Support • Challenge • Succeed
Stretford Grammar School A Specialist School in Science and Mathematics
Mr. Michael Mullins: Headteacher
Welcome to Stretford Grammar School Dear Parent/Carer,
“
Engage • Empower • Achieve
“
Thank you for taking time to find out more about our school. Choosing a secondary school for our children is one of the most important decisions we make as parents or carers. At Stretford Grammar School the learning of your child is of paramount importance to us. It is expressed in the ethos of the school, the day to day activities and lessons and the external recognition which we receive through our success in GCSE and A Level examinations. Stretford Grammar School is a co-educational foundation grammar school with Specialist Status in Mathematics and Science, offering students from all backgrounds the opportunity to achieve the highest levels of academic achievement. We do this in the context of a disciplined environment where relationships are built upon mutual respect and courtesy. Indeed, visitors to Stretford Grammar School frequently comment on the positive atmosphere that exists within the school and Ofsted recently commented that a crucial factor in the results achieved was the positive relationships between staff and students. The fact that we are a small school only serves to facilitate these relationships and as a result students very quickly feel part of the school community. We believe strongly in creating an environment which promotes self-discipline to engender effective teaching and learning. We set high expectations in terms of work, behaviour and appearance as these are key indicators that students belong to a caring school community. Furthermore, we wish to offer your child the opportunity to progress through an 11-18 school which ensures they feel valued, fulfilled and prepared for the social and working challenges which lie ahead. We have high expectations of our students and this is confirmed through the exam results achieved. Students benefit greatly from the high level of expertise, commitment and enthusiasm which staff bring to their work. However, staff cannot do it all on their own and we believe in a strong home/school partnership. When parents/carers take an active interest in the work of their child and maintain regular communication, achievement and progress are demonstrably higher.
Of course, our ultimate aim is to ensure that all students fulfil their potential within a safe environment which is focused on teaching and learning. Therefore, just and firm discipline are prerequisites for ensuring that high standards of behaviour and a purposeful and friendly environment are maintained. By ensuring that all students fulfil their potential we are confident that they will possess the necessary skills to lead successful and happy lives and to also meet the challenges ahead. We also believe strongly that active students are successful students and that is why we are committed to increasing resources to provide students with a wealth of opportunities. Research supports the fact that busy students achieve and that is why we want to provide every opportunity for your child to find something they can achieve in. We are also a caring and happy school with harmonious working relationships. We want all our students to achieve in a safe and supportive environment and as a result our pastoral care and guidance is incredibly important to us. Finally, we are well aware as a school of the trust that you as parents/carers place in the school. We look forward to the future knowing that dedication and academic excellence, along with students’ consideration for one another, will be maintained. Mr. Michael Mullins Headteacher
“The school’s strong capacity to improve further is demonstrated in the rapid improvement already made since the last inspection,
as a consequence of effective leadership & management, higher expectations & greater accountability.”
Ofsted March 2010
In 2005 the school’s bid to become a Specialist School in Science and Mathematics was successful. This was an important phase in the school’s development and reflected the high standards and interest which our students demonstrate in the sciences. As a result a number of new laboratories were built and the remaining science rooms were completely refurbished. Reflecting our commitment to the sciences, all students have the opportunity to follow the three single sciences should they choose to do so.
There is also the opportunity to study Astronomy and uptake in the sciences post 16 is particularly strong with many of our students choosing to pursue a career in science or the medical professions. Students have a myriad of opportunities to develop their scientific understanding across the curriculum through the specialism days where they study in depth through a variety of mediums. Students are regularly involved in ‘deep learning days’ including a ‘Da Vinci Day’ where they investigate the impact of science on art and literature. During the summer holiday students from local primary schools participate in our Specialism Summer School. We also develop close links with our partner primary schools through the Specialism and continue to build links with other schools and Higher Education institutions across the North West.
‘The school’s specialism is starting to have a positive impact on spreading good practice, for example through collaboration between
teachers on the development of cross-curricular projects.’
Ofsted March 2010
Support • Challenge • Succeed
A Specialist School in Science and Mathematics
The school aims to provide a broad and balanced curriculum and as a result follows the National Curriculum at Key Stage 3. We have high expectations of the academic standards which students will achieve and the quality of work they will produce. We seek to develop their knowledge and understanding so that students will not only be able to thrive upon leaving school but also continue learning throughout their lives. As well as following the National Curriculum, students have the opportunity to learn a second Foreign Language in Year 7 and study Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education (PSHCE) as well as Drama. Cross-curricular theme days are undertaken to develop Personal Learning and Thinking Skills of the students. They form a key component of our Science Specialism days and are key themes which run through the programmes of study in Key Stage 3.
