An Introduction from the Headteacher
It is a great honour to be the Headteacher of Ulverston Victoria High School which is an exceptional school, well established at the centre of the vibrant community of Ulverston and the Furness Peninsula.
This is an exciting time for your child to be a member of Ulverston Victoria High School; a time when he or she can benefit from the ‘buzz’ of being in an ‘exceptional’ school whilst drawing on the school’s traditional strengths.
UVHS has many excellent features and our students thrive here. Our school has delightful students and a very supportive and interested parent body. The town of Ulverston is proud of its school and its school is proud of its town.
The selection of a school by parents for their child is a great act of trust. I am confident you will be pleased with your decision as time unfolds.
We are also delighted to welcome students from communities throughout the Furness Peninsula.
Welcome to our school. Mr Denis Fay Headteacher September 2016
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Ulverston Victoria High School is a happy and thriving 11-18 school and sixth form and is at the heart of the community in the picturesque South Lakeland market town of Ulverston. In our most recent Ofsted Inspection (November 2013) we achieved a good judgement with outstanding features for the behaviour and safety of our students and the leadership and management of our school. We regularly analyse our performance and seek new ways to enhance learning opportunities for our students. A multi-million pound refurbishment has recently been completed at Ulverston Victoria High School, and the new facilities were officially opened in November 2015 with a formal ribbon cutting ceremony. There are now new and improved facilities in several areas of the school including a fantastic new Sixth Form Common Room and resource area, a superb new Cloister Corridor, a new Special Education Needs Department, great new Science facilities, three modern Maths rooms, three refurbished Art rooms and a new Engagement Centre.
These improvements to UVHS mean that we now have the facilities that match our true potential. With over 1200 students on roll, including more than 250 in our sixth form, we are in a position to offer a wide GCSE and A-level curriculum. One of the major strengths of our school is our outstanding pastoral care and student welfare structure. Our students are supported by form tutors and pastoral heads of year. We also have access to other external support agencies. Behaviour and attendance are excellent at UVHS and our students are highly motivated, keen and enthusiastic. They are warm, welcoming and have a good working relationship with staff, which is built on mutual trust and respect.
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Safeguarding Statement Ulverston Victoria High School is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children and young people in its care. All appointments to the school are subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks (DBS). The school has rigorous child protection policies and procedures in place and all interviews with prospective staff follow Safer Recruitment guidelines. Equality Objective The school will do all that it can be reasonably expected to do to give equal access to all students to all aspects of life at UVHS. Our Curriculum At Key Stage 3, students in Years 7, 8 and 9 follow a broad curriculum: English, Mathematics, Science, Geography, History, BPE, Modern Language, Design and Technology, Physical Education, Art, Music, Drama and Computing. A second Modern Foreign Language or Drama is studied in Years 8 and 9. Students are placed in sets according to ability and potential. This takes place in English and Maths from Year 7 and in other subjects from Year 8.
are selected from subjects previously experienced at Key Stage 3 such as Modern Foreign Languages. Full details of all courses and curriculum organisation are published annually in a separate Year 10 Options Handbook available early in the Spring Term for Year 9 students. The Sixth Form is open to all who wish to continue their education beyond the age of 16, provided they have met the appropriate entry requirements. The majority of students in the Sixth Form pursue academic courses in preparation for the AS and A2 examinations. Prior to entry into the Sixth Form, students are advised on the appropriate number and combination of subjects to study. Each year around 80% of students gain entry to courses at universities and colleges to continue their education. Full details are published annually in the Sixth Form Prospectus which is available prior to an Open Evening in the Autumn Term each year. We are designated as a Maths and Computing College and seen as a Centre of Excellence in Mathematics. We have also become an Ogden Trust Hub School to support and develop Physics education in the local area.
