Therfield School Prospectus

A Specialist Sports College

best for allTel: 01372 818123. e-mail: [email protected]: 01372 818124. Address: Dilston Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 7NZ. Website: www.therfield.surrey.sch.uk

Therfield SchoolA Special ist Sports College

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Therfield SchoolA Specialist Sports College

best for allPROSPECTUS

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WELCOME Therfield School’s vision is ‘The Best for All’ - this is underpinned by aims which centre around striving for individual excellence whilst promoting core community values. Therfield is a vibrant and successful school and is highly regarded for its levels of academic achievement and its provision of extra-curricular opportunities.

Students’ performance in public examinations is consistently above national averages and we are very proud of the range of extra curricular provision. In addition to high academic achievement, personal, social and health education at Therfield was graded outstanding by Ofsted (March 2010). This is because we focus on supporting each child to grow as an individual and reach their potential.

I do hope that the prospectus answers any questions you may have, however, should you require any further information please do not hesitate to call the school or email us using the contact details on the back cover.

Susan Willman, Headteacher


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OUR VISIONS & AIMS

Our vision of ‘The Best For All’.

In order to support that vision, the following aims reflect the values of our school and will provide a touchstone for all we do.

Aims for Learning

• Provide each member of the school community with the best possible learning outcomes• Provide a supportive yet challenging environment in which learning can flourish• Ensure that our school is a safe and friendly environment, based on mutual courtesy and respect

Aims for Achievement

• Measure and celebrate individual progress and achievement in its many guises • Provide challenge and support to facilitate fulfilment of our high expectations• Create a shared understanding of the high expectations that we have of ourselves and others

Aims for Community

• Recognise the dignity of the individual • Seek the active involvement of all connected with the school in shaping its future development• Demonstrate our shared values in the way we work with and behave towards each other

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OUR SPECIALISM Therfield became a Specialist Sports College in September 2005 and achieved re-designation in February 2008. The specialist programme aims to use sport as a tool to raise whole school attainment in an already very successful school; focus on student and staff leadership skills; to become a centre of excellence for sport (students can take part in up to twenty four different sports); to enhance sporting opportunity within the local community through partnership with local residents, partner sports clubs and schools. Over 50% of our students now complete formal leadership training and students are able to study BTEC Sport through Key Stages 4 and 5. Through our community programme students can access a range of sporting activities including Total Football and Total Basketball as well as becoming involved in coaching in local primary schools and a local special school. The school delivers the government recommended 2 hours of PE and Sport a week to all students in Years 7-11.

GOVERNING BODYThe school is governed by an elected body who work closely with the Headteacher and staff to ensure that the school vision and aims are supported and that every child’s needs are met to the very best of the school’s ability. The full Governing body is made up of parents, staff, local authority and community governors in conjunction with associate members from the school leadership team. The governors


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meet regularly to consider current and future plans and to act as a ‘critical friend’ to the school.

ADMISSIONSEqual Preference SystemTherfield School welcomes wholeheartedly children with a range of academic and physical abilities within the limits of the facilities we are able to provide. We are committed to working in partnership with parents towards achieving our shared vision of ‘The Best For All’.

Therfield operates an Admissions Policy which is an Equal Preference system. Parents will be given the option to state 3 ranked school preferences. The school has a Pupil Admission Number (PAN) every year set in conjunction with the Local Authority and this is the maximum number of places that will be made available for students in Year 7 the following September. These places are offered according to the following prioritised criteria:

1 Looked After ChildrenChildren who are registered as being in the care of the Local Authority

2 Exceptional ArrangementsChildren who have specific medical needs or sensitive family circumstances. In such cases the school may be asked to offer over its PAN

3 SiblingsWhere a child has an older brother or sister still at the school at time of admission. A sibling is a brother or sister (that is, another child of the same parents whether living at the same address or not) or a half-brother or sister or a step-brother or sister living at the same address, or foster children living at the same address. This does not apply if the older brother or sister joined the school at Sixth Form level.

