Highfurlong
School Brochure
School Address: Blackpool
Old Road
Blackpool
FY3 7LR
Telephone No: 01253 392188
Fax: 01253 305600
Therapists: 01253
399964
Mainstream Support: 01253 394147
L.E.A. - Blackpool
Pupils: 01253 476555
L.E.A. - Lancashire
Pupils: 01524 63243
Highfurlong is a modern,
purpose built specialist resource on the outskirts of Blackpool sharing a
campus site with the Collegiate High School and The Blackpool Sixth Form
College. Pupils from the three schools mix and support each other.
Highfurlong provides a high
level of educational expertise and health care for its pupils and supports inclusive
education.
Traditionally, the school
has attracted children from a wide catchment area, Lancaster, Morecambe,
Carnforth, Over Wyre, Fleetwood, Thornton, Poulton, St Annes, Lytham as well as
Blackpool.
The school has extensive
Information Technology capability and expertise for Special Educational Needs.
This service is offered to mainstream schools.
The Staff and Governors are
dedicated to providing quality and pursuing excellence in all aspects of school
life, to enable all pupils to develop into happy, educated and fulfilled
members of their communities.
Mission
Statement
We strive to provide high
quality provision in education and meeting children’s individual needs
Our
School Aims
1. To identify and
meet the needs of the children intellectually, physically, socially and
emotionally.
2. To offer support
to families by having an ‘open school’ policy and strong home-school links with
parents.
3. To provide
children with individual education and care and management plans that enable
full access to the schools’ and the National Curriculum
4. To create a
supportive school environment in which pupils and staff fulfil their potential
and to provide a happy caring ethos where children can feel secure.
5. To provide
effective support in mainstream schools so that physically or medically
challenged pupils can access all areas of the curriculum and join fully in the
corporate life of their school.
6. To educate and
encourage all pupils to suceed in life.
7. To provide pupils
with a broad balanced and relevant curriculum that is based upon their needs.
We
deliver our aims by:
1. Working together
as strong teams of professionals in meeting children’s needs
2. Establishing a
good rapport and strong home-school links with the parents
3. Liaison with
health staff, social services, psychologists and the Education Authority in
securing expert advice
4. Careful
assessment and monitoring of individual education and care and management
programmes by annually reviewing the child’s provision at Highfurlong
5. Planning,
assessing and evaluating the progress of each pupil
6. Promoting links
and integration with local schools, colleges and the community
7. Creating a warm,
welcoming school with a high standard of display, good maintenance of the
building, well resourced classrooms and a carefully maintained school
environment
8. Supporting pupils
in mainstream schools
9. By good liaison
and positive links with colleges and other agencies concerned with the
transition of students to adulthood
2.
General Information
Welcome
to all Visitors
When visiting the school we
ask that all visitors report first to the office which is situated to the left
of the main entrance. All visitors should sign the Visitors’ book and wear a
Visitors badge which indicates to all staff and pupils that their presence has
been noted.
Please remember that all
staff are willing to help you at any time.
If we cannot help directly,
we may be able to tell you who can.
School
Management
The school has pupils from the age of two/three to nineteen with
seven classes. Nursery and Key Stage
One of the National Curriculum is covered in Early Years. Key Stage Two of the
National Curriculum is covered in Class 2B and 2D. Key Stage Three of the
National Curriculum is covered in Class 3. Key Stage 4 of the National
Curriculum is covered in Class 4 and the post sixteen pupils are taught as a
discrete group with their own curriculum.
Administratively, the school is funded from Blackpool and the Education
Office is at Progress House, Clifton Road, Blackpool, FY4 4 US.
Highfurlong School Staff are
as follows:
Eddy Jackson - Head Teacher
· Special Educational Needs Manager (joint with A.C.)
· Parental Links (joint with A.C.)
· Movement, P.E.
and Play Manager
·
I.T.
and Special Access Technology Manager
· Work Experience
Manager
· Staff Development
Co-ordinator
· Investors in
People Co-ordinator
· L.R.M. System
· Home School
Transport
· External
Relations
· Child Protection
· NDTEF
Examinations
· Teacher and SSA
Level 3Appraisal
· School Resource
Manager
· Responsible for
Non-Communicating Pupils
Angela Crawforth - Deputy
Head
· Curriculum and
Assessment Manager
· Special
Educational Needs Manager (joint with E.J.)
