We are a small, friendly school with a happy and welcoming environment. We believe that all children have the right to the best education possible. Every member of staff is committed to providing high quality education which meets the needs of all our pupils and helps them to achieve their full potential.
Thank you for taking the time to
browse our website. I hope that you find it informative and that it answers any
questions you may have. My name is Brian Doherty and I feel truly privileged to
lead such a wonderful school and to have the opportunity of ensuring that each
child at Highters Heath Community School receives the best possible education
in their formative years.
Our staff are dedicated, hardworking
and experienced. We provide a safe, calm and caring atmosphere in school and
foster a hardworking ethos based on an enjoyment of learning within a stable
environment. We expect a great deal from our children and they do not
disappoint us. We are pleased to offer a varied selection of enrichment and
enhancement opportunities and possess excellent links with our diverse
community – we are very proud of our reputation as a warm, welcoming, family
school.
The Staff and Governors continually
seek the views of parents, carers and visitors to our school. We recognise that
parents play a huge role in the education of their children and as such, we
welcome your support and co-operation in making your child’s time at Highters
Heath enjoyable.
We encourage an “I can!” attitude in
our children, and have an aspiration for all our children that through their
school journey they will fulfil their academic potential and become successful
lifelong learners. In addition, we endeavour that our children will possess
high levels of both social and emotional intelligence so that they are well
placed to succeed and thrive in the future, becoming active and productive
members of our community.
Please call at any time to make an
appointment to see either myself or my team – all members of staff will value
discussing any aspect of your child’s education and general welfare.
Brian Doherty
When a child leaves Highters Heath Community School, they will have developed a life-long love of learning which will drive their own education forward. The skills of independent learning that they will have acquired throughout their time here, along with their literacy and numeracy skills, will enable them to access and engage within the school system, leading to successful life choices. Our children, once adults, will be ambitious, confident, resilient and responsible members of our community. They will be able to contribute effectively by using the wide range of skills developed, encouraged and enhanced within our school.
In order to achieve this, our children receive excellent pastoral care which focuses on the child as a whole, nurturing them to feel a sense of responsibility, and to become global citizens who contribute positively to the world around them. Our challenging curriculum has been designed and developed to foster excitement and engagement in the acquisition of knowledge, and to meet the specific needs of our community.
Our pupils’ mental health and well-being is a high priority, and our full time learning mentor ensures that they are given the time, space and strategies they need in a safe environment. We are very much a family of individuals - made up of a wide variety of cultures, religions, economic backgrounds, abilities and gender identities - and we acknowledge, encourage and celebrate these differences. We support each other through the various challenges we meet, and strategies such as restorative justice and philosophy for children help pupils to develop the skills required to promote this ethos.
Overall School Priorities/Key Issues for Action & Training 2021/22
The priorities are linked with the data analysis of school performance from summer 2021. Class targets, co-ordinators’ targets and individual targets are linked by job descriptions to Performance Management targets.
Our Main Priorities for 2021-22:
A. To continue to raise the rates of progress in order to improve standards across the school.
B. To continue to develop the wider curriculum.
C. To ensure accuracy of assessment across the school.
Within these main priorities we can identify key focus areas.
A1 Increase the number of children (particularly disadvantaged, boys and more-able children), who achieve ARE+ in maths, reading and writing at the end of KS2.
A2 Improve the rates of progress for pupils with SEND, from their own individual starting points.
A3 Focused and effective teaching strategies in place to ensure accelerated progress.
A4 Ensure more-able pupils are challenged in mathematics to achieve greater depth standard.
B1 Continue to develop the wider curriculum, ensuring the school strands are embedded throughout.
B2 Continue to develop middle leaders so that they can effectively lead their own subject areas.
B3 Support teachers in the implementation of the new writing curriculum.
B4 Implement Jigsaw as a whole school approach to the teaching of PSHEE.
C1 Implement the EYFS Baseline assessment to ensure accurate assessment of pupils’ starting points.
C2 Use standardised test across the school to ensure accuracy of teacher assessment.
C3 Develop moderation programme with partner schools.
At Highters Heath Community School, we believe that it is important for children to have a wide variety of experiences.
We will therefore do our best to guarantee that, during their 7 years at Highters Heath, the children will have the following experiences:
Each child will:
Highters Heath: Where We All Say I Can!
Our School Strands:
Our curriculum is linked by 5 key strands (see strand definitions) that are woven into our lessons. These are:
Rationale:
At Highters Heath we follow the 2014 National Curriculum. As well as making best use of the National Curriculum, we have also added features that are vital to our pupils.
