Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School
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| Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School (HCCS) | |
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| Motto | Quality Education in a Caring Environment |
| Established | 1978 |
| Type | Community Comprehensive and Sixth Form |
| Religious affiliation | None |
| Headteacher | Mr Denis Oliver |
| Chair of Governors | Mrs Jackie Beard |
| Specialism | Specialist Science College |
| Location | Selkirk Drive Holmes Chapel Cheshire CW4 7DX UK |
| LEA | Cheshire |
| Staff | c. 87 teaching |
| Students | c. 1100 |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Ages | 11 to 18 |
| School colours | Black and Yellow |
| Telephone | 01477 534513 |
| office@hccs.info | |
| Notable Awards | Sportsmark Gold; Artsmark Silver |
| Website | www.hccs.info |
| Coordinates: | |
Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School is a Secondary School and Sixth Form Centre located in Holmes Chapel, Cheshire.
A Specialist Science College and designated Training School which has also been accredited with both Sportsmark and Artsmark awards, the school consistently performs well in academic performance League Tables, invariably exceeding both National and Local Education Authority averages.
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[edit] History
The school was originally founded in 1978 as a purpose-built 11-18 comprehensive and sixth form.
[edit] Student Population
In total, the school community contains just over 1200 students whose ages range from 11 to 18 years. Approximately 170 of these are members of the Sixth Form, and there are about 85 members of teaching staff. The lower school is divided into five year groups, each containing about 200 students, whilst the Sixth Form is divided into two year groups of about 75 students each.
The proportion of pupils with special educational needs is well below average, while the proportion of pupils with statements is average. Pupils with the highest levels of need mostly have specific learning difficulties (dyslexia), emotional and behavioural difficulties, or moderate learning difficulties. About two per cent of the pupils have minority ethnic backgrounds. The proportion of the pupils who are eligible for a free school meal is well below the national average and the socio-economic census data for local wards is very favourable.
The school's catchment area is large, and approximately half its students live in the surrounding towns and villages of Allostock, Brereton, Byley, Chelford, Cranage, Goostrey, Lower Peover, Middlewich, Plumley, Smallwood, and Wincham. Consequently, many students travel to school on private buses, provided by either Cheshire County Council or the school itself. The majority of those who live in Holmes Chapel walk, due to the school's position reasonabely near the centre of the town, and about 10 or 15 students cycle. The local area is rural and socially mixed, although generally affluent.
The student attendance record for 2005 is given below:
| Authorised Absence: | 5.6% (6.7% locally, 6.7% nationally) |
|---|---|
| Unauthorised Absence: | 0.5% (1.2% locally, 1.3% nationally) |
[edit] Curriculum
As per the norm for English or Welsh Secondary schools, students study the Key Stage 3 Curriculum in years 7, 8 and 9, and sit National Curriculum assessment examinations (SATs) at the end of this period.
In years 10 and 11, students are given the opportunity to choose which subjects they wish to continue to study (although English, Mathematics, Science, Core PE and ICT remain compulsory. Students must also choose a Humanities - History, Religious Studies or Geography). During the two years, students are assessed by external qualification bodies through both coursework and examinations, and are awarded GCSE or GNVQ qualifications in all subjects in which they pass at the end of the period. Subjects offered at either GCSE or GNVQ level by the school include: Art, Business Studies, Drama, Food Technology, French, Geography, German, Graphic Products, History, Information Communication Technology, Music, Physical Education, Religious Studies, Resistant Materials and Systems and Control.
Students who choose to remain in the school and join the sixth form for years 12 and 13 study for AS and A2 qualifications. Usually, students study four AS-level subjects in year 12, and then continue three of these into A2 during year 13. Over 28 subjects are available to choose from. Additionally, most students also take AS/A2 General Studies (although this is not taught). A large proportion of students go on to study at University or pursue other further-education opportunities after completion of their AS/A2 studies at Holmes Chapel.
The school has recently begun teaching astronomy GCSE, available to students in both years 10 & 12. The course is taught to 20 students by Mr. Jason Jones of the science faculty, on Wednesday evenings.
[edit] Academic Performance
The school consistently performs well in performance league tables:
| Students achieving five A* to C grades at GCSE (2005): | 73% (national average: 57.1%) |
|---|---|
| Students achieving five A* to C grades at GCSE inc. maths and English (2005): | 62% (national average: 44.9%) |
| AS/A2 average points per student (2005): | 312.6 (national average: 277.6) |
[edit] OFSTED
The most recent OFSTED report concluded as follows:
This very effective school provides excellent value for money. Its success is based on exceptionally strong leadership, much very good teaching and the very good attitudes of the overwhelming majority of the pupils. The achievement of all groups of pupils is very good. Pupils make very good progress in most subjects and overall results in National Curriculum tests and GCSE and A-level examinations are well above average.
A copy of the entire report is available on OFSTED's website [1].
[edit] Expansion and Development
Since it first opened almost 30 years ago, HCCS's student population has grown enormously, leading to considerable expansion of the school buildings. In the last five years, a new Arts building was opened, as well as an extension to the science department and a complete refurbishment of all the science rooms has been completed during the summer of 2007. Partially funded by donations and sponsorship from parents and local businesses, the Arts building is home to the art and music faculties, along with a number of rooms dedicated to Sixth Form use on the first floor including a common room, and other 'A level only' courses such as sociology and psychology.
In September 2006 a new dining hall facility was completed. This building helped to resolve the problem of over-crowding at lunchtime, allowing lunch to be served in two sittings, rather that four. It also houses a dedicated 'bistro' for the use of Sixth Form students, which currently provides food in the mornings, which ends after lunch. A cashless system for dining came into action on January 29, 2007 using cards, and that has since been updated for some years to biometric thumbprints, to help solve the problem of lost cards.
Finally, in a radical measure introduced by Mr Oliver for the start of the school year in September 2007, the school will no longer have independent heads of year who follow their year group through the school, instead having one teacher for two year groups.
| Year 6 and 7: | Mrs Robertson (Humanities) |
|---|---|
| Year 8 and 9: | Miss Roberts (English) |
| Year 10 and 11: | Mrs Goodwin (Languages) |
| Year 12 and 13: | Ms Fraser (English) |
[edit] School uniform
All students enrolled at HCCS are required to wear school uniforms [2].
The uniform consists of a black pullover, either a black or white polo shirt, black trousers and black or brown shoes. The school badge is emblazoned onto the polo shirts and pullovers. There is also a strict no make-up/jewellery policy.
[edit] Trivia
Previous Head Teachers include Mr. Knight, Mrs Duffy.
[edit] Notable alumni
- Dean Ashton - West Ham United Footballer and England U-21 Footballer (born 1983)
- Mark Bowden - Composer (left 1997) - Composer
- Seth Johnson - England football player
[edit] External links
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