To encourage and develop relationships between home, parish, school and the wider community in order to prepare our pupils to become responsible, caring citizens.

Communications and Relationships

To develop an effective system of communications and relationships which is based on the Gospel values of mutual respect, tolerance, care and understanding towards all members of the school community. Individual Support and Development

To celebrate the unique nature of each person and to encourage their development as individuals. Curriculum

To introduce all pupils to a broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated curriculum and to equip pupils with the necessary knowledge, skills and Christian values required in a rapidly changing society. To provide a curriculum for our pupils which develops them academically, spiritually, morally, culturally and physically.

Our AimsIn accordance with our Mission Statement the School’s aims are:

Faith and Worship

To help us to grow spiritually as followers of Christ and as members of a Catholic community: to make prayer, worship and liturgy central to school life.

School and Community

To ensure that all pupils receive their entitlement to a first class education our school recognises that additional provision of support and guidance may be required to further enable some pupils who have particular needs. Our Special Educational Needs Policy is designed to precisely identify and match specific individual needs to appropriate help and support.

The school operates a staged approach to special educational needs in accordance with the Code of Practice document on the identification and assessment of Special Educational Needs as outlined by the Department of Education.

St Ambrose Barlow School fully endorses and adheres to the Government’s Inclusion Development Programme which focuses on supporting, training and empowering staff to identify pupils’ specific needs and support those pupils in the most effective ways in the classroom.

Whilst each pupil is at St Ambrose Barlow School, their progress is carefully monitored through our detailed assessment and reporting procedure and use of tests which can identify special abilities or difficulties.

At St Ambrose Barlow School we have a Learning Support Centre in addition to our Special Educational Needs Department, this is to support pupils on a short term basis who may have particular difficulties which prevent them from accessing the curriculum effectively at certain times throughout their school career. We also offer some alternative qualifications in key stage 4 to pupils who may have difficulties with traditional optional subjects.

If a pupil is identified as requiring additional support, an assessment is made in consultation with parents and all those concerned with that particular pupil’s education. An individual education plan is then devised where targets are set and a review date arranged to ensure that progress is being made. We regard the parental partnership as vital in ensuring that pupils are successful in achieving their targets.

In most circumstances our procedures and support occur in the classroom under the direction of the classroom teacher.

We feel that our experience of tactfully and sensitively responding to a wide range of different pupils’ additional educational requirements has contributed to the educational achievement at St Ambrose Barlow School.

Special Educational Needs Statement

St. Ambrose Barlow RC High School

H

alf-term Review

OCTOBER 2015

A National Teaching SchoolA National School of Creativity

ST AMBROSE BARLOW RC HIGH SCHOOL

open eveningdepartmental information

WELCOME...Since we’ve spent the half-term successfully promoting our school as a place where we ‘do things differently’ it seemed a good idea to apply that to the termly newsletter.

What you have here, then, is a summary of just some of the highlights of the last eight weeks in the form of a timeline, articles written by pupils and a selection of photographs.

You will shortly begin receiving a short weekly newsletter by email. This will give parents, guardians and friends of the school a sense of daily life at St. Ambrose. The newsletter will occasionally be themed and sometimes will include comments from pupils, parents and staff so

that it can play a role within our quality assurance and consultation processes.

As time goes on it will focus more on showcasing pupils’ work and it is hoped that we can develop a quarterly school magazine.

Meanwhile we are keen to hear from anyone who would like to be involved in co-ordinating and developing our plans for the school’s Diamond Jubilee.

We hope you enjoy reading all about the school’s work this half-term.

Celebrating 60 Years of Outstanding Learning

60

I love coming to work here each day.

Often it doesn’t feel like work. We are a Catholic community of faith where it is a privilege to see our young people flourishing, to speak with them, to learn their ways and watch them grow in confidence. They are an inspiration. Every day, every lesson great adventures and stories unfold born out of curiosity, imagination and creativity. Our equally inspiring staff are dedicated to nurturing every young person in their care. They may get outstanding results, but their commitment brings so much more to the education of our students. We believe in doing things differently so that every child can realise their gifts and talents and celebrate who they are. Doing this means that we are bringing to life the Catholic mission and ethos of the school.

