T: 01743 284000 // www.priory.shropshire.sch.ukThe Priory School, Longden Road Shrewsbury, SY3 9EE

Prospectus2013 / 2014

The Priory School, ShrewsburyBusiness & Enterprise CollegeAn Academy Trust

“In pursuit of excellence - together we can make it happen”

“In pursuit of excellence - together we can make it happen”

View videos on ourYouTube Channel byclicking the links below:

WelcomeArtBusinessDesign TechnologyDramaEnglishFood and TextilesGeographyHistoryICTLanguagesLibraryLifeMathsMusicPhysical EducationReligious PhilosophyScience

The information in this booklet is correct at the time of printing but it is

possible that changes may be made before or after the school year starts.

More detailed information, including policies and procedures can be

found on our website: www.priory.shropshire.sch.uk

Welcome.................................................................4GCSE Results .........................................................6Examination Results 2012........................................7The School Curriculum ............................................8Curriculum...............................................................9The School Day.....................................................11Content and Organisation of Curriculum .................12Beyond The Classroom .........................................14Activities and Visits ................................................16Homework ............................................................18Communcation with Parents on Student Progress ..19Academy Status ....................................................21Provision for Students with Special Needs ..............22At The Priory School, We Believe In... .....................23Our School Code of Conduct ................................24Student Life...........................................................25Charity Fundraising ................................................26Absence and Illness...............................................27Uniform .................................................................28Getting To and From School...................................28What is the Priory School’s Admission Process.......29Mid-Term or In-Year Admissions .............................31

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Welcome from the Headteacher and Chair of Governors

Dear Parent/Carer

We are delighted that you are considering The Priory School for your child.

The Priory School prides itself on providing a safe and happy environment which has been

described by parents and students as like being part of a large family.

All of our efforts are aimed at achieving our motto:

“In pursuit of excellence - together we can make it happen”

We believe that every student has the capacity to achieve their own personal excellence and it

is our pleasure to support them on their educational journey through secondary education.

We provide students with a rich and wide variety of learning, both within and outside of school,

that aims to fully engage students. We encourage students to grasp the wide range of extra-

curricular activities offered by the school.

We hope that our prospectus provides you with the information you require but would urge you

to visit our school website: www.priory.shropshire.sch.uk, where you can find out even more

about the school.

Yours sincerely

David CoullChair of Governors

Candy Garbett Headteacher

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At the Priory School we aimto help each student by...

enriching his or her life

prepare them for educational choice

supporting their learning through monitoring their progress against expected grades

and taking appropriate action as and when required

offering guidance or counselling, helping them to make their own decisions

assisting them to develop their own life-style and to respect that of others

maintaining an orderly atmosphere in which all this is possible

At The Priory School we believe that...

The education of every child is of equal value, so that the best possible opportunities

shall be pursued according to individual ability and aptitude

All academic ability should be recognised and fostered so that individual excellence

can be achieved

The social, moral and spiritual development of the students is of equal importance and

that, in seeking to develop these high standards of conduct, speech, social awareness

and personal relationships shall be fostered and encouraged at all times

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Overview of GCSE Results 2013All Boys Girls

Number of Candidates 159 86 73

Achieving 5+ A*-C (inc. English and Mathematics) 111 55 56

Achieving 5+ A*-G 151 83 68

Achieving 1+ A*-C 152 82 70

Achieving 1+ A*-G 159 86 73

All Boys Girls

Number of Candidates 160 77 83

Achieving 5+ A* (inc. English and Mathematics) 78% 71% 83%

Achieving 5+ A*- C 87% 85% 89%

Achieving 5+ A*- G 98% 99% 96%

Achieving 1+ A*- C 96% 97% 95%

Achieving 1+ A*- G 100% 100% 100%

Notes: The comparative tables of school performance information provided by the Department

for Education Authority are published in November.

