SELBY HIGH SCHOOL
Embracing Diversity, Unlocking Potential, Inspiring Learning
WELCOME
ON BEHALF OF THE STUDENTS, STAFF AND GOVERNORS, WELCOME TO SELBY HIGH SCHOOL.
In these pages, we hope to give a flavour of what a great place our school is to work and learn. At Selby High School, our aim is for all students to reach their academic and personal potential, in a caring and supportive learning community. Our students are happy and enthused in their learning, supported by talented and committed staff, and we pride ourselves on developing independent learners with the skills to deal with challenges and become global citizens.
We deliver a rich and broad curriculum, combining high academic standards with a varied range of subjects designed to match the talents and ambitions of our young people. Our students achieve excellent results across GCSE and vocational subjects, allowing them to access ambitious pathways in the future.
Selby High School provides a great variety of opportunities to students. Through the Enrichment Curriculum, all Year 7, 8 and 9 students take part in an activity every week which offers an experience beyond the regular curriculum, extending current skills and hobbies and developing new ones. There are also many different sports teams, an impressive number of performing arts activities, and a wide and
diverse range of trips and visits. All Year 7 students take part in a Summer Camp and in recent years, there have been visits to London, Paris, Holland and Belgium.
The best way to find out about Selby High School is to come and visit for yourself, either at our Open Evening or by arranging a personal tour through contacting the school. We look forward to welcoming you to the school, so you can experience the magic of Selby High School.
Nick Hinchliffe, Principal
“Pupils are happy and safe. They know that they have a trusted adult in the school to turn to if they need help.” OFSTED
SUPPORT FOR EVERY STUDENT
OUTSTANDING PASTORAL CARE IS CENTRAL TO OUR WAY OF WORKING, AND THROUGH OUR YEAR TEAMS, HOUSES AND FORM GROUPS, WE PROVIDE A SECURE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH STUDENTS CAN THRIVE.
Every student is under the care of their Personal Development Tutor, supported by the Year Manager, and the Key Stage Director. The progress of every student is monitored carefully throughout the year. This includes feedback from subject staff, internal progress reports, a Year 7 Settling-in Evening, and a number of Parents’, Carers’ and Guardians’ Evenings at designated times in the school year.
We have a dedicated SENCO and a highly-skilled team of Teaching Assistants, and a strong commitment across all our staff to ensure that all of our students succeed. Keeping students safe in school is our first priority. We have clear policies that set out our absolute focus on safeguarding and our zero-tolerance approach to bullying and discrimination. You can read more about our safeguarding and anti-bullying policies on our website.
We place ourselves at the heart of the local community, encouraging leadership opportunities for our students, and giving students a voice in all aspects of school life.
TRANSITION SEAMLESS
WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON THE QUALITY OF TRANSITION, WHICH INVOLVES CLOSE COMMUNICATION WITH FAMILIES AND PRIMARY SCHOOLS FROM THE MOMENT YOU GAIN A PLACE AT THE SCHOOL.
We provide a well-structured programme which includes lots of opportunities to get to know the school better. Our teachers work closely with staff in primary schools to make each student’s transfer as successful as possible. The transition team visit all primary schools in order to meet the students and staff. There are also two transition days in the summer term as well as a very popular summer school. Year 7 has a dedicated non-teaching Year Manager who is available to give you support throughout the important transition into the new school environment.
“Thank you to all involved in organising the summer school week… our son described the week as ‘amazing’ and can’t wait to start in September.” SUMMER SCHOOL
FOR ALL EXCELLENCE
AT SELBY HIGH SCHOOL WE HAVE THE HIGHEST EXPECTATIONS FOR OURSELVES AND EACH OTHER.
We strive for this in our studies, through our personal development as global citizens, and in our preparation for future pathways. Our vision is excellence for all.
SCHOOL AIMS:
• To create a safe and inclusive school environment, where everybody feels like they belong.
• To deliver a rich and varied curriculum which is engaging, challenging and enjoyable.
• To offer an inspiring learning environment, with the highest quality teaching in all subjects.
• To ensure students take responsibility for their own learning and make the most of all opportunities provided.
• To encourage all students to take part in a wide range of activities, clubs, trips and visits.
• To place the physical and mental wellbeing of our students and staff at the heart of all we do and encourage healthy lifestyles.
We have a clear and consistent approach to behaviour at Selby High School, aimed at securing a safe, respectful community where all students are ready for their learning. The three-way communication between school, parents/carers and students is essential to building the relationships that secure great attitudes to learning. We build a positive, inclusive culture that celebrates students’ achievements and successes, supported by an engaging rewards system.
“The school’s vision of ‘embracing diversity, unlocking potential and inspiring learning’ is embraced by all members of the school community. There is a focus to make this vision part of pupils’ experience.”
“Pupils behave very well and this helps them to fulfil their potential.”
OFSTED
A RICH &
CHALLENGING CURRICULUM
THE CURRICULUM AT SELBY HIGH SCHOOL OFFERS AN ENGAGING, WELL-ROUNDED EDUCATION, COVERING THE FULL RANGE OF NATIONAL CURRICULUM SUBJECTS, ALONGSIDE A CAREFULLY DESIGNED APPROACH TO DEVELOP RESILIENT YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WILL BECOME CONFIDENT GLOBAL CITIZENS.
We have excellent, modern facilities and specialist teachers in all subject areas. All students at key stage 3 will study:
• English
• Maths
• Science
• Geography
• History
• Spanish
• Technology
• Food Technology
• Textiles
• Computing
• PE and Games
• Art
• Music
• Drama & Dance
• Life Development
• Religious Studies
We recognise the vital importance of reading, and all students in Years 7 and 8 take part in our Reading Plus program. The Learning Resource Centre has over 10,000 titles, enabling a culture where all of our students can find books that they love to read.