There is great spirit and energy in this school. You can see it in the range of extra-curricular activities, in the array of research projects undertaken by staff and in the creativity that flows through our learning. There is also support and care: no-one is left behind, no-one is left out. Visitors often comment on the quiet sense of purpose they find in the school; this comes from outstanding relationships, particularly those between teachers and pupils.

We thrive on connections: with parents and carers, with parishes, with businesses. We love to look out and have give our pupils a global perspective on learning. By doing this our students can see a higher purpose in their learning. It isn’t just about passing exams, getting a job or going to university. It is about pursuing passions, developing new skills and building character so that life after school can be rich and fulfilling lived in the service of others. Our pupils go out into the world with the capacity to contribute, to lead and to play their part in the community with joy and hope. The greatest measure of our success is seeing students who have the capacity to take charge of their future (at a time when the world is changing faster than ever), to be curious, make change and be comfortable in their own skin. As a parent myself I hope for the same for my own children.

If you like the sound of this, please come and see us. Everyone is welcome here. I look forward to meeting you and saying, ‘This is Ambrose...’

Ben Davis

Headteacher

Celebrating 60 Years of Outstanding Learning

1955 - 2015

01.09.15

Back to SchoolOver 1000 pupils and staff return to school. In August we celebrated outstanding results with 68% 5 A*-C including English and Maths (in the top two schools in the area), levels of progress increasing significantly, especially in English and departments achieving excellent outcomes across the board.

This was the first set of results since the alignment with St. George’s High School and demonstrated that, despite a year of significant change and upheaval, pupils had thrived and achieved very well. We also celebrated our first set of Year 13 leavers 100% of whom went on to positive destinations (60% at university) and our first Design Engineer Construct! level 2 graduates.

Once again not one of our leavers, for the third year running, was NEET (not in employment, education or training).

08.09.15

Year 11 Boys Football Team wins the Plate at Walkden High School and the Year 11 Boys rugby team won the Salford Schools Rugby Sevens Championships competition at Buile Hill for the 3rd Year on the run, Mr. Morrison was very proud.RUGBY & FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS

10.09.15

We celebrate St. Ambrose Barlow’s Feast Day with Masses and liturgies throughout the day led by priests from the Deanery and Mr. Davies, Head of RE. Pupils particularly enjoy the description of our patron saint’s gory martyrdom and solemnly reflect on his example of service and sacrifice.ST. AMBROSE BARLOW FEAST DAY

14.09.15

MAKE YOUR MARKWe begin a week of assemblies led by the Pupil Leadership Team and the Student Council that focus on the British Youth Parliament Make Your Mark Campaign.

All pupils vote to decide on the issues that the Youth Parliament should explore over the coming year. Pupils from all years rise to the challenge of suggesting ways in which the school can respond to the refugee crisis.

RESULTS BY NUMBERS 2015GCSE 5 A*-C (inc. English and Maths): 68% (2nd in Salford)3 levels of progress in English: 81% (up 13%)4 levels of progress in English: 43% (up 16%)Progress 8 score: 0 (indicating that all pupils are on average making expected progress at GCSE)3+ A*/A grades: 30% (up 3%)Ebacc: 31% (up 5%)Pupils who began in Year 7 at St. George’s HS (5 A*-C inc. English and Maths): 53% (up 7%)Pupils who began in Year 7 at St. Ambrose Barlow HS (5 A*-C inc. English and Maths): 77% (up 4%)and we saw the gap close in performance between Pupil Premium and non-Pupil Premium students.

average gain across all measures:+8%

girls uniformyears 7-11

Black blazer with school badgeWhite blouse

52” school tie (clip-on tie)Black V-neck jumper with school badge - optional

black ½ knife pleat skirt* no higher than 3” above the knee

OR

Black tailored girls-fit Brennand trousers

White ankle socks/ Black ankle socks/ Plain black tights (non-patterned)

Sturdy PLAIN Black shoes (no markings, reflector strips or patent)Plain black outer coat with no logo’s

Sturdy black school bag (no handbags or drawstring bags)

