Prospectus - Blatchington Mill School
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Pros p e c t u s 2020/2021
Welcome to Blatch
Our efforts are rooted in the fact We judge ourselves, as we must, on
that we believe, above all else, the results that our students achieve
that education is a transformative but also on their wellbeing and
force for good. Learning prepares happiness, their tolerance and
students for later life, including respect for one another and the
employment, and equips them to world, and the future they go onto
thrive in an ever- changing world - when their journey at Blatch is
but it is also much more important complete. On all of these measures,
than that. we do extremely well and we will
continue to strive to do better. I
Learning changes who we are and
hope that our reputation in the
what we can become. It changes
local community, our online Open
Welcome to the prospectus how we view others, and it changes
Evening and the opportunity to
how we interact with the world. It
for Blatchington Mill School. talk to us on the phone all help
reveals our potential and helps us
I hope that this snapshot you to feel confident in choosing
discover our passions. Learning is
of the school helps to give Blatchington Mill for your child’s
beautiful and often messy. We don’t
you an idea of what we are education at this critical and vital
learn in straight lines, it’s a complex
about, and the educational process and that’s what makes our
time.
01
excellence we offer. We are school such a dynamic and vibrant
so disappointed to not be place to be.
able to hold our usual open
In order to learn well, we must
events this year but hope that
you will join us for our online
all feel safe and secure. As such,
we have unapologetically high
“S chool is a
Open Evening and take standards for behaviour and place to find
advantage of our telephone
appointments to find out
conduct and no tolerance for
yourself – to
bullying or discrimination. Our
more about our incredible students support this. We are lear n at the ver y
school. graded by Ofsted as ‘Outstanding’ limits of your
for behaviour and safety.
The past year has shaken education
immeasurably. Young people are
pote ntial
At Blatchington Mill School, we are
aware, more than ever, of the committed to exceptional success
and in doing so
importance of attending school, of for every student. With the right discover who
learning and of the joy that comes support and challenge we ensure
from our shared endeavour. At that all students achieve their
you really are.”
Blatchington Mill we have acted incredible potential. We focus on
quickly, creatively and with huge the very best teaching, and create As h l e y H a r ro l d
determination to protect education a love of learning that will inspire H e a d te a c h e r
during this challenging period - further study and success.
and as a result our students have
continued learning throughout.
High aspirations, Nurturing a
high expectations learning culture
We know that every parent/ This was an extremely hard working In Drama and Music students Our core business is learning. what educational research suggests schools nationwide to be awarded
carer has high hopes for and dedicated year group that had excelled, with a phenomenal The majority of our effort and makes the most impact upon MFL Lead Hub status. As part of
their children; for them to made exceptional progress over number of students leaving with endeavour is spent on student learning. Teachers work the scheme we are recorgnised as
be successful, happy and their time at Blatch and so we were a grade 7 or higher, indeed 22% ensuring that lessons are collaboratively within teams to experts in language teaching and
delighted to be able to put forward and 43% more than the national plan learning utilising and adapting we support schools around the city
fulfilled. At Blatch, we share vibrant and engaging; and that
grades that enabled our students to average from grade 7 respectively. current pedagogical research to to develop teaching and learning
those hopes for all students. learning is secure and
go onto the next exciting steps in In language, students of Spanish inform and develop our practice. of Modern Foreign Languages. We
2019/20 was an unusual year - embedded.
