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SPECIA

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PROSPECTUS

In the heart of the community

Welcome to Westergate Community School

In the next few pages we will give you a glimpse of the

education that Westergate Community School offers your child.

We hope that this prospectus will give the flavour of life at

Westergate Community School.

Choosing a school for your child's secondary education is likely to be one of the most

important educational decisions you ever make. We hope that you will find the information

contained useful and helpful in making this decision with your child.

At Westergate we put the needs of our students first, providing opportunities to maximise

and realise potential.

Our aim is that all our students achieve the best exam results possible and acquire and

develop the skills needed for adult life and employment.

We ensure that all our students are known and cared for in our safe, ordered and caring

community.

We are small enough to give individual attention and large enough to provide a wide range of

National Curriculum, sporting, cultural and leisure activities to enrich the learning experience.

You are welcome to visit us at any time to look at the school and meet the students and staff.

We look forward to meeting you.

Steve Nelmes Headteacher

Westergate Community School

Our Mission StatementAt Westergate Community School, we develop ambition and independent spirit, valuing

each individual’s abilities, aspirations and desire to explore and create.

We value:

• excellence in learning;

• inspirational teaching;

• taking responsibility for your own learning, both now and throughout life;

• the development of successful relationships;

• the ability to act responsibly and make a positive contribution.

An Invitation fromthe Headteacher

2 We s t e rg a t e C o m m u n i t y S c h o o l

3We s t e rg a t e C o m m u n i t y S c h o o l

4 We s t e rg a t e C o m m u n i t y S c h o o l

‘Inspectors

observed lessons

that promoted

outstanding progress,

encouraging

independent thinking,

self-and peer

assessment and with

clear relevance to the

lives of students.’Ofsted 2009

‘Westergate

School is a caring

environment, with the

welfare of students

given a high priority.

Positive relationships

between students and

staff prevail.’Ofsted 2009

5We s t e rg a t e C o m m u n i t y S c h o o l

Westergate CommunitySchoolWestergate Community School aims to provide a caring and enlightened environment, where the quality

of relationships between all members of our community, particularly staff and students, is important and

we pride ourselves on the fact that each student is known personally by members of staff in the school.

We are a community which values and respects everyone’s faith and culture.

Our aim at Westergate is to focus upon the individual; each student’s academic and personal

development in preparation for further education, higher education and the world of work. We aim to

encourage a culture of learning and a respect for knowledge and achievement. Our goal is to ensure

that all students feel happy and secure throughout their time with us.

We value highly the support that parents give to their children and to the school. We therefore encourage

parents to take an active part in assisting the staff to enable students to reach their full potential.

School Facilities

Westergate offers an exceptional range of specialist facilities. There is a strong emphasis on enabling

students to use information and communication technology to enhance and extend their learning.

A school-wide intranet, internet and curriculum learning resource facility enable students to access,

store and utilise information. Each student is allocated a Curriculum Network username, password

and email address.

Due to our specialist status, our hall has been recently refurbished to provide a superb performance

space with seating for 150, for use by both school and community.

The following specialist facilities for learning are available:

• Learning Resources Centre

• Auditorium

• Five Science laboratories

• Technology Suite - with a range of wood, metal, plastic and graphics equipment for both

hands on and computer controlled making

• Textiles room including (CNC) sewing machines and sublination/screen printing facilities

• Food Studies Centre

• Three fully equipped IT/Business Studies Centres

• Specialist Art & Design Studio

• Drama Studio with full stage lighting rig/sound system and portable staging

• Music Suite with main room, supporting PC music computer programs, practice rooms,

an ensemble room and a recording studio

• Humanities have a fully equipped resources room and mobile laptop trolley linked to the

curriculum network. Each classroom includes an interactive whiteboard

• Specialist classroom suites for Mathematics and English

• Six Villages Sports Centre

• Four court Sports Hall with indoor cricket nets

• Gymnasium/Exercise studio

• Floodlit Multi-use Games Area

• Extensive Playing Fields with outdoor Cricket Nets

Specialist School Status

The school was awarded specialist status in Visual and Performing Arts in

September 2008. Having the status means that our strength in the Arts has

been recognised, but we do not develop the Arts specialism at the expense

of any other subject; on the contrary, it is used to raise achievement and

enhance the work of the school.

‘Cultural

development in the

arts is well developed

and the specialist

college status has

ensured that this has

taken a higher priority.’Ofsted 2009

Music, instrumental andvocal tuition

As a school with specialist status in the Visual &

Performing Arts, Westergate Community School is

delighted to offer tuition on a variety of

instruments. Playing a musical instrument can

bring a lifetime of enjoyment and many of our

students learn so that they can play in a group,

band or orchestra. Indeed, we see a benefit right

across the curriculum to students who receive

tuition. Lessons are available on a wide range of

instruments including strings, woodwind, brass,

drum kit, guitar, keyboard and piano.