· Therapist Liaison
· SSA Level 1
Appraisal
· Student Placement
· Parental Links
(joint with E.J.)
· Primary School
Links
· College Links
· Staff Induction
· ASDAN
Accreditation
· S.D.P./CDP
Co-ordinator
· Timetables
· External
Examination Manager
Joanne Martin (.9)
· Year 10 /11 Form
Tutor
· Key Stage 4
Assessment Co-ordinator (N.R.A)
· English and
Communications Manager
· Library Manager
· P.S.H.E.
Manager
· Careers Education
and transition into adulthood
· N.E.A.B. -
N.P.R.A. Units, Certificates of Ach. and GCSE
· Work Experience
Co-ordinator
· English Speaking
Board
· Manager for
Action Plan Post 16
Vivienne Beckwith
· Key Stage 3 Tutor
and Co-ordinator
· History Manager
· Geography Manager
· M.F.L. Manager
· W.J.E.C.
Examinations
· Act of Worship
Manager
Howard Morgan
· Music Manager
· D. and T. Manager
· School Display
Manager
· Expressive Arts
Manager
· Audio Visual Aids
Manager
Amanda Brierley
· Early Years
Teacher
· Art Manager
· R.E. Manager
· Manager for
Action Plan – Spiritual Development
Kath Battersby
· Key Stage 2
teacher
· Key Stage 1 and 2
Assessment Co-ordinator
· Science Manager
· Health and Safety
Representative
· Teacher Governor
Rosie Sycamore (.6)
· Maths Manager
· Edexcel
Examinations
· Manager for
Action Plan – Curriculum Development
Jim Lovegrove (.2)
· Secondary Links
· Work-related Curriculum
§
Cheryl Drabble (supply)
· Key Stage 2
teacher
· PSHE (working
alongside J.M.)
Non-Teaching Staff
S.S.A. Level 3
Maggie Divall Full
time Early Years
Linda North Full
Time Key Stage 2
Jill Garufi
Full Time Key Stage
4; ASDAN -Award scheme;
Minibus;
Health and Safety; K.S. 4 Swimming;
Communication for the
hearing
impaired, Governor
Pam Grice Full
Time Key Stage 3; Bathroom and
Pupil Care Resources
Ann Leadbetter Full
Time Key Stage 3
Yvette Green Full Time Key Stage 4 ASDAN Award Scheme
Karen Tannian Full
Time Key Stage 2
Angela Law Full
Time I.T. Support and Special
Access Technology
Yvonne Bennett Full
Time Access and Alternative and
Augmentative
Communication Support
Andrea Smith Full
Time Individual Pupil Support
S.S.A. Level 2
Debbie Moss
Physio and O.T.Support
S.S.A. Level 1 Staff
Phyl Ingham
Jenny Morris
Joan Lambert
Jean Ford
Jasmine Armer
Karen Calvert
Sandra Hullah
Tammy Ferguson
Joanne Langdon
Angela Spearpoint
Farrah Martin
Pat Lovell
Administrative Manager: Helen Speak
School Secretary: Sam Johnston
School Nurse: Sue Wells
Site Supervisor: Bob Crookes
Cleaners:
Peter Sproston
Tracy Dawn-Walker
Jimmy Gallagher
Welfare Staff:
June Gill
Val Charters
Karen Calvert
Debbie Moss
School
Governors
Chair: Mr P. Higham
Head Teacher:
Mr E. V. Jackson
Co-opted: Mrs J. Garufi
Mrs N. Farrar
Mr J. Roberts
Parent Representative: Mrs J. Lambert
Teacher Representative:
Mrs K. Battersby
School
Day
The staff and Governors are
anxious to maintain the tradition of the school uniform. All pupils attending
the school require the uniform listed below and the P.E. kit.
The staff are equally
concerned that children should develop a pride in their appearance and an
identification with the school. Our school colours are blue and yellow.