4 Children for whom the school is nearest to their homeCurrently the nearest school is defined as the school closest to the home address admitting pupils of the appropriate age-range, as measured by a straight line. The nearest school may be either inside or outside of the county boundary.

5 Any other applicantIf there is oversubscription in any of the above criteria priority will be given on the basis of nearness to school measured in a straight line from the address point of the pupil’s house, as set by ordnance survey to the nearest school gate for pupils to use. This is calculated using the Admission and Transport team’s Geographical Information System.

If there are two applicants from the same block of flats the applicant with the lowest door number will be given priority.

In the case of multiple births where only one place remains the parents will be asked to decide which child will be offered a place. (The remaining siblings will be placed at the top of the waiting list.)

Parents may lodge an appeal with the Local Authority Admissions office if they are not offered a place.

How to join us at other times of the school year and into other Year groups

If you have moved house into our area or you wish to move your child from their current school, you must contact the Local Authority (LA) School Admissions Department and complete a transfer form. The LA will then pass your request onto the Schools Placement Panel for a decision.

When the panel has made its decision and we have been

notified, you will be contacted by our Admitting Officer to arrange an admissions meeting, where you will tour the school and complete our admissions application forms. We will then contact your child’s previous school for information to help us to place your child in the most appropriate teaching groups to meet her/his needs. You will be given an admission date at this meeting which will be approximately two weeks from the meeting date to enable us to obtain the information we require and to enable you to sort out school uniform, equipment and so forth.

Your child will be met on the first day at Therfield by a member of staff and another student from your child’s tutor group who will be his/her ‘buddy’ for the first week to help your child to settle into the routines of the school. On this day your child will also receive a school planner and a timetable.

Accessibility Therfield is committed to supporting accessibility in and around the school site. New buildings have lifts installed, existing ramps are being refurbished and wheelchair accessible toilets are available for both staff and students. The school has identified potential barriers and obstacles and is working closely with Surrey County Council to improve access to all areas especially for people with limited mobility. All school information is available in a low graphics/hi-visibility version on our website.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY COHESION

At Therfield we are committed to promoting the highest standards and a culture of respect for others, we recognise and celebrate differences between people and seek to ensure a community where students are well prepared for life in a diverse and dynamic society.

Therfield aims to ensure that:

• people’s ability to achieve their potential is not limited by prejudice or discrimination• there is respect for and protection of each individual’s human rights• there is respect for the dignity and worth of each individual• each individual has an equal opportunity to participate in society• there is mutual respect between groups based on understanding and valuing of diversity and on shared respect for equality and human rights.

For further information please download our policy for Equality, Diversity and Community Cohesion from our website www.therfield.surrey.sch.uk or contact the school office who will be happy to send you a copy.

Y6-7 TRANSITION ARRANGEMENTS

Transferring to secondary schools can be an exciting time for all and we take steps to ensure that the process is efficient, effective and, most of all, sensitive to the needs of the student and their family.

We hold our Prospective Parents Evening in the first half of the Autumn term where we invite parents and students to visit us to tour the school and speak to current staff and students including attending a presentation by the Headteacher.

Our transition co-ordinator will spend time in local primary schools the term before transfer, talking to the students in Year 6 and their teachers. In addition to this all prospective students will spend 2 days at Therfield when they will meet their form tutor, teachers, experience a number of lessons and get a feel for the layout of the school.

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PASTORAL ORGANISATION

Therfield provides a strong and proactive pastoral support system that is focussed around a strong tutoring system. Our House structure enables us to promote our school ethos and encourage pride and ownership across our community. Students are actively involved in House projects developing their leadership (in which they can gain a recognised qualification), teamwork, problem solving and communication skills. Students are encouraged to become members of the School Council and House mentors, supporting their peers and assisting younger students. The success of our system is evident when the students recognise a real sense of belonging, safety and developing self confidence.

We organise Key Stage 3 & 4 into four Houses: Juniper, Leith, Norbury and Polesden, each one promoting a complementary identity and tradition.

