CONTENTS MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD TEACHER
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OUR AIMS, OUR SCHOOL
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KEY STAGE 2\3 TRANSITION - Starting Secondary School
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HOUSE SYSTEM AND STUDENT LEADERSHIP
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YEAR 7 CURRICULUM
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KEY STAGE 3 CURRICULUM
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KEY STAGE 4 CURRICULUM
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POST 16
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BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
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OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS
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call us on 020 83427970
COMMUNITY AND INTERNATIONAL LINKS
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Follow us on twitter twitter.com/highgatewood
GROWTH MINDSET AND THE FOUR Cs
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SCHOOL PRODUCTIONS AND EVENTS
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OUR FACILITIES
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SCHOOL UNIFORM and STUDENT ADMISSIONS
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OUR GOVERNING BODY
Back Page
Highgate Wood School Montenotte Road Hornsey London N8 8RN
visit us at our website www.hws.uk.com
Making a positive difference to students’ achievements and experiences, maintaining the highest expectations and inspiring self belief.
Prospectus 2016-17
Highgate Wood School
MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD TEACHER Welcome to Highgate Wood School. I am very proud to be the Headteacher of Highgate Wood School and to have the privilege of leading this wonderful school community. We are a successful, mixed comprehensive school, with over 1400 students who come from a variety of backgrounds and have a wide range of talents and aptitudes. These incredible students are guided by my excellent staff who are well supported by our parents/carers and by a very committed team of governors. Highgate Wood School has high standards and high expectations, and we encourage all our students to continuously improve on their personal best. Their academic progress and examination success is ensured by top quality teaching, first rate facilities and challenging targets. Their emotional well-being is ensured by our excellent pastoral systems and by the positive relationships that are at the root of our working practise. We want all our students to become successful, confident and caring adults who are able to play an active part in a society where adaptability, enterprise, perseverance and consideration for others are increasingly important. We expect them to aim for excellence and we support them in achieving their fullest individual potential - academically, creatively, socially and personally. As a school that believes in a growth mindset, all of our staff embrace the concept that talent and ability is not fixed, but instead can be developed over time with focused practice, hard work and commitment. Our motto is Everyone Matters and this is demonstrated by the way we value every student as an individual, and through the numerous opportunities by which their talents and abilities are identified and nurtured. Traditional values of Courtesy, Consideration, Contribution and Cooperation (the 4Cs) underpin the school’s ethos and are at the core of our expectations. Our mission statement that we make a positive difference to students’ achievements and experiences, have the highest expectations and inspire self belief is at the heart of what we do. We aim to be the local school of choice – a school that serves its local community and has something to offer every local child who wishes to attend. The fact that every year we are consistently and increasingly over-subscribed for places suggests that we are achieving this. Your sons and daughters will be given every opportunity to gain academic success and personal fulfilment as well as to develop their talents and social skills in a friendly, supportive environment. I am sure they will enjoy the Highgate Wood experience! Patrick Cozier Headteacher Making a positive difference to students’ achievements and experiences, maintaining the highest expectations and inspiring self belief.
Highgate Wood School
Prospectus 2016-17
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ABOUT HIGHGATE WOOD SCHOOL School Aims
School Profile
At Highgate Wood School the education of every young person is held to be of equal value. The school motto is that Everyone Matters and this is reflected in our school aims. At the end of seven years at Highgate Wood School we want our young people to:
Highgate Wood School is a successful 11-18 mixed comprehensive school providing secondary education to 1425 students. The school is over-subscribed.
have high expectations of themselves and of others thrive on their passion for learning demonstrate the highest standards in whatever they set their mind to
show respect and tolerance towards everyone, including those of different faiths and beliefs.
take their place in society with a set of principles underpinned by the importance of contribution, courtesy, cooperation and consideration
show and display an appreciation of justice, morality and the rule of law
choose a healthy lifestyle underpinned by good eating habits and regular exercise
have the skills, abilities and qualifications necessary to achieve economic well-being
be positive and confident in their approach ...be a living, breathing example of the Highgate Wood School ethos.
