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

MAY 27th 2016 Issue 18

A National Teaching SchoolA National School of Creativity

ST AMBROSE BARLOW RC HIGH SCHOOL

open eveningdepartmental information

IMPORTANT DATES & FORTHCOMING EVENTS

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

Year 11 Prom July 1st

Y7 Conway trip July 4th - 8th

Year 10 Plas Menai trip 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

Half Term

We would like to wish all pupils and their families a very happy and enjoyable half term break. Please take the time to read the email that accompanies this newsletter regarding our standards and expectations. Year 11 pupils should note that a number of optional revision classes are operating over the holiday.

Judaism with Jeremy This week we welcomed Jeremy Michaelson to the school to talk about Judaism to year 8. Jeremy was an Education Officer at Manchester Jewish Museum and has written textbooks on Judaism. He is well known for his exciting and engaging workshops on the Jewish faith.

Rugby SUCCESS A great triumph this week as our Year 8 team, featuring two Year 7 pupils, beat Buile Hill 20-18 in the final of the Chromal Plating Shield. At the time that this edition of the newsletter went to press the final for the Year 11s was still in play.

Velodrome TRIP Mr. Hulton recently took a group of pupils to Manchester Velodrome for a day of cycling and challenges. As well as getting to grips with the track they also got to meet the GB Cycling team.

Assembly Our assemblies this week have focused on the mystery of the Holy Trinity and have asked pupils to consider what it means to them and how it reflects the complexities of life and relationships. In the words of Mr Davies: “If you’re confused you’ve probably got it about right.’ The assemblies were led by Year 7 pupils. In the Year 9 assembly some pupils were presented with certificates marking their work with NHS..

House Points This term we have relaunched our celebrating achievement system by offering House Points as an alternative to Vivos. Thousands of house points have been issued since the start of April with many forms and individuals racking up large totals. At the same time we also ran a Lenten campaign to recognise and celebrate kindness.

Brendan's Big Band Brendan McCarthy(Year 10) is a talented pianist who is doing very well as part of the Music and Performing Arts of Salford (MAPAS). As part of the Big Band, with lots of other musicians he recently played at Band on the Wall in Manchester along with the Manchester Jazz Orchestra. The music they play is mainly smooth jazz.

Following the Big Band's spectacular performance at Rochdale's Youth Festival of Performing Arts back in March they were selected to perform at the festival's Gala Concert at Rochdale Town Hall on Sunday 8th May.

The invitation was only given to the musicians who truly impressed the adjudicators back in March and it shows all the hard work and dedication that they put into the performance.

GOODBYE YEAR 11!

The biggest news this week was saying goodbye to our wonderful Year 11. Whilst many will come back in Sixth Form, it was nevertheless a sad day when we watched them leave. On Monday afternoon Bishop John Arnold addressed the year group sharing with them some thoughts on his experiences, reflections on learning and the message, influenced by Cardinal Newman, that each of us has a ‘definite mission’ and God-given sense of purpose.

These words resounded as later that day the Year 11s gathered with their families and the staff at St. Luke’s Church to celebrate the last five years of school. At the Mass we heard readings from pupils, music was led by a small choir and the congregation was addressed by Chair of Governors, Philip Royle.

On Wednesday afternoon the Year 11s said their final goodbyes and ‘thank yous’, particularly to their Head of Year Mr Gregson, and then they were on their way. We wish them the very best of luck for the remainder of their exams and for whatever comes next.

Dec! results Whilst many are still waiting to sit their GCSEs some of the Year 11 pupils who take Design Engineer Construct! have already received their results. DEC is a very challenging and exciting multidisciplinary course that leads many pupils on to a career in the Architecture, Construction and Engineering fields. Of the most recent cohort to sit the exam eight students achieved an A* and one an A. Well done to them all!

OUR SCHOOL THIS WEEK above: the musicians who made the year 11 so special; below: bishop john with the head boy and head girl.

OUR SCHOOL THIS WEEK above: year 11 drama class after their exams; the trip to the velodrome.

OUR SCHOOL THIS WEEK the triumphant year 8 rugby team at the A j bell stadium.

OUR SCHOOL THIS WEEK the year 7s who led assembly this week