Years 10 and 11 Only - As above but SILVER AND BLACK TIE

Girls Indoor PE Kit

White polo shirt with school badge

Black plain shorts

Trainers

White socks

Towel

Girls Outdoor Kit

White polo shirt with badge * (as above)

Black plain gym shorts * (as above)

Black tracksuit top with school badge (recommended)

Plain black tracksuit bottoms (optional)

Black base layer/skin with school badge – plain black is acceptable (optional)

White socks

Trainers

Towel

Gum shield for hockey

Shin pads for hockey

STURDY black school bag (no handbags or draw string bags)

Note: the school takes pride in the appearance and conduct of its pupils. The

school’s reputation in this area is of importance to individual pupils both during

school life and later when seeking employment.

We reserve the right to prohibit unsuitable fashions/ styles in dress and personal appearance.

23.09.15

TRIP TO DISMALANDMiss Wright leads a keen group of art students all the way down south to visit Dismaland, the ‘theme’ park of the artist Banksy.

24.09.15

We formally welcome our wonderful Year 7s with an evening Mass concelebrated by Canon Macbride and Fr. Williams. There is an excellent attendance by parents and guardians and the pupils take centre stage in their leadership of the liturgy. Over the past two days all of Year 7 have visited Wardley Hall as part of their induction into the school.YEAR 7 WELCOME MASS & WARDLEY HALL TRIP

We begin a week of assemblies at local schools to encourage Year 11 pupils to come to our exciting, unique and creative Sixth Form. We hold a special assembly for our own Year 11s.SIXTH FORM PROMOTION

29.09.1526.09.15

EUROPEAN DAY OF LANGUAGESIt’s European Day of Languages and in form time pupils participate in a themed quiz - staff get involved too.

28.09.15

LEARNING ABOUT FAIR TRADEMr. Davies’ Year 9 class hold a Fair Trade Coffee event demonstrating their learning about the issue of fair trade.

06.10.15

Over 50 pupils from Year 10 and 11 attend the Open Day at Salford Royal Infirmary, led by Mrs. Grindley, to find out more about career opportunities in the medical and caring professions.SALFORD ROYAL TRIP

08.10.15

6TH FORM OPEN NIGHTWe hold our Sixth Form Open Evening. Over 200 people attend, including significant numbers of pupils from neighbouring schools. Those present talk very positively about our A-level and BTCE offer, the creativity we embody and the excellent programmes of enterprise and enrichment that we have created.

12.10.15

We hold our first PSHE Super Day of the year. Year 7 get stuck into dealing with international disaster scenarios and Year 11 enjoy creative and helpful presentations from experts on studying, revision and learning skills.SUPER DAY

13.10.15

YEAR 11 EVENINGSOver two nights we hold our first ever Intervention evenings for all of Year 11. Each pupil and their parents or guardians attend a 15 minute interview with a member of staff to discuss their progress, their ambitions for the future and how they can achieve their potential. Attendance is a bumper 84%.

14.10.15

CAMBRIDGE TRIPMr. Davies (Head of RE) leads a trip of Year 11 pupils to Selwyn College, Cambridge University. Pupils enjoy life in the college, eating in Hall, attending lectures, buying books and soaking up the atmosphere.

14.10.15

We welcome John O’Connor and James Eaton of Laing O’Rourke Engineering and Construction to the school. They work with Year 11 pupils in the Design Engineer Construct! course and are bowled over by our pupils knowledge and skills.

They also make a fabulous offer to our Sixth Form that will see us become the only established school-based route into the construction industry in the country.LAING O’ROURKE VISIT SCHOOL

In the morning we hold out Staff Macmillan Coffee Morning event, raising £391 for charity. Later in the day we are joined by the company from the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, who perform the play “Britannia Waves the Rules’ to Years 10 and 11. The play deals with the story of a bright young man from Blackpool who joins the British army and serves in Afghanistan. In the evening, the company perform to the local community.ROYAL EXCHANGE & MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNING

19.09.1514.10.15

CREATIVE MEDIA TRIPStudents in Sixth Form from the Creative Media class visit Media City to see programmes being made and experience the real life application of their course skills.

