The Heathland School Prospectus 2023

A Mathematics and Science College

The Heathland School Welcome to

 Respect: we show each other respect by valuing and celebrating our differences. We create a calm, safe and fair environment.

 Kindness: we recognise the impact we have as individuals on our wider School community. We support one another by listening, sharing, and showing understanding.

 Aspiration: we consistently challenge ourselves to achieve high standards and make the most of all opportunities.

 Dedication: every day, every lesson we are committed to supporting our progress, our School and our community.

 Discipline: we are focused on achieving our goals and are motivated to do the right thing to ensure everyone can achieve.

The ‘Heathland Experience’ has benefitted generations of past pupils since the School opened in 1973. Over the years we have consistently been placed in the top 5% of all schools for pupil progression from Year 7 to 11.

We have an exceptional and long track record of university successes for our Sixth Form students, including Oxbridge and Russell Group universities.

Our committed and talented staff wish to see all of our pupils flourish, and hope that they build fulfilling and happy memories of their time at The Heathland School that will remain with them forever.

Mr Mike Rose Headteacher

At the heart of our ethos is a ‘Commitment to Excellence’. Underpinning this we have identified five Core Values which the School community believe best exemplify what it means to be a member of the Heathland School:

‘Students display excellent attitudes to learning. They behave very well around the school. They show high levels of respect and courtesy towards each other and to their teachers.’

OFSTED

Respect and Kindness

Our School cares deeply about the pupils and our community.

We seek to ensure that all our young people are happy and safe at the School and are able to learn successfully within a supportive and high achieving environment.

We are pioneering in many ways, yet traditional in our approach towards pupil learning, attitudes and conduct. We have the highest standards and expectations built on our core values, and we find that pupils take these as seriously as we do.

The Heathland is a highly disciplined environment and visitors often comment on the calm and purposeful atmosphere around the School.

The Code of Conduct is very clear and is consistently applied across the School so that our children are able to achieve their best, grow and flourish. We have a pupil and staff population of a wide range of identities, genders, ethnicities, religions, faith, ages, abilities, specific learning needs and personal and family circumstances.

Pupils need to feel safe and providing them with clear boundaries and self-belief enables them to learn and behave exceptionally well.

‘Just a quick note to say I have been driving past your school in the mornings and I have been extremely impressed by your pupils.’ LOCAL RESIDENT

on Every Child AFocus

The Heathland School is particularly proud of its pastoral care.

New pupils join a well-established system of Form Tutors and Heads of Year which ensures that pupils have individual support and attention outside of the class.

The Form Tutor is the first “port of call” for parents as well as for pupils since this member of staff sees each pupil at the start of every day.

Messages are sent between home and school using the pupils’ diary which is signed each week by the child’s parents/carers and Tutor. Pupils at The Heathland School have the opportunity to socialise at break and lunchtime with pupils of the same age in a Year Base. Each Year Base has lockers, recreation facilities and the office where the Head of Year and their Deputy are based.

‘The academic and pastoral support provided has ensured that my children have developed a lifelong love for learning and they are thriving in all aspects of school life due to the care and guidance of the staff at school.’

PARENT GOVERNOR

‘Students display excellent attitudes to learning. They behave very well around the school. They show high levels of respect and courtesy towards each other and to their teachers.’ OFSTED

‘Our daughter thoroughly enjoys all the subjects she studies in Year 8. She says that lessons are positive and engaging and that teachers are always willing to help.’ YEAR 8 PARENT

Dedication and Discipline

A rigorous and challenging curriculum that opens doors for the future.

We aim to encourage our pupils to explore the possibilities in the classroom, on the playing field, on the stage, behind the easel or anywhere else that their talents might take them. Great teaching and learning requires a deep and meaningful curriculum which supports pupils to achieve their best qualifications and outcomes. We firmly believe that pupils learn best within a secure, well-disciplined learning environment and our aim is to promote outstanding academic success through challenging all of our pupils to achieve more than they thought possible.

Whilst The Heathland School is renowned for its strength in Mathematics and the Sciences,

our broad and balanced curriculum throughout the School prepares pupils for a wide range of academic and creative subjects. We follow the full National Curriculum at Key Stage 3. All pupils study weekly lessons in Modern Foreign Languages, the Arts, Computing and Sport as part of the Key Stage 3 curriculum. Our curriculum at GCSE has always included all elements of the ‘English Baccalaureate’ and pupils of all abilities are able to access the right courses for them. We provide pupils with the core knowledge and skills they need to make a secure transition to Key Stage 4 to the Sixth Form.

