HIGHDOWN SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM CENTRE

Information for prospective parents and students September 2017 entry

INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE PARENTS AND STUDENTS Year 7 September 2017 entry Thank you for your interest in our school. Highdown School was recognised by Ofsted as a Good school in May 2015 and has many OUTSTANDING features. Please read our full Ofsted Report available on the school website. Our 2016 GCSE and A level results were record breaking against a National picture of dropping grades. This is outstanding! Admissions arrangements Although Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre is an Academy, for students seeking places in Year 7 for September 2017 a process of co-ordinated admissions is managed for us by Reading Borough Council’s Admissions Team. The Admissions team can be contacted by telephoning (0118) 9373 777. Highdown has agreed to admit 250 students in each year group in order to meet parental preferences wherever possible. Highdown is proud to be popular within the community it serves and hopes to continue to meet parental demand. Parents who wish to apply for a place for their child at Highdown in other year groups (Years 8 to 11) should, in the first instance, apply for a place through Reading Borough Council who will then contact the school. Applications for places in the Sixth Form should be made directly to the school. There are currently 1250 students on roll, including 200 in the sixth form. Open Evening and Open Mornings Open Evening – Thursday 6 October 2016 at 5.45pm Headteacher’s talk is at 6pm, followed by tours of our buildings and facilities. Open Mornings –

Monday 10 October 2016 – tour at 9.15am Wednesday 12 October 2016 – tour at 9.15am

Additionally, parents are welcome at any other mutually convenient time. Please call us to make an appointment. We are always proud to show off our academy. The Home School Relationship The welfare of your child is extremely important to us and was rightly commended by Ofsted. Students commented to inspectors that they are safe and happy at Highdown. The academic curriculum is rigorous and makes many demands on the students. In order to support and encourage students, the school’s pastoral system provides a variety of ways of ensuring that work is completed well and that contact between home and school is sound. The mentors and the Heads of Achievement are the people who have responsibility for knowing and understanding the students and they may make frequent contact, either by letter, email or telephone, with parents. Each year parents can expect the following types of communication from the school about their children’s progress:    

at least one parent/teacher evening consultation meeting with appointments formal academic reports our new parents4learning events support our exam groups ongoing feedback in exercise books

Students and parents in Year 7 have a parent/mentor evening at the beginning of the school year. Year 9 parents have an options evening. Year 10 parents and students have intervention evenings and a prospective sixth form evening. Additionally, all parents are invited to events, which are held during the year, to inform them about the nature of the various subjects. We strongly recommend all parents engage in the learning process. Research shows this makes a significant difference to educational outcomes. Feedback in your child’s exercise books is the best way to do this. We invite parents to comment in exercise books too. If parents want to discuss anything about a student's education or well-being, they should contact us at once. If the query is only about one subject, then they may make an appointment or telephone the subject teacher. If the query is about school in general, then the mentor is the best person to contact. A discussion with the mentor is usually enough to resolve any problem. If not, however, other staff may have a role to play. Contact with the school is easily made either using the student organiser or by telephoning the main office on (0118) 901 5800. Urgent messages will be passed on immediately. Other messages will be passed on during the school day. We will return calls as soon as possible but certainly within 24 hours. We strongly recommend you sign up to Parentmail; our communication service which will email all letters to you, allow you to load up your child’s lunch money online and pay for trips. Our school website is constantly updated and often is the first port of call for information. Parents and students can also receive information by following us on ‘Twitter’ @HighdownSchool. We also have a Highdown Facebook page: https://m.facebook.com/emmergreen Highdown Values

Our values as a community are what we all aim to live up to everyday. We believe these values embody great Modern British Values as we aim to be great citizens.