Tutor GroupsOn being admitted to Therfield each student is placed into a Tutor Group within the house system. Where it can be accommodated students, especially in Year 7, will be grouped with at least 2-3 students that they already know and would consider friends.

Students meet with their tutors at least twice a day during am/pm registration and should consider this as time to discuss any relevant matters regarding their life at Therfield. We strongly encourage the tutor to be the first point of contact for parents with the school regarding all matters.

AssembliesEach house has one assembly per week conducted by the Head of House or a member of the Senior Leadership Team. All tutor groups are encouraged to become actively involved in the delivery of assemblies and have the opportunity to take part in at least one a year.

Our assemblies do not, as standard, contain an element of collective worship. Required delivery of religious studies is met on a weekly basis through RS lessons.

Rewards & SanctionsWe are very keen to reward good work and behaviour for all our students. This is done in a number of ways ranging from awarding merits to being nominated for a whole school trophy.

If a student fails to follow our very clear Code of Conduct then it may be necessary to issue a sanction. These include detaining a student at break time, lunchtime or after school to complete work or discuss the matter with a teacher. We retain the right to do this without notice for up to 10 minutes each day and will give parents 24 hours notice should the time need to be longer.

SafeguardingWe take the whole issue of keeping students safe very seriously. Teachers are not able to offer students secrecy when told something that they feel may constitute a form of abuse and are duty bound to report it to the schools Child Protection officer who will then make a decision as to whether to take it further with Social Services. We will inform parents immediately of any action that we take unless we feel that the child’s safety would be put at risk by doing so.

ACADEMIC ORGANISATIONTherfield has a varied curriculum which reflects the school’s desire for students to have not only the opportunity to achieve their potential academically but also gain experience in a broad range of other areas. During lessons students are encouraged to develop their thinking skills, including discrete learning skills lessons in Year 7. They also extend their knowledge and understanding of the world in which we live and work with a focus on becoming independent learners who are able to lead and manage others.

Key Stage 3 (11-14)

The curriculum in Key Stage 3 is designed to give all pupils the opportunity to experience a broad range of subjects. English, Mathematics, Science, Modern Foreign Languages, Drama, Geography, History, Religious Education, Music, Design and Technology, Art, Textiles, Food Technology, Physical Education, Information Technology and Citizenship/Skills are offered.

All pupils begin Year 7 in carefully structured mixed ability classes. Mathematics, English, Science and Modern Foreign Languages set pupils according to ability during the course of the first term. By the time Year 8 begins setting by ability to reflect subject and individual need is also in place in Humanities.

Key Stage 4 (14-16)

The curriculum in Key Stage 4 is based on an examined core of English, Mathematics, the Sciences, a chosen Modern Foreign Language, Physical Education and Religious Studies.

Within this core curriculum there will be some choice in the Science course followed and the qualification achieved in Physical Education and MFL.

Pupils complete their GCSE programme by choosing options from a list that traditionally includes such subjects as: Art and Design, Business Studies, Catering, Child Development, Drama, Dance, Geography, Graphics, History, ICT, Music, Product Design, Resistant Materials, Sociology and Textiles. BTEC courses are also offered in Hospitality, Fashion and Clothing, Sport and Travel and Tourism. Students can also opt for the ASDAN Work and Life course. Some short courses may also be available as are A/S courses in Critical Thinking and Applied Mathematics.

Students can also choose from our vocational options: Vehicle Maintenance, Construction and Building Services Engineering. Young apprenticeships are available in two areas: Motor Industry and Sports Management, Leadership and Coaching. As part of a consortium of schools within the Mole Valley network, two diplomas will be offered from 2011 in Sport and Active Leisure and Business, Administration and Finance. A small cohort of students enrol in college based courses for one-day per week in areas such as Hair and Beauty and Animal Management.

Non-examined core subjects are Citizenship, ICT, Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education which includes careers guidance and Work Related Learning.

Full details are always clarified in our Year 10 Curriculum Guide.

