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

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

APRIL 22nd 2016 Issue 15

A National Teaching SchoolA National School of Creativity

ST AMBROSE BARLOW RC HIGH SCHOOL

open eveningdepartmental information

IMPORTANT DATES & FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Staff Training Day April 22nd*

Year 8 Parents’ Evening April 28th

Bank Holiday May 2nd

Year 7 Parents’ Evening May 18th

School closes for half-term May 27th

School re-opens June 6th

Year 9 Retreat June 7th - 10th

Year 10 reviews June 13th -15th

Y6 Transition Days June 16th - 20th

Sports Presentation Evening June 16th

Malham Trip June 20th - 24th

New Intake Parents’ Evening June 22nd

Y7 Conway trip July 4th - 8th

Year 10 Plas Menai July 11th - 15th

School closes July 15th

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

*Please remember that the school is closed to pupils on April 22nd for staff training.

Creativity Assembly Last week we were treated to assemblies on Growth Mindset led by Year 11 students. This week that leadership continued as the theme turned to Creativity. Audiences were treated to a showing of various artworks and some thoughts on the importance of creativity.

Logan wins We are delighted to announce that Year 8 pupil Logan Walters has been awarded a certificate of achievement as an Inspiring Young Person in Salford. It recognises the ways in which he has made a difference to the perception of young people in the city as a role model for others and encourages him to pursue his career goals. The certificate is signed by Cllr Merry and produced by Salford City Partnership. Well done Logan.

School Day Consultation Our consultation on lengthening the school day is still open online until April 27th.

All parents and guardians will have received a letter at the start of April by email (if we have your email address) or on paper (if we do not). This week we held a meeting for parents and guardians to raise any issues and also for staff.

The outcome of the consultation will be given in early May.

If you have not received a letter (which contains the link to the survey) please contact the school immediately.

Football Success It’s been a pretty amazing week for our footballers. First came the victory in the final by our Year 10s, then on the same night, the Year 9 team got through their semi-final, winning 5-2. The final, which was played on Thursday, saw them beat Walkden High 5-1. Fantastic work from all the teams and coaches. Also on Tuesday night the Year 11 team fought valiantly but were defeated 2-0.

Charlie Parker takes to the stage Year 11 pupil Charlie Parker was performing this week at the Royal Exchange Theatre. Well done to her for putting talent into action on the international stage

Rounders The summer is here! Rounders is back and the Year 9 team were victorious this week. Well done to all participants.

sixth form developments

The development of a flourishing and successful Sixth Form has been a very high priority this year and I am pleased to report that we are well on our way to achieving this aim. We have had well over 250 applications, over 100 of which are external and more are coming in. At present we are on course exceed our minimum numbers for viability and could be close to our capacity of 125 Year 12 students in September. This is a huge achievement and is thanks to a team of staff who have worked tirelessly to market the Sixth Form, ensure its financial viability, develop the curriculum and engage potential students and their families.

Our Sixth Form curriculum for September 2016 is an exciting combination of A levels and BTEC courses. To enhance this we have created a number of pathways for students that lead into particular careers (architecture, construction, engineering and law to name a few) and to university. We are putting creativity and enterprise at the heart of the Sixth Form and are building an exciting range of enrichment opportunities for students.

We have applied to become a National Baccalaureate pilot school (http://www.natbacctrust.org) and now have an extensive range of links with business and industry that provide us with guest speakers, mentors and inspiring entrepreneurs who will help to make our curriculum relevant and challenging.

We have made 107 firm offers of acceptance to students and are very impressed at the calibre of those who are likely to come to us next year and we are now in the process of finalising the timetable for all year groups for September. I

In the Summer term we will be working with our prospective students to devise aspects of the curriculum and the Sixth Form experience. We think that involving our future students in this planning is vital in order to create an ethos that balances challenge and support with independence an high expectations.

OUR SCHOOL THIS WEEK Charlie (far right) performs at the royal exchange theatre; logan with his award.

OUR SCHOOL THIS WEEK the year 9 winning rounders team; all the participants

OUR SCHOOL THIS WEEK UR LATEST MY AMBROSE POSTER AND FEATURE http://www.stambrosebarlowswinton.org/my-ambrose/miss-shepherd/

MISS SHEPHERD

Miss Shepherd has been working at St Ambrose Barlow for twelve years and over that time her job role has developed and she has been able to adapt and take on different responsibilities.

“I began as a receptionist and administrator at the old school building and when the new school was built I was given a new role in student services which was a chance for me to really play a part in shaping the position. One of the highlights of my time here is being part of that transition to the new school and seeing how all the new facilities and technology have equipped the pupils for 21st century learning.

I now work as the pastoral support coordinator which allows me to get more involved with pupils and help with any issues. This is a new role too and is a new challenge for me – I’m looking forward to in getting involved in the Year 6 transition process and helping to make sure the new students feel welcome and settled in as quickly as possible and can learn in a happy and secure environment.

The best part of my job is the interaction with the pupils and seeing them grow from small year 7’s into mature responsible young adults, fully prepared for their next steps. The school is a real community and even when they have left former pupils still want to return to us – sometimes to train as teachers with our School Direct programme or as teaching and support staff, and with these too it is lovely when I remember them as students to see how successful they have become!

As a parent myself with one in Year 9 and another who left last year to go on to an apprenticeship, I really can say that St Ambrose Barlow gives the young people who study here the best possible start in life by always encouraging them to take the initiative and to work hard to the best of their ability.

This is my Ambrose… Where young people are able to grow and succeed in a creative environment.