ABOUT US

This is a church school, not only in name but also in character. We are proud of its Christian heritage and ethos, and we hope that you will sense its special character in all your contacts with people here.

It is a caring school. Our small size and our pastoral organisation allow us to get to know our pupils very well, and to ensure that problems do not go unnoticed or unattended. It is an inclusive comprehensive school. We accept pupils of all abilities and needs. Although we give priority to children of practising Christian families, we accept children of other faiths and none where vacancies permit.

It is a high achieving school. Our results at Key Stage 3, GCSE and GNVQ have risen consistently over the years from what was already a good baseline. We are always one of the top high schools in the Bury league table, and our success encompasses our less able pupils as much as our most able. It is a forward-looking school. We have a proud heritage stretching back over 250 years, but our focus is on the future. We are committed to providing the best education appropriate to the adults of the 21st century.

We are determined to work to enable the school to:

• pursue its commitment to Christian values and principles, to be a worshipping community and to continue learning as it looks to Jesus Christ and faces the challenge of the Gospel in its life and work,
• sustain a broad and balanced curriculum which meets the needs of pupils, promotes their spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development and prepares them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life,
• provide a positive environment in which all pupils, irrespective of ability, age, gender, ethnic or social background, may have equal opportunities to achieve their potential,
• foster and maintain an ethos which is supportive to all members of the school community and enables them to use their talents to the full, encourages positive attitudes towards others and ensures that all feel valued, cared for and secure.
• promote strong collaboration with parents, the Church and the wider community to enable us to provide the best possible learning opportunities for our pupils and to draw strength from and serve our partners in society.

All pupils at the school follow the National Curriculum, which ensures that they all receive a broad and balanced education. At Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) all pupils follow a common curriculum leading to Standard Attainment Tests towards the end of Year 9. At Key Stage 4 (Years 10 - 11) there is a greater degree of flexibility, allowing pupils to embark on some new courses and discontinue others. Key Stage 4 courses lead to examination through GCSE including double option applied GCSE. Some non examination and alternative vocational qualifications courses are available

Key Stage 3

In their first 3 years all pupils follow a common curriculum consisting of English, Maths, Science, Religious Education, History, Geography, French, Technology (which includes working with construction materials and working with food), Information Technology, Art & Design, Music, Physical Education and PSHE (Personal, Social & Health Education). In addition, most pupils learn German from Year 8. In Year 7 pupils are taught in many subjects in common groups based upon aptitudes shown in Key Stage 2 SATs and in Year 8 most departments begin to group pupils according to ability as evidenced by classwork, homework and regular assessments and examinations. Towards the end of Year 9 pupils select the courses they wish to follow for Key Stage 4. To help pupils make their choice we have a very full programme of information and advice and we encourage parents to take a very active part in the decision-making process. Pupils will begin their GCSE courses in French and Religious Education in Year 9 to enable them to sit the exams a year early in Year 10.

Key Stage 4

A number of subjects remain compulsory for all pupils at Key Stage 4: English, Maths, Science, French, Religious Education, Physical Education and PSE. Pupils select additional subjects from a wide range of options, including History, Geography, Art, Music, Technology, German, Drama, Physical Education, Health & Social Care, Engineering, Business Studies and Leisure & Tourism. We also offer NVQ taster courses in Catering, Business Information Technology, Engineering and Hairdressing at Bury College.