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WHAT DO PUPILS LEARN?
All pupils in all three years are taught the following subjects:
- English
- Maths
- Science
- French
- Geography
- History
- ICT
- Music
- Drama
- Art
- Technology
- Physical Education
- Religious Education
The most able linguists in Years 8 and 9 are taught German as well as French.
Pupils also cover the following cross-curricular themes:
- Citizenship including personal, social, health and careers education.
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HOW ARE PUPILS GROUPED FOR LESSONS?
Soon after pupils arrive at the school they are assessed using a national standardised test. This information along with Key Stage 2 test results and additional data provided by the primary schools informs the process of grouping pupils. Pupils are placed in ability sets for English, mathematics, science and modern languages. For all their remaining subjects they are taught in tutor groups.
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ARE CHILDREN WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES HELPED?
Pupils with learning difficulties are given special attention. This takes the form of:
- Individual learning plans.
- Extra support in the classroom.
- Small group tuition.
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ARE GIFTED CHILDREN GIVEN ADDITIONAL HELP?
In English, mathematics, science and French we have two high flyer groups in each of these subjects from Year 7 onwards. These pupils are given special extension exercises in order to stretch them academically. In this way the most able pupils are challenged to reach their full potential.
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HOW ARE PUPILS ENCOURAGED TO DO THEIR VERY BEST IN CLASS?
The school operates a highly successful Merit and Excellence Award Scheme. Merit and Excellence stickers are awarded for good work measured against the pupil’s own ability. All children can achieve a Gold, Silver or Bronze Award provided they work hard. These awards are presented at special celebration assemblies during the last week of each term.
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ARE PUPILS EXPECTED TO DO HOMEWORK?
Homework is important and every pupil is expected to do between 1 and 1_ hours homework each night of the week, depending on their age and ability.
Your child’s homework timetable is printed on the pages of his/her own John Ferneley Personal Organiser and can be found on the school’s web site. Parents are asked to check their child’s homework and to sign the homework section of the organiser each week.
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HOW WILL I BE INFORMED OF MY CHILD’S PROGRESS?
You will receive three reports each year, one each term. In the autumn and spring terms Years 7 and 8 will receive a progress report identifying high achievement and under achievement. In the summer term both of these years will receive a full school report recognizing attainment and pinpointing ways of making further progress.
Year 9 will receive a progress report in the autumn term, a full school report in the spring term and a final Key Stage 3 summary report in the summer.
Parents’ evenings take place twice a year for Year 7 pupils and once a year for pupils in Years 8 and 9. These evenings are opportunities to meet with teachers in order to discuss progress and to set targets.
If you have any concerns about your child’s progress you can ask for an interim report at any time during the year.
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HOW WILL MY CHILD BE CARED FOR?
All children have particular needs and strengths. It is the purpose of John Ferneley High School to provide for these needs and to develop these strengths. In order to achieve this goal, the school offers support and guidance to ensure that all our children learn to cope with the challenge of everyday life, whilst encouraging the growth of maturity.
Self-confidence, consideration for others and a feeling of self-worth are qualities fostered by the school. We encourage pupils to help each other, to think for themselves and to take responsibility for their actions.
An important aspect of the school’s caring approach is the way in which we carefully monitor and record each child’s progress and encourage all pupils to evaluate their own performance.
Parents wishing to discuss their child’s progress should, in the first instance, contact their Form Tutor. This is the person who will know most about them, personally and academically. A second important point of contact for both parents and children is the Year Team Leader.
The same Form Tutor and Year Team Leader remain with a pupil throughout their time in the school.
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DOES THE SCHOOL BELIEVE IN DISCIPLINE?
We believe an ordered, disciplined atmosphere is the best environment for learning. Pupils are encouraged to exercise self-discipline within a context of rights, responsibilities and respect. These are identified in The John Ferneley Charter.
Parents play an important part in supporting discipline in the school. They will be informed of concerns about their child and we expect them to support The John Ferneley Charter.
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DOES THE SCHOOL HAVE A UNIFORM?
At John Ferneley we believe that a uniform serves several important functions:
- It is an expression of community spirit.
- It helps to develop pride in the school.
- It is a practical and relatively inexpensive way of clothing a child for school.