At Key Stage 4, students in Years 10 and 11 have an element of choice in the subjects that they study. There is a compulsory core of English, Mathematics, Science, Physical Education and ICT. Maths and Science start their GCSE courses in Year 9 Individual choices are made by students for up to four additional subjects to study to GCSE level. These 3|Page
Teaching and Learning We are building on proven strengths to establish Ulverston Victoria High School as a centre of excellence in many subjects. Teaching is designed to be challenging and innovative. Extensive use is made of ICT in many lessons, with interactive whiteboards being regularly used. We are breaking new ground in the teaching and learning of Mathematics and Computing. We are using, developing and sharing best practice techniques for raising educational standards.
expertise. Our students contribute and spend their own time freely to help others in the wider community. Additionally we act as a hub for a broad range of services to strengthen and support our students, their families and the wider community including other schools.
Victoria Values The school’s life is based around a common set of values which are supported by all our students, staff and parents. These values match those that underpin modern Britain. Enrichment Our provision is enhanced to offer students enriched opportunities. We have a comprehensive programme for our talented students. We are involved in a range of national initiatives and competitions to motivate, enthuse and excite students. An enterprise and international focus is added to our work wherever possible. At the end of each year we have a series of enrichment days designed to challenge and vary the educational diet of our students. Community Partnerships We are active partners in a learning community, working closely with our family of schools and the wider community, sharing resources and
Uniform All our students from Year 7 to Year 11 have to wear a designated school uniform. We feel that a uniform is an integral part of school life and is necessary to maintain high and equitable standards. School uniform policy is strictly enforced and we ask all our parents to support us in this respect. Details of the uniform and suppliers can be found at the end of this prospectus. Our Pastoral System In a caring community all teachers are concerned with the needs of the individual student and teaching is based upon a relationship between the teacher and the student. Each student is a member of a tutor group. The Tutor is the first point of contact for all students each day at morning registration where announcements are made and information is given. It is the Tutor who has an overview of the 4|Page
development and progress of the students through this daily contact.
aspirations and thus enable students to achieve their full potential.
The tutor groups within each year come under the charge of a Pastoral Leader. It is he or she who has the overall pastoral responsibility for the general welfare and academic progress of all the students in his/her year group. It is the Pastoral Leader to whom you should write or telephone if you need to contact the school about any matter concerning your son/daughter. Parents should send routine correspondence about illness and reasons for absence direct to the Attendance Officer at the school. We would be grateful if parents would inform the school by 9:30 am on the day of their child’s absence.
Victoria Outreach At Ulverston Victoria we understand that not every student will follow a wholly academic path. We recognise that some students have practical skills in other areas and as such we are keen to develop these skills which will be a real asset to future employers. Victoria Outreach develops these key skills by linking with outside agencies so students can gain work placement experience, coupled with academic studies.
Learning Support This operates in all years for students who have a special educational need. It is organised through the Learning Support Department and takes the form of support in the classroom, tutorial work and curriculum modification. These students are taught alongside their peers and arrangements for tutorial work will be such that they are not prevented from participating fully in the curriculum and the social life of the school. The school has been awarded the Inclusion Charter Mark at the gold standard. Learning Mentors A team of Learning Mentors provide additional support and guidance for students who are underachieving and/or are experiencing difficulties. They use a variety of strategies for removing barriers to learning in order to promote effective participation, enhance individual learning, raise
Religious Education Within the Department of Belief, Philosophy & Ethics, Religious Education in school follows the Cumbria Agreed Syllabus which requires students to learn about and from major world religions. Students at Ulverston Victoria High School know RE as ‘Belief, Philosophy and Ethics’. The Cumbria Agreed Syllabus is followed through an enquiring way of learning. Students are encouraged to question and explore beliefs and values in a respectful way, listening to the views of others in order to frame and develop their own, at this important stage of life. Students can opt to follow a GCSE Religious Studies course in Year 10 and 11.