Curriculum Time: Key Stage 3 Subject Codes: Ma Maths, Eng English, Sci Science, ICT Information Technology, Sci Science, Lang Modern Foreign Languages, Mu Music, Pe Physical Education, Re Religious Education, Tec Technology, Dr Drama, PSHCE Personal Social Health and Citizenship Education, Geo Geography, Hi History.
PSHCE
Dr
Tech
Re
Pe
Mu
Lang
ICT
Hi
Geo
Art
Sci
Eng
Ma
KS3
Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) over 10 days
Y7 6 6 6 3 3 3 2 6 2 4 3 3 1 2 Y8 6 6 7 3 3 3 2 6 2 4 2 3 1 2 Y9 7 6 6 3 3 3 2 6 2 4 2 3 1 2
At Key Stage 4, as well as studying English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Religious Studies, ICT, PSHCE and Core PE, students can also choose from a range of subjects including: Art, Business Studies, Food Technology, Electronics, Music, Geography, History, Drama, DIDA, GCSE PE, Triple Science, French and Spanish. The underlying philosophy at Stretford Grammar School is that students will study a wide range of subjects before specialising in the Sixth Form. Students also have the opportunity to study short course languages in Year 9 as well as Astronomy and AS Mathematics in Key Stage 4. We are also seeking to extend the opportunities for early entry GCSE for our most able students. Within the Sixth Form, the school provides a range of academic subjects which meet the needs of all our students, the vast majority of whom go on to well regarded universities. Subjects available include: Art, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Design and Technology( Product Design), English Language, English Literature, French, Geography, Government and Politics, History, ICT, Maths, Double Maths ( available to students who completed GCSE Maths in Year 10), Music, Physics, Psychology, Sociology, Spanish and Sports Studies.
Curriculum Time: Key Stage 4 Subject Codes: Ma Maths, Eng English, Sci Science, ICT Information Technology, Pe Physical Education, Re Religious Studies, PSHCE Personal Social Health and Citizenship Education. In addition students have the option (Opt1) to choose from a range of subjects.
Opt 4
Opt 3
Opt 2
Opt 1
PSHCE
Re
Pe
ICT
Sci
Eng
Ma
Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11) over 10 days KS4
Engage • Empower • Achieve
Curriculum at Stretford Grammar
Y10 6 7 6 2 3 2 2 4 5 4 5 Y11 6 7 6 2 3 2 2 5 4 5 4
“Students value the good care and guidance provided by the school. Many of the students who spoke to inspectors agree that staff
go out of their way to give time, advice and support whenever they are needed.”
Ofsted March 2010
Work Related Learning The school recognises the importance of students gaining a practical understanding of the world of work. There is a well established programme of work experience and careers guidance. Collaboration with local employers to provide work experience placements has led to other forms of partnership, establishing a closer link with the school and local business community. Work related learning is delivered as an integral part of school life and students have a range of opportunities to develop their business acumen through enterprise and STEM days. Both the school and employers want our students to have the very best work experience in order to prepare them for future challenges of work.
Homework Homework is a valuable and integral part of the learning process. It helps students to make greater progress and to develop their independent learning skills. In addition, it seeks to provide students with opportunities to extend their learning beyond the classroom and to practise skills learned in more depth. It also provides an opportunity for students to be more creative in their thinking and as a result become more engaged in their work. To support this process students are issued a homework timetable and a planner in which to record the work set for each subject.
“Teamwork is strong and morale is high, as most teaching and support staff share the leadership team’s vision and determination
to drive the school forward towards excellence.”
Ofsted March 2010
We ask parents and carers to play an active part in supporting their child by providing the appropriate conditions at home for them to work. In addition, school also runs a number of evenings for parents and carers in order to provide additional advice and guidance about how they can best support their children.
Assessment, Reporting and Rewards All students have targets for attainment in each subject and the monitoring of their progress towards these targets is through the ‘Go Green’ system in Key Stage 3 which rewards students for reaching their target levels. A grade sheet each half term is also shared with parents and carers regarding progress made. Full written reports are produced once per year, usually after the end of year examination. Regular contact with school is encouraged through the Progress Leaders and Form Tutors. Students are also regularly rewarded through a comprehensive rewards system. Commendations are awarded for excellent work, contributions in class, particular acts of endeavour and contributions to the wider school community. Commendation points can be traded at the Rewards cupboard for stationery items and certificates are awarded through Year Group assemblies.
