Chiswick prospectus

Let’s make it happen.

Chiswick School

The world we share is full of countless possibilities. Every day there are new challenges, and new opportunities to explore. Life’s an adventure – and if we keep learning, support each other and chase our dreams, there are no limits to what we can achieve.

No matter what your child’s ambition, we’ll help them to focus their efforts and to provide clear leadership to guide them in the right direction. We’ll empower them with the skills, opportunities and environment they need to build a great future, and to take pride in their success. They’re on an exciting journey, and we are too. Anything is possible… so let’s make it happen!

Tony Ryan / Headteacher

Welcome to Chiswick School.

1

Let’s be ambitious.

At Chiswick School, we’re not in the business of judging ambitions. We’re here to nurture them. It really doesn’t matter if a dream is simple or far-fetched, about individual achievement or helping others. What’s important is that they’re honest, personal and unique as each student is. They’re where the journey begins.

We know all this, because we have ambitions of our own. We’re on a journey too. Come and see…

“What do you want to achieve?” It’s a very personal question. Because everyone’s different. And, deep down, what we want says a lot about who we are.

But it’s an important question as well. Our ambitions are where everything starts. They give us a road to travel, and they motivate us along the way.

Chiswick School | Let’s make it happen.

Let’s aim higher.We’re founding partners of the Brilliant Club, which helps state school students reach the top universities. But not everybody wants to go to Oxford or Cambridge. For some, it’s our vocational subjects and close links with employers that give an inspiring taste of future success.

3


Let’s live the dream.Talent needs opportunity. So we invest in great teaching and facilities for drama, music, photography and sport – and welcome visiting authors and artists. Chiswick students are making their mark from international gymnastics to London’s West End, showing us all that everything is possible.

5

Let’s change the world.The world’s a big place, but it’s getting smaller by the day. We’ve nurtured strong links with schools in China, Germany, India, Norway, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia – as well as with our own local community – so students get used to playing an active role in the world outside our school.

Heathrow Airport

Let’s be focused.

Our whole school continues to stretch and grow, because of the way we focus on helping our students achieve their aims. Working towards their ambitions means we achieve ours more quickly, too.

Having ambition is a great start – but making a dream reality takes strategy and direction. If you concentrate all your effort in one place, it’s amazing how strong you can become. And you’ll travel further if the path ahead is clear.


Let’s start from the beginning.Joining a new school means adapting to new ways of learning. So our Year 7 “Opening Minds” programme rearranges traditional subjects in order to teach cognitive skills new students need. It’s probably no coincidence we’re one of very few UK schools where students don’t lose progress in their first year.

7


Let’s look to the future.The most in-demand jobs today had not even been thought of ten years ago; in many cases, our teachers are preparing students for careers that do not yet exist. We use 21st century teaching methods and work hard on transferable attributes like problem solving, tenacity and flexibility – so whatever the future holds, our students are prepared.

9

Let’s keep on track.We won’t be distracted in our mission to be one of the best schools anywhere – and our Vision Document keeps us all focused on that goal. A recent inspection commended our “relentless drive” to improve students ’ progress. We are delighted they noticed.

Let’s be leaders.

Most importantly, a true leader creates more leaders. And at Chiswick, we encourage people throughout the school to develop leadership qualities of their own – whether taking the lead, making good choices, or simply being a great role model for others.

Being a leader, it’s not about giving orders. To us, a true leader inspires others – lifting people up, not squashing them down. A leader sets the direction, naturally, but they also take responsibility, giving others the freedom to do their best. A leader is not afraid to be the first exploring new ground.


Let’s lead by example.We’re delighted OFSTED singled out our senior team for praise, but leadership at Chiswick goes further than that. Every teacher is responsible for inspiring good behaviour and a positive atmosphere in their class – so we’re even happier that OFSTED praised that too.

11


Let’s create opportunities.Wherever we can, we create opportunities for students to develop leadership skills in their own right. Like older students helping a Buddy in Year 7 to feel at home, or the School Charities committee’s Young Heroes programme. Our Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme is so popular that the school now has its own trained assessors.

13

Let’s learn from the experts.We’re not content to wait around for OFSTED to confirm our progress, so we invited independent inspectors Challenge Partners to highlight new ways we could improve. Their “Outstanding” verdict was great to hear, but we haven’t finished yet – we’re working with top teacher training providers to drive standards higher still.

Let’s be empowered.

A student can only succeed if they try – and keep trying hard. So at Chiswick School, we make sure they have every opportunity to take an active, responsible role in their education, and in building their own future.

It takes more than you’d think, learning to do something new. You need the knowledge, skills and abilities, of course. But also the facilities, the environment… and an atmosphere that gives you confidence to even try in the first place, knowing there’s every chance you mightn’t get it right just yet.


Let’s find new passions.From pottery to film-making, computer programming to philosophy, our students have a choice of more than 50 extracurricular clubs. It’s a great way to really explore an academic or musical talent, push yourself further, or simply try something new.

15


Let’s get digital.It’s easier to learn when it’s fun, or really makes sense to you – and using technology is now a basic life skill. So alongside traditional methods we’ve invested in over 600 computers, as well as iPads, Chromebooks and Nexus tablets for our students to use. Often, setting a challenge on mobile devices helps students to tackle a problem in a new way.

Chiswick Business Park 17

Let’s go to work.We’re making strong connections with businesses throughout the local area and beyond – helping students gain valuable insights into future careers from engineering to TV production, policing to IT, and develop their own employability skills through an accredited course that’s been nominated for two prestigious business awards.

