When students leave us after their time at Knutsford High School, we take a lot of pleasure in reflecting on what they have achieved. We are very conscious that their successes mean a great deal in laying the foundations for a rich fulfilling life.

The school’s aims statement speaks of maximising achievement, realising individual potential and preparing young people for a challenging and exciting future. Such a statement can be an abstract wish list. We do not intend it to be so, for the school exists and prospers by meeting the needs and aspirations of all our students and maximizing their achievement. The school is here for them.

Knutsford High has, for many years, been a successful, popular and happy school. Our work is founded on the comprehensive ideal - a belief that all children are of equal value and that it is our task to help develop the abilities and talents that all undoubtedly have.

The particular strengths children have obviously vary from one individual to another. We recognise this and provide a range of curricular and extracurricular programmes to meet the needs of all within a diverse population. Our size means we can offer many different courses as part of the taught curriculum and also a wide variety of clubs, teams and societies. We expect the highest achievement from our students as a consequence and will settle for nothing less, celebrating achievement in all its forms and from students of all levels of ability.

We also aim to develop and grow, adapting what we do to meet changing circumstances and striving continually to improve. Our innovative Year 7 programme is specifically designed to provide a careful transition between primary and secondary education. In Years 10 and 11, our curriculum plays to the strengths of individuals, allowing them to focus their studies in areas of greatest interest and aptitude while maintaining a degree of breadth. All students have the opportunity to opt into our International School programme or Performing Arts Academy from year 9 as part of this range of choice. Other opportunities and options for students at Key Stage 4 are both exciting and imaginative and provide fully for all abilities, including a distinct vocational school programme. Our Sixth Form continues to build on these foundations. The quality of this curriculum has been recognised nationally by the Department for Education and Skills whose Innovation Unit has made its largest ever grant to Knutsford High to facilitate further development and enable us to share our work with schools across the country.

At all levels we are pleased to be judged on the outcomes of what we do. National and County data shows clearly that Knutsford High School students make progress in tests and examinations which is described in the Department for Education and Skills results analysis as “well above average for similar schools”. OFSTED describe us as a “good school with many strengths”.

The school has been granted Specialist School Status in the areas of English and Humanities. We are committed to ensuring that the funding, development and resources received through this will benefit students’ work across the whole curriculum.

I am pleased you are interested in joining our school. Knutsford High School is an exciting and stimulating place to be, for both its staff and students. The quality of our relationships with students and their parents is important to us and I look forward to welcoming you as part of our community in the near future.

The curriculum at Knutsford High is based on the principles of choice and diversity - the belief that, as a school, we should cater for the needs, aptitudes and interests of students as individuals.

The school has adopted a creative and innovative approach to curriculum planning, enabling students increasingly to choose between a wide range of programmes, particularly at Key Stage 4 and in the Sixth Form but also within Key Stage 3.  The quality and diversity provided by our curriculum model has been recognised by the Department for Education and Skills, which has asked Knutsford High to play a part in national development work with other schools.

YEAR 7: THE TRANSITION PROGRAMME

The first year at Knutsford High School is designed to make the transition from primary to secondary learning as beneficial as possible.  With this aim in mind students are taught by a comparatively small number of teachers, many of whom focus their work in Lower School.  These arrangements mean students become well known to their teachers who are able to identify and respond quickly to their needs.  Specialist teaching ensures that the National Curriculum is fully covered, with teaching styles drawing on best practice from both primary and secondary models of education.

An integral part of the transition programme is the use of Integrated Tasks, designed to help Year 7 students develop skills that are appropriate to their future needs.  Students are encouraged to adopt a range of working practices as part of this Integrated Task Curriculum, which is timetabled for the equivalent of one day a week, with a different task being pursued each term.  The tasks have been designed to include content and skills from traditional subject areas yet allow students to integrate their learning.  Even at this stage, an element of choice is introduced into the curriculum.  Core, optional and self devised tasks are undertaken with students working on their own, in pairs and in groups.  Staff provide expertise in specialist areas as well as working as facilitators to support and evaluate learning.

