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NOVEMBER 2010 Welcome to Holywell CHURCH OF ENGLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL
NOVEMBER 2010
Welcome to
Holywell
CHURCH OF ENGLAND
MIDDLE SCHOOL
NOVEMBER 2010
NOVEMBER 2010
WELCOME!
A very warm Holywell welcome.
I hope that this prospectus gives you a flavour of the many aspects and characteristics that
make our school such a good place for young people to develop, grow and learn.
This overview should be combined with a visit to the school to meet our pupils and staff, hear
from them about life here at Holywell and ask your own questions.
The prospectus will take you through
the way the school is organised – especially the care of pupils and direct links for
parents
the shape of the school day
the curriculum programme across these four middle school years
the very wide range of extra-curricular opportunities we provide
how we involve parents in the life of the school and keep you informed about your child‟s
progress
details of the success and attainment of Holywell pupils in their year 6 SATs in 2010
and also the results of year 8 in their SATs 2010.
full details of our school uniform
practical guidance on applying for a place at
the school – especially important with the
organisational issues involved in being a
school where half our pupils come from
Central Bedfordshire and half come from
Bedford Borough.
Since the school was founded in 1973, Holywell has
endeavoured to be a centre of excellence in
academic, aesthetic and sporting achievement. High
standards are expected from all involved in the life of
the school. The school is committed to fostering
children‟s self-reliance within a safe, caring and happy
community, providing every pupil with the means to
realise his or her potential. The school looks to support
the spiritual and emotional development of the children
in a way that reflects its place in the family of Church
of England schools. The school also warmly welcomes
pupils of other faiths and cultures, celebrating the rich
diversity we benefit from here at Holywell.
Peter Haddon
Headteacher
School Contact Details
Holywell Church of England Middle School Red Lion Close Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0JA
Tel: 01234 750381 E mail [email protected] Website www.holywell.beds.sch.uk
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NOVEMBER 2010
Our Code of Conduct
sets out in a straightforward way the essence of how we look to treat each other and build a
happy and successful school.
All members of Holywell School are caring and polite citizens.
We do our best in all aspects of our school life.
We do our best to co-operate with others.
We take responsibility for our actions.
We take care of our belongings and respect the property of others and of the School.
If things go wrong:-
I ask for help if I feel upset
I tell a teacher if I am being bullied and use the Confidential Bullying Log
I admit my mistakes if I am in the wrong
As a Church of England School, the
principles which support our Code of
Conduct are based on Jesus‟ teaching about
the most important commandment:
“Love the Lord your God
with all your heart
and with all your soul
and with all your mind.”
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it:
“Love your neighbour as yourself”.
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NOVEMBER 2010
SCHOOL ORGANISATION
House Groups All pupils are placed in a House on entry into the School. The Houses are named after the four
patron saints of the British Isles. Each House has its own colour which is incorporated in the School
badge:-
House Head of House House Colour
St Andrew Miss Pellat Blue
St David Mrs Warburton Purple
St George Mrs Bland Red
St Patrick Miss Freeman Green
When a pupil has a sister or brother
already in the School s/he is normally
placed in the same house. Requests can
also be made by parents who are ex-
pupils. Parents who are ex-pupils of
Holywell, who would like their child to be in
the same house, should make this known
when returning the Pupil Information
Sheet, which will be distributed to parents
as part of the Welcome Pack at the
beginning of the summer term.
There is a wide range of Inter-House
sporting activities - Netball, Hockey,
Soccer, Rugby and Cross-Country run in
the Autumn and Winter; Athletics,
Rounders and Cricket during the Summer
Term and trophies are awarded for these competitions.
Celebration of pupil achievement is centrally
delivered through the House system and House
Points which are awarded for good work and
effort. Certificates are awarded in House
Assemblies to children gaining 25, 50, 75 and
150 house points. The 100, 200 and 300 house
point certificates are awarded in Main School
Assembly on a Friday. Additionally each week
and each term the House Point Cup is awarded to
the house with the greatest number of points.
Registration Groups
Each child is allocated to a registration group.
The Form Tutor is the first link between
parents and the School. They provide pastoral
care, check Personal Organisers and deal with
minor discipline problems. The team of year 5
tutors specialise in looking after pupils on transfer
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NOVEMBER 2010
from Lower School. In year 6 pupils are given a new form teacher who will usually progress with
their class through to Year Seven
and Year Eight.
