89084 de Stafford Prospectus

de Stafford School
Grow, Learn, Believe, and Achieve

“ My daughter thoroughly enjoys school and thrives to be the
best that she can be. Her whole persona and attitude to
learning has gone from strength to strength. She adores
all her teachers and has made an array of new friends.
All in all, I am so delighted with her introduction to
secondary school and cannot praise the sta highly
enough.”

Parent of Year 7 student

Grow, Learn, Believe, and Achieve

1

Welcome to
de Stafford

We are delighted to welcome you to de Stafford. We are privileged to work with an incredibly This prospectus aims to provide you with an insight
We are a vibrant, smaller than average secondary dedicated and talented staff who are highly driven into the character and ethos of de Stafford. However,
school for students aged 11-16 years old where all in delivering the best possible education for our to fully appreciate what the school has to offer, we
members of the community are highly valued and students. Our relentless focus on learning and warmly invite you to come and see us in action. We
respected as individuals. achievement ensures lessons are underpinned by adopt an open door philosophy and I would actively
creativity, innovation and challenge. Without encourage you to visit the school as many times as
Educating children is without doubt a great doubt, good exam results are essential; they open you like. Every day is Open Day at de Stafford and we
responsibility and privilege. We are committed to doors and empower children to achieve their welcome visitors into our community throughout
ensuring de Stafford provides all students with an dreams. However, at de Stafford we also believe in the year.
outstanding learning experience so that they are a well-rounded education where a strong focus on
fully prepared for the challenges of the modern examination outcomes is allied with an extensive Jeremy Garner Jeff Place
world; where excellent examination results are and diverse programme of enrichment Executive Headteacher Head of School
achieved within a structure that supports the opportunities.
development of highly aspirational and confident
young adults, comfortable of their place within
society and the positive contribution they can
make to it.

3

A Focus on
Learning & Progress

Learning is our overriding priority. Through our Our teachers all demonstrate a real passion for their access to an alternative curriculum. We set students
engaging curriculum and highly qualified staff, we subject areas and are committed to the continuous aspirational targets based on their ability and prior
strive to provide a stimulating experience for every improvement of their own practice by actively attainment but there is certainly no ceiling imposed.
student, every lesson, every day by adopting a engaging with our bespoke professional development We firmly believe that expectation shapes
dynamic and personalised approach that helps programme, including the opportunity for further performance and we guide, challenge and support
students to become active learners. study at Master’s degree level, as well as sharing our students every step of the way so that they
strategies and resources with colleagues in local schools. achieve the very best possible outcomes.
Shaped to the needs of individuals, our curriculum
ensures all students make good progress on their We have rigorous procedures in place to track student “ You maintain a good standard of education for
unique learning journey. Our focus, not only on progress throughout their journey with us so that we your students. Almost all parents who completed
academic excellence but also the softer skills can identify potential under-achievement very early on the online survey believe that the school is well
essential to meaningful employability, ensures that in the process. Our interventions menu is tailored led and managed and would recommend the
we open doors to the future and raise aspirations specifically to meet the needs of students and includes school to others.”
for all of our students. one-to-one mentoring, additional support or providing
Ofsted, 2019

5

Achievement
for All

Our curriculum is broad and balanced throughout We have a dedicated team of specialists with a proven
both Key Stage 3 and 4. We strongly believe in being track record in providing tailored support for students
a fully inclusive school and ensure that we have the with disabilities or additional needs. This may include
curriculum in place to support such a philosophy. extended curriculum tasks, small group work or referral
We challenge those who are academically very able, to the school’s learning support department.
as evidenced by the quality of GCSE results at the
top end, but have adapted the curriculum to Our More Able Coordinator works closely with subject
effectively meet the needs of those who find staff to ensure a stimulating programme for our high
learning more difficult. ability students, including outreach work at Reigate
College and the opportunity to undertake Oxbridge
We are committed to the concept of personalisation taster visits.
whereby every student within our care accesses a
pathway that is appropriate to their needs in order “ Teachers are ardent in setting challenging
to achieve their own level of personal excellence. extensions that help me reach my full potential. I
We are proud that we regularly provide students also feel that they set appropriate homework,
with the platform to go on and read undergraduate according to individual ability.”
degrees at the top Russell Group universities but we
take equal satisfaction from seeing former students Year 9 student
thrive on more vocational pathways.

“One of the many things we appreciate about the
staff at de Stafford is that you so often comment
on the character and attitude of the students as
well as the academic achievement. As a parent, to
see this happening at school as well as home is
so encouraging. So, thank you for your
all-rounded care of our children.”

