromfords is in its fourth phase of being a Specialist Technology College. The Bromfords School is a thriving, over subscribed 11-18 fully comprehensive and inclusive, specialist Technology College in the heart of the Wickford area. The Bromfords School is a real community that cares and values all members of the school equally. The school has recently been enhanced with a three million pounds new teaching block. There is a large Sports Hall and Fitness Suite on the site to which the school has full access throughout the day. The school facilities are open to the public and also provide the PCT trust with an onsite working base. The school has achieved the Healthy School Award and actively engages in Student Leadership programmes. The staff are dedicated to achieving the highest possible standards. The good working relationship within the school has developed from encouraging the students to think and act responsibly and to be considerate to others at all times. The school offers a full range of extra curricular activities and trips.
ADMISSION ARRANGEMENTS TO THE BROMFORDS SCHOOL Co-ordinated Admissions Scheme Parents who wish their child(ren) to attend The Bromfords School must apply in accordance with the co-ordinated admissions arrangements operated by their home Local Authority (LA). Details of the co-ordinated admissions scheme agreed by Essex secondary schools for 2011 to 2012 are set out in the Secondary Education in Essex. The admissions policy of The Bromfords School will be applied in accordance with the co-ordinated arrangements set out in the booklet published by Essex County Council.
Policy and Numbers Students will be admitted at age 11 without reference to ability or aptitude. The number of intended admissions for the year commencing 1stSeptember 2011 will be 224. For the 2010 intake there were 429 applications for admissions. The closing date for applications is 31st October 2010. It is as part of the Essex LA agreed scheme and is applicable to parents who are resident in Essex. Applications should be made using the Common Application Form supplied by Essex County Council. Parents residing outside Essex who wish to apply for a place at The Bromfords School should name the school as one of their preferences on their home authority’s application form and by the closing date stipulated in the home authority’s co-ordinated admission scheme. The LA will notify parents of the offer of a place on 1st March 2011. Applications received after the closing date will be regarded as ‘late’ and treated according to the detailed LA’s scheme for co-ordination of admission arrangements. Children with statements of special educational needs which name the school are required to be admitted. NB. We adopt the definition of siblings as outlined in the Secondary Education in Essex booklet.
Over-subscription Where applications for admission exceed the number or places available, the following criteria will be applied, in the order set out below, to decide which children to admit. • Looked after children as defined in section 22 of the Children’s Act 1989. • Where a child is living in the defined geographical area of Wickford, the closest to the school being given the highest priority (as determined by straight line distance). In the event of children living the same straight line distance priority will be given to a child who has a sibling currently attending the school in any year except 13. • Where a child is living outside the defined geographical area of Wickford and has a sibling currently attending the school in any year except Year 13, the closest to the school will be given the highest priority (as determined by straight line distance). • Where a child is living outside the defined geographical district of Wickford, the closest to the school being given the highest priority (as determined by straight line distance). • In the event of over subscription the LA will hold a waiting list in the order of admission criteria until the end of the first week of the autumn term in accordance with the co-ordinated admissions scheme. Thereafter we will hold a waiting list until the end of the autumn term. Exceptional medical reasons may also be considered. The relevant medical reason may be in relation to the child or one or both of the parents. Such requests should be supported by evidence from a doctor or other registered health professional setting out why our school is the most suitable and the difficulties that would be caused if the child attended and travelled to another school. Applications made on this basis will be considered by our School Admission Panel. All refused applicants have a statutory right of appeal to an independent appeal panel. In accordance with the agreed co-ordinated admissions scheme a waiting list will be maintained by the LA until the end of the first week of the Autumn term 2011.
In-Year Applications From September 2010 all in-year applications must be made directly to the child’s home LA.
Admission to the Sixth Form The school is proposing to admit 100 in Year 12, including 15 who will be admitted for the first time in September 2011. Year 12 students will be admitted only if they meet the entry requirements for the pathway they wish to enrol on. In addition students must meet specific subject requirements detailed in the prospectus.