Heads of Year
The four Heads of Year are the
main link between the parents
and the School. They deal
with any pastoral issues, as well
as disciplinary matters within
their year group.
The Heads of Year are also
concerned with the academic
progress of the children, liaising
closely with all the staff teaching
classes in the Year and with
Heads of Department.
The Head of Year 5 liaises with
our partner lower schools and the Head of Year 8 is responsible for liaison with the Head
of Year 9 at Wootton Upper School.
THE SCHOOL DAY
The morning session starts at 8.55am and ends at 12.35pm. The afternoon session is from 1.35pm to 3.45pm. The breakfast club is open from 08.20am. Pupils are allowed into the remainder of the school site from 08.45am.
Timetable Structure
8:55 - 9:35 Registration & Collective Worship
9:35 - 10:30 Lesson 1
10:30 - 11:25 Lesson 2
11:25 - 11:40 Break
11:40 - 12:35 Lesson 3
12:35 - 1:35 Lunch
1:35 - 1:40 Registration
1:40 - 2:40 Lesson 4
2:40 - 3:40 Lesson 5
3:40 End of school day
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NOVEMBER 2010
Daily Travel to and from School
By Bus
Pupils who live in Wootton, Wharley End or Bourne End may travel to School on one of the
buses contracted by Bedford Borough. Details of timing, picking up places and bus passes are
issued by the Local Authority.
Parents are requested to emphasise to their children the dangers of playing at the bus
stops whilst waiting for transport in the mornings and misbehaving on the transport on the
way to and from School. We would like to point out that any specific concern about the
service and incidents at the bus stops and on the buses should be made to the operator
concerned and to the School Transport section at Borough Hall.
By Car
For the safety of our pupils, parents who drive their children to school are asked not to
bring their cars on to the School car park at the beginning or end of the school day. We
have very limited car parking which is taken up fully by staff cars and school buses. Red
Lion Close and the High Street near the School also get very congested at the beginning
and end of the day, so please be considerate to our neighbours and to other road users.
The Cross Keys Pub kindly permits parents to use their car park. Parents are asked to
make use of this kind offer if driving to school at these times
On Foot
A zebra crossing is sited near the Cross Keys Pub. Pupils who have to cross the High Street
should cross at this point. All pupils should respect residents‟ property on their way to
school.
On Bicycle
In 2009 we installed a secure bicycle park at the front of school. We have also run one of the
largest „Bikeability‟ schemes in the County. Pupils in Cranfield are very welcome to cycle to
school once they have passed their Bikeability and their parents have given written permission.
Pupils making use of this facility will be expected to follow the guidelines provided for safe
cycling to and from school.
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Our Gifted and Talented artists with their new 50 foot stunning display
NOVEMBER 2010
CURRICULUM
Continuity of Education with our Partner Schools
Pupils growing up in this part of Bedfordshire benefit from a strong partnership of schools
across the boundary of the two authorities. (Holywell School is in Central Bedfordshire. Wootton
and Kempston, where half of Holywell pupils come from, are in Bedford Borough. Holywell
remains the catchment school across this boundary. The Wootton family of schools has half of
its population in each authority.)
We work closely with our linked Lower Schools, notably but not exclusively Cranfield, Shelton,
Wootton and Kempston Rural Lowers. We have a series of meetings through the year with
colleagues from these and other local Lower Schools. There is a well-established programme of
meetings in the summer term to ensure each child transferring to Holywell benefits from good
personal, pastoral and academic care on transition. During July Y4 children visit Holywell for two
days; familiarising themselves with the School, our teachers and our routines. We have a sports
afternoon at Holywell for all the pupils from these link Lower Schools – to benefit their PE experience,
the experience of our y8 Sports Leaders and also provide additional time for y4 pupils to familiarise
themselves with Middle School life.
We work closely with Wootton Upper and
Marston Vale Middle to provide a common
approach to the Key Stage 3 years – years 7
and 8. There are a range of meetings through
the year involving our subject leaders with
teachers from these partner schools.
During y8 we have a series of visits from
Wootton Upper staff, starting in
September, to prepare pupils for transfer to
Upper School. Subject co-ordinators meet
with their counterparts from Wootton Upper
School to pass on records of work and
attainment. In July, Year 8 pupils spend
two days at Wootton Upper School to
prepare them for transfer.
Organisation of our 25 hours of lessons Years 5 and 6 – Key Stage 2
In y5 pupils begin the change from having
had a class teacher most of the time in
Lower School, to having subject specialist
teachers in y8. English and Maths take up
half their week‟s lessons. In addition those
teachers may also be teaching y5 French,
Geography, History ICT and RE. Pupils will
get used to meeting specialist teachers in
Science, PE, Art and Technology.
