The Weald School

“This is an outstanding school” (Ofsted 2013)

The Weald School is an 11-18 mixed comprehensive with around 1,800 students. This includes a thriving Sixth Form of about 350 students. Our students are at the heart of all that we do. The Weald is a warm, friendly and vibrant school at the centre of the community with a wonderful family feel, where each student is known and cared for. Pupils are well behaved, have a very positive attitude and enjoy coming to school. There are excellent relationships between staff and students. We believe that all our students have the potential for excellence. We work towards this by having high expectations of students and staff, by continually raising aspirations and by promoting our students’ self-belief alongside strong moral values.

The school has done well in recent years and has achieved record results. In our October 2013 Ofsted inspection, we were delighted that the school was judged to be “Outstanding” in all categories.

In 2020, student performance at GCSE was again strong, with 75% of students achieving both English and maths GCSEs at a 4 or above. Students’ performance on the Progress 8 scale, which measures progress from KS2 to KS4, has been very positive in recent years with a rolling three year average of +0.4 grades. This means that students made on average +0.4 of a grade more progress in each GCSE than students in the rest of the UK. This puts us in the top 20% of schools nationally for progress. In 2020, Weald students also achieved another excellent set of A Level results: 75% of grades were at A*-C and 48% at A*-B. 26% of students achieved grades at A* and A. Results across the ability range were again very good. 100% of our students who applied to University gained places.

Our long term results place The Weald as one of the highest performing non-selective Sixth Forms in West Sussex and the South of England.

Central to our belief is the support of students of all abilities. We are keen that every student makes the progress they are capable of, irrespective of ability. We are keen to use the themes of creativity, innovation, student leadership and teamwork to develop students both personally and academically.

Our curriculum is broad and balanced and offers many exciting opportunities for all students, both in school and out. Students study Key Stage 4 over three years. This presents real opportunities for creativity and varied approaches to learning through both GCSE and BTEC vocational qualifications. There are tremendous extra-curricular opportunities at The Weald through sport, performing arts, Radio Weald, Weald TV, on-going links with our partner schools in Europe, Africa and China, the Duke of Edinburgh award, as well as a number of other trips. In short, we believe there is something for everyone at the school.

We believe achievement is not just about qualifications. Personal development is key to what we do. Ofsted noted, “The wide range of enrichment and extra-curricular opportunities available to support students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is impressive”. We have a very active School Council and a strong student voice within the school. We also have a close and effective partnership with our parents and carers. We listen to their views and use them to inform the work of the school. Attendance at school events is high, and an effective governing body has a full representation of parents.

I genuinely feel it is an honour and privilege for me to be able to lead and develop further the education of the children at The Weald. Our students are a joy to work with. Ofsted described them as, “Polite, courteous and respectful” and that they, “Thrive in the school’s culture of high expectations and mutual respect”. The school is a fantastic place both to study as a student, and to work as a member of staff.

About the School

The Weald School serves the local community from a pleasant 25-acre site on the edge of Billingshurst. Our size offers us many advantages. We have excellent facilities, allowing us to offer a wide and varied range of academic and vocational courses at all levels. The Weald campus has been steadily improved in recent years.

The Learning Resource Centre and Music block were built in the late 1990s, followed by the floodlit all-weather astro-turf pitch. An £11m expansion programme completed in 2017 funded a new teaching block for maths and art and a 400 seat dining facility. Additional improvements include new science laboratories, media room and TV studio, changing rooms, drama suite, music block and a pastoral provision area. There is also a swimming pool and fitness centre (adjoining the school site and run by DC Leisure / Horsham District Council), and two multi-use games areas.

The Weald School offers all students:

• A well-planned, broad and balanced curriculum
• A record of excellent examination results
• Well qualified specialist staff combining innovative and traditional methods in the classroom
• A secure, supportive, encouraging and happy environment
• A wide range of extra-curricular and residential activities.

Our “Wildly Important Goals”

1. An innovative, challenging and personalised curriculum leading to exceptional progress for all
2. Inspiring, creative and dynamic teaching and learning experiences
3. A culture of positive engagement, mutual respect, collaboration, compassion and independence
4. A wider experience that builds self-esteem, resilience and personal growth.

Our “Wildly Important Beliefs”

1. Every individual matters and is unique
2. With the right attitude and mind set we can achieve more
3. Focused hard work and persistent attention to detail leads to success
4. We are all accountable for the responsibilities we hold.

What our students think about the school:

• “Lessons are fun and the school has a good atmosphere” – Year 7 pupil
• “The teachers have a good attitude to learning and we are encouraged and can hold our own opinions” – Year 10 pupil
• “We are able to talk to our teachers about issues and they make a real difference in our lives” – Year 9 pupil
• “I love the opportunities we get to work with younger students – it’s great fun and really rewarding to support them with different aspects of their work.” – Year 12 pupil
• “There is fantastic support with researching progression options for when we move on from the Sixth Form. The Sixth Form staff are always there to help with the UCAS process.” – Year 13 pupil.

Sarah Edwards Headteacher

January 2021