[HWS] “develop young and creative individuals who are well prepared for the next stage of their lives.” Ofsted Nov 2011
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We underwent our last OFSTED inspection in November 2011 which highlighted our “positive and inclusive learning ethos” and described the school as a place where children “enjoy a good quality of education because the good teaching they receive secures equally effective learning and progress.” Ofsted judged us to be outstanding in terms of how safe our students feel at school.
Historically, we have had more boys than girls (with an all girls school being so close by), but this has changed in recent years as our girls’ achievements have encouraged more parents to send their daughters here. Our current Year 7 cohort comprises slightly more girls than boys.
“One of the things I love about my school is that there are so many different individuals here. It is like the whole world in miniature!” Sophie Year 10
Highgate Wood School serves a multicultural community and many of our students are bilingual. Over 50 different languages are spoken within the Highgate Wood School community. Just under half our students are drawn from a wide variety of minority ethnic groups, including Black-Caribbean, Greek and Turkish Cypriot, as well as from the Turkish, Kurdish, Black-African, Indian, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Chinese and Somali communities.
Making a positive difference to students’ achievements and experiences, maintaining the highest expectations and inspiring self belief.
Prospectus 2016-17
Highgate Wood School
KEY STAGE 2\3 TRANSITION Starting Secondary School
“Students succeed at Highgate Wood because of the good quality care, guidance and support they receive.” Ofsted Nov 2011
Starting secondary school or changing schools is a big step and we do all that we can to make the process easy and enjoyable. We pride ourselves making sure we visit all our local primary schools to meet the new Year 6 cohort during the spring and summer terms. Students joining other year groups are also encouraged to visit prior to taking up a place and their Head of House ensures that they have a structured start. Claire Allaway, one of our Assistant Headteachers, has specific responsibility for ensuring that the new Year 7s settle in well and are quickly able to take advantage of the many benefits Highgate Wood School has to offer.
“I was really nervous on the first day, but by the end of the first week I felt really at home. I had met new people and made new friends.” Alex Year 7 A carefully planned induction programme commences in June when new students and their families come into Highgate Wood School for one-to-one discussions with an established member of staff. This allows our new students to begin to get to know us, and us to know them. In July we have a Transition Day, when all our new students spend a day at the school. They get to meet the rest of their tutor group, many of their teachers and also members of their House. Ms Allaway has considerable experience in settling in new students and monitoring their academic and social progress, as well as retaining links with their primary schools.
Ms Allaway is supported by an enthusiastic team of Year 7 tutors who see their tutor group every day, as well as the Heads of House and their teams who have a specific responsibility to help new students settle into their House and to the life of the school. We swiftly get to know the children’s academic and social strengths, as well as any individual difficulties they may face, and support and guide them accordingly. We try to build our relationships with parents and families from the start, and this assists in making the children’s transition from primary to secondary education a successful and happy one. All Year 7 parents and carers are invited to an evening meeting in the summer term prior to their children starting at school, to meet members of the Year 7 team and the three Houses to discuss any concerns and raise any questions. There is another meeting with Year 7 tutors In the second half of the autumn term. This is a social evening that is scheduled for just before Learning Review Day which provides parents and carers the opportunity to discuss any issues which may have arisen since September and helps ensure that all Year 7 students have settled in well to, are enjoying school and working hard. During the course of the year parents receive regular updates of their child’s progress, including information about their academic achievements and their attitudes to learning.
Making a positive difference to students’ achievements and experiences, maintaining the highest expectations and inspiring self belief.
Highgate Wood School
Prospectus 2016-17
4
HOUSE SYSTEM AND STUDENT LEADERSHIP House System Three years ago Highgate Wood School reintroduced the House System that had been part of the school when it first opened in the 1960s. Students voted on the names of the Houses, created their logos and devised the mottos that have now become part of the Houses’ identities. Every student benefits from having a whole team of individuals who are dedicated to supporting their academic progress and their social and personal wellbeing. It is also now easier for younger students to be supported and helped by the older students in their House, and for discussions to take place across year groups about what to prepare for and what to expect. Each House has a Head of House, whose core responsibility is student progress; a Deputy Head of House, whose focus is pastoral well-being, and 15 House tutors who work with all the students in their Tutor Group to ensure everyone is thriving and moving forward in their learning. They are assisted by a dedicated team of mentors and other professionals, who provide targeted guidance, intervention and practical support to the individual students and groups that the House teams have identified. Da Vinci House Named after: Leonardo Da Vinci Motto: “The best way to predict the future is to invent it.”