Parent of Year 7, 8 and 10 students

7

Outstanding
Care and Support

We pride ourselves on an outstanding pastoral We firmly believe that the building blocks are in place
system which enables students to learn well and for all students to experience long-term happiness and
make excellent progress. We are committed to success with us here at de Stafford but perhaps the
providing all of our students with the opportunity most pressing and immediate concern is how quickly
to grow, learn and flourish within a calm, happy they will settle into the secondary school environment.
and purposeful school environment based on a Each year we receive very positive feedback in terms of
culture of high expectations and mutual respect. our transition arrangements and we view a successful
induction programme, which includes a summer
Underpinning this area is the emphasis we place school in the holiday before entry, as the first step on
on the unique identity of each respective year the road to happiness and fulfilment.
group and the individual SAM
(Social and Academic Mentor) groups within “I have always been so impressed with the
them. It is the caring and supportive pastoral pastoral care at de Stafford - you always
system, complemented by the development of answer any queries I have quickly and
enduring friendship groups, which ensures sensitively. It is evident that you know all your
students feel happy and safe, allowing them to students as individuals and that you
flourish in their time at the school. The school genuinely care about them.”
also benefits greatly from a very positive
relationship with parents, working together in Parent of Year 10 student
our common aim to encourage and support
every child.

9

Calm, Purposeful
Environment

Creating and fostering a culture of mutual respect behaviour, rewarding and praising positive
and support where students feel safe and supported behaviour whenever possible. However, we
in their learning is absolutely fundamental to all that cannot and do not tolerate disruption to
we do. Visitors to the school invariably comment on lessons; any concerns are dealt with quickly to
the calm, purposeful atmosphere that pervades the avoid escalation and we will invariably involve
corridors and classrooms. parents to support this process.

For students to make progress, both socially and “Lessons are calm and purposeful.
academically, it is vital that they can work in a Students behave well and respond
positive climate conducive to learning, within the positively to teacher's instructions.
classroom and beyond. Our code of conduct is not As a result, students learn well across
up for negotiation; when borne out in practice it a range of subjects.”
ensures the focus is on high quality learning which
enables students at all levels to make progress. We Ofsted, 2019
take a proactive stance towards managing student

11

Opportunities and
Enrichment

Making sure your child is thriving academically is naturally and raise their cultural awareness. There are clubs
of fundamental importance to you and to us. We need to and extra classes in all subjects and an after school
ensure doors are left wide open as a result of the academic study support group where students can receive
outcomes they achieve here. Of equal importance, help with homework and extended learning
however, is the development of the whole child. We projects. We also offer a full range of provision in
genuinely believe in a well-rounded education where an Drama, Music and Sport and develop leadership
extensive and diverse range of enrichment opportunities characteristics through accredited programmes
complement academic success. such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme
and Rotary Young Leadership Award.
All of our students are offered a wide choice of enrichment
and extension activities to broaden their minds and There are numerous occasions throughout the
develop self-confidence. We encourage students to join in year where our students work with the local
and take full advantage of every opportunity made community to foster positive links, which centre
available to them. around charity work through fundraising and
volunteering. Our goal is for every student to
We run a wide variety of educational trips and visits, engage in at least one activity on a regular basis
both home and abroad, which enhance students’ that will expand their learning and enrich their
understanding of areas related to the curriculum educational experience.

13

“Teachers plan well organised activities. They consistently use the school's assessment policy
to understand which students need help in catching up. As a result, activities are increasingly
challenging.”

Ofsted, 2019

"I am so glad that we were lucky enough to get a place for my daughter 15
at de Stafford. Her confidence has grown because of the school and
long may it continue!”

Parent of Year 7 student

Post-16 College
Provision

de Stafford is an 11-16 school but we have two Throughout the year there are a variety of
post-16 partner colleges with whom we have a very opportunities for our students to engage with these
close affiliation and we consider them to be our post-16 opportunities, including taster days in Year
‘off-site sixth form’. Through a formal partnership all 10 at each of the colleges and regular guest
students who want to progress on to Reigate College, speakers who come in to school.
or East Surrey College, and achieve the necessary
grades, are guaranteed a place. Places at these high As a result of our relationship with our partner
performing colleges are highly sought after but the colleges, we have an excellent track record of
preferred status given to de Stafford students ensuring every student progresses onto a
alleviates the anxiety of being put on a long programme of learning that meets their
waiting list. The breadth of provision means that we individual needs and enables them to achieve
are able to signpost students to a diverse range of their future goals.
courses, from the traditional academic offer to more
specialised, vocational programmes of study.



de Stafford School
Grow, Learn, Believe, and Achieve

Executive Headteacher: Jeremy Garner
Burntwood Lane, Caterham, Surrey CR3 5YX

01883 347818
info@destafford.org.uk

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GLF

An Academy within GLF Schools