‘Pupils love Science which is no surprise as Science is everywhere and in everything. It confuses, surprises and excites us all!’ HEATHLAND TEACHER

Principles of Excellence

Great teaching and learning that stretches and inspires our pupils.

High quality and creative teaching by dedicated professionals with strong subject knowledge lies at the heart of our academic success. The Heathland staff are always willing to go the extra mile to support pupils and engender a love of learning. Central to all great teaching practice is teachers using the most effective pedagogies to ensure that pupils have a positive and fulfilling learning experience.

The daily diet that each pupil receives and practises at the School should be supported unequivocally by highly skilful questioning, careful listening and feedback, excellent modelling, clear explanations, the wide use of examples and well-planned and timely assessments.

All of our teaching rooms are equipped with learning resources and suitable technology. The School’s facilities for the study of Arts and Sport are excellent. In addition to extensive grounds, we have a well-equipped Sports Hall with a climbing wall, a fitness studio, a floodlit Astroturf and vast outdoor playing fields.

Teaching is our core business and opportunities are created to develop our pupils’ resilience and independence as learners whilst promoting healthy and happy lifestyles. The approach to teaching and learning is expressed through our ‘Principles of Excellence’ which are displayed in every classroom in the School and in pupils’ diaries.

‘It is wonderful to see pupils discovering how to carry out an exam question independently or solving a complex problem that they didn’t think they could do. Great teaching should inspire pupils and we do our best to create the right learning environment’. HEATHLAND TEACHER

‘I love teaching at The Heathland. You always feel that everyone is pulling together to give our pupils the best possible opportunities’. DEPUTY HEADTEACHER

‘The Sixth Form experience is amazing. I have been successful in making an application to study Medicine. Had it not been for the expert advice and support I received from teachers in the Sixth Form, I would not have fulfilled my potential.’

YEAR 13 STUDENT

The Heathland

Sixth Form

An outstanding education and enriching experience.

We have a long tradition of achievement and success. Our students leave for some of the best universities, including Oxford and Cambridge and those in the Russell Group as well as to apprenticeships and employment. The Sixth Form experience is carefully designed to bridge the gap between school life and the world of further study and work. We have a dedicated Academic

Tutor and committed team of Form Tutors in the Sixth Form who ensure students are prepared for University Admission Tests for the most sought after university courses. We offer an extensive programme of enrichment activities including leadership opportunities for students to support their development. Further information about the Sixth Form is available on the School’s website.

‘The best part of a being a Head of Sixth Form is watching the Year 11 students grow into mature individuals who forge their own path and become authentic individuals, flourishing in their chosen field and making a positive contribution to the School and wider local community.’

HEAD OF SIXTH FORM

Aspiration

Broadening horizons and developing talents.

There is no better time to discover new skills and talents than during your school days. The curriculum is supported by extensive enrichment provided before, during and after school, to broaden and enhance the learning experience. We also organise a diverse array of activities and programmes available throughout the school week, including clubs, talks and career opportunities.

The Heathland School values the Arts and has a large number of concerts and events which reflect our vibrant and talented community.

Celebrating a wide range of festivals, cultures and global events routinely feature in our assembly programme. We offer a wide range of educational trips and visits at The Heathland School, both within the UK and abroad.

In order to contribute their ideas for clubs and activities, pupils across the School are able to have their voice heard through our active School Council and Leadership Programmes. Our exciting Charity Week raises large amounts of funding for important causes at the heart of our local community and beyond.

‘I wanted a co-educational comprehensive school that would go above and beyond to provide my children with an exceptional educational experience and I have found this at The Heathland School.’ PARENT GOVERNOR

The Heathland

Stars of the Future

We provide an unrivalled programme of extra-curricular activities which is a strength of being the largest secondary school in Hounslow.

Our sports teams have been successful in County and National Competitions including winning the Middlesex Football Cup as well as a prestigious Netball Tournament in Shropshire. Our hardworking and dedicated staff continually look to develop and extend these opportunities which also includes the

Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme at both Bronze and Silver levels. Pupils are placed in one of five houses and take part in lively competitions each term. The highlight of the sporting calendar is our traditional Sports Day which takes place in July each year.

‘There are clubs before, during and after school almost every night of the week. Ranging from the Arts, Music and Drama to a vast range of sports clubs. This year I had the opportunity to audition for a part in our annual production, represent the School at sport and travel to Lille’ YEAR 7 PUPIL

A Mathematics and Science College