School, childcare and nursery finder

Print / download version (PDF file, 91 KB) (opens in new window) Help with PDF files

The information provided was correct at the time of publishing. Please be aware that details may have changed.

What have been our successes this year?

Last year's successful Ofsted inspection judged the school as a "good and improving school. Aspects of the provision are outstanding".

Results have been improving in recent years and last year the school achieved 69% 5 A*-C. Although this was slightly lower than the previous year, it was still the second highest achieved. The 5 A*-C Grades at GCSE has moved from 59% (2003), 63% (2004), 68% (2005), 71% (2006)  69% (2007). 100% of Year 11 students left having gained at least one GCSE grade and the percentage of grades achieved at A* and A was 20% .

A new Sixth Form building was opened at the start of the year and now provides our students with unrivalled facilities for a school based sixth form. We also opened a specialist student support facility which provides individual support for some students. The school successfully achieved Specialist Schools redesignation as a specialist science college until 2010.

We have continued to refine our curriculum pathways at Key Stage 4, and expanded our links with a local college. Ofsted judged the curriculum to be outstanding.The continued use of a Positive Behaviour System has ensured a better learning environment for all students and greater rewards for good behaviour and hard work.

Back to top

What are we trying to improve?

We are further refining our approach to the assessment of work, in order to give more regular feedback to students and to involve them more in their own learning.

We are working to improve results in certain key departments. This includes targetting those students who are at risk of underachieving with additional support and tuition.

We intend to raise performance at Key Stage 5 to the highest levels and are investigating different models of student support in the Sixth Form.

We are keen to improve the consistency in teaching and learning, so that all areas benefit from the good practice within the school.

We are continuing to improve our community and parental links.

We are continuing our programme of ICT enhancement. This will include the integration of the separate networks into one single network.

We aim to supplement our PSHCE programme with additional information shown at breaks and lunchtimes, using television screens in social areas. The short programmes will provide additional information about issues such as healthy living; personal safety and career opportunities.

Back to top

How much progress do pupils make between 11 and 16?

Our school

Confidence interval

Back to top

How well do our pupils achieve at age 14?

Back to top

How well do our pupils achieve at age 16?

Back to top

How have our results changed over time?

Key Stage 4 results are rising over time. The percentage of students gaining 5 or more A* to C grades has risen from 59% (2003) to 63% (2004) to 68% (2005), 71% (2006) and 69% (2007). Progress from Key Stage 2 to 4 improves annually and the underlying figure of 5 A* to C grades including English and Mathematics has been fairly constant. The contextualised value added score achieved in 2007 places the school in the top 30% of all schools, and was once again one of the highest achieved by any school in the Local Authority.

Achievement at Key Stage 5 was sound. A to E pass rates at both AS and A level compare well with the national average.  Retention levels are very high. Ofsted commented that "for a number of students in the sixth form, achievement is excellent". Since 2002 the average points score per student has risen well.

Back to top

How are we making sure that every child gets teaching to meet their individual needs?

The school has adopted specific strategies (e.g. Assessment for Learning) to refine and develop the quality of teaching across the whole curriculum.  A specific Teaching and Learning Group develops teaching and learning to ensure individual student's needs are catered for across the curriculum.

We have developed the curriculum pathways for students at Key Stages 4 and 5 and increased the number of courses on offer. All three sciences will be offered to students from Sept. 2008. There has been an expansion of the vocational courses on offer, including courses in Health and Beauty. These are supported by clear and very detailed options-advice programmes.

Ofsted commented that "There is excellent provision for students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities".

The school has a strong and very effective Special Needs department and a carefully co-ordinated approach to inclusion. A new facility has enhanced the provision offered to those students who require the additional support. Specilaist agencies are able to provide further assistance and work closely with the student support facility.

The school has developed a range of opportunities for those students considering Oxbridge entrance. 

Back to top

How do we make sure all pupils attend their lessons and behave well?

The Ofsted inspection found "behaviour is often exemplary, creating an outstanding learning environment in which students feel safe and happy".

Attendance rates at the school are above national averages and unauthorised absences remain low.

Exclusion levels in the school are low and have been decreasing further in recent years.

We follow up all school/lesson absences and internal truancy, including using daily phone-calls home where we have concerns about students. The school rewards good attendance and operates an attendance league.

Our Positive Behaviour system rewards good behaviour in class and around school and ensures even low-level disruption in classes is at a minimum. We have very clear behaviour rules for classrooms and around the building (agreed after consultation with students) and a very clear sanctions pyramid understood by all students.

