Chosen Hill School
Encyclopedia
Chosen Hill School is a large co-educational
academy
state school in the village of Churchdown
in Gloucestershire
, England
, between Cheltenham and Gloucester. It is a dual specialist
Technology College
and Language College
, and a Beacon School
. The school was recently mentioned in The Daily Telegraph
as being the most over-subscribed school in Gloucestershire. In June 2009, It was recognised by Ofsted
as an Outstanding School. The school has a large Sixth Form, with many students going on to Higher Education.
In 2009, Chosen Hill School sponsored the festival, Cheltenham Science Festival
and received a visit from Lord Professor Robert Winston
.
In 2011, Chosen Hill School became National Finalists in the Young Enterprise
scheme, the first time a Gloucestershire school has gone through to the London finalists in 25 years.
Technical School
. The opening ceremony was in 1960 by Peter Scott
, the Gloucestershire naturalist and author. In the school's first year there were 270 pupils and a staff of 14. Chosen Hill's first headmaster was Dr David Gould. A year later there were 390 children and a staff of 21. By September 1961 there were over 500 pupils with a staff of 26. The school continued to increase by an annual intake of about 125 pupils a year.
In September 1970 the school began the transformation into a 'progressive' comprehensive school
. By this time the catchment area stretched as far as Warden Hill, Coombe Glen and Shurdington
on the east side of Cheltenham and also included half of Churchdown village. With the move to comprehensive education the children were split into streams, with the top streams entered for O levels
and the bottom streams taking CSEs
. The less academically able children were offered a wide range of subjects which included social studies, rural science, photography, printing, home decorating, car maintenance, girls' crafts, boys' cookery and typing. Later, pupils were divided into three streams: top, middle and bottom. One of the school's teachers, Mr E Atkinson, developed a special tape recorder
-styled visual aid reading machine to help pupils with reading difficulties. The machine was patented and manufactured by a local Cheltenham firm, and it was claimed that most reading problems were solved within two years.
The purpose-built sixth form
block, one of the first in Gloucestershire, opened in September 1972. In 1974 the new Upper School block opened which contained a new art room, a commerce room, music rooms and eleven new classrooms, as well as a complete new dining area and kitchens. By this time the school roll had increased to 1,048 and there were more than 60 staff.
In 1997 the school achieved Specialist
Technology College
status, and in 2002 it was awarded Beacon Status
.
In 2008, the school was recognized as an Environmentally Friendly and a Healthy School. It was also mentioned in The Daily Telegraph
as being the most over-subscribed school in Gloucestershire
.
In 2009, the school sponsored the Cheltenham Science Festival
. The school also received a visit from Lord Professor Robert Winston
, who gave a talk to a science class about his life as a scientist, Ofsted
and all of the science teachers and doctors.
In 2011, the school officially became an Academy School under the new Conservative-Liberal Democrat school policy. The school is now independently run with state finance.
. Recently, following the death of the former Student Councillor, the school has started a "Pink Day" in aid of Breast Cancer
, with the profits being donated to a Breast Cancer
Charity.
Coeducation
Mixed-sex education, also known as coeducation or co-education, is the integrated education of male and female persons in the same institution. It is the opposite of single-sex education...
academy
Academy
An academy is an institution of higher learning, research, or honorary membership.The name traces back to Plato's school of philosophy, founded approximately 385 BC at Akademia, a sanctuary of Athena, the goddess of wisdom and skill, north of Athens, Greece. In the western world academia is the...
state school in the village of Churchdown
Churchdown, Gloucestershire
Churchdown is a village in Gloucestershire, England, situated between Gloucester and Cheltenham.The village is unusual in having two centres. The old centre is near St Andrew's Church; the new centre is near St John's Church...
in Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean....
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, between Cheltenham and Gloucester. It is a dual specialist
Specialist school
The specialist schools programme was a UK government initiative which encouraged secondary schools in England to specialise in certain areas of the curriculum to boost achievement. The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust was responsible for the delivery of the programme...
Technology College
Technology College
Technology College is a term used in the United Kingdom for a secondary specialist school that focuses on design and technology, mathematics and science. These were the first type of specialist schools, beginning in 1994. In 2008 there were 598 Technology Colleges in England, of which 12 also...
and Language College
Language College
Language Colleges were introduced in 1995 as part of the Specialist Schools Programme in the United Kingdom. The system enables secondary schools to specialise in certain fields, in this case, modern foreign languages...
, and a Beacon School
Beacon Status
Beacon Status is a learning and skills recognition of the excellence and innovation which exists within the Learning and Skills sector for the United Kingdom. The award congratulates learning providers that deliver outstanding teaching and learning and are well led and managed...
