MISSION STATEMENT

Our key statement at Archbishop McGrath is ‘Christ at the Centre’. This reminds us of our mission which, as a Catholic School, is to love and serve God.

As a school community we have three broad aims:

- To assist all those who work in the school, both staff and pupils, to flourish and to become a people fully human and fully alive.

- Proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ that the whole of creation, including every person in it, is a gift of God and loved by God.

- Nurture faith in Jesus Christ through every aspect of the school’s curricular and extra-curricular programmes and activities.

This vision is rooted in our belief that every child is a unique individual, precious to God. Our curriculum is designed to provide as many opportunities as possible for your child to make the most of his or her God-given talents. Religious Education is central to it and because God is the creator of all that is, opportunities are taken in all subject areas to draw attention to how God can speak to God’s creation in an infinite number of ways.

Throughout the life of the school, we seek to nurture and celebrate the success of every member of the school community, regardless of their academic ability. Both in the structure of the curriculum and in the planning of learning activities, the school strives to respond to the learning needs of each and every person in the school.

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“Their conduct in lessons and about the school is exemplary, not because it is enforced but because they see it as the right thing to do.”

- (Section 50 Inspection 2013)

“Provision for prayer and worship is excellent…which contributes strongly to students’ spiritual and moral development.”

- (Section 50 Inspection 2013)

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HEADTEACHER’S MESSAGE

Archbishop McGrath has existed as a Catholic High School for nearly half a century and there has never been a more exciting time to be a member of this school community. Our students have better facilities and more opportunities than ever before and they are grasping these opportunities with both hands. The students of Archbishop McGrath Catholic High School are becoming increasingly confident in their own ability to make their mark in the world using their God-given talents.

As a school we are committed to raising the expectations of our pupils and have set challenging targets for improvement at Key Stages 3, 4 and 5. There is clear evidence of this self-belief in the great deal we have had to celebrate in the last academic year. Our students have risen to the challenges we have set them and have been rewarded with outstanding results.

In Key Stage 3, pupils achieved strong outcomes in the Welsh Government Literacy and Numeracy tests. You may have seen in the press that in Key Stage 4 the strength of GCSE results earned the school praise as the most improved school in Bridgend, but also one of the top three most improved schools in the Central South Consortium.

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- Mrs Angela Keller, Headteacher.

Results at A level remain a strength of the school and I am delighted to see that so many pupils are more aspirational, taking up places on courses where there is a great deal of competition at the highest performing universities.

I am proud of our students’ achievements and the rapid school improvement journey our school has made. This has been made possible through the hard work of staff and students and the fantastic support of parents and carers. As Headteacher I am committed to maintaining the pace of progress and securing the continued success of our school.

Education in this school is about the whole child. We seek to broaden the horizons for our students and they will be given the chance to travel abroad as part of their studies. In the last two years, students have travelled to America, Belgium, Canada and France.

We recognise the importance of developing the cultural life of the school and students continue to use their talents in the field of music and drama. The school orchestra and outstanding school productions are trademarks of the wealth of talent that exist and the vibrancy of school life. We can offer opportunities for competitive rugby, football and netball in Years 7-11. In the Easter games of 2015 over 100 pupils participated in inter-house competitions in these sports and such events will be a regular feature of school life.

Archbishop McGrath Catholic High School is a place where your child can grow spiritually and emotionally. The Gospel message underpins every aspect of the school’s work and we seek to nurture our faith through every aspect of the school’s curriculum and extra-curricular activities. We place the Mass and daily prayer at the heart of school life.

We celebrate links with the Archdiocese of Cardiff, the parish communities we serve, and the families of our pupils. As a school community, we are dedicated to the service of others and charitable works for those less fortunate than ourselves are a key part of school life.

When you visit our school, you will not fail to be impressed by the beautiful building but more importantly by our students. The students are polite and hardworking. They respond well to praise, they are ready to be challenged and seek to help others.

