Welcome to
Hugh Christie School The Place To Be….
Welcome to Hugh Christie Hugh Christie is a coeducational school between the ages of 11 and 18. We are proud to be a fully inclusive school. We serve Tonbridge and most of West Kent with excellent transport links.
The Place To Be…… We are proud of our school and our achievements. We value the precious opportunity to learn and value those who are here to teach us. We believe in equality and recognise that everyone has the right to be happy here.
We care about our school, our community, our friends and our families.
The school is a welcoming community with a distinctive ethos and a friendly focused atmosphere. We hope all our pupils will be happy, successful and become well prepared for their future life, whatever that might be.
Who was Hugh Christie? When it opened in 1957, the school was named after Mr. Hugh Christie who was a local farmer, public servant and educationalist. He was one of the founders of the National Union of Farmers and Women’s Institute. He was a man of outstanding character, integrity and courage. He was awarded the OBE for services to political and public life in Kent. He died in 1962.
OFSTED inspection 2017 Ofsted inspected Hugh Christie in December 2017 and judged us to be ‘good’ in all areas. They stated: The school has an “ethos of respect”. “Pupils are happy and show a desire to learn”. “Teachers know pupils well and are committed to improving their achievement”. “Pupils are confident, know how to be successful and encourage each other to do well”. “Extra-curricular opportunities are extensive”. The full report is available to view on the school and Ofsted websites.
The Leadership Team Mark Fenn is Head of School and is responsible for the curriculum, behaviour and achievement. He has a Master's Degree in Educational Management and has been at the school since 2002. Jon Barker is Executive Principal of the Tonbridge Federation. This partnership works to enhance the quality of education at Hugh Christie and within the other schools involved. Jon has been at the school since 2005 and is also a Hugh Christie parent.
The Hugh Christie Curriculum Our curriculum and teaching seeks to develop vocabulary, knowledge, skills, character and culture. We approach this through our ‘Pillars of Excellence’; these are teaching and learning approaches that use proven good practice methods to achieve the best for our pupils.
We have twenty four lessons every week, each lasting one hour. Pupils also meet daily with their advisor.
FOUNDATION YEARS PROGRAMME (YEAR 7 TO YEAR 9) During the Foundation Years our pupils study the National Curriculum in eight areas of experience:
English Mathematics Science Modern Foreign Languages (Spanish or German) Humanities (delivered through the REAL curriculum using a theme approach to deepen, broaden and enrich pupils’ learning) Arts (including Art, Music and Drama) Design and Information Technology (including computing) Physical Education PSHE and Citizenship (delivered through ten ‘Focus Days’)
When they join us in Year 7, your child will be placed in one of three ability streams for many of their lessons. This is initially decided using information from your child’s primary school. Pupils can move between streams as they develop and change. The REAL curriculum (Relevant Engaging Active Learning) is an important and unique feature of Hugh Christie School. It not only supports children with the transition between primary and secondary school, but it also develops and deepens essential knowledge, skills and vocabulary to support pupils when they transfer to the Baccalaureate Years Programme during Year 9.
BACCALAUREATE YEARS Initially, Year 9 provides an opportunity for pupils to broaden, deepen and enrich their learning within the Foundation Years Programme.
During the first few months of Year 9, pupils are guided towards either a full English Baccalaureate pathway or an alternative pathway (with some greater subject choice). The structure of our curriculum means that all pupils do have the option of studying the English Baccalaureate suite of subjects if it is appropriate. All pupils will follow courses in English (Language and Literature), Maths, Science, (either a combined course or separate GCSEs in Physics, Biology and Chemistry), Physical Education, PSHE and Citizenship (delivered through thirteen ‘Focus Days’), Philosophy and Ethics (delivered through five ‘Focus Days’) and work experience (delivered through one ‘Focus Week’). Whilst some specialising takes place, pupils are encouraged to keep studying a broad and balanced curriculum, which best suits their needs and aspirations, through the available option subjects. Option subjects include a range of both GCSE and vocational courses. The full details of our curriculum offer is available from the school website.
