PROSPECTUS2013-2014

I am delighted to welcome you to the International School.

We are a fl ourishing and successful comprehensive school providing a stimulating environment where excellence is our goal. I am immensely proud of what we are achieving at The International School.

Since I became head teacher, our academic results have continued to improve and we are delighted that 93% of our students have been achieving 5 A*-C GCSEs or equivalent and those having 5 A*-Cs including English and Mathematics continue to rise. We really do believe in Excellence for All

We know our students learn best when they are excited and involved in their subjects, where learning is tailored to individual needs and where expectations are high. We inspire our students to realise their full potential. Our ethos is built upon a deeply held concern for the well-being, achievements and the aspirations of our young people.

We believe it is important to create a safe and happy environment where students can enjoy the opportunities and experiences offered at our school which nurture them to become independent learners and responsible adults.

The International School holds the British Council’s International School Award which refl ects our global curriculum and partnerships with other schools around the world and our commitment to extend our students’ understanding of different cultures.

We are a happy school where staff and parents work together to help our students to discover and develop their talents and skills, so that the learners of today become the leaders of tomorrow.

Please contact the school if you would like to visit us and discover more about what we have to offer and to see our students in action.

A very warm welcome to you all.

Mark GarsideHeadteacher

3

Although the International School was created just over ten years ago, there have been schools on this site from the early 1950s. Central Grammar School for Boys (which was created over 100 years ago) was re-sited in Gressel Lane shortly after the Second World War. Byng Kenrick Grammar School for Girls and Sir Wilfred Martineau secondary modern school were new schools created on the site around 1953.

We retain many of the values of these original schools. We set high standards of academic attainment and at the same time offer an education for all. The old fashioned values embodied in teamwork such as honesty, consideration, industry, respectfulness, fairness and tolerance are as important today as they were then. These values are at the heart of what we do.

Students enjoy coming to the International School. They are supported, stretched and challenged and thrive on the experience.

Our VisionAspirational Learning through Inspirational Teaching.

The International School is a safe and inspirational world class community where we all can take pride and fulfi l our potential to prosper and be prepared for the changing world.

We have a great deal of history and tradition

Our History

4

5

6

Unlocking Potential

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.

The important thing is to not stop questioning.”

Albert Einstein

Our school is driven by a set of core values which are shared by all members of our community.

We want our students to be considerate, industrious, respectful, fair, honest and tolerant. These personal traits are at the heart of our school.

The importance of these values is shown in our school logo. The coloured ribbons represent the wide variety of backgrounds and cultures of our students. The intertwining of the ribbons is the start of a friendship bracelet and represents our students working together encompassing all of the personal traits of fairness, honesty, consideration, respectfulness and tolerance.

These values are also embodied in our school uniform policy. We have a school uniform because it distinguishes students from children. Our uniform symbolises a professional attitude to the job. Our students dress to be industrious in their learning. Uniforms also encourage fairness and equality. Everyone is treated the same irrespective of their background. Our uniform is important and our students realise this. We expect all our students to conform in spirit and in practice to the ideals our uniform represents.

Focusing on these values makes our school a good place to be. We regard developing these as important as academic performance and we fi nd the two go very much together. Students with these traits have a wonderful experience at school and achieve higher academic standards. That is why we think it is very important to start with values.

Teaching and learning is at the core of what we do. We aim to provide the highest quality teaching and learning for our students so that they can achieve their potential.

We have highly qualifi ed, committed and hardworking staff who recognise the importance of a strong partnership between them, the student and home.

The excellent relationship between students and teachers was noted in our recent Ofsted report:

“Very good relationships between students and teachers exist; one student noted that, ‘Teachers are the best thing about this school.’ Teachers have good subject knowledge and use this to enliven lessons” Ofsted 2011 We recognise that some students will inevitably require additional support in order to make good progress. We offer excellent support provision for all through our Inclusion and EAL departments and our pastoral system.

Students’ needs are assessed at regular intervals and appropriate interventions are provided. One to one or small group provision is available and we have dedicated teams of staff whose responsibility it is to support, guide and nurture individuals so that they can enjoy their time at school, make good progress and realise their potential.

