Prospectus 2014-15 Supplementary Booklet by James Belmont

2014

School Information

SheredesSchool Taking the lead in learning

Contents

Key Staff

2020 Vision Moving to Outstanding

Headteacher

Mr Ced de la Croix

Site Supervisor

School Admissions

Deputy Headteacher

Mr Tom Johnston

Communications Officer Mrs Sharon Philpott

The Curriculum Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11) Key Stage 5 (Years 12 and 13)

Assistant Headteacher

Ms Chloe McDougall

Network Manager

Mr Martin Bull

Assistant Headteacher

Mr Chris Peirce

Headâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s PA

Mrs Maria Georgiou

Assistant Headteacher

Mr Paul Rayburn

Chair of Governors

Mrs Angela Page

Extra Curricular Provision

Assistant Headteacher

Mrs Rowena Williams

Vice Chair of Governors

Mr Dave Culley

Learning at Sheredes Home Learning Public Examinations Meeting the needs of all the students Student Planner

School Business Manager Mrs Georgette Knights

Chair of SSA

Mrs Sue Ball-Greenwood

Pastoral Care Behaviour and discipline Religious Studies, Assemblies and Collective Workshop

The School

Student Life at Sheredes Careers Advice and Guidance School Meals Health Education Community Links Work Related Learning

Attendance School Uniform School Day

such as respect, responsibility and resilience. In addition, we believe these values need to be nurtured alongside

Sheredes School Policies Sheredes School Association

The School holds Artsmark Gold Award, reflecting the quality and provision in this area. We are developing as

A-Level Exam Results

GCSE Exam Results

Higher Education â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Destination Leavers

Mr Bryn Davies

The school is rapidly improving and is now developing a reputation locally for high standards. The school is an all inclusive 11-18 mixed comprehensive and we are well known for our academic standards and excellence within the Performing and Creative Arts, and Physical Education and Sport. However, our reputation and academic standards in English, Mathematics and Science are also rapidly improving. We believe in the need for all of the school community to promote and constantly reinforce traditional values developing commitment to creativity and enterprise as well as functional literacy, numeracy, and ICT.

specialists in developing young leaders as we believe that learning and leading are indispensible to each other.

2020 Vision: Moving to Outstanding As a school we are clear about our vision for this school. Our ultimate vision is to raise standards of achievement for every child and be outstanding in every area. We do not underestimate the challenges involved in achieving this vision but we believe in the principle of aiming high. Through 2014-2015, all stakeholders came together to discuss the future vision of the school. We spoke with staff, students, parents and Governors. The outcome of this is that we all agreed on the top five areas for implementing this vision. These are: 1. Developing high quality teaching and learning

2. Fair and consistent rewards and sanctions

4. Improved environment/facilities to support learning

• Ensuring we recruit and retain the very best qualified teaching staff

• Introducing a new rewards and consequences system for September 14

• Ensure all classrooms are well equipped to support high quality teaching and learning

• Introducing a new professional development training programme for staff through our new association and membership to the Advanced Learning Alliance based at Dame Alice Owens School.

• Introducing a new Prefect system for September 14

• Upgrade the existing ICT facilities, through improving the existing Wi-Fi to allow greater use of personal devices to be used in lessons to aid teaching and learning.

• Ensuring lessons are relevant, engaging and challenging for all. • Developing students as leaders of their own learning; students being the creators and contributors to their learning. • Engaging with parents and carers more effectively and regularly so they can best support their child with their learning.

• Introducing a new House System for September 14. 3. Improved systems, procedures and communication • Developing upon our new website and weekly newsletter to share information regularly • Introducing a new Student Reception to specifically support student and parents’ needs • Introducing more workshops to support parents with their child’s learning.

• Upgrade the Sixth Form Learning Centre in order to introduce different learning zones and thus help prepare students to become better independent learners.

5. Everyone to be proud of this school • To develop pride in everyone by ensuring students, parents, governors and the local community take ownership and an empowered role in leading the school forward. • To continue to build upon the rapid progress we are making. More importantly, to celebrate all the positive feedback we are now receiving from parents and the local community who recognise the improvements and ensure our students’ future successes gets recognised locally, regionally and nationally.

• Purchase new lockers for the students. • Improve the fascia of the buildings. • Carry out a feasibility study in order to put in place a strategic plan to build a new Sports Hall and 3G pitch to enhance PE and Sport at school and for our local community. 01

School Admissions The school is an all inclusive 11-18 mixed comprehensive school. Hertfordhsire Local Authority manages our admissions. Details of the criteria for transfer in September 2015 can be found in the `Moving On Bookletâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; which can be found on the Herts Direct website.

