GABLE HALL SCHOOL PROSPECTUS

GableHall School A Specialist 11-18 Performing Arts College

GABLE HALL SCHOOL PROSPECTUS

A warm welcome from the headteacher

I truly believe that providing young people with the best possible education is the most important thing a person can do with their life and for their community.

GableHall School

At Gable Hall School, we know that helping shape students’ lives and turning aspirations to reality, have rewards that include, but transcend academic excellence. Gable Hall School is an exceptionally harmonious and high-achieving learning community in which children and young people experience a stimulating, challenging and supportive learning journey through their secondary and post-secondary years. Staff and parents work hard together to create a caring and mutually respectful ethos, which is traditional and yet prepares students well for the demands of the 21st Century. High standards are important here. In everything, we endeavour to do and be, only our best. This is why behaviour is outstanding at Gable Hall School.

Our highly personalised curriculum; exceptional extra-curricular opportunities; student leadership culture, and sound attainment make Gable Hall a very exciting place in which to learn, work and play. High quality teaching and pastoral care, together with students who really want to do well for themselves, combine to make Gable Hall a truly unique school. My staff and I are committed and determined to uphold and promote the longstanding high standards which will ensure that our students progress confidently to college, university and employment, with the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to lead successful, positive and productive lives. I hope this prospectus provides you with an insight into what makes Gable Hall such a special place for your child. Dr. Sophina Asong Headteacher (BA (Hons), MA, Ed.D, NPQH)

GABLE HALL SCHOOL PROSPECTUS

Students and teaches are clear about how well they are doing and what they need to do to improve (Ofsted 2014)

Message from the Chair of Governors

On behalf of the Board of the Stanford & Corringham Schools Trust, I would like to welcome all our new parents to Gable Hall School. I am sure that you will find this latest edition of the prospectus useful and informative not only now, but as the school year progresses. We are very proud of Gable Hall School. Conversion to Academy status has strengthened our resources for learning and our very positive Ofsted Inspection has strengthened our vision and reputation. Our headteacher, leadership team and staff are united in their passion for learning, wellbeing and achievement. Teaching at Gable Hall School is of a very high quality. Behaviour is outstanding and relationships between staff and students are excellent. The range of extracurricular activities offered is truly impressive. I have been connected with Gable Hall in many different guises for upwards of thirty years since starting out here as a young PE teacher. Both my children attended and left Gable Hall having done extremely well. I have been a Governor for over 20 years. My Gable Hall School alumnus of a daughter is now, herself, a young teacher!

You might want to ask what Academy Governors do. In short, school Governors are ultimately responsible for the strategic direction of the school. To achieve this, they must appoint qualified leaders and staff to ensure that a high quality of education and achievement is maintained and improved. I am sure that the staff at Gable Hall will impress you with their diligence and care. They will ensure that your child is challenged to achieve the highest grades possible in order to prepare for a successful life later on. I do hope you will decide to join Gable Hall School. It will be an excellent decision. Mr Steve Nash

GABLE HALL SCHOOL PROSPECTUS

Our Vision

Be only your best

At Gable Hall School, our aim is to achieve the very best educational and social outcomes for every student. We put Learning and Teaching at the heart of all aspects of our work. Our vision is based on clear and well-articulated values: Caring for Each Other, Success, a Passion for Learning, Personal Challenge and Social Harmony. In working towards making these values visible in every student, we strive to provide a safe, healthy, stimulating and exciting environment for all to work, learn and play; such that all have access to a broad, balanced and exciting curriculum which is relevant to the demands of the 21st Century.

GABLE HALL SCHOOL PROSPECTUS

Our Vision • We want all our students to be high achievers in whatever they choose to undertake. We work hard to create a learning and social environment which engenders high aspirations • We want our students to have the best opportunities to meet and exceed the highest standards; to enjoy school, to participate in leadership and to develop into well rounded global citizens • We want to work even more closely with parents because we know this breeds academic and social success and well being • We want Gable Hall School to be a valuable resource for its community through our Specialist Performing Arts work and through our 6th Form Partnership

Gable Hall students are encouraged to develop lively enquiring minds, to be capable of independent thought and to appreciate those areas of knowledge and understanding which will nurture wisdom. Academic excellence, respect and tolerance for others, self-discipline and self-confidence, form the basis of the school’s core philosophy.

Systems for checking on the quality of teaching are well developed and effective (Ofsted 2014)

GABLE HALL SCHOOL PROSPECTUS

GABLE HALL SCHOOL PROSPECTUS

Learning

Behaviour

Learning and Teaching is at the heart of everything we do.

Students behave well in and out of lessons. They have positive attitudes to learning. Students enjoy coming to school. They are punctual and attendance is above average (Ofsted 2014)

and Teaching

for learning

Gable Hall teachers are extremely ambitious for our students and are highly skilled in ensuring that all students - be they gifted, talented, with special needs or of average ability - are challenged and supported to achieve. The fundaments of our teaching rests on the Good to Great Charter which ensures that expectations are as consistent as possible for the students across the curriculum We invest in our teachers. Our dedicated programme of differentiated and personalised teacher development equips staff with up to date and effective pedagogy.