We are in the highest quintile for deprivation, and a high number of pupils are classified as being Pupil Premium. It is therefore of vital importance that we enable the children to have a variety of different experiences, that they may not otherwise get. These include: trips, visitors, meeting people with a variety of careers, completing jobs to contribute to our school community, understanding different faiths, the incorporation of British Values etc. This helps our pupils to have a variety of experiences/opportunities, which equip them to be educated citizens in later life.
In our community, many pupils enter the school system with lower than average communication and language abilities, and limited life experiences. It is therefore our responsibility to incorporate opportunities to increase our pupil’s vocabulary acquisition, and to enable them to develop opportunities to express themselves in different contexts.
Implementation
The Teaching Approaches At Highters Heath:
When teaching the curriculum, we use a variety of different approaches/resources, adapting to our individual pupils needs within that class and ensuring that our lessons remain inspiring and engaging. Some teaching approaches that we regularly use are:
Mathematics |
English |
General (throughout all) |
CPA (Concrete, pictorial, Abstract) |
Talk for Writing |
Philosophy For Children |
White Rose |
Reciprocal Reading |
SEAL |
Teaching for mastery |
Alan Peat |
Restorative Justice |
Read, Write, Ink |
Building Learning Power |
|
Letterjoin |
We strongly believe that our pupils learn best through experiencing their learning. To this end, the provision of trips and visitors in clearly mapped out to reinforce and support the classroom teaching (see the HH Guarantee).
We use some schemes of work in some subjects however, these are not followed to the letter and are adapted according to the needs of the pupils in that class:
Computing |
PE |
RE |
MFL |
Music |
Rising Stars |
PE Hub |
Birmingham Agreed Syllabus |
Rigolo |
Music Express |
Curriculum Progression:
It is of vital importance that our curriculum allows our pupils to grow and develop their skills for every subject. In order to ensure that this happens effectively, each subject (including the individual units and skills) is mapped out and sequenced by the subject co-ordinator. This ensures that our pupils leave our school having gained essential skills in later life, in all key subjects, and that they can apply them in different contexts. The transitional support that our pupils receive, when changing from one stage of school life to another, ensures that our pupils can move on with confidence and self-assurance, taking their key skills, knowledge and understanding with them.
Our children will leave Highters Heath confident children, able to achieve and to develop key relationships effectively. They will have positive mental attitudes, allowing them to learn from mistakes, and to use them to work towards success. Our children have the right to achieve their potential, and we have the responsibility to enable them to.
We have identified these 5 specific strands that are of key importance to the development of the pupils here. They run throughout the curriculum.
Pastoral care is central to the well-being and development of the individual child. We recognise that a high quality of pastoral care forms the foundations for happy and confident children. For that reason, we aim to provide our pupils with the social and emotional support they need to enable them to reach their maximum potential.
Mrs F. Lindsay – Pastoral team leader/Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator
Mr D.Purcell – Learning Mentor, Website Manager
Mrs H. Schauker - HLTA
Mrs H. Wright – Personal, Social, Health, Emotional and Economic Co-ordinator
Mentoring
Mentoring is an important part of our pastoral care. Our learning mentors work closely with children to overcome barriers to learning and develop social and emotional well-being. This may take the form of one-to-one sessions, small group work or targeted interventions. They also work closely with parents and carers, providing support when needed.
SPARKs
SPARKs (Social, Proactive, Assertive and Resilient Kids) is a 10-week programme for Year 2 pupils, aimed at raising children’s self-esteem and developing their social skills. Each week we focus on a particular skill such as: empathy; active listening; controlling behaviour and being assertive. The groups are of mixed ability, allowing children to learn from each other. The programme ends with a special celebration where children receive a certificate a SPARKs book to take home.
Friends for Life
Friends for Life is a programme which takes place with small groups of children, usually from Year 5. This programme aims to assist children in developing life skills. Small group work encourages peer learning and builds peer support networks. It promotes self-confidence in dealing with difficult or anxiety-provoking situations, builds emotional resilience and the ability to problem solve.
Transition
We understand the importance of preparing our Year 6 pupils for the end of Key Stage assessments (SATs) as we recognise that this can be an anxious time for many children. During the Spring term pupils can attend a homework club where they are supported in completing SATs-style questions. In addition to this they complete a ‘Building Resilience’ programme with the school’s Senior Learning Mentor.
To ensure a smooth transition, we liaise with the secondary schools which our pupils go on to attend. For some pupils, this involves activities such as additional visits and participation in a ‘Moving On’ programme.