GCSE Results 2012

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Number of students: 159

Boys: 86

Girls: 73

GCSE Results

Examination Results 2013

Art & Design 33 3 5 6 17 2 0 0 0 93.9 44.18

Art & Design (Voc) 9 1 3 4 1 0 0 0 0 100 48.67

Drama 29 1 4 7 6 8 3 0 0 62.1 40.83

Music 15 0 4 4 3 3 1 0 0 73.3 42.80

Business Studies 38 0 9 13 7 7 1 1 0 76.3 43

D&T Food Tech 16 1 7 5 1 1 0 1 0 87.5 49.43

D&T Resistant Materials 21 0 2 3 9 5 2 0 0 66.7 38.64

IMEDIA 11 0 0 11 0 0 0 0 0 100

Child Development 19 0 5 5 7 2 0 0 0 89.5 44.11

Economics 20 1 2 6 6 5 0 0 0 75 42.40

English 111 3 12 38 47 9 2 0 0 90.1 36.18

English Literature 110 5 15 58 28 3 1 0 0 96.4 45.35

English Language & Literature 44 0 0 0 19 23 1 1 0 43.2 43.14

French 64 2 9 16 17 18 2 0 0 68.8 41.69

Spanish 19 2 3 7 5 2 0 0 0 89.5 46

Geography 65 4 21 23 11 4 2 0 0 90.8 46.37

History 70 16 22 16 7 5 1 2 0 87.1 47.57

Religious Study F 64 27 31 5 1 0 0 0 0 100 53.88

Religious Study S 91 4 13 27 14 4 3 4 4 68.1 19.21

Information Technology DA 9 0 3 4 2 0 0 0 0 100 96

Information Technology F 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 100 96

Information Technology S 152 2 45 62 21 7 5 0 1 90.8 22.89

Mathematics 157 12 31 33 57 13 4 6 1 84.7 43.30

Media Film and TV Studies 40 0 0 6 19 11 3 1 0 62.5 37.90

Psychology 55 0 5 19 13 11 4 2 1 67.3 40

Statistics 88 4 13 24 36 9 2 0 0 87.5 43.31

Biology 38 7 8 8 8 6 1 0 0 81.6 45.84

Chemistry 38 7 11 7 9 3 1 0 0 89.5 47.11

Physics 38 6 8 9 8 6 0 1 0 81.6 45.37

Science Core 119 2 14 23 55 16 6 1 2 79.2 40.49

Science Additional 78 2 16 19 31 10 0 0 0 87.2 43.62

Sport/PE Studies 42 2 5 10 13 6 6 0 0 71.4 41.46

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The School Curriculum

The school’s curriculum aims to offer a broad and balanced education suited to students

of all abilities.

Students follow a broad and balanced two year Key Stage 3 (Years 7 and 8) during which the

foundation for further learning is embedded. Please refer to the chart on page 7 for a full list of

the subjects studied.

In Year 9 students have an enrichment year during which they have the opportunity to have a

real flavour of higher study within their subjects.

Core subjects (English, Maths, Science, including those students going on to study Biology,

Physics and Chemistry) have the opportunity to start elements of their GCSE courses

towards the summer term in Year 9. Students are provided with an opportunity to

make some subject choices for their studies in Years 10 and 11.

Students in Year 7 and 8 have received 6 hours of Chinese/Mandarin.

Students are withdrawn from lessons on a rolling programme.

We currently offer five different pathways in Year 10 and 11 and

continuously strive to ensure the curriculum is as personalized as

possible. For students who are more academically able, we offer the

We want our students to:

do their best

enjoy learning and come to see education as a life-long process

develop the attitudes, understanding and skills necessary to build high self-esteem,

exercise independence and initiative and to work, participate and thrive in a

democratic society

develop lively, enquiring minds and the ability to:

find and use information

question and debate rationally

apply understanding and skills in order to address issues, solve problems and carry

out practical tasks

develop personal values and gain understanding of the values and ways of other

people and other cultures;

understand the world in which they live and the interdependence of individuals, groups

and nations;

develop appreciation and concern for the environment;

work co-operatively with others

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opportunity to study up to 12 GCSE’s and for academically gifted students there is the

opportunity to study the Extended Project Qualification at A/S level. The majority of students

then study up to ten GCSE’s. Alternative pathways offer opportunities for students to study up

to seven GCSE’s. We also offer very personalised routes for these students who are not yet

ready for GCSE’s, these courses are at ‘entry level’ which provide a good foundation to go on

to study GCSE’s at a later stage.

Parents can be confident that the school ensures that they are fully informed and involved in

student choices for Years 10 and 11.

The school also aims, through its emphasis on business and enterprise,

to enhance the curriculum by:

Building and extending on our excellence in academic standards

Active involvement with the local community

Preparing students effectively for the world of work and further education through

enterprise curriculum enrichment and partnerships with business that leads to

diversified 14-19 educational pathways

Business is taught for one hour per week in Years 7, 8 and 9.

