School Prospectus - Finham Park School

Finham Park School
Green Lane
Coventry
CV3 6EA
Telephone: 024 7641 8135
Fax: 024 7684 0803
www.finhampark.co.uk
Finham Park SCHOOL
Designed and Produced by Dialhouse Visual Communication Tel: 024 7660 3030 www.dialhouse.co.uk
Mr Mark Bailie
Headteacher
Dear Parent
Thank you for your interest in Finham Park School. Our mission statement
“Learning for life...” is reflected in all our work here and we constantly strive to
make the learning experience at Finham the very best it can be – utilising our
specialist Mathematics & Computing status, Leading Edge, National Support
School and numerous other award initiatives to bring best practice into
Coventry for the benefit of your child.
If your application is successful, your son/daughter will be joining Finham Park
at a very exciting time as we continue to pursue our goal of being not just an
“Outstanding” school, but a “World Class” one – something for the whole
community to be proud of!
At Finham Park we are rightly proud of our reputation for supporting young
people to achieve at the very highest level. Our goals are to ensure that
all students gain excellent GCSE grades and continue to develop our Sixth
Form to maintain the 100% of students who gained entrance to university/
apprenticeships/employment and training, this year.
However school is also about children “having the time of their lives” - filling
their days with so many happy memories that when they look back, they also
inspire future generations to enjoy learning. For this reason at Finham Park
we have developed a challenging programme of extra-curricular activities
in a huge range of disciplines – from sport to performing arts; leadership
opportunities to charity fund-raising events and Student Baraza (open forum
for students).
We hope you find this prospectus a useful and informative introduction to life
at our school. Please do not hesitate to contact the school if you require any
further information. With so much to
offer, we hope you will want to find out
more about Finham Park.
“Under the inspirational
I look forward to welcoming you in
person if you choose to find out more
about what a “World Class” education
would mean for your son or daughter.
leadership of the headteacher,
the school has a very strong sense
of vision and direction based
on getting the best from each
individual and putting students’
voice at the heart of all it does.”
Ofsted
Together We Are...
How do we support our students to learn?
At Finham Park we strive to provide
“World Class” learning opportunities that
motivate and challenge all our students.
Students are placed in teaching groups
appropriate to their needs and abilities.
Lessons are structured to ensure all
students make excellent progress; they
are challenging and engaging. Frequent
assessment and discussion
of student progress enable
us to tailor our lessons to
“Teachers’ subject knowledge is very
“Teachers share their expertise and
meet the needs of every
strong. They plan lessons carefully and
ideas on a regular basis. All this leads
individual.
tailor work to the abilities of specific
to students’ outstanding achievement
students... As a result, there are high
and attainment which is consistently
levels of engagement and students
well above the national average.”
make rapid progress across all subjects
Ofsted
and year groups.”
Ofsted
Learning is celebrated
throughout the year with
displays, achievement
assemblies, regular
contact home and
our annual “Star Studded
Celebration of Success”. We aim to build
relationships with our parents
that enable them to support learning
and form a successful part of our
Home School
Partnership.
Learning
is also
enhanced
by our work
with outside
professionals
such as
business leaders, sports coaches, local
artists, musicians and many others. By
creating personalised learning pathways
supported by committed and highly
trained staff we aim for each student to
achieve success and not just focus on
learning in school but “Learning for Life”.
In order to ensure that every student
makes exceptional progress we provide
expert advice and guidance so that
they are set and achieve the most
challenging targets.
What will our students learn?
The breadth and flexibility of our
curriculum prepares our students for the
demands of the working world where the
ability to communicate, work in teams,
analyse information and problem solve
is essential. In Key Stage 3 we do this by
combining subjects to allow us to focus
on these skills. For example, “Discovery”
- where students learn about how the
universe can be explained by science
and explored by mathematics. Our
Curriculum Enhancement Programme
encourages students to experience new
disciplines such as Business & Enterprise,
“Philosophy for Children” and Psychology.
