Heys Road, Thongsbridge, Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, HD9 7SE.

Tel: 01484 691460Fax: 01484 691469E-mail: office.holmfirth@edukirklees.netWeb: www.holmfirthhighschool.com

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A Lead Teaching School in the West Yorkshire Teaching Alliance

HolmfirtH HIGH SCHOOLNATIONAL LEADERS Of EDUCATION AND LEADING EDGE SCHOOL

HolmfirtH HIGH SCHOOLNATIONAL LEADERS Of EDUCATION AND LEADING EDGE SCHOOL

WElComE to HolmfirtH HiGH SCHool A PoSitiVE AtmoSPHErEA very warm welcome from the school community to our school prospectus - we hope that you will find it both interesting and useful. In particular, we hope that it provides you with a snapshot of what life at the school is like and a flavour of our ethos and values. We would also encourage you to visit and see our school in action!

Fundamentally, all schools are places of learning. This is not just about exam success, we also want our pupils to leave here having achieved to the very best of their ability. However, despite all the pressures upon schools currently, we also want our pupils to leave here as well-rounded, decent young people eager to build upon the vast range of experiences we seek to offer them, in and out of the classroom.

The success of the school has, in recent years, been recognised externally in a whole variety of ways. In consecutive Ofsted inspections we have received a grading of ‘outstanding’. Examination results have consistently risen and demonstrate not only high levels of achievement, but excellent value added scores which is testimony to the progress made by pupils across the whole ability spectrum. Successes such as these have led to the school achieving the status of National Leaders of Education, being named a Leading Edge school and becoming a Teaching School. This allows us to lead on working collaboratively, and in partnerships with other schools and universities, to further develop standards of teaching and learning. The fact that we have also achieved the National Sportsmark and Artsmark awards reflects that our success does not only centre around the traditionally academic subjects, and the value we place on providing a well-balanced and all-round education.

What makes Holmfirth High a successful school? A key factor has to be that we see ourselves as a genuine community. Excellent relationships are clearly evident between pupils, parents and staff and we work together to ensure that the school continues to develop and move forward. Moreover, there is no fear of hard work at the school; staff and pupils commit themselves with tremendous endeavour. Staff are incredibly generous with their time in providing a huge and exciting array of additional learning opportunities and extra-curricular activities.

Finally, although the nature of a school prospectus allows us to ‘boast’ about our successes, it is also true that we will always strive to improve, not because we need to, but because we want to! Ofsted recognised this with the comment in their report that ‘ there is not a shred of complacency evident in anything the school does, no matter how well it does it ’. We will continue, therefore, to drive the school forward onto new levels of challenge, success and opportunity and we look forward to working with you to achieve our ambitions for the school and your children.

Dr Andrew Williams Mrs Gail HoweExecutive Headteacher Acting Headteacher

Holmfirth High is an ambitious and harmonious school, where the highest standards of achievement, behaviour, appearance and attendance are expected. Our code of conduct incorporates simple rules based on mutual respect, good manners and co-operation. Students have strong, respectful relationships with staff and this allows them to fully explore their potential.

We encourage our students to take an active, positive role in their community and we are proud of the leadership skills they display. Students have opportunities to take on responsibilities: we have a strong prefect system, and elect the Head Boy and Girl from the senior prefect team; we have a thriving School Council with elected form representatives; students can become reading mentors, junior sports leaders and run charity or musical events.

Our extensive rewards system recognises the achievements of all of our students, both in and outside of their school life. We encourage parents to use the online ‘parent portal’, where they can see up to the minute information about the progress of their children. We also celebrate achievement each year in high profile events held at Huddersfield Town Hall.

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“Holmfirth High School is an outstanding school. it is an ambitious, harmonious learning community which is outward facing and characterised by strong, respectful

relationships which support and encourage each individual to reach their full potential.” - ofsted

NEtWorkiNG ANd PArtNErSHiP WorkiNGThe school has an expert staff group and teaching is undertaken by specialists in their own subject area. However, schools benefit from working together so that ideas, approaches and expertise are shared, and we are proud of the way the school works, and collaborates with others. The school has received recognition of this work and examples of this are many.

The school has been graded by Ofsted as outstanding since 2007. As it is currently graded outstanding in all areas, the school has been awarded Teaching School status. Working with two other outstanding schools, Shelley First School and Spring Grove Junior and Infants school, the three schools have set up the West Yorkshire Teaching School Alliance. The alliance will take local responsibility for leading projects to help train and develop teachers, including trainee teachers. The alliance will also take responsibility for research and development and for providing support for schools who may need it. Currently there are forty-eight schools in the alliance.

The National College appointed the school a National Support School in 2008 and the Headteacher a National Leader of Education. Since then the school has provided support to many schools that have experienced periods of change or difficulty. Working closely with other schools is never a one way thing and there are always things schools can learn from each other. Such work enriches individual staff as well as the school.

