FARLINGAYE HIGH SCHOOL

INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS

FOR STAFFING POSTS

(Art work by A-level students)

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THE SCHOOL Farlingaye High School is an 11-18 (Group 8) comprehensive co-educational school which has 1950 students on roll (including 475 in the Sixth Form). Situated in the picturesque town of Woodbridge, approximately 10 miles north of Ipswich, the school is recognised by Ofsted as outstanding (2007 and April 2013).

We were delighted to become a Teaching School, in partnership with Kesgrave High School in 2011 – one of just 57 secondary schools/partnerships at the time to receive this highly prestigious award.

Whilst there is no longer funding for it the school was awarded specialist school status for maths and Computing in 2002 and in 2006 it was awarded a second specialism in Creative Arts and English. At the time this resulted in some excellent opportunities for staff and student development, as well as new resources.

We have been a Leading Edge school since 2003 and continue with exciting initiatives linked to thinking & learning skills and this will continue.

The school was given National Support School status in 2009

We became an Academy in July 2011.

STAFF BENEFITS FOR THOSE WHO WORK AT FARLINGAYE 1. NQTs have a special package to give them a lighter teaching load than other staff. 2. We are members of a Well Being Scheme and our staff are entitled to telephone access

for guidance and personal support, counselling and physiotherapy, as well as personal and some private medical support if needed.

3. The maximum any of our staff teach is 84%. 4. Generous full pay paternity allowance is given and we do all we can to support parents

of young children returning to work. 5. In accordance with our Admissions policy for entry 2016/17, children of staff employed

by the school are given priority where they have been employed for two or more years or if they are recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a skill shortage.

6. The school pays into the national teachers’ pension for all staff. 7. We run an outstanding CPD programme to ensure all staff have access to developing

both their professional and personal skills.

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8. Due to our size as well as Leading Edge, we have had several opportunities each year for teaching staff to take on additional paid activities or research projects which give staff the opportunity to add to their CV and help their professional development.

9. As a large school, we have great opportunities for internal staff promotion. Some jobs are only advertised within the school.

10. We are understanding of staff needing time for personal reasons. 11. Ufford Park Health Club offer all Farlingaye staff the following discounts on their health

club memberships:

no joining fee to sign up to the Health Club (which is usually £29).

25% off any membership package (day or anytime) for the leisure facilities.

As a member you would then have 20% off the spa experience and between 10-20% off treatments.

OFSTED In April 2013 the school was visited by a team of Ofsted inspectors who looked into every aspect of the school. The OFSTED report is available on the internet or from the School Office. It was fantastic, with both the school and sixth form being designated ‘outstanding’. Here are a few quotes:-

“Those who have special educational needs make excellent progress.” “Pupils make outstanding progress…because teaching is excellent at all stages.” “Training and support for teachers are exceptionally good.” “Sixth form students highly appreciate the high-quality teaching and personal and

academic advice they receive.”

“The sixth form is outstanding.” “Pupils say they would not hesitate in going to any member of staff for help if they

were worried.”

“The behaviour and attitudes of pupils are outstanding. Pupils are exceptionally keen to learn.”

“The school encourages tolerance and understanding of individuals and different groups of people exceptionally well.”

“Teachers promote the development of pupils’ literacy, numeracy and computer skills exceptionally well.”

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“Students thoroughly enjoy school.”

THE CATCHMENT AREA Farlingaye High School serves a 200 square mile catchment area. Woodbridge itself is an extremely pleasant and popular market town, which has developed alongside the River Deben, and about a third of our students can walk to school from the immediate area. The rest of our students are bussed in from the outlying villages.

The catchment area is mixed and fed by twelve partner primary schools which, together with the High School, comprise the Farlingaye Pyramid. These schools work actively together to develop the links between the students and staff across all the centres, with major events in the calendar being shared, and cross-phase teaching occurring. We work closely with Kesgrave High School and share our Teaching School work with them.

PHILOSOPHY We aim to provide our students with a high quality teaching and learning experience within a safe, stimulating and caring environment. We encourage this not just through lessons, but also by providing them with an enriched curriculum which offers the opportunity to succeed in a variety of ways and to participate in a wide range of activities. High expectations in all aspects of school life foster high standards and sound values. We believe students work best when they are encouraged and treated with respect.

