ALL Empowering to ACHIEVE

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1 ALL Empowering to ACHIEVE An Academy

2 MOVING from

3 GOOD to GREAT A message from the Headteacher and the Chair of Governors Severn Vale is a very good school that aspires to be a great one. In recent years there has been a real transformation here and we are now enjoying one of the most exciting chapters in the school s history. There have been improvements in every aspect of school life, improvements from which our students benefit and which have boosted their life chances. As you read this prospectus, listen to what the students say about Severn Vale, listen to what Ofsted say. We are an academy built upon a solid set of values. We want our students to enjoy academic success but also to leave us with the strength of character to go out and make the world a better place. Exciting things are happening at Severn Vale. We hope you decide to join us. Richard Johnson Headteacher Tanya Ciriaco Chair of Governors What is so reassuring to know is the fact that all the things that we as parents were told at the parents evening before our daughter started at Severn Vale, the care of children in their education and happiness being so important, are all true.

4 Our Vision is: To create a school which strives for excellence in all that it does. A school that delivers outstanding outcomes in a safe and secure environment, a love of learning, nurtures fine young people and that empowers all students to achieve heights they did not imagine possible. Students are right to be proud of Severn Vale and relish all it has to offer. Many wrote in their questionnaires that it is the best school. Ofsted 2011

5 High quality staff... A recipe for success Great schools require great teachers and we have a policy of recruiting the brightest and best teaching and support staff. Leadership is crucial and is pushed hard. Training and a coaching programme mean that teachers are continually refining their skills. The result is that high performing teams work on a shared mission. This helps explain why results have been transformed. We have a range of high quality facilities and we re working hard to further improve these. A multimillion pound investment programme has recently provided: A refurbished Main Hall A new alternative provision centre the Gateway A new Technology building Improved facilities for students with Special Educational Needs A safer entrance to the school Better circulation and shelter areas for students Improved toilets throughout the school Put the two together and you have high quality staff delivering high quality lessons in a high quality learning environment. Our students deserve the very best....and high quality facilities In 2014 the school was recognised as one of the top 100 in England for sustained improvements in GCSE results.

6 A Listening School Being a Listening School means that we work extra hard to ensure that each student feels safe, secure and happy. From Day One in Year 7 there is always someone there to help. All students are placed in a tutor group and the tutor stays with them throughout their time at Severn Vale building a special relationship. Year Team Leaders and Deputy Year Team Leaders monitor the progress of tutor groups and deal with any issues that the tutor cannot resolve. One student said, Teachers help us. They are always there both for academic and pastoral issues. There is always a friendly face to help you. Ofsted 2011 A Telling School There is a really strong emphasis on Making Severn Vale a Telling School, on encouraging students to tell us if there is a problem so that it can be sorted. There are also lots of ways in which students are encouraged to speak out and to make a positive contribution to the life of the school. Examples include: A School Parliament that is actively involved in strategic decisions Involvement in our Anti-Bullying focus group. A Time to Talk Team (T4) who students can turn to for help. (A T4 member is attached to each Year 7 tutor group.) Joining the Healthy Lifestyles committee. Contributing to the work of the Eco Group, greening up the school with financial savings being re-directed into the Praise system from which all students benefit. Parents are also encouraged to tell us their views of the school and its work, with a system of surveys being held and a Parent Voice group also operating. Put all this together and the school becomes a community where student well-being is a top priority because without it there can t be great learning.

7 A Community of Learners Everyone connected with the school is encouraged to take part in the learning we promote. Year 5 and 6 students come to us for Forensic Science Days, Master Classes, Maths Challenge and Sports events. Adult Learners including parents come to us for DT and ICT classes in the evening. There is a thriving programme of classes provided. Teachers are encouraged to extend their qualifications and to develop their expertise further. From the start of the day with a Breakfast Club operating, to the end of the day when adult learners and sports users leave, Severn Vale pushes the learning message. A Year 11 student said, We are encouraged to aim higher; this helps us to raise our aspirations, for example to go to university. Ofsted 2011 Tracking the Learning A GREAT school is one where every student, whatever their ability, is closely monitored, supported and challenged so that they fulfil their potential. Each student at Severn Vale is set a target grade or level. They are told what grade or level they are currently at and how they can improve. Results are regularly reported to parents. Different groups of students are also monitored. - Students with Special Educational Needs - Pupil premium students - Our Most Able Students as well as others If data and progress reports show that there is underperformance, action is taken. School staff treasure students whose circumstances make them vulnerable and the support provided for such students and those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities is outstanding. Ofsted 2011