Holmfirth High School established the North Huddersfield Trust and our school now leads this trust and works in a strong partnership with the University of Huddersfield, Kirklees College, Kirklees Active Leisure, Cummins Turbo-technologies, the Huddersfield Pakistani Community Alliance, the Deighton and Brackenhall Initiative and Kirklees College. This partnership set out, as a first responsibility, to support North Huddersfield Trust School, a new school set up in the Fartown area in September 2011. Our establishment of the trust has enriched our partnership for the benefit of life at Holmfirth High school too.

Our school is also part of the Leading Edge Network. This is an organisation that invites the country’s best schools to join a network which sets out to share and celebrate the leading expertise of top schools.

Holmfirth High School is the hub school of the Pennine Sports Partnership. The Partnership focuses on training and developing sports teaching, and coaching and establishing competitions and networks that improve competition and participation. The partnership works with top local sports clubs and involves sixty-five local schools.

The commitment of the school to the Sports and Arts is well demonstrated by the awards of Sportsmark and Artsmark and the school has also achieved the Leading Parents’ Partnership Award. This award is given to schools who show a commitment to supporting and involving parents in their work.

We pride ourselves on ensuring that pupils are well prepared for life after school. One of our specialisms is that of an ‘Applied Learning School’. This involves both opportunities for pupils to use and benefit from specialist vocational teaching facilities in areas such as hairdressing and motor vehicle studies, and the opportunity for all subjects to deliver learning relevant to the work place.

The school holds the Kirklees Local Authority ‘Inclusion Mark’ which pays testimony to schools for showing that pupils of all abilities and backgrounds are nurtured and supported as they grow and develop. This work is supported by the strong ethos of the school as an ‘Extended School’. Such schools are recognised as schools that help the wider development of young people by offering a fuller range of support services, extended opportunities through extra-curricular programmes and a full involvement with the local community.

As a Mathematics and Computing specialist school we ensure that numeracy and computing skills are developed across the curriculum. Master classes in these subject areas for gifted and talented pupils are just one way the school links with our partner primary schools. Others include transition projects in English, Maths, Computing and Science, a Health Day in Year 6, and Modern Foreign Language teaching programmes.

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“teachers’ high expectations of all students and their excellent knowledge and assessment of

students’ prior attainment are fully reflected in their detailed, incisive

planning.” - ofsted

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TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENTThere is a relentless focus on teaching and learning at the school to ensure that what, and how, we teach ensures that all pupils enjoy and make outstanding progress in their learning. The school also aims, through the curriculum, to develop pupils’ social, moral, spiritual and cultural skills to prepare them to live safe, happy, healthy and fulfilling lives in a 21st century society. We are fully committed to providing a curriculum framework that is flexible, personalised, engaging and relevant.

Curriculum

We aim to provide a broad and balanced curriculum that meets the needs of all our pupils, whatever their interests and abilities, throughout Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 and 9) and Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11). We follow the National Curriculum and cover the core and foundation subjects and offer a wide range of optional and enrichment activities.

In Key Stage 3 pupils study the core subjects of English, Maths, Science and Religious Studies and the foundation subjects, Art & Design, Citizenship, PSHE, Computing, Design & Technology, Modern Foreign Languages, Geography, History, Music and Physical Education.

In Key Stage 4, pupils continue with a core curriculum of English, Maths, Science, Citizenship, Computing, Physical Education and Religious Studies. Other ‘entitlement’ areas in which pupils can study a subject leading to an approved qualification include the Arts (Art & Design, Music, Dance, Drama, Media), Design and Technology (Electronics, Resistant Materials, Graphics, Textiles, Food), the Humanities (History and Geography) and Modern Foreign Languages.

The school also offers a range of vocational opportunities and courses; some of these are offered internally through facilities such as our own hair salon and motor vehicle facility, and others are based at other schools or colleges.

Ensuring Progress

Pupil progress is rigorously monitored and tracked in all subjects, and at a whole-school level, to ensure that no pupil falls behind in their learning. Effort, current attainment and target grades are reported at regular intervals. Parents are able to track their child’s progress on-line. We also place great emphasis on celebrating success at every opportunity through a variety of reward systems.

Homework

The school believes that homework is an integral part of the learning process and there is an emphasis on setting meaningful, extended and varied tasks which support learning in the classroom. Planners aid pupils in organising their work and are an effective means of communication with parents.

“Students benefit from excellent teaching which develops independence, creativity, innovation and

risk taking.” - ofsted

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JOINT WORKING AND COLLABORATION PREPARED FOR THE FUTUREWe have very close links to our feeder primary schools and excellent relationships with our primary colleagues which have developed over many years of working together. Year 6 teachers meet regularly with high school staff, transition units of work are completed, information exchange meetings are held between key staff from both schools and a wide variety of activities are organised across the partnership. This enables us to organise a smooth and happy transition for pupils moving into secondary education and the creation of tutor groups which are mixed both socially and academically.

There are ten forms in each year group which are led by a tutor who will usually stay with the student as they progress through the school. The form tutor plays a pivotal role for pupils, providing support and guidance and is the first point of contact between home and school. The Head of Year has a key role in overseeing the progress, welfare and behaviour of students in their year group, but it is the form tutor who really gets to know each pupil and who will maintain regular contact with parents.

