Driving ahead to greater achievement
At Knowles Hill School, we are able to support and push each of our students to achieve the very best in everything they do.
Because we offer a wide range of high quality courses, a large majority of students stay with us beyond the age of 16 into the sixth form.
Do you share our aspirations and our rigorous focus on high quality learning? If so, take a look at what we have to offer learners throughout their secondary school careers.
Our Statement of Values
We believe in enabling everyone to achieve the very best they can in everything they undertake, within a supportive community, based on mutual respect.
Aims and Expectations
The school aims to provide a wide and enriching education that fully equips every student for the 21st century. We regard every child as a unique individual who will be supported and encouraged by highly qualified, specialist staff throughout their lives at Knowles Hill School.
We aim to create a happy and secure environment in which stimulating learning can take place.
High Standards
Staff and students work together to enable children to achieve the highest standards in all areas of the curriculum. Teaching is excellent and students are encouraged to fulfil their potential.
Primary Liaison
On behalf of all the staff I would like to say how much we look forward to welcoming you and your child to the Knowles Hill community. Everyone will be concerned for the welfare of our new students but it falls particularly to the Year 7 pastoral team to ensure a smooth, trouble-free transition from primary to secondary school.
This is how we do it:
Every student visits the school before the end of the summer term. We arrange a tour of the buildings and a taster of a typical day's activities. Last year we baked cakes, sampled art, music and drama, worked in the science labs, on computers and learnt a little of a new language. Everyone meets those teachers who will be most involved with the new Year 7.
In September, the first day is for Year 7 only and the aim is to make everyone more familiar with the site and their teachers and to make each one feel secure and happy in their new surroundings.
Most of Year 7 and 8 students are based on the Knowles Hill site for registration, break, lunchtime and many of their lessons. In this way, whilst enjoying the advantages of especially attractive surroundings, they have a special place for free time together.
We have a regular programme of lessons involving pastoral issues and citizenship and we provide carefully structured support while students find their feet and learn to enjoy an exciting and demanding school life.
Three important members of the pastoral team are the School Nurse, Mrs Gwyneth Nightingale, the School Counsellor, Mr Pip Bishop and Mrs Nicola Carey, Attendance Officer. All are invaluable in helping to create a warm, caring atmosphere within the school and supporting both staff and students. All are available to talk to parents, too.
We run a peer mentoring scheme which involves older students acting as mentors to younger students. Some Year 9 students have undergone training and they will be attached to the new Year 7. It is envisaged that they will meet the new students this term.
You will have the opportunity to meet us all at our Parents' Evening on Thursday 10th July 2008 in the Daphne Collman Hall. This is the time when we can introduce ourselves and show off the school of which we are so rightly proud. You will meet your child's Form Tutor and specialist staff. Whilst new children rarely experience any real difficulties in their move to a new school the pastoral team are always aware of their apprehension and we watch closely for any worries. Experience proves that first day nerves are generally forgotten by mid-week and our students have always shown a marvellous ability to adapt to their new surrounding. Equally they demonstrate a great willingness to face challenges with confidence and the boundless energy so special to the young. We look forward to working with them.
Lesley Ring
Assistant Headteacher |