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Citizenship The aim of Citizenship is to encourage our students to become confident individuals and responsible citizens. Students are encouraged to take informed and responsible action. At UVHS, Citizenship is topical and outward looking with an emphasis on practical, active citizenship. Students study concepts such as democracy and justice, rights and responsibilities. Personal wellbeing is addressed through looking at healthy lifestyles, risky behaviours and relationships with aspects of sex education. School Parliament We have a thriving and active School Parliament which is a democratically elected body of students from Year 7 to Year 11. The Parliament meets each half term to discuss the development of the school and key issues affecting students. There are smaller subgroups of working on a number of issues including a Teaching and Learning group, road safety and the use of ICT facilities. For all new teaching appointments candidates are interviewed by a student panel.
Sport and Music Physical Education in school aims to provide every student with the opportunity to develop physically, socially and emotionally within an
enjoyable and satisfying programme of activities. Tolerance, a sense of fair play and good sporting behaviour are considered to be essential elements of the learning process. We aim to provide equal access for all students to the Physical Education curriculum. We have a well-equipped Gymnasium to add to our facilities in the Sports Hall. Our extensive grounds accommodate pitches and hard court areas. Inter-house and inter-form competitions run in all sports throughout the year. The school offers an outstanding programme of extra-curricular activities. School teams play matches in Furness and the South Lakes region. We also successfully enter teams into local and national competitions in athletics, cross-country, orienteering, rugby, soccer, golf, netball, hockey, cricket and tennis. Ulverston is the leading orienteering school in the country. The Music Department is outstanding and rated amongst the best in the country. The department has a suite of classrooms, an ICT area and practice/rehearsal rooms. Over 250 students receive individual tuition and we offer free instrument loans to those beginning an instrument and/or unable to buy one of their own. We also offer free instrument loans and reduced rate tuition to our partner primary schools. The school runs numerous instrumental ensembles as well as the larger groups such as the Wind Band, Swing Band, String Orchestra, Choir and Junior Orchestra. These perform regularly to great local, national and international acclaim and are in constant demand throughout the year for public, private 6|Page
and corporate engagements. The Wind and Swing Bands are sponsored by local companies and have been invited to perform alongside The Royal Marines’ Band Service on many occasions as well as staging several major concerts of their own at the Coronation Hall each year. The Music Department also supports the drama productions when, each year, we stage a whole school musical production at the Coronation Hall as well as a primary schools’ pantomime. Behaviour Support All students are expected to behave in an orderly and sensible way which shows consideration for others and promotes a caring and responsible school environment. Our Behaviour Policy both recognises and rewards good behaviour and lays out a series of consequences and sanctions which will apply when a student’s behaviour falls below the required standard. Parents are kept fully informed and we ask parents to support school in its efforts to deal constructively with any misconduct.
Senior Students In the final half year of Year 10 and throughout Year 11 students have the opportunity to become ‘Senior Students’. To achieve this status, students must demonstrate high standards of attendance, punctuality, behaviour, effort and endeavour. The school’s Personal Reference underpins students’ applications. All applicants must complete an application form and are then invited to a formal interview with a senior member of staff. If they are successful they are awarded the coveted ‘Wolf Tie’. Senior students serve as role models to the younger students and their peers and help out in school in a variety of ways, such as manning reception during Parents’ Evenings. The award promotes leadership and British values, supporting the school’s Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) education and supports our excellence agenda.
To support students who may experience social and emotional difficulties, we operate an Engagement Centre which provides a therapeutic environment for these students. The school has access to counselling services. We offer individual support and guidance for those students whose conduct is a cause for concern. Parents are always involved in such plans and are invited to contribute.
Peer Mentors An important aspect of secondary education for older students is accepting additional responsibilities. This helps develop characteristics of self-discipline, trust and reliability. To help foster this, a number of students have been trained in listening and befriending skills. These students 7|Page
operate a peer mentor service where any students experiencing difficulties with relationships such as bullying can discuss the problem and be given some guidance to resolve the situation. Home-school links Throughout the year we have Parents’ Evenings where, during individual interviews with staff, students’ progress is discussed. In addition, on one occasion each term, we will send home a progress review for every student that will outline their target grades and measure the progress made towards achieving those targets. Also included will be students’ Attitude to Learning grades which will indicate the levels of work in lessons and at home.
