ABOUT US

Saddleworth School is a secondary, co-educational, comprehensive school with a nine form entry which caters for students from eleven to sixteen years of age. Since September 2002 it has been a Specialist Language College. It takes children from a large area, primarily from schools within the Saddleworth area itself. The number of students on roll in September is expected to be approximately 1290.

Saddleworth School is situated in pleasant, rural surroundings in the village of Uppermill. Its buildings are linked by grassy areas, courtyards and play areas. The school’s close proximity to open countryside provides excellent opportunities for sports and leisure activities.

Saddleworth School is committed to encouraging high academic and personal achievements. We believe that every student has the right to be secure, happy and successful and we strive to ensure this.

We are committed to realising these aims by:

• providing a caring and well-ordered environment in school where teachers and students can work co-operatively in a climate of mutual respect.
• identifying individual talents and needs, and providing for maximum development of every individual.
• developing the ability, in all children, to make balanced judgements, to evaluate, reject and decide for themselves.
• encouraging the personal, social and moral development of each child.
• encouraging parental interest and support in their child’s progress.
• recognising the needs and expectations of the community at large and establishing links with local industry and employers.
• creating a pleasant, satisfying and productive working environment.
• providing opportunities for the personal development of staff.
• providing a broad and balanced curriculum which promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, intellectual and physical development of students, as well as preparing them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life.

We aim to provide a balanced, broadly based and relevant curriculum. It is designed to be a preparation for the responsibilities and experiences of adult life and is appropriate to the needs of the individual. Each student is allocated to a mixed-ability tutor group.

As a Specialist Language College, we are proud to offer enhanced Modern Foreign Languages provision, including French, German, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese.

Saddleworth School offers many extra-curricular activities at lunchtime and after normal school hours. Our students have every opportunity to participate in the widest possible range of pursuits to develop their skills and personalities.

Many parents, children from local primary schools and other members of the local community have greatly enjoyed the performances given by Saddleworth School students in plays and musicals in recent years.

The school’s drama group meets regularly and visits are made to local primary schools. Several of our students have found success in careers in drama after leaving school - and even whilst still at school!

Exchange visits regularly take place with our partner schools in France and Germany. Educational holidays and an annual skiing holiday also prove extremely popular with many of our students.

There are many sporting activities and the quality of our young sportsmen and women is such that many are selected to represent their town, county and even country. The school’s teams often dominate in competitions.

Within school many more students enjoy friendly competition in the inter-form activities that take place throughout the year.

The school is renowned for its musical ability. Building on the local Saddleworth tradition, brass band music assumes a key role in its achievements. We also have a clarinet choir, wind ensemble, swing band and choir. The competence of our students in these and other groups is of the highest standard and it is not unusual for individuals to pursue a musical education or career when they leave school.