The school uniform consists of a red school sweatshirt; a plain white shirt or white blouse; black or charcoal grey trousers or skirt and sensible shoes (not trainers). Jeans are not acceptable and jewellery should not be worn. If you have pierced ears you are permitted to wear either studs or sleepers.
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DOES THE SCHOOL PROVIDE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION?
All pupils have religious education lessons and each day begins with a school assembly. Our approach is broadly Christian in character although other major religions are considered. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from religious education lessons and morning assembly.
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DOES THE SCHOOL PROVIDE SEX EDUCATION?
The school’s sex education policy has been agreed by the Governors and is taught as part of the citizenship programme. Emphasis is placed on good relationships and preparation for parenthood and family life. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from sex education lessons.
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ARE EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AN IMPORTANT PART OF SCHOOL LIFE?
Pupils have the opportunity to participate in an exceptionally wide variety of musical, artistic, sporting and theatrical activities. These are offered at lunchtimes and after school.
Each year the school stages a number of highly acclaimed dance, drama and musical events.
The sporting side of the school is extremely strong. Our teams are renowned for their competitive approach and we are used to winning!
The school has an excellent reputation for offering residential and outdoor pursuit opportunities. This year we will be offering:
- A cultural visit to Normandy.
- A ski trip to the French Alps.
- The London Theatre trip.
- An educational tour to New York and Washington.
As usual the French department will also be offering the opportunity of a day trip to Boulogne.
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WHAT FACILITIES DOES THE SCHOOL OFFER?
The school is a modern building housing excellent resources. We have four well-equipped science laboratories, a superb sports hall, a spacious music centre, outstanding library and computing facilities, a first class drama studio and up to date art and technology workshops.
All our classrooms have been recently refurbished and resourced to the highest specifications ensuring that we provide the best possible learning environment for pupils.
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HOW ARE PUPILS INVOLVED IN THE RUNNING OF THE SCHOOL?
They are involved through the work of the Pupil Committee. This body is composed of representatives from every tutor group (a boy and a girl from each group). The views of these representatives are listened to very carefully. Through the Pupil Committee, pupils have a real voice in the running of the school.
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IS THERE A GOOD BUS SERVICE?
Buses bring pupils to school from Melton Mowbray and the outlying villages. For pupils within the school’s catchment area free passes are issued yearly. The bus service operates from the school car park. Please refer to the additional information booklet for further details.
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HOW DO YOU PREPARE MY CHILD FOR TRANSFER FROM PRIMARY TO SECONDARY SCHOOL?
In early September the Local Education Authority will inform you of the catchment area school for your child. You will also receive a copy of this brochure along with an additional information pack and an invitation to attend a number of open events. These events take place in late September and include an open evening and three open mornings during which you and your child will have the chance to view the school in action.
The choice of your child’s school will be confirmed by the Local Education Authority in March.
Between December and March it is important to allow your child to focus on their Key Stage 2 studies. Consequently our induction schedule starts in late May. The programme starts with a visit to your child’s primary school. A senior member of staff will to talk to the children about their new school whilst another senior teacher will be learning more about each child from their primary class teacher.
In early July all new pupils have the opportunity to spend two days at John Ferneley. During this time they will meet their form teacher and experience life in a secondary school including trying new subjects.
Following the induction days we have new pupil’s parents’ evening. This is the chance for you to meet your child’s form teacher, ask further questions about school policy and school life and order your child’s school uniform.
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WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF AN 11-14 SCHOOL?
- A PROTECTIVE environment for pupils between the ages of 11 and 14.
- An ETHOS which is specifically designed for the needs of this particular age range.
- The OPPORTUNITY to transfer at 14 to an extremely well resourced Upper School which can provide an atmosphere ideally suited to the needs of a young adult.
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HOW CAN I BECOME INVOLVED IN THE SCHOOL AS A PARENT?
The school is keen to develop a close working relationship with parents.
We have a particularly active parent teacher association, the Friends of Ferneley, which organises a wide variety of social and fund raising activities.
You will receive regular contact from school including a newsletter each term and the school web site has been designed with the purpose of enhancing this communication. In this way we aim to keep you informed of forthcoming events, concerns and opportunities, as well as school developments.
Parents are consulted on a variety of issues. Each year we hold a parent/governor consultative meeting. This is the opportunity for you to question the governors on all aspects of school life and development. In addition every three years we hold a comprehensive parental survey. This survey helps to shape the school development plan.
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