We are a school that focuses on and celebrates academic achievement whilst also developing the whole child. We provide broad and balanced learning experiences to excite and engage our children. We are a happy, friendly school that builds confidence and independence. The children at Highfield achieve high standards in English, maths, and science but also excel in the arts, music, and sport. Our inspiring curriculum is engaging and inclusive and develops the key skills needed so that our children are ready to move on to the next stage of their education.
We work closely within our community and are a school at the heart of Shortlands. Our core values reflect the way we work and respond to each other. These are respect, creativity, honesty, responsibility, determination, and appreciation.
The Highfield Schools are delighted to be part of the Nexus Education School Trust (NEST), and although we work very closely with them, the governance of our schools is carried out by the Local Committee working across both Highfield Schools.
The role of the Local Committee is to provide strategic leadership and to fulfill our statutory obligations. Our key responsibilities are:
- Setting the aims and objectives for the schools
- Setting the policies for achieving those aims and objectives
- Monitoring and evaluating the progress made towards achieving these aims and objectives
- Being a source of challenge and support to the Headteacher and Leadership Team.
The International Primary Curriculum (IPC) combines all the subjects of the National Curriculum in a thematic and creative curriculum. It has a clear process of learning and specific learning goals for every subject, including international mindedness and personal learning targets.
The IPC has been designed to ensure rigorous learning but also to help teachers make learning exciting, active, and meaningful. The IPC takes a global approach helping children to connect their learning to where they are living now as well as looking at the perspective of other people in different countries.
Whilst there are many benefits to Children using technologies such as the Internet and mobile phones, please remain very aware that there are risks.
Children need to learn ways they can take care of their safety and security, but they are still very young so great vigilance is required. It is imperative that as a parent/carer any child’s usage of the Internet and, if they have them, mobile phones are closely monitored.
At Highfield, we aim to develop skills and attitudes that will help the children function as positively and as safely as possible using technology. Below are some useful documents and website links to help further with this, this includes setting up and enabling online parental settings.
We enjoy a high level of commitment and enthusiasm from staff, children, parents, and governors which creates a friendly and purposeful atmosphere. We place importance on achieving the highest possible standards for our children, not just in the academic field but also in the wider curriculum.
We are proud of our successes and of the enrichment opportunities that we offer to children at lunchtimes, before and after school. These take many forms such as individual and ensemble instrumental lessons, choir, netball, tennis, hockey, football, gymnastics, fun and fitness, dance, cross-country running, chess, and ICT. The school has a breakfast and after-school provision which is shared with Highfield Infants' School.
Children from each year group are elected to become members of the School Council and help to inform whole school decision making. Other jobs of responsibility include class monitors, eco monitors, year 6 House Captains, Highfield Infants/Junior School messengers, ICT monitors, and playground buddies.