The Curriculum Highdown School & Sixth Form Centre is a specialist mathematics and computing school recognising our success in these important curriculum areas. All students receive a broad, balanced curriculum with specialist teachers. The students are mainly taught in subject specific sets. Movement between sets is carried out after careful assessment and reflects our commitment to careful monitoring and tracking of progress. Students normally sit 10 GCSEs and Technical qualifications are available in Business Studies, Craft & Design, Sport and Hairdressing in years 10 and 11. Our curriculum meets the needs of our students well and enables most to stay on to our 6th form for A levels, from where most progress to university. Our success rate in supporting students gain places at Britain’s most prestigious universities is excellent. Mandarin is one of three languages taught at Highdown. We believe this subject gives Highdowners a unique edge and will make their CVs stand out to potential employers. All students in year 7 begin a programme called PiXL Edge. This is designed to help develop students skills of leadership, organisation, resilience, initiative and communication. This programme together with the main curriculum and extra-curricular opportunities helps all students to develop their whole person while at Highdown.

Absence from school Highdown works closely with the Education Welfare Service (EWS) to ensure students do not take more time off school than is absolutely necessary and, for some students, a first day phone call system is in operation. The headteacher has no authority to allow students time away from school except through exceptional circumstances. The academy welcomes support from parents in ensuring students’ attendance is maximised. If parents chose to take their children on a holiday during term time, the absence will be categorised as unauthorised absence. There is a direct link between great attendance and achievements in public examinations. Accommodation improvements In recent years the school has benefited from considerable accommodation improvements. These have included refurbishment of many classrooms in English, Mathematics, Science, Languages, Drama, Music and PE. The school swimming pool and fitness suite benefited from a major refit recently. A rolling programme of refurbishment continues to improve facilities across the school including additional facilities for Mathematics, Art, Digital photography, a recording studio and radio station. Our arts buildings comprises of a very large hall/theatre, a second state of the art drama studio and a gallery for exhibiting work by our own students as well as professional shows. The £3.5million building gives a major boost to the range and nature of school events and productions. Specialist accommodation improvements include a large flood-lit all weather multi use games area, new cricket and long jump pitch, dining hall (The Gallery) and a new, much improved school reception, administration and first aid area. We have continued to upgrade the accommodation and grounds at Highdown, with particular concentration on security for the students. As such, perimeter fencing has been replaced around the school, including a new security gate, to a standard that has been commended by Ofsted. CCTV cameras and improved lighting around the school have also been provided.

Catering arrangements School meals are provided by Cucina, an independent catering company. ‘The Gallery’ is open for breakfast and snacks from 7.30am till 4.30pm, in addition to morning break and lunchtimes for hot or cold food. Well over three hundred lunches are served every day. Service is cafeteria-style and students pay for the various items from the wide choice available with a cashless catering system. Meals are well prepared and of high quality. We aim, with our catering company, to ensure that government guidance relating to nutritional standards is not just implemented but exceeded. We are also pleased to support any special dietary or food allergy requirements. Where students may qualify for free meals; parents wanting details may apply in confidence to the school and proof of entitlement must be produced when requested. All food is prepared on site each day and produce is used from our school garden wherever possible. Our extensive grounds provide ample room to play and relax and there are many opportunities to join clubs and participate in other activities. Each year group has its own playing field. This is very supportive for younger children to play their own sports and have relaxation time. Drugs education It is recognised that substance misuse exists in the community and students need to be protected through the provision of effective education about drugs and substance abuse. As part of students’ PSHCE, the school has a carefully devised programme to ensure that all students are taught about the health dangers and legal penalties involved in the abuse of drugs including alcohol and tobacco. They are enabled to make healthy, informed choices by increasing their knowledge and understanding as well as developing attitudes and a sense of personal responsibility. In addition, the school has declared that if any student were to bring illegal drugs onto the school site, the likely outcome will be permanent exclusion. A full copy of the policy is available on request. Equal opportunities Highdown is part of a wider multicultural society and it has an important function to prepare students to live harmoniously with people from all races, cultures and backgrounds. The school endeavours to meet the needs of all students regardless of their racial origin, colour, culture, religion, gender or sexual orientation. Every member of the school community is held to be of equal value and we ensure that our students have an equal chance to make good use of the education the school offers. A full copy of the policy is available for parents on request. Health and safety Students must remain on the academy site throughout lunchtimes. If, for any reason, a student leaves the premises, the academy cannot accept any responsibility for their safety. Where parents request by letter that they wish their child to return home for lunch, they will be given a lunch pass which lasts for one term. Parents are expected not to request a lunch pass unless absolutely necessary. Our local community values staff presence outside school at the beginning and end of school. We want our students to arrive at and leave school safely as our first priority. Please could families spend some time talking about sensible road use, safety in road crossing road and using bicycles properly on the roads (wearing a helmet at all times) respecting our local community. Students must not wear jewellery in school. If students have pierced ears a single set of plain studs may be worn. In workshops, laboratories and practical areas all safety rules must be obeyed, especially wearing goggles where necessary and tying back long hair.