Our school is a family where everyone is important and where every individual is valued, challenged and supported to succeed.

We offer a broad and challenging curriculum which refl ects our commitment to encouraging confi dent, independent learners. We provide a mix of academic and vocational subjects, giving students the opportunity to gain qualifi cations and develop life skills.

All students follow the National Curriculum in Years 7, 8 and 9. In some subjects students are taught in mixed ability groups, whilst in other subjects, such as Maths, they are taught in groups according to ability.

Academic, creative and practical pathways are available to meet the needs of all learners in Years 10 and 11. Students study a core curriculum of English, Mathematics, Science and PE. The vast majority will continue with a Language and a Humanity subject. Further choices are made from a range of subjects.

Teaching and LearningSchool Values

Curriculum

7

We set high standards for academic achievement and personal conduct. Students are set challenging targets based on prior attainment and assessment tests. Progress is monitored in every lesson and formally recorded each half term. Where necessary a programme of intervention is introduced for students who may not be achieving their targets.

We expect students to attend school, to arrive on time, to be in full school uniform, come equipped to learn and to conduct themselves as young adults. We ask for your commitment to support your child, all our students and our school in making the International School the pride of the local community.

‘Strong senior leadership that consistently communicates high expectations and galvanises enthusiasm and commitment is ensuring that everyone – staff, students, parents and carers – understands how they can contribute to improving students’ achievement. Ambitious targets are raising aspirations. Students say that senior leaders are accessible and friendly, but tough on underperformance.’ Ofsted 2011

At the International School learning extends beyond the classroom. Students are encouraged to participate in a range of exciting opportunities that help them build skills and provide valuable lessons for life.

Out of hours learning includes a range of subject based activities such as English and Maths support, Homework Club and Science Club. Students can experience a range of rich and varied visits such as Geography and History fi eld trips, visits to see sports events and visits to national museums. Other opportunities include participating in sport teams and The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

We encourage our students to continue their learning outside the classroom. There is a Learning Resources Centre in the heart of the school which students can use before and after school and at break and lunchtime times.

The school has a wireless system that allows students to use mobile IT devices anywhere on the campus.

Extra Curriculum

Standards

8

9

We are committed to ensuring the happiness, security and success of all our students. The partnership between the school and home is vital in achieving this and in ensuring our students’ success.

Ofsted agree with us:

“The school is ambitious both for individual groups of students and for each one of the students. Actions to promote equality of opportunity are resulting in sustained improvement in attainment” “Academic and pastoral monitoring systems are well integrated so that students are provided with excellent support that takes full account of their individual needs. There are many striking examples of how the school is helping the most vulnerable students overcome signifi cant barriers to their education. Good contact with parents and carers and strong partnerships with external agencies contribute signifi cantly to the quality of this provision. The impact of the outstanding provision for care, guidance and support can be seen in the signifi cant improvement”

Ofsted 2011

Every student has a personal tutor, a Head of Student Progress and a Pastoral Assistant to provide academic and caring support throughout their school life.

We also believe in supporting our students through the transition from primary to secondary school. There are a variety of on-going activities with our feeder schools and a special transition programme helps to familiarise Year 6 students with our school and teachers.

We believe it is important that our students take an active role in shaping their school. There is a vibrant and infl uential School Council system that has regular meetings to promote their ideas to the Senior Management Team of the school.

A school at the heart of the communityWe have partnerships and work with many organisations including Birmingham International Airport, Alcoa (our main local employer), the Lea Village Pump Community Centre and the Shard End Core Community Group. We are a member of the Birmingham East Network of schools and host a range of meetings and events with our community partners.

The International is a school at the heart of its community providing holiday schools, adult courses, fetes and family learning opportunities and we welcome visits from our students’ families, our local primary schools and members of our community.

Caring School

Student Voice

10

The International SchoolGressel lane, Tile Cross, BirminghamWest Midlands, B33 9UF t: 0121 566 6400e: enquiry@internationalsch.org.ukwww.isccbonline.net