The allocation of subject specialist
teachers increases each year from y6 on.
Every subject in the school draws strength
from being led and directed by subject
specialists.
English
Maths
Science
PE
Art
French
Geography
History
ICT
Music
PSHE
RETechnology
English
Maths
Science
ArtDramaFrench
Geography
History
ICT
Music
PE
PSHE
RE
Technology
Key Stage 2
Years 5 and 6
Key Stage 3
Years 7 and 8
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NOVEMBER 2010
Years 7 and 8 Key Stage 3
In Key Stage 3 there is a slight
reduction in English and Maths time.
This allows for the introduction of
discrete Drama lessons and an
increase in time for Science, French,
Geography, History and Technology.
In 2010 we introduced an Option
lesson to the y8 week. In y7 pupils
choose from a wide range of subjects
– Science in Society, Sports
Leadership, Art in the environment,
Food Business, Drama, Making
Movies, Bell Ringing. This prepares
pupils for the very important choices they will be making about Options soon after arriving in Upper
School. It has also created a very popular variety to our KS3 curriculum.
Facilities
Holywell has excellent facilities together with a highly experienced and motivated staff,
combining to give pupils the best possible education. Specialist facilities include:
two modern, well-equipped Science Laboratories
two ICT suites and three cluster pods of computers, giving over 70 networked PCs,
Gymnasium and also a flood lit all-weather Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA)
Large sports fields
New Music Room and four Music Practice Rooms
Newly rebuilt Library with a pod of computers which pupils can access during
breaktimes and lunchtimes
A new classroom block with two top quality classrooms, opened in January 2010. Over
the past 15 months 5 other classrooms have been gutted and re-modelled to greatly
improve those learning spaces.
Additionally, there are specific classrooms dedicated to subjects such as French, Geography,
History, Maths, Art and Design, Food and Materials Technology.
Over the past 18 months, with help from the PTFA we have created three covered recreational
areas – one courtyard for year 8; the main courtyard was then given a canopy over seating for
150 pupils and, most recently we have created a canopy covered area for year 5. The PTFA
have spent £12,000 on a range of outdoor recreation facilities for our pupils – adventure play
area, outdoor table tennis and table football and playground netball and basketball posts.
Visiting ‘ Tudor Man leads the charge!
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NOVEMBER 2010
Setting and Grouping of Pupils Wherever possible, subjects are taught by
specialist staff. In all years pupils are taught in
mixed ability groups, except for English and
Mathematics, where they are set by ability. We will
continue to review this closely to ensure that these
structures enable and support each child to make
his/her maximum progress whilst in our care.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Holywell School provides a broad and balanced
curriculum for all pupils. When planning, teachers
set suitable learning challenges and respond to
pupils‟ diverse learning needs. Some pupils have
barriers to learning that mean that they have
special educational needs and require particular
support from the school.
As all our classrooms are on the ground floor a pupil with a disablement or needing a wheelchair
could be accommodated. There are steps to some areas and narrow corridors might provide
problems of access for such pupils. The school will work with parents and external agencies to
respond positively to such increased needs.
Holywell School has a graduated approach to providing help for pupils with Special Educational Needs, as recommended by the Code of Practice. Pupils will be kept under review for potential inclusion onto the SEN roll or in respect of the level of additional support needed. Pupils with identified SEN will have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) giving targets for achievement. All staff are involved in delivering the teaching programme and evaluating the effectiveness of action and support. IEPs are reviewed at least twice a year to inform continuing programmes.
The expertise of outside agencies such as the Educational Psychologist, Educational Welfare Officer, Speech and Language Therapist, Hearing Impaired Unit, School Nurse, Social, Emotional and Behaviour Support Service is sought and used to benefit pupils with SEN.
A copy of our SEN policy is available on request from the school office or on the school website.
Assemblies and Religious Education
Holywell is a Church of England School and a Collective Act of Worship is held daily. This is of a broadly Christian nature and is attended by all pupils. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from the acts of collective worship and RE
Sex Education
Our aims are that we will endeavour to teach our pupils a respect for human life and each other. We will give factual information in a sensitive way that will allow children to ask questions and voice concerns. We use videos, printed information and question and answer discussion groups. Parents are informed by letter when sex education is being delivered to each year group. A copy of the School‟s Sex Education policy is available to parents. Children may be withdrawn from sex education in Citizenship and P.S.H.E. lessons on the written request of parents. This right of withdrawal is not available for the sex education which is part of the National Curriculum in Science.