Oversubscription Criteria where the Sixth Form is oversubscribed Existing Year 11 students applying for a sixth form place and external students applying to be admitted for the first time, will be offered a place according to the school’s existing Admission Arrangements.
STUDENT CONTACT TIME The school works on a five-day timetable. Each day is divided into five lessons of sixty minutes duration. There is a sixth lesson scheduled on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday which is used for enrichment and fast track courses for students. Students will be advised of the need to attend this lesson/these lessons at the start of the year. There is a pastoral/assembly period of twenty minutes during the afternoon session every day.
Timing of the School Day 8.30: 8.35: 8.40: 9.40: 10.40: 11.00: 12.00:
Warning Bell Registration Lesson 1 Lesson 2 MORNING BREAK Lesson 3 Lesson 4
1.00: 1.40: 2.00: 3.00: 3.00: 4.00:
Lunch Registration Lesson 5 END OF SCHOOL DAY Lesson 6 - Enrichment End of Enrichment Lesson
UNIFORM
PHYSICAL EDUCATION UNIFORM
Students are ambassadors of the school and are expected to dress and behave in a way that reflects the standards we seek to achieve. All students in Years 7 to 11 wear school uniform.
For all physical education activities students will be expected to wear the following kit:
Boys:
Girls:
School blazer with embroidered emblem School tie with house coloured stripe Plain white button-up shirt (no motifs, polo or fitted shirts) Traditional, plain navy blue trousers (no jeans or cords) Sensible black shoes (no boots, trainers or casual shoes) Socks – black or navy blue A blue v-neck jumper, with the school logo, may be worn School blazer with embroidered emblem School tie with house coloured stripe Plain white button-up shirt (no motifs, polo or fitted shirts) Traditional, plain navy blue trousers (no jeans or cords) or Plain navy blue skirt (respectable length – no slits in the front or sides) Black traditional shoes (no boots, trainers, casual shoes or backless shoes). For safety reasons shoes should have low heels. Black or navy opaque tights may be worn. A blue v-neck jumper, with the school logo, may be worn
Girls:
Years 7-9 Light blue polo shirt with school logo Years 10-11 White polo shirt with school logo Shadow stripe navy blue shorts with school logo Long navy blue sports socks and appropriate footwear Bromfords School tracksuit (optional)
Boys:
Year 7-9 Light blue polo shirt with school logo Years 10-11 White polo shirt with school logo Shadow stripe navy blue shorts with school logo Long navy blue sports socks and appropriate footwear Royal blue school rugby shirt with school logo Protective equipment (shin pads and a suitably fitted mouth guard is recommended) Bromfords School tracksuit (optional)
SPORT
A wristwatch and one small metal stud per ear. No other jewellery is allowed.
The Governing Body is committed to providing a framework which promotes individual and team achievement, together with the values of health, exercise and fitness. Team sports play a valuable role in developing well-managed competitiveness and co-operation.
Make-up
STUDENT GROUPING
Discreet make-up may be worn by girls in years 10-11.
All students are placed in mixed ability registration groups on entry to the school. However students are taught in subject blocks which allow them to be set by ability in different subjects. Sets are formally reviewed twice yearly, but students will also change groups at other times if the need arises. In higher years, setting increases and for able students there is the opportunity to pursue extra GCSE subjects such as three separate science subjects, or to be accelerated to GCSE in some
Jewellery
Students in years 12 and 13 do not have to wear school uniform. Specific details are given on entry to Bromfords Sixth Form.
subjects in year 10. Regular interviews are held with tutors and senior staff to monitor progress. There are study support and revision classes outside lessons in most subjects.
TEACHING STRATEGIES Within the school’s curriculum framework, a wide range of teaching strategies are used to meet the needs of each individual. These include whole-class teaching, group work, pair work, individual research, role-play, drama, experiments, practical and fieldwork. All students are expected to apply themselves well and strive to achieve their best at all times.