YEARS 8 & 9: THE FOUNDATION PROGRAMME

The Foundation Programme in Years 8 and 9 is seen, in many ways, as preparation for the GCSE years that follow, but is also a valuable and important part of students’ learning and development in its own right.  All students study the subjects listed here:

English
Science
History
Geography
Music
French or German
Art, Design and Technology
Mathematics
Coordinated Studies (Y8)
Information Technology
Religious Studies
Dance, Drama and PE

Increasing choice is a further feature of the Foundation Programme, both within and between subjects.  In Year 9 a wide range of options exists, including the opportunity to opt for the International School programme.  This allows students to study subjects such as Art & Design and History from an international perspective, without neglecting the importance of ensuring they are secure in their own cultural heritage.  Students will also have the opportunity to develop links with other students from countries across the globe and to undertake Joint Curriculum Projects on special days set aside for this purpose.

Also in year 9, some students choose to join the Performing Arts Academy, whereby an increased amount of time is spent on these subjects.

In an exciting new development, students may now opt to focus on areas of particular talent or interest in Year 9 by increasing the amount of curriculum time spent on these areas.  This ‘study focus’ remains optional, and students may, if they wish, continue with a broad and balanced curriculum.

Short courses are also available to students.  One recent development is the opportunity for students to opt for the TalkNow short course, which allows students to study different languages using dedicated software.  For those students preferring to pursue other interests short courses are offered in subjects ranging from Business Enterprise to Visual Communication and Web Authoring.

YEARS 10 & 11: THE INTERMEDIATE PROGRAMME

The basic principle for curriculum design in the GCSE years is that, while there needs to be a common core for all students, individuals should be able to focus their learning in areas of greatest interest or aptitude.  It is our belief that by this age students have developed clear preferences between areas of study and through being able to concentrate more on these subjects, their achievement will be greatly increased.

All students therefore follow a core curriculum including English, Mathematics, Science, ICT, PE and Skills for Life, which includes Personal and Social Education.  This core provision is seen as providing a broad and balanced basis for further study. 

In addition to the compulsory subjects a range of specialist programmes is also offered, students being able to choose between 2 or 3 GCSEs within a particular area of focus.  Students may, for example, focus on Science by opting for 3 separate Science GCSEs, while others may prefer to specialise within the Humanities, Art Design & Technology or Performance based subjects.  Students preferring a more general range of options are also catered for while a number of vocational courses are offered, some in association with Mid-Cheshire College.  Other options include the opportunity to follow extension courses in Mathematics and English leading to early entry for AS modules and other additional short courses, including Sociology, Business Enterprise, Health Development and Life Skills.  The full range of GCSE subjects will vary from year to year but typically includes:

Business Studies
Ceramics
Dance
Drama
Sports Pursuits
Textile Design
3D Design
Media Studies
German
Geography
Graphics
History
Engineering
Sociology
Music
French
Physical Education
Religious Studies
Spanish
Health and Social Care
Drawing and Painting
Information Technology
Food Technology

A recent development has been the introduction of ‘schools within a school’.  In the Vocational School, courses followed are suitable for those who prefer a more practical approach to learning.  It is a demanding and challenging course that leads to between six and nine GCSEs in addition to alternative accreditation, and provides a good basis for progression into post -16 vocational courses.  Besides core English, Maths, Science and ICT, one day a week is spent on work experience and another day a week is spent on vocational options in Engineering, Motor Vehicle Maintenance, Beauty or Childcare.

Another specialised option is the Performing Arts Academy, in which students talented in this area of the curriculum become skilled in the theory and practice of performance.  A thriving music theatre group put on regular performances and recitals to the delight of students and parents alike.

SIXTH FORM: THE ADVANCED PROGRAMME

The Sixth Form of 300 students is one of the largest in the country.  Provided that a suitable course is available and that a genuine commitment to further study has been demonstrated, all students have access to the Sixth Form.