Seacole House Named after: Mary Seacole Motto: “From caring comes courage.”
Edison House Named after: Thomas Edison Motto: “Success comes from perseverance.”
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Student Leadership At Highgate Wood School “student voice” plays a very important part in many of the decisions and plans that we have. Every tutor group has a representative on the School Council which meets regular to discuss issues connected to the student experience at Highgate Wood School. Representatives from the School Council are invited to attend meetings of the Governing Body and also the school’s Senior Leadership Team where they are able to raise any concerns or issues they feel are important. The School Council have an influence in many aspects of school life, including the ability to voice student concerns regarding homework, uniform, service within the canteen and more general aspects of the school environment. Together with the opportunities provided by the School Council students are encouraged to take on other leadership roles, including working as a peer mentor, or a “buddy” to new students, and developing their skills through different training programmes. Currently students are involved in the Jack Petchey Award Speak Out Challenge, Childnet’s Digital Leaders’ Programme and opportunities available through the Phoenix Trust, Free the Children and the National Association of School Councils.
Our House system is now developing further with the recent introduction of roles of responsibility to which students can be “Students are able to make a real elected . This will enable student voice to difference and our thoughts and ideas have an increasing are always taken seriously. We help impact in the success of the school to be the best it can be!” the House and the school as a whole.
Higher up the school, in the sixth form, leadership skills are developed still further through the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and by our involvement in World Challenge.
Making a positive difference to students’ achievements and experiences, maintaining the highest expectations and inspiring self belief.
Prospectus 2016-17
Highgate Wood School
YEAR 7 CURRICULUM The First Year The demands of secondary school learning can seem quite different from life in primary school. Twelve different subjects all taught by different teachers can take some getting used to! Our focus in Year 7 is to ensure those basic skills of reading, writing and arithmetic are solidly in place for all students. Schemes like Sound Training and Accelerated Reader help build reading and writing, whilst our Make the Most of Maths programme assists everyone to improve their understanding and application of mathematics. Students in Year 7 extend significantly on their knowledge from primary school in subjects like Computer Science, where programming is taught from the outset. Similarly they are able to take advantage of our specialist teachers and resources in Modern Foreign Languages, developing their strengths in speaking and understanding a foreign language (either French or Spanish); in Drama, where they broaden their skills of communication and expression and in Design Technology through which they are able to design and make a wide range of products. Year 7 students also benefit for a carefully designed programme of enrichment days and events, delivering the PSHE curriculum whilst also providing opportunities for students to develop themselves as independent learners and critical thinkers, allowing them to explore issues around personal safety, healthy relationships and general well-being as well as exploring the concerns arising from current events and the need to be a good citizen in a world that is constantly changing and presenting ever more complex demands.
The Year 7 timetable has 50 one-hour periods on a two weekly cycle. Subject* Art Computer Science Design Technology Drama English Geography History Mathematics French/Spanish Music Physical Education Ethics and Cultural Studies Science
No. of periods 3 2 4 3 7 3 3 6 4 3 4 2 6
Students in Year 7 learn either French or Spanish. PE at Key Stage 3 is taught in single sex groups. Formerly known as RE * Parents are advised of their right to withdraw their child from RE and Sex Education. Students will be supervised but no alternative curriculum is available.
“The broad and balanced curriculum provides for the learning needs of all students.” Ofsted Nov 2011
Making a positive difference to students’ achievements and experiences, maintaining the highest expectations and inspiring self belief.
Highgate Wood School
Prospectus 2016-17
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KEY STAGE 3 CURRICULUM The Curriculum - Years 7, 8 and 9 Our aim is to provide a broad and balanced curriculum that is both challenging and exciting . Throughout Key Stage 3 we build on each students’ earlier school experiences to extend the breadth and depth of their knowledge, develop their understandings and improve their skills in all areas of the curriculum. Each year within Key Stage 3 has a different emphasis.