16.10.15

SIXTH F0RM TASTER DAYWe hold our Sixth FormTaster Day for Year 11. It is a huge success and as a result over 120 applications are received for the Sixth Form for next year. All pupils get to take part in an hour of outdoor activities including team games and marshmallow roasting!

YEAR 7 DRAGONS’ DEN & SALFORD YOUNG CARERS All of Year 7 are participants in a day of enterprise activities and face the Dragons in their Den when they pitch their business ideas. The Dragons included teaching staff and guests from local business the 16-25 Growth Hub. At night two of our young carers speak at Salford Young Carers event along with Miss Wright - all are very well received and impressive.

20.10.15

21.10.15

22.10.15

Pupils from Year 10 and 11 present an evening of Monologues and Duologues, led by Miss Tulloch, Head of Drama. The pupils treat the audience to an evening of creativity, entertainment, insight and real talent.DRAMA EVENING

OPEN EVENINGAs students from the Sixth Form head off to the Lake District on their team-building residential, we hold out Open Evening. Over 660 people attend and the school is alive with the buzz of pupils and staff showing off all that is special about the school. Comments from guests are overwhelmingly positive.

23.10.15

The school closes for the half-term break. At morning assembly seven new prefects are invested and, early in the morning, we see off the Paris trip.half-term - off to paris

throughly enjoyed the open evening - thanks for the hospitality - my son can’t wait to start....feeling very positive and excited about transition to high school... we were extremely impressed with the pupils’ presentation skills, confidence and patience

PARENTAL COMMENTS FROM OPEN EVENING

“

we were all very impressed with THE school and were made very welcome by all of the staff and pupils on the night

PARENTAL COMMENTS FROM OPEN EVENING

“

PRO-LIFE GROUP BEGINS

The Pro-Life Group is a group dedicated to assisting young mums who would normally have an abortion due to circumstances like money issues or family problems. The group is working with outside organisations to support the mums through the earlier stages of motherhood; our group in the coming weeks will be hosting fundraisers and collections for baby clothes.

We hold meetings on Thursday and Friday lunch times and are happy to accept any students from year 9, year 10 and year 11. Even if you are just curious ask Miss Singleton for a lunch pass to come to a lunch time meeting where we discuss our plans for events, the earlier mentioned collections of baby clothing and also discuss our opinions about abortion (please remember we are a Catholic school and community and we do not judge anyone but instead we show them forgiveness just as the bible teaches).

Thomas Gillen 9C

DISMALAND VISIT

Banksy’s twist on a happy, fun filled theme park brought thousands of eager fans wanting to see this once in a lifetime exhibit. The strange yet thought provoking artwork distorted the idea of an amusement park being a lively and care free place. Half of it was tackling world issues whilst the other half didn’t take itself too seriously. Take the go-kart disco reaper for instance.

This show was filled with comical gags that ripped off the modern world, such as the “selfie” hole; which had no real reason to be there other than making fun of modern society. The entire park was an exhibit, from tents containing odd spectacles to the employees and staff. The atmosphere was overall gloomy but somewhat humorous.

Personally, I enjoyed the castle piece which held a deceased Cinderella who had clearly crashed her carriage. The room was filled with paparazzi buzz and the whispers of the

questioning spectators. Banksy made this piece as a controversial message against paparazzi and their social agenda. ‘The Death of a Princess’ also portrayed the tragedy of Princess Diana.

A favourite of mine was a sculpture of an orca being forced to jump through a hula-hoop into a murky and revolting paddling pool. The sculpture was portraying animal cruelty in places such as Sea World, where animals are forced to perform for the enjoyment of the public. Pieces like this set the tone for Banksy’s exhibit; it tackles a serious and overlooked issue in an odd and evocative way.

The park was split into two major areas; one being an art gallery which displayed many understated artists’ work which also fit into the major theme of the whole park which was not everything has a happy ending. This included animations, sculptures and paintings. All mediums of art were expressed in this gallery, many depicting serious events with an air of dark humour.

The other major area was the abandoned park itself which was not only filled with ‘fun’ rides but with clever subliminal propaganda portrayed in sculptures and fair ground toys. A great example of this was the boats that customers could control which contained immigrants escaping war corrupted countries. This plays a brilliant part in the exhibit because it allows you to interact with an art piece whilst taking in the deeper message.

