SCHOOL PROSPECTUS

SHOEBURYNESS
HIGH
SCHOOL

Expect Excellence

WELCOME TO
SHOEBURYNESS
HIGH
SCHOOL

Welcome to our prospectus and welcome
to Shoeburyness High School. We are a
comprehensive community academy with
a 10% selective intake. We put a positive
learning ethos at the heart of all we do and
we continue to be heavily oversubscribed
year after year.
This prospectus has tried to capture a little of
the essence of our school and opportunities
available to all our students, although we
believe the best way to judge is to pay us a
visit to see for yourself.
We construct our learning pathways around
our students’ needs and we look forward to
meeting you and discussing what makes us
special!
Proud of our students,
Proud of our staff,
Proud of our school.

Clare Costello
Head Teacher

WHY COME TO
SHOEBURYNESS
HIGH

SCHOOL?

Committed staff

Diverse

Engaging

Successful

Proud “Shoeburyness High School has been the most amazing
support system for me and always pushed me to do my
best. All the staff ensured I was always working towards
my goals and without them, I wouldn't have got the
grades I did. “

Vendija Eke Year 13

Studying Musical Theatre at University Centre, Colchester

 We are committed to providing an
outstanding learning experience for all
of our students, regardless of prior
attainment.

 We sit at the heart of our community
and welcome and value all individuals.

 We are a family oriented school with a
large intake providing huge
opportunities for every student.

 We provide a lively, diverse and
engaging curriculum which reflects our
positive learning ethos.

 We provide opportunities for all students
to extend their experiences beyond the
school day.

 We work hard to develop a successful
partnership between school, students
and parents based on trust and mutual
support.

 Students have the opportunity to
experience a wide variety of
educational visits both at home and
aboard.

As a parent, the best experience  We take pride in encouraging the
for my child has been the passion of active involvement of all of our students

all the staff and teachers for the in a well-supported, varied programme
holistic health of the students. of sport.

Parent View Feedback

 Our highly acclaimed Theatre Arts

Thank you. I am delighted with the productions are award winning events
excellent education that my

daughter is receiving at that involve a large number of students

Shoeburyness High School. Fantastic, from across the whole school.
committed and hard working

teachers—so friendly and  We believe that students’ views should
supportive. be listened to and valued.
Parent View Feedback

STUDENT
LEADERSHIP

Leadership Skills
Team Building
Unique Experience
Networking
Role Models

“Really, really great. I love this school to bits, it’s the
same reason why I want to come back here to teach”
Michael Chambers Year 13

Studying Hispanic Studies and History at University of Kent

Student Forums The school has high expectations of all our students in
terms of attendance, behaviour and student progress.
Peer Mentoring With approximately 1,800 students and 200 staff it is
Programme essential that we work together to create a purposeful
and supportive environment in which everyone can
Transition Team succeed. A positive partnership exists between students,
parents and teachers which aims to provide
Anti-Bullying opportunities for personal growth and academic
Team success. Students are encouraged to become actively
involved in the community life of our school. A range of
Prefects opportunities and responsibilities exist including
becoming:

 a member of our School Forum

 a school prefect

 involved in one of our many successful sports teams

 a performer in our outstanding school productions,
which include national competitions

 a Peer Mentor

We have annual Community Service Awards to
celebrate our students’ successes as well as being
members of the Jack Petchey Award Scheme and the
Diana Award. This is in addition to our departmental
reward policies and rewards for excellent attendance
and exemplary conduct.

All the young people of Shoeburyness High School are
given the opportunity to become part of the Student
Forums at the start of the academic year through a
democratic process. The successful applicants, elected
by their peers then attend specific forum meetings
throughout the year.

There are 5 student forums:

Achievement, Well Being, Community, Environment, and
Leadership which are led and run by the Senior 6th Form
Prefects

The Forums feed back to the rest of the school via the
Forum Summit, where they show the work they have
done throughout the term.

I like Shoebury because of the teachers. The best thing about my child’s
experience at Shoeburyness High School is
They treat us like adults instead of
seeing his personal responsibility and
children. maturity develop so well.

