Welcome to Amersham School

Set in the beautiful Chiltern countryside, Amersham School is a mixed, 11-18 School providing secondary education for approximately 850 pupils. We pride ourselves on providing a first class education for pupils of all abilities, talents and interests. Our diverse curriculum provision and supportive approach enables all pupils to thrive.

Our mission statement :

• Live, Learn and Succeed Together

Our shared values :

• Mutual Respect and Trust
• Honesty and Integrity
• Responsibility and ownership
• Equality and Co-operation
• A sense of community

Our vision :

• First class
• Unique and special
• Personalised for pupils of all abilities
• Progressive and relevant
• At the heart of the community

Our School Priorities

• Promote student achievement and personal success
• Embed enterprise education and skills
• New Technologies to impact upon the quality of learning
• Behaviour for Learning to promote achievement

The Result

• Success for each individual

Standards and Expectations

We expect all members of our community to fulfil our mission of "Living, Learning and Succeeding Together". Our message to pupils is simple; treat others as you expect them to treat you. We develop respect for each other and for our environment.

Amersham School is rightly proud of its reputation as a school which provides a caring and supportive environment. We are a small school where children are known. Form Tutors, subject staff, Heads of Department, Heads of Year, Pastoral Support Assistants and members of the Senior Leadership Team are all involved in monitoring, guiding and supporting.

We work closely with parents in partnership, the results of this are seen in the successes of your young people. Good communication is at the heart of this partnership and parents are encouraged to look at and sign the pupils' school planners each week. We also produce a weekly newsletter. This is issued to pupils every Friday and contains much useful information.

The Curriculum and Assessment

monitoring progress | key stage 3 | key stage 4 | key stage 5

Amersham School offers a broad, balanced curriculum for all students. We recognise, however, that pupils have differing interests, abilities and needs. Our curriculum is sufficiently diverse to account for the individuality of our pupils. We firmly believe in providing an appropriate curriculum and that this leads to success.

We operate a two-week timetable. Weeks A and B follow each other throughout the year. This allows us to spread our provision over 50 one hour lessons.

Special Educational Needs

The Foundation Studies Department oversees the provision for pupils with Special Education Needs. We have a highly skilled and committed team of specialist teachers and Learning Support Assistants. Pupils' learning is supported through innovative curriculum provision such as Springboard Maths, Literacy Progress Units, ASDAN Youth Award. Pupils' needs are addressed through individual tuition, working in small groups or having their learning supported in mainstream lessons.

The Able Pupils Co-ordinator identifies those with particular gifts and talents. Information is disseminated to all teachers so that the pupils will be engaged and stretched in their learning. Special events are organised to give pupils an opportunity to develop fully.

Home-School Agreement

Introduction

All schools are required to develop and draw up Home-School Agreements. Parents, staff and the Governing Body have been invited to contribute during the drafting of this agreement.

The document is not intended to establish new guidelines or polices, but summarise existing expectations in one central agreement.

The School currently enjoys significant parental support for both our academic and pastoral work.

In an 11 to 18 school there is a need to have common standards whilst recognising and valuing the individual child. There is also a need for parents and the School to work in partnership, whilst stressing the value of individual students taking increasing responsibility for themselves and their future, as they progress towards adult life .This Home-School Agreement summarises the roles and responsibilities for parents/guardians and teachers in order to ensure that both parties work in partnership for the benefit of the children who attend The Amersham School.

In accordance with Government regulations, this Agreement is being issued to parents of both existing and new pupils. Parents are asked to discuss the contents with their child and then both the parent and child are asked to sign and return one copy of the Agreement to acknowledge their acceptance.

The Pastoral Structure

Form Tutors have direct responsibility for a group of up to 30 children. They act as an approachable guide to all the children in the Form. He or she will be the teacher who knows your child best and all routine correspondence should be addressed to the Form Tutor. In the majority of cases a Form Tutor will remain with a group of pupils as they progress up the School.

Form Tutors in each Year Group work with the appropriate Head of Year. These senior colleagues have an overall responsibility for their year groups. They work alongside tutors to monitor academic and social progress, to offer personal guidance and counselling, to ensure high standards of appearance and discipline, and to maintain detailed records of progress and personal achievement.

Standards within the whole school are closely monitored by the Assistant Headteachers, the Deputy Headteachers and the Headteacher who offer help, support and guidance where necessary. The School is aided, when appropriate, by external agencies such as the Education Welfare Office.

Safeguarding our Students

At Amersham School, the health, safety and well-being of every child are our paramount concern.  We listen to our pupils and take seriously what they tell us.  Our aim is that children will enjoy their time as pupils in our school.

We want to work in partnership with you to help your child to achieve their full potential and make a positive contribution.

On rare occasions our concern about a child may mean that we have to consult other agencies even before we contact you as parents.  The procedures, which we follow, have been laid down by the Buckinghamshire Area Child Protection Committee, and the school has adopted a Child Protection Policy in line with this for the safety of all.  If you want to know more about our procedures or the policy, please contact the Headteacher or your child's Form Tutor.

The Admissions Policy for Amersham School is set by Bucks County Council/LEA. Full details can be obtained from them on :

www.buckscc.gov.uk/schools

Parents of pupils wishing to join the school after the start of Year 7 should contact Mrs Allen in the School Office on 01494 726562 to arrange an interview and a tour of the School.

