Our Ethos

Happy people make good learners

By placing an emphasis on the value of the student, and by looking for achievement wherever it can be found, the effects of long term despair and loss of confidence can be reversed.  We want the students to experience success at their appropriate level.

Therefore we:

·         Encourage a culture of achievement

·         Work with and involve parents and carers

·         Value everyone equally and respect diversity

·         Provide opportunities for young people to improve their quality of life and make a more positive contribution to their community

·         Provide opportunities for people who have become disengaged both educationally and socially to raise their aspirations and achieve success.

·         Offer opportunities for both academic and vocational programmes and examinations

Encouragement and support

All the staff will give as much encouragement and help as possible.  We all want our students to be happy and successful people and life long learners.  Every student will have a staff contact that will take a special interest in the welfare, development and educational attainment of that young person.

We give clear boundaries, which we hope, will result in a happy workplace where both great and small things can be achieved.  There may be times when we disapprove of what a youngster does and we may feel disappointed by the behaviour – but we will still believe in, and support, the individual.

The chance to become an active learner

This means each student must take responsibility for their own learning, but it also means they are taken seriously when they voice their ideas. The young people are challenged to improve both academically and socially.

Taking exams

We believe strongly those students who have experienced difficulty with their schooling and /or home life need publicly recognised qualifications even more than their peers without problems. To this end, we ensure that no one leaves without Edexcel Entry Level, GCSE’s, and Certificates of achievement, sport awards and accreditation in every area possible.

A positive approach to behaviour management

Minor concerns that have not been resolved within the classroom are shared at the daily briefing meetings. Classes are reviewed regularly in rotation at a weekly staff meeting. All statemented students have an annual review, which is attended by all the agencies involved.

We aim to create an atmosphere of good humour and pleasant orderliness that supports the enhancement of self-esteem and confidence, in an environment of unconditional acceptance. Emphasis is given to praise and reward as a positive mechanism for rewarding effort and socially acceptable behaviour.  In all aspects of school life, developing self-esteem and confidence is paramount.

Staff deal with aggressive or inappropriate behaviour by using positive intervention.  The school does use a scale of sanctions that comply with current legislation and guidance.  However, these are set in the context of a behaviour management policy that emphasises praise and reward, rather than punishing failure. 

In partnerships with parents and carers

The school values the importance of developing close and co-operative relationships with parents and carers.  We encourage open and regular contact between school and home.  This could take the form of supporting the students with their homework, discussing with them any concerns around their behaviours and to ensure that the students work towards maintaining the ethos of the school.

When it is necessary to have time off we ask parents or carers to notify the school by telephone. A letter should be sent when the student returns to school.  All unexplained absences will be followed up by a telephone call from school to home.

Parents and carers are always welcome to visit the school.  Please call the office first. We take pride in ensuring that our school is responsive and proactive in meeting individual student’s needs. 

Complaints procedure

Generally complaints tend not to arise with good and regular communication between home and school. Queries or difficulties, which are dealt with effectively before becoming problems, will not lead to complaints. With this in mind, we ask all parents to discuss any concerns they may have with their child’s class teacher or the Head teacher as soon as possible. You are always welcome to contact the Chair of Governors, which can be done through the school.

Our complaints procedure can be obtained from the school office, a copy of which is available on request.

We Expect our Students…

To support each other

To be especially sensitive to newcomers and help them to become part of the school. 

To tell the truth even when it takes courage to be honest.

To be mature individuals who will stand up for what they believe and strong enough to reject ideas which conflict with their personal beliefs.

To help us to help them

To pull together in the same direction with the staff and parents or carers towards their success and happiness.

To be self-disciplined and complete their homework to the best of their ability. We do not wish homework to be a source of dispute between the school and its students, nor to be a source of anxiety.  It is an opportunity to reinforce learning. 

To be open and share concerns and worries.  This way we can help to address the problems that are causing difficulty.

To help themselves to believe in themselves

To live within the minimal school rules that were designed to ensure that our school is a safe, stimulating and rewarding environment for everyone.

To work towards taking responsibility for their own actions which is an essential part of growing into adulthood.

To respect other students rights and property as outlined in the School Policy.

To dress smartly

The school encourages our students to identify with the school and wear our school uniform.  In order to promote this expectation, the school will provide an initial uniform consisting of black jumper and trousers, white shirt and school tie.  Any replacement uniform is to be provided by the parent or carer. 

To be responsible

Students are not permitted to smoke in or around the school premises.  In addition, we prefer students not to carry mobile phones to classes. Phones should be left in the student’s locker or with the school administrator.

Rebuilding lives

Once students begin to experience success they feel more positive about themselves; they grow in confidence and are able to face the future with renewed hope and higher expectations. We hope that by the time they leave us our students will have cultivated an appetite for learning that will remain with them for life.  We want them to find it easier to develop and sustain good personal relationships and be better equipped to face the challenges of the future.

Getting Ready to Go

Careers education is included within Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE) programme that is taught throughout the school. The careers teacher uses the services of the Croydon Careers Service (“Connexions”).

All Year 10 students are offered a personal interview with connexions Careers in Croydon. The service also provides support for students on preparing for work and/or college. Careers lessons cover exploring careers of interest, how to apply for a job or college place, interview techniques, and behaviour in the workplace.

Students are all encouraged to go on a Work Experience placement arranged in collaboration with the Barnardo's Windermere Construction Skills.

Saying Goodbye ... 

The first Friday in July is Leavers Day. It is marked by a very special celebration with a special speaker, and is a day we hope the students will remember for the rest of their lives.

It is not long before our leavers return to see and collect their GCSE certificates, usually within the autumn term.

We always enjoy the visits from past students who visit to let us know how they are getting on.  

The proof of our successes is their happiness and success.