Organisation of Education

 

 
 

Organisation of Education

Education at Northgate High School is organised to give the highest priority to the progress of each individual child. Subjects are taught in groups arranged according to ability, although children will be members of mixed-ability tutor groups for registration and pastoral purposes. Teaching methods vary according to the subject material but range from traditional whole class teaching to interactive group work. As a result of regular teacher assessments and examination results, pupils may be moved from one ability group to another.

Religious Education and Collective Worship

Religious Education and Worship is given in accordance with the Norfolk Agreed Syllabus, a copy of which may be viewed at the school on request. All pupils take a Short Course GCSE examination in Philosophy and Ethics in Year 11. Regular assemblies occur which are of a broadly Christian character. When a group is not involved in morning assembly pupils are involved in thought promoting work based on the Theme for the Week. Parents wishing to withdraw their children from Religious Education or the devotional part of morning assembly are invited to discuss the matter with the Headteacher.

Musical Provision

Pupils wishing to explore or further develop their musical ability are well provided for, with first rate tuition provided by a dedicated team of peripatetic music teachers. Currently we charge £55 a term for instrumental lessons - less than a third of the actual cost. At present pupils receive tuition in Strings, Guitar, Woodwind, Brass, Percussion, Keyboards, Voice and Jazz (Piano/Composition). More information can be found in the Clubs and Competitions section.

Health and Sex Education

Ensuring that children have accurate information about their bodies, including changes at adolescence and facts about conception and childbirth are part of the National Curriculum which all schools are required to teach. We do this sensitively in Science lessons but believe that there is more to understanding human relationships than knowing the facts. All pupils are therefore taught Health Education as part of their Citizenship Course. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from this element of the curriculum.

Homework

All pupils are expected to do homework in accordance with a homework timetable. Homework is designed to give pupils an opportunity for independent work and to take responsibility for their own learning. Parents can support us by trying to provide facilities for homework to be done in a quiet atmosphere and at regular times, by occasionally examining the work done, checking that everything has been completed and by informing the school if they have any concerns about homework. Pupils have a planner in which they log the work set by subject teachers. Parents are asked to check this and sign. Pupils who wish to do extra work at school are able to use our library during morning and lunchtime breaks. The library is also open until 4:15pm (Homework Club) on four days a week when pupils have access to the computer facilities available.

Arrangements for meeting Special Educational Needs

The school makes special provision for pupils who require extra help with their school work. This is done mainly through in-class support, though pupils are occasionally withdrawn from lessons for extra help. Our curriculum is under constant review to ensure that provision is made within our option structure for all pupils. Enquires about Special Educational Needs should be addressed to our Head of Learning Support, Mrs Elms.

The Curriculum

Northgate's curriculum reflects our belief that pupils will be able to cope with their work, leisure and the changes that are likely to occur in their lifetime only if they have received a sound, well-taught curriculum that includes a broad range of subjects. We pay close attention not only to traditional knowledge and skills but also to those aspects of our world that are changing most rapidly. Northgate's timetable therefore includes those subjects that most adults will remember from their school days and also subjects such as Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Media Studies and a range of Technology options.

There are three phases in our curriculum: Key Stage 3, where all subjects are compulsory; Key Stage 4, where some subjects are compulsory and others are chosen from a list of options; Sixth Form College where there is a wide range of 'A' Level and other courses. Present arrangements are as follows:

Lower School (Years 7-9)

Pupils follow a curriculum taught by specialist teachers in specialist rooms. Their timetable contains:

English German*
Mathematics Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
Physics, Chemistry, Biology Music
Art Physical Education
Drama Religious Education
French* Citizenship
History Spanish*
Geography Technology
* All pupils take French throughout Years 7 to 9. In Year 9 the more able linguists take a second Modern Language, currently either German or Spanish.
All subject areas have access to computers and pupils learn ICT Skills as part of their experience in several curriculum areas as well as in separate ICT lessons.

Upper School (Years 10 and 11)

All pupils take English, Mathematics, Science, PE, Religious Education and Citizenship. They also choose subject options from a range which includes:

Art and Design Graphic Products
Child Development History
Drama Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
Environmental Science Media Studies
Food Technology Music
French Physical Education (GCSE)
Geography Resistant Materials
German Spanish
The subjects in the option block vary a little each year according to demand. All pupils have the opportunity to study one or two Modern Languages to GCSE, a Modern Language is, however, not compulsory.
In addition we also provide alternative courses for pupils who find eight or nine GCSE's too demanding.

The School Day

We operate a day consisting of five one hour teaching periods.

School begins with registration at 8:45 am. followed by an assembly or form tutorial. Periods 1 and 2 are followed by a 20 minute break when pupils have the opportunity to purchase food and drink in the dining hall.

Period 3 is followed by a 55 minute lunch break.

Afternoon registration is followed by periods 4 and 5 with school finishing at 3:30 pm.

Lunchtime arrangements

Pupils are not allowed outside the school boundaries during the midday break unless they go home for a meal. Pupils who go home must be supervised by a parent and have a pass. Passes are issued on written parental request. School lunches are provided in our cash cafeteria. Everyday there is a set hot meal, a healthy foods selection and a variety of snacks. Those who bring a packed lunch eat their sandwiches in the school hall.

Policies and Other Information

Northgate High School follows the Childrens Services policy statements on the curriculum, charges for activities and admissions. Details can be obtained from County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich, NR1 2DL. Telephone: 01603 222146. School policy statements on other issues are available from the school.

The school Ofsted Report Summary and Full Report are available from the school. Ofsted reports are also available on the Internet at http://www.ofsted.gov.uk or on this website

Statutory instruments and circulars sent to the schools by the DFES are available at the school and on the DFES website: www.open.gov.uk/dfee/dfeehome.htm

Admissions

Any parents wishing to discuss the admission of their child are welcome to contact the Headteacher who will be pleased to talk through the admissions procedure and show you around the school.

The total number of places available in Year 7 (September 2007), based on the admission number set by the Local Education Authority was 200; we admitted 200 pupils, but unfortunately a number of children were unable to gain a place. Whilst it is pleasing that we are an over-subscribed school, we will not compromise on the high quality of education that we provide by admitting more pupils than we can successfully cater for.

Attendance

Regular and punctual attendance makes for progress and ultimate success in school. Parental co-operation ensures the good attendance figures maintained by the school. Parents have the option of telephoning in to alert school of an absence or sending in a note of explanation. Parents may well be telephoned on the first day of absence if we have not heard from them. The school and Attendance Improvement Officer have a duty to follow up all unexplained absences.

The attendance rate for 2006 - 2007 was 93%. Although this is above the County average we are constantly seeking to improve. Good attendance clearly supports high achievement; we encourage parents to avoid taking pupils on holiday during school time if at all possible.