Key Stage 5 (16-18)

The curriculum in Key Stage 5 is based on offering a wide range of AS/A2 subjects. Students will sit some examinations in January however most are taken at the end of Year 12. The AS qualification is a free-standing qualification, recognised by both universities and employers. After successfully completing and passing the AS it is possible to progress on to A2 in Year 13. All courses offered at AS lead to A2. It is not possible to follow an A2 without having studied the AS first. In addition to traditional A-Levels we also successfully offer a BTEC Sport National Diploma and Level 2 Public Services course.

Our intention is to create a happy and purposeful atmosphere in which all students have the opportunity to develop effectively. Sixth Formers enjoy certain privileges and freedoms, and we do expect Sixth Formers to respond to the trust placed in them.

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On enrolling in the Sixth Form, all students sign a contract to indicate their willingness to abide by a set of rules which are established in an attempt to ensure that each individual student has the best possible opportunity to achieve her/his potential.

For further details regarding Key Stage 5 please request a copy of our separate Sixth Form prospectus.

Code of Conduct

We base our behaviour policy around 3 very clear and simple elements which we expect all students to adhere to:

1 Ready to Learn - having the correct equipment and uniform for the day ahead2 One Voice – respecting the rights of others to be heard3 On Task - completing the set activity Should students fail to follow any of these guidelines then they will face a sanction.

Homework

We very much value the positive impact that home-based learning can have on the academic development of each student and all students in KS3/4 are issued with a homework timetable at the start of the year.

Homework can come in a variety of forms and its purpose can range from consolidating work started in class to preparing for the next lesson to encouraging students to pursue their individual lines of enquiry.

Downloadable home work timetables for each KS3 tutor group and KS4 subjects can be found on the school website.

Religious & Sex Education

All students have a programme of Religious and Sex Education provided as part of the Personal, Social and Health Education programme and the core curriculum right through until Year 11. Both programmes are aimed at supporting the development of students and preparing them for adult life and the responsibilities that lie ahead.

Parents have the right to withdraw their children from all or part of any sex education provided, but not from teaching the biological aspects of human growth and reproduction necessary under national curriculum science.

The right of withdrawal from RE and collective worship is set out in section 71 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.

Parents who have a concern about the provision of Religious and Sex Education should, in the first instance, contact their son/daughter’s Head of House.

Resources

The school is well equipped to cater for the needs of the 21st century student. We regularly extend and enhance taking into account current thinking regarding teaching and learning.

Presently our resources include:

• Whole school wireless network• 6 Specialist ICT rooms• Faculty based ICT hard/software• Specialist Music block (opened 2007)• Recording Studio• Well resourced fully staffed Learning Resource Centre• Tennis Courts• All weather pitch• Extensive playing fields• Fitness Suite• Language Laboratory

DAILY ORGANISATIONPartnership with Parents

We believe that the relationship we establish and build with students and their parents during their time at Therfield is fundamental to future success and progress being achieved. From time to time as a parent you may have a query or concern about an aspect of your child’s schooling. In the first instance you should raise this with your child’s tutor. If a concern is not dealt with then we have a robust staged process that should be followed based on guidelines set out by Surrey County Council. For full details of this please visit our website www.therfield.surrey.sch.uk or contact the school office who will be happy to send you a copy.

The School Day We operate a 2 week timetable with a total of 49x60 minute periods throughout (5 periods a day apart from Week 2 Friday which has 4 plus a Skills session). The school day begins at 08.30 and finishes at 15.15 every day apart from Friday week 2 when we finish at 14.30. Every student registers with their tutor twice a day and has a 20 minute morning break and 45 minutes for lunch.

There is 5 minutes of movement time in between lessons to allow students to walk to their next lesson thus ensuring that the full 60 minutes are available for teaching. Downloadable copies of the school day, school calendar and term dates can be found on the school website: www.therfield.surrey.sch.uk

Attendance Students are expected to attend school every day unless ill. In exceptional circumstances absence from school may be authorised in accordance with the school’s attendance policy. Should a student need to be absent due to illness or for some other authorised reason then we ask that their parents contact the school attendance officer as early as possible on or prior to the day of absence.