Everyone Matters Throughout Key Stage 3, students are taught in groups designed to provide the best level of challenge and support so that everyone is able to progress and achieve. We set by ability in Maths in Year 7, and slightly later in Science and English. In subjects like Drama, Art, Music and Design Technology we group differently to help maximise experience and attainment.
In Year 7, the focus is on ensuring those basic building blocks of literacy and numeracy are firmly established while also developing mastery of collaborative and individual working.
Students with particular learning or language needs are helped within their lessons by Learning Support Advisors and occasionally with individual or group learning by specialist staff outside the classroom.
In Year 8, the introduction of Citizenship supports our focus on the world beyond school, and students are given a wide range of learning experiences to equip them for success in the world beyond the classroom.
Subjects
In Year 9, the focus is on completing Key Stage 3 and fully preparing students for the demands of GCSEs. We take particular care to ensure that informed decisions are made on the choice of curriculum for Key Stage 4 and parents are encouraged to play an active role in this process.
At Key Stage 3, students are offered a wide range of learning experiences and opportunities both with the subjects they study and through collaborative projects between different subject areas. Through Key Stage 3, students study English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, Ethics and Cultural Studies (formerly RE), Computer Science, Citizenship/PSHE, Physical Education, Design Technology, Music, Art, Drama and Modern Foreign Languages.
Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) is In all lessons students are encouraged to develop skills delivered across the curriculum for all years, but for learning and for particularly in Tutorial time assessing their own “All the teachers encourage you to do your and the Enrichment progress. They will best, and they work really hard to help you programme activities in always be expected to Year 7 and explore avenues for succeed. And I know every day I will learn Citizenship\PSHE in Years further improvement. something new” Claire Year 9 8 and 9.
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Making a positive difference to students’ achievements and experiences, maintaining the highest expectations and inspiring self belief.
Prospectus 2016-17
Highgate Wood School
OUR CURRICULUM—KS4 The Curriculum - Years 10 and 11
Optional Subjects
The ever-evolving demands of the workplace and of Higher Education has seen our provision at Key Stage 4 develop steadily over recent years. All students study a core curriculum that includes English, Mathematics and Science, but also have a wide range of opportunities within and beyond the timetable to develop an understanding of a much wider range of subjects and acquire an extensive range of skills and experiences.
Students are able to choose three additional courses to complement their core subjects. The school prides itself on the range of courses available, which also includes the opportunity for some students to follow alternative courses at partner colleges as part of their full curriculum.
We encourage all students to continue their study of a foreign language, and to gain accreditation in their first language (where applicable). In recent years, students have successfully been awarded GCSEs in Greek, Turkish, Bengali, Russian, Portuguese and Dutch. The school offers opportunities for the EBacc pathway, which includes a modern or community language, one of the humanities and the possibility of Computer Science as well as the core provision. We also provide more vocational pathways for those students for whom these are more suitable. All Key Stage 4 students also participate in Work Related Learning projects, including work experience, enterprise days and other curriculum-based work.
“There is so much knowledge that the teachers help you unlock at Highgate Wood School. There are so many things to discover.” Erden Year 9
The courses Highgate Wood School currently offers to students at Key Stage 4 include: Art
& Design Business Studies Computer Science Drama Economics Food Technology French Geography History Media Studies
Music Music
Technology Philosophy Physical Education Product Design Science Sociology Spanish Textiles Sustainability studies
Academic Success In recent years Highgate Wood School has consistently returned excellent examination results, with the vast majority of our students meeting or exceeding their target grades. In 2015 64% of our students achieved 5 A* - C grades (including English and Maths). This is a slight dip on previous years, where our results have always been closer to 70%. Significantly, however, the figure does represent an extremely strong value-added measure. Our 2015 did extremely well based on predictions from their primary school results.
