School Policies
The School Information Amendment Regulations 2010 lay down that the school must publish a prospectus containing statutory information and such other information as we see fit. As part of this we must make you aware of the existence of certain policies and how you can obtain the full details of these policies. Please find below a brief list of the policies that we must highlight.
Curriculum
The curriculum at Denbigh High School is designed to support all young people to become:
- successful learners - who enjoy learning, make progress and achieve;
- confident individuals - who are able to live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives;
- responsible citizens - who make a positive contribution to society.
Our curriculum policy contains details of how we:
- provide innovative programmes of learning that respond to pupils individual needs and interests, preparing them for the next stage of their education;
- ensure that the curriculum is accessible to all pupils regardless of their race, gender, disability or special learning needs;
- ensure that the curriculum meets the educational needs of all pupils having regard to their ethnic and cultural background, whilst developing a mutual respect for all members of the community.
The policy also provides information about the curriculum at Key Stage 3 and 4, the various learning routes and our policies with respect to specific elements of the curriculum such as sex and relationships, PSHCE and careers education and guidance.
Teaching for learning
Our teaching for learning policy gives a clear idea of our standards and expectations for improving the quality of teaching across the school. Effective teaching promotes learning, progress, enjoyment and well-being for all pupils and it uses assessment as an integral mechanism for meeting the needs of all pupils.
The main purpose of our teaching for learning policy is to enable us to:
- maximise the quality of teaching in school, using as our criteria for success the descriptor of outstanding teaching in the Ofsted Evaluation Schedule for Schools;
- be consistent in our approach to teaching for learning across the school;
- narrow the achievement gap between groups of pupils and improve outcomes for individual pupils;
- demonstrate year on year improvement on attainment for students in the gifted and talented cohort;
- include all pupils in the range of learning opportunities provided by the school.
Assessment of learning
Assessment can be formative, to inform teaching and learning, as well as summative, to award a level of attainment to a pupil. Our assessment policy enables us to assess pupils' knowledge, aptitudes, understanding, skills and learning in a coherent and consistent way. It also helps to inform students, parents, carers and teachers and facilitate higher achievement for all. Most importantly, it supports continuing and effective learning.
This policy relates specifically to the summative assessment of learning. Our strategies to support formative assessment for learning are outlined in our Teaching for Learning' policy and other guidance to teachers.
Partnership with parents/carers
An effective partnership between home and school is fundamental to pupil achievement and success. At Denbigh High School we are fully committed to this partnership and we value the involvement and support of parents in all aspects of school life.
We recognise that we are responsible for making sure that parents/carers feel confident and comfortable in becoming fully involved with the learning of their children and in the life of the school.
Our Partnership with Parents/Carers' policy contains information and guidance about how we should achieve this.
Single Equality and Community Cohesion Scheme and Action Plan
The Race Relations (Amendment) Act, 2000, the Disability Discrimination Act 2005, and the Equalities Act 2006 all place responsibilities upon the School and its staff to promote equality.
Additionally, the Education & Inspections Act 2006 inserted a new section 21(5) to the Education Act 2002 introducing a duty on the governing bodies of maintained schools to promote community cohesion.
This builds on the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000, which supports equality for all learners and positive ethnic relations. Ofsted started to inspect this aspect from September 2008. The Single Equality & Community Cohesion Scheme is intended to ensure that we meet these duties, by bringing together existing equality and community cohesion schemes, policies and action plans into one over-arching scheme. The Scheme helps to demonstrate that equality, diversity and community cohesion are at the heart of what we do.
The document also includes the following policies:
- Race Equality Policy
- Disability Discrimination Policy
- Gender Equality Policy
- Community Cohesion Policy
Special Education Needs (SEN)
We believe that each pupil is unique, with specific education needs, and is entitled to the best possible teaching support and resources to maximise potential.
Our Special Education Needs Policy enables us to:
- create a learning environment where the uniqueness of each individual's talent is recognised, nurtured, and developed so that they can make the most of their potential, enhance their self-esteem and be valued members of the community;
- identify and assess the specific needs of pupils as early and as thoroughly as possible;
- develop a curriculum which will facilitate an inclusive approach to the education of SEN pupils;
- work closely with pupils, parents and other agencies in partnership to ensure the best possible provision and support;
- deploy and monitor SEN resources across the school in order to respond to the needs of our pupils;
- take into account planning duties for schools detailed in the Disability Discrimination Act 2001.
Attendance
Regular attendance at school is essential for effective learning.
We believe that pupils are most likely to attend school regularly if they perceive school to be relevant, challenging, rewarding and engaging. Regular attendance at school should be recognised as an achievement and should be noted and rewarded as such. It is also best achieved through an effective partnership between the school, parents and other agencies such as the Education Welfare Service.
Our attendance policy sets forth our expectations with regards to attendance and how this should be promoted, monitored and managed.
Behaviour
We believe that in order to enable effective teaching and learning to take place, good behaviour, in a safe and secure environment, is necessary in all aspects of school life and that these standards of behaviour should be clearly understood and valued by all members of the school community.
Our behaviour policy outlines the underlying principles, aims, nature, organisation and management of pupil behaviour at Denbigh High School. It is a working document designed to enhance the development of positive relationships between pupils, adults working in the school, parents and other members of the wider school community.
The policy is the result of consultation with pupils, parents and governors, staff discussion and the auditing of behaviour and training. It also reflects current practice within the school.
Collective worship
The law requires all schools to hold a daily act of collective worship, which is Christian in nature. We do not feel that this reflects appropriately the composition of the pupil and staff population at Denbigh and we have been granted an exemption by SACRE from holding acts of Christian worship. We do, however, believe that it is important for pupils to be encouraged to reflect collectively on matters of a spiritual and moral nature and also to recognise the importance of faith and worship in the context of a multi-faith society. In view of this, our collective worship takes place in school and year assemblies and in form groups where pupils are given the opportunity to reflect daily on a Thought for the Week'.
Assemblies are also used to celebrate the major festivals of the major world religions. The school's citizenship programme includes units of work on living in a diverse society where pupils are taught to respect and value the world's wide range of faiths and acts of worship.
Our Collective Worship Policy provides details of how we plan, manage and monitor this aspect of our provision.
How to obtain copies of these policies
Full details of these policies can be obtained by contacting the school.
Denbigh High School
Alexandra Avenue
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU3 1HE
Tel: 01582 736611
Copyright © 2011