Students can then opt to study Business or Law GCSE in Years 10 and 11.

Have a look at our video clips from each academic area for more details from each subject:

http://www.priory.shropshire.sch.uk/pages/videos.htm

The School Curriculum (cont)

Curriculum

4 lessons GCSE course in English Language and English Literature

4 lessonsGCSE course inc Statistics for some Students

5 hours either triple Science, Biology, ChemistryPhysics, OR Core Science and additional Science

2 lessons Core

Resistant Materials, Food Technology

1 lesson each2 lessons optional

GCSE courses

2 lessons optional GCSE courses

Students experience 6 hours of Chinese study per year.French and Spanish MFL

3 lessons

2 lessons optional GCSE courses

Geography, History, Business & Enterprise, Religious Philosophy1 lesson each

Religious Philosophy 1 lessonGCSE short/full course

Setting in Maths andEnglish fromSeptember.

Mixed ability in allother subjects

PE do set studentson occasions

according to thesport / activity being

undertaken

Setting within broad ability bands in Maths,English, Science, Languages, Humanities

Mixed ability in other subjects

PE do set students on occasions according tothe sport / activity being undertaken

Setting in Core subjects

27 252527

Literacy/ Numeracy for students who do notstudy Spanish as a second language

1 lesson

Yr 10 & 11 Students chose 4 options from thefollowing subjects: Applied Art, Art & Design,

Business, Child Development, Drama, ‘A level’ Extended Project (AS), Food, French,Geography, History, Imedia, Single ICT, Double

ICT, Law, Music, PE, Personalised Learning,Psychology, Spanish.

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3 lessons 3 lessons 3 lessons

1 lesson

1 lesson

1 lesson

3 lessons 3 lessons 3 lessons

3 lessons 3 lessons 3 lessons

2 lessons 2 lessons 2 lessons

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The building is open for access by the children from 8.20am and the school day starts at8.35am. Lessons end at 3.00pm and the building remains open until 10.00pm as weencourage community use of the building for adult leisure, recreation and learning.

The library is open every day until 4.00pm.

The day is divided into five lessons of 60 minutes each as follows: -

8.35am Registration

8.40am Lesson 1

9.40am Lesson 2

10.40am Break

11.00am Lesson 3

12.00am Lesson 4

12.50pm Year 7’s go into the canteen for lunch

1.00pm Lunch Break

1.40pm Assemblies or Tutor Period

2.00pm Lesson 5

3.00pm End of Day

We believe that it is important for students to feel part of the larger school community throughregular Assemblies. Assemblies are led by senior members of staff and are either for individualyear groups, combined assemblies or Years 7, 8 and 9 or years 10 and 11. Building a sense ofcommunity is very important to us.

The School Day

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The school has moved to a two year Key Stage 3 with the Key Stage effectively ending at theend of Year 8. Students then move onto a “bridging / enrichment year” (Year 9) where they aregiven a wide range of experiences of work at GCSE level.

Business and Enterprise College activities extend throughout the school. Students areprovided with opportunities to develop business and enterprise skills through learningexperiences in academic areas. Further details can be found on our website.

Students are placed in classes according to their ability in English and Maths as soon as they arrive in Year 7 to ensure they continue to make progress in these subjects. In PhysicalEducation there is some grouping according to ability and the sport that is being taught.

Drama, Music, Art and Technology are taught in mixed ability groups throughout the school. All other subjects are taught in mixed ability groups in Year 7 and in sets according to their ability and level of achievement from Year 8 onwards.

The size of the teaching group varies according to the subject and set. The average number ina classroom based group is usually 28, and in Design and Technology the average is around20.

The Learning Support Department offers help and guidance for those children who experiencelearning difficulties, as well as students who have statements of special educational needs. The school has a policy of including all students in the broad and balanced curriculum.

Students with mobility difficulties gain access via two lifts in the school to the first floor of the building and so have access to all subject areas.

Content and Organisation of Curriculum

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We encourage the use of ICT as a learning tool in all subjects. The school maintains an internalnetwork, which can be accessed in five specialist computer rooms and across the school in teaching classrooms and the library. There is also a Business and EnterpriseResource Centre which provides students with a learning experience akin to a mini-conferencecentre. The school also has a comprehensive Virtual Learning Environment. This allowsstudents to access their school work when they are at home over the internet.