Based on the new, and perhaps more challenging Progress 8 measure that will be introduced in 2016, students at Highgate Wood School perform consistently better than at other schools in the country. 2015 results indicate they achieved very significantly better. Progress 8 looks at a wider range of results than the previous 5 A* C measure and has been introduced to promote a broader and more rounded curriculum as part of the success measure than the previous 5 A* - C supported. Our 2015 results also confirmed that Highgate Wood School nurtures high achievers. Twenty-five students in that cohort achieved 10 or more A* - A grades, which reinforces our previous success in having a top ranking of non-selective schools in the country for students achieving A* and A grades at GCSE.
Making a positive difference to students’ achievements and experiences, maintaining the highest expectations and inspiring self belief.
Highgate Wood School
Prospectus 2016-17
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OUR CURRICULUM—Post 16 Transition to University
The Post 16 Offer
All our post-16 students have an Academic Mentor who provides guidance and advice during their time in the sixth form. This will include help with study skills and exam technique as well as providing more general pastoral support.
Highgate Wood School has over 250 students in the sixth form which is made up of students who have joined us from other schools as well as those who completed their GCSE courses here. We offer a wide range of subjects at Post 16, mainly A levels, but also a small number of vocational courses. These include:
Art & Design
Maths
Biology
Media Studies
Business Studies
Music
Chemistry
Music Technology
Computer Science
PE
Drama
Philosophy
Economics
Photography
English Language
Physics
English Literature
Product Design
French
Psychology
Further Maths
Pure Maths
Geography
Sociology
Government & Politics Spanish History Textiles
Our results at Post 16 have been excellent over the last seven years, consistently placing the school in the top range of schools nationally in terms of “value-added” performance. In 2015 our sixth form students maintained the school’s good results: 85% A*- C in examinations that were taken, and well over half achieving top A*-B grades. We have also attracted and enrolled a record number of sixth form students both from within and beyond Highgate Wood
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A particularly important role of the Academic Mentor is to assist with the UCAS university application process. We have an excellent record of helping students onto the next stage of their education, at university and elsewhere. Highgate Wood School students have been successful in their applications to a wide range of institutions from Cambridge to Falmouth, Belfast to Bristol, studying across a wide range of subjects from Medicine to Fashion, French to Philosophy. University destinations are as varied as the individuals who chose them, but approximately one third will progress through to Russell Group universities, whilst others will select different universities and colleges around the country to further “The their education. We believe that our sixth form not only prepares students academically for the step up to university but also helps them develop socially and emotionally to be successful in whatever they go on to do in the future.
There is a wide ranging enrichment programme for students in our sixth form, which includes the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, being part of Global Challenge and maintaining our longstanding relationship with the Hillcrest Aids Charity in South Africa.
popular sixth form enjoys a positive reputation locally and, through good leadership and management, it complements the provision provided in Years 7 to 11.” Ofsted Nov 2011
Making a positive difference to students’ achievements and experiences, maintaining the highest expectations and inspiring self belief.
Prospectus 2016-17
Highgate Wood School
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM Homework
Independent Study
Homework is an important part of secondary education. Its purpose is to develop independent learning, improve skills, consolidate classroom learning and enhance knowledge and understanding. It also gives parents and carers the chance to become involved in their child’s education.
We encourage all our students to develop their independent learning skills and take responsibility for many areas of their own development.
Through Key Stage 3, students are set regular homework for all subjects. In core subjects (English, maths and science) students are set one-hour homeworks each week; in the foundation subjects one one-hour homework is set for each fortnight. Homework may consist of research or investigation, practical activities, creative or extended writing, review and revision or the use of particular resources (eg SAM Learning). Students need to keep a note of their homework tasks in their Student Planner, but they are also posted on the Show My Homework website. This allows parents, carers and students themselves to keep a careful eye on what homework is required.
Vivos
Our Learning Resource Centre is kept open every day after school to allow students to study and access the computer network. A homework club is also run by the Learning Support Department every day after school to help students complete the work they have been set. All our students have access to a growing range of useful on-line resources to support their independent learning and help them develop their understanding and skill. These include a whole range of award-winning resources from London Grid for Learning, free access to Microsoft Office 365, (which includes the students’ safe school email account), and a subscription to SAM Learning the award-winning revision site, as well as the school’s own on-line resources.
