2012 - 2013 skerton community high school · “one year before i started high school, i wanted to...
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“Pastoral care is a real strength of the school.”
OFSTED 2011
2012 - 2013
Skerton Community High School Prospectus
Small School Big Difference
At Skerton Community High School our ethos has always been to nurture and enable talent, whilst encouraging all students to care about and support each other. Our most able students go on to study A levels and graduate from well-respected universities, and all students benefit from small class sizes and a truly inclusive atmosphere. Our committed and professional staff work hard to ensure that every child fulfils his or her potential, and I am proud to say that we are amongst the top schools nationally for adding value to our students’ academic achievements. This means that not only do our highest achievers gain the A* grades they are capable of, but all our students achieve more qualifications than they were predicted to achieve at entry. We confidently expect this year’s results to be our best for many years.
I hope that this prospectus gives you a picture of what we stand for and what I believe we can offer to our community and to our hard-working students. At Skerton Community High School we know all our students as individuals, so talent and ability are never allowed to slip through the net but, equally importantly, we value the whole child, and we pride ourselves on turning out well rounded individuals, fully equipped for the future, whatever it may hold.
Christopher SnellHeadteacher
The Skerton Community High School Ethos
“The good relationships between teachers and students foster good attitudes to learning.” OFSTED 2011
Skerton Community High School is situated at the northern edge of the historic City of Lancaster and has the advantage of being five minutes from the city centre whilst also being well placed for access to open countryside, which enables us to offer excellent outdoor education opportunities.
The school grounds are pleasant and spacious and front onto open parkland, giving an aspect of green space whilst we enjoy the benefits of major bus routes in all directions.
Thoughts about Skerton Community High School from Year 7
‘Staff are empathetic and are firmly committed to offering all their students, including those whose circumstances may have made them most vulnerable, opportunities to develop personal, social and academic skills. Parents are extremely supportive of the school and one commented that, it is a ‘fantastic supportive school.’ OFSTED 2011
“One year before I started high school, I wanted to attend Skerton Community High School and I was desperate to skip Year 6. I was so excited I could not wait for the new year to come. I love Skerton Community High School.”
Beth Senior
“The best thing at Skerton Community High School are the teachers who give you support. My favourite subject is Maths, I find it interesting.”
Jade Burgess
“When I started school I was petrified. You get a timetable and a planner to help you find your classes. You have 6 lessons a day, it’s great, it goes so fast. We go on residential trips. We also have the opportunity to do many different activities, it’s great! I love it here!”
Courteney Jowett
“On my first day I was petrified, but after a week I was surprised because I knew nearly all of my teachers and where most of my classrooms were. I look forward to coming to school everyday. One thing I am not looking forward to is leaving school in Year 11.”
Tim Robson
“When starting high school I felt really nervous. I was worried that the teachers would be really strict, they are actually very nice. What I like most about high school is the lessons are more fun and also there are less pupils in the class, so the teacher can give us more help.”
Amy Hartley
“When I first started Skerton Community High School I was very nervous. I was surprised how nice all of the teachers were because if I needed help with my work I got help. It is a small school with a big difference, where we have lots of fun. I love the lessons, PE is my favourite because we play lots of fun games. We have lots of fun here. I really like it at Skerton Community High School!”
Liam Lowther
Skerton Community High School Vocational Studies
For a number of years now our pupils have studied with both Lancaster & Morecambe College and Lancaster Training Services.
We currently have a number of pupils on Young Apprenticeship and City & Guild courses at the College and LTS. An Apprenticeship offers young people from the start of Year 10 the chance to gain new qualifications, prove their competence and develop skills. These students attend college or LTS for one day a week and usually spend another day working for a local employer. At the end of Year 11 pupils gain Level 2 certification but more importantly the opportunity to step into a paid, full time apprenticeship.
Our students leave school with high calibrequalifications, experience and skills in their chosen vocational area. This opportunity is an ideal stepping stone for students to continue into further study or the world of work.
The City & Guild courses offer pupils more practical skills which help them move up the career ladder by providing recognised qualifications.
“The Beauty course has been brilliant, I haveenjoyed every minute of it”
Michaela Simpson, Year 11
“The apprenticeship is giving me really good practical experience of working on cars. I am already able to carry out repairs on my family’s vehicles.”
Connor Wallis, Year 10
“Although there is some coursework and this can be difficult, the majority of the course is practically based.
I have learnt how to do a manicure with nail art, I know how to apply skin care products and my favourite is how to apply professional make up. I have really enjoyed the course.”
Leonie Eppy, Year 11
“For all Key Stage 4, I have attended college for two days per week. I am in class on Tuesdays and in a salon on Thursdays. In September I start full time at the salon as a paid apprentice. This course has given me a greater opportunity to start my career.”
