Welcome to Westlands. I am Mr Stewart and I am proud to be the headmaster of this wonderful school. Westlands school has first class teaching accommodation, sporting over 50 interactive white boards, state of the art IT suites and 10 fully equipped science laboratories. It has been a very rewarding experience for me to take the school from its humble two site accommodation into the new facilities, and the rewards are evident for all to see. Every classroom has access to the internet, TV and video facilities and combined with the excellent quality of teaching I would like to think we offer an unrivalled educational experience.
Westlands prides itself on the success achieved by its students and we provide an environment in which every pupil can achieve their fullest potential. In 2003 we achieved our third School Achievement Award which celebrates the national success of our results. In a highly competitive selective authority such as Torbay it is a difficult balance to provide stimulating lessons as well as catering for students with more demanding educational needs.
The staff and students of the school enjoy a 'Caring Community' enriched by many extra curricular activities. Additionally our facilities are open after school and well into the evening to offer adult learning opportunities.
As I have said, we aim to provide a Caring Community in which our students can enjoy their time. As a result we take discipline very seriously, and have a full discipline policy available upon request.
Investment continues in our IT infrastructure, our teaching staff and the support staff who are so important to Westlands. I believe we are in a position to deliver a standard of education that is ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century. With the help of parents, teachers and pupils we can take pride in our school.
Westlands, established in 1973, is a popular, thriving 11-18 co-educational Bilateral School. Major improvements in the buildings and facilities have taken place within a complete redevelopment programme, which brought the whole School onto one site. The work was completed in October 2001 and provides a fantastic learning environment for Westlands students.
Westlands mission statement - 'Success and Excellence for All in a Caring Community' is one which the school tries to live up to, and in this the quality of facilities play an important part. At Westlands, the School looks to encompass the community in its widest sense, not only in relation to working with the academic studies of the students, but also through the provision of facilities and services for the community it serves.
Through the initiatives the School has undertaken it has run the principle of community involvement. It has achieved the Investors in Education Business Partnership (IEBP) and has followed this success by gaining re-accreditation in the Investors in People (IIP) and the Healthy Schools Award at the Highest Level. It has achieved Investors in Careers (IiC). Westlands is also a Technology College, and has invested heavily in Information Technology, believing it to be the way for the future for its students and adults in Torbay.
The School has registered as an Open University Reference Centre, so that maximum use may be made of its facilities, and has also played a lead role in training for teachers in the application of IT to the curriculum. In September 2003 it became a Teacher Training partnership school.
The student population, at present is around 1350 and is rising steadily to reflect the School's increase in popularity. Westlands, because of its bilateral nature has a comprehensive student intake, a proportion of which is selective, as they have passed the selection tests which operate in the area. Its popularity echoes the School's approach to its students as it fosters a caring concern at all times. There is a strong pastoral structure, a School Council and a formalized system of rewards and sanctions. The staff of the School, about 180 in total - both teaching and support - are dedicated and many tend to remain with the School, giving much of their time and effort to support the learning of the students.
Westlands achieves success, both in the academic and non-academic fields. There is a wide variety of extra-curricular activities offered which help to develop students to achieve their skills and potential.
In addition to National Curriculum requirements Westlands students are given extensive opportunities in vocational education. GNVQs are established in seven areas: NVQ and BTEC National Diploma are also on offer, along with Key Skills. The School is one of those in the national pilot scheme delivering Information Technology across the whole curriculum, and a full range of GCSEs, 'A' Levels and Business and Secretarial courses.
Westlands also has a proven record of success in placing students from its Sixth Form into Universities, and has numerous students who have continued to gain First Class Honours Degrees. The school has received three School Achievement Awards for its examination results over the three years 2000, 2001 and 2002.