Help and support for students to access or complete their homework is available from the LRC and the Learning Support Homework club, as well as directly from the classroom teacher.
Students at Highgate Wood School are rewarded for their efforts beyond the classroom, as well as their focus and hard work within it. The school operates a system called Vivomiles. Vivo points are awarded for good classwork, good homework and exhibiting any of the 4Cs. Every student has their own on-line Vivo account so they can check how many Vivos they have been awarded, who by and what for. Parents and carers also have their own access to their child’s Vivo account so they too can see how well things are going. Vivos can be accumulated and spent on a range of rewards in the Vivo shop. They can also be donated to the House charity. Students who have reach particular thresholds in Vivo awards also get other privileges within the school, and are recognised and rewarded for their achievements. There is an ongoing competition between the Houses on which has acquired the highest number of Vivos. A weekly update of these scores, together with the top Vivo earning students, appear on our plasma screens each week.
Making a positive difference to students’ achievements and experiences, maintaining the highest expectations and inspiring self belief.
Highgate Wood School
Prospectus 2016-17
10
OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS Working Together with Parents
Parents and Staff Association
We value our partnership with parents/carers and are grateful for the significant contribution they make in supporting their children’s progress and our school community as a whole.
All parents and teachers automatically belong to the Parents and Staff Association (PSA).
We have a number of ways in which this partnership is supported and strengthened. These include
Parent/carer’s evenings – an opportunity to meet with subject teachers – one meeting for each year group per academic year
Academic Review meetings – a chance to discuss early progress in the autumn term with your child’s form tutor
Year 9 Options meetings - an opportunity for parents/carers of Year 9 students to receive information, advice and guidance about Key Stage 4 courses
We encourage parents to take a regular and active role in reviewing their child’s learning by using the student’s School Planner to feedback comments to tutors and teachers.
“The school engages parents and carers well in their children’s education.” Ofsted Nov 2011
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Members of the PSA arrange social events when parents and staff can meet informally. The PSA also organises fundraising activities through which money is raised for extra curricular projects. In the last year, PSA support has enabled the school to move forward with a whole range of initiatives that would have been impossible without their help. These include buying a Spectrometer for science, trampolines for PE and helping to fund many of the school’s clubs and afterschool activities, supporting post 16 students to visit universities and colleges and providing tea and cakes for some very welcome staff appreciation afternoons. The PSA group is heavily involved in some of the school’s most important events, including the annual music, art and drama festival, MADFest, the Winter Concert and the school play. Highgate Wood School PSA also provides a means of communication between parents/carers and the school. There are regular meetings (roughly two per half term). At some meetings there are presentations from staff where parents/carers can hear about school initiatives and the work of specific curriculum areas. A member of the governing body is linked to the PSA to ensure that the voice of parents is considered at Governing Body level. There are also “Governors’ Surgeries” during some PSA meetings to allow easy dialogue between parents and school governors.
Communication with Parents It is important that parents know what is happening in their child’s school. At Highgate Wood School we use a wide variety of means to help ensure parents are informed and up-to-date with school news and events. We produce a regular magazine, Insight, which is distributed to all students each half-term and is also available on-line through the school website. There are also other publications to provide information for a particular event or purpose. Increasingly, the school is making use of digital tools to improve our communications and contact with families. These include the school website at www.hws.uk.com, and the school twitter feed @highgatewood. We also help parents keep up-to-date by the use of text messages and email communications. We are making ever greater use of email in our communications with parents and do request that parents keep the school up-to-date with their email addresses.
Making a positive difference to students’ achievements and experiences, maintaining the highest expectations and inspiring self belief.
Prospectus 2016-17
Highgate Wood School
COMMUNITY AND INTERNATIONAL LINKS
Students at Highgate Wood School benefit enormously from opportunities to become true global citizens. Through the curriculum that they follow, and the development of partnerships with schools across the world, we recognise our students’ enhanced enthusiasm for learning and their openness to new ideas. Our students have a greater awareness of themselves, as well as a greater respect and appreciation of others. This is clearly demonstrated by the ways in which they apply critical thinking to local and global issues. Working on projects with peers from many different countries has enabled our students to become even more confident and articulate. We are involved in a number of prestigious projects with many international partners. We are currently working with schools in several European countries as well as schools in the United States, India and South Africa. Our excellent record of effective and sustainable international work has been recognised by the British Council.
