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PROSPECTUS 2012/13 SPECIALIST STATUS IN BUSINESS AND ENTERPRISE Welcome...
‘The Olympic Rings’ - Batik fabric painting by student Chloe Adams-Pickford
Dear Students, Parents and Carers
Welcome to our school Prospectus. I hope it will
give you a useful insight into our school and provide
you with the information you require.
As the Principal, I feel privileged to have the
opportunity to lead the school in its next exciting
phase of development as we enjoy the fantastic
facilities in our new Advanced Learning Centre.
Penistone has a long tradition of success on which
to build and is now in a position to become a
flagship school.
The most important part of any school is the quality
of relationships. Above all, Penistone is a happy
school with a supportive and welcoming
environment for all students. As a result young
people grow in confidence and are able to
participate in the wide range of opportunities
available at Penistone. We encourage our students
to follow their interests, develop new skills and most
importantly, fully enjoy all aspects of school life.
Presented to Sir Steve Redgrave on the official opening of
Penistone Grammar School Advanced Learning Centre 12 July 2011
Penistone Grammar School Advanced Learning
Centre is a learning community; we work together
in a creative way to provide a dynamic learning
experience for all. We want our students to reach
their full potential by following a learning
programme that meets their individual needs. We
want our young people to learn how to learn, to be
articulate and to make a positive contribution so
that they can take their places as active, thoughtful
citizens of the 21st Century.
The task of choosing a school that is right for your
child is no doubt uppermost in your mind. At
Penistone Grammar School ALC we quite simply
want to provide the best education in the broadest
sense for all of our students.
We recognise the importance of working in
partnership with parents and the wider community
and hope that your interest in our prospectus is the
start of a happy and productive working
relationship between home and school.
Ms Jo Higgins BA (Hons)
Principal
penistonegrammarschooladvancedlearningcentre
Never stop flying....
fulfilling
aspirations
We are committed to creating a dynamic, vibrant and
welcoming learning environment that will give rise to a
lifelong love of learning for all our community.
Through the latest technology, innovative teaching and
an extensive range of extra curricular opportunities,
students can realise their aspirations whilst developing
tolerance and mutual respect.
Students who come to Penistone Grammar School ALC
are taught that it is good to be ambitious and to aspire
to all that the world has to offer. They will be supported
and nurtured in their aspirations because they deserve
the very best.
penistonegrammarschooladvancedlearningcentre
Never stop flying....
learning
& achieving
“The deeper we understand learning and the learning process,
the better able we are to facilitate it in others” Mike Hughes
At Penistone Grammar School ALC we aim to meet the
needs of all our students.
The professional development of the staff enables them to
match their teaching to individual learning styles.
Our curriculum is designed to ensure that all students have
the opportunity to achieve their maximum potential through
personalised learning programmes and Gifted and Talented
provision.
Year 7 spend eight lessons per week developing their
personal learning and thinking skills as part of an
integrated English, history, geography and citizenship
course designed to encourage independent learning.
We want our students to develop confidence self esteem
and the determination to succeed.
penistonegrammarschooladvancedlearningcentre
Never stop flying....
enterprise
“Through the specialism, students are given outstanding opportunities to take part in enterprise activities”
Ofsted 2009
We are proud of our Specialist Status in Business and Enterprise.
Enterprise learning requires students to have opportunities to
interact with each other, make decisions, take risks, realise that
there is not one right answer to a problem and evaluate outcomes.
The knowledge, the skills and attitudes learnt through the
development of an understanding of enterprise are applied across
the curriculum. This enables us to raise achievement across the
school and prepare our students for their future economic well
being.
Enterprise activities include:
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Opportunities to support the local business community e.g.
organising Business Breakfasts and online Business
Directory.
Curricular opportunities to interact with local businesses e.g
“The Real Business Challenge”.
Young Chamber activities including, ”The Stockmarket
Challenge” and “Make your mark with a Tenner”.
penistonegrammarschooladvancedlearningcentre
Never stop flying....
“Education should not be the filling of a pail but lighting of a fire”
William Butler Yeats
challenge
Our supportive environment encourages both personal growth and
an enjoyment of learning.
In our all ability school, we cater for all levels of aptitude. Our
curriculum structure allows students to work at a pace appropriate
to their ability along with the support and encouragement that
allows them to achieve success.
Students with learning difficulties are assisted by the Learning
Support team in achieving their targets. Specialist teachers and
assistants support the students through a range of strategies.
Students who have a special skill or ability in a particular area are
encouraged to perform to the highest levels. Our job is to develop
these talents through excellent classroom teaching and
mentoring.
Penistone Grammar School Advanced Learning Centre recognises
the importance of individual challenge and personalised learning
programmes. Key Stage 4 students are offered a range of
additional courses such as construction, hairdressing, catering
and health and social care which enable them to achieve success
through personal ambition.
penistonegrammarschooladvancedlearningcentre
Never stop flying....
encouragement
“Pastoral support is strong, with good care and support helping students to develop personally”
Ofsted May 2009
Students at Penistone Grammar School Advanced Learning Centre are expected to do well.
