Colton Hills Prospectus 2014

Colton HillsCommunity School


If you would like further information please do not hesitate to contact the school.

Colton Hills Community SchoolJeremy Road, Wolverhampton, West Midlands WV4 5DG

tel 01902 558420 fax 01902 558421email [email protected]

www.coltonhills.co.uk

Prospectus 2014-15

Every student challenged to succeed.

Every student supported to do so.

OUR AIMS ARE...

This means we will constantly work to secure for each student

a learning experience which ensures they become:

• Successful learners, who enjoy their lessons, make good

progress and achieve very well in their exams

• Confident individuals who are able to live safe, healthy and

fulfilling lives

• Responsible young adults who make a positive contribution

to their communities and their families

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Colton Hills Prospectus 2014 INNERS_Layout 1 05/09/2014 11:32 Page 1

Follow us on twitter @ColtonHillsCS

Thank you for showing an interest in Colton Hills CommunitySchool. I would like to say a few words to show we truly welcomeyour interest.

I want everyone to know that Colton Hills Community School hasembraced changes which has transformed the school andcontinues to embrace changes that will strengthen it still further.As these take place, I would encourage all members of thecommunity to keep a close eye on what is happening. Steps takenwill continue, which will lead to big educational improvements, abetter and refreshed environment for learning and a place whereyour children can expect the very best.Our Headteacher, Alberto Otero, and his dedicated team of staffwork hard to listen carefully to what people want from the schoolfor their children. They work equally hard to implement thoseimportant things heard, in particular: high standards ofcommunication with all parents; high standards of behaviour fromall students; high standards of teaching from all teachers; resultsand high quality qualifications to match.

I’m confident that this prospectus will illustratethese very well. However, for your peace of mindplease feel free to contact me via the school forreassurance. I welcome the continued opportunity tohear your views and I, in turn, would like to tell youwhat we can guarantee you, as a caring parent, foryour child.

Best wishes,

Duane WilliamsChair of the Board of Governors at Colton Hills Community School

WELCOME from the Chair of Governors

HELLO & WELCOME

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WELCOME from the Headteacher

Hello,

It is my privilege to be theHeadteacher of this very caringschool and it is a responsibility I fullyembrace. Through my team ofhardworking colleagues, the schoolensures two things:

• Every student is stretched to • meet their full potential. • No child is left behind.

As a parent or carer of a child leavingprimary school, choosing asecondary school is one of the mostimportant decisions you will make.Your child will need to feel safe andsecure and feel confident to accessthe wide range of opportunities andexperiences that will help shape therest of their life.

Education is most successful whenparents can get involved in theirchild’s progress. Our approach isfounded on the special relationshipbetween you as parents, teachers,other adults at the school and yourchild. We will therefore work closelywith you to ensure your childachieves the very best.We believe in hard work to obtainresults, in encouraging achievementof all kinds, and in setting highstandards. We also know that withexcellent teaching, a well-disciplinedenvironment and a structuredsystem of guidance and support, allstudents who attend the school willgrow in confidence and becomecapable young people well prepared

for adult life, work and successfulcareers.

With the support of our dedicatedgovernors the school is determinedto provide the very best educationthe local community deserves. Highquality teaching and learning willchallenge students of all abilities butdedicated teachers will also bepartnered by a team of support staffready to offer help and assistance tochildren and families when andwhere it is needed. Strong, caringtutors meet students every singlemorning to ensure they make goodprogress and develop into well-rounded individuals.

A recent refurbishment hastransformed the school, providing uswith excellent facilities which havebeen put to good use through anengaging, relevant and innovativecurriculum. This continues to developand respond to enable your child toenjoy a broad range of subjects.All children regardless ofbackground, need or circumstancewill achieve and succeed at ColtonHills Community School. We inviteyou to visit us and see for yourself.

I very much look forward to meetingyou.

Alberto OteroHeadteacher of Colton Hills Community School

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The movement from Primary toSecondary school is naturally ananxious time for children and theirparents. We, at Colton HillsCommunity School, recognise thisand realise the importance ofworking with you to make thischange as smooth as possible.

To do this, we work closely with theprimary schools and every child willbe visited at their school. Allstudents will also be invited to anexciting day of induction in July anda Summer School in August. Thiswill allow us to get to know eachstudent at a personal level,recognise their strengths and areasfor development and fully plan fortheir needs in readiness forSeptember.

Our strong ethos of care, supportand guidance will ensure that fromthe start, your child will be welllooked after.

THE JOURNEY BEGINS

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THE CURRICULUMThe school builds its curriculum aroundfour important areas which are crucialto success in an advanced economy.