“strong global links with faraway communities offer students valuable opportunities to share experiences and learn from others.” Ofsted Nov 2011
Model United Nations A key element of our commitment to Global Citizenship is the Model United Nations programme that we have participated in for the since 2005. At Model UN, students take on the role of ambassadors for a particular country and then debate in one or two day conferences around an agreed topic. Their goal is to resolve global problems using the structures and formal debating procedures of the UN. Highgate Wood School has built up an enviable reputation within Model UN, with our students winning the ‘Best Delegation’ award in the London Conference at their first attempt and receiving acclaim for their talents and abilities in the Model UN forum many times since.
We have competed internationally, and have helped develop a sister programme in Poland through a Comenius Regio grant. So popular is the programme with our students that we now hold our own North London conferences at Highgate Wood School every March involving around 15 other schools and 250 – 300 students. Formal participation in Model UN now includes students from Years 9, 10, 11 and sixth form. For students in Years 7 and 8 we have a well established DebateMate club, often supported by our Model UN veterans, where younger students can develop their skills in argument, persuasion and debate.
Making a positive difference to students’ achievements and experiences, maintaining the highest expectations and inspiring self belief.
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Highgate Wood School
Prospectus 2016-17
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GROWTH MINDSET AND THE FOUR Cs Growth Mindset People used to think that intelligence was fixed at birth. You were either talented in specific areas or you weren’t. Some still think it now, saying things like “I was never any good at maths, so it’s no wonder my child struggles too… it’s obviously not in our genes”.
The Four Cs We wish to encourage all our students to adopt the ethos of the 4Cs before, during and after school.
Modern studies have shown this belief in fixed abilities to be false. The biggest influence on someone’s success is not their genetic make-up, it is how hard they work, how focused they are and how determined they are to succeed.
Courtesy: We expect an automatic sense of courtesy underpinned by the use of “please,” “thank you” and “sorry”.
At Highgate Wood School we firmly believe in this idea of a "growth mindset" and recognise the huge importance of perseverance, resilience, focused practice and hard work. We thus value effort above attainment, hard work above high scores, safe in the knowledge that it is through effort and endeavour that the highest goals are reached.
Consideration: We expect our students to always be considerate of each other and their surroundings —walking quietly and sensibly, using the bins provided for litter and holding doors open for each other.
We ask all members of the school community; students, staff, parents and governors, to adopt the principles of a Growth Mindset where you:
Accept that talent can be developed
Contribution: We want our students to ensure that they are always making a positive contribution to the school community, taking part in as many activities as they can and taking collective responsibility for making Highgate Wood School a better place.
Embrace challenges and difficulties Persist in the face of setbacks View effort as a path to mastery and success Try to learn from criticism Get inspiration in the success of others (rather than feel threatened by it) Be the best you can possibly be Realise that if you can’t understand something, it is just because you can’t do it yet ... Understand that real mastery doesn’t come easy… it is the result of hard work over time Embrace deferred gratification, accepting that effort may not pay off immediately, but will bring its own rewards over time
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"Your present circumstances don't determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start." Nido Qubein
Cooperation: We expect all our students to cooperate with members of staff and each other. Even when students are unhappy with a decision, we still expect members of the Highgate Wood School community to cooperate first and then find a way to deal with the situation.
Making a positive difference to students’ achievements and experiences, maintaining the highest expectations and inspiring self belief.
Prospectus 2016-17
Highgate Wood School
SCHOOL PRODUCTIONS AND EVENTS School Performances We are proud of Highgate Wood School’s reputation as a centre of excellence in the creative arts. Our strength in music, drama, art, design technology and new media is reflected in the high quality productions, exhibitions and other events that are staged at the school. Prospective students, and their families, are welcome at these events, including our Winter Concert on 15th, 16 and 17th December, our production of the musical Our House in February and at Madfest, our annual celebration of the arts in July.