ASSESSMENT AND PROGRESS Assessment for Learning is built into lessons and used to inform, guide and assist students to work more effectively. Student progress is tracked across the academic year and shared with parents at Parent Consultation Evenings and through an annual full written report on academic progress and short reports with attainment levels and effort grades.
GIFTED AND TALENTED As a comprehensive school we aim to develop the potential of all our students. We enable curriculum enhancement in a wide range of subjects for gifted and talented students. These include acceleration through examination courses and early-entry; master classes; out-of-hours revision and study opportunities and national and local competitions. We are the base for the Essex School of Music, Dance & Drama. We liaise with local and national sporting organisations to develop talented students to the highest level.
PASTORAL CARE On entry to the school, students are placed in tutor groups with a form tutor. Each year group is led by a Learning Manager, with the support of a Pastoral Manager. Learning Managers and form tutors are responsible for monitoring and supporting the social and academic progress of each student. All students are placed into one of four houses. Throughout the year there are many opportunities for students to score points for their house through sporting, academic and social activities.
STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS The Bromfords School values all students and their achievements are given equal weight. The school aims to provide a rich, varied and challenging curriculum, which enables every individual to achieve their highest possible standard. The Bromfords School seeks to ensure every child with SEN reaches their full potential in school, and can make a successful transition to adulthood and the world of further and higher education, training or work. The school aims to inform parents early and involve them in measures to meet their child’s needs. Bromfords follows the Code of Practice to identify, assess and support children with special educational needs. Students with Special Educational Needs are supported in their learning by support teachers and classroom assistants and by individual and small group work. Regular use is made of outside agencies.
EXTERNAL QUALIFICATIONS The school normally enters students at the end of Year 11 for external examinations. Some students may be given the opportunity to be entered earlier than year 11 and may then proceed to higher level qualifications. Students are given guidance on which courses to choose. The school will take into account the size of groups, the aptitude and ability of students, and the recommendations of staff. Parents will also be consulted.
EXAMINATION ENTRIES It is the school’s policy to enter all students for public examinations for which they have prepared and in which they have a reasonable chance of success. Careful initial counselling towards the right courses means that non-entry is rare, and this only takes place after consultation with parents and students.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES The school has excellent provision for disabled students including ramping around the site for wheelchairs and a lift. The Bromfords School actively promotes the welfare and interests of disabled children. It is school policy that all students with special educational needs have full access to the National Curriculum. A copy of the policy is obtainable from the school.
CAREERS EDUCATION There is a full programme of careers and personal guidance. This is arranged within the school in conjunction with The Connexions Service. Advisers are available at Parents’ Evenings for consultation. They also conduct interviews with all students and are available during weekly lunchtime sessions for more informal meetings. Individual counselling and target setting takes place regularly and individual action plans are drawn up for the students. All students in Year 10 undertake a two-week period of work experience.
The Bromfords School is committed to equal, independent access for all staff, students, visitors and community users. The school aims to ensure that the school meets the needs of all, taking account of gender, ethnicity, culture, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, and social circumstances. It seeks to achieve practical solutions to support all, to ensure they have equal opportunities to benefit from, and contribute to, the learning process. We aim to develop a culture of inclusion and diversity in which people feel free to participate fully in school life. The school has an equal opportunities policy which fulfils all the necessary statutory legislation. This policy is actively implemented in all areas of school life and is available from the school.
WORKING TOGETHER At Bromfords, we have clear expectations that ensure high standards of behaviour and a safe friendly atmosphere. Bromfords School promotes respect for each other and for oneself, equal value for all members of the school community and trust between colleagues and peers.
BULLYING Bullying is unacceptable in the school and we are active in promoting The Bromfords School Anti-Bullying policy. Copies of the policy are available from the school.
RACISM Racism in any form is not acceptable and is not tolerated under any circumstances. Copies of the full Bromfords School Anti-Racist policy are available from the school.