02 their education. achieved well above national will share best practice in order 03
During the enforced school
schools were asked to provide average in every key grade Teachers support and guide to further develop the excellent
There were success stories across closure in 2020, our teachers
‘centre assessed grades’ for all bracket. There were also superb students’ learning with the highest opportunities available for students
the range of subjects, with students worked tirelessly to provide a high
departing year 11 students as performances in Biology, Chemistry expectations for behaviour, studying languages in Brighton
attending Blatch being awarded quality online learning experience
nationally students were not and Physics, with 100% of students progress and enjoyment. and Hove. Our MFL team have
grades significantly higher than for our students. They adapted
able to sit exams with school achieving strong passes and the Students understand what they are also created a number of lessons
national averages. In Combined swiftly to utilising technology
partially closed. These grades majority doing so with a grade 7 or learning and why it is important. for the Oak National Academy, an
Science, for example, 13% more and online learning tools to
were judgements of the likely better. Students learn to work online learning resource launched
students achieved a pass grade 4 ensure our students were able to
grade each student would have collaboratively and cooperatively, in response to the coronavirus
than the national average. Similarly, These outcomes were very much continue learning from home. As of
achieved had they actually sat working alongside others outbreak. These lessons are used
in English Language 18% more in line with what we would have September 2020 all our teachers are
the exams in the summer. These effectively in teams. nationally by staff and students to
students were awarded a pass grade expected from Blatch students and creating pre-recorded versions of all
professional judgements were based Students develop their skills in order support online learning.
4 and 7% more achieved a grade it is fair to say that we continue to lessons, and providing live support,
on coursework, classwork, home to reflect on their own learning and
7 than the national average. In be a school where students thrive to ensure that whether students are We work collaboratively with all
work and any internal assessments progress, become resilient, and
maths 18% more students enjoyed academically and achieve brilliant learning in school or at home, the Brighton & Hove secondary schools
already taken, such as mocks. As a commit to their own independent
a strong pass grade 5 than the outcomes. quality of education they receive to share best practice and play
school we spent a great deal of time learning and enquiry. These same
average across the country. is consistently high and never our part in raising standards for all
on these to make sure every student principles underpin our staff
disrupted. learners across the city.
received a set of grades that they development.
deserved, reflecting their hard work Blatch is also a founding member All staff contribute to this culture
Teachers identify themselves as
over their school career. of the Pavilion & Downs Teaching of learning and development, and
learners too, with an unswerving
School Alliance - delivering every member of staff, from the
commitment to reflecting upon,
teacher training and professional facilities manager to the IT support
refining and enhancing their
development to other schools team, know that their primary role is
classroom craft. Teachers work
through our Specialist Leaders in to maximise student learning. This
collaboratively to plan, assess and
Education (SLEs). ethos, above all else, is at the heart
trial new approaches or techniques
of our school.
within their lessons, based on Blatchington Mill has also been
selected as one of only nine
Expression &
performance
We focus on developing the Our music department has on to play for professional football
whole child at Blatch. professional standard music teams, as well as having students
equipment for every student. in the Harlequins Rugby Academy,
We value the educational benefits
Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Academy
of the Arts as a source of This proficiency in the Performing
04 and the Sussex Netball and Cricket 05
individuality, expression and Arts has led our staff and students
teams.
creativity, and have a legacy of to take their expertise into the
specialisation in Performing Arts. wider school community, working
Students’ confidence in their own alongside local primary-school
articulation and expression, and children in a number of exciting “Blatch is a great
the subsequent development of Arts projects. school because
their sense of identity through Students have numerous it has amazing
performance, is a major reason opportunities to experience drama lessons
for their success in other aspects Performing Arts, both within the and br illiant
of school life. Our reputation for
delivering jaw-dropping student
classroom and in our range of
oppor tunities
extra-curricular activities. Our
productions in our professional highly successful PE department
to per for m at
standard Windmill Theatre, as well aims to promote lifelong the Windmill
as our extensive involvement in participation in physical activity theatre.”
local community projects, is a alongside leading healthy,
source of great pride. active lifestyles and develop Year 8
We have a thriving music student confidence, teamwork
department – our bands and and leadership in and outside
orchestras frequently perform of lessons. We have students
beyond school. competing at international level in
football and dance, with students
currently training with the England
U15 squad, and students at
Brighton & Hove Albion’s Football
Academy. We also have a number
of former students who have gone
Building
blocks
Student academic success is It fits our ethos that learning is
carried out for its own reward
“ Th e te a c h e r s
balanced across a range of
subjects – we value holistic and its own beauty. Students re a l l y c a re
learning and offer a broad learn fewer topics, in greater a b o u t h ow
depth. We spend a long time
curriculum.
deepening understanding, rather m u c h yo u a re
Within this, we have a set of
subjects that are the foundation of
than accelerating through topics. l e a r n i n g.”
