Westlands and your child
The Westlands School:
- has a curriculum where high personal achievement is a priority and caters for pupils of all abilities
- has a Grammar Stream and Alpha Set to cater for the academic needs of the brightest children
- has a clear philosophy and explicit principles based on the commonly-held values of personal achievment, care for the individual, self-esteem and respect for others
- promotes preparation for responsible adulthood
- has a well-organised, secure environment conductive to leaning and healthy moral and social development that only a long-established school can give
- has a smart, traditional uniform for all pupils
Westlands - the facilities
As a Foundation School Westlands has a well-managed budget of over £5 million to provide the best possible staffing and resources for the pupils. As a result, the School has:
- outstanding facilities with all subjects taught in specialist rooms, many in new buildings.
- eight fully-equipped Information Technology rooms with all areas of the school linked to the Internet.
- Study Centres which operate after school and a lunchtime homework club.
- a distinguished reputation in Creative and Performing Arts, and as a Centre of Excellence for Music.
- an All-Weather Sports Pitch which is used by both the school and the local community.
Westlands - the curriculum
Pupils are well-motivated, co-operative and enthusiastic with boys and girls working well together. Effort and attainment are rewarded through a merit system. Pupils are taught in smaller teaching groups than Kent and national average and which are appropriate to the pupils' ability. Priority teaching time is given to English, Maths and Science and homework is regularly set.
Able pupils are challenged and encouraged to progress to Further Education and to University. Additional support is given by Learning Support Assistants to children who find work difficult. There is a Dyslexia Provision on site to cater for the needs of those with specific learning difficulties. Mrs Nauman, the teacher in charge, can be contacted at the school.
Westlands - beyond school leaving age
The Sixth form has its own accommodation and offers a choice of Foundation and Intermediate GNVQs together with GCSEs, AVCEs, A/S and A Levels and other externally examined courses. Excellent careers advice is offered to all pupils. A member of the County Careers and Guidence team is based at the School. Mrs McGowan, the Director of 6th form studies, can be contacted at the school.
Westlands - extra-curricular activities
A wide range of extra-curricular activities is provided including events which take place after school, at weekends and during holidays. There is also an Air Training Corps based at the School.
Westlands - the environment
Over recent years the quality of the learning environment has been much enhanced. Government grants and savings that the School has made have enabled spending of over £1½ million to totally refurbish the Science Laboratories, build a new Library and three classroom blocks, enhance the Sixth Form Suite as well as providing resources and accommodation for physically-disabled pupils.
Westlands is...
- Dedicated to ensuring high standards of personal achievement
- Caring
- A happy and friendly school
- Welcoming
- Traditional, yet forward thinking
Quote from a Westlands parent... "We have had a great deal of upset in the family recently and my daughter has had much to cope with. The teachers have been so helpful, kind and understanding through it all. My daughter needed to be away from school for a while but the teachers welcomed her back and helped her settle into school so that work hardly suffered at all. I put this down to the way teachers have handled this matter and I am very pleased and grateful to them."
Quote from a Westlands pupil... "I have joined the choir and the trampolining club. I like using the library and can go to the Study Centre after school to do my homework and work on computers. I am so glad my mum and dad chose The Westlands School for me..."
Westlands - the caring school
Care for the individual is a priority. Pupils are friendly, courteous and sensitive to the needs of others, especially those less fortunate than themselves. The School is specially adapted for physically-disabled pupils and two Welfare Assistants are availbale for pupils with health problems. Westlands staff are dedicated and fair-minded and care for their pupils. There is a written code of conduct for pupils. The School ethos is strongly supported by committed prefects, the local community and industry. An active "Parent Teacher Association" promotes the positive policy of school and parents working in partnership.
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