. The school was recently mentioned in The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph is a daily morning broadsheet newspaper distributed throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. The newspaper was founded by Arthur B...
as being the most over-subscribed school in Gloucestershire. In June 2009, It was recognised by Ofsted
Ofsted
The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills is the non-ministerial government department of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools In England ....
as an Outstanding School. The school has a large Sixth Form, with many students going on to Higher Education.
In 2009, Chosen Hill School sponsored the festival, Cheltenham Science Festival
Cheltenham Science Festival
The Cheltenham Science Festival is one of the UK's leading science festivals, and is part of Cheltenham Festivals: also responsible for the Jazz, Music and Literature Festivals that run every year.-Introduction and History:...
and received a visit from Lord Professor Robert Winston
Robert Winston
Robert Maurice Lipson Winston, Baron Winston is a British professor, medical doctor, scientist, television presenter and politician.-Early life and education :...
.
In 2011, Chosen Hill School became National Finalists in the Young Enterprise
Young Enterprise
Young Enterprise is a not-for-profit business and enterprise education charity in the United Kingdom. It is made up of 12 regional organisations, each operating individually under a license agreement...
scheme, the first time a Gloucestershire school has gone through to the London finalists in 25 years.
History
Chosen Hill School opened in September 1959 as a selective GrammarGrammar school
A grammar school is one of several different types of school in the history of education in the United Kingdom and some other English-speaking countries, originally a school teaching classical languages but more recently an academically-oriented secondary school.The original purpose of mediaeval...
Technical School
Secondary Technical School
A Secondary Technical School was a type of secondary school in the United Kingdom that existed in the mid-20th century under the Tripartite System of education. For various reasons few were ever built, and their main interest is on a theoretical level....
. The opening ceremony was in 1960 by Peter Scott
Peter Scott
Sir Peter Markham Scott, CH, CBE, DSC and Bar, MID, FRS, FZS, was a British ornithologist, conservationist, painter, naval officer and sportsman....
, the Gloucestershire naturalist and author. In the school's first year there were 270 pupils and a staff of 14. Chosen Hill's first headmaster was Dr David Gould. A year later there were 390 children and a staff of 21. By September 1961 there were over 500 pupils with a staff of 26. The school continued to increase by an annual intake of about 125 pupils a year.
In September 1970 the school began the transformation into a 'progressive' comprehensive school
Comprehensive school
A comprehensive school is a state school that does not select its intake on the basis of academic achievement or aptitude. This is in contrast to the selective school system, where admission is restricted on the basis of a selection criteria. The term is commonly used in relation to the United...
. By this time the catchment area stretched as far as Warden Hill, Coombe Glen and Shurdington
Shurdington
Shurdington is a village near Cheltenham in Gloucestershire, England. The area constitutes a civil parish within the Borough of Tewkesbury. It is located south of Cheltenham on the A46.Shurdington has an 11th-century church Shurdington is a village near Cheltenham in Gloucestershire, England. ...
on the east side of Cheltenham and also included half of Churchdown village. With the move to comprehensive education the children were split into streams, with the top streams entered for O levels
General Certificate of Education
The General Certificate of Education or GCE is an academic qualification that examination boards in the United Kingdom and a few of the Commonwealth countries, notably Sri Lanka, confer to students. The GCE traditionally comprised two levels: the Ordinary Level and the Advanced Level...
and the bottom streams taking CSEs
Certificate of Secondary Education
The Certificate of Secondary Education was a school leaving qualification awarded between 1965 and 1987 in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland....
. The less academically able children were offered a wide range of subjects which included social studies, rural science, photography, printing, home decorating, car maintenance, girls' crafts, boys' cookery and typing. Later, pupils were divided into three streams: top, middle and bottom. One of the school's teachers, Mr E Atkinson, developed a special tape recorder
Tape recorder
An audio tape recorder, tape deck, reel-to-reel tape deck, cassette deck or tape machine is an audio storage device that records and plays back sounds, including articulated voices, usually using magnetic tape, either wound on a reel or in a cassette, for storage...
-styled visual aid reading machine to help pupils with reading difficulties. The machine was patented and manufactured by a local Cheltenham firm, and it was claimed that most reading problems were solved within two years.
The purpose-built sixth form
Sixth form
In the education systems of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and of Commonwealth West Indian countries such as Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, Jamaica and Malta, the sixth form is the final two years of secondary education, where students, usually sixteen to eighteen years of age,...
block, one of the first in Gloucestershire, opened in September 1972. In 1974 the new Upper School block opened which contained a new art room, a commerce room, music rooms and eleven new classrooms, as well as a complete new dining area and kitchens. By this time the school roll had increased to 1,048 and there were more than 60 staff.
