PROSPECTUS

General Information

The following information is a summary of the range of provision you will find in

Boroughbridge High School. It is by no means an exhaustive list, but should

answer most of the questions parents and pupils new to the school have. If there

is anything else you wish to know, which is not covered in this document please

do contact the school and speak to Mr Day, Head of Learning for Year 7; Dr

Lefley, Assistant Head, Personal Development and Well-being or Ms Dixon,

Headteacher.

The Curriculum

The curriculum offered at Boroughbridge High School is broad, varied and

relevant. Students between the ages of 11 and 16 have the opportunity to follow

courses in English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Science (as a single,

double or triple option), Design Technology, French, Spanish, History,

Geography, Information Communication Technology, Art, Music, Drama, Dance,

Physical Education, Personal, Health and Social Education, Citizenship and

Religious Education.

Religious Education follows the County's agreed syllabus and is studied by all

students to accreditation at GCSE (half course); it can also be taken as a full

course as an option subject. Although it is hoped that all students will take part

in Religious Education and collective worship, which is embedded in the

structured assembly programme, parents do have the right to withdraw their

child on religious grounds. If you wish to do so please make your request known

in writing to the Headteacher.

Sex Education is taught at various stages. Our aim throughout is to increase

knowledge and understanding in the context of responsible behaviour and caring

relationships, with due regard to the importance of the family and moral values.

Although it is expected that all students will take part in Sex Education parents

do have the right to withdraw their child from these lessons. If you wish to do so

please make your request known in writing to the Headteacher.

The school's Wildlife Wetlands area provides students with the opportunity to

extend their understanding of the environment. As a specialist school for the

performing arts, there are many opportunities throughout the school to take part

in musical performances, dance and drama productions. These develop a range of

interpersonal, communication and practical skills both on stage and behind the

scenes.

Students develop their skills in Information Communication Technology through

discrete lessons in Years 7-11 working towards accreditation in Digital

Applications (OCR National) and in addition in Key Stage 4 students can follow

an ICT programme as one of their option subjects. Opportunities to develop

enterprise, economic awareness and business skills are provided by a number of

curricular and extra-curricular mini-enterprise schemes and conferences.

A number of students are selected each year to extend their school studies with a

college link placement. These students complete a vocational qualification in this

area. A select group of students in Years 10 and 11 follow a two year programme

of personal and interpersonal skill development accredited by Workskills Awards,

including the opportunity for community service and land based learning. Over

the past few years this group has been responsible for serving lunches in a local

care home for the elderly, planting bulbs to improve the environment and

establishing a successful school organic vegetable garden.

Teaching groups are arranged according to subject requirements and the needs of

the students. Some groups are very small, others larger, and there will often be

two members of staff to support students with special needs in the mainstream

curriculum. Teachers are experienced and well qualified and use a wide range of

teaching methods.

Provision for Students with Special Needs and Disability

Boroughbridge High School is committed to promoting the equality of opportunity of all

students, regardless of their circumstances, background, disability or learning need. To

this end we endeavour to make places available to all students for whom Boroughbridge

High is best placed to meet their needs and ensure their progress. The school has a

Disability Access Plan, which is reviewed annually, to ensure that we are taking all

reasonable steps to improve access for students with a wide range of needs. We have four

toilets accessible to disabled students and visitors; a lift allows access to the upper floor

of the main school building and there are ramps to all student entrances. We continue to

work with the Local Authority and external agencies to meet the needs of all students for

whom Boroughbridge High is their school of preference.

Within the curriculum, individual students may need additional help to achieve

their full potential. The school's experienced learning support staff offer this help

in two basic ways: the assistance of extra support in the classroom and through

individual or small group sessions. The Local Authority's support services are

also used when appropriate.

In line with national regulations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995

and by the Education (Special Educational Needs) (Information) (England)

Regulations 1999; the school has a policy on pupils with special educational

needs and an Accessibility Plan, both of which can be obtained from the school on

request.

Academic Progress

Pupils’ progress is monitored regularly by their teachers in classroom

assessments, end-of-module tests and internal examinations. Parents will be

informed of the results of this close monitoring through regular tracking and

annual reports, Parents' Evenings, interim reports and progress letters. Parents

can request an individual report on their child's progress at any time. We hope

very soon to make this information available on-line for those parents who would

prefer it in that format and who have appropriate access.