Each year we attract many new students to the school whilst the majority of our own 16 year olds choose to return.  Courses are offered at AS level, A level, AVCE and GCSE.  Most students are admitted for 2 years further study, with the majority following four AS courses in the Lower Sixth and three A levels in the Upper Sixth. Some students return for a one year GNVQ Intermediate course in Leisure and Tourism.  In November all Year 11 students receive a copy of the Sixth Form Prospectus, which details the range of courses available.  Subjects currently offered are:

TWO YEAR COURSES TO AS AND A LEVEL

Art, Design & Technology
Graphics
Textiles
Business Studies
Computing
Economics
Information Technology
Sport and Physical Education
English Language
English Literature
English Language & Literature
Media Studies
Philosophy and Ethics
History (Modern)
History (Tudor)
Geography
Politics
Psychology
Sociology
Law
Critical Thinking
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Pure Mathematics & Statistics
Pure and Applied Mathematics
Further Mathematics
French
German
Music
Dance
Drama and Theatre Studies

TWO YEAR APPLIED GCE COURSES

Advanced Business Studies
IT

ONE YEAR GNVQ INTERMEDIATE COURSES

Leisure & Tourism
BTEC National (Music Practice)

Students may also opt for one-year GCSE courses (English, Mathematics) and may take Key Skills or General Studies exams.

SETTING

By setting students we believe that teachers can focus more clearly on individual needs and abilities and therefore encourage each student to reach his or her potential.

On arrival at the school students are placed in mixed ability form groups in which they remain throughout their time in the school.  During the first term, the results of internal assessments are used to place them in sets for Mathematics.

At the start of Year 8, students are placed in sets for four further subject areas; Science, English, Modern Languages and Humanities.

HOMEWORK

The main purpose of homework is to reinforce and build on material taught in class.  At examination times homework will be spent on revising and practising examination technique.  It is therefore vital that good study habits are formed at the start of Year 7.  Parents can help their children develop these by encouraging them to study at regular times and away from distractions.

All students are required to complete homework assignments on a regular basis.  A Student Planner and homework timetable will be provided at the start of each year in order to help students to plan their time and meet deadlines, and homework tasks for each subject will be published on the Virtual Learning Environment of the school’s web site.

Whilst the time spent on homework will differ for each student, we would expect Year 7 students to spend between 40 and 60 minutes on homework each evening.  In Year 8, this will rise to about one hour, in Year 9 to about an hour and a half and to approximately two hours in Years 10 and 11.  Sixth Formers should undertake a recommended 21 hours’ private study per week.

ASSESSMENT & REPORTING

Continuous assessment takes place in all subject areas from Year 7 onwards, with annual examinations in most subjects.  From Year 10, students take part in examinations under the same formal conditions as those required by public examination boards.  Parents receive four reports a year indicating the progress their child is making towards achieving his or her targets in each subject and highlighting areas of concern.  An annual Tutor Review Day allows students and their parents to meet their tutor and set targets to improve their achievement.  Every year group has a Parents’ Evening, and other information evenings help parents support their child’s education.  These include an opportunity for parents of year 7 children to meet their child’s Form Tutor, Year 8 and Year 10 Information Evenings and a Year 9 Options Evening.  Appointments can be made at other times to see individual staff about a student’s progress.

SPECIAL NEEDS

A team of specialist staff is available to provide educational support across a broad range of individual needs.  Students who may benefit include those with learning difficulties, minor physical handicaps, social and emotional difficulties and those students for whom English is not a first language.  The school provides for several students who require a more modified curriculum in a small group environment.  These students generally have a formal statement of special educational need.

There are also students of exceptional academic ability who may benefit from additional stimulation.  A programme of enrichment extends the learning experience both within and beyond school, and several of our students have been invited to join the National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth.