Student View Feedback Parent View Feedback

ADMISSION

CRITERIA

Looked after children

11+ Selective place

Borderline selective place

In catchment with siblings

In catchment

Outside catchment with siblings

Outside catchment

Further details on admissions
criteria can be found in the
Secondary Schools Admissions
2020/2021 booklet or by
contacting the Schools Admissions
Service at Southend Borough
Council on (01702) 215914 or
www.southend.gov.uk/
info/200176/
school_admissions/47/
secondary_school_admissions

Students will be admitted according to the
following criteria in order of priority:

1. Looked after children and children who were
looked after but have ceased to be so
because they have been adopted (or
become subject to a residence order or
special guardianship order);

2. Up to 31 places granted preferential
admissions on the basis of their performance
in the selection test procedure organised by
the Consortium Of Selective Schools in Essex;

3. If any selective place remains unfilled, the
Governors should consider whether any of the
remaining applicants who took the selection
test are eligible to be rewarded a borderline
selective place, which is set at 298. In doing
so, preference will be given to those students
with the highest score of merit;

4. Students who live in the catchment area
served by the school and who have an older
sibling attending the school;

5. Students who live in the catchment area
served by the school;

6. Students who live outside the catchment area
served by the school and who have an older
sibling attending the school;

7. Students who live outside the catchment area
served by the school.

Shoeburyness High School Learning Resource Base
(LRB) caters for a total of 18 secondary aged
students with a range of learning needs and
sensory/physical needs as identified in an
Education, Health and Care Plan.

For further information on specialist provision
please contact the SEN department at Southend
Borough Council.

SO WHAT’S ON

OFFER?

Balanced but flexible curriculum
Wide range of courses
The diverse needs and aspirations of
our students are effectively met
Learning pathways that are
inclusive, appropriate and
challenging

“Shoebury has given me so much confidence and I’ve
been so honoured to be welcomed into every
department and felt so at home here. The people I've
met and the things I have learnt will stay with me
forever “
Rose Collis Year 13
Studying Film Production at Arts University, Bournemouth

KEY STAGE 3We operate a 10 day (fortnightly) timetable based on a 20
period week (4 periods a day).

Each day begins with period 1 where students spend 25
minutes in their tutor bases following programmes
specifically designed to raise their aspirations and support
their learning. The subsequent three 100 minute sessions
each day enable the delivery of well-planned lessons
involving a wide variety of experiences and activities.

Our lower school curriculum (Years 7 to 9) is delivered
through a number of pathways that allow us to match our
provision with the needs of each individual student:

The Success Pathway offers a broad,
differentiated curriculum for the majority of the
year group in order to prepare them for success
in the widest possible range of public
examinations, thereby facilitating progression to
all post-16 courses and subsequent university
entrance, if desired.

Within the Success Pathway we also run a fully
selective set, where students are given ICPs
(Individual Challenge Plans) and regular
academic mentoring sessions with their allocated
member of staff, to ensure that they continue to
achieve their very best. Alongside the selective
set, the Challenge Pathway, for our highest ability
students, will experience a more advanced
curriculum offer to the rest of the Success
Pathway, including more advanced learning
experiences and a greater level of challenge.

The sporting side of the school and In Excel and Achievement we run ‘Positive
performing arts have been the best Progress’ Transition Pathways which target and
experience for my child. It has really support a very small selection of students with
helped my daughter’s confidence. particular needs through Key stage 3. Each child
Parent View Feedback receives a personalised learning package, in a
structured transition process that enables them
If I could choose one thing that is the the opportunity to have a successful and positive
best experience, it would be the range of experience of mainstream education at
subjects you can take. Shoeburyness High School.
Student View Feedback
All students with special educational needs or
disabilities are identified and supported. Further
details are available from our SENCo.

KEY STAGE 4

The upper school KEY STAGE 5
curriculum
(Years 10 and 11) is In the Sixth Form we continue to
challenging, engaging provide a broad curriculum, with more
and wide ranging: than 40 courses including traditional A-
Level courses and Level 3 Vocational
Alongside compulsory Awards. Our curriculum offers
GCSEs in Mathematics, opportunities for all students working at
English Language, English Level 3, providing the foundation for
Literature and Double future learning and employment. More
Science (Triple Science for than two thirds of our Year 13 students
the more able) students now progress to University after
also get to choose from completing their Sixth Form studies,
History, Geography, including those who go to the
French or Spanish GCSE. prestigious Russell Group institutions.

In addition to this they
have three choices from a
selection of 24 different
GCSEs, BTECs or other
applied courses.

Some students may also
study for an extra GCSE
that may be outside our
‘standard curriculum’. Our
aim is to provide a pupil
centred flexible curriculum
for all.