Each academic area is led by a School Improvement Facilitator (SIF). They are responsible for the subject content, the deployment of teachers in the team and the allocation of children togroups or sets. Teaching Assistants are deployed to support individual students with theirlearning and also provide support for the teacher in carrying out their professional duties.

We have a comprehensive process for Intervention in English, Maths and Science. Members ofstaff will work alongside staff to support students who may be experiencing problems with aspecific element of these subjects. The aim is that students are quickly helped to overcomeany difficulty so that they can continue to make progress.

Content and Organisation of Curriculum (cont)

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Year 10 Young Enterprise

Netball, Rugby, Dance, Gymnastics, Badminton, Football, TableTennis, Tennis, Rounders, Athletics, Cricket, Softball, Volleyball,Trampoline, Health and Fitness and Basketball.

Music, Violin, Woodwind, Guitar, Brass, Drumkit, Keyboard,instrumental lessons. Clubs include Wind Ensemble, ViolinEnsemble, School Production, Battle of the Bands, PRO talentshows, Junior Windband.Instrumental tuition lessons are organised by our Teaching &Learning Co-ordinator for Music who should be contacted by anyparent who wishes their child to learn to play a musicalinstrument. There is a charge for these lessons.

Key Stage 3 Drama Club. In addition, there are yearly schoolproductions and the series of PRO shows which showcase talent.

Weekly help and homework club, extra revision sessions, GCSEone to one support when necessary.

Weekly GCSE support, and Healthy Eating & Special Diet club (ByInvitation) GCSE One to one support when necessary, Studysupport Year 7 – 9 (Food and Textiles as required).

Providing students with opportunities to be involved in school productions and sportingactivities is essential.

Our school calendar of productions is as follows:

27th to 29th November: School Production

10th July: Summer Concert/Dance Show

We continue to achieve great sporting success, with two year groups winning ShropshireDistrict Cups for Football in one season.

We believe that clubs and activities taking place outside the classroom and after school hoursare an important part of the life of the school. These activities enrich the education weprovide, they help our young people to develop their own personal qualities and strengths anduse their initiative.

Activities and clubs available are:

Beyond The Classroom

Business & Enterprise:

Sport:

Music:

Drama Club:

Geography/HistoryPsycology:

Food Technology:

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STEM Club:

Religious Philosophy:

Languages:

Library:

Other Clubs:

Visits:

Charity:

Houses:

Duke of Edinburgh Award

Bronze Award for Years 10 and 11. Open Gold Award expedition in Award: collaboration withShrewsbury Darwin Rotary Award

Weekly GCSE support , One to one support when necessary. KS3 Resistant material club

Weekly GCSE support

This Club combines Science, Technology, Enterprising and Mathssubjects.

Help and homework club, extra revision sessions, “top up”sessions after school to students wishing to do full course GCSE

French and Spanish conversation practice after-school for Year 11

The Library is open all day and students can use the library atbreak and lunch time and for an hour each evening after school.There is homework club on two evenings per week and a readingclub called Blurbs at lunch time three times a term

Ju Jitsu & Martial Arts, Rock Solid Club, Jewellery making.

Geography (key stage 3 & 4) , History and RP field visits, Theatre,Languages Study visit to La Rochelle/ Tossa de Mar (Year 8),Arthog (Year 9), Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme (Years 10 and11), Key Stage 4 Languages visit to Paris also a Spanish StudyVisit to Barcelona. Geography visit to Italy and visits to localfacilities. Creative Arts annual foreign trip, Business and EnterpriseTrip to New York, Ski Trip. A range of trips during Enrichment Week.

Fund Raising - through the year group and other organised events

Competitions - Sport, Quiz, Pro 12, House Credits andCommendations for good work.

Resistant Materials:

Child Development:

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Beyond The Classroom (cont)

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A wide range of activities and visits has taken place during the 2012- 2013 academic year.The purpose of these is to engage students in learning beyond the classroom and build linkswith the community through extending learning opportunities. These visits also provideopportunities for personal and social development.