At Key Stage 4, we offer a wide range of subjects to choose from to suit our students’ tastes and ambitions. In addition to the subjects above, GCSE and vocational subjects include Business, Sociology and Engineering. Students can also opt to study the three separate sciences, supported by our 8 fully-equipped labs.
“The broad range of subjects on offer allows pupils the opportunity to experience a diverse and ambitious curriculum. This is further reflected in the increasing numbers of pupils studying the English Baccalaureate suite of qualifications.” OFSTED
ENRICHMENT CURRICULUM
ALL KEY STAGE 3 STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM BOTH THE SELBY CHALLENGE AND THE ENRICHMENT CURRICULUM.
The Selby Challenge engages students in a wide range of activities both within and beyond the curriculum to equip them with the skills needed to play an active and enjoyable role in society. Challenges range from “Deliver a presentation to your classmates” to “lead a charity event in school”, and students can add their own challenges to reflect their work and participation in the local community or with other clubs and organisations.
All students in Years 7, 8 and 9 take part in the Enrichment Curriculum, which is a weekly activity to extend current talents and hobbies and to engage students in new experiences. Students choose three different activities each year; sessions range from sports, drama and music activities, to chess club, arts and crafts, and debate.
PREPARING
FOR THE FUTURE
All students in Year 10 have a week of work experience and our Careers programme offers many other planned opportunities to prepare for life beyond school, including practice interviews with members of the local business community, and visits to college and university. A “dreams and ambitions” programme features inspiring talks from past Selby High Students who have gone on to work in exciting careers.
THE VALUES
CURRICULUM
THE VALUES CURRICULUM IS DELIVERED THROUGH WEEKLY LIFE DEVELOPMENT LESSONS, REGULAR ASSEMBLIES AND THREE DIVERSITY DAYS.
This is where students learn the valuable knowledge, skills and understanding that they need to succeed as active, global citizens in a modern world. Students develop a sense of personal responsibility and an appreciation of what it means to live in an inclusive and diverse society. Students also gain an understanding of the importance of maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle, and staying safe.
“Pupils’ social, emotional and mental health needs are met well. Pupils learn about internet safety, healthy relationships, and mental and physical wellbeing to complement the planned weekly curriculum.”
OFSTED
AT SELBY HIGH SCHOOL WIDER OPPORTUNITIES
“THE SCHOOL IS JUSTIFIABLY PROUD OF ITS REPUTATION FOR PROVIDING A WIDE RANGE OF TOP CLASS ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES.”
PERFORMING ARTS
There is a strong tradition in music, dance and drama at Selby High School. Our annual school productions are a high point of the year with recent productions of Annie, The Addams Family and High School Musical. There are also regular drama and music clubs and students have the opportunity to have individual instrument or voice lessons.
The school actively encourages professional artists and dancers to work with students in school in order to improve their skills and broaden their horizons. There are opportunities for students to become involved in outside projects and visits.
SPORTS
Our excellent facilities, including a brand new multi-sport area in addition to the all-weather pitches, allow us to offer a wide range of sports. There are fixtures in many different sports, for all age groups, with the opportunity for selection for District and County teams.
Our Football, Netball and Rugby academies are both inclusive and successful. The clubs run weekly, and all pupils have the opportunity to train and take part. Each team has a strong nucleus of talented pupils who play and compete in league and cup fixtures as well as tournaments against other schools.
The range of sports and activities on offer in lessons and clubs includes health-related fitness, gymnastics, volleyball, orienteering, tennis, badminton, trampolining, climbing and dance. In Year 11, students are given the opportunity to experience a wide range of other activities at venues outside school such as aerobics, weight training, ten pin bowling, boxing, swimming, squash, and spin classes.
DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD SCHEME
The school operates an extensive and very successful Duke of Edinburgh programme at Bronze and Silver level, with a growing number going on to achieve the Gold Award when they have left the school.
TRIPS AND VISITS
All Year 7 students attend a camping trip at the end of the school year, and Year 8 have the opportunity to go to Bewerley Park Outdoor Centre for five days, where they undertake canoeing, climbing, hill walking, orienteering, abseiling and high wire work, together with team-building skills.
The school has a full programme of educational visits both at home and abroad. These include visits to the battlefields of France and Belgium and cultural trips to London and Paris. English, Art and History run trips to the theatre, museums and galleries, and there are regular field trips in Geography.
TECHNOLOGY FOR LEARNING
At Selby High School we believe that it is essential that students develop excellent skills in digital technology, whilst learning about the importance of online safety. We have state of the art facilities in our specialist Hemingway Computing Suite, a Computer Aided Design facility within the Design & Technology area, and over 500 Chromebooks for departmental use.
READY STEADY LEARN AND HOME LEARNING
Ready, Steady, Learn (RSL) is Selby High’s digital learning platform; students can access lesson slides and resources such as worksheets, videos and online exercises from all their subjects, which not only allows them to keep up with any work they have missed, but also provides fantastic support for self-study and revision for assessments. As well as lesson resources, RSL features a number of other websites to support students such as the Careers Portal, Wellbeing and Support Pages, the Digital Library, Revision & Retrieval Activities, and more.
Students at Selby High are encouraged to develop good study skills from Year 7, and regular home learning is set for students through our Home Learning and Google Classroom platforms. The Arbor App allows you to keep track of behaviour points, home learning and rewards.
SELBY HIGH SCHOOL