The Library is staffed at all times by a fully qualified librarian and assistant librarian, making maximum access possible to this excellent facility. Researching, browsing, reading and borrowing all contribute to the total learning experience of each student. Careers Education & Guidance All students are entitled to a progressive programme of careers guidance beginning in Year 7 and moving through to Year 13. This includes a programme of individual interviews with members of the school guidance team as well as working with the school Employability Co-ordinator. Work Experience At the time of writing, all students in Year 10 will have an option of one week of work experience in a local business or work place. In addition, students who follow vocational courses in Years 10, 11, 12 and 13 may take part in work experience placements or vocationally linked visits. Homework & Assessment
The School Library We are proud of our large state-ofthe-art school Library which is equipped with a wide range of books, ICT facilities and up to date newspapers and periodicals to support the curriculum and also to inspire and encourage the habit of reading for both information and pleasure. Being attractively and comfortably furnished, a pleasant environment conducive to quiet study has been created - a facility which Sixth Form students in particular appreciate.
Homework is an important part of the learning experience in that it not only extends knowledge but it develops a student’s skills in independent working, research and organisation of time. It can take a variety of forms: reading, learning, coursework, writing, research or continuation of classwork. The amount of homework will vary from subject to subject and from student to student depending on the time taken to complete the task. At the beginning of the year students are issued with a planner where details of 8|Page
tasks set should be recorded. Every planner is checked regularly by Tutors. ‘Catch up’ is available for students who need to complete work after school with the support of a member of staff. Lunchtime Arrangements The school uses a system of ‘cashless catering’. We provide healthy wellbalanced meals of a very high quality at good prices and the majority of our students stay for school meals. We also offer breakfast at the start of the school day and a mid-morning service. No students in Year 7, 8, 9 or 10 are allowed to leave the school premises without permission. Parents are requested to notify their child’s Tutor in writing if they wish their son or daughter to go home for lunch or in the event of any special arrangements for the midday break. A ‘lunch pass’ is issued by the Pastoral Leader in response to these written requests. A photographic lunch pass is issued to students in Year 11 after they have signed a contract agreement with the school. All our ICT suites are open for student use at lunchtimes. Parents’ Advisory Group (PAG) The Parents’ Advisory Group meets twice each term with the Head Teacher and other invited senior leaders. This is an informal meeting to give our parents a voice in our development planning and the strategic direction of the school. All parents who would like to be part of this important group are most welcome to attend. Please telephone the school reception for further details.
Charging and Remission Policy The Education Reform Act, 1988 distinguishes between those activities which take place wholly or mainly outside school hours and those which take place wholly or mainly in school time. Parents will be charged for those activities and visits which take place wholly or mainly outside school hours except when the activity or visit is required as part of a prescribed public examination syllabus, in which case the charging regulations relating to school time visits will apply.
Parents are under no obligation to contribute financially to activities and visits which take place wholly or mainly during school hours and students will not be treated differently according to whether or not their parents have made any voluntary contribution. Parents will appreciate, however, that without voluntary financial support such activities and visits would cease and therefore the school will continue to request voluntary financial contributions in support of any school activity, whether during or outside school hours, residential or non-residential. In the event of hardship, parents are invited to make a confidential request for support to the Headteacher. The school will continue to ask parents to provide or pay on a voluntary basis 9|Page
for ingredients, materials and equipment needed for subjects such as Design and Technology. Parents are under no obligation to make this contribution unless they wish to own the finished product. In accordance with current legislation the school has a detailed policy for charging. Parents who wish to see this should contact the school. Personal Accident Insurance Cover Some parents wrongly assume that if a child is injured at school the County Council is held to be responsible, regardless of the circumstances and that its insurance will automatically apply. This is not so - the County Council’s responsibility is strictly limited to cases where there was negligence by it or its staff. Accidents can happen in school, on the sports field, or during school visits when the County Council or its staff are not in any way at fault and are, therefore, not responsible.
