Prospectus

Vision-

We believe that Castle Hall School will be one of the best comprehensive, specialist language colleges in the country. This will enable students to leave this school knowing that they have been given the best opportunities to succeed in all aspects of their learning- academic, sporting, social, cultural and moral. Parents will know that they are treated as respected partners in the process of educating their children. We also believe that staff will see Castle Hall School as a place of opportunity in which they develop as leading learners.

Aims-

At Castle Hall, we will equip our students with the attitudes, skills and knowledge to become:

• Life long learners
• Independent and creative users of new technologies in learning
• Flexible future students or employees

We will promote the spiritual, moral and cultural development of every student by:

• Raising low self-esteem
• Developing respect for people, property and cultures
• Challenging prejudice
• Providing a safe, secure and stimulating learning environment

We will enrich the language college aspect of our work through:

• Promoting the international dimension in students' learning
• Enabling all students to engage in a wide variety of language learning opportunities.

We will provide an inclusive education which caters for the need of every student.

Admission to Castle Hall School-

174 students are admitted at age 11 without reference to ability or aptitude. Where applications for admission exceed the number of places availbale, the following criteria will be applied:

1. Students having statemets of Special Educational Needs naming Castle Hall School
2. Students having brothers or sisters currently attending the school
3. Proximity of a student's home to the school, with those living nearest being given the highest priority

Learning-

Everything we do at Castle Hall is focussed on LEARNING.

We have developed a planning framework for our lessons which is designed to ensure learning is at the centre of our work. The framework is based on the science of accelerated learning.

We call this framework S.U.C.C.E.S.S.

• See the big picture
• Use what you already know
• Concentrate on your objective
• Challenge yourself
• Engage in your activity
• Share your learning
• Summarise what you have learned

We expect all of our lessons to follow this format.

An Environment for Learning

We put a lot of effort into creating an excellent environment for learning and we ensure that we take students views on this council. We are lucky to work in a well maintained school in a very pleasant immediate environment.

Information technology plays a major role in facilitating learning with networked computers in all of our classrooms. Many rooms have interactive whiteboards. All students have monitored and filtered access to the internet.

The school has a well equipped library and there are excellent facilities for those with Additional Needs.

Our 'Behaviour for Learning' programme ensures that disruption of learning through poor behaviouir is never tolerated; we value the partnership of parents in ensuring that our reputation for excellent standards of behaviour is maintained. We look closely with the other agencies involved with young people to ensure that all of our students are supported.

The school has excellent catering facilities providing students with a choice at lunchtime. All of our students stay in for lunch.

The thriving house system offers all of our students a range of opportunities.

Specialist Language College Status-

Castle Hall School was one of the first schools in the country to become a specialist language college. We are proud of our work in this field.

Our Language College staff teach in 7 purpose-built modern classrooms. These are equipped with audio-visual resources including an interactive whiteboard in every room, and a dedicated ICT suite.

All students study two languages (from French, German and Spanish) during their first three years at Castle Hall.

Most students then continue with the two languages to GCSE level. Some take up Japanese as an alternative or third language.

We employ native speakers of all of our languages to assist teaching staff in the delivery of high quality learning.

Foreign visits and exchanges are organised on a regular basis, enabling students to gain first-hand experience of using their languages in "real life" settings.

Many local primary school children benefit from our outreach teaching in their schools.

Our work within the North Kirklees Collegiate of schools includes offering GCSE programmes in languages to students from other schools.

Student Support-

Each student joins a tutor group within the appropriate year group and spends time each day with the tutor. The tutor provides a first contact point for parents who have a pastoral question about their child. A Year Group Manager looks after a year group of students, with a brief to ensure that each student fulfils his or her potential. This support team stays with the students for five years.

Target Setting & Monitoring

We collect and use data on student performance regularly: internal and external assessments, marks and test scores - are all used to make sure we set stretching targets of our students. We also use the data passed to us form primary schools, and the results of Cognitive Ability Tests taken early in Year 7 - to set targets.

There is a whole-school review day in the Autumn term, during which parents and students meet with the form tutor to discuss targets. A subject teacher parents' evening is held later in the year allowing parents to discuss progress.

Grade sheets are regularly sent home to parents.

Students with Additional Needs.

All students have the same curriculum entitlement, regardless of ability or need. We will ensure that pupils with statements of special needs receive the appropriate support.

Studets are screened by using standardised test scores when they start at our school. We also look at reports from present or previous staff.

Individual programmes of study are created for each student and we set targets linked to the needs of individual students. We then monitor how the student performs against these targets.

We make full use of outside agancies to help students with exceptional needs, including the most able.

A team of support assistants help students either by working in the normal classroom, by withdrawing in small groups, or by working individually with the student.

The school's learning support unit allows us to support students who find it hard for a variety of reasons to succeed in mainstream lessons; the intention is always to re-integrate these students as soon as possible.

Extra-Curricular Opportunities-

We want to encourage students to develop as all-round individuals. We hope that all students will find some way in which they can contribute to the wider life of Castle Hall School.

Examples of activities we offer include:

• Duke of Edinburgh's award scheme
• Charitable fund raising activities
• House quizzes
• House Science and Technology Challenge
• House sporting activities
• Involvement in musical and dance productions
• Language clubs
• Very successful school teams in a variety of sports

The School Day-

The school day runs from 8:30am to 3:00pm. It is organised into six 50 minute lessons.

All of our students remain on the school site at lunchtime.

Pupil Groupings-

During Year 7, many subjects are taught in mixed ability tutor group classes. As students progress through school they will be 'set' by ability in many subjects. Teachers make use of a variety of assessment information to determine these sets.