Mobile phones may be brought to school at the risk of the owner. Smart phones may have learning benefits in some subjects and students may use them if the teacher invites the students to do so. Expensive items such as MP3 players and similar technological devices should not be brought into school. Home learning Home learning is an integral part of learning at Highdown. Work is set regularly for students to complete which will continue, consolidate and extend the learning in lessons. As students move through the school, tasks will become more complex and challenging, both in terms of effort and time. Details of home learning are posted on ‘Show my homework’ (www.showmyhomework.co.uk) which all parents and students can access to see what is set and when it is due. Inclusive Education ‘’The highly inclusive nature of the school makes it a harmonious place in which to work and learn.’’ Ofsted, May 2015. Students may face barriers to learning at some time during their school life. The reasons for this are varied and are not confined just to those students who find academic work difficult. Highdown’s special needs policy describes the ways in which students are assessed and their special learning needs are identified. Early identification through screening tests and close liaison with primary schools helps us to provide appropriate support. The school sets aside part of its budget to provide extra support for students who need additional help and is very successful in enabling students to make substantial progress. It follows the code of practice in the ways in which it takes students through the stages of diagnosis, provision and review; it keeps parents closely informed. A full copy of the policy is available for parents on request. At times, students need some extra support emotionally; our STAR Centre offers counselling and sessions to help students to deal with some of the issues they may face outside of school. The school’s specialist centre for visually impaired students enables them to be fully integrated within the mainstream curriculum. Students of all abilities have special needs and, by offering a broad, balanced and differentiated curriculum, we aim to meet those needs. We recognise that some students are particularly able and we ensure that students are encouraged to pursue their studies to the highest possible levels. The methods used include extension materials, master classes and other special activities. Library and resource centre The library and resource centre is open to students at breaks and lunchtimes and is permanently supervised by librarians. Students will find a wide range of reading matter for their research and for reading for pleasure. Access to a wide range of electronic media is available through the school website. Photographic images Digital still and video cameras are used widely in school in various curriculum areas, to record students’ achievements and to promote the quality of school improvement and development. Their purpose is to inspire and motivate students and to help transmit the ethos of the school. Photographs and videos are used on the school website, in the school information brochure and on

display in corridors and circulation areas. We have developed a common sense approach to the use of photographic images that ensures a student’s rights are safeguarded while at the same time enabling them to take pride in their achievements and those of the school generally. Uniform The school has a formal uniform policy and parents are asked to work with the school to support this. Uniform sets a business like tone and reduces peer pressure.

School Fund Education funding resources are limited. As with most schools, Highdown asks parents to contribute £50p.a. towards the School Fund which supports extra development for students’ resources and rewards. So far we have used funds to purchase and build additional outside seating and improve the back path from the woods. Rewards supporting effort and achievement have also been purchased. Examination results 2016 – Record breaking year! Once again Highdown students are celebrating considerable successes at both GCSE and GCE A level. They reflect the continued success of the school and the hard work and dedication by a fantastic team of staff and students. This year’s GCSE results are the best ever and are due to great new learning and teaching strategies that Highdown has been developing. Progress in Mathematics and English made by our students from their starting points is exceptional. Over 80% make better than expected progress. GCSE Students achieving 5+ A* - C grades (including English and Maths)

75%

Students achieving 5+ A* - G grades

100%

GCE Advanced Level Once again there have been some excellent performances across the full range of ability. The overall pass rate was in excess of 99%. 25 subjects achieved a 100% pass rate. 1 in 2 grades was an A*-B and according to ALPS our students make excellent progress from their starting points. 66% of last year’s year 13 students have made successful applications to start University courses this autumn. Another 4% have already received a deferred place to start in autumn 2017. Another 6% have made successful applications for College this autumn.