Bethan Jones, Year 11
“I chose the Young Apprenticeship programme at LTS as one of my option subjects and will attend there for two years. My chosen career is ‘mechanical engineer’ and I intend to gain a full apprenticeship when I leave school. The course is great and I have learnt so much already.”
Josh Fisher, Year 10
“The Animal Care course is really good. I enjoy looking after the rabbits and ferrets the best. I think I am going to study Animal Care when I leave school.”
Sophie Byram, Year 10
“The curriculum is good overall, and at Key Stage 4, includes vocational options which are valued by many students. Partnerships with local colleges and training providers are used to good effect.” OFSTED 2011
Testimonials of our growing success
Jack Bewsher, Head Boy 2011-2012 is going to Heysham High School Sixth Form to study PE, Geography and Media Studies. He is aiming for a career as a PE teacher via a university degree. Amongst his predicted grades are an A and 8Bs.
Nicole Dixon, Deputy Head Girl 2011-2012 is going on to Lancaster Girls Grammar School to study History, Economics, Psychology and Geography. Nicole’s predicted grades include 4A*s, 3As and 2Bs.
“Skerton provides a different learning environ-ment to most schools due to it being a small school. This can be beneficial to many individuals. The school has helped me on my way to achieving my dreams, because of its unique teaching and teachers. Just try it yourself, you’ll be surprised!”
Nicole Dixon
Peter Hale, Deputy Head Boy 2011-2012 has been accepted at Ripley St Thomas Sixth Form to study Sociology, Psychology and English Language. Peter wants to go on to university to eventually qualify as a teacher. His predicted grades are an A*, 2As and 4Bs.
“Skerton Community High School provides aquality of teaching that is of an excellent standard. The school is an asset to the area; any child offered a place at this excellent school would be well advised to grasp the opportunity and standards on offer. The pupils matter greatly at Skerton Community High. Over recent years the school has been transformed to the excellent school it is today. The staff of SCHS should take pride in the standards of teaching given to the pupils of the school. Many, many thanks.”
Mr and Mrs I D Woodruff.Parents of students at Skerton Community High School.
Millie Dixon, Head Girl 2011-2012 is going to Ripley St Thomas Sixth Form to study History, Geography, Sociology and Business Studies with the aim of becoming a Geography teacher. Amongst Millie’s predicted grades are 3A*, 2As and 3Bs.
“Skerton has small classes and friendly staff, with lots of clubs, there is always something going on.The teachers have helped me to achieve my goals and also to surpass my predicted grades. I am looking forward to Sixth Form but I will be sad to leave the small and friendly environment of Skerton.”
Millie Dixon
Tom Hale, is studying Film and TV Production at Lancaster & Morecambe College, where he is expected to pass with distinction. Tom has been accepted into the University of Derby to continue his studies in Film & TV Production. He is hoping to work as a film editor in the UK or abroad. Tom left Skerton Community High School with an A*, 3As and 5Bs.
Bethany Jowett, left Skerton Community High School in 2010 after achieving 3As and 5Bs. She is studying for A Levels in Applied Science, Health & Social Care, Psychology and Sociology at Ripley St Thomas Sixth Form. Bethany has been accepted at Northumbria University with aspirations to become a children’s nurse.
Harry Waring, a former pupil is currently studying for A Levels at Ripley St Thomas Sixth Form where he is predicted to attain an A* and 2As. He has been accepted at Lancaster University to study Physics, with ambitions to progress into research. He left Skerton Community High School with 6A*s and 2As.
The Aspirations of students from Skerton Community High
Extra Curricular and Outdoor Education
Our students have the opportunity to broaden their interests and abilities by taking part in Performing Arts productions, school choir and street dance. We also run hobby clubs such as model cars and chess, alongside more traditional homework support clubs. Students also benefit from national and European cultural residential trips.
We offer two residential visits during the students’ time with us – to Borwick Hall Outdoor Education Centre at Key Stage 3 and to Tower Wood Outdoor Education Centre at Key Stage 4. Apart from the usual sporting clubs and teams our upper school students are given curriculum time in such things as outdoor education, boxercise and dance to encourage them to lead a healthy and active lifestyle.
We believe strongly in valuing the whole child, and our extra-curricular activities allow our students to flourish in whatever area their strengths may lie.
Students, contribute very well to the school, ensuring that it is a harmonious community where students say they feel extremely safe.
OFSTED 2011
Skerton Community High SchoolOwen Road
LancasterLA1 2BL
Tel: 01524 65143Fax: 01524 846121
“Pastoral care is a real strength of the school.” OFSTED 2011