8 Working in Partnership Quedgeley Learning Community (QLC) We are delighted to have formed a partnership with eight of our local primary schools, strengthening the links between us. The students benefit from a range of enrichment activities including master classes and a QLC Olympics. Staff visit each other s schools, collaborating and learning from each other. The vision for QLC is a powerful one: QLC believes in working together to provide an outstanding educational experience, one which benefits young people, parents, staff and the community. Partnership Working As an Academy we are working with more partners than ever before to raise standards for our students. This is shown in the way we are playing a leading role within Gloucestershire when it comes to staff training. We have set up a Good and Beyond course for staff and have also helped set up an Outstanding Teacher Programme. We have set up a Shoulder to Shoulder training programme for Heads of Departments across the county. Finally we are playing a leading light in the GO Project, aimed at ensuring that every Gloucestershire secondary school is either good or outstanding in We are keen to share our expertise and equally keen to learn from others. Why? Because it benefits Severn Vale School students and we believe in leading by example. Relationships throughout the school community are strong and contribute to students aspiring to do well because staff know the students very well. Ofsted 2011

9 A Learning Journey Severn Vale works hard to make sure that from the moment they arrive to the moment they leave, students are encouraged and supported with their learning. This means helping them move through each stage of their education. Year 6 into Year 7 We have a really well designed programme that helps ensure the primary/secondary transition is a smooth one. We find out all we can from Primary Schools whilst the students are still in Year 6 so that they hit the ground running in learning terms when they arrive at Severn Vale. Every year the programme is improved and refined. Year 9 into Year 10 At the end of Year 9 the achievements of the previous three years are celebrated and an introduction to GCSEs provided. Many of the students also begin GCSEs early and this helps create a very smooth transition. At the beginning of Year 10 parents are also invited to an information evening based on Helping your child succeed at Key Stage 4.

10 Values We encourage hard work, self discipline and promote the values that all caring families foster. In particular we respect those who live their lives according to the following five values: Courtesy Compassion Honesty Integrity Perseverance These values enable us to create a calm, orderly place of learning where high standards are consistently insisted upon. Behaviour: Our Behaviour for Learning system is based on five clear rules which ensure that teachers can teach and students can learn. Students are rewarded for their positive choices and for any who make poor choices, there is a clear set of consequences. Uniform: We believe uniform and appearance are important. Wearing the correct uniform and being neat and tidy in appearance shows that students are proud to belong to Severn Vale and have respect for themselves. High standards of dress help students focus on high standards in other areas of school life. Core Beliefs Central to the school s work are our core beliefs: High expectations We believe that all children, however challenging their circumstances and whatever their background, can achieve. Above all else a place of learning We believe great teaching and great learning are at the heart of all that the school does. What goes on in the classroom is integral to this and any barriers that get in the way of learning will be removed. Teachers will be freed up to teach and they will be expected to be learning and developing all the time. We go the extra mile to help students achieve We believe that every student needs to be given the encouragement, guidance and support to achieve. We are committed to doing everything we can to achieve great outcomes, but also expect 100% effort from all students. A values based education We believe that being the best you can be means not only striving for academic achievement, but also developing the personal qualities that characterise fine young people. Our job is to teach our students knowledge and skills and to instil in them our school values: courtesy, compassion, honesty, integrity and perseverance - values that will help students make a difference in their own lives and the lives of others. Working together Home and school are united in the same hope for every student that they will emerge into adult life as good citizens, well-prepared and willing to lead fulfilling and useful lives. We can best ensure this by working together. As such we recognise and welcome parents/carers as partners in the educational process.

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12 An Academy Parents and members of the community are always welcome to visit the school - just ring to make an appointment. If you would like further information about Severn Vale School please contact the school office on: Tel: svs@severnvaleschool.com or write to the school at: Severn Vale School, School Lane, Quedgeley, Gloucester GL2 4PR