What is Newsome High School and Sports College like?

Newsome is a popular 11 – 16 comprehensive school set in spectacular countryside in south Huddersfield. With 600 pupils on roll and 55 highly qualified teaching staff supplemented by a very strong team of 20 support staff we can offer a broad and balanced curriculum whilst ensuring that we create a safe, happy and caring environment. Ours is a good school which has an excellent reputation amongst parents, employers and the surrounding community. Students are happy here and learn well, achieving success in many aspects of life.

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How Good is our Learning Environment?

We are a very fortunate to have specialist facilities in all subjects. In particular, our specialist status as a sports college has enabled us to develop superb outdoor and indoor facilities. Floodlit multi sport and tennis outdoor playing areas, extensive grass areas and a state of the art sports hall and fitness and dance studio allow us to be a centre for sporting excellence in the community. We are very pleased that the local community makes a good use of our facilities and have in place a vigorous adult and youth programme

 

An exciting new development is the introduction of our Media Centre which includes a state of the art film studio and recently built an equivalent sound recording studio. We now confidently broadcast weekly Newsome TV and are moving towards our own radio station. This will enhance the work of many aspects of our school.

 

A number of department resource centers and our newly refurbished POP (Push on Pupils) Centre enable our students to research and study independently to support their own learning, whilst the drama studio and lecture theatre allows large group presentations to take place.

A committed staff and excellent resources allow us to supplement the curriculum with a extensive programme of enrichment activities after school hours, offering a wide range of learning activities and sport. 

 

How are our Students Looked after?

We welcome all students at the school provided they conform to the rules of our community. We work hard to ensure that ours is a community where students and staff feel safe and confident. We believe that respect is the key to effective support and care, and we try to demonstrate this in daily work.

We have high expectations of our students, not only academically, but socially. Excellent behavior, good manners and consideration must underpin all we do. We believe good discipline is essential in order for our students to learn and our teachers to teach. High emphasis is placed on providing a caring and secure environment that allows all students to succeed and prevents any from failing.

What do we Value in our Students?

We place a strong emphasis on education the development of the whole student. We aim above all to help to develop competent and confident young adults who will be able to achieve success in whatever aspect of life they choose. We aim to involve our students in all we do through the Leadership Academy by discussing and listening to their opinions. We will ask our students what they feel about our school and not presume we know simply because we are adults.

What do our Students Study?

Our curriculum is constantly updated as the National Curriculum Orders apply. All students have equality of opportunity. In the lower school they will study English, Mathematics, Science, Technology, French, History, Geography, Religious Education, Physical Education, Drama and Art. In addition, form tutors teach a programme of Personal Health and Social Education which includes Environmental Health and Sex Education, Careers Guidance, Personal Review, Action Planning and Economic and Industrial Awareness. Information Technology is delivered both as a discrete subject and through all other curriculum areas. An initial assessment in made upon entry in Year 7 based on Key Stage 2 test scores and a Cognitive Ability Test taken in September, and in a number of subjects setting is introduced. This is a one the means by which we Endeavour to fit a programme of work to each student’s needs. Some subjects such as P.E., Music and Drama continue to be taught in their form groups. German is offered as a second modern language from Year 8. In year 10, some choice is available.

 

A two week block of work experience is included as a part of Year 10 Schemes of work.

It is our policy to enter all students who have completed the necessary work for their GCSE examination at the end of Year 11. Other important skills are accredited through the pupil’s Progress file.

 

How Important is Homework?

Expectations by staff and the academic standards achieved by our students are high. The majority continue into Further Education. Many continue to the Sixth Form Colleges where they achieve success at ‘A’ Level and then progress to Universities (including OxBridge) and Colleges throughout the country. We believe that such progress can only be achieved through a combination of good teaching, hard work by the pupil and parental support. It is essential that our students do regular homework to reinforce work in school. Students are therefore set homework and each student has a personal passport which includes details of homework, timetable and progress. This can be used as a communication tool between school and home.

Our newly refurbished POP (Push on Pupils) Centre is available for students who wish to work at lunchtimes and after school. Reports are published once a year and are followed by a Consultation Evening where parents can discuss their child’s progress with individual teachers. The report issued gives information about attainment in relation to the National Curriculum Levels, attendance, punctuality and participation in extra-curricular activities. We encourage parents to come to school at any time to discuss their child’s progress. If we feel there is a cause for concern parents will be invited to the school.

 

How Important is our Uniform?

We believe in maintaining high standards of discipline. This begins with personal presentation. We have a uniform, designed by our students, which all students must wear. Our smart uniform promotes a sense of self pride and our students have a responsibility to themselves and to each other to ensure that the good name and reputation of our school are preserved and developed.

What Support is there for Student with Particular Needs?

Each individual is important to us and has needs which we will do our best to meet. Staff have worked very hard to develop approaches within and beyond the classroom to meet the learning needs of all our students. Our IMPACT system is held as a model of good practice.

Newsome High School & Sports College has specialist additional staff and facilities and a proud tradition of enabling a small number of students in each age group with a physical disabilities or hearing impairment to be integrated in a mainstream school. We are the resource provision for these two areas for in Kirklees. Through differentiated work we aim to stretch and challenge all students. This will mean that more able students will be supported with individual programmes where necessary.

What Extra does our Special Status give us?

As a Sports College, we are fortunate to receive a considerable annual revenue grant. This grant enables us to provide a rich programme of sports activity and specialist coaching during the evenings, weekends and holidays.

The wide range of sporting, musical and dramatic opportunities available at lunchtime, after school and during the holidays are an attraction to pupils and can be accessed by our students, those in partner schools and the local community. This is recognised by OFSTED as a strength of the school.

How do we Link with Home?

We believe our students achieve most when there is a positive and productive partnership between home and our schools. A mutual understanding of our aims and effective communication between all parties is essential.