We are so proud of our amazing students… From their very first day with us, they take full advantage of the rich and exciting opportunities we offer around our core values and ambitions. We aim to ensure that every individual is inspired to achieve their very best, and receives the care, guidance, and support they need to enjoy learning and fulfill their potential.
At Park House, we are proud to have been recognized as an ‘exceptional school’. A school in which our ‘values-centered ambition for students’ means that:
- Commitment to recognizing each student’s success is evident in all aspects of school life.
- Rich and memorable experiences promote students’ good social, moral, spiritual, and cultural development.
- Students’ well-being and safety are at the heart of the school.
These comments from our June 2016 and 2012 Ofsted Report help to explain why the Minister of State for Education has this year identified us in the top 100 state schools for continuous improvement. As a result, our students are excited by learning, feel valued as individuals, and are encouraged throughout their time here to achieve their full potential. They also make a real difference to the lives of others in the local and wider community through their national award-winning charity work.
Values-centered ambition for students inspired by the Headteacher and governing body drives the school’s effective improvement and planning. We are very proud of that comment because it flowed naturally from a series of related observations about how daily practice, relationships, and behavior at the school is shaped by our adoption of the universal Olympic and Paralympic values as a framework that strongly fosters students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development throughout the curriculum. Emphasizing those values, the report concluded, means that students show 'respect, friendship, and a pursuit of excellence.
Since the last report, that emphasis on values has resulted in us becoming the first school in the country to receive the 'Inspired by 2012' Mark from the Cabinet Office and our latest 2016 Ofsted Report stating that provision is a real strength of the school'. This is further reflected in:
- National Awards For volunteering.
- Outstanding employability skills, resulting in 0% NEET for the last four years.
- A House Praise and Reward system in which students voluntarily identify their peers for acts of kindness, friendship, and support.
- A wide range of fundraising activities in support of the local community, national and international charities.
At Park House, we offer a uniquely personalized curriculum, designed to meet the needs and interests of every student and ensure that they enjoy outstanding progress and achievement. The positive impact of the school curriculum is evident in our student outcomes. Identified by the Minister of State for Education this year, Park House is in the top 100 non-selective state schools in the country for continuous improvement in GCSE results. We are also consistently ranking in the top 15% of Sixth Forms nationally for A-Level progress.
We operate a two-year Key Stage 3 and a three-year Key Stage 4, with GCSEs starting in Year 9 and with most examinations being completed at the end of Year 11. This is designed to:
- Widen subject choice at Key Stages 4 and 5
- Further, personalize the curriculum so that students can learn at the pace which is most appropriate to their individual needs
- Increase the challenge and motivation for students
In Year 7 and 8 students are set by the ability for English, Mathematics, and Science. They are taught in their tutor groups for Humanities, Languages, and Creative Arts. Technology and Physical Education are taught in mixed groups. The school aims for a maximum class size of 28 in Key Stage 3 and this year reports an average of 24.8. All student in Key Stage 3 follows a Personal Development.
In years 9, 10 and 11 students study their GCSE or equivalent examination courses. Our three-year Key Stage 4 allows students more time to study their chosen subjects as well as providing them with the best opportunity to achieve their full potential in the core curriculum areas.
The majority of Park House School students follow GCSE courses in English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Science Trilogy (double GCSE), Humanity (Geography or History), and Modern Foreign Language. More able scientists follow the Separate Science pathway, leading to three GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. All participate in Physical Education, which is also extended into the Optional Curriculum for those wishing to obtain a GCSE qualification. In addition to the seven core GCSEs, students select three courses from the Optional Curriculum. These include GCSE and BTEC Level 2 courses.
Our Sixth Form is made up of 225 students following a variety of courses, with average class sizes of 10.5. Students who miss the entry requirements for the Level 3 Curriculum can follow a range of learning pathways suited to their individual needs. Our Level 2 learning pathway consists of GCSE English, GCSE Mathematics, and three Level 2 BTEC courses. Successful completion of these one-year courses will allow students access to the Level 3 program of study. Our Fusion pathway combines a smaller number of Level 2 courses with appropriate A-Level, or equivalent Level 3 courses.
