This website is possibly your first encounter with The Swinton High School.
It has grown over the last few years to be one of the main sources of information provided by us, together with the school handbook and the regular newsletters we produce.
The school handbook is a much more detailed document containing all the information parents and pupils will need. Copies of the handbook are distributed to all new pupils and parents towards the end of the school year, and there is a copy of the existing handbook on the downloads section of this site.
While changing to a new school is an exciting opportunity, it can also be a daunting prospect for the youngster and parent alike. We are very aware of this, and hope that this website will provide all of the information that you may need to inform you about our school.
Context
Swinton is situated on the outskirts of Salford, bordering Bolton, Bury and Trafford. It is well served by the motorway networks, M6, M60 and M62 giving access to the surrounding countryside of Cheshire, Lancashire, The Lake District and Derbyshire national parks. The school is within easy reach of the rail network into Manchester City Centre. Swinton rail station is two minutes' walk from the school and serves the Southport, Wigan, Bolton, Manchester line. The regeneration of Manchester city centre, Salford Quays and the Trafford Centre gives a wide diversity of theatres, clubs, cinemas, restaurant and shopping opportunities.
The Swinton High School, an 11-16 comprehensive is one of 15 high schools in the Salford Local Education Authority.
Accommodation
The school came into existence in September 1988 when Wardley High School and Pendlebury High School merged to form a single 11-16 comprehensive school on one site, located half a mile from the Swinton town centre. Whilst the buildings vary considerably in age and appearance, internal refurbishment of existing facilities has provided a generally pleasant working environment. A new maths suite, refurbished science labs, an ICT resource area comprising five computer rooms together with a further two elsewhere, a new Design and Technology block and refurbished Art and Library facilities have substantially improved the teaching environment. In the last five years all seven science laboratories have been completely refurbished in a refurbishment programme costing well over £500, 000. There have been wholesale improvements to the school environment over the last four years and these are continuing. We regard the environment as an important factor in encouraging students to learn and every effort is made to maintain high standards.
Students
We have an 8 form entry and the Standard Admission Number is 210. The school is popular with a rising roll, which attracts pupils across the full ability range, and has at present 987 children between the ages of 11 and 16 years on its roll, an increase of nearly 100 in ten terms. Our pupils are drawn mainly from the Swinton, Clifton, Pendlebury and Wardley areas of Salford. At present 23% of our pupils are eligible for Free School Meals; and there are 21 students with statements of special educational need.
Pastoral Organisation
We believe that the success of our pupils is founded on high expectations, on good teaching and a solid partnership between school and home. The pastoral system underpins the ethos of the school. It is based on the Year Group principle led by a Year Tutor reporting to the line manager Assistant or Deputy Headteacher. All staff are committed to this pastoral ethos, both as a form tutor and in their working relationship with the pupils. All staff are expected to support the maintenance of high standards of behaviour, discipline, appearance and uniform, upon which the school places a high priority. The school places emphasis on personal, social and health education. There is a Student Forum with representatives from each year group, chaired by the Head Boy, Head Girl and a senior member of staff. This meets to discuss issues raised by pupils at form and year level. There is a planned Tutor programme, organised by the Year Tutor.
Academic Organisation
The school has a staffing complement of over 100 full and part-time members, including teachers, support assistants, site, secretarial and administrative/reprographic staff, technicians and midday supervisors. The academic structure of the school is based on a system of ten Faculty Leaders (Communications, Mathematics, Science, ICT, Design Technology, Arts, Humanities and Special Educational Needs), reporting to their respective Deputy or Assistant Head Line Manager.
There are regular Curriculum, Pastoral, School Group Management and Senior Management Team Meetings. The school places high emphasis on staff development both for school improvement and personal professional development. There is a successful Induction programme for new staff, which has been praised by OFSTED. The school had a very successful Ofsted inspection in May 2007 and is recognised as an improving school by staff, pupils, parents and the community.
The school provides a wide range of extra-curricula activities, which are well supported by students and staff. These provide opportunities for students to follow their interests and talents in Drama, Sport, Music and Dance. The school's musical activities have an excellent reputation and the Steel Pans have performed in a wide variety of locations.
Study support is an integral part of our school. This summer marked the seventh successive summer school held since 2000. For the last three summers, we have held highly successful summer schools for Able, Gifted and Talented pupils in years 6 and 7.
Community Links
The school has developed strong links with the local community through community placements including local nurseries and old people's homes, Year 10 Work Experience and the local Education Business Partnership.
The Performing Arts status has extended our work in the community. Termly concerts, outreach work, and annual musicals are a regular feature of the school calendar, which are well supported by staff, parents, governors and pupils.
All faculties have developed links with feeder Primary Schools and post 16 educational establishments. There is a senior member of staff responsible for transition between Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3. This is an extremely successful programme. At Key Stage 4 the Connexions Service gives guidance to all students. The school is a member of CAMPUS - The Campaign to Promote the University of Salford. In addition to this, local and national charities are well supported.
Culture
Our School Motto ‘Strive to Achieve' is the foundation on which the educational philosophy is built. We are seeking to establish a culture in which learning is pre-eminent, which is ultra professional and efficient, which is inclusive and participatory and which is prepared to undertake radical change in the pursuit of a quality education for our pupils. We aim for a culture of achievement, which is based on rewards, not punishment, which encourages individual growth, shares the common value of RESPECT and the concept of a ‘common good'.