Well planned lessons, which have been differentiated to match our learners’ needs, help us to secure high levels of progress. Engaging and inspiring lessons help to make the buzz for learning, noticeable around the school. Regular assessments, target setting and timely interventions through assertive mentoring and coaching programmes ensure that our students make consistently good progress with their learning. Students spend a dedicated amount of time throughout the year discussing their progress with their Form Tutor. Success is celebrated heartily across the school in a variety of ways, culminating in the KS3, KS4 and Performing Arts Awards Evenings. We value and understand the role that parents and carers play in their children’s education and do our utmost to support this. Regular Progress and Praise letters are sent home to parents to supplement face-to-face meetings at Parent Evenings. We welcome feedback and involvement from parents and carers and the local community.

The curriculum is broad, balanced and promotes students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development (Ofsted 2014)

The school’s pastoral team Form Tutors play a pivotal role, together with House Leaders, Student Voice Co-ordinators and Pastoral Managers in ensuring that at all stages of students’ school lives they have the support, advice and guidance needed for developing and coping with rapid change: Beginning at transition with age-related tutor groups in Year 7, moving to vertical forms; helping students with KS4 options and finally with 6th Form choices, our students always have the support they need. Form Tutors have the overview of all students in their class and are the first contact between school and home. Each year group is monitored closely by Key Stage Leaders and assistant Key Stage Co-ordinators. They will have both a pastoral and academic overview of all student performance including attendance, punctuality and behaviour. Pupils not reaching or maintaining progress expectations, are identified early and supported to achieve.

GABLE HALL SCHOOL PROSPECTUS

A Personalised, Diverse Curriculum for the 21st Century

At Gable Hall we offer a broad and balanced and highly-personalised curriculum that provides all students, from year 7 to year 13, with a personalised learning pathway that gives them the opportunity to succeed. From French to Functional Skills, History to Health and Social Care, Business Studies to Be a Better Learner (BBL) and Statistics to Science, our curriculum meets the needs of all our learners whatever their age, ability or aspiration. Our curriculum includes courses from level 1 to level 3, allowing students to take examinations when they are ready; resulting in many students fast-tracking.

There is a high degree of consistency in the way targets are set for students and the use of assessment is accurate in telling students and parents how well they are done. (Ofsted 2014) As a specialist school, Performing Arts underpin our curriculum and develop our students to be confident, successful learners. A further focus on Personal Learning and Thinking Skills and Social Moral Spiritual Cultural (SMSC) education ensures that our students are independent and socially responsible young people. Every student has the right to succeed, and therefore we are proud of our inclusive approach, supporting all students through stretch and challenge; small group interventions; academic dialogue; learning conversations; personalised programmes; one to one mentoring and additional classroom support where applicable. Learning does not just take place at school, however. We make use of new technology to enhance our curriculum with extended study projects and on-line programmes such as SAM Learning to be completed at home.

GABLE HALL SCHOOL PROSPECTUS

Our Extra-Curricular Offer

School Trips and Visits

There are extensive opportunities for students to take part in a wide range of extra-curricular activities before school, at lunch and after school. From Art to Aerobics, Sport to Socialisation, our extra-curricular provision caters for all interests and talents. There are numerous sports clubs; opportunities in the performing arts both on stage or behind the scenes; music groups; book clubs; cooking clubs and of course homework club. At the last count there were 45 well-attended clubs attracting students with a wide range of talents or none! Year 7 pupils attend a Fresher’s Fayre in their first term to sign up for the wealth of extracurricular clubs available. Attendance at extracurricular clubs is tracked and monitored with pupils being rewarded for their commitment. This enables us to ensure that all students take up the social opportunities which clubs offer.

A key part of our extra- curricular ethos is the contribution exposure to travel excursions and trips make towards enriching both the curriculum and the lives of our students. Our traditional trips include visits to France, Germany, Spain, South Africa, New York, a ski trip, a water sports trip, camping, leadership and numerous reward trips as well as several visits to museums, shows, art galleries and exhibitions, mostly in central London.

GABLE HALL SCHOOL PROSPECTUS

GABLE HALL SCHOOL PROSPECTUS

In December 2012 we completed the construction of our new Sixth Form Centre designed for 250 students. This new build also incorporates three specialist skills areas for those seeking practical courses in the Engineering, Construction and Motor trades. With support from The Big Lottery Fund we have an all weather Astroturf Pitch, in addition to extensive playing fields and a large Sports Hall that offers indoor Badminton and Football Courts, supplemented by a fully- equipped Fitness Centre and Dance Studio. These facilities attract strong community involvement including coaching sessions from two Premiership Football clubs for pupils and local clubs.