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Year 7 – Montmartre, Paris
NOVEMBER 2010
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES AND EXTRA-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES
We consider it important to offer all our pupils a wide range of activities, linked both to the School Curriculum and extra-curricular wider opportunities. These activities may take place during the school day, after school or at weekends. There is at least one club every afternoon after school in addition to the frequent sports matches – after school clubs currently include – Fitness, Art, Orchestra, Rock School, Drum School, Tae Kwon Doe, Dancing, Science, Juggling and Table Tennis. There are also other activities that involve longer periods of time, such as residential visits.
Residential trips are a major feature of life at Holywell and pupils look forward to –
Year 6 >>> Osmington (near Weymouth) for four days of outdoor pursuits
Year 7 >>> France for four days of activities related to Art and PE as well as French
Year 8 >>> Swanage for a week of activities linked to History and Geography studies.
Years 7 and 8 >>> Ski trip 255 pupils are booked onto these trips in 2010/2011!
To enable us to continue with these essential „extras‟ we have to ask for voluntary contributions from parents. In 2009 we have moved to making a single request to parents for financial support at the beginning of each academic year to cover all the smaller scale activities. (This is likely to be about £15 for the year.) We are pleased to be able to say that we have never had to cancel an activity due to lack of contributions and the staff appreciate the whole-hearted support we always receive from parents. We also appreciate the help of parents who join us on school journeys and those who are able to transport team members to away fixtures. Help can be offered to those parents who are unable to afford an activity linked with the National Curriculum.
We hope pupils will:
Extend their skills and knowledge
Learn new skills
Play in school teams
Help others
Learn to work together
Enjoy new experiences
CHARITY ACTIVITIES
Holywell pupils and families are marvellous
supporters of charity activities through the year –
just 530 pupils but last year we raised nearly
£5,000 – for Haiti, for young homeless in London,
for Sports Relief and for Cancer Research. We
have a great deal of fun on our charity days and at
the same time help all of our community take the
chosen charity very much to heart.
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Our pupils ran over 2,000 miles for the Sports Relief ‘Mile’
NOVEMBER 2010
Our current range of regular extra-curricular clubs and activities includes:
Library – lunchtime, Monday to Thursday
ICT – four lunchtimes a week
The Zone – a quiet retreat – every lunchtime
School Council – fortnightly at lunchtimes
Juggling – lunchtime and after school
Table-tennis – lunchtime and after school
Chess Club
Drama productions
French – three different lunchtime clubs
Holywellers young Christians for y5 and y6
Christian Union for y7 and y8
Art and Design clubs – two lunchtimes and two after-school every week
MUGA mania – variety of unusual sporting activities on the MUGA
And then we come to the outstanding opportunities
available at Holywell in Sport and Music…..
MUSIC Instrumental Tuition
Instrumental and vocal tuition is
offered to students at Holywell
School. A team of peripatetic staff
teach a variety of instruments.
There is a charge for instrumental
tuition payable to the Local
Authority Music Service. If your
child is entitled to free school meals
there will be a concessionary
charge made.
If your son/daughter would like to
learn to play a musical instrument
at Holywell, please complete the
form that will be sent out as part of the Year 4 Welcome Pack in the summer term.
Music groups and clubs to join Holywell provides a wonderful range of opportunities to enable our pupils to develop their
musical skills. There is a rich range of groups to join, the chance to work with older pupils who
have developed impressive levels of musical performance -
Orchestra every week on Tuesday after school
Choir every week on Tuesday lunchtime, singing both traditional and modern pieces.
Also at lunchtimes –
Violin ensemble
Guitar Group
Boomwhacker Group
Rock School – an after school „Extended School‟ club which lasts 1 ½
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Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour
Dreamcoat – School Show
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The choir perform at the London Barbican
NOVEMBER 2010
hours for the weekly session There are many concerts
throughout the year, including
large Christmas and Summer
concerts, which show the
talents of all groups and
soloists. Smaller instrumental
concerts also occur throughout
the year. At Christmas Choir
and Orchestra combine to lead
our special services in the
parish church at Cranfield.
The Music Department also organises the Talent
Competitions for pupils. Any pupil in Year 7 or 8 may enter these competitions, which take
place in the spring term following auditions. Pupils also perform at the Spring Fayre and on
Open Evenings.