Next Open Evening :    Wednesday 26th September 2007 - 6.00 pm - 8.00 pm

                                  Headteacher's Address at 6.15 pm and 7.15 pm

Open Morning :           Thursday 27th September 2007      - 9.15 am - 10.30 am

                                 An opportunity to see our school in action    

Arrangements for visiting the School

Parents who are considering sending their child to Amersham School are invited to visit the school and see at first hand our facilities and to meet pupils and staff.

Please contact the School to arrange a mutually convenient appointment.

Contact us

What Can I Do Next?

On completion of Year Eleven at School you have reached the end of compulsory education and you have to make a decision about what you want to do next. The main options are:-

1. To stay in full time education within the Sixth Form.
2. To stay in full-time education but transfer to college of further education.
3. To look for a job.
4. To look for vocational training within a Modern Apprenticeship (you need four GCSEs, grades A*-C). Your Careers Officer will have further information.
5. To apply for a vocational Youth Traineeship (no formal qualifications). Your Careers Officer will have further information.

What Are My Choices In The Sixth Form?

There will be three different types of course available in the Sixth Form next year. There is flexibility between some of the courses which gives students the opportunity of negotiating a study programme to suit their individual needs. The three types of course are:-

1. Two year Level Three courses (See Section One)
   OR
   
2. One year Level Two courses (See Section Two) and GCSE Re-sits
3. All students take part in Post-16 Enrichment courses (See Section Three)

Sixth Form Admission Criteria

The Governing Body of Amersham School has adopted the following Sixth Form Admissions Criteria:-

• Students should attain at least five or more grades A* - C at GCSE to study Level 3 courses. Students are encouraged to study four 'AS' levels or equivalent. Some subjects, eg Mathematics, may demand that students achieve A*/A grade at GCSE.
• If students have achieved five or more GCSEs at A* - G, they may study Level 2 courses, together with re-sit English/Mathematics if appropriate
• As with applications from students currently attending the School, the previous history of a prospective student will be taken into account when considering an application. Criteria such as attitude to work, behaviour, attendance and relationship with staff and other pupils will be used. This information will normally be collected by references.
• In the event of over subscription of the places on the criteria above, priority will be given to students already on school roll.

Please note: If a course does not attract sufficient numbers, we cannot guarantee that it will run.

Life In The Sixth Form

We have high expectations of achievement, effort and conduct.  We are justifiably confident that when you leave to go on to Higher Education or work you will feel fully able to participate in, enjoy and succeed in a huge variety of opportunities which will then be available to you. 

You will be divided into six tutor groups.  Your tutor plays a vital role in ensuring that you make the most of your time in the Sixth form, monitoring your effort and attainment, setting targets and encouraging you.  Your teaching groups will be smaller, anything from 6 - 20 which enables you to have a closer and more mature working relationship with your teacher.

You will have access to the Sixth Form Common Room and a donation to the Sixth Form fund is requested at the beginning of each year to help with maintaining and improving facilities. 

You will be accepted in the Sixth Form, because the staff feel that you are capable of adopting a sensible and mature approach to your studies.  It is up to you, with support from the staff, to develop the right study habits and use your time purposefully.

The School Library is available for quiet studying and you will be expected to become a regular visitor!

Each Level 3 course requires approximately five hours per week of individual study.  To manage these demands you will need to be organised and should avoid working too many hours in paid employment.  We recommend no more than eight hours per week for part time work.

Full attendance and punctuality are expected.  You still have to provide a letter explaining absences.  When you are in Year Thirteen, you are given the privilege of 'home study' during the day but until then you should be in School from 8.45 am till 3.30 pm each day.

If you leave the site during the day you should use the Sixth Form signing in/out system.

Being a Sixth Former at Amersham School means that you will be treated as a young adult, a senior student of the school and we expect you to demonstrate maturity, responsibility and leadership.  We have high expectations of standards of courtesy towards each other, towards pupils and staff.  You are the role models for the younger pupils and will play a very significant part in helping to create and maintain a harmonious atmosphere within the school community.

As part of the ‘Aimhigher’ group in Buckinghamshire we have links with Bucks Chiltern University and Oxford Brooks and we work closely with these institutions to encourage students to fulfil their potential.  All Year 12 (Level 3) students follow a progression module which helps them to understand more about post-18 choices.

Although most of our Sixth Formers carry out some extra responsibilities, there are a number of elected students who will be Prefects and Senior Prefects consisting of Head Girl, Head Boy and Deputies.  Some students are involved in organising Social Events throughout the year, which are always well supported and great fun.

As well as many subject based trips and lectures there is a tradition of a cultural trip, each February, to either Europe or America.  These have always proved tremendously enjoyable, eventful and exhausting!

The Sixth Form will be a demanding phase of your education.  You will be supported each step of the way by all the subject staff, the team of Sixth Form tutors and Head of Sixth Form.  This support may take the form of giving advice, listening to problems, contacting parents or outside agencies and even occasional nagging or ticking off.  Sometimes you may even appear on Mrs Carpenter's 'hit list' - not a pleasant experience!

Every year we have students join the Sixth Form from other local schools, other areas and other countries.  Every one of them has commented on the friendly and supportive environment in Amersham School Sixth Form.  Staff and students are always welcoming and helpful.  If you are thinking of doing the same, come and spend a day with us this summer and see for yourself.

Past students of Amersham School Sixth Form have succeeded in many different walks of life and it always gives us great pleasure when we hear of their achievements.  They have left our Sixth Form as confident and capable young people who have a wealth of opportunities available to them.

We can guarantee to give you our time, support, encouragement and expertise ..................the rest is up to you!