Students who fail to attend school on a regular basis will be referred to the local Education Welfare Officer who may, if the situation is deemed serious enough, look to pursue the matter through the appropriate legal channels.

Uniform A smart uniform imparts a sense of belonging and helps to maintain a common standard within the School, and for these reasons full school uniform must be worn by all pupils below the Sixth form. This policy is strongly supported by the Governors and parents and presents very little room for interpretation. To read the policy in full and to view details regarding uniform lists and recommended suppliers please visit the school website.

It should be noted that the wearing of hooded sweatshirts, trainers and ‘Ugg’ style boots is never acceptable and students wearing these may be sent home to change or have the items confiscated.

Acceptable jewellery is one ring, one chain or necklace worn invisibly inside the shirt and one pair of studs or sleepers (for ears only). No other form of jewellery, including piercings is acceptable.

Equipment In order that lessons proceed as smoothly as possible, pupils should check before coming to school that they have: a pen, pencil, a small metric ruler (15cm or 30cm), a pencil eraser (not liquid paper), some coloured

pencils, a pair of compasses and a protractor. Pupils are expected to take good care of their own exercise and text books.

Catering

Our catering team is award winning across the county and consequently the food produced is of a very high standard. There are various opportunities throughout the day to purchase food before school, at break and lunch times. Break time tends to be more ‘snack‘ based whereas at lunch time a hot cooked meal is available. The majority of our food is prepared freshly on site and conforms to all government standards.

Students are encouraged not to bring money into school and we therefore offer a cashless catering system. Money can be added to a students account by either bringing in a cheque or by using the LEA online payment system (details of which can be found on the school website).

If you are receiving Family Support, all of your children are entitled to free school meals. Application forms are obtainable from the School office.

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EXTRA CURRICULAR

We strongly value the impact that taking part in things other than classroom based learning has on students’ personal development. With this in mind we offer a fantastic range of activities throughout the school year that complement our ethos of ‘The Best for All’ and support our determination to ensure that all students have opportunity to take part in as varied a range of academic and vocational opportunities as possible. Clubs currently on offer include, but are not limited to:

• Duke of Edinburgh Award• Gospel Choir• Lower School Singers• Symphonic Band• Brass Band• School Magazine• Debating• All main sports • Drama• Dance

In addition to onsite activities we also organise a huge number of both residential and non-residential trips including:

• Year 7 ‘Team Building’• Geography field trips (across all years)• Lower/Upper school Skiing to Europe• French/German exchanges• Local/London Theatres• Belgium Battlefields

SPECIALEDUCATION NEEDSThe special educational needs of students are identified prior to joining the school with further assessment taking place on entry. Students are integrated as fully as possible into mainstream teaching and each year group is reviewed regularly by the SEN team. Support is provided in the classroom, primarily for statemented students and extends throughout the age range.

The faculty works to ensure every student receives the specific help they need:

The Learning Support Department supports the learning and monitors the progress of pupils on the SEN register (Code of Practice) at school Action, School Action Plus and those with statements in the mainstream. Pupils on this list may have difficulties in one or more areas, including specific learning difficulties, speech language and communication difficulties, moderate learning difficulties, autistic spectrum disorders, behaviour, emotional and social difficulties.

The Specialist Centre based in school which has been recently recognised as a Centre of Excellence.

It provides support for students with statements for speech, language and communication difficulties. Four students are admitted each year via a panel meeting. County criteria applies.

House Learning mentors work with students with behavioural social and emotional difficulties. Programmes and support are tailored to individual need and aim to help students who are having difficulties accessing the mainstream curriculum and give them some success in school.

GIFTED & TALENTED

Exceptionally able students are identified by their primary school as well as by assessment on entry. All teachers are made aware of their needs through the provision of appropriate data and through the school’s review of progress cycle. A member of staff has responsibility for co-ordinating an active programme across all key stages and we encourage students to become members of the National Academy for Gifted and Talented.

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Documents

Therfield School Prospectus