Our Vision

“Whickham, a school to be proud of at the heart of the community. Where learning is cherished in a safe, caring and supportive environment. A school where everyone is valued and inspired to be the best they can be.”

 

 

Our Priorities

Leaders have identified long term school improvement priorities and short term priorities. These priorities are organised under relevant areas of provision and linked to our four keys to success.  Impact criteria, evidence and timescales are detailed in the full improvement plan.

  • Whickham pupils are safe. A culture exists where safeguarding practices are clear and embedded in the practice of pupils and staff. Effective communication and high levels of trust ensure pupils understand how to stay safe and are confident in talking to adults when they are worried or experience difficulties. 
  • Pupil conduct is excellent. Pupils demonstrate high levels of respect for others and we have an environment where everyone is valued. Incidences of poor behaviour, including bullying, harassment and violence are low and these behaviours are never tolerated.
  • Pupils consistently demonstrate positive attitudes to learning and make a positive contribution to our community. Pupils demonstrate resilience when faced with challenges and both understand and apply effective learning and study techniques.
  • Whickham pupils grow into well rounded citizens. They experience a wide range of opportunities and make the most of their unique talents and abilities. Pupil participation, from all groups including SEND and disadvantaged,  in extra curricular and enrichment activities is strong.
  • The school curriculum is ambitious for all pupils. The curriculum is broad and effectively sequenced to ensure all pupils are challenged in their learning. All teachers have a strong understanding of the curriculum and how skills and knowledge are developed and retained in their specialist subject areas.
  • All pupils, including SEND and disadvantaged, produce work of a high quality and make strong progress in their learning.
  • A culture of continuous improvement exists.

 

Leadership

  1. Middle and senior leadership teams collectively ensure standards remain high.
  2. All staff develop as confident leaders who demonstrate behaviours that are aligned with the school values and ensure provision is of the highest standard.
  3. Leadership capacity is built to ensure effective succession planning is in place.

 

Quality of Education

  1. The curriculum intent continues to be ambitious, coherent and academically rigorous in all subject areas 
  2. Pupils build effective study habits that enable them to become successful independent learners.
  3. There is a culture of wider independent reading in KS4 and KS5.

 

Sixth Form

  1. High-quality teaching and learning in all Sixth Form subjects.

 

Personal Development

  1. The PSHCE programme ensures all pupils manage their academic, personal and social lives in a positive way.
  2. The implementation of an enhanced CEIAG provision.
  3. Increase pupil participation and engagement in extra curricular activities and student council discussion.

 

Attendance

  1. Pupil attendance is strong and the gap between vulnerable pupils and other pupils is narrow.

 

Behaviour

  1. Pupil behaviour continues to be excellent. Pupils are respectful, courteous and caring. The learning environment is calm and purposeful.