About the School
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The Misbourne School is a co-educational Upper School which, in September 2002, had more than twelve hundred students aged between eleven and eighteen years, including some two hundred students in the Sixth Form. |
We believe it to be an orderly community in which students are encouraged to enjoy learning and succeed in that wide range of academic, cultural, social, and sporting opportunities which they are offered by a hard-working, committed and caring staff who themselves enjoy being part of the school.
The school caters for the full ability range of students. For many years it has provided successful academic opportunities for students who have obtained results at GCSE and in the Sixth Form which are always amongst the best of Buckinghamshire Upper Schools, but it also does well by students who do not find learning or school particularly easy.
The school serves the village of Great Missenden, in which its spacious campus is situated, and the villages of Prestwood, Little Kingshill, Hyde Heath, South Heath, Ballinger, The Lee and Lee Common.
Joining the School
Many pupils join the school from outside the Reserved Area under the provision of the 1980 Education Act which enables parents to state a preference of school. The availability of such places, for which there is no entitlement to free transport, depends on the number of pupils who are entitled to join The Misbourne School from within its reserved area. |

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Prospective parents are advised to take careful note of the information given annually in the Guide for Parents issued by Buckinghamshire County Council because it is possible for the legal situation regarding admissions to change from year to year.
In September 2005 the maximum number of pupils to be admitted to Year Seven will be two hundred and ten and requests for the admission of pupils from outside the reserved area will be the responsibility of and administered by
Buckinghamshire County Council The Admissions Team Education Department County Hall Aylesbury HP2O 1UX
The LEA admissions' criteria were strictly applied by the Admissions Team and the school governors when allocating places. Exceptionally, because of high numbers in the age group throughout Buckinghamshire, two hundred and forty students were finally admitted in both September 2001 and September 2002 but it has been agreed that the maximum number from 2004 onwards will be 210.
This pattern of heavy over-subscription has become something of a tradition in recent years. It is important, however, that local families are aware that the school places great importance on striving to meet their preferences. It is unusual, therefore, in the end, for families who really want their child to come to The Misbourne School to find that a place has not become available by the end of the Summer Term before entry, but sometimes a little patience is needed! It is the school's professed aim to reduce as far as it is able the stress of waiting for a decision, but circumstances are sometimes beyond its control.
Related Links: [ County Admissions Policy... ]
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OfSTED Inspection - Mon 2nd to Fri 6th February 2004
'A Very Good School set to be at the Leading Edge of Educational Development' |
The Misbourne School was inspected in early February by a very professional, supportive and well led team from OfSTED. In a spirit of professional openness and critical self-evaluation there has emerged a very good report in which the many strengths of the school have been identified and celebrated.
We, as a school are delighted that the outstanding professional dedication and commitment of the staff and Governors over many years has been recognised in this most encouraging report."
Amongst the many positive findings, significantly the report highlights the strength of teaching and learning across all years and the excellent relationships that underpin the very essence of a high achieving school.
Students' attendance, the dedication and hard work of the teaching staff, the sixth form, learning and the inclusive nature of the school are picked out for particular praise and there are many examples of excellent practice throughout the report.
Jon Howard-Drake, the Headteacher, feels that the report provides the critical analysis that will allow a very good school to become an excellent educational environment. "Areas of strength and areas for development have been clearly identified and these will link naturally into our own detailed agenda for change and improvement. We recognise that accommodation and resources remain a critical issue for the school but we know that with our continued close working relationship with the LEA we can make significant inroads into this issue. However the report highlights the fact that it is people that make the real family of The Misbourne School and I am very grateful for the significant part played by our students, parents and governors in supporting us through this process."
We are at the cutting edge of school improvement and we believe that this excellent report will allow us to provide an outstanding educational community for our students, staff and external partners over the coming years".
Related Links: [ Ofsted Information... ]
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