Students are able to gain a variety of rewards. Students have phone calls from tutors to parents giving praise; subject postcards detailing their strengths; and reward visits to local attractions. Students have been involved in deciding these ways of recognising their successess.

Two members of the clerical team work full-time supporting attendance and the PB Programme.

Back to top

What have pupils told us about the school, and what have we done as a result?

Our annual student questionnaire confirms that students are happy and feel supported. They enjoy our school and appreciate what we can offer, both inside and outside the classroom. They very rarely have any fears about coming to school or of being bullied. They feel valued and respected and confirm that staff take their concerns seriously. When they have asked for changes/improvements we have listened and changed e.g. where the school uniform and catering were concerned. In particular they appreciate the introduction of the Positive Behaviour Programme which has been designed to respond to their concerns about not being rewarded often enough.

An extensive student voice activity with Key Stage 5 students has enabled students to feedback on their teaching and learning experiences during the year. Departments are incorporating improvements into their action plans.

The School Council was instrumental in organsing a Green Day to raise environmental issues.

Sixth Form students are involved in deciding catering options.

We hold student focus groups to investigate their experiences of teaching and learning in lessons and this information is fed back to departments.

Back to top

How are we working with parents and the community?

Two annual one-to-one interviews with parents (in addition to parents' evenings); Open Evenings; reviews for students with special needs; and specific presentations to parents on various issues, provide opportunities for dialogue. The school has a Parents Social Committee and operates an annual parental questionnaire.

Our Middle school partners also benefit from our teachers providing support with their students in Science, Maths and English.

We work with the community through projects undertaken with our specialist school community plan. As part of the KS4 Health & Social care programme our students provide support to local nurseries, care homes and Infant schools. Students have also been involved in local community building projects, using skills such as dry-stone walling. The school's environmental group (SHEP) has developed a number of environmental projects, including building a community wildlife path, and a herb garden based on the theme of the War of the Roses. Community science lectures are regularly provided as part of our specialist school provision.

Students work with feeder schools e.g. through the CSLA Programme and provide a range of sporting events. The wider community also benefits through charity fund-raising.

Back to top

What activities and options are available to pupils?

The school is able to offer a very academic curriculum, which includes a Modern Foreign Language; and one which provides students with work related skills, including a diverse range from Hair & Beauty to Dry stone walling.

The curriculum is supported by a wide variety of sporting activities. Many students enjoy the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels and Year 9 students are offered an adventure week at Low Mill. We offer trips in this country and abroad, for example to London and Manchester, Russia, France and the Battlefields of Belgium, and a Ski Trip to Italy. In addition, we have an annual cultural exchange with a school on Martha's Vineyard Island in the U.S.A.

Students have won through to the National Final of the Dance Rock Challenge, which aims to raise awareness about drugs through dance.

Students have opportunities to take part in advice, guidance and mentoring activities; paired-reading with younger students; and in the Year Councils and full School Council.

Students take part in Aim Higher activities, including residential opportunities at a variety of universities and have contact with subject experts, e.g. a residential artist.

Back to top

How do our absence rates compare with other schools?

Back to top

How do we make sure our pupils are healthy, safe and well-supported?

The Ofsted report found "Overall, the quality of care, guidance and support is outstanding".

We have a strong pastoral system with two full-time pastoral leaders for each year group. It is underpinned by a school Positive Behaviour Programme.

We run our own catering system, in order to guarantee quality. This has put the school way ahead of current healthy schools legislation. Our catering has already been awarded the Kirklees Healthy Choice Gold Standard and we were the first school in Kirklees to gain both the National Healthy Schools Award and the Kirklees Gold Award. The school operates a Healthy Eating league for students and staff.

The school has its own full-time school Nurse, who provides weekly drop-in sessions, and strong links with external agencies that offer support/advice on health issues and underpin the school's PSHCE programme. Specialist outside agencies have worked with our students during PSHCE days providing expert advice about health issues and personal safety. Sixth Form students have benefitted from advice from the community police officers  about safe driving.

The school has introduced anti-bullying postcards to alert teachers to any concerns at a very early stage.
Our school is non-smoking throughout.

Back to top

What do our pupils do after year 11?

Year 11 students enter a wide range of career paths at the end of Key Stage 4, but the vast majority continue their education in our Sixth Form or at local colleges.

