Gunnersbury Boys' School
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Gunnersbury Boys' School is a Roman Catholic Secondary School for boys. It is situated in Brentford, London. [1]
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[edit] Introduction
Gunnersbury is a Voluntary Aided School for Catholic boys. It takes six forms of entry at 11+ and is administered by a Board of Governors acting under the trusteeship of the Archdiocese of Westminster. The annual intake is 184 pupils and the total number of pupils on roll is 1132, including a Sixth Form of 205 boys and 25 girls. There is a staff of 67 teachers, 6 technical assistants, 6 administrative staff and 3 caretakers.
The school was founded in 1919 by Fr William Roche, became a Voluntary Aided Grammar School in 1932, took its first comprehensive intake in 1972, became Grant Maintained in April 1993 and returned to Voluntary Aided in September 1999. It was designated a Science Specialist School in September 2003.
[edit] Location
Although located in the London Borough of Hounslow, Gunnersbury considers itself a Diocesan School and draws from a wide catchment area consisting mainly of the London Boroughs of Hounslow, Ealing and Richmond, but some pupils attend from even further afield coming from Central London, Brent, Hillingdon, Spelthorne and Harrow.
The school is situated in a relatively prosperous area of West London. Very few pupils find difficulty gaining employment. West London is well endowed with open spaces. Kew Gardens, Richmond, Bushy and Osterley Parks are all within a few miles of the school. Public transport is good, the school is only five minutes walk from Northfields and Boston Manor tube station (Piccadilly Line) and Brentford SR Station and there are good local bus services, all of which give quick access to the many facilities London has to offer. There are many pleasant residential areas nearby.
[edit] Facilities
The school is purpose built and has excellent facilities on a single site at the Ride. There are 8 science laboratories and 6 specialised CDT areas. The IT suite consists of 3 computer rooms, 2 IT and 1 Maths IT (MIT), there is also a Science IT suite and 2 BIS (Business Studies) rooms each with a computer network.
All departments have specialist rooms. Art facilities include three studio areas with provision for pottery and photography. The Music Department has recently been extended through a half million pound building project which has enhanced the teaching and performance space including recital room, recording studio and IT suite. Drama has its theatre workshop (THT) and a Special Needs (SEN) area supports small group work and individual tuition.
The school has a well equipped Library and Learning Resource Centre with an associated Private Study Area
A new £1.6 million Sixth Form building was opened in September 2004. This building will greatly enhance our sixth form provision and add to the already existing Sixth Form Centre, which provides social space for the Sixth Form. There is an Assembly Hall.
The Sports Block includes a Sports Hall, a side gym and a Health and Fitness Centre while playing fields are within five minutes walk of the school.
The School Chapel is set-aside as a quiet area for prayer and liturgy.
[edit] Catholic Character
The Catholic character of the school is an essential and important part of school life. It is made explicit not just in the religious education programme and shared values but in the liturgical life of the school. There is a voluntary mass on Fridays and important feast days together with family liturgies, a retreat programme and Morning Prayer in Advent and Lent.
[edit] Senior Management Team
The school is led by Headteacher Mr John Heffernan and is supported by two Deputies, Mr Andy Prindeville and Mr Kevin Burke, together with a senior management (SMT) of 5, who are responsible for distinct pastoral, academic, administrative and policy areas of the school. Departments are subject based. There is a regular schedule of meetings; staff, pastoral, departmental, as well as ad hoc working parties.
[edit] Pupils, Grades & Subjects
In Year 7 boys are taught in mixed ability groups except for Mathematics. In Year 8 setting is introduced in English and continues in Mathematics, with Science included in Years 9. There is an established department for Special Needs, which operates a system of both classroom support and very limited withdrawal for additional support in English and Mathematics.
The school has achieved notable examination results above the national average.
In order to extend the range of subjects offered at Sixth Form level, a scheme of co-operation between the three Hounslow Catholic Schools - Gunnersbury, Gumley House and St Mark's is in operation. This allows up to twenty-six 'A' level subjects to be offered, as well as pre-vocational and vocational GNVQ courses. At present Gunnersbury offers at the Ride site AS and A2 in: Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Design, Business, French and Spanish, English, Media, History, Geography, Psychology, Sociology, Economics, Art, Religious Studies and Sports Science.
Also available is a new AS in Science for Public Understanding. There is the possibility to improve GCSE results in English and Mathematics for one-year sixth students; these students are also offered a range of GNVQ courses.
The school has a developed system of pastoral care, overseen by a Year Head and Form Tutor. High standards of behaviour and dress are expected and the pastoral system aims to promote the development of self-discipline and consideration for others. The School Council meets regularly chaired by of a member of the Sixth Form.
Gunnersbury is always over-subscribed with first choice applications from Catholic pupils. Gunnersbury's outstanding Ofsted report in 2000 has put it in a good position .
[edit] Alumni
Notable Alumni include the comedian and writer Tony Slattery, England/Wasps Rugby Union player Rob Losowski and Ireland/Ulster Rugby Union Player Kieran Campbell.