06 Problem solving is both how and 07
students’ knowledge and skill base. why we learn mathematics. This Year 11
Known as core subjects, these approach improves enjoyment
include English, Maths, of maths and builds deep
Science and Computing. Students understanding.
focus on these subjects with
We work to ensure that students
Extra-curricular
significant curriculum time, in order
experience a wide range of subjects
to support the development of
at both Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4.
their literacy, numeracy, enquiry
and digital fluency. In these Full details of our curriculum can be
areas, we strive to innovate and found on our website. Although we are currently the opportunity to study our own enable us to reach and support
hampered by the ongoing fine city. We’ve been hill-walking more disadvantaged young people
Blatch specialises in curriculum
pandemic, at Blatchington and skiing, and organised foreign who want to undertake their
development to ensure students are
Mill School we endeavour to exchanges. We’ve studied European award.
equipped for lifelong learning.
art, visited galleries and music
As an example, we follow a
run a whole variety of study We have an extra-curricular offer
workshops locally, nationally and
programme of Maths Mastery in Key trips. In recent years we’ve that spans every year and every
across the world.
Stage 3 (Years 7-9) for all students. visited America, Belgium, curriculum area, so that students
Zanzibar, France, Andorra, Blatchington Mill is also a provider can identify subjects within the
This approach serves two purposes:
Austria and Spain. of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
firstly to ensure that every student curriculum that they enjoy, and
Last year our students completed
becomes able to succeed in maths The History department takes skills they want to develop further.
832 hours of voluntary work in our
and, secondly, that naturally students to Poland and France, These extra-curricular clubs are
local community and carried out
talented mathematicians have a the Music staff have organised for organised and run by our own
a number of expeditions. We were
better understanding of the students to play at Disneyland and specialist subject staff, and are
also delighted to have received a
principles of maths; in Parisian parks, our Geographers designed to be inclusive while
grant from the Duke of Edinburgh’s
the ‘why’ rather than the ‘how’. have experienced school in Brazil,
Award’s Diamond fund which will inspiring enthusiasm and curiosity.
Naples and Iceland, and all have
Student Student
08 voice leadership 09
Students in Year 11 apply to sports days before building on these their younger mentee, building up
Student voice is We also have student groups such
become ‘Senior Students’. skills in Year 10 where they will a relationship which helps students
incredibly important. as our LGBT+ student group which
They are keen to pay also have the opportunity to assist feel supported and able to share
provides a safe space for students
We ensure that all students are something back to the school teachers and coaches at primary any feelings they are experiencing.
to talk about a variety of issues with
represented at all levels of the community by supporting school extra-curricular clubs. In Year
We also run a BAME mentoring
their peers. We have 24 students
school, including Form Reps, younger students in their 10 there is also the opportunity
programme which runs for six
who have been trained as LGBT+
Year Reps, Student Council, and learning, greeting visitors to be nominated to become part
weeks, comprising of 5 weeks
ambassadors. These students help
student representation on our full to the school, supporting of the Young Coaches Academy, a
mentoring and a final week of
to promote LGBT+ awareness within
Governing Body. We listen to and decision making and county wide sports leader training
celebration of the participants’
school and work with staff to ensure
act upon student feedback in all generally proving to be the scheme. In Year 11 up to 15 leaders
achievements. We are so proud of
that Blatchington Mill is an inclusive
aspects of school life, with many finest ambassadors for Blatch. are asked to represent the school
this programme and our students
environment for all LGBT+ students.
improvements coming from student as Blatch Sports Ambassadors.