I took up the role of Headteacher in January 2015. It is an honour to lead the school that has been such a large part of my life. Archbishop McGrath Catholic High School is a special place to educate and be educated. I thank God for the talents of the students and staff who teach them. On behalf of the staff and board of Governors, I thank you for giving us the privilege of educating your children.

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“Working with the School, Archdiocese and Authority has been a privilege. We are delighted that the students, teachers and local community now have a facility which inspires achievement engendering pride within the community. ”

- Richard O’Neil, Director at HLM

“The school gives a high priority to developing pupils’ literacy and numeracy skills.”

- (Estyn inspection report 2013)

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ABOUT OUR SCHOOL

Archbishop McGrath Catholic High School is a voluntary aided mixed 11-18 school in the Archdiocese of Cardiff. It serves the parishes of the Bridgend Deanery. It was established 50 years ago to provide a Christian medium education for students in the County Borough of Bridgend.

Students travel from Maesteg, Bridgend, Porthcawl and the Ogmore Valley with a small number travelling from the Vale and further afield. Students are from predominantly English speaking homes. The school’s intake is from a varied social background and represents the full range of ability.

There are just over 800 students on roll and we are oversubscribed in some year groups. The sixth form community has grown steadily over the last 5 years. we have our largest ever sixth form this year of 170 students.

The majority of our students have attended the three Catholic feeder primary schools of St Mary’s and St Patrick’s Maesteg, St Robert’s Aberkenfig and St Mary’s Bridgend. In 2010 Archdeacon John Lewis Church in Wales Primary School joined the Archbishop McGrath Catholic cluster of schools and we hope to build stronger links with Penyfai Church in Wales Primary School.

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The school is situated in the residential area of Brackla. The school is easily accessible through excellent transport links. Archbishop McGrath Catholic High School relocated to a new school building in Brackla in September 2011.

The school building is designed around children and provides an inspirational environment for pupils to achieve their potential, academically and socially. The innovative design of the school accommodation allows a wide range of learning activities in a mix of indoor and outdoor learning environments. The school has excellent sporting facilities including an all weather Third Generation pitch.

The new school building was designed by HLM Architects and constructed by Davis Langdon. The school building has won a number of prestigious architectural awards including Buildings Excellence Award in 2012.

The pupils are well supported by a progress and wellbeing team made up for each Key Stage of a Key Stage leader, an Assistant Head of Key Stage and a Pastoral Support Officer. One of the school’s Assistant Headteachers has been assigned overall responsibility for the progress and wellbeing team including additional learning needs and attendance. The success of this team has ensured that the school has high attendance levels and very low levels of exclusion.

There are over 50 teaching staff and 30 support staff. Mrs Angela Keller, Headteacher, was appointed in March 2015 and is supported by four Assistant Headteachers who each have responsibility for the development of one of the school’s strategic School Improvement Priorities.

Priority 1 : Leadership - Mrs Angela KellerTo provide clear strategic direction based on high expectation, underpinned by the Catholic ethos.

Priority 2 : Standards - Mr Stuart FarrowTo raise standards of achievement in all subjects in Key Stages 3 and 4. To maintain high levels of achievement at A level.

Priority 3 : Barriers to Learning - Mr David BlackwellTo remove barriers to learning in order to counteract the negative effects of deprivation

Priority 4 : Quality of Teaching - Mr Matthew Dunn To raise standards of teaching so that excellent practice exists throughout the school.

Priority 5 : Skills - Miss Frances CleggTo provide clear strategic direction based on high expectation, To extend provision for skills and raise standards in literacy and numeracy.

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TEACHING & LEARNING

Teaching and learning at Archbishop McGrath aims to be exciting and engaging. Subjects should be brought to life with innovative teaching and resources. We aim for excellence in every area of school life. We recognise the gifts of each student and strive to ensure that all engage in their learning and reach their full potential. As a school we recognise and celebrate the achievements of all pupils.

All pupils are expected to work to the very best of their ability. It is crucial that they are organised, active in their learning and make the most of the many opportunities that are made available to them.