“Incredible, supportive teachers were always there to
help me through thick and thin. Shoebury has one of
the best senses of community– everyone feels welcome
and motivated. It’s just the best.“

Oliver Corkett Year 13

Studying Ecology, Conservation and Environment at University
of Sussex

Although our school community is large, we believe
that every person has the right to be respected and to
receive a learning experience free from interruptions.
Consequently, we do not tolerate disruptive
behaviour.

We have intentionally kept the number of school
expectations to a minimum and consider that they are
clear and easy to follow:

The teaching staff have been so Students in Years 7 to 11 are not allowed to bring
supportive and caring for my daughters. mobile phones, mp3 players or any other SMART
Thank you is not enough. devices anywhere onto the school site. The use of
Parent View Feedback mobile phones seriously affects learning in class
and leads to disruption. Students using mobile
phones or headsets will have them confiscated
until the end of that half term. If this happens, we
give written notification to parents, who can
expect us to enforce this rule vigorously.

Post-16 students are allowed the privilege of using
mobile phones in a few specified areas.

The all round support is the best We are a safeguarding school.
experience I have had of Shoeburyness
High School, especially when problems
arise. From Year Head, teachers and front
of house staff.
Student View Feedback

SECAT SECAT Legacy Box

Shoeburyness High School is a member of the Southend East
Community Academy Trust together with Thorpedene Primary School,
Hinguar Primary School and Nursery, Richmond Avenue Primary and
Nursery School, Bournes Green Infant School and Bournes Green Junior
School. The Trust is committed to developing a linear 3-18 curriculum
for all its students. In November 2018, all schools in the SECAT Trust were
given an excellent opportunity to take part in a collaborative project,
the ‘Legacy Box’. This project aimed to commemorate the centenary
of the Armistice that ended the First World War in November 1918.
A crate-sized box filled with various items relating to WW1 was
dropped off to all schools with items like soldiers’ boots, sand bags,
medals, letters etc. and remained in the schools for a week.
In Shoeburyness High School, we dedicated that week to a focus on
Shoeburyness’ involvement in WW1 and the sacrifice made by local
people in the conflict. To enable all students to get involved in such an
important event, it was incorporated across the school into the Period
One curriculum .
Our many different departments had an excellent opportunity to get
their students involved in understanding their local history and the
significant role of Shoeburyness in the war.

Jack Petchey Speak Out Challenge JACK PETCHEY

We participate annually in the Jack Petchey Speak Out
Challenge, which is the largest public speaking competition
for young people in the world! This gives young people the
confidence to talk to large audiences and develop skills in a
range of situations requiring good communication.

This year we were represented by Ben whose speech was
entitled ‘A more divisive vote than Brexit!’ and contained a
passionate plea to fight for your freedom of speech and
allow your voice to be heard. He argued that everyone
should be free to speak their opinions, on any topic, as long
as it does not incite hatred, pointing out that it is far more
effective to expose the flaw in someone’s argument than it
is to silence them and take away their freedom of speech.

The standard of public speaking on the evening was
outstanding and Ben represented himself, his family and our
school magnificently!

EXPECT EXCELLENCE ‘Made in Dagenham’ wins NODA Best Youth Production and

East District Best Production
Shoeburyness High School enjoys a fantastic reputation for
our annual musical productions and this year’s show Made
in Dagenham was certainly no exception. The show was
reviewed by the National Operatic and Dramatic
Association, who gave it their award as the ‘Best Youth
Production’ for the fifth year with their biggest cast to date
of 120 students. We were nominated for the ‘Best Technical’
award, which is a huge accolade as this is in competition
with adult societies within the area. However, we were not
aware nor did we expect, that we could be in with a
chance of winning the overall District 10 award for ‘Best
Production’. This was the biggest and most surprising shock
as it meant that we were competing against all adult, youth
societies and stage schools in the whole of the NODA East
Region and……….. WE WON!
Next show ‘We Will Rock You’……. Come and see us, it will
be even bigger!

Wellbeing Spaces WELLBEING

The Achievement and Foundation
department were given the
opportunity to create an outdoor
space for SEND students. The
students were delighted to be
involved in the planning of this
space and were keen to give their
ideas on the many usages it could
have. The pupils and staff, led by
Jaime Breward, researched other
school outdoor spaces, products
and costings and held planning
meetings. The space will be used
for outdoor learning, break and
lunch clubs including wellbeing
activities, gardening skills and
intervention sessions (in the sensory
area).