Overall pass rate

99%

External analysis of our A Level results and the ‘value added’ indicate excellent progression within our 6th form.

GCSE RESULTS 2016 GCSE Subject

Entries

Number of Grades D C B

A

A*

A^

% A*-G

% A*-C

G

F

E

Art - Fine

42

2

11

19

7

3

0

0

0

92.9

100

Art - Graphics

21

0

0

2

7

7

3

2

0

42.9

100

Art - Photography

35

3

9

5

8

5

3

1

1

71.4

100

Business Studies

51

1

5

14

13

8

6

4

0

64.7

100

Computing

44

8

7

10

9

4

4

2

0

77.3

100

Drama

51

2

12

16

18

2

1

0

0

94.1

100

DT - Design Product

13

1

0

1

3

1

7

0

0

38.5

100

DT - Food

19

0

0

5

5

6

2

0

1

52.6

100

5

0

1

1

1

1

1

0

0

60

100

English - Language

213

26

58

52

47

18

9

1

2

85.9

100

English - Literature

211

16

41

51

56

31

11

3

2

77.7

100

1

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

100

Ethics

208

6

46

61

38

29

9

8

4

72.6

96.6

H - Geography

128

8

27

16

22

21

19

9

5

57

99.2

H - History

107

15

31

22

12

10

5

4

5

74.8

97.2

ICT

30

4

3

7

6

1

3

2

2

66.7

93.3

L - Chinese

24

9

7

7

0

1

0

0

0

95.8

100

L - French

38

5

9

11

8

3

2

0

0

86.8

100

L - German

7

2

0

3

1

1

0

0

0

85.7

100

L - Greek

1

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

100

100

L - Polish

2

2

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

100

100

36

3

6

10

10

6

1

0

0

80.6

100

DT - Textiles

English - Second Language

L - Spanish Maths - Applications Maths - Further

0

5

35

66

12

17

6

1

71.6

95.9

13

16

14

15

0

0

0

0

95.3

95.3

148 64

3

66

27

26

12

0

0

0

0

0

98.5

98.5

145

0

8

38

54

23

9

7

3

69

97.9

Music

31

1

5

14

8

3

0

0

0

90.3

100

Music Technology

15

0

3

3

7

2

0

0

0

86.7

100

PE

57

2

9

16

16

9

4

0

1

75.4

100

Sci - Biology

55

12

28

13

2

0

0

0

0

100

100

Sci - Chemistry

55

16

31

4

4

0

0

0

0

100

100

55

20

22

12

1

0

0

0

0

100

100

140

0

10

48

38

29

14

1

0

68.6

100

Maths - Linear Maths - Methods

Sci - Physics Science - Additional Science - Core Total

0

12

54

43

29

9

5

2

70.3

99.4

205

448

576

525

265

140

55

29

77.3

98.8

155 2273

3

% A*- G Equivalent

% A*- C Equivalent

L2M L2PP L2P

L2D* L2D Business AWARD

2

0

0

0

0

1

50

50

Business CERT

5

0

0

0

5

0

100

100

2

0

0

0

0

2

100

100

16

0

0

0

0

4

100

100

ECDL Hairdressing (Voc)

% A*- G Equivalent

% A*- C Equivalent

L1M L1P

L1D* L1D Bus - Enterprise

5

0

0

3

2

0

100

Horticulture (Voc)

8

0

0

0

4

0

100

Young Enterprise (Voc)