For children to be successful in school they need to be happy, taught by outstanding teachers and motivated to achieve.

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We believe children thrive in a secure but challenging setting where they are treated with care and respect, where there are lots of opportunities for personal, spiritual and moral development and where students have the chance to take responsibility for their own learning.

We seek to equip all students with a variety of key skills during their time at Archbishop McGrath. Central to this ideology is the development of literacy and numeracy across the breadth of the curriculum. This allows students to apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios and become resilient learners. We believe this development of skills gives all students many more opportunities and choices when they move on from Archbishop McGrath Catholic High School.

“The school is a welcoming and inclusive community which has an excellentCatholic ethos into which all are welcomed.”

- (Section 50 Inspection 2013)

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CATHOLIC ETHOS

The aim of the school is the same as Jesus Christ’s: to lead people into a deeper and more loving relationship with God the Father and with one another. Archbishop McGrath tries to continue this aim, fulfilling the command Jesus gave to his Church: ‘Go and preach the Good News to all people.’ The catechist is an extension of Christ’s ministry as teacher. Christ is our model and the catechist attempts to mirror the example and practice of him.

The syllabi for the teaching lessons have been designed to be a framework for the achievement of this aim, and to ensure that every student leaving this school has a firm knowledge and understanding of our faith. In Years 7 – 9 the scheme is the one developed by the Bishops’ Conference National Project on Religious Education: Icons.

This syllabus allows the catechist to explore all the main strands of our faith: the Sacraments, the Mass, Scripture, the Church, the Saints and so on.

Years 10 and 11 follow the Catholic specification of the WJEC GCSE in Religious Studies. The aim of the RE Department remains the same during these years: to lead our young people into a deeper and more loving relationship with God and with each other.

These syllabi ensure that our young people have a thorough grounding in Christian belief and practice.

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During KS5 students study Ethics and Islam and also follow a certificated programme developed by the Archdiocese of Cardiff. The aim of this programme is, as with the rest of the Religious Education curriculum, the same as Christ’s.

Throughout the year there is a wide range of liturgical and para-liturgical services. These include, amongst others, a weekly Mass in school, Advent and Lent penitential services, the praying of the Rosary in October and May and morning prayer every day. There is also an emphasis on prayer in the Chapel which is available at all times for all kinds of prayer services, including in-house retreats at KS3.

Throughout the year there are residential retreats for the pupils, they are important opportunities for spiritual growth and faith development. Various local and national organisations visit the school regularly, e.g. CAFOD, in order to discuss their work and help the children understand the meaning of Christ’s mission to those in need.

We are extremely fortunate to have a school Chaplain who comes to school every Tuesday and Friday. Local clergy also visit the school on a very regular basis, building up the link between school and parish. We work as a team, with the families of the pupils, to ensure that our young people are helped in every way to grow closer to God, our Father, and to one another.

“The school has a strong and inclusive ethos that promotes Christian values well. Diversity is celebrated. There is a clear emphasis on equality and pupils, including those with a disability, are not disadvantaged in any way.”

- (Estyn inspection report 2013)/ 23

TRACKING STANDARDS

The intelligent use of data affects the work of all professionals involved in education. We have to present and explain data in ways which inspire trust and confidence and lead to appropriate choices and judgements being made.

Using data as a method of improving our school is intended to help everyone involved. The use of this data, in particular contextual value added data, can indicate issues in relation to a school’s performance which on first sight may not be apparent, and it can help recognise where pupils make good progress from low starting points. At the other end of the scale, data can also indicate where performance is not as good as it should be.

Data can point to pupils who are clearly succeeding and securing good levels of attainment, but also where questions must be raised about the rate of progress made by some or all of the pupils. Ultimately data can point to where further enquiry and action are needed.

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Archbishop McGrath undertake in-depth analysis of pupil attainment and progress in all subjects at the end of each year and compares it to the national picture. This supports improvement planning, particularly through looking at trends over a three-year period. We set realistic minimum expected attainment targets along with aspirational targets for each pupil in each subject.