Our Sports Leaders programme is have benefited hugely.
suggestions. Our students are We have students involved in many Our leadership programme
also very popular and allows for
encouraged to express their views community events, supporting local gives our students the chance to
our students to gain experience
directly to the school’s and national charities and making develop leadership qualities and
working with younger children,
decision makers. sustained commitment to work in independence that many have
as well as their peers and adults.
the local area. found extremely beneficial when
Students are involved in interviews The programme has a very good
We also work with our local primary applying for college places.
for staff vacancies and Curriculum reputation not only in Brighton and
Teams regularly garner student schools, involving them in theatre Hove but county wide. Spanning At Blatch we are also proud to run a
feedback on which parts of a scheme workshops and inviting all Hove over three years, our Year 9 young peer to peer mentoring programme
of lessons worked best, how the primaries to have practical Science leaders are firstly given the which has been hugely beneficial
learning could be improved and other lessons in one of our newest labs. opportunity to help with various to the students involved. Our older
areas in which the students are the Blatch inter-form events and some students work through a stringent
experts. primary school events such as programme whilst getting to know
Involvement
We are an inclusive school and we encourage
all members of our community, including
students and their families, to take an active part
in their school.
Parents/carers can contribute through FAB (Friends
At Blatch, our PTA), and we hold regular forums for
parents to discuss school improvement. We also hold
workshops in order for parents and carers to build skills
and confidence in subjects such as Maths so that they are
able to support students with their school work.
Clubs
10 Staff and students organise many clubs 11
and specialist groups. Subjects are diverse
and include Art & Design, Drama, Maths,
Computing, Photography, Film, Music & Dance,
Science, Technology and Cycling.
Departments run focussed revision sessions which
students can attend to boost their academic
performance. We also run afterschool homework support
where students can receive help and guidance with their
learning. We have two separate venues for KS3 and KS4
that offer a quiet space, as well as access to Chromebooks
and a supportive teacher.
Governors
Our school has a strong and effective governing
body that includes parents/carers,
teachers, students and members of our
community who represent a wide range of
professions and business areas.
Friends at Blatch (FAB)
FAB is a lively and effective
group of parents/carers
and friends of the school. “ B l atc h i s a
g o od s c h o o l
Their twin roles are, first, to assist
senior staff with self-evaluation
because all
of the school’s performance t h e s t u d e nt s
and, second, to raise thousands
of pounds every year, through a
a re f r i e n d l y
number of special events, for the a n d h e l p f u l,
benefit of the school. They meet
12 twice a term – all parents/carers
e s p e c i a l l y to t h e 13
are automatically members. FAB Ye a r 7 s.”
welcomes all parents/carers at any
Year 7
of their meetings and events.
We welcome the local community
into our school, which is always a
hub of activity with many community
sports clubs – from archery to
cricket – using our facilities.
Groups also use the Windmill
Theatre regularly.
RIC and OLA Rewarding excellence
Our Research & Information a welcoming and stimulating allowing them the space to take Behaviour is excellent at We also place huge importance
14 Centre (known as the RIC) is study environment, and is staffed responsibility for their learning and Blatch, and we use positive on fostering indepedence in our 15
a centralised resource area throughout the day. Students can become familiar with the type of behaviour management to students. We encourage them
that combines library and IT come to the RIC before school, indepedent study that is expected reward and celebrate the to take responsibility for their
during break, at lunchtime and after at sixth form college. own behaviour and if they make
facilities to support academic excellent conduct, manners
school for independent study or to mistakes, we ask them to attend
study across the curriculum. Under normal circumstances,our and work ethic of our students.
read. Classes are brought to the RIC a ‘restore and repair’ session at
homework club runs daily until
A range of magazines, journals by their teachers for research-based We have a points based reward the end of the school day where
4:30pm in the RIC and OLA,
and daily newspapers are always lessons. All students are given a system called BMS Passport, where they are able to have a supported
meaning our students can complete
available in the RIC. We also have a comprehensive induction to the RIC students earn points for their conversation with their class
additional work in a calm and
number of Chromebooks in the RIC facilities during Year 7. Our specialist behaviour, conduct and attendance. teacher. They apologise and are
supportive environment.
which are networked for student staff are always on hand to provide They are also rewarded with points given a fresh start the next day,
use. expert guidance and help students for academic achievement. This system puts the emphasis
All Chromebooks provide internet to develop good research skills. on understanding why positive
Students can log in and use their
access and access to the SIMS app, behaviour is important, and
The RIC library contains a wide range points to unlock perks in school
where homework is set, resources strengthens relationships between
of non-fiction books linked to the – skipping the lunch queue or a
shared with students and work staff and students.