Residential visits were made to New York (Year 11, Business Studies), Paris (Year 10),Cantabria, (Year 8 study visit), Arthog in Wales (Year 9 outdoor pursuits), High Adventure NorthYorkshire (Year 10 PE) and PGL, Baschurch (Year 7). In addition, expeditions were organisedfor Year 10 and 11 participants in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

Visits out of school during the day or evening have been made to various businesses such asShrewsbury Town Football Club, The Sports Village, Lloyds Bank, Bang and Olufsen, Orme &Hinton Accountants, Welti Health Club, Alton Towers, Chester Zoo, Severnside Housing,Tarmac Quarry, Denso Manufacturing Ltd, Cineworld and AMF Bowling. Visits have also beenorganised to University Workshops, theatres, Liverpool Art Galleries, Cosford Enginuity, ThinkTank, Temples and Mosques, The Long Mynd, Telford and Radbrook College, Harper AdamsUniversity College and Shrewsbury School. Students were also involved in the Festival ofLearning held at RAF Cosford.

Activities and Visits

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The following are guest business speakers who have visited the school:

The Priory School always ensures the right level of supervision as safety is priority.

Activities and Visits (cont)

l Economic Regeneration

l Shrewsbury Hospital

l Lloyds Bank

l British Telecom

l Assault Glider Project

l Shrewsbury College

l Barclays Bank

l Eskola Education

l FM Global

l Andrews, Orme & Hinton

l Whittingham Riddell

l Community Fire Service

l Powerwave Technologies

l Parker Ward

l Police Service

l Reaseheath College

l Fran O’Boyle

Storyteller/Writer

l Faulkes Telescope

l Walford & North Shropshire

College

l Shrewsbury Town Football

Club

l Andrew Fusek Peters

l Coverage Care

l Police Service

l Armed Forces

l Harper Adams University

l Royal Navy

l Kelly Dancewear

l Ringway

l Dyke Yaxley

l Gateway Learning Centre

l Book Feast, R. Robinson

Author

l Caterpillar

l Shrewsbury Sixth Form

College

l Wave-length

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A well-planned and well-managed homework programme helps students to develop the skillsand attitudes they will need for successful lifelong learning. Homework also helps create instudents a sense of responsibility for their own education, provides opportunities for them toreflect on their learning, supports the development of independent learning skills and providesparents with an opportunity to take part in their child's education.

Any learning activity that students are asked to do outside of normal lesson time can be regarded as homework.

We offer a variety of tasks for homework which include:

Homework

Reading

Listening

Watching

Researching

Drawing

Memory work

Investigating

Report writing

Drafting

Model making

Revising

Designing

Interviewing

Essay writing

We provide parents with information about their child’s progress at a consultation evening withsubject teachers, via an annual written report to parents and then through the Progress ReviewDay interview with the Form Tutor.

We also actively encourage parents to contact us to discuss any concerns or where they wantclarification.

We provide a variety of ways by which you can contactus:

Email contact for parents for all teaching staff.

By phone. Our school is open all year and there is always someone that can help.

We also communicate with parents in a range of ways:

Email and texting.

Parents receive a calendar of events for the academic year in September and a copy ofour “Essential News for Parents” newsletter is published on our website at the start of each term and at the end of the Summer Term.

Our website is very important in providing parents withlots of up to date information on the school, including butnot limited to:

School Policies

The termly Priory News which contains information on activities at the school

Governing Body information, including minutes and Headteacher’s termly reports

Curriculum provision

Examination results

A link to the School’s Admissions processes

A link to the Department for Education Achievement and Attainment Performance Data

A Home-School agreement which reflects our commitment to parents and student and how wehope you will support us, has been produced after consultation between teachers, governors,parents and students. All parents and students joining the school are asked to sign this.

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Communication with Parents on Student Progress

The school recognises achievements in a variety of ways….

We also believe in rewarding students for their positive approaches to learning and have a wide ranging reward system.

End of term assemblies are used to celebrate success in such things as sports.

“Student of the Term” Certificates are awarded in each year group to a boy and a girl atthe end of each term.

“The Sheila Laws Award for Services to the Community” is awarded annually.

Trophies for outstanding contributions in academic areas are presented annually tostudents in Year 11.

Book tokens are presented annually to students in Year 8 for outstanding contributionsin relation to ‘progress’, ‘effort’ and ‘achievement’ in all academic areas.

Year 9 are awarded subject awards based on specific projects in the summer term.

“Fab Fridays” are awarded to students in recognition of something they have done outof the ordinary. They are invited to join the Headteacher to share their achievementsduring registration time the following Friday and receive a Headteacher’s award, whichis equivalent to 3 house credits.

