Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School
Encyclopedia
Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School is a Secondary School and Sixth Form
Centre located in Holmes Chapel
, Cheshire
.
A Specialist Science College
and designated Training School which has also been accredited with both Sportsmark and Artsmark awards, the school consistently performs well in academic performance League Tables, invariably exceeding both National and Local Education Authority
averages.
, and there are about 85 members of teaching staff. The lower school is divided into five year groups, each containing about 200 students, whilst the Sixth Form is divided into two year groups of about 75 students each.
The proportion of pupils with special educational needs is well below average, while the proportion of pupils with statements is average. Pupils with the highest levels of need mostly have specific learning difficulties (dyslexia), emotional and behavioural difficulties, or moderate learning difficulties. About two per cent of the pupils have minority ethnic backgrounds. The proportion of the pupils who are eligible for a free school meal is well below the national average and the socio-economic census data for local wards is very favourable.
The school's catchment area is large, and approximately half its students live in the surrounding towns and villages of Allostock
, Brereton, Byley
, Chelford
, Cranage, Goostrey
, Lower Peover, Middlewich
, Plumley
, Smallwood
, Holmes Chapel
and Wincham. Consequently, many students travel to school on private buses, provided by either Cheshire County Council
or the school itself. The majority of those who live in Holmes Chapel
walk, due to the school's position reasonabely near the centre of the Village, and about 10 or 15 students cycle. The local area is rural and socially mixed, although generally affluent.
The student attendance record for 2005 is given below:
examinations (SATs) at the end of this period.
In years 10 and 11, students choose which subjects they wish to continue to study (although English, Mathematics, Science, Core PE and ICT remain compulsory). Students must choose a Humanities option from a choice of History, Religious Studies or Geography. During the two years, students are assessed by external qualification bodies through both coursework and examinations, and are awarded GCSE or GNVQ qualifications in all subjects in which they pass at the end of the period. Subjects offered at either GCSE or GNVQ level by the school include: Art, Business Studies, Drama, Food Technology, French, Geography, German, Graphic Products, History, Information Communication Technology, Music, Physical Education, Religious Studies, Resistant Materials and Systems and Control.
Students opting for the vocational rather than traditional route in KS4 now study BTEC Media and can opt for other vocational choices such as childcare and land based studies.
Students who choose to remain in the school and join the sixth form for years 12 and 13 study for AS and A2 qualifications. Usually, students study four AS-level subjects in year 12, and then continue three of these into A2 during year 13. Over 28 subjects are available to choose from. Additionally, most students also take AS/A2 General Studies (although this is not taught). A large proportion of students go on to study at University or pursue other further-education opportunities after completion of their AS/A2 studies at Holmes Chapel.
The school has recently begun teaching astronomy
GCSE, available to students in both years 10 & 12.
This very effective school provides excellent value for money. Its success is based on
exceptionally strong leadership, much very good teaching and the very good attitudes of the
overwhelming majority of the pupils. The achievement of all groups of pupils is very good. Pupils
make very good progress in most subjects and overall results in National Curriculum tests and
GCSE and A-level examinations are well above average.
A copy of the entire report is available on OFSTED's website http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/oxedu_reports/download/(id)/89033/(as)/111428_310596.pdf.
In September 2006 a new dining hall facility was completed. This building helped to resolve the problem of over-crowding at lunchtime, allowing lunch to be served in two sittings, rather that four. It also houses a dedicated 'bistro' for the use of Sixth Form students, which currently provides food in the mornings, which ends after lunch. A cashless system for dining came into action on January 29, 2007 using cards, and that has since been updated for some years to biometric thumbprints, to help solve the problem of lost cards.
Finally, in a radical measure introduced by Mr Oliver for the start of the school year in September 2007, the school will no longer have independent heads of year who follow their year group through the school, instead having one teacher for two year groups.
s http://www.hccs.schoolzone.co.uk/uniform/uniform.htm.
Uniform Guidelines:
Physical Education Kit:
Boys:
Girls:
Optional items for Girls:
GCSE Dance (compulsory kit):
There is no Sixth Form uniform. Sixth Formers are expected to maintain a high standard
of dress and to take pride in their appearance. They are also required to wear an identity badge.
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,...
Centre located in Holmes Chapel
Holmes Chapel
Holmes Chapel is a village and civil parish in the unitary authority of Cheshire East and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. Until 1974 the parish was known as Church Hulme.At the 2001 Census the population of the village was recorded as 5,669...
, Cheshire
Cheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
.
A Specialist Science College
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...
and designated Training School which has also been accredited with both Sportsmark and Artsmark awards, the school consistently performs well in academic performance League Tables, invariably exceeding both National and Local Education Authority
Local Education Authority
A local education authority is a local authority in England and Wales that has responsibility for education within its jurisdiction...
averages.