Wellbeing Week

Staff and Sixth Form students are all
keen to promote wellbeing throughout
the school community. Senior Prefects
decided to hold a Wellbeing Week in
February, to support all aspects of
good wellbeing. During the week all
members of the school had the
opportunity to take part in sports and
physical activities, yoga, art therapy
and even a karaoke singalong! There
were also song and dance
performances from our amazing
Performing Arts troupes and
opportunities to seek advice on mental
health. The week was very successful
and provided a great lead up to the
half term holiday.

SPORT Amazing Sporting Achievements

It has been another excellent year for sport at Shoeburyness High School.

We continue to maintain our position as one of the strongest schools in the county in
basketball and finished runners-up in two Essex Cup finals last year. Our under 16
boys progressed to the regional stage of the National Cup.

Our football have also had some amazing results with our talented under 13 football
girls winning the Essex County Futsal Cup and the under 15 finishing runners-up,
missing out on winning the cup by just one goal! Our year 7 boys won the District
Cup Final which is a phenomenal achievement, considering the teams they beat on
their journey to this success.

In the summer term, our Track and Field team produced more fabulous individual
performances with many of our students winning medals and achieving personal
bests at the district finals. Our school records have been maintained as far back as
the seventies and two of these were broken during the district finals. Isabel broke the
girl’s 800m school record with a stunning time of 2:38 with her silver medal
performance in the year 8 district final. She will have the year 9 record held from
1977 in her sights next summer. Kyle produced a stunning throw in the discus final
with a new school record of 30.9m. His record would have also been good enough
to beat the year 9 school record which we are sure he will achieve next summer.

Many of our students continue to spend many hours practising and perfecting their
skills in many individual and team sports. We are as always so proud of what our
students achieve whether this be locally, at county or at national level in their pursuit
of excellence!

Make it Happen and Southend 2050 MAKE IT HAPPEN

Year 9 pupils took part in the 'Writing Your Own Future' Literacy Project which
encouraged pupils to attend higher education. The pupils had a tour of South East
Essex College and took part in a range of writing workshops. These workshops were
led by a local author, a blogger and a journalist. The English Department then held
an awards evening which was the last instalment of the writing project. Each pupil
received a participation certificate and a copy of their published work. We were
lucky enough also to have three students presented with a Make Happen trophy.
These pupils were the overall winners of their categories out of the three schools who
took part in the project.

Southend 2050 Project - the English department also took part in the Southend 2050
Project which saw pupils in KS3 write letters from their future selves with regard to
living in Southend. We undertook this task within our SPaG (Spelling, Punctuation and
Grammar) lessons, drawing on class discussions and debates before applying these to
our writing. Out of the 350 entries, 5 of our pupils were shortlisted for the final. Their
work was put on display in the local Focal Point Gallery for pupils and parents to
view, which was amazing to see. We loved seeing the original ideas pupils came up
with and hope to take part in future writing competitions.

STEM CREST Shoeburyness High STEM goes National
Shoeburyness High School STEM Academy entered student
projects into the Big Bang Competition, a national
competition supporting and developing STEM skills in
students through independent project based work.

Angus, with his project “Can an electric guitar be built from
reclaimed materials?” won the Senior Division Award for the
London region, qualifying for the national finals that were
held in March at the National Exhibition Centre.

Emily, Sophia and Soraya Nelson in year 9 faced stiff
competition from London based schools with their project
“Solar powered boats”. The girls delivered a fantastic
presentation to the judging panel and received very
positive feedback for the quality of their work.

Charity Week COMMUNITY

Every October, the Sixth Form students
hold a week of events to raise money for
local charities. This year the students
chose to support the local branch of
MIND. During the week a huge range of
activities were held including cake sales,
games, a talent show, 'Soak A Scientist'
and a staff football match. The week
culminated in a fancy dress day, with
imagination and creativity coming to the
fore. By the end of the week, more than
£5000 was raised.

Year 12 design clinical research posters for Southend Hospital

In October, our Sixth Form students were invited by the Trustees of Southend
Hospital to create posters to promote clinical research in the NHS. The
students created a series of posters, developing their designs to meet the
requirements of the hospital. With the project completed in June, the
students were invited to present their work to the Trustees and senior
consultants. The posters are now on display throughout the hospital
buildings.

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