Support • Challenge • Succeed
Assessment and Reporting
Engage • Empower • Achieve
Extra-curricular provision Students benefit from a range of extra-curricular opportunities at Stretford Grammar School. As well as the opportunity to participate on school sport teams, a number of clubs also exist including drama, film, knitting and eco-school as well as a range of musical activities. In addition, school trips both at home and abroad feature throughout the year. Trips to Spain, France, Auschwitz, the Welsh Mountains, Year 9 Bushcraft survival week as well as skiing all provide opportunities for students to enhance and heighten their cultural awareness. Furthermore, the Duke of Edinburgh’s award scheme allows students to pursue their own personal development.
Dragon Fly Day to encourage women into engineering and science through the University of Salford is also a key activity of the school. Furthermore, Year 13 students have been involved with the University of Manchester’s Pathways to Law scheme resulting in favourable offers to attend the university to study law. During the summer term, a number of Year 10 students attend summer schools at various universities in the North West. Younger students are introduced to life at university through the Gateway scheme. Throughout the year students attend subject specific workshops in Maths, Humanities and Engineering.
PE activities such as trampolining, badminton, lacrosse, table tennis, cycling, dance and cheerleading all add to the variety of extra-curricular opportunities which our students can enjoy. We also seek to enhance the educational opportunities of our students through participating in schemes such as the National Architecture Campaign. Students are involved in a study of Manchester and Liverpool architecture and have been working with architects and other professionals on the importance of the built environment. Students have participated in the Hospital Experience project at Manchester Royal Infirmary where they shadow staff and meet with professionals of all disciplines within the hospital. We are also involved in the ‘Breaking into Medicine’ workshops at the University of Manchester where students are given mock interviews and guidance on interview techniques. Year 10 students regularly have the opportunity of attending residential summer schools at universities in the North West.
Engage • Empower • Achieve • Support • Challenge • Succeed
As well as being popular with our own students, each year a large numbers of students join the Sixth Form from other local schools. As a Grammar School, the academic qualifications that we offer are A Levels, which consist of two stages, AS and A2. All students study four AS subjecst in Year 12 before specialising in three subjects at A2 Level. Students complete a course in General Studies and there is a range of enrichment opportunities designed to provide additional opportunities for students to contribute to the wider community, but also to gain additional experience in preparation for Higher Education.
‘The school provides students with good advice and guidance to make informed choices about courses and careers’
In addition the Sixth Form also provides a range of work and enterprise based activities in order to prepare our students for the world of work. This combination of enrichment and a resolute focus on ensuring standards has resulted in Stretford Grammar School being consistently ranked in the top 10% of Sixth Forms for the last three years based on the progress our students achieve (Alps). The Sixth Form is an integral part of the school and rightly sets the standards to which we want our younger students to aspire; therefore our students play an important part in supporting the work of our younger students through mentoring programmes, year group assemblies, school council meetings and whole school charity events.
Support • Challenge • Succeed
Sixth Form Provision
Engage • Empower • Achieve
Working in Partnership We are proud of the community which Stretford Grammar School serves and of our rich and diverse community. We are a harmonious community and want all our parents and carers to be fully involved in the life of the school. This is because we know that children make greatest progress when their parents and carers take interest in their work. Through our curriculum we also seek to develop greater community cohesion by developing a common vision and sense of belonging in the wider community. To this end the school is involved in a number of projects including redeveloping the gardens of Longford Park, Black History Month, developing the skills of children who have English as an Additional Language and fostering wider links with the community including the Sustrans Project. As a result we value and celebrate the diversity of our community and endeavour to develop strong, positive working relationships. We also seek to nurture a positive environment where students are able to explore issues from different perspectives and work in collaboration with their peers and the wider community.
Admission to Stretford Grammar School Stretford Grammar School is a Foundation Grammar School and therefore is its own admissions authority. Admission to Stretford Grammar School is by way of an entrance examination for children in their last year of primary school. Details of the procedures and the Admissions Policy are published on the school website at www.stretfordgrammar.com Reassessment of a student following an unsuccessful test result can be arranged following an intervening twelve month period.
In year admissions in Years 7 to 11 are sometimes possible depending on the availability of places in the appropriate year group. Parents and carers should enquire directly to the school. Entrance to the Sixth Form is through the fulfilment of the academic requirement of five GCSE passes - four at Grade B and one at Grade C. If the Grade Bs are not in the subjects to be studied at AS/A2 Level, then the applicant must have Grade Bs in related subjects.
“The smooth transition of a large numbers of students from other schools testifies to the good levels of care and support the
school provides.”
Ofsted March 2010
Engage • Empower • Achieve Stretford Grammar School Granby Road, Stretford, Manchester M32 8JB Telephone: 0161 865 2293 Facsimile: 0161 866 9938 Email: admin@stretfordgrammar.com Website: www.stretfordgrammar.com