House credits are awarded to students for producing very good work in Year 7 and 8which they collect and can work towards Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum Awards.

Throughout Years 9, 10 and Year 11 and in the Summer Term of Year 9, students areawarded by their subject teachers Commendations. Commendations are awarded forstudents working consistently hard and achieving their own personal bests. Studentswho achieve Commendations in the majority of subjects are presented withcertificates.

All members of staff share the responsibility for the wellbeing, welfare, discipline and safety ofthe student at the school. Form tutors are supported in their work by our Heads of Year whoact like mini-headteachers of each year group, our Assistant Headteacher for Inclusion andfour senior members of staff, including the Headteacher

The form tutor is the key person in our school and, if any Parent/Carer has aparticular concern regarding the wellbeing of their child then we encourageparents to contact us. If a parent has a concern about a specific aspect oftheir child’s academic work at school then we encourage them to approachthe appropriate subject teacher in the first instance. The average size ofeach tutor group is 28, which ensures that the form tutor can get toknow the students well.

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Communication with parents on student progress (cont)

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As an academy, we have freedoms not enjoyed by local authority schools. We have freedomto set our own curriculum which allows us to ensure we deliver the right programmes of studythat will develop assertive, confident students who are able to achieve their own personal bestat GCSE.

In addition, as an Academy, we have total control over our finances. Our first priority is tosustain our staffing levels and continue to develop our buildings. We have redesigned andrefurbished our dining hall so that it has more modern fixtures and fittings.

We are now focussing on replacing our flat roof on the older parts of the building and weresuccessful in obtaining a grant of £424,000 to pay for this. The school will continue to applyfor grant funding to further improve the buildings for the benefit of the students, staff andcommunity.

Our current plans for our school buildings includes redesigning our Library into a state of theart learning resource centre and refurbishing on of our Science Laboratories.

And now for the future.....

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We welcome students with a range of special educational needs and barriers to learning andtake pride in our ethos of a caring and orderly environment, within our comprehensive policyfor meeting the needs of all students.

Special educational needs is a broad term and covers a wide range of need, from thosestudents who may require some temporary support with their spelling or handwriting, to thosewho have long term needs recognised in a statement issued by the Local Authority.

Our policy is based on the following principles:

That all teachers are teachers of children with special educational needs and have aresponsibility to meet those needs with the advice and support of the learning supportteam.

That all children are entitled to access to a broad and balanced curriculum.

Those students with special educational needs will be integrated as fully as possibleinto the life of the school, enabling them to maximise their potential as learners andexperience and contribute to the social and cultural activities of the school.

That provision for students should:

match needstake account of the wishes and feelings of the studentbe in partnership with the student’s parents.

Provision for Students with Special Needs

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It is important to be constantly thinking about “what next?” in terms of sustaining ouroutstanding teaching and learning. After all, we live in a world that is forever changing.However, it is equally important to remember those things that remain consistently important toretain.

The consistent features of The Priory School are setting the highest expectations of allstudents in terms of behaviour and ‘doing their best’. Being polite, courteous and friendly to allare important qualities in society. We expect all members of our school community to be ableto work in a safe environment that supports learning.

Equally important is that when students make a mistake and behave inappropriately, they aredealt with fairly. For this reason, we have a very consistent approach to consequences forpoor behaviour, which operates throughout the school.

In a school community of 800 children there are sometimes incidents of bullying. This is notsurprising given that children are still learning how to form relationships. The school has clearlydefined systems for dealing with incidents of bullying. Our Life programme involves aprogramme of study which stresses the importance of telling people when problems occur inrelationships. This builds on the great work already done in our local primary schools.

Full details of our strategies for dealing with bullying can be found on our website in theParents section under Policies.

In addition, we work in partnership with parents when students are experiencing problems withtheir behaviour. Through working in partnership we aim to support students in changing theirbehaviour.

Support for families….

Students and families can have times in their lives when they need additional support and help. For this reason, we have a Student Support Officer and Learning Mentor. They are both fulltime members of staff who work exclusively with students and families who need support.

At The Priory School, We Believe In...

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We believe in ….