Good Conduct

Visitors to Boroughbridge High School are impressed by the relaxed, orderly

atmosphere and the friendly good manners of the students. This does not just

happen. The school promotes good conduct in the following ways:

A well-organised Pastoral System ensures that every young person feels

known, appreciated and cared for, so that he/she develops a sense of belonging

to and responsibility for the school community.

A programme of Personal Development and Well-being promotes self-

awareness, an appreciation for the feelings and needs of others and an

understanding of the nature of moral behaviour.

A whole range of curricular and extra-curricular activities develop teamwork,

self-discipline, independence, responsibility and a sense of achievement.

A Code of Conduct, consisting of a set of simple and sensible rules and

principles, is displayed in every room to ensure that students know the high

standards we expect of them. A copy is included in the information sheets in

this document.

This positive approach means that our most commonly used sanction for

misbehaviour is a mild rebuke. More serious or persistent misbehaviour, as

well as failure to take sufficient time or care over classwork or homework,

leads to a lunchtime or an after school detention. In the rare cases of a

serious breach of conduct the action to be taken is always discussed with

parents.

The Library

The purpose-built computerised library plays a central role in school life. It is

used extensively by both students and staff. Its chief function is to support the

teaching in departments, to provide material for independent study and to

encourage recreational reading.

The library incorporates a large pleasant work space and a comprehensive

careers section. Books, newspapers, reference material, periodicals, CD roms,

computers, internet and revision guides are all available for use.

Students are able to use the library throughout the day including lunchtime,

when preference is given to students wishing to do homework, research or

reading. In Years 7, 8 and 9 library lessons are timetabled during English

lessons. Year 7 take part in an induction programme arranged by the Library

Manager during the first half term of the school year.

We strive to create a positive attitude towards books and reading. We also aim to

develop student’s research skills through selecting, retrieving and

communicating information, skills which will prove invaluable throughout school

life and beyond.

Homework

Homework plays a vital role in our students’ educational development. It allows new

work to be reviewed and consolidated, creating a better understanding of the topic as a

whole. It also encourages students to apply the principles learned in class to new

situations, so that the teacher can explore how well their students have grasped a

particular concept. Homework is an important tool in pupils’ developing the skills of

independent learning. Homework gradually develops time management, research,

presentation and planning skills, all of which are essential as students progress through

the education system and are expected to work with increasing independence and

confidence. This becomes particularly important for Sixth Form students considering the

challenge of University where good study habits and the ability to work independently

are essential for academic success. Perhaps most importantly however, homework offers

the pupil the opportunity to consider how well they really understand the topic outside

the classroom and to identify problem areas to ask the teacher about. At Boroughbridge

we encourage our pupils to appreciate the sense and value in trying their best first,

however difficult a task may be, and then if necessary asking for help. We ask you as

parents to adopt a similar attitude and to encourage your child to take responsibility for

their learning at a young age and to ask for further explanation if appropriate.

Guidelines on the setting of homework are provided for each class at the

beginning of the academic year. Homework is set regularly by staff at an

appropriate time in the learning cycle. This may not necessarily be every week

and sometimes work set may require an extended period of time for completion.

Every student is given a planner in which to record the homework set and note

its completion. Each form tutor checks the diary weekly and signs it. We seek the

co-operation of parents by asking them to do the same; the planner is one of

many means of encouraging good communication between home and school. It

allows parents to monitor the quality and appropriateness of the work being set

and to check that their child is up to date with their homework.

Sometimes students are asked to complete tasks set on the schools Virtual

Learning Environment (VLE) which gives the students the opportunity to access

resources from wherever they have internet access. The VLE is a fantastic

resource and is well used by staff and students, however no web based system

without is without its problems. If your child has any difficulties or concerns in

accessing this site or any other website they have been told to use, please contact

the school for advice.

Support for Pupils

Year groups 7 to 11 are divided into four or five balanced tutor groups of 25-32

students. Within subject areas arrangements are made to ensure that the

educational needs of all pupils are met, in order to enable them to perform to the

best of their ability. This may be by the use of setting, additional staffing or by

differentiation within the classroom. A comprehensive Personal Development

programme covers all aspects of Personal, Health, Social Education and

Citizenship. For those who need extra help, appointments can be made with

external professional services such as the Community Nurse and Relateen.

Extra Curricular Opportunities

Sport is an important feature of life at Boroughbridge High School. Students are

offered a broad and balanced range of sporting activities in Physical Education.