History
The school was originally founded in 1978 as a purpose-built 11-18 comprehensive and sixth form.Student Population
In total, the school community contains just over 1200 students whose ages range from 11 to 18 years. Approximately 170 of these are members of the Sixth FormSixth 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,...
, and there are about 85 members of teaching staff. The lower school is divided into five year groups, each containing about 200 students, whilst the Sixth Form is divided into two year groups of about 75 students each.
The proportion of pupils with special educational needs is well below average, while the proportion of pupils with statements is average. Pupils with the highest levels of need mostly have specific learning difficulties (dyslexia), emotional and behavioural difficulties, or moderate learning difficulties. About two per cent of the pupils have minority ethnic backgrounds. The proportion of the pupils who are eligible for a free school meal is well below the national average and the socio-economic census data for local wards is very favourable.
The school's catchment area is large, and approximately half its students live in the surrounding towns and villages of Allostock
Allostock
thumb|right|200px|Map of Allostock civil parish within the former borough of Vale RoyalAllostock is a village and civil parish in the unitary authority of Cheshire West and Chester and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England, about five miles south of Knutsford. It has a population of 783...
, Brereton, Byley
Byley
right|thumb|200px|Map of civil parish of Byley within the former borough of Vale RoyalByley is a village and civil parish in the unitary authority of Cheshire West and Chester and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England, about 2½ miles north of Middlewich....
, Chelford
Chelford
Chelford is a village and civil parish in the unitary authority of Cheshire East and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. It is near to the junction of the A537 and A535 roads, about six miles west of Macclesfield, and six miles south-east of Knutsford. It is served by a small railway...
, Cranage, Goostrey
Goostrey
Goostrey is an old farming village and civil parish in the unitary authority of Cheshire East and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. It is located off Junction 18 of the M6 motorway, near Jodrell Bank Observatory. According to the 2001 Census, the civil parish had a total population of...
, Lower Peover, Middlewich
Middlewich
Middlewich is a market town in the unitary authority of Cheshire East and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. It is east of the city of Chester, east of Winsford, southeast of Northwich and northwest of Sandbach....
, Plumley
Plumley
Plumley is a village and civil parish in the unitary authority of Cheshire East and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England.In the village there are two public houses, The Golden Pheasant and The Smoker , a village hall, a Methodist church, tennis courts, riding stables, a post office and a golf...
, Smallwood
Smallwood, Cheshire
Smallwood is a civil parish and small village in the unitary authority of Cheshire East and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. The village is situated approximately three miles east of Sandbach and 3 miles south west of Congleton....
, Holmes Chapel
Holmes Chapel
Holmes Chapel is a village and civil parish in the unitary authority of Cheshire East and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. Until 1974 the parish was known as Church Hulme.At the 2001 Census the population of the village was recorded as 5,669...
and Wincham. Consequently, many students travel to school on private buses, provided by either Cheshire County Council
Cheshire County Council
Cheshire County Council was a County Council, of the second highest level of United Kingdom Government for the residents of Cheshire. Founded in 1889, it ceased to exist on 1 April 2009, when it and the district councils in Cheshire were replaced by two unitary authorities; Cheshire West and...
or the school itself. The majority of those who live in Holmes Chapel
Holmes Chapel
Holmes Chapel is a village and civil parish in the unitary authority of Cheshire East and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. Until 1974 the parish was known as Church Hulme.At the 2001 Census the population of the village was recorded as 5,669...
walk, due to the school's position reasonabely near the centre of the Village, and about 10 or 15 students cycle. The local area is rural and socially mixed, although generally affluent.
The student attendance record for 2005 is given below:
| Authorised Absence: | 5.6% (6.7% locally, 6.7% nationally) |
|---|---|
| Unauthorised Absence: | 0.5% (1.2% locally, 1.3% nationally) |
Curriculum
Students study the Key Stage 3 Curriculum in years 7, 8 and 9, and sit National Curriculum assessmentNational Curriculum assessment
National Curriculum assessments are a series of educational assessments, colloquially known as Sats or SATs, used to assess the attainment of children attending maintained schools in England...
examinations (SATs) at the end of this period.
In years 10 and 11, students choose which subjects they wish to continue to study (although English, Mathematics, Science, Core PE and ICT remain compulsory). Students must choose a Humanities option from a choice of History, Religious Studies or Geography. During the two years, students are assessed by external qualification bodies through both coursework and examinations, and are awarded GCSE or GNVQ qualifications in all subjects in which they pass at the end of the period. Subjects offered at either GCSE or GNVQ level by the school include: Art, Business Studies, Drama, Food Technology, French, Geography, German, Graphic Products, History, Information Communication Technology, Music, Physical Education, Religious Studies, Resistant Materials and Systems and Control.
Students opting for the vocational rather than traditional route in KS4 now study BTEC Media and can opt for other vocational choices such as childcare and land based studies.
