Bramhall High School: oversubscribed and outstanding
Bramhall High School is an outstandingly successful school of just under 1300 students, which is consistently oversubscribed.
Our popularity is based on examination results as well as excellent sporting achievements in a range of disciplines, a wide ranging extra-curricular programme and the high quality of pastoral care for students.
By way of illustration, in 2013, 87 per cent of year 11 students gained five or more GCSEs at grade C and above: 60 per cent including English and Maths. Many departments have more than twice the national average number of A* grades.
The staff are proud of the fact that almost no students leave without qualifications and that almost all of the students who remain there full time, leave with at least 5 GCSEs at grade G or above.
They work hard to provide learning pathways which are personalised to suit all students, and work constructively with other local agencies. A considerable investment has been made in the development of alternative pathways and a vocational route at Key Stage 4. Applied GCSEs, college courses and work experience are all used as appropriate for a percentage of senior students.
There have been recent building programmes of a new refectory, classrooms, and internal adaptations. The work has created a block of classrooms for maths and English and a learning point. It has also made possible internal changes to improve the music and drama facilities.
The sports hall and drama studio are attractive, and the school does its best to allocate a room to individual teachers next door to colleagues in their department.
The curriculum is promoted both by subject leaders and by curriculum coordinators, where subjects extend across the curriculum. There has been extensive ICT investment in recent years and the schoolwide network offers full internet access and modern software.
The school’s learning platform is highly regarded and growing in usefulness and range of applications.
The Parents’ Association (PTA) includes members of staff, students and parents and regularly raise up to £20,000 for the school. Each year group has its own Parents Discussion Group that meets at least twice per year to discuss matters of mutual concern and to encourage understanding, support and good practice. Bramhall High School has a good reputation, both for the quality of teaching and for the care of the students and their parents.
There are student house councils and a school council, and students are actively involved in as many ways as possible in the full life of the school. A highly effective year 11 student leader system is supported by year 10 student leaders, who are trained to aid transition and to be there as a help point as part of an antibullying programme.
Trips and visits flourish both abroad and in England, and like sport, they are a major feature of Bramhall High School life. An open evening will run on Wednesday 14 October from 6pm. For more information, call the school on 0161 439 8045.