The Curriculum Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) Students follow a broad-based curriculum, which reflects the statutory National Curriculum.

As well as pursuing academic qualifications,

All students receive one session of Personal, Social, and Health Education each week which includes Citizenship and Careers Education and Guidance.

develop their leadership skills. Within our

we actively encourage our students to KS4 curriculum, we provide opportunities for

In Year 7, 8 and 9 students study:

students to gain recognised Level 1 leadership

• Drama

• Geography

• Music

• Skills for Leading and Learning

qualifications in PE and Dance. Outside of

• Citizenship

• History

• PE

the curriculum, there is an opportunity for

• English

• ICT

• Religious Studies

• Technology (Food, Graphics and Resistant Materials)

• French/Spanish

• Mathematics

• Science

• Visual Arts

Edinburgh’s Award (Bronze, Silver and Gold).

Straight from Year 7, we currently set in the following core subjects: English, Maths and Science

students to gain all three levels of the Duke of This award is specifically designed to support the personal and social development of students and is a qualification highly regarded

Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11) Students continue to receive a broad based curriculum but the curriculum allows them to select specific courses leading to a GCSE or vocational qualification. The range of subjects and qualifications we provide include:

by universities and employers.

Post-16

Compulsory for all:

In Years 10 and 11 students can also choose to pick up GCSE or BTECs in:

We have a growing Sixth Form offering a wide

• English Language (English Literature is compulsory for most)

• BTEC Business Studies

• GCSE Music

The Sixth Form enjoys substantial freedom and

• BTEC Dance

• GCSE French *

• Mathematics • Science (one of Core Science, Double Science or Triple Science) • PE (GCSE or BTEC) • Religious Studies

• Cambridge National ICT • GCSE Dance • BTEC PE • GCSE PE • GCSE Drama

• GCSE Art

• GCSE Food Technology • GCSE Graphics

• GCSE Spanish *

• GCSE Resistant Materials

• GCSE Geography *

• GCSE Media Studies

• GCSE History * • BTEC ICT

• GCSE Computer Science

• GCSE Photography • Various vocational courses at Hertford Regional College

range of subjects and exceptional teaching. opportunities to participate in many extracurricular and social activities including the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme and Young Enterprise Scheme. We have recently improved the facilities within the sixth form in order to provide the students with different learning zones.

* strongly recommended 03

Extra Curricular Provision We provide many opportunities for learning outside the classroom and actively encourage all students to participate in at least one extra-curricular activity. The main programme of activities includes: • A Music Department offering a wide range of choral and instrumental groups which regularly rehearse during lunchtimes and perform at events throughout the year.

• Many charity activities which raise around £5,000 each year for good causes.

• A very strong extra-curricular sports programme which combines competitive success with encouraging students of all abilities. School teams have reached many district and county finals and there are sporting opportunities for everyone.

• For September, we are introducing a comprehensive House Programme including dance, drama, music and sport events.

• A Drama Department staging several full scale productions each year. The Drama Department also provides weekly support to Razed Roof, an inclusive performing arts and theatre company based in Harlow. • A Dance Department offering a busy community programme with clubs and classes taking place at lunchtimes, after school and in the evenings. • Out-of-school activities such as Young Enterprise, Eco Schools and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DoE).

• We also hold an annual Challenge Week, and organise skiing and international sporting tours.

Learning at Sheredes Home Learning

The Student Planner

All students are expected to complete home learning, to support their studies. Students should record

To assist students in organising their learning

their home learning in their Student Planner and parents should check the planner regularly, signing

they are issued with a Sheredes Student

it each week. Tutors will check and sign planners each week. Parents can also view Home Learning on

Planner. The planner is much more than just

`Show My Homework’ each week.

a home learning diary. It contains a great deal of important information about the school and students should have their planners in

Public Examinations

Meeting the needs of all students

It is school policy that all Year 11, 12 and 13

Sheredes welcomes students of all abilities from

make comments, if appropriate, and to use the

students are entered at GCSE/BTEC/AS/A2

the more able to those with specific learning

planner as a method of communication with

for all subjects in which they have followed a

difficulties. We use prior data from primary

the school.

course. The only exceptions to this are when

schools and other school-based assessment

Heads of Department believe that a student will

to help us identify students’ abilities and likely

not achieve a pass because they have failed to

progress.

school at all times. Parents are encouraged to

complete a compulsory element of the course. In these rare circumstances parents will always be informed of the decision to withdraw an entry.