Boys
Navy blue jumper or
Sweatshirt
Grey trousers or navy blue
jogging pants
School tie (Available from
Rawcliffes, Blackpool)
Pale blue shirt or polo
shirt
Girls
Navy blue cardigan
Navy blue sweatshirt
Grey skirt or navy blue
jogging bottoms
School tie (available from
Rawcliffes, Blackpool)
White blouse or white polo
shirt
Summer - Blue striped or
check dress
Jewellery is not allowed for
reasons of safety however if pupils have pierced ears they may wear studs but
these must not be worn on days when the pupil has P.E. lessons or swimming.
P.E.
Kit
It is a requirement that all
children have the following P.E. Kit.
Boys
and Girls
School T-shirt
Navy blue shorts or jogging
pants
Pumps or trainers
Swimming Costumes and towel
ADMINISTRATION
The
School Day
Key
Stage 1 and 2 9.00 -
12.15; 1.30 - 3.30 Morning Break 10.15 to 10.30
Key
Stage 3 and 4 9.00 -
12.15; 1.15 - 3.30 Morning Break 10.15 to 10.30
From 8.50am pupils have
access to their classrooms where their are met by staff and are encouraged to
organise their belongings and spend some time reading to themselves or to
members of staff.
After lunch pupils have time
to take part in recreational activities either indoors or outdoors depending on
the weather.
At 3.30 the escorts collect
them from the classroom to vehicles waiting to take them home.
School
Holidays
We appreciate that parents
may need to take their children on holiday during term time, and an
authorisation form for this purpose is available from school. It is important
this is completed as the Head Teacher has to report on the number of authorised
and unauthorised absences.
Absence
from School
If your son or daughter is
absent from school, please contact the school, giving reason for the absence,
on the pupil’s first day of absence. This is most important as the Head Teacher
has to account for all absences.
Emergency
Contact
Information is kept so that
parents can be contacted in the event of accidents or illness. If children have
to be taken to hospital, the hospital authorities now insist that a parent is
present before further action can be taken, because their consent has to be
obtained. Other responsible persons may be delegated by parents and their
information should be given to school. It is the parents responsibility to keep
this information updated.
All pupil information is
entered on computer in accordance with Data Protection Act.
Mainstream
Links
From Early Years to Year
6, there are strong links with Grange Park School, Carleton C.E. Primary
School and Layton Primary School. Small groups of pupils join in the activities
supported by Special Support Assistants, with oversight of senior staff. All
pupils in Key Stages 3 and 4 access our neighbouring secondary school,
Collegiate High School. Where some students follow examination courses.
College
Links
Students in Years 10 and
11 attend Blackpool and the Fylde
College on Links Courses. These are organised on a rolling programme and
include catering, horticulture, D.I.Y.
etc. Year 12 students attend Blackpool and the Fylde College on an
individual basis, with or without support, accessing college courses
appropriate to their interests and future needs.
Pupil
Support Services
Blackpool Borough Council’s
Education Department has a large Pupil Support Division to advise schools on
the management of SEN’s in Blackpool’s 44 schools. The Physical Sensory Complex
team is co-ordinated by Mick Connelly and keeps close links with the Special
Schools. The team working with pupils with physical disabilities motor and
medical conditions remains based in Highfurlong School to maintain the close
links with school staff and therapists.
The P.D. team, which
consists of 3 primary and 1 secondary teacher working a 2 full time equivalent
timetable, support 40 pupils in 16 primary schools, and 6 high schools. Through
the Principle Special Educational Needs Officer, the co-ordinator offers advice
for pupils at Stage 3 on the SEN register.
The team liaises closely
with school staff, parents, medical personnel and therapists. As well as
regular teacher input the staff oversee the work of Special Support Assistants,
advises the school on appropriate strategies, assist in the development of
individual learning programmes, monitor progress and provide a summative report
for the Annual Review. There are approximately 40 Special Support Assistants
and 10 welfare assistants, who assist the pupils in gaining the most from the
school day. These SSA’s meet once a term in Highfurlong for Inservice training
and through arrangements with the Head Teacher have benefited from direct
experience in the classroom as part of their ongoing training.
Homework
At Highfurlong School we believe that learning is not confined to
within school classrooms and that homework is seen part of the pupils’
experience in developing independent learning skills.
All pupils are encouraged to take a reading book home each evening to
read, look at or to read alongside parents.
At Key Stage 1 additional work may be sent home as appropriate, e.g.
flashcards or finding information related to the class topic.