SPORTS ACTIVITIES Holywell has an outstanding record of providing a rich variety of sports for our pupils. Our teams
have enjoyed a very great deal of success. We also like to encourage participation in local
sports clubs and are delighted to report on the success of our pupils in those sporting
environments.
There are practices at lunchtime from 1.00pm until 1.30pm and after school from 3.45pm until
5.00pm.To stay after school or to represent the school in a fixture, a signed letter from the
parent giving permission must be brought to school beforehand.
Sports where we have lunchtime/after-school clubs and also fixtures with other local Middle
Schools include…..
Football (all year groups)
Rugby (all years have fixtures, y5 and y6 play tag rugby)
Netball (all year groups),
Rounders (all year groups, boys and girls, leagues in
y7 and y8)
Cross Country (all year groups)
Athletics (all year groups – into district and local
league fixtures)
Cricket, (y6, y7 and y8 have fixtures),
Basketball (boys and girls, y7 and y8),
Sports where we have clubs and also, where relevant, in-
school matches… Hockey for y7 and y8 – boys and girls;
Gym Club in the winter
Table tennis clubs – one for starter players, one for
experienced players Tennis competition in the Summer Term – open to
all.
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NOVEMBER 2010
WORKING WITH OUR PARENTS
The half-termly editions of Holywell News keep parents up-to-date with what happens in school; activities, term dates, invitations to events, Parents‟ Meetings etc. In addition, you will receive letters with information relating to visits and other activities connected with individual subjects.
Parents, Teachers and Friends Association (PTFA)
The PTFA enables parents to become involved in the social life of the school as well as raising significant amounts of greatly appreciated additional funds. There are a number of events through the year – please support your PTFA and consider how you could join or help the committee in all its great work. Recent purchases from PTFA fundraising include:-
The adventure playground
Y8 & Y5 covered recreation area
Canopy for the Library school yard
Stage lighting
Netball posts
Games for lunchtime use in the playground
Electronic Piano
10 Picnic tables
Paving of Year 5 Playground
Parent/Teacher Consultation Evenings and Reports
Through the year there are a range of important reporting moments to parents, running far ahead of the government requirement to provide a single annual report. At the end of September we provide you and your child with target/expectation of achievement by the end of the academic year. This provides a useful touchstone through the year for measuring progress.
In the Autumn Term we have a tutor afternoon and evening meeting for years 5 and 7. At this meeting we report to parents on your child‟s current level of attainment and quality of effort in each of their subjects together with a chance for a general review by parents with the tutor. For years 6 and 8, in their „test‟ year – we have the subject teacher evenings. ALL PARENTS in all year groups will therefore have either a tutor evening or a subject teacher evening.
In the Spring Term we have a second parents evening for all year groups. Years 5 and 7 meet their child‟s subject teachers, years 6 and 8 have an update from their child‟s tutor.
In the Summer Term we issue the annual school report. In association with that reporting to parents we calendar a full school day when the Head of Year will be available from 08.30 til 5.00 to meet with parents should they wish to have a discussion about issues arising from the report.
HOMEWORK is an important element of extending our children‟s learning and also of taking it into the home. It helps develop independence in learning helps pupils to take responsibility for their work helps practise skills that have been learnt improves literacy and numeracy skills
provides opportunities for parents and children to work together
prepares pupils to progress through Middle School and for transfer to Upper School
The school
website is
an
important
part of the
way we
communic-
ate with our
families
www.holywell.beds.sch.uk
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NOVEMBER 2010
STAFF LIST – 2010 / 11
TEACHING STAFF
Mr P Haddon Headteacher (SLT)
Mr D Hall Deputy Headteacher (SLT)
Miss C McMaster Deputy Headteacher (SLT)
Mrs J Austin Subject Leader Science
Mrs T Bland Subject Leader Design Technology; Head of St George House
Miss C Boniface Head of Year 7
Mr P Brown Head of Year 8, second in English
Mrs S Butler French & General Subjects
Miss S Cartwright Subject Leader PE
Miss P Cutts Subject Leader RE
Mr W Denham Subject Leader KS2 Mathematics
Mrs H Donnellan Science
Mr M Eames PE Teacher; subject leader PSHE
Mrs J Follett Head of Year 5, Transition manager
