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Prospectus For The West Hampstead International School
Prospectus For The West Hampstead International School
Prospectus For The West Hampstead International School
r Boys Watford Grammar School for Girls Queen Elizabeth School, Barnet Mount Grace School The Wroxham Primary School
Unashamedly academic We believe in the unique power of a rigorous academic education to shape engaged, articulate children who want to make the most of life. Our ambitious curriculum will balance depth and breadth, with stretching targets for learning languages and science taught as three separate subjects.
We will offer
Excellent teaching and learning
With the support of exceptional teachers from our partner schools, we will deliver a rigorous academic curriculum designed to inspire a lifelong love of learning, including: A specialism in languages, supported by international links and powerful technological learning aids A creative, evidence-based approach to teaching in both joint and single-sex classes and in sets according to academic ability A healthy balance between the teaching of critical thinking and core knowledge Science taught as three subjects.
Assessment
Regular and detailed assessment is a key factor in the remarkable success of our partner schools in the Advanced Learning Alliance (ALA). From the day we open, our staff will benefit from the ALAs established processes and systems. Teachers will be able to track and analyse the progress of students, and ensure that they are consistently stretched and supported. These systems will also form the basis for regular open dialogue between teacher, pupil and parent, helping students to understand their goals.
Creativity
Our pupils will be given every opportunity to build powers of self-expression. We want to develop lively imaginations because this will lead to innovation and independent thought. We want to teach our children the joy of working creatively, and encourage them to appreciate the creativity of others. Throughout primary and secondary school, children will undertake creative writing classes as part of their literacy programme. In addition to our specialism in music, students will enjoy a variety of creative opportunities including art, drama and community-based projects.
The Advanced Learning Alliance is all about sharing best practice to deliver consistently outstanding teaching. Dr Alan Davison, Headteacher, Dame Alice Owens School
Our specialisms
A supportive framework
We believe passionately in helping our pupils to become emotionally resilient young people. We will not look to protect our students from failure by denying that it has happened: instead, we will promote a supportive community which cheers second attempts, and encourages children to put themselves forward in the classroom without fear of humiliation.
Our students will benefit from various forms of mentoring and peer group structures: Academic mentoring from form tutors, encouraging each child to discuss their objectives and take ownership of their academic career Teaching in school assemblies, including stories of unlikely heroes and appearances from alumni and other role models from industry and society Behavioural mentoring, helping children to respect their peers, their teachers and their learning environment.
The School should be a microcosm of what we would like society to be: a collection of caring, motivated, hardworking and happy people who are capable of living together harmoniously while recognising and respecting each others differences. Dame Helen Hyde, Headteacher, Watford Grammar School for Girls
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Creativity
School is not only about academic achievement. It is also about developing powers of selfexpression during our childrens formative years. We want our students to enjoy going to WHIS because it will help them to achieve more. Children are naturally creative, and our teachers will promote a classroom culture that thrives on this, with strategies designed to spark new ideas and a sense of wonder. Our lessons will aim for a healthy mix of order and adventure. Music will play a key role throughout the school, and children will be provided with plentiful opportunities to learn an instrument and to perform for friends and family. A broad range of after-school clubs will allow children to develop interests and hobbies such as choir, cookery and drama.
Continuity
Children who join us from the very beginning will enjoy the full benefit of our stimulating, supportive ethos throughout their school career. They will be well prepared for the advantages of our ambitious languages programme, studying Spanish from Reception class onwards. In Year 6, pupils will get a taste for the next stage of their education by spending lesson and enrichment time with pupils and teachers from the secondary school.
I am dedicated to developing approaches to teaching and learning that do not rely on determinist beliefs about ability. I believe that the most effective school is one where individuality and difference are celebrated and everyone is valued. Dame Alison Peacock, Headteacher, The Wroxham School
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Community
Continuity breeds success
At the heart of our vision is a neighbourhood school where groups of children from the excellent local primaries can move on to secondary school together. Research has shown that disruption can damage childrens academic progress, and that students thrive when they can enjoy the support of friends and familiar peers. WHIS primary students will benefit from the continuity of a smooth progression to secondary school, but we are equally keen to ensure that pupils arriving in Year 7 from other local schools will settle in happily. To aid this transition, we will forge strong relationships with nearby primaries, and get to know parents and pupils before their start with us.
Giving back
We want our school to be woven into the fabric of the area, and our students will take on regular neighbourhood outreach work to teach them the value of being involved with the community. As the beneficiaries of precious taxpayer money, we feel that our free school has a moral obligation to make the most of its amenities. So we will strive for innovative ways in which to open up our physical premises as a base for community and educational activities:
Hosting local language tutors and schools Running and hosting community services such as youth clubs, film and book clubs, cookery and textiles classes Hosting community sports clubs.
Next steps
We will apply to the Department for Education in May 2014, with a target of opening to admit Reception and Year 7 classes in September 2015. We urgently need your support. Before May 2014, we require written signatures of support from the parents of children who will attend our school. To give our school and your child the best chance, please fill in the A4 form included in this prospectus, or go to www.westhampsteadinternational.org and follow the link to sign up now.
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INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
Be a part of it
We urgently need your support. Before May 2014, we require written signatures of support from the parents of children who will attend our school. To give our school and your child the best chance, please fill in the A4 form included in this prospectus, or go to www.westhampsteadinternational.org and follow the link to sign up now.
Contact Us
www.westhampsteadinternational.org info@westhampsteadinternational.org