| Motto | "Pride in achievement" |
|---|---|
| Established | 1937 as St. Barnabas County School |
| Type | Co-educational secondary school |
| Headteacher | Mr Andrew Beaumont , BSc, MA, NPQH |
| Location | Woodford Green Greater London England |
| Local authority | Redbridge |
| DfE URN | 102854 |
| Ofsted | Reports |
| Staff | 125 |
| Students | 1,508[1] |
| Ages | 11–18 |
| Houses | Blue Green Red Yellow |
| Colours | Green and Yellow |
| Website | www.woodbridgehigh.co.uk |
Woodbridge High School is a co-educational secondary school located in Woodford Green in the London Borough of Redbridge. It is designated as a Specialist Language College.
The school appointed Andrew Beaumont as headmaster in 2004 after the former headmistress Barbara Haigh retired after 16 years at the school. Andrew Beaumont previously held the deputy headmaster post at Watford Grammar School for Boys. The headteacher takes an active role within the school community and teaches classes of Geography and RE.
Woodbridge has approximately 1,500 pupils and over one hundred members of staff, although this is always increasing. There is a great variety of pupils from different backgrounds within the school, and the school is multi-cultural. The school's emphasis on a good all-round education is emphasised from its school motto, "Pride in Achievement".
The catchment area for Woodbridge is wide, and includes the Orchard Estate council housing area nearby whilst also stretching up as far as the Church End Ward in South Woodford. Many pupils also come from the surrounding areas such as Walthamstow, Gants Hill and Ilford. The nearest tube stations are Woodford (10 min walk) and South Woodford (20 min walk) on the London Underground Central Line.
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A very emphasised pastoral system ensures academic and personal progress, as well as a safe environment in which to learn. Pupils are placed in mixed ability tutor groups. The same team of form tutors led by the year co-ordinator stays with the group for five years until the sixth form. The welfare and progress of every pupil is monitored with annual school reports, covering their achievement, attendance and good behaviour, this was recognised in their 2005 Ofsted report,[2] where the school was noted as one where 'every child really does matter'.
Woodbridge has good facilities. The ratio of computers to students is approximately 1:3. There is a modern sports hall, a newly furnished and equipped library, the school has one music studio, and two drama studios and many scientific practical laboratories as well as many general classrooms. The two main buildings, Mallards (Upper School), and Wynndale (Lower School), are situated either side of a few grassed fields. All departments have their own ICT facilities and the majority of classrooms are equipped with interactive white boards that have been installed in recent years.
At Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) all pupils study English, Mathematics, Science, Technology, History, Geography, two Modern Foreign Languages, Art, Music, Drama, ICT, Religious Education, Physical Education and PSHE. Pupils are mainly taught in mixed ability groups, although there is some ability related setting in Mathematics and Languages.
At Key Stage 4 (years 10-11) all pupils are prepared for GCSE qualifications. Most pupils are entered for 10 - 11 GCSEs. They study English Literature, English Language, Mathematics, Double Award Science, a Modern Foreign Language and take part in some Physical Education. They also choose options from a very wide range of subjects. The subjects currently offered are Art & Design, Business Studies, Child Development, Drama, Expressive Arts, French, German, Russian, Geography, History, Information Technology, Media Studies, Music, Physical Education, Psychology, Religious Studies, Resistant Materials, Building Craft Occupations, Graphics, Food Technology and Textile Technology. Students may take Applied GCSE courses in Business and Health & Social Care as two of their options. An Additional Studies option is available for students who need support with their GCSE subjects.
An alternative pathway is now available for students who wish to follow a more vocational, work-related curriculum. College courses, work placements and work-based learning can be chosen alongside core and optional subjects.
The school has received many accolades in recent years. The school is a designated Language College and Business & Enterprise College. It also has an Applied Learning Specialism. In addition to its Specialist College status, it is an Investor in People and an International School. It has received School Achievement awards further to the 'value-added' to students.
The school is also noted for its TAFAL programme. TAFAL or "Teach A Friend A Language" is a scheme where pupils are encouraged to learn new languages of other class pupils and enter a competition. The format has been adopted by many schools nationwide.
Woodbridge is completely non-denominational, so it accepts children from all and any religious and ethnic backgrounds. The school in the past has held a variety of events including Chinese New Year celebrations and Black History Month concerts. However, the British National Party stated in one of its campaign leaflets that the school was guilty of 'mental child molestation' as it taught racial equality in lessons. Andrew Beaumont was described as a 'dripping wet liberal' for allowing children from ethnic minorities to join the school, on the basis that white British children should be given priority.[3]
There are three main buildings in Woodbridge High School, along with the Sports Hall which is situated in the central field.
Mallards is a three-floor building situated at the Broadmead Road end of the site. It contains the school's main office, and the departments of Science, English, Drama, Business, Media and Art. There is a library and a learning support department. There is also a canteen known as "Mallard's Canteen" and a large Sixth Form suite upstairs, including a common room for students to socialise and a private study area.
Wynndale is the more modern building on the site, and is situated at the bottom of Wynndale Road, although it is accessed by the St Barnabas Road gate. This building holds the school's main canteen and Wynndale Hall, where most of the school's events are held and exams take place. The main subject areas taught in Wynndale are Music, Maths, History, Geography, Religious Studies and the Technology block is situated at the rear of the building.
Double vented school blazer with embossed school crest, white shirt, black and yellow striped school tie, black V-Necked jumper, black trousers and black smart shoes, overcoats must be either black or navy in colour.
P.E Kit must consist of T-shirt in house colours and shorts in summer, or rugby shirt and tracksuit bottoms in winter, and trainers or tennis shoes
Sixth formers do not have to wear uniform, although there is a dress code to which they must adhere. However, in 2006, "Smart Fridays" were introduced, and business attire must be worn on this day each week. In 2008 this was further extended to Thursdays as well and smart suits must be worn on these days.