Students who choose to remain in the school and join the sixth form for years 12 and 13 study for AS and A2 qualifications. Usually, students study four AS-level subjects in year 12, and then continue three of these into A2 during year 13. Over 28 subjects are available to choose from. Additionally, most students also take AS/A2 General Studies (although this is not taught). A large proportion of students go on to study at University or pursue other further-education opportunities after completion of their AS/A2 studies at Holmes Chapel.
The school has recently begun teaching astronomy
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
GCSE, available to students in both years 10 & 12.
Academic Performance
The school consistently performs well in performance league tables:| Students achieving five A* to C grades at GCSE (2005): | 73% (national average: 57.1%) |
|---|---|
| Students achieving five A* to C grades at GCSE inc. maths and English (2005): | 62% (national average: 44.9%) |
| AS/A2 average points per student (2005): | 312.6 (national average: 277.6) |
OFSTED
The most recent OFSTED report concluded as follows:This very effective school provides excellent value for money. Its success is based on
exceptionally strong leadership, much very good teaching and the very good attitudes of the
overwhelming majority of the pupils. The achievement of all groups of pupils is very good. Pupils
make very good progress in most subjects and overall results in National Curriculum tests and
GCSE and A-level examinations are well above average.
A copy of the entire report is available on OFSTED's website http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/oxedu_reports/download/(id)/89033/(as)/111428_310596.pdf.
Expansion and Development
Since it first opened almost 30 years ago, HCCS's student population has grown enormously, leading to considerable expansion of the school buildings. In the last five years, a new Arts building was opened, as well as an extension to the science department and a complete refurbishment of all the science rooms has been completed during the summer of 2007. Partially funded by donations and sponsorship from parents and local businesses, the Arts building is home to the art and music faculties, along with a number of rooms dedicated to Sixth Form use on the first floor including a common room, and other 'A level only' courses such as sociology and psychology.In September 2006 a new dining hall facility was completed. This building helped to resolve the problem of over-crowding at lunchtime, allowing lunch to be served in two sittings, rather that four. It also houses a dedicated 'bistro' for the use of Sixth Form students, which currently provides food in the mornings, which ends after lunch. A cashless system for dining came into action on January 29, 2007 using cards, and that has since been updated for some years to biometric thumbprints, to help solve the problem of lost cards.
Finally, in a radical measure introduced by Mr Oliver for the start of the school year in September 2007, the school will no longer have independent heads of year who follow their year group through the school, instead having one teacher for two year groups.
| KS3 (Year 7,8 & 9) Miss L Roberts (English) KS4 (Year 10 & 11) Mrs H Robertson (Humanities) KS5 (Year 12 & 13 Sixth Form) Mr R Gwinnet (Humanities) |
|
School uniform
All students enrolled at HCCS in years 7 to 11 are required to wear school uniformSchool uniform
A school uniform is an outfit—a set of standardized clothes—worn primarily for an educational institution. They are common in primary and secondary schools in various countries . When used, they form the basis of a school's dress code.Traditionally school uniforms have been largely subdued and...
s http://www.hccs.schoolzone.co.uk/uniform/uniform.htm.
Uniform Guidelines:
- The school’s sweatshirt (black with embroidered school badge)
- White or black school polo shirt
- Plain black trousers – Fashion trousers, e.g. jeans, cords, flares covering shoes, trousers with splits are not acceptable)
- Plain black skirt (no shorter than just above the knee and no longer than mid-calf.
- Tight skirts and skirts with slits are not acceptable)
- Plain, flat black sensible style shoes. Training shoes, boots and canvas shoes are not allowed.
- A plain black coat
- No jewellery other than a watch and one pair of discreet stud earrings should be worn.
- Make-up must not be worn.
- Extreme fashion hairstyles are not acceptable.
- Socks should be white or black.
- Scarves should only be worn with a coat.
Physical Education Kit:
Boys:
- Navy polo shirt with school badge
- Navy shorts with school letters
- Reversible rugby shirt with school badge
- Navy and gold games socks
- Tracksuit top
- Training shoes
- Football boots
- Shin pads
- Gum Shield
Girls:
- Navy polo shirt with school badge
- Navy shorts with school letters
- Navy and gold games socks
- Navy zip sweatshirt with school logo or school
- White Training shoes
- Shin pads
- Gum Shield
Optional items for Girls:
- School Tracksuit bottoms (purchased from school)
- Black Dance jazz shoes
- Black Dance jazz pants/leggings
GCSE Dance (compulsory kit):
- Black jazz pants
- Black leotard
- Black jazz shoes
- Black GCSE Dance T-Shirt
There is no Sixth Form uniform. Sixth Formers are expected to maintain a high standard
of dress and to take pride in their appearance. They are also required to wear an identity badge.
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