Highworth Grammar School, Ashford

Headteacher:Mr P Danielsen

Address
Quantock Drive
Ashford
Kent
TN24 8UD

Description

INTRODUCTION TO THE SCHOOL Highworth Grammar School is a successful 11-18 selective girls’ school which has recently changed its admissions criteria to allow boys in the sixth form. There are 1,232 students on roll – 898 in years 7 – 11 and 334 in years 12 and 13. Our school is widely recognised as being innovative and highly successful. We gained Music Specialist Status in September 2005 and we are proud of the many opportunities provided for achievement in music and the arts. We believe this is crucial in our ethos in encouraging our students to be independent, creative and highly motivated lifelong learners.

We are currently applying to become a Leadership Partner School and this will provide opportunities to grow our future leaders across the system.

During March 2009 OfSTED described the school as a good school with many strengths and several outstanding features.

“Students flourish in a climate which encourages outstanding personal and academic skills. The school educates some impressively confident and assured young people. The ethos of ‘decide what you want and chase it’ motivates the students to think deeply about their futures and to take a clear pride in their school”. OfSTED March 2009 FEATURES OF THE SCHOOL These include: • Wireless environment, full internet access, 10mb link • Tablet PC or laptop for every teacher • Electronic registration and assessment systems (SIMS) • Wireless multimedia projector and electronic bulletin board for every classroom • 5 dedicated ICT suites (air conditioned) • Music Technology suite and recording studio • Servers set up to allow external access for staff • Growing community of ‘Moodle’ users • Research into use of new technologies • Department areas suited • Cover supervisors to minimise staff cover • Examinations invigilators • Full commitment to workforce reform  10 day timetable with six 50 minute lessons per day. Enrichment activities/staff development on Wednesday afternoon

Students The school has a wide catchment area, taking students from over 40 primary schools, many of which are situated in small villages within the Kent countryside. Entry at age 11 is by the Kent Education Committee Selection Procedure, which aims to identify the top 25% of the ability range. Some students transfer to our school at 16+ from other schools. Staff We are fully committed to professional development of all our staff. All new teachers and NQTs follow an induction programme. Full support is given to members of support staff and all staff take part in the annual performance development scheme. We were awarded Investors in People status in 1998, 2002, 2005 and in 2009. We have a staffroom committee which organises a variety of social activities.

Curriculum Our curriculum at Key Stage 3 includes all the National Curriculum subjects (Art & Design, English with Drama, Geography, History, Mathematics, Modern Languages – French, German and Spanish, Music, Physical Education, Dance, Religious Education, Design Technology, Information Communication Technology and three sciences – Biology, Chemistry and Physics). An options system operates in Key Stage 4 and all students have the opportunity to gain three GCSE grades at the end of year 10 together with nine or ten further GCSE grades in year 11. We are also considering AS levels in KS4.

We offer all Key Stage 3 subjects through to A level together with Business Studies, Film Studies, Media Studies, Government & Politics, Psychology, Sociology, Drama, Dance, Economics, Photography, Archaeology, Music Technology, Applied Science, Performing Arts, Creative & Media Diploma and AVCEs in Health & Social Care and Business Studies. We play an active part in the local 14-19 consortium.

In the current year 12, students take four or five AS subjects, continuing with at least three to full A level. They also follow a general studies and/or critical thinking course which can also be taken at AS or A level. The majority of our students proceed to courses at Universities and in the last academic year all students who made applications successfully found suitable places in higher education.

Map