Harrogate Grammar School Main Prospectus

EXCELLENCE FOR ALL

At Harrogate Grammar School we strive to enable children to develop their potential to the full and to grow into mature and confident young people who are prepared for the challenges, opportunities and responsibilities of adult life. In order to fulfil this aim the school offers a caring environment within which students can share in a wide range of academic, sporting, aesthetic, spiritual and social experiences.

In every sphere of school life there is an emphasis on the pursuit of excellence. Each student is encouraged to take responsibility for his/her own work and behaviour and to develop habits of self-reliance, self-discipline and consideration for others.

Activities such as year and house assemblies, dramatic and musical productions, Celebration Evening and Sports Day help to encourage a feeling of commitment and shared values, while individual pursuits, such as those offered through the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, help to develop confidence and initiative. Students are given opportunities to exercise responsibility through roles as prefects and through involvement in Year Councils and the School Senate. They are encouraged to develop an understanding of, and a respect for, the values and beliefs of others.

Our aim is to be a world class school and to this end Governors have set themselves, and our students, challenging objectives.

Harrogate Grammar School is a school with strong traditions of care for the individual and exacting academic standards. We aim to maintain and build on that tradition. At all times there is recognition of the need for a partnership between home and school, and the need to provide experiences tailored to the individual. Only if parents and staff work closely together is it possible for a child to derive full benefit from his or her education.

Our school website has extensive information about all aspects of school, and is regularly updated to keep parents, and students, fully informed. We hope you will find the site useful. www.harrogategrammar.co.uk

WELCOME HARROGATE GRAMMAR SCHOOL PROSPECTUS

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I am delighted to be able to welcome you to Harrogate Grammar School Academy Trust. Our school’s reputation for excellence is widely recognised and there is a real commitment to ensuring that all our young people benefit from what the school has to offer.

At Harrogate Grammar School every child does matter and we work hard to achieve excellence for all, whether that is in academic studies, sport, music or pastoral care.

We have a track record of excellent examination results at GCSE and A Level, making us one of the highest performing comprehensive schools in the country.

In March 2011 we became an Academy Trust. We believe that the greater independence this provides allows us to go even further in realising our aim of providing excellent for all.

For every child to achieve to their full potential there needs to be a positive, supportive and well disciplined environment in which to work. At Harrogate Grammar School, we are able to provide this and, as a result, ensure that our young people have the very best chance of achieving success in all aspects of school life.

We want all the children who come to the school to enjoy their schooldays and to become thoughtful, articulate, confident and responsible members of society. Our programmes of teaching, and the wide range of extra-curricular activities we offer, are directed to this end.

We know that to achieve our aims we have to work as part of a three-way partnership between the student, the school and home. A strong and effective partnership with parents underpins the work we do in school and we look forward to your support in achieving this.

Richard Sheriff Headteacher

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FROM THE HEADTEACHER

HARROGATE GRAMMAR SCHOOL PROSPECTUS

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VALUES At Harrogate Grammar School we value: • The school as a happy successful community working with others • Respect for all individuals within and beyond our school • Excellent teaching that inspires a love of learning within and outside the classroom • Our roles and responsibilities as global citizens • Kind and considerate behaviour • Enterprise and creativity • Resilience, ambition and endeavour • Excellence in all we do

EXPECTATIONS Parents • Support learning at home • Support the school rules • Ensure students come to school every day, on time, ready for learning • Approach the school early with problems and work with staff to resolve them • Support the school through participation in school events and attendance at • Parents Evenings • Use the planner to support good communication between home and school

Students • Work hard to achieve your potential • Come to school every day, on time and properly equipped for learning • Follow the school rules • Have respect for other students and staff • Participate in the wider life of the school • Contribute to the school and community through service • Wear uniform proudly and correctly at all times • Stay safe and ensure others are kept safe

VALUES & EXPECTATIONS

HARROGATE GRAMMAR SCHOOL PROSPECTUS

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Harrogate Grammar School aims to provide a curriculum which adapts to meet the needs of the learner.

This is achieved through a wide range of options and curriculum pathways at all levels. Through these means Harrogate Grammar School equips its students with the qualifications and skills needed for life in the 21st century.

The core subjects of English, Mathematics, Science, Languages and ICT are a focus for the curriculum, supplemented and balanced by provision in the humanities and creative and technical spheres.

At Key Stage 3, students study a wide range of subjects in each year. All subjects are offered in each Year group. When the students reach Year 9 they can choose one ‘Extended’ option subject for which they receive extra lessons. The students can aim to sit their GCSE early in this Extended subject, enabling further study in Year 11.

There are three different pathways through the Key Stage 4 curriculum to ensure it is differentiated to meet the needs of all learners. The pathways are called Linear, Portfolio and Parallel, and students are assigned to these based on their academic record and preferred methods of assessment. Through this personalising of the curriculum, all students have the chance to reach their potential in as wide a range of subjects as possible.

The Post 16 curriculum seeks to offer an exceptionally wide range of Advanced Level courses which students can take to AS or A2 Level. This can be extended to a full AQA Baccalaureate qualification through additional optional study and service, including the Extended Project Qualification.

In 2011 the school was selected to become one of the country’s first Teaching Schools. Teaching Schools, like Teaching Hospitals, are centres for the training and development of teachers and are chosen because they demonstrate outstanding practice and have the capacity to help others to improve. High quality teaching is the foundation for the success at Harrogate Grammar School and being a Teaching School helps us maintain our high standards.

For more details about the curriculum across all key stages, please visit the school website: www.harrogategrammar.co.uk

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CURRICULUM HARROGATE GRAMMAR SCHOOL PROSPECTUS

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Harrogate Grammar offers a wide range of activities beyond the curriculum. Our view is that the chance to take part voluntarily in activities outside of normal lessons helps students in improving confidence, enjoying their time at school, and developing leadership qualities.

There are typically around 80 activities on offer each week encompassing a vast range of interests. Some examples include Language Club, Clarinet Ensemble, Girls’ Rugby, Art Club, Stage Choir, Maths Club and Trampolining. There are many opportunities in these to represent the school.

In addition to activities outside of lesson time, we also have a timetabled slot called Enrichment for Years 9, 10 and 12 during which they will be able to choose activities beyond the national curriculum. In this time, students pick from a wide range of activities which have included Japanese, juggling, first aid, photography, sculpture and Sri Lanka link club. There are significant opportunities for students to develop valuable skills in debating and public speaking.

A real variety of activities are provided through the Faculty of Performing Arts including jazz bands, wind bands, orchestras, choirs, barbershop teams, clarinet and flute choirs, lower school productions, whole school productions including large musical productions.

We pride ourselves on offering an assortment of activities that actively encourages inclusivity. There is an extensive range of extra-curricular Sport at lunchtimes and after school, in which all students are welcome to participate regardless of ability or experience. Harrogate Grammar School also runs alternative non-competitive clubs, such as dance fusion, cheer-leading and martial arts.

Please see the insert for details of our most recent achievements and activities.

More information about the range of extra-curricular activities can be found on the school website: www.harrogategrammar.co.uk

EXTRA-

CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Arthurs Avenue, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG2 0DZ Tel: 01423 531127 Email: mail@harrogategrammar.co.uk

www.harrogategrammar.co.uk