Let’s be proud.

One thing, though. You won’t find us talking about our students or ourselves ‘fulfilling potential’, because that means we’ve finished. The secret about potential is… it’s limitless. There’s always somewhere new and exciting to go.

It’s good to celebrate together. And not just achievements, but how far we’ve come. The hard work along the way. The journey.

So yes, we’re proud. Proud of our success – individually and together. Proud of our students and our teachers. Of our community. Of who we are. We’re proud of Chiswick School.


Let’s win more gold.Chiswick School is one of just 3% of organisations in the UK to be awarded Investors in People Gold status. It recognises our success in raising standards and making sure all our people have the skills and recognition to keep that progress going. You see, we’re not finished yet. Awards are nice – but our journey’s only just begun.

19

Let’s celebrate success.We’re thrilled that our GCSE results have continually improved in recent years. After all, more students are being rewarded for their hard work, and getting a great start in life. But it also means we’re getting everything else right, too – our teaching, our atmosphere, our environment. Exams are just one part of a long journey; we want students to thrive with every step.


Let’s share our journey.Here at Chiswick, we’re blessed to be a vibrant, multicultural community. Students of all backgrounds, nationalities, first languages and faiths join together, sharing experiences and insights as we work towards our common goal. We wouldn’t have it any other way.

21


Let’s get ready.If you’re thinking of joining us at Chiswick School, here are a few things you might like to know. Our journey is ongoing. If you’d like to be part of it, we’d love to hear from you.

AdmissionsChiswick School is oversubscribed, so if you’d like to join us you should follow the admissions procedure set out by the London Borough of Hounslow (if you don’t live in Hounslow, then apply through your home borough instead). Please do come and visit the school before you apply.

Starting schoolTo help you feel at home at Chiswick School, we’ll invite you to an induction day before you start. You’ll also be given a “buddy”, who’s an older student that will help you settle in.

ClubsWe have more than 50 clubs for you to choose from, where you can enjoy everything from trampolining to computer programming, and pottery to science. It’s no wonder that nine out of ten Chiswick students take part in at least 90 minutes of extracurricular activities each week.

Computers and mobile devicesWe have over 600 computers in our school, which means you’ll be able to use technology as an everyday part of your learning. Our students also work with mobile devices like iPads, Chromebooks and Nexus tablets.

DramaChiswick School is well known for its excellent drama productions, which are completely put together by our staff and pupils. If you want, you can get involved from Year 7 onwards.

Gifted and talented studentsIf you have a special talent, or a real strength in one or more school subjects, we’re here to give you opportunities and challenges to take that as far as you can. Many of our students go to top universities like Oxford and Cambridge, and we have amazing success stories in music, drama and sport.

HomeworkHomework is an important part of your learning at Chiswick School. In Year 7 and Year 8, you’ll have a Home Learning booklet, outlining your work each half term, in small, achievable steps. Then from Year 9 onwards, you’ll have a Homework Timetable, with work to do every day. If you’d like any help, we have homework clubs before and after school.

Learning supportLots of students have individual needs when it comes to learning, and we have a strong team of teachers and assistants to make sure everyone has the help, support and encouragement they need to do their very best.

23

Music

Whether you already play a musical instrument, or you’d like to begin, we have great practice rooms, a big choice of instruments, and lots of visiting experts – plus in Year 7 you’ll be offered free music lessons on an instrument of your choice. We also have a music technology centre, with a music studio, and all sorts of music groups – like a choir and steel band.

OfstedOur last Ofsted inspection was in 2012, and they said we were a good school (with some things described as Outstanding). More recently, in 2014, we asked independent inspectors from Challenge Partners to check our progress, and they agree we’re now “Outstanding” overall.

School uniformWe have a smart new school uniform. For boys, it includes a blue shirt, grey trousers, clip-on tie, jumper and eco-jacket. Girls wear a blue blouse, cardigan, tie, eco-jacket and a choice of school trousers or a grey, straight skirt with white socks or opaque tights. You can see our uniform at Sanco schoolwear on Bell Road.

SportWe have great sports facilities – indoors, we have a sports hall, a dance studio and a fitness suite, and outdoors there’s a games field, cricket nets, tennis and netball courts and a floodlit 3G all weather pitch. If you’d like to try rowing, we’re the only school with access to the Chiswick Boat House near Barnes Bridge, and we have two coaches supporting students throughout the school.

SubjectsIn Year 7, you’ll learn English, Mathematics, Science, Art, Music, Drama, Physical education(PE), Design Technology(DT), History, Geography and either French or German. You’ll also follow our special “Opening Minds” programme, which teaches you Personal Social Citizenship and Health Education (PSCHE), Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Religious Studies(RS) in a way that gives you key skills you’ll need for life at school.

Then in Year 8, you’ll study the same subjects as year 7 but instead of Opening Minds individual lessons will be delivered in RS, PSHCE and IT.

Tutor groupsAt school, you’ll be part of a tutor group, looked after by a teacher called your form tutor. The tutor is the first person to ask about any problems, a good point of contact for your parents or guardians, and will keep an eye on your progress.

Concept & Design: Sames + Littlejohns / www.sameslittlejohns.co.ukImage sourcing - www.flickr.com: Heathrow Airport © Mr_Stein / Traffic © Barney Moss / Chiswick Business Park © Yuriy Akopov / Balloons © Shaun Fisher

Chiswick School Burlington Lane London W4 3UN020 8747 0031 [email protected]

Documents

Chiswick prospectus