Copies of our Special Needs Policy, drawn up in the light of the Education Act’s Code of Practice, are available on request.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

In addition to timetabled lessons students in all year groups take part in assemblies with a moral or religious content.  Parents may withdraw their children from assemblies and Religious Education lessons if they so wish.

LEARNING RESOURCES

The school has libraries on both Upper and Lower School sites, staffed by a full time chartered librarian and library assistant.  Over 15,000 volumes are held in stock, as well as 80 CD ROMs and numerous newspapers and periodicals.  There is also a video/DVD library.  We have strong links with both the local town library and the Cheshire Education Library Service in Winsford.

Information and Communications Technology facilities are constantly upgraded to ensure that students have access to the latest multimedia hardware and software including appropriate access to the Internet.  In addition to the PC network there are Apple Mac studios, a distance learning suite, the school’s own radio station and a fully equipped Media Suite.  These are available for all students but are of particular interest to those following courses in Graphics and Media Studies.  Learning in all areas also benefits from ongoing investment in interactive whiteboards.

There is a well-equipped resources department offering a range of services to both staff and students.  Facilities include satellite TV, video projectors, camcorders, PA equipment, computers, digital cameras, data projectors and much more.

Knutsford High School inspires students of all abilities and encourages them to realise their potential by promoting and celebrating academic and all other forms of achievement

At Knutsford High School we believe in encouraging and recognising all forms of achievement through the school-wide reward system.  Individual students in Year 7 earn merit marks for academic, personal and social achievements.  These are recorded in the Student Planner and awards are presented in assemblies at the end of each term. In Year 8 this system is supplemented by achievement cards, where recognition of achievement in individual subject areas is recorded.  Students in Years 9 to 11 receive ‘award cards’ to recognise and celebrate their success and book tokens are awarded to students who outperform their targets.

Target setting helps teachers to recognise the real potential of students and at the same time encourages students to work towards achieving the highest grades of which they are capable.

To enable us to identify and therefore meet the particular needs of individuals, students sit the NFER Cognitive Ability Tests (CATS) on entry into Year 7.  At the end of Year 7 the results of CATS, internal examinations and continuous assessment are used to set personal targets for the Year 9 National Curriculum Tests.  A similar process is completed for Year 10 students, who are set targets for GCSE grades.  In the Sixth Form students are set targets for A levels and GNVQs on the basis of GCSE results.

Progress is monitored regularly with form tutors working closely with students to ensure that together, we do everything possible to achieve targets.

The school runs Study Support Days for students during holiday periods where extra tuition and support are available.  The purpose of these is to help students to complete coursework and prepare for public examinations.

Knutsford High School provides a caring and supportive environment which maintains high expectations and fosters the well-being and achievement of all students, so that individuals achieve their fullest potential.

A modern comprehensive school is a large, busy organisation and staff are well aware that it must, to some extent, inspire mixed feelings in children in their final year of Primary School.  They view with excitement the extensive facilities, new subjects and new friends but are sometimes a little apprehensive about getting lost, being ‘on time’ for lessons and relationships with their new teachers.

TRANSITION

To make sure that the transition from Primary School goes as smoothly as possible, we provide an integrated induction programme.  This includes an Open Evening at Upper School in October, tours of Lower School where Years 7 and 8 are based, a series of visits to Primary Schools by our senior staff, a residential Induction Course and visits by students to the school. The organisation of the school is designed to provide all students with sympathetic, personal guidance throughout their time here and whilst all members of the staff are responsible for the welfare and progress of students, certain staff have a specific responsibility for the individuals within their area.

FORM TUTOR

The tutor group is the basis for many lessons as well as social and sporting activities in the school.  The Form Tutor meets the group every day at registration.  He/she knows the students very well and is always available to help if problems arise.  The Form Tutor has the clearest picture of overall progress and academic achievement and should, in most cases, be the first point of contact for parents.