Miss B Freeman Maths; Head of St Patrick House
Mrs C Macdonald Subject Leader Music
Mr S Macfarlan Subject Leader English, Head of Year 8
Mrs T Mollis Mathematics
Mrs R Morris Science
Mrs H Niro Subject Leader Art
Miss S Pellat Subject Leader Modern Foreign Languages; Head of St Andrew House
Miss J Perrat Subject Leader Drama, English
Mrs S Taylor Subject Leader History and Geography
Mr K Tiernan Subject Leader ICT
Mrs T Warburton Subject Leader KS3 Mathematics; Head of St David House
Mrs C Warner SEN Co-ordinator
Miss A Will General Subjects
LEARNING SUPPORT STAFF
Mrs C Brightman Miss A Norman Mrs J Riddell
Mrs A Cheung Mrs K Playle Mrs E Vincent
Mrs S Mullane Mrs T Richardson
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Mrs Colleen Dinner School Business Manager (SLT)
Mrs Bev Hughes Headteacher‟s PA EDUCATION SUPPORT
Miss Sue Gill Finance Assistant Mr Bruce Hutchinson Lab Technician
Mrs Lucille Fuller Office Manager Mrs Nikki Pickering Design Technician
Mrs Julia Latham Administrative Assistant Mrs Lesley Bennett Pupil & Staff Wellbeing Co-ord
Mrs Jo Fosbury Administrative Assistant Mrs Gill Stephenson English as Additional Language
Mrs Cathy Henson Reprographics Officer Mrs Lyn Jenkins Cover Supervisor
Mrs Kate Armstrong Assessment Administrator Mrs Liz Norman Cover Supervisor
Miss Ann Watson Resources Manager ICT & Library
SITE STAFF
Mr Steve Caldwell Site Agent
Mr Martin Peters Assistant Site Agent
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NOVEMBER 2010
SCHOOL UNIFORM
Parents and staff are rightly proud of the high standards of dress achieved by the pupils at Holywell. All pupils are required to wear uniform.
Girls Uniform Boys Uniform Blazer Black Blazer Black
House Badge * For blazer House Badge * For blazer
Skirt Plain grey, no more than 7.5cm above knee
Trousers Grey, not cords or denims
Trousers (optional) Plain grey – not cords, denims, leggings
Jumper/Cardigan Plain grey, „V; necked Jumper/Cardigan Plain grey, „V; necked
Shirt White Shirt White
School Tie Black and gold clip-on School Tie Black and gold clip-on
White polo shirt with school logo *
Summer term only – no other polo shirt
White polo shirt with school logo *
Summer term only – no other polo shirt
Socks White, grey or black, (No trainer socks)
Socks White, grey or black, (No trainer socks)
Tights Plain black or grey
Shoes Black, heels no higher than 4cm; no boots or trainers
Shoes Black, no boots or trainers
Coat Any plain style Coat Any plain style
Summer Dress (optional)
Yellow or House colour, plain/check/ narrow stripe, simple style, short sleeves
SPORTS
Games skirt Black Rugby Shirt * Black/Gold reversible *
Shorts Black Shorts Black
Gold polo short * With school logo * Gold polo short * With school logo *
Fleeces * Black with school logo Fleeces * Black with school logo
Socks Knee length black * and short white
Socks Knee length black * and short white
Trainers (not basketball boots) Trainers (not basketball boots)
Football boots Football boots
Track Suit (optional) Track Suit (optional)
Towel Towel
Shin Pads Shin Pads
Items marked with * are available from school
Hairstyles The uniform list does not specifically state the hairstyles that are unacceptable. It should be noted that the school does not accept highly fashionable or extreme haircuts and colours. Hair should not be cut shorter than a no 2. If you are in any doubt about the validity of a hairstyle, please contact the school.
Jewellery and Make-up To avoid any dangers or loss or accident to the wearer or other pupil, expensive items must not be worn. No necklaces or bracelets are permitted unless they are part of your religious faith. One plain ring is allowed. Earrings - plain studs, only one in each earlobe, these must be removed for PE/Games lessons. Make-up is not allowed.
Attendance Figures
The data below shows the excellent attendance pattern of Holywell pupils. These figures are the key indicators required by the DCSF on attendance in the 2008/2009 academic year.
Total number of pupils of compulsory school age on roll for at least one session 555
Percentage attendance 94.9%
Percentage of pupil sessions (half days) missed through authorised absence 4.9%
Percentage of pupil sessions (half days) missed through unauthorised absence 0.2%
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NOVEMBER 2010
KEY STAGE 3 DATA – PUPIL STANDARDS AND PROGRESS Our year 8 pupils take the national tests for year 9 pupils – ie took these tests one year early. The purpose of this exercise was to provide pupils and families and their Upper School a very clear picture of their level of achievement before moving school. It also helps the school identify areas of strength and weakness in our work to help pupils make best progress. The test results for year 8 in 2010 were outstanding, as they were in 2009 , the first year of this approach at Holywell.