Formal Complaints Procedure If you become concerned in any way about your child’s education it is important that you tell us about this in an appropriate and mutually respectful manner. As a first step you should discuss your concerns with your child’s Pastoral Leader. If you are still concerned you should arrange to meet with senior staff and request a copy of the complaints procedure from the school office. Parents also have the right of complaint to the Governing Body or the Local Education Authority. The school has a zero tolerance policy to foul language or any parents who do not observe its policy on safeguarding procedures. The governors reserve the right to take appropriate action against transgressors or anyone who makes malicious allegations against staff.
The provision of personal accident insurance is considered to be the responsibility of parents. Parents who are interested in this form of insurance can contact their local insurance broker, but they may be interested to know that the National Confederation of Parent-Teacher Associations has arranged a suitable policy. The address is 2 Ebbsfleet Estate, Stonebridge Road, Gravesend, Kent DA11 9DZ.
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ADMISSIONS POLICY Cumbria County Council Local Education Authority remains the Admissions Authority for Ulverston Victoria High School and the school follows the County’s policy on admissions which is summarised below. The LEA has an open admission policy irrespective of race, ethnicity, gender or ability. The school’s Racial Equality Policy reflects this and admissions will be monitored to ensure no ethnic minority group is disadvantaged or admission declined on grounds of race, ethnicity, gender or ability. Where schools are over-subscribed the LEA will prioritise applications using the over-subscription criteria contained in the LEA’s General Admissions policy. Full details of these priorities should be requested from the LEA but a summary of the priorities includes: • Children looked after by Cumbria County Council given priority, if necessary, to the youngest child(ren). • Children living in the catchment area who have brothers or sisters in the school (or associated infant or junior school) at the time of their admission. • Children living outside the catchment area who, at the time of their admission, have brothers or sisters in the school (or associated infant or junior school) who were directed to that school by the LEA either (a) in the absence of a place being available in the catchment area school due to over-subscription and the school was identified by the LEA as the next nearest with a place available
or (b) in their Statement of Special Educational Need. • In relation to Church of England Voluntary Controlled Schools, children living in the catchment area with a parent on the electoral role of a C of E Church. • Other children living in the catchment area giving priority to those living furthest away from an alternative school where the LEA is able to determine that a place is available, measured by the shortest walking route by road. • Children living outside the catchment area who have brothers or sisters in the school (or associated infant or junior school) at the time of their admission. • In relation to Church of England Voluntary Controlled schools, children living outside the catchment area with a parent on the electoral role of a C of E Church. • Children living outside the catchment area, giving priority to those who live closest to the school, measured by the shortest walking route by road. The above criteria will be applied to first preference applicants first. Second, and subsequent third, preferences will be considered if places remain after parents who have given a school as a higher preference have been allocated a place. Applications will be prioritised according to the above criteria. An exception will be made: • Under the Authority’s policy for the education of children with special needs (i) where a child holds a 11 | P a g e
Statement of Special Educational Needs, or (ii) is currently undergoing a statutory assessment, and in either case it is considered that attendance at a particular school is necessary to meet the identified needs of that child. • In considering a parent’s second or third preference and in relation to the next nearest school with a place available where admission has been refused to the catchment area school because of over-subscription. (Such an exception would not be made if this school is also unable to accommodate its catchment area applicants).
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SCHOOL UNIFORM LIST All students must wear full school uniform until they reach the Sixth Form when a dress code is applicable. Our aim is to set a standard of dress and appearance which will be appropriate and acceptable for school. We hope that parents will support us by sending students in the correct uniform and help us to maintain high standards. The initial cost of uniform is offset by the fact that it is worn regularly and eliminates the expense of being the most fashionably dressed. We have tried to ensure that everything required is simple and hardwearing. Outdoor Coat: Plain dark blue/black (reflective stripes permissible). A UVHS coat in the preferred style is available. No denim, leather, leather look, military style e.g. parka/combat jacket, knitted or gilet style. No hooded, logo or tracksuit tops other than official school tops.