Achievement and effort is recognised and acknowledged in a variety of ways. Good news
postcards, letters and phone calls home, subject certificates and prizes.
Celebration assemblies are held at the end of each term for each house group. Students' work is
displayed in all areas of the school, their success reported in the school newsletter and
celebrated at our Presentation Evenings.
penistonegrammarschooladvancedlearningcentre
Never stop flying....
“My teachers have high expectations of me and are always there when you need them ”
Year 9 student
support
The Penistone Grammar Schools Advanced Learning Centre house system is an outstanding
success helping all students to feel part of the wider community, make a positive contribution
through Inter-House competitions and excellence in class. Students can represent the views of their
peers at their House Council and the school Student Council.
Each of our Learning Leaders are assigned to a year group, working with the Tutor and Heads of
House to provide each student with the supportive framework that they need to develop into
responsible and enquiring young adults.
Each House is divided into 11 ‘vertical’ tutor groups made up of students from each year group.
This helps to ensure that youngsters get to know older students and that they have access to
familiar and friendly faces from the senior school. Vertical groups help to break down negative year
group identities and also offer excellent opportunities for peer mentoring and paired reading
schemes.
penistonegrammarschooladvancedlearningcentre
Never stop flying....
“Students make an outstanding contribution to their own and the wider community”
Ofsted May 2009
student
involvement
Our students play an integral part in the decision making process of what
happens in our school. It is important that we know what students think
and feel about their school. Here are a few of the ways in which Student
Voice has made important contributions:
• Working with the Building Schools for the Future partners.
• Planning fundraising activities for events such as Red Nose Day and
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the World Challenge project to Uganda.
Eco project for recycling of waste paper, cardboard and aluminium to
reduce our carbon footprint.
Contributing to the interview process of appointing new members of
staff to the school.
Student coaching.
Organising enterprise events with the help of Young Chamber.
School life should be a happy experience. To achieve this some of our
students are given responsibility such as prefects, library assistants and
peer mentors for the welfare of others.
penistonegrammarschooladvancedlearningcentre
Never stop flying....
“The provision of activities outside the school for students and the local community is well developed”
Ofsted May 2009
community
partnership
The school values its partnership with families. Parents/carers
are encouraged to contact the school and in return the school
expects you to support us in any rules or sanctions.
Family members are encouraged to play an active role in their
child’s education and in return will be kept informed of progress
and achievement. A Parents’ Forum is held regularly to ensure
family participation.
The school also maintains strong links with the local business
community, other local community groups and educational
establishments to further enrich the curriculum for our students
for example:
• Student debates with Sheffield Hallam University
• Cultural Diversity Week
• Year 11 mock interviews with the local business community
• Fairtrade activities
penistonegrammarschooladvancedlearningcentre
Never stop flying....
“My GCSE courses prepared me for my Sixth Form choices” Year 12 student
opportunity
& progression
Students are offered a range of enrichment and enhancement
activities to broaden their minds and develop self confidence.
Students are encouraged to join in and take full advantage of every
opportunity offered.
Year 12 and 13 students enjoy a thriving and vibrant Sixth Form
which prepares them well for higher or further education and life
beyond the school. We pride ourselves on our students’ success
and our ability to place students on the route to their future careers,
whether through University or straight into the world of work.
Our sixth form students set an outstanding example to the whole
school community and are involved in supporting the learning and
progress of younger students. Please refer to our sixth form
prospectus for further information.
penistonegrammarschooladvancedlearningcentre
Never stop flying....
“In the future leaders will be those who empower others ” Bill Gates
future
leaders
Parents/carers and students can feel confident that
Penistone Grammar School Advanced Learning Centre
can deliver a high quality education for all young people
and their secondary experience will be challenging,
successful and fun.
Our students will go on to play an active role in local,
national and international life. Some will become our
future leaders, empowered to go out into the world as
respectful, caring and responsible citizens who
understand and celebrate their role in the culturally
diverse community of tomorrow.
penistonegrammarschooladvancedlearningcentre
Never stop flying....
our Advanced Learning Centre...
Penistone Grammar School Advanced Learning Centre
opened in May 2011. This £35 million state-of-the-art
learning centre provides fantastic facilities for students
and the surrounding community.
The ALC provides students with a 21st century learning
environment; a place to raise young people’s motivations
and aspirations. Extended services including careers
guidance, and easy access to professional services
maximise the support offered to every student. Methods in learning and teaching have changed
considerably over the past years. Advancements in
technology, and heightened aspirations for our young
people mean that education must continually adapt to
provide all learners with the necessary skills to succeed in
life.
penistonegrammarschooladvancedlearningcentre
Outstanding sports facilities...