In 1997 the school achieved Specialist
Specialist school
The specialist schools programme was a UK government initiative which encouraged secondary schools in England to specialise in certain areas of the curriculum to boost achievement. The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust was responsible for the delivery of the programme...
Technology College
Technology College
Technology College is a term used in the United Kingdom for a secondary specialist school that focuses on design and technology, mathematics and science. These were the first type of specialist schools, beginning in 1994. In 2008 there were 598 Technology Colleges in England, of which 12 also...
status, and in 2002 it was awarded Beacon Status
Beacon Status
Beacon Status is a learning and skills recognition of the excellence and innovation which exists within the Learning and Skills sector for the United Kingdom. The award congratulates learning providers that deliver outstanding teaching and learning and are well led and managed...
.
In 2008, the school was recognized as an Environmentally Friendly and a Healthy School. It was also mentioned in The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph is a daily morning broadsheet newspaper distributed throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. The newspaper was founded by Arthur B...
as being the most over-subscribed school in Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean....
.
In 2009, the school sponsored the Cheltenham Science Festival
Cheltenham Science Festival
The Cheltenham Science Festival is one of the UK's leading science festivals, and is part of Cheltenham Festivals: also responsible for the Jazz, Music and Literature Festivals that run every year.-Introduction and History:...
. The school also received a visit from Lord Professor Robert Winston
Robert Winston
Robert Maurice Lipson Winston, Baron Winston is a British professor, medical doctor, scientist, television presenter and politician.-Early life and education :...
, who gave a talk to a science class about his life as a scientist, Ofsted
Ofsted
The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills is the non-ministerial government department of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools In England ....
and all of the science teachers and doctors.
In 2011, the school officially became an Academy School under the new Conservative-Liberal Democrat school policy. The school is now independently run with state finance.
Facilities
The school has a new sports hall which holds four ball courts or one big five-a-side football pitch. The hall was named after former head teacher Alan Winwood. Also one of the two new sixth form blocks has been completed, and has been named the Gould block or "G" block for short after a previous head teacher David Gould.It also has a new Language Block that opened in January 2010.Houses
The school has four "houses": Carne House, Masefield House, Scott House and Whittle House. House events are held every year in order to gain points for each house, these include; a house music competition in the Autumn, various sports activities throughout the year and an annual Sports Day during summer.Charities
Chosen Hill has a strong reputation for charity fundraising. Every year the school holds a "Come as you like day" when all pupils dress up as whatever they want and pay a minimum of £1. The proceeds are donated to LEPRALEPRA
LEPRA Health in Action is a health and medical development charity fighting diseases of poverty and working towards a world without leprosy...
. Recently, following the death of the former Student Councillor, the school has started a "Pink Day" in aid of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
, with the profits being donated to a Breast Cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
Charity.
Renovation Work
- In July 2006 Gloucestershire County Council announced that it was providing £1.9 million to Chosen Hill School to replace outdated temporary classrooms with purpose-built facilities. The money will be spent on a new Sixth Form Block, a refurbishment of the Science Blocks and a new Learning Support Building. The refurbishment of the Sixth Form Block started on 15 May 2007 and was completed in September. The Building was officially opened by Mr Gould (now, respectfully, in his late 90's) - Chosen Hill's first Headteacher, after the building was named The Gould Building. Dr David Gould donated £1,100 to the School. The Gould Building is not just used for A Level Students, but many classrooms are used for Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 Students for classes such as Science, ICT & Business Studies.
- In 2008, Chosen Hill School was granted multi-million pound funding for ten new classrooms in Lower School, a part of the Government's plan to rebuild all of the schools in the UK.
- In September 2008, the lower tennis courts were revamped and now temporarily house the two History rooms, as the previous site is being worked on.
- In 2009, the school reception was completely refurbished.
- In 2011, plans have been revealed to expand the school to fit the modern lifestyle of students.
50th birthday celebrations
In early 2008, Mrs Sue Turner (Head Teacher), announced that in 2009 there would be 50 different events to mark the 50th Anniversary of the opening of Chosen Hill School (1959). Such events include; Aerial photograph of the school; 'Picnic on the Pitch; Opening of the sixth form block; Fashion Show & Green fayre.Awards & Recognition
- On Wednesday 26 March 2008, Chosen Hill School won the HSBCHSBCHSBC Holdings plc is a global banking and financial services company headquartered in Canary Wharf, London, United Kingdom. it is the world's second-largest banking and financial services group and second-largest public company according to a composite measure by Forbes magazine...