Science, Technology, Engineeringand Mathematics. These subjectsoperate together to present studentswith opportunities to engage with real-life scenarios, answer big questionsand develop scientific,technical andmathematical skills which are crucial tosuccess in the numerous careers thisfield offers.

Language, Communication andHumanities. Subjects such as English,history, geography, modern foreignlanguages and religion workcollaboratively to ensure that allstudents leave school able to read,write, speak and listen to a highstandard in more than one language.They will develop the ability to thinkcritically about the society around theworld at large.

Expression, Performance, Enterpriseand Wellbeing. Key subjects such asart, music, performance, sport andbusiness studies will prepare studentsto be resilient, resourceful andconfident enough to become futureleaders and make positivecontributions to the local and widercommunity.

Independent Study. We encourage,challenge and support students to fullyengage in homework which teachers

set regularly. Delivered in a variety ofways and offering students theopportunity to use new technology topresent their work, we aim to makethis important part of a student’ssuccess enjoyable and rewarding.

In Key Stage 3 (years 7, 8 and 9)subjects develop and deliver lessonslinked to engaging themes. This willenable students to connect theirlearning between different disciplines inorder to deepen their learning andaccelerate their progress.

During Year 9 students will selectcourses which are relevant to their owninterests and aspirations. In Key Stage4 (Years 10 and 11) students willembark on personalised qualificationpathways which will offer academic,vocational and work-related courses ina blend which is relevant to their needs.The curriculum will also ensure thatevery student has the opportunity toachieve the English Baccalaureate.The subjects included in the EnglishBaccalaureate are: Mathematics,English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology,Double Science, History, Geography,Computer Science and Modern ForeignLanguages.

In the sixth form students are able toselect from a variety of A Level andBTec courses which provideprogression routes after GCSE intoFurther and Higher Education,Apprenticeships or the workplace.

The Curriculum

supports students’ spiritual,

moral, social and cultural

development well and there

is a strong emphasis on

securing improvement in

students’ literacy skills.

OFSTED May 2013

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As a parent, you can expect highquality personalised teachingevery day, in lessons as well as intutor time with tutors. Teachingis based on clear objectivesshared with students; newvocabulary carefully explained;lively, interactive teaching stylesused and marking of work whichgives clear guidance that helpsyour child to improve.

Classes are arranged to bestmeet the needs of students andsubjects at particular times. Thismeans students work in a varietyof mixed ability and also setgroups.

Each student’s progress ismonitored closely as they move

through the school. All studentshave personal targets in eachsubject which represent a level ofchallenge that inspires academicexcellence. Progress towardsthose targets is measuredregularly and parents receiveacademic reports throughout theyear.

Tutor time is used to supportindividuals through personaldiscussions which focus onprogress and academicachievement. This time is alsoused to increase students’understanding of wider socialissues to enable them to developpersonal learning, thinking andteamwork skills.

TEACHING & STUDENT PROGRESS

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CREATIVITYINNOVATION &

CHALLENGEin the curriculumWe believe that encouraging creativity andenterprise in all learners is also an essential part ofthe education process. All subjects provide avariety of teaching and learning activities to enablethis to happen.

The school has already developed a range ofcurriculum projects with local employers, industryand specialist agencies dedicated to supportingstudents and particular courses. We continuouslystrive to develop these and other partnershipswhich offer new exciting and innovativeopportunities for our students. We also have anumber of partners who offer their time as personalmentors to students.

The schools Aim Higher Project will also ensure thatany student who is able to attain the highestpossible grades is supported through a range ofself-directed team projects, group reading, debatingopportunities and regular mentoring from staff whovolunteer their time.

A range of

vocational courses

meets the students’

needs well.

OFSTED May 20138


All students at Colton Hills Community School are treatedas individuals and work is planned accordingly. The aim isto raise levels of success and to meet their needs byproviding an education which secures equal opportunitiesand high achievement. Students with special educationalneeds are offered full access to a broad, balanced andrelevant curriculum.

The school caters for all abilities but students experiencinga slower rate of progress or less success, whether throughlanguage or other difficulties, receive additional guidanceand support in the classroom. In the first instance, allsubject teachers provide this and help from our LearningSupport Team supports those teachers when necessary.

All students are fully integrated into a mainstreamcurriculum. On occasions, we do draw on the expertise ofoutside agencies of the school to work with students,parents and families. We fully support the new SEN Codeto ensure that, at all times, families are involved in thedecisions.