Pupils are supported in the move to their new year groups in a variety of different ways. Particular focus is given to pupils moving to a new key stage.
RESULTS AT HIGHTERS HEATH
Early Years Foundation Stage (end of the Reception year)
Our “Good Level of Development” in 2019 was 69.2%. The national average in 2019 was 72%.
Y1 Phonics Tests
73% of year 1 pupils passed the phonics screening test. The national average in 2019 was 82%.
KS1 SATs results 2019
KS2 SATs results 2019
2019 Results with Comparison to National Averages
Pupils achieving expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths – 67% (National average 65%)
Pupils achieving the higher standard in Reading, Writing and Maths - 10% (National average 10.5%)
Progress from KS1 to KS2: Reading -0.3, Writing -0.57, Maths -0.77
Average scaled scores: Reading - 105 (National average – 104)
Maths – 105 (National average - 105)
Highters Heath Community School is committed to the highest standards in protecting and safeguarding the children in our care.
In order to protect our children, we aim to:
All staff and volunteers receive Child protection and Safeguarding training annually. No staff or volunteers are allowed in school without valid DBS checks.
We talk to the children regularly about e-safety. We would like to remind parents that children must be 13 to have a Facebook account. If your child is communicating with others on the internet via Facetime or through their games consoles, please monitor who they are communicating with and what they are saying. This is not an invasion of your child’s privacy, it is about keeping your child safe! If you would like some advice on e-safety, please talk to Miss Hardwick.
If you have any concerns, however small, please speak to Mr Doherty (Headteacher), Mrs Mudge (Deputy Headteacher and Designated Lead Person for Safeguarding) or Mrs Richards (Chair of Governors and Safeguarding Governor).
Take a look at our Safeguarding policies by clicking on the folder below:
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Click the folder below to find out about our sports funding
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At Home
As a parent you'll know how important the internet is to children - they use it to learn, play, socialise and express themselves. It's a highly creative place of amazing opportunities. But the technology children use every day can seem a bit daunting and you might worry about the risks your child can face online - such as bullying, contact from strangers or the possibility of them seeing illegal or inappropriate content.
You can download a simple checklist here that may help you start to protect your children online and decrease the risks they face. Or you can engage with your children regarding their use of the internet while at home. Here are some conversation starter ideas from www.childnet.com
It’s essential to be realistic - banning the internet or technology will not work and it often makes a child less likely to report a problem. Education around safe use is essential.
Search engines
Please note that no search engine is ever 100% safe but below provides some links to some “safer” search engines:
Research searching
CBBC
Google offers a safer search option for children searching on the Internet. You can find out how to do this by downloading the instructions at the bottom of the page.
Image searching
Pics4Learning
picsearch
Here are a range of useful guides you can view and follow. Just click on the link on the one you wish to view.
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School has been very supportive of myself and the children. I’ve had someone on the other end of the phone if I’ve needed them, All the staff are doing an excellent job in these difficult times, putting our children first before anything else and myself and the children wish to say thank you to everyone and please stay safe and see you soon
Year 3 parent
School are always helpful when needed. The Communication with parents is excellent and have always been kept informed throughout.
Year 1 parent
The school’s been amazing and so supportive with regular updates via text, twitter and the website. The teacher’s letters have always been spot on with enough to keep the children up to date with learning but not too much that as a parent I feel overwhelmed. Thank you Highters Heath.
Year 6 parent
Highters Heath is a brilliant school and I feel all of my children are progressing well with the support that they need. Thank you.
Year 3, 4 & 6 parent
My son has become the very best version of himself at this school. Thank you for all you do.
Year 5 parent
I think this school is the best. Well done to all the staff at Highters Heath. I would recommend this school to anyone.
Year 2 & 5 parent
Meet The Staff
School Letters
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Previous School Letters
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School News
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Wednesday 5th January 2022- School reopens to all pupils
Tuesday 11th January 2022 - Y5 Timezone (Anglo Saxons and Vikings)
Tuesday 11th January 2022 - Y6 SATs homework club begins (Every Tuesday, 3:15pm/4:15pm)
Thursday 20th January 2022 - BCM Assembly
Monday 7th February until Friday 11th February - E-Safety Week
Friday 18th February 2022 - School closes for Half Term
Monday 28th February 2022 - School reopens to all pupils
Tuesday 1st March 2022 - Y6 National Offer Day (Secondary School places)
Thursday 3th March 2022 - World Book Day
Thursday 3rd March 2022 - Interim Reports to go out to Parents
Thursday 10th March 2022 - Y4 Timezone (Romans)
Friday 11th March 2022 - Y5 and Y6 Football Team (League fixtures, taking place at Christ Church Academy)
Tuesday 22nd March 2022 - Reception's trip to a Farm
Thursday 24th March 2022 - Birmingham City Mission assembly
Friday 25th March 2022 - Y5 and Y6 Football Team (League fixtures, taking place at Christ Church Academy)
Wednesday 30th March 2022 - Birmingham Royal Ballet to visit Y1
Friday 8th April 2022 - School closes for Easter Holidays (1pm)
Other events will be added to the page throughout the term.