STUDENT SUPPORT

Co-ordinating the work of Form Tutors at each school are senior members of staff who play a key role in promoting the highest standards of achievement and behaviour across the whole year group.  The Head of Student Services, together with the Lead Tutor works closely with Form Tutors to track the academic achievement of each student to ensure that they consistently fulfil their potential.  The Lead Tutor and Community Deputy Head are also closely involved in the transfer from Primary to Secondary school.  This system provides considerable continuity in the care and progress of students.

CONDUCT

Visitors to the school are immediately aware of the purposeful yet relaxed and friendly atmosphere and the considerable freedom offered to students in the use of social facilities.  To achieve such freedom in a large school requires every student to act in a sensible, responsible manner, having respect for others around them.  The school insists on high standards with regard to conduct and uniform, guidelines for which are published at the end of the prospectus.

Naturally, students will be required to observe common-sense rules which ensure their safety and the smooth running of the school.  Good behaviour is recognised through the programme of assertive discipline but there are also clear consequences for inappropriate behaviour.

Sanctions may include after-school detention, for which parents will always receive 24 hours’ notice.  In exceptional circumstances of serious misconduct students may be excluded from school for a specific period.

Our anti-bullying policy promotes mutual respect between students, establishes the right of each student to feel safe and makes it clear that any behaviour that deliberately causes upset will not be tolerated.  Students are made to feel confident in talking openly about bullying incidents.

The school has a named Child Protection person in line with Cheshire policy and any concerns about the safety of children outside school will be referred through the appropriate guidelines.

ATTENDANCE

Regular attendance at school is fundamental to making sure that students maximise their achievement.  As well as rewarding students each term for good attendance, the school carefully monitors this through a computerised registration system and sets high targets for the attendance of all students.  Parents should always cover any absence from school by a written note or telephone message.  The school strongly discourages holidays being taken during term time if avoidable.  Where this is considered to be unavoidable, applications should be made to the Head Teacher well in advance.

A note of explanation is expected if a student is unable to take part in a PE lesson for any reason. The school is required by law to publish figures regarding the unauthorised absence of students.  In order that a justified absence is not misrepresented as truancy, it is essential that parents notify the school on every occasion.  Absence statistics are available using the link on the CD supplied.

SKILLS FOR LIFE

Throughout their life at the school, students learn how to interact positively with others and how to behave responsibly in society.  Our Skills for Life programme integrates elements of Personal and Social Education, Citizenship and awareness of self and others.  It also acts as an important mechanism for developing learning, research, communication and IT skills.  As it develops into Years 10 and 11, the course aims to help young people acquire the skills and knowledge required for effective transition to adult life.  There are a range of topic areas such as Consumer Education, the Media, Drug Education, Sex Education, Political and Economic Awareness and Careers Education.  Religious Education is also covered through this programme.

Moral and ethical issues are approached with sensitivity by staff and, where possible, teaching is supplemented with the involvement of relevant outside agencies.  Staff teaching in this area liaise closely with Heads of Student Services and Form Tutors to provide a guidance and advisory service in cases of extreme personal and social difficulty.

CAREERS GUIDANCE & WORK EXPERIENCE

From Year 9 onwards all students receive careers guidance, helping them to make informed choices at 14, 16 and 18.

The careers staff work closely with Connexions who visit the school regularly.  All Year 11 students receive a careers interview, which helps them to identify educational and careers options open to them.  Parents are welcome to discuss their child’s plans with the careers staff at any time by appointment.

Careers education forms part of the Skills for Life courses taught throughout the school.  Software packages allow students to create their own ‘careers profile’ and gives advice on appropriate courses.  Connexions are represented at all of our careers events as well as at Parents’ Evenings in Years 9 to 13.

During breaks and lunchtimes all students are encouraged to use the careers library, which is well stocked with software packages, videos, careers leaflets and university prospectuses.

All students in Year 10 spend one week during the summer term in a work experience placement or on a work simulation programme.  The school maintains close links with local industry, commerce and community organisations and many students are able to spend the week in a placement reflecting their individual interests.

