Reach for the Stars
Our school motto is what we encourage our students to do and at Highworth we promote a community where all members are:
• Reflective, creative and innovative
• Eager for life-long learning
• Aiming to achieve their full potential
• Considerate, confident, independent individuals
• Happy in a caring, respectful community
Welcome
It is a pleasure to introduce you to our vibrant school which combines a tradition of academic excellence with extensive pastoral support.
Duncan Beer Headteacher
Students at Highworth love learning and are highly motivated. We care about our students and they care about each other which creates a happy and supportive learning environment.
We aim to provide a broad academic curriculum that allows students to realise their own passions and interests. We want students to become confident learners who are reflective, perceptive and independent thinkers. We are an innovative school and encourage students to find creative ways to overcome challenges, better preparing them to become life-long learners as they reach for the stars.
Highworth’s strength is built upon our community and we are eager to work in partnership with you to provide a fulfilling and enjoyable educational experience. We look forward to meeting you and welcoming you to Highworth.
Joining the School
Highworth admits girls into Year 7 from about forty different primary schools in the area.
The county selection procedure is used to assess students as suitable for a grammar school education. As a designated physical disability school, we offer selective places to girls with a range of physical disabilities, including wheelchair users. Girls can be admitted to other Year Groups, following tests, if there are places available. Students (girls and boys) also join at 16+ to follow Sixth Form courses.
Every student is assigned to a Mentor Group in a Learning Community. The Mentor Group has students from every Year Group which allows students to learn from each other and share their experiences. A Mentor will lead the sessions every day and offer guidance and support to the students.
Numbers on Roll 1st July 2024
There are seven forms of entry per year in Years 7 to 11.
The school’s Published Admission Number (PAN) is 210. We received 288 first choice applications after sitting the 11+ selection tests for entry into Year 7, 2024.
Wearing Our Uniform
Uniform is worn by students in Years 7 to 11 and we have a clear and strict uniform policy encouraging students to wear their uniform with pride, as well as demonstrating a sense of belonging to the Highworth community.
Exploring the Curriculum
Our curriculum supports our REACH values and aims to provide continuity between the Key Stages, whilst also offering new challenges and opportunities for students moving into the next stage of their education. It is delivered via fifty periods over a two week cycle.
Key Stage 3
• A very broad range of subjects is studied including Music, Dance, Art and Drama.
• Computing is taught as a discrete subject in Years 7 to 9 and the skills learned are reinforced and developed in other subjects.
• All students study two Modern Foreign Languages in Year 7 before choosing to specialise in one of these languages in Year 8.
• There is an extensive and comprehensive Design and Technology programme throughout the Key Stage, making use of excellent facilities.
• Discrete PSHE is taught across Years 7, 8 and 9.
Key Stage 4
• The core subjects of English Language, English Literature, a Modern Foreign Language, Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), Mathematics and Religious Studies are followed by all students.
• Provision is made for a broad choice of option subjects.
• All students are required to follow courses which allow them to obtain the EBacc.
In addition to the core subjects, full GCSE courses are offered in the following subjects:
Key Stage 5 Curriculum
• Students typically study three A Level courses which are all two year courses.
• Nearly 30 A Level subjects are offered:
Art
Biology
Business Studies
Chemistry
Computer Science
Dance
Drama and
Theatre
Economics
English Language and Literature
English Literature
Film Studies
French
Geography
German
History
Mathematics
Further
Mathematics
Media Studies
Music
Photography
Physical Education
Physics
Politics
Product Design
Psychology
Religious Studies
Sociology
Spanish
• There is an option for students to undertake an Extended Project to pursue their independent studies.
Other Aspects of the Curriculum
• All students follow a programme of: Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE); Religious Education; Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural development (SMSC); Physical Education; Careers Education; and Citizenship. This is taught discretely in Years 7 to 9 and 13, and through Focus Days for Years 10 to 12, along with other events throughout the school year.
• Careers advice includes Focus Day events as well as bespoke guidance from an independent careers service and our Careers Manager. Alumni talks enhance the advice and guidance on careers given to all Year Groups.
• Compulsory Supplementary Study in Year 12 and Year 13 encourages students to develop good study habits. In addition, a programme of Co-curricular activities and Personal Development provides students with the opportunity to acquire broader life skills.
Religious Education and Collective Worship
Assemblies may be taken by the Headteacher, staff or students, are non-denominational and are intended to give an opportunity for collective worship, consideration of moral issues, personal reflection and the celebration of success and achievement.