Our “Confucius Classroom” status has
even supported the introduction of
Mandarin Chinese to all our students!
Finham Park’s 14-19 curriculum offers a
wide range of GCSE and A level options
as well as the AQA Baccalaureate, thus
ensuring that all students are prepared for
the next stage of their education
or training.
Beyond the curriculum, we make
no apology for having the highest
expectations of our students in all areas of
their life. We foster an environment where
respect and courtesy is the norm, allowing
them to build excellent relationships with
their peers and adults, based on pride,
responsibility and respect….
“The school’s broad and innovative
curriculum caters well for students’
individual interests and abilities.”
Ofsted
How do we care for our students?
We pride ourselves in caring for all
our students. Every student joining
Finham Park becomes part of a small,
vertical mentor group comprising of
approximately three students from each
year group. Mentors give high quality
support to each student while their subject
teachers will meet with you each year to
discuss their progress and set
challenging targets.
“Teachers
their
expertise
and
“I
think theshare
vertical
grouped
mentor
ideas on
leads
system
is a regular
fantasticbasis.
idea.All
Mythis
daughter
to students’
outstanding
feels
she has made
friendsachievement
in all
and attainment
year
groups.” which is consistently
well above the national average.”
Year 7 parent
Ofsted
One of four dedicated
College Leaders works
with mentors to ensure
all students are cared for
and are achieving their
very best. Each College
also has a Deputy College
Leader
promoting a
huge variety
of activities
before,
during and
after school
every day of
the week.
The Personalised Learning Centre (PLC) is
a vital additional support for many of our
students who have greater learning needs.
Here they are provided with one to one
support when needed.
“The behaviour of students is
outstanding. They have exceptionally
good attitudes to learning.”
Ofsted
How well do students at
Finham Park achieve?
At Finham Park our academic record
remains Outstanding. Results have been
consistently high with over 70% students
regularly gaining 5A*-C grades including
English and Mathematics – this is well
above the current national average. We are
also very proud of the fact that we have
the highest percentage of students aged
16 going onto Education, Employment
or Training within our local community
of schools and regularly over 95% of our
sixth-formers gain places at university.
“Students join the school with higher
than average attainment. They
make outstanding progress and
and do extremely well in their GCSE
examinations.”
Ofsted
Our extensive curriculum allows all
students to achieve a significant number
of qualifications reflecting their breadth
of study. We recognise that students
are individuals and remain committed
to the concept of providing appropriate
pathways through each key stage, from
providing additional help in the core skills
to extension opportunities to stimulate
motivation.
“Students’ high personal and academic
achievement, their ability to work
independently, their civic skills and
behaviour, all prepare them well for
the future.”
Ofsted
What additional opportunities
do we offer our students?
The opportunities available at Finham
Park outside the classroom ensure that
absolutely no one is going to be left out.
There really is something for everyone.
Starting with the PE department who
offer a plethora of sports based activities
from football to table tennis, gymnastics
to rugby, cheerleading to netball and
many more! Whether you’re an expert or
beginner, everyone is welcome.
Students audition in
September for the main
school production
“The take up of sport is exceptional
which runs alongside
and students greatly enjoy the variety
other productions
of opportunities offered.”
where older students
Ofsted
become the directors
and students in years
7-9 become the actors.
Theatre visits are slotted
in amongst concerts of every
sort including rock, pop and classical.
If performing is for you then you’re
definitely
in the right
place! Ready
Steady Cook,
Finham’s Got
Talent, Stars
in their Eyes,
our own
radio station
(Finham Park
Radio), Chess tournaments… the list is
endless.
And if all that isn’t enough, students and
staff have the chance to battle against each
other in inter-college competitions. Be
the best penalty taker, the most consistent
netball shooter, the strongest tug of war
puller, the best water balloon volleyballer,
or just get involved by supporting your
college to victory. There are more details
of everything on offer available on our
website.
What is special about Finham Park?