SEX EDUCATION

The programme begins in Year 7 Science with the topic of reproduction.  This is supported by discussion work dealing with the emotional and physical changes of growing up.

In Year 10 lessons cover the development of relationships, love and marriage, boy/girl attractions, family planning, conception and pre-natal development, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS.  All issues are discussed in a sensitive, responsible and open manner with emphasis placed on moral and social considerations.

Parents are welcome to come into school to discuss our approach to sex education and view the material we use.

The Headmaster should be contacted if any parent wishes to exclude their son/daughter from the course.

There are many opportunities for students to pursue their interests outside of the classroom.  The school’s outstanding record in providing extra-curricular activities has been recognised by a Gold Award from the Education Extra organisation.

SPORT

The PE curriculum promotes good health and physical fitness, offering a well-balanced programme of activities to meet individual abilities and interests.

An extensive range of extra-curricular sports is offered and there is a strong tradition of sporting achievement.  The school has been awarded the national Sportsmark Award in recognition of the quality of the sports curriculum and the relationships we have with local clubs, such as Bowdon Hockey Club, Wilmslow Lacrosse Club and Knutsford Lawn Tennis Club.  Knutsford teams of all ages regularly win league and cup competitions in hockey, netball, soccer, basketball and athletics.  Many Knutsford High School students gain representative honours for District, County, Northwest and International teams.  Sports tours may include a soccer exchange trip to Boston (USA), a Hockey trip to Spain, a Netball trip to Jersey and the National Hockey Festival at Bath.

OUTDOOR PURSUITS

Duke of Edinburgh Awards are organised annually with students taking part in expeditions, First Aid and a range of character building activities.  In the recent past we sent student expeditions to the Himalayas and to Bolivia.  Organised in partnership with World Challenge, an educational expeditions company, these adventures offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to combine the excitement of a foreign trip with the development of leadership, teamwork and organisational skills.  A further World Challenge expedition to India is currently being organised for 2007.

PERFORMING ARTS

In addition to timetabled lessons, the Performing Arts Department offers a wide variety of enrichment activities.  We work with the company Music for Life who offer tuition on strings, flute, woodwind, guitar (classical or electric), piano, keyboard and drum kit within school, and there are opportunities for all the students to share in the enjoyment of making music with others.  The range of activities on offer typically includes Swing Band, Music Theatre group, Jazz Workshop, Choir, Steel Band and Instrumental groups.

The faculty also organises a variety of concerts and recitals each year.  The annual Beswick Music Awards Evening sees performances of exceptional quality from  students throughout the age range with awards ranging from ‘Most Promising Beginner’ to ‘Contemporary Musician’ and ‘Senior Musician of the Year’.

Students also have the opportunity of joining one of our Dance or Drama groups designed to offer students of different ages and experience the chance to develop their skills to a higher level.  Students regularly represent the school in Dance and Drama festivals across the County. They also have the opportunities to perform in school  events including the annual Choreography Competition.

Large scale musical and dramatic productions play an important part in the work of the Performing Arts Department and give our students the opportunity to display their acting talents on stage or provide technical assistance behind the scenes.  In recent years the department has presented the musicals ‘Grease’, ‘Annie’ and most recently ‘Les Miserables’, ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ and ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’.  The Sixth Form also produce plays as part of their Theatre Studies course.

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

Teachers organise a variety of social activities for students throughout the year, including discos, Christmas concerts, theatre visits, films and parties.

Each year group is also very active in raising money for charities.  Students have raised many thousands of pounds over the past few years, with each year group deciding which charity to support.  Recent examples have included Teenage Cancer Trust, Lepra, Sport Relief and the Rotary Club Jog supporting local and international charities.

CLUBS AND COMPETITIONS

A wide range of other clubs is available in addition to those already mentioned. Art Club activities have included puppet making, landscape drawing, silhouette cutting and batik. Science Club gives students the opportunity to explore science beyond the normal curriculum and its activities include visits to places of scientific interest.