Significantly more Holywell year 8 pupils achieved better than Level 4, Level 5 and Level 6 than national comparisons.
On average they made far more progress in two years at Holywell (years 7 and 8) than pupils nationally make in three years!
The expectation is that pupils will achieve Level 5 in year 9. 96% of our pupils achieved Level 5 or better in English, 85% in Maths and 77% in Science.
Level 4 or
better Level 5 or
better Level 6 or
better Level 7 Level 8
English at Holywell in year 8 100% 96% 49% 3%
English nationally in year 9 88% 75% 34% 10.0%
Maths at Holywell in year 8 98% 89% 77% 42% 11%
Maths nationally in year 9 92% 78% 58% 30%
Science at Holywell in year 8 98% 80% 34% 6.5%
Science nationally in year 9 91% 74% 42% 15%
Comparing progress of Holywell pupils in two years against national progress in three:
English Mathematics Science Average all 3
subjects
Level 4 = 27 points Level 5 = 33 points Level 6 = 39 points
At Holywell: 6.0 10.9 4.8 7.3
Nationally 6.9 10.0 5.8 7.8
KEY STAGE 2 DATA – PUPIL STANDARDS AND PROGRESS
The National Tests - SATs - were taken by Year 6 pupils in May 2010. A typical 11 year old is expected to achieve Level 4.
In 2010 the results at Holywell were once again very strong against national comparisons:
comfortably better English results than national at Level 4 or better and also Level 5.
Maths results that were also very healthy indeed
Science results that were better than national
These results were achieved whilst we have the highest proportion of pupils with English as an additional
language of any Middle School in Central Bedfordshire.
The table shows Key Stage 2 results for Mathematics, English and Science.
English Mathematics Science
Holywell National Holywell National Holywell National Holywell National Holywell National Holywell National
Level 4 or above Level 5 Level 4 or above Level 5 Level 4 or above Level 5
2010 85 35 76 29 88 42
2009 84 80 31 29 82 79
34 35 90 88 56 43
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Holywell Church of England Middle School Admissions Policy for September 2011
School Ethos
Recognising its historic foundation, the school will preserve and develop its religious character in accordance with the principles of the Church of England and in partnership with the church at parish and diocesan level.
The school aims to serve its community by providing an education of the highest quality within the context of Christian belief and practice. It encourages an understanding of the meaning and significance of faith, and promotes Christian values through the experience it offers to all its pupils.
Principles
The Governing Body is committed to pursuing this admissions policy for the School with respect to its comprehensive character and age range. They reserve the right; however, to respond to changes instituted by national and local authority initiatives.
Holywell‟s admissions number is 132 pupils in any one year group, with the overall capacity of the school being 528.
The Governing Body, as the admission authority, determines the schools admission policy and arrangements for taking decisions on applications for admission. The Governing Body works with the Local Authority in order to ensure admissions are co-ordinated within the County.
If the number of applications for admissions exceeds 132, the Governing Body will allocate places according to the admissions criteria, in the order set out below.
Categories
1. „Looked after‟ children.
2. Children living in the catchment area with siblings at the school (see definition of sibling).
3. Other children living in catchment area.
4. Children with one or more parents or guardians who attend a Church of England Church on a regular basis.
5. Children with one or more parents or guardians who attend any other Trinitarian Church on a regular basis.
6. Children living outside of the catchment area who currently attend and have attended for a period of at least one academic year Cranfield (V.C.) Lower School or Wootton Lower School.
7. Children living outside the catchment area with siblings who currently attend Holywell and will do so at the time of entry.
8. Any other children living outside the catchment area who wish to attend the school. Notes: 1 In any situation where the application for the above criteria results in a situation where
there are more children with an equal right to admission to the school than the number of available places, the tie-break will be the distance the pupil lives from the school, measured in a straight line, using the Local Authority‟s computerised mapping system, with those living closer to the school receiving the higher priority. The distance will be measured from the address point of the pupil‟s home to the main entrance of the school. The Local Authority will measure all distances for the Governing Body. Priority is not given within each criterion to children who meet other criteria.