We continue to develop our arrangements for the more able students and aim to: • identify the more able students across all subject areas • provide opportunities within and outside the curriculum to challenge and develop the abilities of those identified as more able students • provide an appropriate curriculum for the more able child • make staff aware of the abilities of more able students and of the provisions available for their support • encourage students identified as more able to develop their abilities and aptitudes.

Pastoral Care The pastoral system aims to ensure that students derive full benefit from the education we offer and is an integral part of school life. Students are divided into all-ability tutor groups in which they remain for five years.

Behaviour and Discipline

The work of the Form Tutors is monitored,

We have a team of Year 10 students who receive

Respect

co-ordinated and supported by the Director

mentoring training so that they can act as

of Learning who remains with the year group

peer support for younger students needing a

Sheredes School operates a zero tolerance

to provide stability and continuity throughout

sympathetic ear, and advice about day-to-day

approach to bullying. Students are encouraged and

KS3 and KS4. In addition to the traditional tutor

problems. An extension of this is our “Buddy”

expected to report all incidents and parents can be

system, all tutor groups belong to one of five

system where Sixth Formers are assigned to

assured that the school will deal with such incidents

houses; Owens, Curie, Austin, Da Vinci, and

support Year 7 students with their reading.

swiftly and effectively. The school’s Anti- Bullying

Pankhurst. It is through the house system that we encourage students of all ages to work together and help each other.

Any large community needs a set of clear, simple guidelines in order to ensure there is a calm and purposeful environment in which to work and learn. The Sheredes Code of Conduct is constructed around the 3 ‘Rs’ of:

Responsibility

Resilience

Policy is available from the school office. Our Behaviour Policy sets out, in detail, how general discipline is maintained in the school. This is achieved principally through the pastoral curriculum and is firmly based on positive

Religious Studies, Assemblies and Collective Worship

reinforcement. A rewards system of merits and

Sheredes is a community with shared values and a clearly identified ethos. These values are essentially

achievement awards further enhances this.

Christian in nature, but we welcome students from all religious backgrounds. Religious Studies is delivered as a discrete subject at Key Stages 3 and 4 and through Enrichment Days.

or unacceptable behaviour and students are

Each year group has regular assemblies (theme for the week), which reflect the religious calendar,

behaviour expected. A copy of the school’s

celebratory occasions and special events in the life of the school. Parents have the right to withdraw

Behaviour Policy is available from the school office.

their children from all or part of the RS programme and collective worship provided.

Sheredes School does not tolerate inappropriate constantly reminded about the standards of

Student Life at Sheredes Careers Advice and Guidance

Health Education

Sheredes School is committed to providing a planned programme of careers education for all students in Years 7-13 and information, advice and guidance (IAG) in partnership with the local Youth Connexions Service.

A co-ordinated programme of sex education,

All young people need a planned programme of activities to help them make the right 14-19 choices and manage their careers throughout their lives. Schools have a statutory duty to provide careers education in Years 7-11 (1997 Education Act, 2003 Education Regulations) and to give students access to careers education and guidance. Students in Year 9 receive careers advice prior to making option choices for Key Stage 4. Careers lessons are timetabled for Year 11 and 12 students. All Year 11 and 12 students are offered interviews to help them decide their future, and County Careers Officers regularly visit the school. Careers Officers attend parents’ evenings to advise on the choice of options.

the age and gender of students. It is dealt

Students are encouraged to use the extensive Careers and Connexions Services and to consult Careers

the school office.

both formal and informal, is delivered to all students when appropriate. It is related to with in a sympathetic and sensitive manner, with group discussions taking place in an atmosphere of mutual trust, respect and confidence. Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own behaviour and moral viewpoint. A full policy is available from

Staff; parents are welcome by arrangement. Ms McDougall oversees the careers programme. Work-Related Learning School Meals

Community Links

We are currently looking to develop links with

A ‘cashless cafeteria’ provides hot and cold

Sheredes has significant links with the

a wide variety of employers so that all Year 10

meals and snacks before school, at break time

community through arts activities, sports and

students will have the opportunity to work as

and lunchtime. We operate a cashless system

many other areas of school life. We see the

employees for one week during the year, to

which can be topped up before school, at break

school as an extension of the local community,

broaden their horizons. Opportunities for work

or lunchtime (or by using Wisepay on line). Full

and encourage students to be involved in work

experience/ visits/job-shadowing are made

details of the system are issued to all parents

outside the school. For example, this includes

available to Year 12 students, if appropriate,

of new students. Students may bring a packed

weekly visits to the local church to meet the

and Year 9 students can shadow their parents

lunch which is to be eaten in the dining area.

elderly.

for one day.