All students in Years 7 to 11 attend Religious Education lessons. Religious Studies is studied by all students to GCSE and can also be taken to A Level. It plays a key role in the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of students enabling them to be young people who appreciate the complexities of living in modern British society. The subject has been awarded the gold RE Quality Mark and has a county and national reputation for its innovative work.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
At Highworth, special educational provision means any intervention for students which is additional to, or different from, the educational provision made generally for students of their age. Our SEND policy details how the school will identify students with special educational needs and how provision is made for their inclusion into all areas of the curriculum, making reasonable adjustments where applicable, whilst recognising the need to liaise with outside agencies to offer relevant and positive support.
Personal Development
The school provides numerous opportunities for students to achieve their full potential. Clubs and societies are advertised in school and on the website each term. They are an opportunity for students to develop areas of personal interest and even take part in local and national competitions.
Our SIRIUS Careers and Employability Programme supports students in thinking about their skills, interests and aspirations for the future. Students are also encouraged to apply for leadership roles in the school which include Student Governors, Ambassadors, Digital Leaders and Prefects.
The Rewards System encourages all students to develop approaches and attitudes which: contribute to the school community; develop independence; and lead to successful life-long learning, as set out in our Reach ethos. We congratulate students on their successes and celebrate their achievements as a Bronze, Silver or Gold Superstar.
Personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE) is provided for all students to help them feel ready for the world beyond school. PSHE lessons are timetabled in Years 7 to 9 and 13. Students in Years 10 to 12 receive their PSHE education via Focus Days. These are days when students are off timetable and able to focus on the core themes of: health and wellbeing; relationships; and living in the wider world, alongside our SIRIUS careers programme. All staff contribute to the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of our students in the academic curriculum, extracurricular opportunities and pastoral support system.
Times of the School Day
08.45am Period 1
09.45am Period 2
10.50am Morning Break
11.10am Period 3
12.10pm Mentor Period
12.35pm Lunch
1.30pm Period 4
2.30pm Period 5
3.35pm End of School Day
Enjoying the School Day
The school is open from 7.45am until 5.00pm from Monday to Thursday and until 4.30pm on Friday so that students can complete homework and coursework, use the Library or attend clubs.
Parents will be notified in advance if students are staying later than 5.00pm for supervised after school activities.
Becoming Student Leaders
Student Wellbeing Ambassadors
Being a Student Wellbeing Ambassador has been a great learning experience over the past academic year. We are passionate about being able to help other students learn about mental and physical wellbeing, and this role has allowed us to develop our skills of leadership, communication and independence, while working with others in a team.
We have enjoyed proposing new wellbeing materials to support students in their day-to-day lives, in school and out. It is rewarding to support others in choosing a wide range of activities to aid their wellbeing.
Geography Prefects
In our role as Geography Prefects, we aim to inspire others to love Geography as much as we do. We hope to enable all students to do their best within Geography and are always ready to provide a helping hand. We use our role to support Geography students in their learning, while also creating a fun and dynamic department in the school, where Geography lessons and clubs are always engaging and fulfilling. This includes activities such as our use of the Geography Department’s Instagram to engage other Geography students and spread general Geography knowledge in a fun way – we find this captures the attention of students and allows them to learn eagerly.
Representing the Students
The Senior Prefect Team are the leaders and representatives of the students at Highworth.
As the Highworth SPT, we are the link between Senior Leadership and students, meaning we put Student Voice, across all Year Groups, at the heart of everything we do. We aim to encourage and develop an inclusive and welcoming environment, where all students are supported academically and personally to reach their full potential as confident, well-rounded individuals.
As all Highworth students do, we love the strong sense of community and hope to enhance
this by furthering the opportunities students have to immerse themselves in a vast range of extracurricular activities, charity events and sports competitions.
We hope to work collaboratively with staff and students alike, cultivating a unique Highworth experience in which all members of the school feel heard, understood, capable of achieving their goals and involved in the community.
The Community Captains support the Directors of Learning and Student Support Managers to develop vibrant and successful Learning Communities.
As Community Captains, we aim to support students to help them feel comfortable and at home within their Learning Community. This is implemented through healthy competition between Communities across the year, such as during Rounders Day, Sports Day and Community Drama. Our role as Community Captains is to inspire and motivate all students to join in with the numerous activities we run and we hope that all students feel comfortable enough to ask us for advice when needed.
Whether it be AB, CS, EG, JP, KK, NS or VM, we want all students to feel excited and inspired to be a part of their Community and Highworth as a whole!
Maidstone Road, Ashford, Kent TN24 8UD
T: 01233 624910
office@highworth.kent.sch.uk
www.highworth.kent.sch.uk
This general information leaflet relates to the plans for the school year 2024-2025 and was correct at September 2024, but it should not be assumed that there will be no change in any of the arrangements before or during the year in question or in subsequent years.
Published September 2024