1

0

0

0

4

0

100

2312

3

205

448

580

77

98.8

Grand Total

533

265

140

66

31

A2 RESULTS 2016 Subject A2 Art - Fine

Number of Grades

Entries

A*

A

B

C

D

E

U

%A*-E

X

12

1

1

7

3

0

0

0

0

100.0

A2 Art - Graphics

5

0

1

0

2

2

0

0

0

100.0

A2 Art - Photography

2

0

0

1

0

1

0

0

0

100.0

A2 Business

4

0

0

3

0

1

0

0

0

100.0

A2 Computing

7

0

3

2

1

0

1

0

0

100.0

A2 DT - Textiles

3

1

0

2

0

0

0

0

0

100.0

A2 Economics

2

0

0

1

1

0

0

0

0

100.0

19

0

0

6

7

6

0

0

0

100.0

A2 Eng - Literature

5

2

1

2

0

0

0

0

0

100.0

A2 Eng - Media

6

0

0

1

5

0

0

0

0

100.0

A2 Geography

3

0

0

1

2

0

0

0

0

100.0

A2 Government & Politics

1

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

100.0

19

0

1

8

5

5

0

0

0

100.0

A2 L - French

2

0

0

0

1

1

0

0

0

100.0

A2 L - Spanish

2

0

0

2

0

0

0

0

0

100.0

A2 Italian

1

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

100.0

A2 Maths

18

3

3

6

3

1

1

1

0

94.4

A2 Maths - Further

3

0

0

0

3

0

0

0

0

100.0

A2 Music Technology

4

0

0

4

0

0

0

0

0

100.0

A2 PE

4

0

1

0

2

1

0

0

0

100.0

A2 Philosophy

9

0

1

3

2

3

0

0

0

100.0

A2 Sci - Biology

18

2

0

9

6

1

0

0

0

100.0

7

0

1

1

3

1

1

0

0

100.0

A2 Sci - Physics

13

1

1

2

3

4

2

0

0

100.0

A2 Sci - Psychology

11

3

0

4

3

1

0

0

0

100.0

A2 Sociology

15

2

1

4

4

3

0

1

0

93.3

6

1

0

2

1

2

0

0

0

100.0

A2 Eng - Language and Literature

A2 History

A2 Sci - Chemistry

A2 Theatre Studies Extended Project

0.6

1

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

100.0

Pre-U Principal L - Chinese

4

0

0

2

1

1

0

0

0

100.0

Travel & Tourism SubDip

2

0

1

0

0

1

0

0

0

100.0

207.6

17

17

74

58

35

6

2

0

99.0

Total

AS RESULTS 2016 Subject AS Eng - Media

Number of Grades

Entries

A*

A

B

C

D

E

U

%A*-E

X

10.5

0

1

5

3

2

6

4

0

81.0

AS Geography

4

0

0

4

2

1

1

0

0

100.0

AS Government & Politics

6

0

2

3

0

1

2

4

0

66.7

AS ICT

4

0

0

1

2

2

0

3

0

62.5

3.5

0

1

5

0

1

0

0

0

100.0 100.0

AS L - French AS L - Spanish

0.5

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

23.5

0

9

13

6

6

2

11

0

76.6

AS Maths - Further

3.5

0

2

2

1

0

2

0

0

100.0

AS Music

AS Maths

0.5

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

100.0

AS Music Technology

3

0

2

3

0

1

0

0

0

100.0

AS PE

3

0

0

1

0

1

4

0

0

100.0

AS Philosophy

4.5

0

2

1

2

2

1

1

0

88.9

AS Psychology

0.5

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

100.0

AS Theatre Studies

3.5

0

0

0

5

1

1

0

0

100.0

1

0

0

1

1

0

0

0

0

100.0

71.5

0

19

39

23

18

21

23

0

83.9

Pre-U Short L - Chinese Total

HIGHDOWN SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM CENTRE Surley Row Emmer Green Reading RG4 8LR

T: 0118 901 5800

F: 0118 901 5801

E: [email protected]

www.highdown.reading.sch.uk Twitter: @HighdownSchool Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/emmergreen

Headteacher: Rachel Cave BSc. NPQH