Wilmslow High School
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Wilmslow High School, an 11-18 comprehensive, is the only secondary school in the town of Wilmslow, in the Borough of Macclesfield in Cheshire, England. It works in partnership with the 12 primary schools in Wilmslow, Handforth and Alderley Edge, from where the majority of its students come. The school has 300 places available in each year and a Sixth Form that has the capacity to provide programmes for some 400 students. 2% of students have statements of special educational need, 2.1% have English as a second language and 8.1% are entitled to free school meals.
The school was designated as a specialist Sports College on [{September 1|1st September]] 2003.[1]
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[edit] History
Wilmslow High School came into existence in September 1984 when the three comprehensive schools in the town merged to form a single school on three sites. Following a major development programme, the school was, at the beginning of March 1994, consolidated onto one site. A further, extension, completed in September 2004, has resulted in new sixth form provision and enhanced facilities for Sport, Design Technology, Science, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Business Education and ‘Student Services’. Current facilities also include two drama studios, a sports hall, gymnasium, dance studio, fitness suite and a music suite, newly refurbished food technology areas, a Library Resource Centre and a recently redesigned dining hall: increasingly, all accommodation is well serviced by ICT. The school, however, does lack a designated common room for 6th form students as it has done in the past. Externally, and adjacent to the school buildings, are extensive playing fields including a floodlit all-weather sports pitch and 16 tennis courts. The school makes use of the local Leisure Centre and Swimming Pool that are within walking distance. The environment is regarded as an important factor in encouraging students to learn. The school was run by Headteacher, Roy Lyon, for the last ten years, who recently retired from education. The current Headteacher is Gill Bremner who was Deputy Head for about 8 years under the previous Headteacher.[2]
[edit] Learning Support
The school’s Learning Support Team caters for students who have learning difficulties. Provision includes a fully integrated 8-place unit for children who have impaired hearing. The school is leading a Local Education Authority (LEA) project relating to provision for autistic students and a member of staff based at the school has responsibility for supporting such students.
[edit] Curriculum
The school’s curriculum offers a wide range of programmes that meet National Curriculum requirements. Students progressing through the school are able increasingly to tailor programmes to meet their particular learning needs with a wide range of General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) programmes, Business & Technology Education Council programmes (BTEC), and General Certificate of Secondary Education, Advanced Level (AS/A2) programmes. Alternative accredited programmes are also available. The school places particular emphasis on Personal, Health, Social and Citizenship Education and operates a system that links curricular activity, tutorial activity and three "Personal, Health, Social & Citizenship Education" (PHSCE) Days. All Year 10 students have a one-week work experience placement, with further course related work experience in Year 12.[3]
[edit] Extracurricular Activities
The school’s curriculum is enriched by a wide range of visits and fieldwork activity and is supplemented by extracurricular activities that offer the opportunity for students to develop and follow their interests and talents in music, drama and sport and other activities. The school’s Duke of Edinburgh Scheme flourishes, and a bi-annual ‘World Challenge’ expedition is available to older students. Competitive sport is a feature of the school’s extracurricular programme.
[edit] Sports College
Wilmslow High School was awarded Specialist Sports College status in September of 2003.
[edit] Community Links
The school’s Parent-Teacher Association organises a wide range of social, educational and fund-raising activities.[4]
The school is a centre for Adult Education and has developed strong links with the local community and major local employers: the Wilmslow High Partnership was established in 1997. Community involvement and links are also manifest in student placements, musical concerts, the annual Arts Festival that includes all of the local primary schools and wide-ranging activity in support of local charities. The school acts as the host for the annual Wilmslow Show: a major community event.
[edit] The Future
Wilmslow High School has developed significantly over recent years and now enjoys an enviable reputation. The Ofsted Inspection Report of March 2003 described the school as, ‘very effective’ and found that: -
- Standards are well above average and achievement is good
- The quality of teaching and learning is good throughout the school
- Pupils have good attitudes to the school and their studies
- Leadership and management are excellent
- Arrangements for pupils’ welfare are very good
- Provision for pupils’ personal development is very good
- The range of extracurricular activities is excellent
- Areas for further improvement were identified as follows: -
- Provision for religious education and ICT
- The quality of those lessons which were judged “satisfactory”.
The school has, subsequent to the Ofsted Inspection, commenced a fundamental review of current provision within a ‘Futures Thinking’ debate with the aim of transforming an already very good school into a ‘great’ school.
[edit] Alumni
- Sarah Hadland - actress[5]
[edit] References
- ^ :::: Wilmslow High School :::
- ^ :::: Wilmslow High School :::
- ^ Wilmslow High School website
- ^ :::: Wilmslow High School :::
- ^ Sarah's big break as star of Confetti Wilmslow Express - 24 May, 2006