Trust, respect care and honesty

Doing our best

Being happy, healthy and safe

Personal responsibility

Creativity and enterprise

Being polite, courteous and friendly to all

Embracing diversity

Priory school students should...

show respect and courtesy towards all members of the school community at all times

be hardworking and considerate of others.

take a pride in the school and their uniform.

use mature means of resolving difficulties.

Priory students should not be involved in...

racism or offensive language.

physical or verbal bullying.

any form of violence

Our School Code of Conduct

Joining the school at eleven

We hope to make the transition from primary to secondary education as smooth as possible.The Head of Year (HOY) for Year 7 acts as a mini-headteacher of Year 7 with responsibility formonitoring students progress and wellbeing and works with the Assistant Headteacher onInclusion to ensure there is a smooth transition. We arrange to meet all children transferring tous at eleven in their primary school and have an induction day in early July. Parents are alsoinvited to an Induction evening in July when they can meet form tutors, view the school anddiscuss the details of arrangements for joining us in the Autumn Term.

Our liaison programme involves curriculum discussion with primary colleagues, visits for staffand students and access to facilities where requested. We are also involved in outreach workwith primary schools as part of our Primary Liaison programme.

Student Responsibilities

Giving students responsibility is important in developing self-esteem and providingopportunities for students to engage in the wider life of the school.

There are lots of opportunities for students to take on responsibility, whether as a member of asporting team, contributing to school productions, through our House system or via the yearand school council system.

The school has a House system. The Houses’ names are Acton, Baxter, Clive, Darwin,Housman and Webb. In each year group, one form is linked to a House, i.e. 7 Acton, and eachhouse has a total of 5 forms, one from each year group.

The House system is run entirely by Year 11 House Officials. The activities they run vary fromsporting activities, inter house competitions and to the annual Priory Review shows whichshowcase the talents in performing arts of the students.

Year 11, as senior students, hold a range of responsibilities – approximately 60 different rolescurrently exist, including the Head Boy, Head Girl and Deputy Head Boy and Girl, who areelected by the school community. We believe these are important additions to students’experiences.

The School Parliament allows students to take on key responsibilities and is animportant consultation group on key issues. During the last year, they had a

major role in discussions on catering and the school uniform policy.

The School also promotes the Youth Parliament national scheme thatruns in Shropshire and for the past four years the Leader of the YouthParliament in Shropshire has been a Priory student.

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Student Life

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Charity Fundraising

The School has a strong tradition of raising funds for charity. During the year each Year groupholds a Charity Half Term when they organise events to raise money. During the last academicyear the students raised over £9,000 through their efforts with a wide range of events havingtaken place including – non-uniform days, business projects (Year 7), discos, sponsored sportsevents-including a Year 8 work out and the Year 10 sports event running over 24 hrs, bigbakes, trips and other very enterprising activities run by individuals, small groups, form groupsand year groups. Various charities have been in to accept cheques such as Cancer Research,LEPRA, Medic Malaw, Riders for the Disabled and including the most unusual representativeyet from a charity - a horse!

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For the last four years The Priory School has been awarded The Shropshire Attendance Award for the highest student attendance figures in Shropshire. Our average rate of attendance stands at an amazing 96%. We know that students enjoycoming to school and only stay at home when they absolutely have to. Good attendance is vital for effective learning and we are delighted that parents understandthe importance of their child coming to school.

There are, of course, exceptional occasions when parents will need to request leave for their child and on those occasions parents are asked to write to the Headteachersetting out the reasons. This process emphasizes that the school expects these occasions tobe rare.

The school will actively seek to encourage all students to achieve a full attendance record. Wecelebrate good attendance at regular intervals good attendance and attendance informationwill be provided in the students’ annual reports and on request with all absences, authorisedand unauthorised, being reported to parents/carers.

Absence and Illness

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T: 01743 284000 // www.priory.shropshire.sch.uk

We are often asked the question why are you so strict with uniform? Well, the answer is quitesimply that smart appearances reflect a readiness to learn. We believe boys should wear theirties in a business-like manner and girls’ skirts should be worn at an appropriate length.

We want students in school to focus on learning and not be distracted by fashion and, for thisreason, we restrict jewellery to stud earrings and a watch.

Year 11, as senior students, enjoy the privilege of wearing a different colour sweatshirt, whichalso means that younger students can clearly identify someone who might be able to helpthem.

We know that buying a new school uniform and replacing it as children grow can be anexpensive process, so we always keep an eye on the cost, to ensure it is affordable.