2 Whenever an application is received for a pupil to join the School at a time other than when transferring at 9+, the Governing Body will apply the same criteria as indicated above. If a pupil moves into the catchment area outside the normal admissions round (or after the allocation process has been completed) there will be no guarantee of a place at Holywell
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School if this would mean exceeding the Published Admissions Number. In this case, the Local Authority will offer a place at the nearest Local Authority maintained school to the pupil‟s home address which caters for pupils of the same age.
3 Method of allocating places – Equal Preference.
4 As a church school we require written evidence that a family attends regular worship, in order to meet the religious criteria. This confirmation should be obtained by a priest, minister or faith leader completing and signing the religious declaration on the application form.
Appeals Parents who may wish to appeal against non-admission of their child will have the right of appeal to an independent appeals panel. The appeals panel is independent of the Governing Body and the Local Authority Admissions Team. Further details regarding the law on admissions and appeals can be obtained from the Local Authority Admissions Team. The decision of the appeals panel will be binding. Waiting list If we have not been able to offer your child a place at Holywell School, we will place your child‟s name on a waiting list which has been prioritised according to our admissions criteria. If a place becomes available we will contact you, even if you have accepted a place at another school. We will maintain the waiting list until end of term Autumn 2011. If you wish to remain on the waiting list beyond that time you will need to write to us.
DEFINITIONS ‘Looked after’ children The Children Act 1989 defines a child who is „looked after‟ as a child or young person who is accommodated by the local authority (Section 20) or a child or young person who is the subject of a full care order (Section 31) or interim care order (Section 38). Denominational Grounds Regular attendance is defined as; at the time of application, and for a period of six months previously attended public worship at St Peter & St Paul Cranfield, St Mary‟s Wootton or any other Church of England or Trinitarian Church at least once in each calendar month. Applicants in these categories will be required to have their application forms signed by their parish priest/minister or faith leader to prove evidence of their regular attendance. Siblings A sibling refers to a brother or sister, half-brother or sister, adopted brother or sister, step-brother or sister or the child of the parent/carer‟s partner, and in every case, the child should be living at the same address. The sibling must be in the school at the time of application and be likely to remain in the school at the proposed date of admission. Catchment area The catchment area for Holywell is defined by the civil parishes of Cranfield and Wootton.
Personal Details Although we are not asking for proof of residence or evidence of parental responsibility, we do carry out random checks and you may be requested to supply this information at a later date. Special Educational Needs Pupils who have a Statement of Special Educational Needs are required to be admitted to the school which is named on the statement, even if the school is full. Pupils identified for admission through the fair access protocol will also be admitted even if the school is full. Parents or Guardians Parents or Guardians are defined as adults having a legal responsibility for the named child.
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Home Address A pupil‟s home address will be regarded as the address of the parents or guardians with parental responsibility with whom the child normally lives. This will not usually include grandparents, aunts or uncles. Where a child spends time with parents at more than one address, the address used to allocate a school place will be the one at which the pupil is ordinarily resident and where the child spends the majority of the school week (Mondays to Fridays) including nights. If there is any query on the home address this will be checked against official documentation e.g. council tax bill, a recent utility bill (gas, electricity or water), a rental agreement, child benefit annual statement or family tax credit information. Equal Preference The Transfer to Middle School Application Form‟ invites parents to name up to three schools in order of preference. When allocating places each preference is treated equally and the priority for allocating a place at the school is worked out using the admissions criteria. This may mean that some second and third preference applications maybe ranked higher than some first preference applications according to the admissions criteria for the school. Co-ordinated Admissions Arrangements The Local Authority Admissions Service “Transfer to Middle School Application Form”, accompanied by an information booklet, will be sent directly from the child‟s current Lower School to all parents of pupils due to transfer to a Middle School in September 2011. When completed, this form must be returned to your child‟s current Lower School by the deadline date detailed on the form. The allocation of places will take place after this deadline and parents will be informed in March 2011 whether their applications have been successful. Parents who make applications after the official deadline even if they live in or move into one of our catchment area parishes, will not be entitled to automatic places if this would mean exceeding the published admissions number. In Year Admissions Requests for admission into other year groups should be made on the In-Year application form and in accordance with the Local Authority‟s co-ordinated scheme for In-Year admissions. The form is available from the school or Local Authority and can also be downloaded from the Local Authority website.
Admissions September 2010 There were 138 applications for 132 places in year 5 September 2010. 6 applications were declined 5 of these families appealed against the refusal of a place and all were successful in their appeals.
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