The Urswick School

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The Urswick School is looking forward to celebrating its quincentenary in 2020 making it one of the oldest schools in the country.
Where possible, the same number of children will be admitted into each of the four bands to ensure a balanced intake that reflects the full ability range. Children with statements of Special Education Need (SEN) and looked after children who do not take the tests will be allocated an appropriate band based on an alternative assessment (for example, KS2 Teacher Assessments in English and Maths).
Having received a band allocation based on their CAT score, children will be awarded places within each band using the oversubscription criteria. Where the number of applicants for admission is greater than the published admissions number, applications will be considered against the criteria set out below. After the admission of children with statements of SEN where The Urswick School is named on the statement.
The Governors will designate 50% of the remaining annual intake as Foundation Places (Church), with the remainder classified as Community Places (Open). Vacant places in one category will be taken by oversubscription from the other. If either or both of the categories of Foundation and Community places are oversubscribed, then the remaining places will be allocated using the oversubscribed criteria and procedures.
Applications for In-Year admissions are made in the same way as those made during the normal admissions round. If a place is available and there is no waiting list then the Governors will communicate their offer of a place to the family. If more applications are received than there are places available, then applications will be ranked by the governing body under the oversubscription criteria without reference to banding.
If a place cannot be offered at this time, then you may ask for the reasons and you will be informed of your right of appeal. You will be offered the opportunity of being placed on a waiting list. This waiting list will be maintained by the governing body in the order of the oversubscription criteria (as detailed above) and not in the order in which the applications are received. Names are removed from the list at the end of each academic year. When a place becomes available the governing body will decide who is at the top of the list so that the parent/carer can be informed that the School is making an offer.
The Urswick School Sixth Form is a small provision offering excellent opportunities for students to progress to the University of their choice. Primarily designed for existing members of year 11, we also welcome applications from external applicants. Sixth Form students benefit from excellent facilities in our award-winning new building. Most lessons start at 9.30 am and finish at 4 pm. The library is open until 5 pm.
The OFSTED accredited organization ALPS (Advanced Level Performance System) evaluates the data of school and Sixth Form Colleges. Each school is then given a score in terms of how much progress Sixth Form students have made from their different starting points and the effectiveness of the teaching students receive. In 2017 Urswick’s ALPS Score in respect of year 12 AS Level and Year 13 A Level places The Urswick School Sixth Form Academy in the top 10% of schools nationally. This means our Sixth Form is graded Outstanding.
The Urswick School Sixth Form Academy offers a range of A-Level and BTEC subjects. Students study three or four AS Levels, followed by A2s in Year 13. They are placed in small tutor groups with specialist members of staff to support UCAS applications. We also offer a range of additional qualifications which will run alongside our main courses to enrich our curriculum offer. These could include the ASDAN Certificate of Personal Effectiveness at Level 3, Sports Leaders Awards, and other work / finance-related qualifications.
At The Urswick School, we work hard to meet all aspects of our duty of care for our students. As the internet becomes an integral part of our and our children's lives, we also provide the necessary guidance and support in e-safety. Although the internet offers many positive opportunities, it is vitally important to know how to safely and appropriately use this technology. With children starting to use computers from a very early age, parents also need to be aware of issues around safe internet use and the precautions that they need to take.
In 2014 we were named by the Department for Education as one of the Top 100 most improved schools nationwide. This is recognition of our transformed GCSE results over the last six years the proportion of students achieving 5+ A* to C grades with English and maths have more than doubled. Earlier this year we were awarded Artsmark Gold by Arts Council England in recognition of the excellence of our provision for Arts education. We are also members of the London Mayor’s Gold Club. The Urswick School was invited to join this prestigious group because of our ‘exceptional outcomes for all pupils whatever their circumstances.
Our latest Ofsted report judged the school to be good with outstanding features. Ofsted praised the ‘exemplary’ behavior of our students and judged the leadership of our school to be outstanding. In the last three years, we have successfully established our Sixth Form Academy which offers a range of A-Level qualifications in English, maths, the sciences, history, psychology, sports science, drama, art, and many other subjects. Each year our partnership with Gordonstoun School, the world-famous independent school in Scotland, results in scholarships being awarded to Urswick students to study A-Levels at Gordonstoun, together with other study visits for Sixth Form Academy students. Our name change in September 2011 heralded a bright new future. We are proud of our history, and to maintain our links with the past we chose the name in tribute to Christopher Urswick who founded free education in Hackney in 1520. Urswick’s vision, which we remain dedicated to nearly 500 years later, is to provide the best possible education for local children of all backgrounds, abilities, and beliefs.
If you are looking to educate your child in a caring environment focused on achievement, then come to The Urswick School. We are the smallest mixed secondary school in Hackney and surrounding boroughs. We are friendly and welcoming, offering excellent care, guidance, and support, along with high standards of behavior and academic achievement.

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