Full details of our uniform requirements can be found on our website. Key school specificitems of uniform can be bought from our suppliers:

We think that one of the ways of developing students’ independence is through them travellingto and from school under their own steam. Walking to and from school where possible is agood way to socialise and is healthy. Safe Cycling is also a great recreational activity and onewe like to encourage.

For several years Priory has had one of the largest numbers of regular cyclists than at anyother Shropshire School. We provide three cycle shelters with a total capacity of 140. Cyclistscan access the school via the main pedestrian entrance on Longden Road or from Bank FarmRoad. Although, cycling is not permitted on the school site itself.

Uniform

Getting To and From School

As an Academy, The Priory School has decided that it’s Admissions policy will remain as setout by Shropshire Council for Shrewsbury. Shrewsbury’s admissions procedures are complex.All admissions from Year 6 to Year 7 are dealt with by Shropshire Council’s admissions team.They produce a booklet called “Parents’ Guide to Education in Shropshire” each year with upto date information about schools and a full explanation of the admissions processes. Thebooklets are available from the Admissions Team or can be accessed either on the ShropshireCouncil website or school website. Parents and Carers who may wish to speak directly to anAdmissions Advisor may also contact them through the Admissions Team.

The contact address is:

or email:

website:

Catchment areas for schools can be viewed on Shropmap which can be found on the abovewebsite address.

Before making decisions on which schools to apply for, Parents/Carers and their children areinvited to visit the school. An Open Evening will be held each autumn term, as well as theschool’s Open Morning when the school is in session or please contact the school to make apersonal appointment.

This school has a Published Admission Number (PAN) of 168 for the Year 7 intake in 2014. InSeptember 2014 this number will apply to all years.

For the year commencing September 2013 the number of preferences received and placesallocated was as follows:

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What is The Priory School’s Admissions Process?

Date ofallocation

March 169 193 169 0 02013

Admissionon Limit

No of 1stpreferencesreceived

Total placesallocated

2ndpreferencesallocated

3rdpreferencesallocated

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T: 01743 284000 // www.priory.shropshire.sch.uk

Parents/Carers of Year 6 children and residents in Shropshire will be required in the Autumnterm, prior to the school year of transfer, to complete a Shropshire application form on which 3preferences can be stated. The forms and booklets will be given to Year 6 students in theirprimary schools in early September. Applications can also be made online through theShropshire website. Where there are more applications than there are places available,allocations will be made in accordance with the oversubscription criteria. Full details of thesecriteria are given in the Parents’ Guide booklet; therefore it is essential that parents read thebooklet before completing an application form. In general terms, they are based upon thefollowing (in order):

Looked After Children (that is, children in public care)

Residents in catchment area

Sibling connection

Proximity of home address to school

Children who have a Statement of Special Educational Needs which names this school as theappropriate school to meet those needs will be offered a place.

Most secondary schools work closely with their local primary schools and often invite studentsto attend for various activities. Such visits have nothing to do with the admissions processand do not in any way give any guarantee of a place at the school. Shropshire does notoperate a system of feeder schools, as the home address of your child is the arbiter of beingoffered a place. That home address will be checked against data sources to ensure potentialapplicants are not, for example, using other relative’s addresses, work or office addresses toachieve a higher priority under the published criteria.

Where applications are not successful, parents/carers may wish to put their names on awaiting list or appeal against the decision. The Admissions Team will be able to advise you onthese matters. Members of the school staff and Governors are legally not allowed to write aletter of support for appellants so please do not ask them to do so. Nor is the school allowedto give any guarantee that a place will be offered at the school.

What is The Priory School’s admissions process? (cont)

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Where families move house at other times of the year after the start of Year 7, please completea Mid-term Application Form available from the school or directly from the Council'sAdmissions Team. The completed form should then be returned to The Priory School forconsideration. Where there are more applications than places available, the publishedadmissions criteria will be used to determine priority for places. The School will then ensurethat the parent/carer is advised as soon as possible about the outcome of their application.

The Priory School operates a waiting list for any unsuccessful applications for admisions andplaces are allocated as outlined in our oversubscription admissions criteria published on ourwebsite.

Mid-Term or In-Year Admissions

T: 01743 284000 // www.priory.shropshire.sch.ukThe Priory School, Longden Road Shrewsbury, SY3 9EE

The Priory School, Shrewsbury