The school analyses ongoing performance based on improvements in pupils’ current attainment and progress towards targets set. This takes place between 4 and 6 times a year depending on the year group.

All of this helps the school ensure that pupils are on track. If particular pupils, groups or themes are identified, senior staff and teachers hold a pupil progress meeting to identify needs based on the data analysis.

The analysis also shows where intervention is needed. A baseline assessment is then done so progress can be measured by the end of the intervention. Our use of data aims to identify and act on individual learning needs whilst also making intervention methods more effective.

“In Bridgend, Archbishop McGrath RC High School reported some of the Borough’s most impressive results with a Level 2+ improvement of 14.7%.”

- (Western Mail)

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PROGRESS & WELLBEING

Archbishop McGrath has an outstanding team of individuals that works tirelessly to ensure that every child thrives during their time in the school. They are closely monitored and mentored to ensure that they are consistently fulfilling their potential. Links between the pastoral support team and home are excellent. The Pastoral Support oOfficers work vigorously to build strong connections with families and keep them informed of all significant events in school concerning their children. this two-way connection is invaluable.

Form Tutors, Pastoral Support Officers, Assistant Head of Key Stages and the Heads of Key Stages provide a wide network of support and tracking in every aspect of pupils’ school lives. Fair rewards and sanctions alongside a nurturing environment are key to guiding students on their path to excellence. With Mr Blackwell (Assistant Headteacher) leading this team of exceptional individuals, students are provided with the care, support and guidance that allows them to flourish academically, socially and emotionally whilst keeping ‘Christ at the Centre’ of all that we do.

Our goal is to provide every child with the greatest possible opportunities to develop holistically in a happy school environment here at Archbishop McGrath Catholic High School.

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“There are very good relationships between pupils and their teachers which contribute significantly to the positive working environment within the school. ”

- (Estyn inspection report 2013)

“The school has strong relationships with parents and carers, particularly in relation to the care, support and guidance of their children.”

- (Estyn inspection report 2013)

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EXTRA-CURRICULAR

There is a wide array of extra-curricular activities available to the pupils at Archbishop McGrath Catholic High School. These include a variety of competitive sporting events, Music and Drama activities and more subject specific clubs.

Both staff and pupils at Archbishop McGrath Catholic High School are very proud of the long-standing tradition of music and drama within the school. The various school productions and concerts never fail to garner great interest and enjoyment for pupils and the wider community. This also allows our pupils the opportunity to explore and develop their God given talents whilst becoming a greater part of the ever-growing Catholic family within Archbishop McGrath.

There are also a number of Football, Rugby, Basketball and Netball clubs and events throughout the year. These sporting events equip the pupils at Archbishop McGrath Catholic High School with invaluable teamwork and leadership skills and also allow them to maintain a healthy lifestyle and enjoy their time within the school.

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Archbishop McGrath offers a large number of academic support and subject specific clubs. These allow pupils the opportunity to further explore subjects they enjoy or have an interest in outside of their normal timetable. Support sessions enable pupils to work on homework or revision with a member of staff who can assist with any problems pupils may encounter and facilitate a greater level of understanding.

At Archbishop McGrath Catholic High School, we believe that the extra-curricular opportunities provided for pupils are key to them discovering their God-given talents and becoming well-rounded members of society.

For a full list of extra-curricular activies please check on our moodle, a link is provided on our website. (www.archbishopmg.co.uk)

“The school works effectively with its partner primary schools to prepare pupils effectively for the transition to secondary school. As a result, pupils settle quickly into life in Year 7.”

- (Estyn inspection report 2013)

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Archbishop McGrath Catholic High School Telephone : 01656 815500Email : archmcgrathrc@bridgend.gov.ukWebsite : www.archbishopmg.co.uk

CHRIST AT THE CENTRE

Prospectus designed by www.ashleyhiscocks.comPhotos by Girts Gailans, Trevor Burrow and Archbishop McGrath Catholic High School