National Curriculum. We also have a reward trip at the end of term are
handed in. Parents/carers can log broad selection of fiction that caters examples of items that they can
in to see all homework set for their for all ages, abilities and interests, choose to ‘spend’ their points on - a
child. with new books regularly added. list that is updated constantly. We
We also have sets of Kindles for believe in rewarding students who
We have also recently introduced
students and teachers to use in do the right thing consistently and
a brand new Open Learning Area
lessons. The RIC aims to provide make a huge effort to notice those
for our Key Stage 4 students,
who are quietly brilliant every day.
Care
Whilst school is primarily a Education is an important part of
place of academic learning, PSHE (Personal, Social and Health
students need to be happy Education) and our detailed
to do their best, and as such programme includes introducing
students to the roles of helping Blatchington Mill School is a safe,
we place great emphasis on The school has recently upgraded In the summer of 2018 we installed
agencies, such as the police and secure and happy environment,
ensuring they feel safe and our fire safety equipment and our electronic gates at all of our vehicle
Students are given clear online
health professionals. where we all – students and staff
supported and are able alarms are regularly tested. entrances, these are controlled by
safety guidance in PSHE lessons as
Community leaders including those – look out for each other. We take staff at our two reception desks as
to flourish. There is security lighting across the well as in Computing lessons. They
from a variety of faith groups and personal security extremely part of our rigorous safeguarding
We monitor our students’ needs seriously and have robust site ensuring no pools of darkness are taught about the impact of
charities regularly come to work procedure for monitoring and
very carefully. We work in safeguarding procedures; around campus. their digital footprint and the need
with our students or to speak at managing visitors to the school.
conjunction with the students’ recognised by Ofsted as to keep themselves safe. We also
our assemblies. We teach tolerance, Outside of the core school day our
primary schools during the transfer outstanding. Blatchington Mill School follows the provide guidance for families.
respect for diversity and support the doors are locked and access is via
period, to ensure that a suitable standards of GDPR and is registered
‘Prevent’ anti-radicalisation agenda. For some time, we have had highly key pads only ensuring additional Any students who make mistakes
support package is in place for each with the Information Commissioners
effective anti-bullying strategies security for all participants in extra online which may compromise
new Year 7 student. Student Services is often the first Office.
16 in place (including anti-cyber curricular activities. their safety, or that of others, 17
port of call for parents and carers,
At Blatchington Mill School, we bullying), so our students can learn Online, students are safeguarded are supported by the Year Office
as well as students. Our Student The site is covered by CCTV cameras
make sure that students are in a secure and calm environment and data is protected by internet and Safeguarding Office (where
Services staff are responsible for which are used to investigate
prepared for the world they will in each year group. Our year team content filters at Brighton and Hove appropriate). Information is regularly
many aspects of day-to-day life at breaches of security. No cameras
be joining when they leave our staff are committed to supporting Council, by our own filters onsite, sent out to all staff from our E-Safety
school, such as attendance and are placed in toilets or changing
school. We ensure they are fully the academic and emotional a Threat Management Gateway Lead on the latest trends or issues
admissions, student questions and rooms and access to the images is
informed about issues such as development of each student firewall and the Securus network with online behaviour.
communications. They can pass restricted to a small number of staff
drugs – including tobacco – as well in their care. activity monitoring system.
on messages from and to home, whose access is monitored.
as the broader topics of health and
deal with enquiries and are able to
relationships. (See our Sex and
answer most questions that home
Relationship Education Policy).