Images from the Winter Concert 2014
Making a positive difference to students’ achievements and experiences, maintaining the highest expectations and inspiring self belief.
Highgate Wood School
Prospectus 2016-17
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OUR FACILITIES An Environment for Learning
Cashless Catering
Highgate Wood School completed a major modernisation programme in September 2010 that transformed the school into the attractive and effective modern learning environment that we enjoy today. Since then there has been significant investment to enhance our resources and facilities and ensure we maintain an environment that is fit for learners in the 21st century.
Our computer network extends to the Dining Hall where it supports the system of cashless catering which has removed the need for students to bring money into school. Highgate Wood School works with Wisepay to allow payments to be made on line.
Sports Facilities
The school has a state-of-the-art computer network contributing to learning and teaching across the school. All classrooms make use of interactive, multimedia technology to enhance the learning experience whilst around the school we have several dedicated ICT areas, including four computer suites equipped with PCs, and three equipped with iMacs for media, music and graphics work. We have ICT-rich vocational classrooms and DT workshops and further ICT spaces in the Learning Resource Centre, the Sixth Form Study Centre and the new Learning Support Area.
Dining Hall The Dining Hall is a bright and airy space, making it ideal not only for mealtimes but also as a social space shared by staff and students. Our modernisation programme also included the refurbishment of the Main Hall which is now a functional and attractive performance space that supports the high quality of performance and production that has characterised Highgate Wood School for many years.
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Our all weather pitch and tennis courts, which form part of the school’s substantial open spaces where students socialise as well as engage in activities, are used well beyond the limits of the school day. There are sport and training events for students from early in the morning till long after the end of the school day. Highgate Wood School is one of the leading schools for sport in Haringey, hosting the School Games Organiser coordinating competitive sport for half of the borough. We work closely with four feeder primary schools; Coleridge Primary, Rokesly Junior School, Weston Park Primary and St Aidan’s Primary School supporting their pupils to participate in a minimum of two hours of high quality PE per week.
Making a positive difference to students’ achievements and experiences, maintaining the highest expectations and inspiring self belief.
Prospectus 2016-17
Highgate Wood School
UNIFORM AND ADMISSIONS Admissions
School Uniform
Admissions to Highgate Wood School are administered by the Local Authority.
For an application form please contact:
Highgate Wood School has a school uniform and dress code. All students are expected to wear their uniform properly and with pride on the journeys to and from school as well as once they are in school. The current uniform is as follows: black blazer (with summer blue lining) with school logo white shirt, with top button done up.
The Admissions Service River Park House 225 High Road Wood Green London N22 8HQ Phone: 020 8489 1000 Email: schooladmissions@haringey.gov.uk Website: http://tinyurl.com/hwsadmission
black sweater or cardigan (with summer blue trim) black, blue and white striped tie, with House variation. black trousers or school skirt (with summer blue trim) black leather\leather look formal shoes Students need to have a school bag for carrying books and equipment. They are also expected to have a pen, a pencil, a ruler and a calculator for use in lessons as a minimum set of equipment.
Secondary admissions Online Application Open Date: 1st September 2015 On-Time Closing Date: 31st October 2015 Publication of Outcome Online Date: 1st March 2016 Upload Supporting Documents Deadline Date: 21st July 2016
Students are also required to wear school PE kit, which is designed in House colours. Making a positive difference to students’ achievements and experiences, maintaining the highest expectations and inspiring self belief.
Highgate Wood School
Prospectus 2016-17
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Highgate Wood School’s Governing Body work closely with the Headteacher, Senior Management and school staff for the benefit of the whole school community. Chair: Charles Wright (Co-Opted Governors) Clerk: Michael Woods LA Governor: Cllr Eddie Griffith Co-Opted Governors: Phil Cocksedge Violet Hazelwood-Henry Chris Parr Imogen Pennell Oli Blackaby Brenda Allan Joe Demetriou Vacancy Parent Governors: Elizabeth Hess Diana Brown Phil Cavendish Rob White Chris Tully Julia Chalfen Paul Bennett Staff Governor: Emily Ford Headteacher: Patrick Cozier