At Finham Park we are proud of our links
with local, national and international
communities. We continually strive to
ensure our students are given every
opportunity to engage with local voluntary
organisations and businesses and this helps
to ensure they are better prepared for the
demands of university, further training or
the world of work when they leave school.
one of the highest in Coventry.
Today we live in an international
community where the internet and
technological media have blurred the
traditional boundaries and young people
are more aware of their rights and
responsibilities as global citizens. Finham
Park has gained recognition from the
Department for Education (International
Schools Award) for our international
links, trips and visits, and the curriculum
opportunities we provide for our students
to explore the world they live in. Recent
activities have included visiting our partner
schools in China and the USA.
Finham Park is also part of the Coventry
Partnership of schools. In this way we
work together to ensure that all the young
people in this area of Coventry are able
to participate in any course they choose –
especially where centres are able to offer
alternative qualifications alongside more
traditional options for those students
who are interested.
Each week hundreds of local residents
utilise our fantastic facilities – for example
attendance at Adult Education classes is
Our Multi Academy Trust and National
Support School status allow our staff to
access the highest level of professional
development, to develop the most
stimulating and creative methods of
delivering teaching and learning both
inside and outside of the classroom.
“Students… are fully behind the school
and overwhelmingly enthusiastic. This
is a happy and harmonious school
where diversity is celebrated.”
Ofsted
What does the future hold?
Growth is key to Finham Park’s success.
We recently formed a Multi Academy
Trust (MAT) and the governing body will
continue to take advantage of further
opportunities to improve our school in
the future – particularly in trying to secure
new buildings for your children.
School is not just about learning
subjects but also about supporting the
development of the whole child. We do
this through teamwork and developing
skills for independent learning. To achieve
this we have to ensure that the school has
the resources needed by every student.
Our classrooms are
well-equipped for
learning and our
“The school is very well led. The
specialist status has
headteacher and other leaders,
resulted in a wealth
including governors continue to bring
of technology being
about improvement in the quality of
teaching, learning, behaviour
available in all areas
and attendance.”
throughout and
Ofsted
beyond the
school day.
“Every day I am inspired.”
Year 7 Student
Mr Mark Bailie
Headteacher
Dear Parent
Thank you for your interest in Finham Park School. Our mission statement
“Learning for life...” is reflected in all our work here and we constantly strive to
make the learning experience at Finham the very best it can be – utilising our
specialist Mathematics & Computing status, Leading Edge, National Support
School and numerous other award initiatives to bring best practice into
Coventry for the benefit of your child.
If your application is successful, your son/daughter will be joining Finham Park
at a very exciting time as we continue to pursue our goal of being not just an
“Outstanding” school, but a “World Class” one – something for the whole
community to be proud of!
At Finham Park we are rightly proud of our reputation for supporting young
people to achieve at the very highest level. Our goals are to ensure that
all students gain excellent GCSE grades and continue to develop our Sixth
Form to maintain the 100% of students who gained entrance to university/
apprenticeships/employment and training, this year.
However school is also about children “having the time of their lives” - filling
their days with so many happy memories that when they look back, they also
inspire future generations to enjoy learning. For this reason at Finham Park
we have developed a challenging programme of extra-curricular activities
in a huge range of disciplines – from sport to performing arts; leadership
opportunities to charity fund-raising events and Student Baraza (open forum
for students).
We hope you find this prospectus a useful and informative introduction to life
at our school. Please do not hesitate to contact the school if you require any
further information. With so much to
offer, we hope you will want to find out
more about Finham Park.
“Under the inspirational
I look forward to welcoming you in
person if you choose to find out more
about what a “World Class” education
would mean for your son or daughter.
leadership of the headteacher,
the school has a very strong sense
of vision and direction based
on getting the best from each
individual and putting students’
voice at the heart of all it does.”
Ofsted
Finham Park School
Green Lane
Coventry
CV3 6EA
Telephone: 024 7641 8135
Fax: 024 7684 0803
www.finhampark.co.uk
Finham Park SCHOOL
Designed and Produced by Dialhouse Visual Communication Tel: 024 7660 3030 www.dialhouse.co.uk