and students have about the school.Achievement Helping Students to Become
The school is broken into two Key Stage 3 Key Stage 4
Effective Learners Assessment
key stages, KS3 and KS4. We
structure the curriculum in each
In Key Stage 3 we focus on
providing an inclusive and
KS4 is where students prepare
for their GCSEs or other public
1 1
At Blatch, learning is at the centre of all that we do. 1
to support students making welcoming environment within examinations. Students from ages
Learning Feedback Behaviour
the best progress. We run KS3 our classrooms, while ensuring 14 to 16 are able to study a wide
over Years 7-9 and KS4 in Years that lessons are differentiated, to range of courses, ranging from At Blatch we know that the most For students to make progress and develop In lessons all students follow
10 and 11. provide both appropriate support the traditional classroom based successful teachers spend more than half their learning it is vital that they respond to our Blatch Basics which are the
and challenge for every student. We ones such as Physics, Latin and the lesson time modelling and asking feedback from their teachers. This feedback minimum expectations we have
believe that it is important to secure Computing, to the school based questions. Questioning allows the teacher could be about how to improve a specific of all of our students. These
good progress for each and every practical courses such as Drama, to determine how well the material has task, how to develop a particular skill or basics reflect the principles
student, knowing that this will then Dance and Design & Technology. been understood and learned. Teachers how to become a more effective learner. behind our school motto of
support the best outcomes at Key at Blatch also provide models of how to ‘Involvement, Achievement and
At Blatch we use a wide range of feedback
Stage 4. do something using, for example, worked Care’.
including both verbal and written
examples and clear processes to help
strategies. Each subject area carefully B - Be on time, fully equipped
ensure students know the steps needed
considers how to provide the best feedback and greet your staff.
when completing a task. Teachers will teach
in their subject context. This feedback could
new materials in small steps, checking A - Attempt work straight away
be provided to the whole class or it could
that all students have understood. For and do your best.
be provided to the student as an individual
challenging tasks, scaffolds are provided as S - Sit in the place designated by
using numerical or coded systems as well as
temporary support to assist teaching until the member of staff.
more in-depth written responses.
18 students can independently practise new 19
I - Involve yourself in the lesson
material. Daily, weekly and monthly review
and focus on your learning and
ensures that recently learned material
what you need to improve.
A model for embeds in long term memory.
Our aim is that all students become
C - Contribute to the lesson in
a positive way so that everyone
best learning effective learners. In the classroom teachers
work on building the necessary skills so that
can learn and do well.
students are able to: S - Speak kindly and respectfully
to all and look after the
All of our lessons at Blatch are
planned using a framework
It won’t matter Plan - Think about the goal of their learning
and consider how they will approach the
classroom.
we have developed to ensure who your teacher task.
learning is accessible to all, is, the quality of Monitor - Assess the progress they
is deep and secure, and all learning will be are making, and make changes where
students make progress.
the same. necessary.
The framework allows significant Evaluate their Learning - Appraise
flexibility for different teaching the effectiveness of their plan and its
styles, so no two lessons will implementation.
ever feel identical – but ensures
a consistent approach across the
school that benefits all students.Extended classrooms –
online learning
We extend the reach of learning with our online learning facilities.
Lesson content and resources are available to all students from home, the RIC or any
internet connected device (including smartphones and tablets). Students have access
to their homework (and the necessary materials), their timetable, forums and school
news and events. All homework is set electronically. We help students access learning
at their own pace, revisiting a tricky topic at the end of the school day, getting ahead
of the class by looking up the next topic in advance, or extending their knowledge
with optional units and extension work. As of September 2020, our entire curriculum
is currently available on Google Classroom via online lessons delivered by our staff,
ensuring that there will be no disruption to learning should school ever need to close
unexpectedly.
In addition to this, we are proud to share that we now have capacity to loan a
20 Chromebook to every single student at Blatchington Mill, making it easier than ever
for students to access their work from outside the classroom, and ensuring that all of
our students are on a level playing field when it comes to accessing their school work
online.
For parents and carers, we have rolled out an update to our SIMS parent app which
provides a convenient and accessible way for the school to communicate with parents,
and displays information such as attendance data, progress reports, homework, and
behaviour and achievement information.Head teacher: Blatchington Mill School
Mr A Harrold Nevill Avenue
ba pgce npqh Hove
East Sussex
Deputy Head teachers:
BN3 7BW
Ms R King
ba pgce ma npqh
t 01273 736244
Mr A Capozzi f 01273 739615
ba pgce ma npqsl
Ms K Claydon
ba pgce
More information on our website:
www.blatchingtonmill.org.uk
Our email address:
office@blatchingtonmill.org.ukYou can also read