In Year 10 and Year 11 the core subjects and languages have an element of setting. Many option subjects are by necessity taught in mixed ability groups.

Sex Education-

Appropriate and responsible sex education is an important element in preparing students for adult life. We aim to present the facts of sex education in an objective, balanced and sensitive manner and to set them within a clear moral framework. Students are encouraged to value self-restraint, dignity, respect for self and others. We also recognise that parents are key figures in helping their children to cope with growing up and with the challenges and responsibilities of sexual maturity. The School Health Service delivers aspects of the school's sex education programme.

The school acknowledges the right of parents to withdraw their child from all or part of sex education provided.

Careers Education & Guidance-

Form tutors, the Careers Coordinator and the School's Connexions Careers PA deliver Careers Education and Guidance. Students have access to an extensive Careers Library and computer software packages. All students are entitled to impartial careers advice delivered by the Connexions Careers PA working in school. Students in Year 9 have planned lessons and an Options evening to help them make Key Stage 4 choices. Year 10 students undertake a detailed programme of study, based on the world of work, culminating in a two week Work Experience placement while Year 11 are provided with all the tools they need to progress into post 16 education, employment and adult life.

We have an enviable record in ensuring progression to work; training or further education is trouble free. Each year almost all of our students leave school knowing exactly what they are progressing to.

Charging-

If activities are a statutory part of the national curriculum all students are entitled to the activities free of charge. Extra activities, arranged to improve the curriculum beyond this, are arranged on the understanding that parents will be invited to cover the cost, including cover for absent staff. If donations are not sufficient to cover the total cost, it is very likely that the activity will be cancelled.

We are very keen that all students are entered for as many public examinations as possible. The costs of these are met by the school. If a student fails to attend final examinations without adequate explanation, the school may exercise the right to charge parents the costs of examination entry.

OFSTED Inspection-

Castle Hall School was last inspected by OFSTED in January 2004.

A copy of the full report, a summary and the school improvement plan arising from it, are available in school from the Headteacher's office.

Term Dates-

Term Dates for 2005/2006:

Term Dates for 2006/2007:

Applying for a place for your child at Caslte Hall School-

To apply for a place at Castle Hall School you must name the school on the Kirklees Secondary Common Application Form (SCAF) AND complete the Castle Hall School Supplementary Form. Full details are provided with the form.

All applications must be accompanied by proof of residence (e.g. original dated utility bill). All applications are carefully checked. If the information supplied is found to be inaccurate we may withdraw the offer of a place for the student concerned.

If your circumstances change during the application period, you must inform the school immediately.

How to Praise and How to Complain-

Like every school, we are very pleased when our efforts are recognised and praised. we like to receive compliments about what we do. We also know we can always do better. If you wish to make suggestions about improvement, or wish to complain about any aspect of our work, this can be done by writing to the Headteacher at the school. However, if your complaint is very serious, or you wish to go beyond the Headteacher, you should send your letter to the Chair of Governors.

Chair of Govenors

Castle Hall School

Richard Thrope Avenue

Mirfield

WF14 9PH

Key Stage 3 / Key Stage 4 Curriculum 2005-2006-

Key Stage 3 Curriculum 2005/2006

Key Stage 3 is years 7, 8 and 9.

All students follow the broad and balanced national curriculum: English, Maths, Science, PSHCE (Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education), 2 Modern Foreign Languages, PE, ICT, FBC (Faith, Belief and Culture), History, Geography, Design technology, Art, Drama and Music.

Key Stage 4 Curriculm 2005/2006

Key Stage 4 is years 10 and 11.

Students follow the core subjects: English, Maths, Science, PSHCE (Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education), Modern Foreign Languages, PE, ICT and FBC (Faith, Belief and Culture). They also have an opportunity to choose a number of 'options' subjects. The subjects currently offered are:

The Key Stage 4 Curriculum will vary according to a student's aptitude and ability. Our aim is that each of our students should study for a range of qualifications appropriate to their ability.

Uniform Requirements-

Uniform is worn by every student in school in accordance with the policy of the Governing Body. The Headteacher and Staff ensure that uniform rules are followed. We believe every student is happy to be a member of the school and is proud to wear the uniform.

We run our school shop to sell everything on the school uniform list and other items which might be useful in school. Contact us to check the opening times of the shop.

Key Stage 4

At Key Stage 4, pupils have the opportunity to mix and match with a tartan skirt and waistcoat available for girls and a tartan waistcoat available for boys.

Please note, this is an optional extra to the uniform, not a further requirement. Girls at Key Stage 4 may only wear flesh coloured tights during the summer term. Pupils at Key Stage 4 also have the opportuntiy to wear a distinctive tie. This is an optional extra, not a further requirement. A prefects' tie is available for Year 11 Prefects.

Jewellery

No pupil should wear rings, chains or large ear-rings. The school strongly advises against the wearing of studs in the ears. Girls who do wear errings should wear plain shuds - one in each earlobe only. If pupils do wear earrings they will be asked to remove them for certain lessons in the interests of safety. Watches may be worn if thought necessary by parents.

Outdoor clothes must not be worn in classrooms.

All clothing should be clearly marked with the pupil's name (not just initials).

GCSE Performance 2005-

The table shows the numbers of students achieving each grade in the subjects studied. Aggregate numbers are included showing the number achieving grade C or better and a grade G or better.

GCSE Results Summary-

Below are the GCSE summary reultsfrom 1998 to 2005:

At the time of printing, the Kirkless and National figures for 2005 were not available.

Key Stage 3 Test Results-

Table B: Teacher Assessment

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