Under 14s Rugby Tournament. Over 250 pupils attended the match at Kingsholm, Gloucester. The defending champions were defeated the following year in the final of the same competition. Chosen Hill is now competing against other schools to win The Daily Mail Cup. - In 2008, the school was recognized as an Eco-School and was given the Bronze award.
- In 2008, the school won the Year 9 Cheltenham District Football Tournament, to become District Winners
- In 2008, the school won the Year 10 Cheltenham District Football Tournament, to become District Winners
- In 2008, the school won the Year 9 Cheltenham District Netball Tournament, to become District Winners
- In 2008, the school was recognised as a Healthy School.
- As from April 2008, the school was recognised as an Investor in Careers.
- In the autumn of 2008, Chosen Hill School entered the Young Rotary Chef of the Year competition, and was praised by many journalists and chefs of the quality of food-technology teaching within the school. A Year Ten student qualified for the regionals, but was defeated by another student.
- In 2011, several Sixth Form students took part in Young Enterprise for enrichment. Young Enterprise gives the chance for students to run a business, create a product and sell it. Chosen Hill School won 6 out of the eligible 9 awards (6/12 in total) and won the South West Regionals - the first time a Gloucestershire school has won in 25 years. They will now compete nationally at The Savoy in LondonLondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. Their product, 'Granny's Cookbook', featured local Granny recipes and was retailed at over 12 retailers, including the world-renowned LibertyLibertyLiberty is a moral and political principle, or Right, that identifies the condition in which human beings are able to govern themselves, to behave according to their own free will, and take responsibility for their actions...
in London, Waterstones and Rick SteinRick SteinChristopher Richard "Rick" Stein OBE is an English chef, restaurateur and television presenter. He is currently the head chef and co-owner of "Rick Stein at Bannisters" at Mollymook, New South Wales, Australia, owns four restaurants in Padstow, a fish and chip shop in Falmouth, Cornwall and has...
stores in Cornwall.
Website & Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
- In 2008, Chosen Hill School launched its new website. Along with this website came the VLE (Virtual Learning EnvironmentVirtual learning environmentDefined largely by usage, the term virtual learning environment has most, if not all, of the following salient properties:* It is Web-based* It uses Web 2.0 tools for rich 2-way interaction* It includes a content management system...
) for teachers and pupils. Students can access their e-mail, home directory, e-portfolio, computer drives, chat/forum pages and classroom resources. Teachers can access their e-mails, home directory, computer drives, classroom resources, and can send work to individual students. Students can complete their homework electronically, and send it back to their teachers for marking. - In 2009, Parents were given access to view their childs progress, receive letters and pay bills electronically.
- In 2010, Students can access the Heritage records in school to search for books, DVD's or CD's that are in circulation, check whether they are in stock or on loan and can also reserve them (provided that the students know their Heritage Reader I.D's).
- In 2011, students were given access to forums and the school has taken advantage of opinion polls and questionnaires to save on paper.
Headteachers
- Dr David Gould (1959–1978)
- Mr R G Lacock (1978–1988)
- Mr A Winwood (1988–2001)
- Mrs Sue Turner (2001–present)
Notable alumni
- Lyndon Davies, child star in The Singing DetectiveThe Singing DetectiveThe Singing Detective is a BBC television miniseries written by Dennis Potter, which stars Michael Gambon, and was directed by Jon Amiel. The six episodes were "Skin", "Heat", "Lovely Days", "Clues", "Pitter Patter" and "Who Done It"....
. He later starred alongside Sean BeanSean BeanShaun Mark "Sean" Bean is an English film and stage actor. Bean is best known for playing Boromir in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and, previously, British Colonel Richard Sharpe in the ITV television series Sharpe...
as Perkins in the TV series SharpeSharpe (TV series)Sharpe is a British series of television dramas starring Sean Bean about Richard Sharpe, a fictional British soldier in the Napoleonic Wars. Sharpe is the hero of a number of novels by Bernard Cornwell; most, though not all, of the episodes are based on the books...
. - Phil GreeningPhil GreeningPhil Greening is a former English rugby union footballer. Greening finished his rugby career with London Wasps in 2005. During his career he earned 24 caps for England, as well as going to Australia with the British and Irish Lions in 2001.His rugby career started at his place of birth, Gloucester...
, England rugby player - Alan Hooper, England cricketer and MP for the Wirral
- Rod ThomasRod ThomasRod Thomas is a Welsh former professional footballer who represented Wales at International level.During his career Thomas played for Gloucester City, Swindon Town, Derby County, Cardiff City, Gloucester for a second spell and Newport County.Swindon Town manager Bert Head brought Thomas to the...
, Wales international footballer - Sam Wyer - British Youth Olympian (Skiing) http://www.samwyer.com
- Simon Spencer - British Youth Olympian (Skiing)