Our communication with parents takes a variety of forms: students’ planners, email, text, newsletter, reports and Parents’ Evenings. All of these methods are highly effective in providing information to parents about their child and their progress. We also have a parent portal which allows parents to access information on-line. We warmly encourage parents to contact us whenever the need arises.

The heads of the various academic departments are also important contacts and ensure continuity in teaching and learning as the students close the gap between secondary and primary education.

The school’s Health and Information Centre (Spectrum) and our counselling service (Kronos) are both well-established, complementing other superb support systems. These include a very experienced support team of a Careers Officer, a Work-Related Learning Co-ordinator, a Resource Manager, a full-time Welfare Officer and a full-time school nurse.

We are very proud of the fact that Ofsted inspectors and visitors have always highlighted and commented on the very happy, vibrant, caring atmosphere within the school.

At Holmfirth High we strongly believe in developing well-rounded young people who are fully prepared for the world of work. We have a fantastic careers advice team on hand to help guide students as they go through school and develop their future plans, and all Year 10 students participate in a work-experience placement. We also run an innovative enrichment programme which, in Year 9, looks at enterprise skills and other work-related topics. Our expertise in this area has been recognised and the school has again been awarded the national standard for careers education and advice, information and guidance.

The majority of our students go on to attend Greenhead College, New College or Kirklees College. Some successfully find apprenticeships and other work-based training routes. We pride ourselves that our students leave us at the end of Year 11 fully-prepared for a successful and positive future.

“Behaviour and safety are outstanding. Students engage respectfully with each other and with adults within a calm, orderly environment.” - ofsted

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EXTENDING OUR OFFERWe are passionate about serving our community, and have developed our work in many innovative ways - both within school and beyond. We believe that by encouraging organisations involved in community education, sports and voluntary groups we are adding value to the community and the families that our students belong to, which in turn benefits the school. To give you an idea of what this means in the daily life of Holmfirth High School, your son or daughter can expect to find within school a free after-hours club, homework club, counselling service, health drop-in, nurture group and gardening project. Outside of school we run a Community Sport Centre, host the Pennine School Sports Partnership and run a cricket academy. We work closely with organisations as varied as Kirklees Music School and the Holme Valley Food Bank. We also have a welcoming PTA, which we invite all new parents such as yourselves to join.

“the curriculum offers exceptional opportunities to all students and promotes extensively their spiritual, moral,

social and cultural development.” - ofsted

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BEYOND THE CLASSROOMA major strength of the school is undoubtedly that we provide a broad programme of extra-curricular activities and opportunities which are accessible to all. For many students their experiences outside the classroom form some of their greatest memories of high school. It is through such experiences that students learn a great deal about themselves and how they work with others. They also provide the vehicle for the development of a wide range of personal skills and qualities.

Sports participation is very strong at Holmfirth High School and our success, at both local and national level, has seen us being named as one of the leading comprehensive schools in the country. Pupils regularly compete in a range of sports including; football (boys and girls), netball, cricket, hockey, athletics, tennis and basketball. We place great importance on the inclusivity of our sports provision and as such continually review the activities on offer. Recent additions to the ever growing programme include: outdoor pursuits activities, handball, futsal, fitness sessions and the “can do club” who participate in a range of Paralympic sports and sports designed for those with disabilities and special needs. Many pupils also gain accreditation as Junior Sports Leaders and help lead and support sporting activities both within school and the wider community.

For those interested in the performing arts, the school provides a wealth of opportunities. The school orchestra, brass band, jazz band and choirs regularly stage concerts and performances at prestigious events. A number of past pupils have gone on to perform professionally on a national and international stage. There are also other small ensembles and groups for pupils of all musical abilities to join and get involved.

The school drama productions regularly receive outstanding plaudits for their professional quality. Whether you want to act, dance, sing or be part of the technical crew, the buzz and experience of being part of a fantastic show is something that stays with pupils forever. The annual Talent Show gives a further opportunity for pupils to showcase their wide range of abilities in music, dance, drama and lots more.

We recognise the positive impact residential trips can have on young people and the school offers a variety of such visits each year. We run a number of trips in the UK which include summer camps, Science weekends and adventure activity weeks, to name but a few. We also have a strong programme of international visits including; very well established exchange programmes in France, Germany and Spain, a sports trip to Spain, an annual ski trip, a History trip to Berlin, along with other shorter European visits for Years 7 and 8. Pupils are also given the opportunity to travel further afield and these trips have included visits to our partner school in Malawi as well as expeditions to exciting destinations such as Peru and South Africa.

The school has a variety of clubs for pupils to join, many of which run at lunchtimes. These currently include a computer club, a Warhammer group, a Science club, art clubs, a sewing Bee and a debating club and much much more. We also have an extremely strong and successful Duke of Edinburgh award group.

As you can see there truly is something for everyone. If there is a demand, we will see what we can do!

“When asked to identify what is unique about their school, a group of Year 9 students responded that ‘teachers are passionate about their subjects... because they are passionate, they make lessons fun...”

- ofsted

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“Students learn quickly and with high levels of independence. they

become confident and resilient learners” - ofsted

“relationships are exemplary and students treat each other and adults with respect and

consideration.” - ofsted