This includes the major team games of rugby, soccer, hockey, basketball, netball

and cricket. In addition students are taught gymnastics, dance, volleyball, cross-

country, orienteering, athletics, badminton and tennis. There are clubs and

competitive school teams in many of these sports.

The school is a centre of excellence in the performing arts and there are endless

opportunities for students to get involved in music, dance and drama. We also

work closely with our feeder primary schools and partner organisations to

develop talents in this area.

Throughout the school year there are numerous day visits, field trips, residential

visits, sports activities and theatre trips. In line with national guidelines,

parents will be asked for a voluntary contribution for visits, which are a

necessary part of the school curriculum. If the visit is not a requirement of the

curriculum it will be charged at cost.

School Council

School Council is an important facet of school life in that it provides an excellent

forum in which students can air their views on a range of issues both in school

and in the wider community. It also provides students with a means of making

decisions and taking action to improve the lives of those around them. The

Council was totally revamped last year, following feedback from students who

were involved in the process over the last few years. The Head Boy and Girl,

their Deputies and Sixth Form Prefects are more directly responsible for the

organisation and running of the council and lead committees on a range of issues,

including sport, health, community, charity and fund raising.

Sixth Form Sixth Form at Boroughbridge is an exciting, challenging and rewarding extension of a

student’s educational experience.

The A level and vocational qualifications the school offers enable our students either to

apply for jobs offering potential employees a greater level of skills and understanding, or

to prepare for the challenges of University or further education.

The strengths of the Boroughbridge Sixth Form include a stress on the

importance of a smooth transition between GCSE, AS Level and A Level; the

security of continuing study with staff who know students’ strengths and

weaknesses well; and most importantly small group sizes, where students can be

supported and challenged appropriately.

Sixth Form students are offered the opportunity to participate in a variety of

visits, locally, nationally, and internationally. Previous trips have included an

environmental expedition to the Rain Forest and South Africa, cultural

expeditions to China and America as well as our most recent trips to Mexico and

Peru.

Students are offered the opportunity to get involved with The Community Sports

Leader and Youth Arts Leader Awards, which allow talented students to share

their passion with the community and gain a nationally recognised qualification.

Boroughbridge offers a wide range of A Levels, advanced vocational qualifications and

business and IT courses. Boroughbridge works in collaboration with a range of local

schools and colleges to ensure the broadest curriculum provision possible.

The vast majority of our students in Year 11 who continue in full time education choose

to stay to study in our Sixth Form. This is a real vote of confidence in the education our

students have experienced in the first five years in the school.

The whole school benefits from the Sixth Form. It establishes an ethos that

encourages younger students to aspire to higher achievement. Sixth formers

contribute to all aspects of school life whether dramatic, sporting, musical or

academic and are an inspiration to younger students who are able to see the

complexity and quality of the work undertaken at advanced level. The sixth form

also adds to the cultural life of the school with many Theatrical and Musical

Productions. They run a Listeners’ Scheme to offer support to younger pupils who

need a friendly ear and organise the school council.

Life after School

The Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education programmes aim to

prepare students for the challenges of life outside school. Careers Education is an

integral part of the PSHE & Citizenship curriculum in all years. All students

have the opportunity to undertake work experience in Year 10. In addition, they

follow a thorough programme designed to enable them to make informed career

choices. This involves making use of the extensive Careers Library, attending

careers conventions, listening to visiting speakers, developing career action plans

and using a computer database.

Supporting your Child at School

We are sure you will want to take an interest in your child's progress at school

and encourage you to do so. Do check homework and sign your child's planner

weekly to show you have seen it. Please contact us if you have any concerns or

worries, however minor they seem; often prompt action can avert a small worry

growing into a major one.

Many parents offer their skills, time and energy to support school events,

particularly in performing arts and we are always looking for more! We welcome

any offers of help; perhaps you could offer a work experience placement, be a

mentor to a small group of students, help with costumes or refreshments or

perhaps you are qualified to coach a sports team. Please do contact the school and

you will be put through to the most appropriate person. There is an active Parent

Association, Friends of Boroughbridge High School (FOBHS), which organises a

number of fund raising and social events; if you can offer some time and support

to them, please contact Janette Howson at the school.

Gaining a Place at Boroughbridge High School

As a local community High School, North Yorkshire County Council is the

admissions authority for the school. Information about the process and

application forms are sent out by them via primary schools and completed forms

need to be returned to them before their published deadline. It is vital to name

Boroughbridge High School as your preferred school, even if you live in the

catchment area of the school.