A Stimulating

Learning Environment

Achieving Academy status in July 2011 has granted us the autonomy to use our financial resources to make a real difference to our environment. Intellectual vibrancy we know is helped by a stimulating environment. Our Performing Arts Theatre is fully refurbished. Our current programmes will totally refurbish the campus within 2 years.

We have a significant and on-going development of investment in Information Technology with 11 specialist IT Rooms. Our flexible literacy centre and versatile Learning Resource Centre allows our students to access out of school learning hours for individual study or just to complete homework assignments. Our current computer – student ratio is better than 3:1 and improving steadily. Our target is to achieve a 1:1 ratio of students to IT facilities. Gable Hall students and parents have secure access via our Learning Gateway to their homework, progress, attendance data and communication tools, so that co-ordinating parental and teacher interventions to maximise student achievement is quick and convenient.

To be truly inclusive Gable Hall School premises are open to students from 7.30am, for Breakfast Clubs through to 6.00pm, in the evening and on Saturday mornings and mid - term holiday, for various universities or revision clubs and for community use. Performing Arts then offer a Summer Camp for transition groups during School Holidays, putting on shows and events for both parents and the local community. Outside of these times, facilities are made available for commercial lettings.

GABLE HALL SCHOOL PROSPECTUS

GABLE HALL SCHOOL PROSPECTUS

Student

Leadership

We value the role that student leaders play within the School. We give every pupil within the school a pathway by which they can have their opinions heard and acted upon. We do this by a system of elected Form Representatives, House Captains and Senior Student leaders. In total there are more than 130 prefects and 21 members of the Student Senior Leadership Team. The student Government takes an active part in the day to day running of the school and in making key whole school decisions, such as the purchase of a mini bus, or the extension of the canteen.

Arrangement for transfer in Year 7 are exceptionally strong and students get off to a good start (Ofsted 2014)

Students do particularly well in GCSE English Language where they make outstanding progress. (Ofsted 2014)

The Gable Hall House System We currently operate a hybrid system of Year Groups, followed by Vertical Form Groups made up of Year 8,9,10 and 11 students. This ensures both high standards and opportunities to interact across the year groups. Our House System is aligned with the school’s specialism of the Performing Arts. Students elected to have the Houses named after famous performing artists Leonardo DaVinci, Darcy Bussell, Stevie Wonder, and Audrey Hepburn. Through our House System we strive to create as much competition and ownership as possible, culminating at the end of the Year, with a winning House. The successful House is then rewarded with a House Trip.

GABLE HALL SCHOOL PROSPECTUS

The Creative

and Performing Arts

A strength of the school (Ofsted 2014)

GABLE HALL SCHOOL PROSPECTUS

Aims Since gaining Specialist Schools Status in 2002 Gable Hall has placed the aesthetic qualities of Art, Dance, Drama and Music at the core of the school’s learning ethos and as a driver of our raising achievement agenda. We provide a broad and inspiring Creative and Arts Curriculum through which all of our students become culturally aware, confident and motivated young adults.

Gable Hall educates about and through the Arts. We explore artistic style, culture, history and evolving processes throughout Key Stage 3 and are keen to provide a rich education of the discreet Art disciplines, alongside encouraging students to create and develop their own unique approach. Regardless of age and ability all students have opportunities to take part in GCSE and Advanced Level qualifications in the Arts on the basis of talent.

The Creative and Performing Arts We have extensive, modern and well-equipped space which provide our students and local community users with professional and stimulating working environments. We have an impressive, fully-equipped Theatre with sprung floor and professional standard lighting rig and sound set up. Our Music Department boasts two Mac Suites, a Recording Studio, a ‘live’ room and several practice rooms. We also have fullyequipped Dance and Drama Studios and two floors of Art and Textiles rooms and Studio Spaces.

Our Track Record Gable Hall students thrive on the opportunity to perform. Students are encouraged to participate in formal shows such as Musicals, Concerts, Dance Shows and Plays; as well as the range of more informal performance platforms and Art exhibitions. We encourage students to perform to their peers in assembly and during extracurricular time. A large number of students are active in community Arts, Dance, Drama and Music Groups which perform in shows around Essex, Nationally and Internationally. Our extensive extra-curricular programme includes weekly clubs that explore different styles. The school also employs a wide range of Arts professionals to deliver individual instrumental lessons, extra curricular clubs and workshop activities. Students can extend their expertise further by joining one of the many evening and weekend community classes. Most Arts-inclined students join because we offer excellence from year 7 through to Advanced level (year13)

All in all - Gable Hall School offers an exciting environment in which your child’s talent can flourish.

GABLE HALL SCHOOL PROSPECTUS

Actions to ensure students are kept safe in and around school are outstanding. Parents are positive that their children are happy and safe. (Ofsted 2014)

GableHall School

A Specialist 11-18 Performing Arts College

Gable Hall School Southend Road Corringham Essex SS17 8JT 01375 400800 www.gablehall.com