At Key Stage 2 homework tasks take the form of activities from any
curriculum subject area and will meet individual pupils needs.
At Key Stage 3 and 4 individual subject teachers will set work to do in
the Core National Curriculum Subjects as well as French, History, Geography etc. The time to be spent on these
will depend upon the Key Stage and ability of the pupil. Each pupil will have a
copy of the homework timetable in their book.
Homework is seen as essential for those pupils who are sitting public
examinations
Collective
Worship
At Highfurlong we have a whole
school assembly at 3.15 on Friday afternoon the main theme of this is to
celebrate pupil achievements of the week. In addition every day before lunch
the school joins together to say Grace. At the end of every day the form groups
go back to the hall when we have together time, which is time to reflect on the
days achievements. Parents have the right to withdraw their child from the acts
of worship if they so wish
Records
of Achievement (including National Record of Achievement)
These records are designed
to present an overall picture of positive achievements that the pupil has
obtained both in and out of school.
The record will include:
·
personal
skills and qualities
·
activities
and achievements
·
awards
and achievements gained both in and out of school
In Key Stages 1 to 3 the
record is continually updated as the pupil moves through school with the pupil
helping to decide what goes in.
At Key Stage 4 pupils work
on completing their NRA file which will be a record of achievements they will
be able to use after they have left school.
We are awaiting delivery of
the new Progress file which will be an ongoing record of achievement that will
be used from Year 10 throughout their working life.
Work
Experience
Work Experience is not seen
as specific preparation for, or as means of entry to, any particular job or
career, but is designed as a contribution to prepare the students for the
opportunities and responsibilities of adult life, a vehicle to widen their
experience and make new social contacts.
Students in Year 10 11 and
12 undertake a work experience placement, this can be full time for a week or
part time, according to the needs of the individual. Some students will be
supported directly by a member of staff, whilst others will be visited by
staff.
The school will ensure that
placements fulfil the statutory requirements regarding young people at work and
that health and safety policies and insurance procedures have been carried out.
The main change in the
pupils day when moving to Key Stage 3 is that they no longer are taught by a
class teacher but by subject teachers. During the previous year they will have
been taught at least once a week by all of the subject teachers, so the pupils
will be familiar with them. The other change is that they may need to move
classes for certain lessons therefore they must learn to take responsibility
for having the correct equipment with them for the lesson.
Options
for Post 16
Highfurlong
School - offers a course aimed at
increasing independence skills. The students follow the ASDAN Challenge Bronze
Award and some progress to the Bronze/Silver Challenge. They complete a work
experience placement, attend a college link course which relates to their
future chosen area of study and participate in extended responsibilities within
school. After this year students have gone on to attend a local college.
Local
College - this could be Blackpool and the Fylde, Lancaster and Morecambe, Preston
or a specialist college such as Myerscough. Wide ranges of courses are offered
at different levels.
Residential
College - this is an option for those students whose needs cannot be met at local
colleges. A directory of residential colleges is available on loan from the
careers library in Room 6.
Training-
there
are a range of training providers in this area who offer training with pay. Ee
information in the Careers Library and in Yellow Pages.
Training
Centres - an option for people of all ages, situated in the various districts in
Fylde and Wyre.
Supported
Employment - services in the Blackpool and Lancashire areas offer support to people
of all ages, whilst they are working. This service follows a referral from the
students social worker. Students may consider registering before completing a
college course and this intention can be drawn up as a possibility at the
student’s 14 plus review.
Discipline
The basis for promoting good
behaviour at Highfurlong is based on pupils and staff treating each other with
respect, promoting self-esteem, positive reinforcement of acceptable behaviour
in situations when it is appropriate to do so, communicating pupils
achievements and successes to parents and discussing and agreeing strategies
for managing pupils’ behaviour when it is unacceptable with all staff and in
partnership with parents.
The pupils follow an
established code of conduct. There is a behaviour policy and an anti-bullying
policy. Both policies are available in
school
The school operates a no
smoking policy and asks that visitors co-operate whilst on school premises.
Parking
In order to assist the
smooth access to the school the school has strict parking guidelines for staff and
visitors which are displayed at the front of the building.
Communication
with School
The class/form teacher or
nursery nurse is the first point of contact although parents may consult with
any member of staff.