ORGANISATION OF THE SCHOOL There is a leadership team of eight: the Headteacher, two Deputy Heads and five Assistant Headteachers, one of whom leads our Learning Support team. The teaching staff is organised into ten faculties, each being led by a Learning Co-ordinator. Each faculty area having its own team room where staff tend to base themselves socially and for quiet working. The pastoral system is provided through Year Learning Co-ordinators who rotate through the school, alongside their tutors, staying with Year 7 until they reach the end of Year 11, when the Sixth Form Team assumes oversight of Years 12 and 13. The majority of staff are tutors. There is a Lower School Co-ordinator for Years 7, 8 and 9, an Upper School Co-

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ordinator for Years 10 and 11 and a Sixth Form Co-ordinator for Years 12 and 13. They have oversight of the curriculum and support the Year Co-ordinators in dealing with pastoral concerns. The Learning Support Department operates a mixture of support and withdrawal; a counsellor and Behaviour Support Assistants provide further advice and help for our students. In addition, a range of mentoring programmes run across the school, including over 100 of our Sixth Formers who, as trained buddy mentors, support younger students. There is a large team of extremely supportive non-teaching staff, who are managed and led by the Administration and Finance Manager and the Support Staff Personnel Officer.

ACCOMMODATION The school has excellent facilities and is geographically organised into faculty areas, plus a sixth form block. There is a central administration area with the Maths department housed above it. The other faculty areas are based in specific blocks. The classrooms are supported by good ICT facilities in each faculty area. There is a well-equipped Library and Information Centre; the PE facilities are fantastic, with gym, recently decorated sports centre, recently equipped fitness studio, performance studio and playing fields allowing access to a wide

School Leadership Team Headteacher Andy Sievewright Deputy Head Peter Smith Deputy Head (Upper School Co-ordinator) Louise Gilmour Assistant Headteacher (Lower School Co-ordinator) John Tunaley Assistant Headteacher (Assessment, specialisms and ICT) Chris Moran Assistant Headteacher (Support for students, PP and Celebrating Achievement) Cathy Laird

Assistant Headteacher (Director of Learning Support) Debbie Pritchard

Assistant Headteacher (Director of Sixth Form) Penny Tyndale Hardy

Heads of Faculty

Creative Arts Tracy Hetherington English Rebecca Jermy Humanities Nick Webb Languages Gianna Cesarano Maths Andrew Gemmell Science Claire Moran and Simon Lucking Technology Hugh White

Vocational/General Studies Nigel Edge Learning Support Debbie Pritchard PE Kate Alexander

Year Co-ordinators (2016-17) Year 7 Luke Wakeley

Year 8 Paul Macdonald Year 9 Heather Enright

Year 10 Toby Read Year 11 Geoff Harris Year 12 Vicky Stuart Year 13 Graham Tait

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HumanitiesSports

Centre

New Hall

Dining

Hall

Drama

Music

Art

Maths & ICT

Upstairs

Science

English

Languages

Information

Centre

Technology

S.E.N.

BikesCaretaker

Bus Park

Ransom

Road

Main

Entrance

6th

Form

Dance

Studio

range of sports. It is important to us that the environment remains visually stimulating and celebrates the work and achievement of the students in these areas. A £2 million Sixth Form block opened in 2006, providing a study area and Sixth Form common room, in addition to a conference room, ICT facilities, laboratories, and teaching rooms. This block provides a showcase exhibition space for the art produced within the school.

A Site Plan of the School

ETHOS We believe that students are entitled to:-

be safe

be given the opportunity to achieve the best possible exam results

be taught a broad and balanced curriculum, through the National Curriculum

have access to the best resources available in the school

high quality teaching

be given work which is appropriate, yet challenging

have work assessed regularly and innovatively

have regular and challenging homework

be praised and have good work acknowledged

have school-based problems investigated and solved wherever possible

have the opportunity to join in clubs, extra-curricular activities and outings

be treated with respect

be prepared for the world of work

be prepared for life in the 21st century.

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Students at Farlingaye are expected to:

treat others with respect

allow others to learn

produce their best quality work

do all their homework when it is set and hand it in on time

ensure the safety of others in the school

bring the right equipment to all lessons

have a good attendance record

be punctual

wear the correct uniform. Students at Farlingaye are encouraged to:

join clubs and lunchtime activities

report matters which concern them or other students

celebrate and share their achievements.

APPROACH TO BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT We have high expectations of our students in the classroom and around the school, promoting an achievement culture where it is acceptable for the students to be seen to be doing well and where we celebrate personal achievement. We also believe it is important to have a work culture in the school which encourages a positive approach to learning. We are constantly reminding the students of the need for positive behaviour and our approach to this is based on positive modelling. Students have three rights: the right to learn, the right to be treated with respect and the right to be safe. This in turn means that they have three responsibilities which are: the responsibility to allow others to learn, the responsibility to treat others with respect and the responsibility to ensure that others are safe. Our Code of Conduct reflects this, encouraging and rewarding success. Staff are well supported in managing behaviour positively and assistance is always available. There are a range of rewards and sanctions to support staff so that students know clearly what is expected of them.

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CURRICULUM Over a 2 week timetable, the students have 15 lessons per week, with each of the day’s three lessons lasting 100 minutes. Each day begins with registration. Each year group has two morning assemblies a week: a Main Assembly and a Year Assembly with a half-termly Praise Assembly. In Years 7, 8 and 9, the students have the following curriculum balance:-

Year 7 Year 8 Year 9

Maths 4 4 4

Science 4 4 4

English 4 4 4

Languages 3 4* 3 4* 3

Technology 2 2 2

History 2 2 2

Geography 2 2 2

PE 4 3 3

Art 1 1 2

Drama 1 1 1

Music 1 1 1

RE 1 1 1

ICT 1 1 1

* Students only studying French have an additional Numeracy or Literacy lesson.

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In Year 10 and 11 students follow 9-11 GCSE courses. All students study:-

English Both English and English Literature is taught concurrently to most students

Maths Maths GCSE and some will have the opportunity to study Statistics

Science Core Double Science (including either Additional or Applied) unless they opt for Triple Science, in which case they will study Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

and students opt for four from the following:- Catering Systems and Control Graphics Resistant Materials Textiles ICT BTEC Health & Social Care CACHE Childcare Sociology Business Studies History Computer Science

Psychology Geography RE French German Spanish Art Music Drama GCSE PE

An additional two periods are either a “fast track” fifth option or additional Literacy and Numeracy

All students are involved in a PE and a PSE & Careers programme and in Year 11 the students undertake a week’s work experience. These experiences help prepare the students for life after fulltime education and the choices which lie ahead. We also offer a one year flexible GCSE and AS programme in Year 12 for students who need to re-take core subjects. At Post-16 level we offer 30 ‘A’ level subjects (including vocational subjects), with most students studying 4 ‘A’ levels and all students currently follow the General Studies course. Resits are available, combined with AS courses. Many students are very successfully involved in a number of extra-curricular activities, such as Young Enterprise and Sports Leadership, and many undertake work placements or help in classrooms through our “Adopt a Teacher” scheme.

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EXAMS We are delighted with the excellent exam results achieved by our students. In 2016 at GCSE 79% of students reached the threshold in both English and Maths. Our Progress 8 score was very strong at + 0.56. 32% of students achieved 5 A*/A grades. Our results at A2 this year were excellent; 96% of students achieved 3 + A levels at A* - E, with 100% of students gaining 2+ A levels at A* - E. 56% of all A level grades (including General Studies) were A*/A/B grades. We had an impressive average point score of 971 and an average entry score of 222. These results are both well above the national average and placed us as one of the top performing Suffolk state schools.

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SELF EVALUATION AND HELPING STUDENTS TO DO BETTER We are very interested in monitoring how effective we are as a school, carefully monitoring the progression of our students, identifying underachievement and establishing strategies to bring about improvement in individual students. All staff are involved in the analysis of their exam results and identify strategies and targets for their teaching groups. A wide range of data is collected on each student so that we can monitor progress and identify underachievement. Various strategies are adopted to try to help students who are underachieving or want support:-

In Years 7, 8 and 9 we have 6 week Achievement Schemes.

In Year 8 we hold tutor, parent and student dialogues to set targets, and have the On-Track scheme to help those displaying inappropriate behaviour.

In Years 9, 10, 11 and 12 we hold target setting mornings.

We have established a mentoring programme for Year 11, Year 12 and Year 13, involving students, staff and local businesses.

The “A2A” scheme supports those who are underachieving in Year 11.

Staff give a huge amount of time to organise revision clubs and days for Years 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 and we have good fun residential study trips (attended by 90% of Year 11 students) as the exams approach.

95% of Year 11 choose to come on a voluntary “awayday” revision programme.

A Revision Day is also held for our Year 11.

We have a Thinking and Learning Skills Day for Year 9 and a Study Skills Day for Year 10.

LEARNING SUPPORT Our support for SEN was rightly judged as outstanding by Ofsted. In the current academic year, there are 53 students who have statements of special educational needs plus 145 other students identified as requiring support including access arrangements. We are fortunate in having an excellent team of learning support teachers who provide individual and small group support. Each year there are a few students with physical disabilities and we have a significant number of students on the autistic spectrum who require specific additional support. All students with learning difficulties are supported through withdrawal, in lesson support and extra-curricular opportunities. All staff know how they may help the students through the IEP system.

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STAFF DEVELOPMENT, STAFF SUPPORT & PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT It is really important to us that we give staff the opportunity to develop professionally and we ensure this by consultation with individual staff and heads of faculty as well as through performance review schemes.

The Staff CPD programme largely reflects the priorities of the School Improvement Plan and individual teachers needs.

We access a wide range of courses and professional development activities both within County and beyond.

We have an in-house programme of weekly CPD sessions as well as well planned PD days. These cover a range of topics from developing ICT skills to improving your assessment strategies or managing behaviour.

Performance Management is effectively organised so that it is helpful and not intrusive, with the review process working from September to September for teaching staff and April to April for support staff. Staff set 3 targets with a line manager. The latest reforms were discussed extensively with all staff before implementing the new policy.

We have an established and well deserved reputation as an excellent centre for initial teacher training, working in partnership with Cambridge University Faculty of Education, a School Direct programme with UEA and SNITT schemes. There are lots of opportunities for staff to experience mentoring either student teachers or newly qualified teachers.

EXPECTATIONS OF STAFF We expect all staff to act and behave professionally at all times. In our Staff Handbook we have guidelines for staff on this. We expect staff to dress appropriately and professionally. Our current dress code means that Teaching and Support staff should not wear vests, strappy tops, trainers, T shirts, polo shirts (see later on), jeans or trousers that look similar to jeans, leggings except under long tops that are below mid –thigh, flip flops or sandals without a back to them, shorts/cut offs or low cut tops. Skirts/dresses need to be at an appropriate length and staff need to check they are not too short. Tattoos should not be visible and studs should not be worn in noses, eyebrows or anywhere visible. Support staff who do the more practical/technical work wear school polo shirts or a shirt or a lab type coat.

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TRIPS, EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, FOCUS FORTNIGHT ACTIVITIES AND ACTIVITIES WEEK For the last seven years we have held a Focus Fortnight in October. This year our theme is “Options”. We have great whole school days, as well as a range of lunchtime and lesson-based activities. These include an Interview Day, visits from international speakers, a Sexual Health Day and a great “Student Takeover Day” and a “One Life Day” with over 30 speakers. Usually we run about 10 trips abroad each year, last year these included a PGL trip to France, French and German Exchanges, a trip to Italy, a Music Tour to Austria a French Activities trip and a day trip to the battlefields. Some trips specifically cater for Years 12 and 13, such as our annual Third Reich trip and others are open to any student, such as the popular bi-annual ski trips, Duke of Edinburgh Award trips and other activity holidays. There are currently exchange trips with France, Spain and Germany. Students are offered a wide range of curriculum visits to the theatre, art galleries, exhibitions, sporting fixtures and lectures throughout the year. We hold an Activities Week, in the last week of school each year, which offers students a range of over 30 exciting activities in the last week of the school year. These range from trips abroad, local camping trips, film-making to cycling and cookery! There are over 60 lunchtime and after school clubs available to students, these being led voluntarily by the staff. Their time and commitment is greatly appreciated. Some clubs are just for fun, but others help students to enhance their specific skills and interests, such as the Music, Drama and Sports Clubs. We also have a huge number of revision clubs for GCSE and AS/A2. Staff support for all of these is very welcome!