Sporting Aims and Provision

At Westergate, Physical Education is an important

element of our overall curriculum, offering the

opportunity for young people to strive for

excellence through sporting activity, to contribute

to a team and to develop self esteem and self

discipline. Our aim is to get as high a level of

involvement as possible from students, by offering

a wide range of team and individual activities, both

in the formal curriculum and in enrichment activities.

In Key Stage 4 we provide a variety of

opportunities to gain qualifications in PE. These

include GCSE PE, BTEC First Certificate in Sport

and level one award in Sports Leadership.

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Higher and Further EducationBusiness Education and Careers

Over 90% of Westergate students go on to Further Education at 16, many to Higher Education.

Further Education

We have strongly established links with the Chichester College of Arts, Science and Technology. These

are of tremendous value to our students, the majority of whom continue their ‘A’ levels, BTEC and a

range of specialist vocational courses.

Aim Higher

Westergate is part of a group of schools participating in a partnership with local Further Education

Colleges; the University of Chichester and Brighton and Sussex Universities, to encourage more young

people to aspire to and achieve a place at university.

A programme of activities and individual support is available for students. This provides a secure

progression route from school into further and higher education.

Business Education Partnership

The school, together with the other schools in the Bognor Regis area, is a member of the Business

Education Partnership, the goals of which are to foster mutual understanding between business and

education and to develop young people’s business skills and the opportunities available in the local area.

European and International Links

The school has links with similar schools in several countries. One year, a party of Drama students

and staff took part in Drama workshops at an off Broadway theatre.

Careers

We provide support and information on careers and employment opportunities, possible career paths

including opportunities locally and in further and higher education and government training initiatives.

This includes guidance and advice in decision making, putting together a curriculum vitae, writing

letters of application and preparing for interview.

Special Educational Needs

In 2009 the School achieved ‘Dyslexia Friendly’ status and is committed to meeting the diverse

individual needs of all students and helping them to develop their full potential. We have a student

support system helping students with varying needs. Details are available in the following policy

documents - SEN Policy, Equal Opportunities Policy, Disability Policy, Gifted and Talented Students

Policy, all of which are available from the School Office.

Students with Disabilities

We have a disability friendly school and encourage as many students as possible to join us. In our

new building there is disabled access to all parts of the school. The school has an Equal Opportunities

Policy and Disability Equality Scheme which enshrine the rights of all students to equal access to both

the formal curriculum and the enrichment activities programme.

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Activities at Westergate

Our enrichment activities mostly take place in the afternoons, and all students are

encouraged to participate. These activities are considered both valuable and enjoyable and

allow individual talents and interests to be nurtured and developed.

Activities include:

• A wide range of sporting activities including gymnastics, football, cricket, badminton,

basketball, table tennis, netball, rugby and athletics.

• The Library is open to students for independent study; Homework Clubs offering

specialist support.

• Computer Clinic and Club.

• Choir and Concert Band and other smaller bands and ensembles.

• Poetry and spelling workshops.

• Art and Mathematics Clubs.

• Drama. There is an active Drama club and regular productions are an important

aspect of the school calendar.

There are regular trips to the theatre both locally and nationally. There is also a regular residential

trip which aims to develop understanding of the theatre. The trips include the chance to work

with professional actors and directors, complete drama workshops, explore theatre history

and see live theatre. Recent trips have included learning in New York, London and Rome.

Other events which take place during the year include languages study visits to France, an

adventure week in the French Alps/Skiing Holiday, charity events, Sports Day and Arts

Festival which has included work with the West End company of ‘Stomp’ as well as a Big Top

circus on the school field where students learned circus skills.

The Youth Wing

The Westergate Community School Youth Wing provides opportunities for young people in the

six villages neighbourhood to meet socially. Offering both a Junior and Senior Club, the Youth

Wing encourages the members to take an active part in the running of the club. Students are

involved in organising its programme of trips and events through elected members’

committees. It also offers babysitting courses and has a very successful dance group.

Day Nursery

Westergate Day Nursery cares for children aged 0-5. The nursery

provides quality care for the children in a positive, warm and friendly

atmosphere. The children learn through play in a stimulating learning environment. If you

would like any further information then please contact us on 01243 544868

or alternatively take a look at our website:

www.westergate.w-sussex.sch.uk/Nursery/nurseryindex.htm

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‘A very large majority of

parents who responded to

the questionnaire are very

positive about the school

overall. They feel that their

child is kept safe, they are

informed about progress,

and students enjoy

school.’Ofsted 2009

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The successes of the School have

been recognised by the Department

for Education & Skills, Quality South

East, and OFSTED

Westergate Community SchoolSPECIALISTS IN VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS

To find out more about the school, visit our website

www.westergate.w-sussex.sch.uk

Westergate Community School

Lime Avenue, Westergate

Chichester, West Sussex

PO20 3UE

T: (01243) 546800

F: (01243) 546810

E: office@westergate.w-sussex.sch.uk

2010