Parents can maintain regular
contacts with their child’s class/form teacher via the communication book. The
frequency of communication through these books can be arranged on a personal
basis to meet individual needs.
Newsletters are sent home
and staff in the school office will be pleased to help with general enquiries.
School
Meals
School meals are cooked on
the premises. Payment is made each Monday morning, which is for the following
week’s meals. Parents are asked to send dinner money in a sealed envelope on
which their child’s name, year number and amount is written. Cheques must have
the pupil’s name and address on the back and made payable to Blackpool Borough
Council
If for any reason, your
child is likely to be late to school on any morning, but will be in for dinner,
please let the School Secretary or Class Teacher know before 9.30 so that a
dinner can be ordered.
Packed lunches may be
brought from home in a box or bag. The box should have your child’s name on it
and be large enough to accommodate both
the food and the drink.
School
Trips
Groups of pupils attend
excursions to a wide variety of venues throughout the school year, i.e.
Abbeystead, Stoneyhurst College and Ocean Youth Club. Some pupils also have the
opportunity to visit France. Other trips are organised linked to the curriculum
and the development of independence skills.
The policy states that voluntary contributions will be invited for
activities such as environmental and theatre visits.
No pupil will be excluded from
visits through inability to pay, providing sufficient contributions are
received. Parents who are unable to pay or on Income Support should contact the
Head Teacher.
Equal
Opportunities
Everyone at Highfurlong is
equally valued and given equal opportunities in all aspects of school life
regardless of background, gender, race, religious beliefs or disabilities. A
copy of the schools Equal Opportunities Policy is available at the school.
Child
Protection
By law, and with local
authority guidance, we must respond to suspected abuse of any child. There is a
strict procedure which we must follow and we seek advice when necessary.
“Because of day to day contact with
children, schools are particularly
well placed to observe outward signs of
abuse, changes in behaviour
or failure to develop. Parents should be
aware, therefore, that where
to a member of staff that a child mat have
been abused, the school is
requested, as part of the local Child
Protection Procedures, to report
their concern to the Social Services
Department immediately”
If Staff have concerns these
will be reported to the designated Child Protection Teachers, who are Mr
Jackson and Mrs Crawforth. In the first instance they will access the situation
and inform parents of their concerns. However if they feel the situation
requires action they are required by the Local Education Authority to report
any sign of non-accidental injury or abuse immediately and directly to the
Social Services Department. The school has no choice in this. It is likely, in
such situations, that a social worker will contact you directly and not via
school.
Health
and Safety
The school has a Health and
Safety policy approved by the Governors and it is the Governors’ responsibility
to ensure that the policy is implemented, monitored and reviewed at regular
intervals.
All staff have access to a
copy of the policy.
As well as the School Nurse,
the school also has trained
first-aiders holding a certificate of competence awarded by a recognised body.
In the event of a complaint
parents are asked in the first instance to contact the Head Teacher or Class
Teacher, every effort will be made to resolve issues. If they are not satisfied
they should contact the Chair of Governors.
3.
Curriculum
At Highfurlong School we
believe every pupil has a right to access the National Curriculum at a level
appropriate to their Key Stage and at a level appropriate to their individual
ability.
We also believe all pupils
should work towards and achieve external accreditation according to their
individual ability.
We offer a full and balanced curriculum including all the
National Curriculum subjects and R.E. We also provide a wide range of personal,
social and health education opportunities to all pupils as well as leisure and
independence skills, mobility skills and educational visits.
In order to achieve this we
have a structured method of planning the curriculum which involves planning
from the Early Years through to Post-Sixteen to ensure progression throughout
the Year Groups.
In addition every pupil has
an Individual Education Plan which includes a curriculum plan to meet his/her
particular needs.
Since each class has pupils
of a wide range of abilities we use a variety of teaching methods and
approaches so that each pupil can learn in a way that suits them best.
Each curriculum area has a
Manager who produces Long Term Plans
which ensure both progression and coverage of the National Curriculum.
From these Medium Term Plans are
produced which state:
·
The
objectives from the National Curriculum
·
The
Learning Activities and/or Areas to be covered
·
The
Resources to be used
From these the class teacher
plans the individual lessons taking into account the Medium Term Plans together with the needs of the class.
The structure of a class
lesson is as follows: