This prospectus has been created with help from...Charley Stewart, Matt Taylor, Samuel Watts, Tia Dye,Giorgio Fordyce Furnivall, Callum Sykes, LolaBelle Layzell,Keira Pestell, Paul Shellard, Eliza Jacobs, India Krishman,Chloe Doree, Chloe Capp and Alfie Newman.

Birchwood High School

Birchwood High School

Birchwood High SchoolParsonage Lane • Bishop’s Stortford • Hertfordshire • CM23 5BDTel: 01279 655936 • Fax: 01279 757459E-Mail: admin@birchwood.herts.sch.uk

www.birchwood.herts.sch.uk

I am delighted to introduce our school prospectus at this exciting time for Birchwood High School.

As a ‘good school with good capacity for further improvement’ (Ofsted 2010), one of the real privileges for me, as Headteacher, is to lead a school that has bold ambitions and is never content with standing still. In moving from ‘good to great’ we have chartered a course focussing on teachers delivering excellent lessons, offering a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities. We also want to further strengthen student leadership and ensure that there is clear impact from their recommendations. Moreover, we are very fortunate in having excellent facilities and with 240 students enrolling each year, we have a school large enough to provide a diverse curriculum at GCSE and Post-16.

We are extremely proud of our strong school ethos, with high expectations in terms of student self-discipline and personal organisation. Our admission policy encapsulates a philosophy driven by offering high quality secondary

education for boys and girls living in and around Bishop’s Stortford. We do not believe in aptitude tests and are proud of our ‘open access’ approach. Students who need a little extra support are as important to us as those applying to Oxbridge.

Unlike many school prospectuses that tend to be wordy and over-descriptive, Birchwood’s focuses on images and quotations from parents, students and Ofsted that hopefully convey a sense of our dynamic, vibrant school community. I hope you enjoy finding out more about our school.

Dr Chris IngateHeadteacher

Welcome to Birchwood

Birchwood High School Prospectus 2011/12 01

In Birchwood they really push you to go far with your education and make you notice that you have to try hard to make your dreams come true.

The teachers always offer their help on classwork and home learning.

02 Birchwood High School Prospectus 2011/12

Year 7Students'

Views...

I really like having more responsibility; it makes me feel like an adult.

Birchwood High School Prospectus 2011/12 03

Lessons are fun and the classrooms were easier to find than I imagined.

04 Birchwood High School Prospectus 2011/12

I have made lots of new friends and I am still friends with the people I went to primary school with.

This year has gone well. I settled into the school easily and my levels have improved significantly.

Birchwood High School Prospectus 2011/12 05

My biggest achievement so far is reaching the highest level in the school council because it makes me feel really useful as I can help other people.

I have met some amazing people who are kind, funny and a pleasure to be with.

06 Birchwood High School Prospectus 2011/12

It was really easy to settle in at Birchwood. The teachers are kind (they let you ask questions and don’t get cross!)

The spelling bee was very good. I didn’t win but my house did.

Birchwood High School Prospectus 2011/12 07

Thank you to everybody who has made our child’s first year at Birchwood such an enjoyable one.

Year 7Parents'

Views...

08 Birchwood High School Prospectus 2011/12

My child has settled in so well, is really enjoying school and working hard.

There is good communication when contacting the school with issues/concerns. My experience is that I have been called back or been seen straight away.

Birchwood High School Prospectus 2011/12 09

I am very pleased with how my daughter has settled into Birchwood. Her confidence has grown during her first year here. Both myself and my husband have found all the staff very friendly and helpful.

I am very happy with the homework set as well as Birchwood’s merit system.

10 Birchwood High School Prospectus 2011/12

Ofsted

Views...

There is some high-quality formative marking of students’ work, with opportunities for them to respond to teachers’ comments. Students are positive about the support that teachers give them when they need to improve their work.

(Ofsted May 2010)

The proportion of Year 11 students Gaining 5 good GCSEs including English and mathematics was above average. Year-on-year, this proportion has improved since the last inspection.

(Ofsted May 2010)

Birchwood High School Prospectus 2011/12 11

The progress students make from their starting points on entry to the school is good. The proportion of students making more than expected progress in English is above national average.

(Ofsted May 2011)

12 Birchwood High School Prospectus 2011/12

The best teaching is not afraid to use a variety of appropriate activities and approaches

to secure students’ interest. There is some outstanding practice.

(Ofsted May 2011)

Attendance is above average, reflecting the strong sense of safety and enjoyment that students feel when at school.

(Ofsted May 2010)

This prospectus has been created with help from...Charley Stewart, Matt Taylor, Samuel Watts, Tia Dye,Giorgio Fordyce Furnivall, Callum Sykes, LolaBelle Layzell,Keira Pestell, Paul Shellard, Eliza Jacobs, India Krishman,Chloe Doree, Chloe Capp and Alfie Newman.

Birchwood High School

Birchwood High School

Birchwood High SchoolParsonage Lane • Bishop’s Stortford • Hertfordshire • CM23 5BDTel: 01279 655936 • Fax: 01279 757459E-Mail: admin@birchwood.herts.sch.uk

www.birchwood.herts.sch.uk