A favourite of mine was a sculpture of

an orca being forced to jump through a hula-hoop into a murky and revolting

paddling pool - it tackles a serious and

overlooked issue in an odd and evocative way

The fairground rides added a gloomy and bemused tone. The Ferris wheel was derelict and screeched with every cycle and the carousel portrayed a dead fairground horse butchered and strung over a box that read

“

T H E H A L F - T E R M I N W O R D S

‘lasagne’. This was a creative way to show a scandal that swept the nation not too long ago.

Dismaland was by far the most exciting and different school trip that offered student’s fantastic inspiration for their work. This also gave students a new outlook on art and the issues that inspire it. In conclusion, Dismaland’s bemusement was a memorable experience for all who had the honour of going.

Annie Brewer & Emily McDonald, Year 10

FORMER PUPIL’S DRAMA SUCCESS

Victoria Burrows, who left our school in 2011 with an A in GCSE Drama and a score 180/180 in her practical exam, will be performing in the new theatre space HOME in Manchester within the chorus of their inaugural production of the Oresteia translated by Ted Hughes.

Vicky spent two terms with us last year helping to prepare students for their practical exam and helping to direct the Drama Club. She left us to take on this role this term.

CREATIVE MEDIA TRIP

The Year 12 & 13 Creative Media students experienced being in the audience for two episodes of the hit Channel 4 daytime TV show Countdown at Media City UK on the 14/10/15.

The students met famous celebrities such as Nick Hewer, Richard Madeley and Rachael Riley. Creative Media course leader Mr Adrian Cammann was delighted with the day and the overall experience: "The chance to watch a professional TV production doesn't happen often for students and to see what happens on the other side of the camera was a fantastic

and valuable experience. It gives them opportunity to see what the production team, make-up artists, sound engineers and the presenters have to do as part of their roles".

Student Liam Cooke (Year 13) commented: "I really enjoyed the Countdown trip as it was really educational and it gave me an idea about what jobs have to be done to produce a TV show. Meeting a the celebrities was a real bonus!".

ON SHOW AT MEDIA CITY

Over the half-term break at Media City we will be showing the video below along with a display of pupil artwork at an event called Science Jam, which is part of the Manchester Science festival. The project was delivered in collaboration with Salford University School of Life Sciences. You will need to view the video on a Mac as it is a Quicktime file. The video link is: http://www.salford.ac.uk/computing-science-engineering/news/computing-science-and-engineering-news/salford-science-jam-part-of-manchester-science-festival

CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY TRIP

Even if you don’t have a particular religion you are bound to have a numinous experience at Selwyn College, in Cambridge University. It is, at first sight, an architectural masterpiece and on later exploration a beating lively heart with a passionate community. I’ve never felt anything like it. The two lectures we attended provided me with a taste of the intensive yet diverse teaching and learning programme, igniting a fiery motivation in me to be accepted there for a theology and ethics course. A favourite moment of mine was, as some teachers put it, ‘buying up the whole of Selwyn College library.’ From my perspective I was simply grasping the opportunity to gain more knowledge about the career I wish to pursue in the future. I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to savour such a renowned institution of higher education - thank you.

Ola Kozlowska, 11A

T H E H A L F - T E R M I N P I C T U R E S

SIXTH FORM TASTER DAYFrom top left clockwise: students tackle the enterprise enrichment task that gives them a flavour of the business partnership at the heart of the 6th form; roasting marshmallows during the outdoor learning activities; competitive nail-hammering, part of the outdoor learning enrichment activities for all students in our 6th form; students get used to the atrium cafe area throughout the day.

OCTOBER OPEN EVENINGFrom top left clockwise: prospective parents and pupils explore changing technology and its impact in History; outstanding leadership from pupils who baking beautiful bread and encouraged guests to try it for themselves; trying on Roman costumes as a way of exploring the past; learning from pupil leaders about different aspects of Science - the place was packed; showing off learning about volcanoes and earth forces in the Geography classrooms, where you could also taste different types of chocolate.