Computer Club offers ‘hands on’ experience to those who wish to develop their computer knowledge and skills, access the internet or design their own websites. Revelation, the Christian Union, meets regularly and organises a range of activities including weekend trips. A team of volunteer Sixth Form mentors works to support students at Lower School.  As part of their work they organise competitive sporting events and run games clubs, a film club and PS2 competitions.

Inter-form competitions and quiz challenges meet with great enthusiasm and there are several opportunities for Knutsford students to pit their wits against other local schools.  In addition students are encouraged to enter local and national competitions.  Examples of these include the Bar Competition and the Rotary Club’s ‘Young Chef’ and ‘Young Designer’ competitions and the Year 7 ‘Essay Competition’.

Knutsford High School provides opportunities for students and staff to work with the wider community and encourages parents to play an active role in supporting their children’s education At Knutsford we view education as a partnership between school, parents and the local and wider communities.

The school strives to ensure that the culture and ethos of the school is one in which, whatever the heritage and origins of members of the school community, everyone is equally valued and treats one another with respect.  The school believes that each student and adult within the school community is unique, has rights and responsibilities and should be treated equally and with respect.

Working with parents is crucial in helping students to fulfil their potential.  We have protocols setting out the responsibilities of teachers, parents and students in ensuring the highest quality education, and rely on the full support of parents in ensuring these are met.

The school has strong links with local organisations, including businesses, the police, churches and the town council, all of whom provide valuable support in different areas of the curriculum.  The school has been awarded the Schools’ Curriculum Award three times in recognition of the variety of school activities involving the community.

INTERNATIONAL LINKS

Foreign visits are very popular and serve to improve language skills and give valuable experience of working with fellow students and teachers in a non-school, residential environment.  The Languages Department runs educational holidays to France and Germany and operates an exchange scheme with the Einstein Gymnasium in Kehl, Black Forest, Germany.  In addition, each year over 100 students take part in ever-popular skiing holidays.

We also have a Friendship and Exchange Agreement with the Pudong Foreign Language School in Shanghai.  Through the exchange of information via letters, e-mail and reciprocal visits of teachers and students these relationships add an extra dimension to the curriculum.

VISITS

In addition to those international links already mentioned, the school has a tradition of offering a wide and varied programme of visits during school hours, after school and during weekends and holidays in support of the curriculum. A typical range of visits may include Performing Arts courses in Greece and a Theatre Visit to New York, Salters Chemistry Camp, Geography fieldwork in Wales, History fieldwork in Chester, Business Studies visits, a series of theatre trips throughout the year, poetry trip to the battlefields of Northern France, Art & Design visits to galleries in London, Liverpool and Manchester and Humanities visits to local historical sites.

PARENT TEACHERS ASSOCIATION

Knutsford has an active PTA which supports the activities of the school and advances the education of its students.  The Association plays an important role in developing relationships between staff, parents and the local community.  The school minibus, climbing wall and a variety of audio, computer and visual equipment has been provided with the support of PTA fundraising.

All parents of children at the High School are automatically PTA members, and will be kept informed of events throughout the year.  A successful calendar of social events has been established including an Autumn Ball, Quiz Night, wine-tasting, an Autumn Fair and ‘Search for a Star’.  The 200 Club Monthly Draw always attracts keen interest and raises further valuable revenue.

You will have the opportunity to meet the PTA early in the school year.

TRANSPORT

The school is accessible by public transport, with bus and railway stations conveniently located.  Macclesfield Area Office will advise on the provision of buses for students from Cheshire who live more than three miles away.  A private bus service operates for students who live in the Trafford area.  Students may cycle to school.  Senior students may use cars or motorcycles, providing appropriate permission is obtained.  Parents who transport students to school by car are asked to park well away from the school to avoid congestion and accidents.  Co-operation in this matter is greatly valued.