COMMUNITY COHESION The Bromfords School welcomes our duty to promote community cohesion. Community Cohesion embraces faith, ethnicity and culture & socio-economic factors. Our curriculum aims to promote the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of all our students and to prepare them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life. We draw up our curriculum and an action plan within our school improvement plan to ensure that teaching and learning and the life of our school reflect our vision and further develop community cohesion. A copy of the Bromfords School Community Cohesion policy is available form the school.
SEX EDUCATION The governors have approved a policy that places sex education in the wider context of health, social and moral education. The main content is delivered within the areas of Science and Life Skills. The policy is based on the premise that sex education should encourage the acquisition of knowledge and attitudes, allowing students to manage their relationships in a responsible and healthy manner. Considerable emphasis is given to religious and moral considerations and the value of family life.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Religious education is taught throughout the school. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from RE and religious assemblies, but should consult the Headteacher if they wish to exercise their rights. Alternative arrangements will be made.
COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE
PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS
The Governors have accepted the guidelines issued by the government regarding procedures in the event of a complaint over curriculum matters. The first step should be to contact the Headteacher at the school. Most concerns are usually resolved by discussion at this early stage. A full copy of the complaints procedure may be obtained from the school.
Where a student is entered for a public examination for which he or she has not been prepared by the school, the cost will be passed onto parents. Where a student is entered for a public examination, which is not prescribed by the Secretary of State, the cost will be passed on to parents. Where a student fails, without good reason to complete the examination requirements for any public examination, for which the Governing Body has paid, or is liable to pay a fee, then the fee will be recovered from the parents.
SECURITY The school has undertaken a number of developments to ensure that the premises are secure. An advanced security monitoring system is installed and procedures are in place for controlled entry to the building. The provision of a cashless dining system reduces the chances of students losing money.
DAMAGE TO AND LOSS OF SCHOOL PROPERTY At the discretion of the Headteacher, a parent may be charged for damage to or loss of school property resulting from the behaviour of their child.
CHARGES AND REMISSION POLICY Please note: this is a brief summary; the full policy is available at the school.
Transport Travel costs relating to work experience will be reimbursed by the school upon production of receipts. Charging for ‘Finished Products’ Where parents indicate in advance a wish to own the finished product, a charge may be levied to cover the cost of ingredients or materials in a subject such as Technology.
Optional Extras (i.e. outside school hours) There are a range of activities schools may wish to make available, as optional extras. There is usually a charge for such activities and the majority will need to be self supporting. Therefore, this may incur a charge to parents with respect to; • A student’s travel costs; • A student’s board and lodging costs; • Materials, books, instruments and other equipment; • Entrance fees to museums, castles, theatres etc; • Insurance costs.
REMISSION OF CHARGES In cases of financial hardship, representations may be made to the Headteacher and to the Governing Body, requesting that charges be waived.
POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT The Bromfords School Behaviour for Learning policy has two strands that are closely linked. One is built on positive recognition and reward. The other deals with classroom management and sanctions. Both rely upon a common approach across the school applied consistently for all students in all situations.
What is a positive behaviour model: • An approach to behaviour management that recognises all those students who consistently behave in an appropriate manner. The focus is on the positive, not always on the negative
Aim of using a positive behaviour model: • To create a positive ethos through effective and regular recognition of all achievements If a student chooses not to meet school expectations, an appropriate sanction
will be given. An incident within a classroom, will initially be managed by the classroom teacher and within the school. If the situation escalates, or an incident is more serious and is to the detriment of learning or the core purpose of the school, a further sanction will be actioned. This may include; removal from the classroom, detention, internal or external exclusion on a fixed term or permanent basis. The decision to exclude a student is taken on the balance of probabilities and is not taken lightly. Any decision to exclude is based on Governmental guidance relating to ‘Improving Behaviour and Attendance’. Most students complete their school career without serious disciplinary problems. It must be recognised however that home and school are a team and our young people can only learn self respect and control through our combined efforts.