White formal short or long sleeved shirt (preferred badged shirt). School tie. Trousers navy blue preferably supplied by ‘Identity’ to match required colour and style. No bootcut, flares or other fashion trousers. Skirt navy blue pleated knee length – only available to order from ‘Identity’. (No lycra skirts, side splits, mini-length or ankle-length skirts). Socks white or dark coloured, or tights navy blue or black opaque. Physical Education and Games Boys indoor wear UVHS round necked wolf head t-shirt, shorts navy blue (logo), football socks navy blue with sky blue bands, appropriate trainers (not converse or high top trainers). Boys outdoor wear: Games/Rugby shirt – UVHS wolf rugby shirt, shorts navy blue (logo), Football socks navy blue with sky blue bands, Rugby/Soccer boots, shin pads.
Indoor Wear: Boys: School V neck sweatshirt navy blue with logo. White formal short or long sleeved shirt (preferred badged shirt). School tie. Trousers navy blue preferably supplied by ‘Identity’ to match required colour and style. No bootcut, flares or other fashion trousers. Socks white or dark coloured.
Optional - tracksuit navy blue (logo).
Girls: School V neck sweatshirt navy blue with logo.
Girls outdoor wear:
All boys must bring a towel for use after PE/Games and a change of underwear is advisable. Girls indoor wear: UVHS round necked wolf head emblem t-shirt, shorts or skorts navy blue (logo), football socks navy blue with sky blue bands, appropriate trainers (not converse or high top trainers).
Games/Rugby shirt – UVHS wolf rugby shirt, shorts or skorts navy blue (logo), 13 | P a g e
Football socks navy blue with sky blue bands, Rugby/Soccer boots, shin pads. Appropriate trainers (not converse or high top trainers). Optional - tracksuit navy blue (logo). All girls must bring a towel for use after PE/Games and a change of underwear is advisable. Watches and jewellery Watches are brought to school at their owners’ risk. A single small plain stud can be worn in the lobe of each ear. Students must not wear any type of body piercing for Health and Safety reasons. Failure to comply will be a breach of school Health & Safety Policy and may result in the student remaining at home until the situation is resolved or being placed in isolation. (These rules also apply on nonuniform days.) Personal presentation Make up and nail polish are not allowed. Extreme hairstyles/cuts/colours are not acceptable – hair bands, clips should be dark coloured. Hair colouring should only be subtle and sympathetic to the child’s natural hair colour. Hair should not be too short (below a ‘Number 2’ would be unacceptable). Hair styles which result in partially shaved hair are unacceptable. If in doubt please contact the school before your child embarks on a new hairstyle. Students are expected to be clean shaven unless it is a matter of religious observance. Tattoos are not acceptable.
Footwear Black traditional school shoes suitable for wearing all day. No boots or trainers. Trainers are only allowed for PE lessons. A school bag, suitable to contain at least an A4 File and other equipment Girls’ handbags are not appropriate for school use. ALL ITEMS OF UNIFORM SHOULD BE CLEARLY MARKED WITH THE STUDENT’S NAME. Lost property Students are able to check lost property during the lunchtime. Once every term, items which have been handed in will be displayed and students will be able to collect lost belongings. Items will be held for a maximum of one term and any unclaimed items will be disposed of through local charities. Mobile telephones, IPods, MP3 players that are brought into school are the responsibility of their owners and are subject to school rules. The school cannot accept responsibility for them. Tablet computers should not be brought in to school. Uniform stockist
64, 66 & 68 Cavendish Street Barrow-in-Furness Cumbria LA14 1PZ TEL: 01229 823584 *** V.A.T. 156 6914 38 **** FAX 01229 836901 14 | P a g e