Just one of our many successful sports teams!

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LINKS WITH BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY The school has strongly established links with local industry, including BT. There are several projects currently being undertaken with the support of Suffolk Education Business Partnership, including a COMPACT scheme where Year 11 students are mentored by staff in local businesses. FHSF, PARENTAL LINKS & GOVERNORS The Farlingaye High School Foundation (FHSF) is extremely well supported by parents/carers, with team of very committed individuals providing a range of interesting social activities for fun and to help to raise money. We now raise some £6000 a year through this group, through events like an annual Craft Fayre, Bavarian Oompah Night, Bingo and Burgers, Fashion Show, Quizzes, etc. We are very keen to promote links with parents/carers and work with them, particularly when dealing with concerns or underachievement of students. We are also very keen that they should know when their children are doing well. We are unique in holding a School Experience Morning for parents/carers when they sit in assembly and attend lessons. There is a newsletter, ‘Farlingaye Forum’, printed every three weeks for all parents/carers and members of the local community. This is posted home to ensure parents/carers see it! The governors are drawn from a wide range of professions and interests and are fully committed to the success of the school. They work closely with staff and parents/carers to ensure that the school achieves the best possible standard of education for its students, and regularly visit the school. The governance of the school was rated very highly by Ofsted and reflected their genuine commitment and interest in the school. Our Chair of Governors is Tim Fosker.

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS The school is always a busy and exciting environment with a wealth of opportunities for our students. Certain events stand out and give a flavour of the breadth and variety of work carried out in school:-

There were five well supported Music Concerts (our Choral Evenings involved our primary feeder schools as well), including one for the elderly. Also a Music Tour to Austria.

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Over 350 students travelled abroad in the last year on trips to France, Germany, Italy and Austria

To support and encourage students, there were six study days hosted off site for about 260 GCSE students in addition to three different mentoring programmes for Year 11 and our achievement schemes in the Lower School;

There were three very successful School Productions –Our Upper School Drama Showcase, our musical in March was “Cabaret” and our Lower School production, involving 80 students, was “High School Musical”.

One of our Year 9 mock trial teams won through the local and regional heats to take part in the National final of the competition at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.

All Year 11 students enjoyed an eight day work experience placement;

Maths Challenge teams did very well and Year 7 took part in a Maths quiz for local high schools;

Our Activities Week offered students a choice of over 30 exciting trips and events including residential trips abroad and in this country;

Year 9 had a Study and Learning Conference;

The curriculum was enhanced by over 30 trips, e.g. Tate Modern, Natural History Museum, Duxford War Museum, The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, Boulogne, and Mountfitchet Castle and several theatre trips;

A team of students competed excellently in the Suffolk Schools Sailing competition.

Our “School Experience Morning for Parents” gave 40 parents a valuable insight into school life;

Over 100 students participated in ‘Readathon’, which raised over £1600 for charity;

Over 100 students participated in bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh;

We had over 60 weekly clubs, plus over 40 weekly revision clubs, at lunchtime and after school.

We had a fantastic “Reflection and Resolution” Focus Fortnight with great events, visitors and competitions including a Student Takeover Day;

We had numerous cup and team successes in athletics, football, rugby, netball and cross country;

We raised £18000 through fun events to update a wheelchair for a year 8 student;

Staff held a Christmas panto for students!.

RECRUITMENT AND SAFEGUARDING Full details of how we recruit for each post are given in the pack of information about that post. All applicants, though, need to be aware that we are totally committed to protecting the safety of our young people. We therefore take the following actions:-

Each short-listed applicant (both teaching and support staff) will have two referees contacted BEFORE interview;

Current or most recent employers will always be contacted;

References must be people applicants have worked with – not friends;

Phone references will always be followed with a written request for a reference;

All appointments are made subject to two written references being received;

All applicants who are called for interview will be asked to bring proof of identity with them;

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) enhanced disclosure and check of the DBS Barred List will be carried out on the successful candidate;

If anyone is appointed who we later find out lied on their application form or at interview, they may be dismissed from their post.

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