Our Special Education Needs Co-ordinator, who is amember of the school’s Senior Leadership Team, willoversee how the school provides for such students andclosely monitors their classroom experience and track theirprogress.

SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS

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EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIESThe school consists of far more than the lessons students haveevery day. Clubs and activities make up the extra-curricularprogramme that plays a very important part in the education ofyoung people. Students have access to a wide range of provisionwhich includes subject clubs, debating societies, martial arts andsports activities including competitive matches. We encourage asmany students as possible to take part in the programme and toshare in the success that these activities provide.

RESIDENTIAL ACTIVITIESWe believe that a residential experience is one of the mostimportant aspects of a child’s time at school. These tend to be themost remembered events of a school career.

For a number of years our students have had the opportunity ofspending time at Gelliwig – a residential centre in Porthmadog whichis situated on the edge of Snowdonia in North Wales. Gelliwig is aunique memorial to two former dedicated and respected teachers atthis school and provides students with a high qualityout-of-school experience.

The visit provides opportunities for pupils to engage in a completelydifferent environment and learn essential skills such asresourcefulness, resilience and independence. More importantly,pupils enjoy what for many, is their first experience of being on anactivity away from home.

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“Every Child Matters at Colton HillsCommunity School.” Our approachto ensure that every studentsucceeds starts from the belief thatif pupils are happy, safe andunderstand where to go for help,then success will not be far away.

The school’s teaching structures,support teams and tutor system areall coordinated to ensure student’sneeds are met and theirdevelopment is fully supported. Theschool is organised into four pastoralhouses with each student belongingto a house. Further-more, mixed-age Tutor Groups have beenestablished to foster a supportivefamily atmosphere, where olderstudents help and support youngerstudents. Each house is led by aHouse Leader and an AssistantHouse Leader who together workclosely with the House Tutors.

To motivate them to do their bestevery day students can be rewardedfor a range of positive behavioursuch as effort, resilience,community involvement as well asmeeting or exceeding theiracademic targets.The school uses arewards system called Vivo Class torecognise and acknowledge suchachievements.

Whilst teachers actively strive to“catch students at their best” theremay also be occasions where clearsanctions are applied to allowstudents time and space to reflecton negative behaviour and makebetter decisions in future. Allsanctions are followed up robustly.It is our experience that studentswho see parents supporting theschool are well placed to fulfil theirpotential.

Students say they feel completely safe inschool. If they have aproblem they know theycan talk to an adult whowill help them.

OFSTED May 2013

STUDENT DEVELOPMENT, CARE, GUIDANCE & SUPPORT

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THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT & FACILITIESWe have benefitted from a refurbishment.

The outcome of this has been to providea modern environment in school whichcan offer quality learning on a daily basisand provide the very best resources andfacilities to support our students. Ourmajor investment in ICT infrastructure andhand-held technologies communicatesour serious intent to ensure your childbenefits from a genuine “anytime,anywhere” learning model which will helpthem prepare, succeed and participatefully in a 21st Century economy.

The school is also proud to offeroutstanding facilities to develop talents inArt, Music, Sport and PhysicalExpression. We have a professionalDance Studio, Performing Arts Theatre,Swimming Pool, sports facilities andextensive fields which are enjoyed bystudents and the community.

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Students from different

cultural and religious

backgrounds get on well

together and appreciate

the harmonious culture

created in the school.

OFSTED

May 2013

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OUR ADMISSIONS POLICYAs a Community School we believe we should serve those who live inthe locality of the school and provide the best possible service for ourcommunity.

In order to prepare our young people for the realities of society and theworld of work we recognise the advantages of having a schoolpopulation, which is diverse in its background, culture, race and beliefs.To help us achieve this aim, we also welcome applications from all areasof the city and beyond.

Our admissions are managed by the Local Authority which ensures thatall students have the opportunity to attend this school.

We are fully compliant with the demands to provide access for allstudents, including those with a disability. Resources available at thisschool for students with a disability include a dedicated base, lift accessto all areas above ground level, ramps and appropriate kerb design forimmediate access to the building, a pool hoist for use in the swimmingpool and specialised furniture and equipment as necessary.

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If you would like further information please do not hesitate to contact the school.

Colton Hills Community SchoolJeremy Road, Wolverhampton, West Midlands WV4 5DG

tel 01902 558420 fax 01902 558421email [email protected]

www.coltonhills.co.uk

Prospectus 2014-15

http://www.coltonhills.co.uk

mailto:coltonhillsschool%40wolverhampton.gov.uk?subject=

Colton Hills Prospectus 2014

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Transcript of Colton Hills Prospectus 2014