Sixth Form Hugh Christie has a large and successful Sixth Form offering a wide range of traditional Advanced Level and other professional qualifications suited to the needs of our pupils. The school also operates a Football Academy in collaboration with Tonbridge Angels. Over half of our leavers go to University, including Russell Group. If you would like more information about joining our Sixth Form, visit our website www.hughchristie.kent.sch.uk
A sense of belonging All pupils will belong to three communities as well as the whole school; they will be members of an Advisory Group, a Year Group and a House (Coe, Attenborough or Angelou). Pupils will have an Advisor and a Head of Year whom will remain with them throughout Years 7 to 11. We have high expectations that all pupils will be:
READY to have a successful day,
RESPECTFUL of themselves, of everyone and to everything in our school community,
RESPONSIBLE for their own learning and behaviour.
Our Learning Journey Whist success in exams is important, Hugh Christie believes in developing the whole person. We do this by providing a range of exciting opportunities both outside of and within the normal school curriculum called the Learning Journey. This enhances the learning experience for all our pupils and includes opportunities to develop skills, visits, school productions, sports teams, the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and a Student Leadership Programme to name but a few. We encourage all our pupils to participate in the Learning Journey so they develop their Curriculum Vitae. This will provide them with a real edge over others when applying for opportunities elsewhere in the future.
Where can Hugh Christie take you? TimO'Brine O'Brine--First actor, Tim First Class Degree in Marine Biology, George Comley - Actor, TrevorLipscombe Lipscombe- -Professor Trevor Professor at Oxford University, Kendal Papworth --Army, Army, Alice White - Secondary SecondarySchool Schoolteacher, teacher,Richard RichardWalters Walters- -Radio DJ, Radio DJ, Sophie Shrubsole --History History Degree Degree from from Birmingham Birmingham University University and and local councillor, TomWakeman Wakeman-Degree Tom - Degree in in Architecture Architecture and and property property developer, developer, LeanneSaunders Saunders-First Leanne - First Class Class Honours Honours Degree Degree in in Nursing, Nursing, Roxanne Frost Frost --First Roxanne FirstClass ClassDegree Degreein inPerforming PerformingArts Arts,, SimonLark LarkSimon - Young Young Engineer Engineer of of the the Year, Year, James Brown -Degree - Degreein inMusic Musicand andpianist, pianist, Hannah Lord -Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice, Hannah Lord - Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice, DameKelly KellyHolmes Holmes, Dame - Double Double Olympic Olympic Champion, Champion, Clare Clare Packer Packer -Electrician - Electrician, SarahNewell Newell- -Consultant Consultant Dietician, Dietician, Sophie Sophie Battell Battell --Hairdresser Sarah Hairdresser and and business business woman, woman, DavidFlack Flack- -First Class Degree Degree in in Meteorology, Meteorology, Christopher Christopher Coleman Coleman --accountant, David First Class Accountant, Michael FennerLondon Ambulance Service , Sarah Sharp -Degree in History, Teacher and Michael Fenner - London Ambulance Service, Sarah Sharp - Degree in History, Teacher Subject Leader, rugby player forfor England and coach, and Subject Leader,Andy AndyTitterrell Titterrell-Professional - Professional rugby player England and coach, Richard Parker Parker—Journalist. Richard - Journalist.
Our fantastic facilities Learning takes place in an attractive, modern and safe environment with specialist facilities for Art, Performing Arts, Design and Technology and Science. The Howard Library contains an excellent selection of books to encourage pupils to develop a love of reading. Our sports facilities are excellent comprising of a large indoor sports hall, tennis courts, all weather pitch and multi-purpose games area.
Getting to us is easy
We are located just north of Tonbridge High Street. The school is served by a good public bus network with connections to Tonbridge Rail Station and stops across West Kent. A number of services come on to the school site at the start and end of each day. For more information or to arrange a visit: Website www.hughchristie.kent.sch.uk Facebook hughchristieschool Telephone 01732 353544 Email admin@tonbridgefederation.co.uk
Hugh Christie School White Cottage Road Tonbridge Kent TN10 4PU