Penistone Grammar School ALC has top quality,
international standard sports facilities available to
all staff, students, adult learners and community
members after school hours as well as on
weekends.
• A third generation synthetic pitch with fencing
and floodlighting (one full size football or three
5-a-side football).
• Sports Hall.
• State of the art fitness suite with techno gym
“wellness system”.
• Indoor Cricket Nets.
• Trampolines.
• Dance Studio.
• Fenced hard games courts (two 5-a-side
football, seven tennis and six netball/
basketball courts).
• Two shot put/discus areas.
• Two long jump/triple jump areas.
• One 400m grass athletics track with white
lining for javelin etc in the centre.
• Three rounders pitches.
• Training grids.
• Trim trail with eight orienteering/exercise
stations.
• Cricket pitch with synthetic cricket wicket.
• One large football pitch.
• Two medium football pitches.
• One small football pitch.
• Two medium rugby pitches. State of the art ICT...
£1 million has been spent on E-Learning to
introduce and enhance ICT based learning.
As the world changes, and information technology
increasingly becomes our central means of
communicating, working and even socialising, it is
important to equip our students with the skills
they require to develop in a technological world.
Our new E-Learning facilities include:
• Microsoft Learning Gateway – An intranet for
students and teachers to access and share
information.
• Learning Platform.
• An intelligent building equipped with the latest
ICT to ensure the students are safe and secure,
ie. Access Control Systems, Electronic
Registration, Cashless Catering, and CCTV
across the ALC.
• Library Management System (LMS) “Spydus”.
and much more...
penistonegrammarschooladvancedlearningcentre
Centre of the community...
We aim to provide the community with a social
hub, to unite the neighbourhood and evoke a
sense of local pride. Penistone Grammar School
ALC hosts a range of events, in the social, cultural
and business sectors.
The ALC is open from 7am up until 10pm, five
days a week, with additional opening at weekends,
for up to forty eight weeks per year.
The fantastic Sports and ICT facilities benefit the
entire community, as the ALC will be available for
leisure and learning activities for all.
Adult learning...
Penistone Grammar School ALC has the very best
facilities for post-16 learners, including those on
new Diplomas or adult learning courses.
All ALCs have developed the idea of a community
‘zone’. This has been expressed in different ways
within each ALC but each has the key feature of
the ability to zone the space and so allow adult
use during school hours and be available for
community use outside school hours.
Penistone Grammar School ALC....
• Iconic building, designed to fit in with the local landscape.
• Central ‘heart space’ containing learning resource area, cafe,
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dining and assembly areas. A place to study socialise or browse
the web.
Multi-functional spaces, lecture theatre/drama studio/assembly
area.
Professional standard sports pitches, including all weather
pitches.
Stimulating landscape design with external learning spaces.
Lockers for every student.
Flexible learning spaces that may be adapted to suit the
requirements of every group.
Learning zones specifically designed around each specialism.
New pedestrian bridge, safety is important to every parent and
student.
Extended car parking facilities for staff, visitors and students.
Sustainable school.
penistonegrammarschooladvancedlearningcentre
Further
information...
Admissions...
For admissions at the normal time of secondary
transfer, details are available in the Barnsley
Metropolitan Borough Council booklet ‘Admission
to secondary school - a guide for Parents’ and
online at:
www.barnsley.gov.uk/admissions-secondary-school-places
If your child is currently in a primary school in the
Barnsley area complete the application form and
return it to the headteacher of his/her primary
school. If you prefer you can now apply online just log on to the authority website above and
locate the apply online link.
Parents wishing to enrol their son or daughter in
Year 7, should complete and submit/return their
application form no later than 31 October 2011.
If you live outside the authority or would like to
transfer your son or daughter into another year
group, please contact Barnsley Metropolitan
Borough Council’s Admission Department.
(01226 773677) to obtain the appropriate
application form.
School Uniform
Please refer to the separate leaflet or the school
website which provides information to parents/
carers regarding the Penistone Grammar School
ALC school uniform and prices.
School website...
Detailed information about Penistone Grammar
School Advanced Learning Centre is available on
the school website at:
www.barnsley.org/penistone-grammar
This includes information about the curriculum,
the times of the school day and term times, the
cashless system for school dining, the school
uniform and further useful information.
Please note that examination results will be
available to parents on the school website once
they are released by the Department for
Education.
This document relates to the school year 2012/13 and although correct for this
year on the 14 August 2011, it should not be assumed that there will be no change
affecting the relevant arrangements or some matter particularised:(a) before the start of, or during, the school year in question;
(b) in relation to subsequent years.
penistonegrammarschooladvancedlearningcentre
PENISTONE GRAMMAR SCHOOL
Telephone: 01226 762114 Fax: 01226 370328
ADVANCED LEARNING CENTRE
Email: pgs@barnsley.org
Penistone, Sheffield,
Web: www.barnsley.org/penistone-grammar
South Yorkshire, S36 7BX
Principal: Ms J Higgins BA (Hons)