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Here are our latest term dates
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PHSE INFORMATION
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Important Information
Under current government guidelines, the 3 main symptoms to be aware of for COVID-19 in children are:
- A high temperature (Above 37.8)
- A new, continuous cough.
- A loss/change of taste or smell.
It is vital that you have your own thermometer at home so you can measure your child's temperature accurately and correctly. You will need this information when speaking to Health Professionals. If your child or anyone in your child's household is showing any of these symptoms, you MUST complete a COVID-19 test (LFD test).
If your child tests positive for COVID-19, they will now be required to isolate for at least 5 days. You will need to complete LFD tests with your child from Day 5. If they test negative for TWO consecutive days, they will be able to leave isolation and return to school. Please contact school for further information if required.
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Highters Heath Community School, Highters Heath Lane, Kings Heath, Birmingham, B14 4LY
Highters Heath School Uniform
The overall aim of this policy is to promote each child’s right to express their gender and personality in whichever way feels right for them. To support this aim, our uniform policy is gender neutral. This means that whilst we expect all of our children to wear school uniform, the rules for boys and girls are the same, and we do not insist that they wear specific items of clothing.
Items with school logo are available at Clive Marks in Kings Heath, but it is much cheaper to buy plain items which are perfectly acceptable.
Please ensure that ALL items of clothing and uniform are clearly labelled with your child’s name, as these are easier to identify, and we cannot be responsible for items that go missing.
Home-School Links
If you know of any other websites that you have found useful, please let us know.
Please find below the P.E timetable for the 2021-22 academic year.
Please remember that when it is your child's day for P.E, your child will be expected to use their P.E kit. P.E kits must consist of a white t-shirt, black shorts and black pumps.
If you have any questions, please contact us.
Time | AM 1 | Am 2 | PM 1 | PM 2 |
---|---|---|---|---|
MONDAY | YR 3 | YR 4 | ||
TUESDAY | YR 5 | YR 2 | ||
WEDNESDAY | YR R | |||
THURSDAY | YR 5 | YR 1 | ||
FRIDAY | YR 3 | YR 6 | YR 4 |
Highters Heath Community School Governor List
Name |
Status |
Register of Business Interest |
Start / Expire |
Attendance for the previous academic year |
Mrs Susan Richards |
Chair of Governors, Co-opted Governor, Link Governor for safeguarding |
None |
10/04/2019 - 09/04/2023 |
71% 5 of 7 meetings |
Mr Chris Sambrook |
Vice Chair of Governors, Local Authority Governor, Link Governor for Pupil premium |
Print Continuum Ltd, Governor at Woodrush High School |
10/04/2019 - 09/04/2023 |
57% 4 of 7 meetings |
Mrs Pamela Skermer |
Co-opted Governor, Link Governor for Health and Safety |
Chapel Consultancy |
10/04/2019 - 09/04/2023 |
86% 6 of 7 meetings |
Rev. Lydia Gaston |
Co-opted Governor, Link Governor for Maths |
Christ Church, Yardley Wood, Yardley Great Trust, Governor at Yardley Wood Community Primary School |
10/04/2019 - 09/04/2023 |
86% 6 of 7 meetings |
Mrs Joanne Smith |
Parent Governor |
None |
01/04/2020- 31/03/2024 |
100% 2 of 2 meetings |
Mr Brian Doherty |
Head Teacher |
None |
10/07/2019 - 01/07/2023 |
100% 7 of 7 meetings |
Mr Shem Samuda |
Parent Governor |
None |
31/03/2021- 30/03/2025 |
N/A |
Mrs Emma Mudge |
Staff Governor |
None |
01/06/2020- 31/05/2024 |
100% 2 of 2 meetings |
Mrs Claire Lockey |
Clerk |
None |
21/09/2016 - |
We currently have no vacancies.
Please email office@hightersheath.co.uk for any information or questions.
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