Details about the provision of free school meals are available from Mrs Georgette Knights, School Business Manager, and are available on our website.

Attendance at Sheredes It is Sheredes policy to maintain good attendance, which presently stands at 93.3% across the school. Whilst some absences, such as for illness, are quite unavoidable, we find that students with a full attendance are more confident and more successful in their studies. The following routines detail how we monitor attendance: • Parents must inform the school immediately a student is absent.

• Detentions will operate on a weekly basis for students involved in unauthorised absences.

• Parents of any student who is absent with no explanation will be contacted.

• Rewards will be given for good attendance and where a marked improvement in attendance is achieved.

• Continued and frequent absences, with no satisfactory explanation, will be referred to the Attendance Improvement Officer. • Only the Headteacher can authorise an absence from school. • Random attendance checks will be operated during the day to deter unauthorised absences from lessons.

• We would ask you to think twice before taking children out of school for holidays within term time. Research constantly tells us that children who miss days at school can be disadvantaged.

Authorised/Unauthorised Absences - School Year 2013/2014 Number on Roll (Years 7 – 11) 690

School Uniform Students in Years 7-11 are expected to wear full school uniform. The uniform is very smart and distinctive, and upholds the value we place on high standards at every level in the school. Students are proud to wear their uniform and are excellent ambassadors for the school. Students in the Sixth Form have a smart dress code which reflects a general business look, appropriate for their role as lead learners in the school. A detailed uniform list is available on our website and is also to be found in the Student Planner. The School Day Students can be in school from 7.30am to 4.30pm for lessons, library work and community activities. The daily timetable is: 8.30 am 8.40 am 9.00 am 10.00 am 11.00 am 11.20 am 12:20 pm 1.20 pm 2.00 pm 3.00 pm

Arrival at school Registration and Tutorial Session 1 Session 2 Break Session 3 Session 4 Lunch Session 5 Community Time (Voluntary)

The library is staffed until 4.00pm every day. Students may work in

Percentage of half days missed:

Overall Absence

Persistent Absence

Sheredes School

6.7 %

2.6 %

Hertfordshire Average

5.3 %

2.6%

responsibility for students after 5.00pm, unless they are taking part

National Average

5.7 %

6.8 %

in a supervised sport, drama, music, dance or curriculum activity.

there until then. After 4.00pm, any student who is being collected by parents must wait in Student Reception. The school cannot accept

Sheredes School Policies Equal Opportunities

Child Protection

Sheredes aims to embrace the needs of all students and to provide:

Mr Peirce, Assistant Headteacher, and Ms Stabler have special responsibility for child protection. The school has a responsibility for ensuring that the children in its care are protected from abuse, and in the case of suspected abuse, they will ensure that the appropriate LA procedures are followed.

• A broad, balanced and differentiated curriculum relevant to the needs of each individual • Maximum possible access to and stimulus within the school curriculum • An environment where no student suffers adverse discrimination on the grounds of educational, physical, ethnic, religious or social circumstances.

Communications All parents and students new to the school are asked to sign the Sheredes School Home/ School Partnership. This document sets out what parents and students can expect from the school and details the responsibilities of both parents and students. The intention of the partnership is to ensure that the basis for supportive relationships between home and school are established.

The document has no legal status.

A copy of our full Equal Opportunities Policy is available from the school office. Complaints Access to student records and other information Parents should contact the school if they wish to visit the school and/or see the following:

Any parent contacting the school with a complaint can be sure of a swift, efficient and courteous response. The policy covering all complaints procedures is available from the school office.

• Further information relating to the National Curriculum • Any agreed school policy documents Charging Policy for Activities Some learning and educational activities will incur a charge to parents, but no student will be excluded from the activity if a contribution is unable to be made. An activity may have to be cancelled if insufficient contributions are made. Payments for all activities can be made by instalments. A full policy statement is available from the school office.

Sheredes School Association (SSA) The Sheredes School Association is a group of parents and staff who work together to provide a number of social activities throughout the year and support many school events such as Open Evenings and productions. One of the core aims of SSA is to help raise funds for the school and through this fundraising, support the running of the school mini-buses and other essential services. All parents are automatically members of SSA and we welcome anyone who is able to provide a little time to help support their child’s school.

Please note that the information given in this brochure was correct as at September 2014. It should not be assumed that there have been no subsequent changes before the start, or during, the academic year 2014/2015.

