WELCOME TO THE NORTH SCHOOL

Specialist Sports College Vision

It is our vision that will raise standards of achievement in Physical Education and Sport for all our students across the ability range leading to whole school improvement. 

We will be a regional focal point for promoting excellence in Physical Education and Community Sport, extending links between families of schools, sports bodies and communities, sharing resources, developing and spreading good practice, helping to provide a structure through which young people can progress to careers in sport and physical education.  We will increase participation in physical education and sport for all pre and post 16 year olds and develop the potential of talented performers.

SEN

Our Senco is Mrs Caird. She fields a team of highly experienced teachers and teaching assistants who support individual pupils and small groups. In addition, each Faculty has its own dedicated teaching assistants providing subject knowledge and support across the curriculum.

DYSLEXIA UNIT

The Dyslexia Unit at the North School is the only designated unit for the Ashford area. Externally funded for 15 students, the Unit also plays an active role in the assessment and tuition of other students at the North School who have specific difficulties.

Intervention is focused on developing the talents that dyslexic students undoubtedly possess, whilst providing support in areas of difficulty. Literacy problems are addressed in the security of the Unit where the student is able to confidently develop reading, writing and spelling skills without undue anxiety. Scientific, mathematical and practical skills are developed in the classroom with support as required. Individual achievement particularly in Sport, Art and ICT are celebrated in the Unit.

This method continues to be used because it succeeds! Our most successful student entered the Unit in Year 7 with a reading age of 6 years and left in Year 11 with 13 GCSE/GNVQ passes at C grade (including Maths and English).

Dyslexic students are fully included in the life of the school. They regularly feature as Prefects and two years ago, a member of the Unit became Head Girl. They go on to take up a variety of interesting careers - from Gamekeeper to dental technician.

The North School's expertise in providing for dyslexia has been recognised by the LEA so that it is proposed we become the Lead School for dyslexia in the cluster.

Mrs J Teal (Teacher-in-Charge of Unit)

The admissions criteria is the same as for all Kent Community Schools, that is:-

 a) Children in Local Authority care
 b) Current family association, ie brother or sister in the school at the time of entry
 c) Health and Special Access Reasons
 d) Residence within a particular scheme of education
 e) Nearness of children's homes

 The Governors have ruled that the school uniform must be worn by all students in Years 7 to Year 11 on school days both within and  travelling to and from school on official occasions and on all school visits and  journeys. Articles not conforming to these regulations are  forbidden. The uniform for Years 7 to 11 consists of  the following items:-

All students must follow the dress code at all times including lunchtime. Form Tutors must make students aware of this code of dress and if  necessary, inform Head of Community of students’ inappropriate uniform

 Students who fail to comply with these rules will have inappropriate items confiscated and their parents will be informed of their failure to  comply with our code of dress. Detentions will be given to students who ignore all  previous warnings.