UNIFORM, SPORTSWEAR AND EQUIPMENT

Students in Years 7 - 11 are required to wear school uniform at all times.  Parents are asked to work with us in ensuring that their children are properly equipped.  A full list of uniform and sportswear requirements can be obtained using the CD link.

Please Note;
Uniform regulations apply to the journey to and from school.
All clothing and personal property should be marked.
Denim or leather jackets are not acceptable.
Extreme hairstyles are not permitted.
The only jewellery permitted in school is one pair of small stud earrings.  All rings, other jewellery and any visible piercings should be removed.
Whilst the school actively discourages the wearing of make- up, Upper School girls are allowed to wear light make-up.
Lockers are available for all students by arrangement with the School Office.

PHONES AND VALUABLE ITEMS

Valuable items such as iPods and MP3 players should not be brought into school, and the school takes no responsibility for the security of any such items.  Some parents, however, request that their child brings a mobile phone for use after school ends.  In such cases, the phone must be switched off in school and may not be used during school hours.  As with other valuable items, the security of mobile phones remains the responsibility of the student and parent.

LUNCHES

All students in Years 7 - 11 remain on the school premises at lunchtimes.  A cafeteria system operates on both sites and students may choose from a range of full meals available for approximately £2, including a drink.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

In order to maintain the high level of school activities that take place, parents are asked to contribute an annual sum of £10 per family to the School Fund.  The PTA help to collect and process this money on behalf of the school: as a registered charity the PTA is eligible to claim tax relief on all donations made by UK taxpayers, thereby generating considerable extra income.

There are times when parents are requested to make a contribution towards various school-based activities.  Parents are always informed by letter of the level of contribution required to enable holidays at home and abroad, visits to theatres, exhibitions, cinemas, school concerts, functions and activities to take place.  If financial difficulties make it impossible for parents to contribute towards the cost of school activities, no student will be prevented from participating in the life of the school on financial grounds.  A confidential word with the appropriate member of staff is essential in such cases.

MEDICAL/DENTAL APPOINTMENTS

For educational reasons these ought to be arranged for out-of-school hours if at all possible.  On occasions when appointments must be kept during school hours an appointment card is not sufficient authority to release a student.  This can only be allowed if he or she is collected by someone with parental responsibility, or if a note asking for release is presented to the Form Tutor.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

During the school day staff act “in loco parentis” and have responsibility for the health and safety of students in their care. It is essential that all students obey rules and regulations which ensure a safe and pleasant environment in and around school.  Parents are asked to emphasise the need for co-operation in this respect.

COMMUNICATIONS

Communications between school and home include a newsletter alongside the range of prospectuses, information booklets and Head’s letters.  We regularly request feedback from parents and students on a range of issues and welcome suggestions for improvement and development.

COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

The school has established a complaints procedure for use by parents who have concerns about any aspects of the school.  Initially any complaint should be made informally to the school; if no satisfaction is gained a formal complaint can then be made, which may be referred to the Headmaster or eventually, to the Governing Body.  A full copy of the complaints procedure is available in school.

ADMISSIONS PROCEDURE

For September admission into Year 7 all parents receive formal letters from their local Education Authority at the beginning of the previous September, asking them to express a preference for secondary school.  This includes parents living outside Cheshire, who should apply to the school through their home Authority.  The final date for applications is the end of October.  The Authority will allocate places at Knutsford High School based on the criteria published in their booklet, ‘Guidance for Parents and Carers’.

Late applications will be considered only if there is room at the school.  The admission limit currently stands at 260.  Every year the school receives more than this number of enquiries for places.  However, current LEA admissions procedures mean that students may sometimes be initially placed on a waiting list.  If this is the case, parents are advised to contact the school to discuss the matter, as places usually become available for most of these students during the admissions process.

Further information on the criteria used for admissions, together with dates, procedures and contact numbers is available on the CD or from school.  This additional information also includes details of school governors, calendar dates and examination results.