A-Level Exam Results 2013/14 We were delighted with the performance of students this year with a large number of outstanding successes. These results mean students have been able to secure their chosen career path for the future. A total of 41 Year 13 students completed their level 3 studies. The average total points score per student was 217 and average points per subject of 688. In addition, 40% of all grades were A*/A grades and a 59% of all grades were A*/B.

A level points are scored as follows: A* = 300 A = 270 B = 240 C = 210 D = 180 E = 150 AS grades are worth half the A2 equivalent. GCSE Students Number of students entered for Level 2 Examinations = 112 5A* - C grades= 56% 1A* - G Grades = 100%

2014 A2 Results

Art and Design 3 3 Chemistry 1 Drama 3 English Literature 3 5 4 Geography 1 1 History 3 4 3 1 Maths 1 1 2 1 Media 4 1 1 Photography 5 2 Psychology 1 2 1 4 2 BTEC Business Studies 9 5 4 BTEC ICT 10 5 2 BTEC Performing Arts 2 1 1 BTEC Sport 3 1 1

2014 AS Results

Art and Design 1 Biology 1 1 Chemistry 2 Creative Writing 3 3 Drama 3 English Literature 2 2 Geography 1 History 2 3 Maths 2 1 Media 2 1 Photography 1 2 Psychology 3 1

3 1 1 2 1 4 2 2 3 3 7 1 1 1 1 3 7 5 1 2 1 2 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 5 3 7 2 3 2 3

These grades are correct as of 31st August and do not include various expected changes from re-marks.

Entries 6 1 3 12 2 11 5 6 7 10 18 17 4 5

Entries 6 9 9 18 5 20 7 7 10 10 13 14

GCSE Exam Results 2013/14 Subject

Entries

Art

Business Studies

Dance

Drama

English Language

112

English Literature

Food Technology

French

Geography

Graphics

History

ICT

Maths

112

Media

Music

Photography

Religious Education

Science (Core)

Science (Additional)

Science (BTEC)

Spanish

These grades are correct as of 31st August and do not include various expected changes from re-marks (most notably in English Language and English Literature).

Destination of Leavers 2014

Student

University/Apprenticeship/Employment

SubjectA

Sophie Andreou

Apprenticeship

Teaching

Susannah Barrett

Apprenticeship

County Hall

Libby Barrow

Apprenticeship

Administration

Katie Bartlett

Liverpool University

Law

Daisy Blaskett

Employment

Retail

Vanessa Bull

University

Psychology

Jamie Cassar

Apprenticeship

ATT Tax Technician

Mollie Cole

Kent University

Criminal Justice & Criminology

Sally Coleman

Dance College

Dance

Jodie Curl

Apprenticeship

Business Administration

Rebecca Daltrey

Apprenticeship

Junior Design

Chloe Deering

University of Hertfordshire

History & American Studies

Jodie Freeman

Employment

Retail

Harry Gaughan

Anglia Ruskin University

Engineering

Laura Gleave

Ware College

Visual Merchandise

Miroslav Gospodinov

Kent University

ICT / Business

Shannon Gutteridge

Drama College

Drama

Sam Hall

Apprenticeship

Accountancy

Travane Haynes

University of Plymouth

International Business

Jordan Hodgson

Apprenticeship

Business

Bradley Hoskin

Apprenticeship

Publishing

Megan Hunt

Employment

Retail

Danielle Kersey

Dance College

Dance

Student

University/Apprenticeship/Employment

SubjectA

Sonny Kettle

Employment

Carpentry

Ian Latchford

University of Bournemouth

Computing

Rebecca Leach

Employment

Retail

Harrison May

University

Laura McCanna

Employment

Billy Melton

Apprenticeship

Mathew Milsom

Employment

PE Technician

Helena Morcom

Employment

Retail

Amber Moulder

Online Course

Events Management

Zoe Mullally

University of Bedfordshire

Kelly Pryor

Queen Mary University

History

Charlotte Thurlow

Southampton Solent University

English

Chloe Verrier

University of Kent

History

Alfie Wise

University of Kent

History

Sonny Wise

University of Hertfordshire

Accountancy and Finance

Stephanie Wright

Voluntary Work

Education

Lily Wrighton

Employment

Nationwide

Personal Trainer

Telephone 01992 410800 admin@sheredes.herts.sch.uk www.sheredes.herts.sch.uk Designed & produced by Whiteing Design Partnership Redbourn, Hertfordshire. Telephone (01582) 792215 www.whiteingdesign.co.uk

Sheredes School Hoddesdon Hertfordshire EN11 8JY