78%  Full time education

12%  Employment with training

4%    Employment without training

3% Training

3% Other (including not known)

Back to top

What have we done in response to Ofsted?

Ofsted inspected the school in September 2006. The inspection produced an extremely favourable report which recognised the improved levels of attainment by students over recent years, and described the school as "a good and improving school".

There were very few areas identified for development, with all aspects being rated as "outstanding" or "good".

The inspectors highlighted the need to raise attainment in Maths. A review of the department has been carried out and a detailed plan of action developed.

The quality of middle leadership was good, although there were some elements of variability. In response the school has extended its programme of CPD for middle leaders, including a partnership with Sheffield Hallam university and an educational consultancy.

The use of ICT in lessons was seen as not always being creative. Since the inspection training has been introduced to support staff in this area and additional investment in ICT has been implemented.

We have introduced training on lesson observation to help teachers identify the elements of the most succesful lessons. It is intended that this programme will be expanded further in the future.

A full review will be undertaken by the school as part of the self-evaluation cycle.

Back to top

Our results this year

At A level the vast majority of subjects achieved 100% pass rates with some subjects achieving an average grade of at least a B. The total points per student was 825.2 which is above the national average (731.2) and one of the best in the regional LSC.  In 2007 96% of examinations were passed by students at A level.

Overall, students made appropriate progress from KS4 to KS5. The vast majority of students studied a total of 4 A levels and 5 AS levels (including General Studies) providing a level of challenge which is consistently judged to be in the top 25% of schools and colleges.

At AS level pass rates were above the national average. The vast majority of students took 5 AS levels at the end of Year 12. Results in 2007 were comparable to previous years. A number of subjects gained results which placed them in the top 25% of institutions nationally, based on student prior performance.

Students studying a one year programme were able to successfully move on to A level courses or enter further training/employment.

Back to top

How have our results changed over time?

Pass rates are comparable to national averages although there is not a clear pattern in results. Retention rates at Key Stage 5 are very high, approximately 98%, and well above national averages.

Many subjects achieve 100% pass rates at A level and the pass rates at AS are above the national average.

Back to top

What have been the successes of the sixth form this year?

In the Sixth Form a group of departments achieved particularly good examination results, including Art, Business, Geography and  Media.

The vast majority of students went on to study at university at the end of last year, and these included Oxbridge.

The new Sixth Form building was opened at the start of the academic year, and it now provides a fantastic environment for our Sixth Form students. Students have their own ICT resource area and ready access to the internet and other facilities. The new Altitude Cafe provides professional catering with light snacks and hot beveradges throughout the day.

The Sixth Form has been oversubscribed and is now one of the largest Sixth Forms on record. The Open Evening for prospective Sixth Form students was a very successful event.

During the Year a bespoke range of PSHCE activities have provided students with advice and information about health; university; financial planning; and other relevant topics from a variety of experts. These have also included activities with the RAF and  the police.

A number of students completed the University Progression Module which is offered by local universities and students recieve extra UCAS points as a result.

Back to top

What are we trying to improve in our sixth form?

The quality of our teaching and learning at KS5 is  under review to identify areas in which we can improve our provision even further. The school has implemented a range of teaching and learning strategies (including Assaessment for Learning) into the lower school and this year the aim is to incorporate the best practice into KS5. Students have been involved in Student Voice activities to identify the most successful aspects of learning and to help pinpoint ways in which practice can be improved.

We are also trying to work in conjunction with the sixth form students to create a clear identity for the sixth form and to raise the level of aspiration in some of our students.

The support programme for students has been modified and during the year this will be refined to give our students even better help during their two years of study. The process of individual tutorials will be refined and improved.

The range of opportunities for students to develop their leadership skills needs to be expanded, and we are looking at ways in which students can be given more responsibilities.

The next year will see a focus on independent learning skills and a variety of techniques will be used to help students develop these skills.

Back to top

What do our students do after leaving the sixth form?

The College has a very succesful track record of students entering university at the end of KS5. Last year the vast majority of students in Year 13, over 100, applied and went to university at the end of their A levels. Students are accepted onto a wide range of courses, and at a variety of universities, including the most demanding institutions, such as Oxbridge or the Russell group.

Many of our students keep in touch once they've left and some attend a reunion function in December.

Back to top

More Information

If you would like more information about school policies, including our policies on special educational needs and disability, admissions, finance, school food and our complaints procedure, please contact us:

By telephone: 01484 868777

Our website: http://www.shelleycollege.org

Back to top