Chesham Grammar School
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2009) |
| Chesham High School | |
|---|---|
| File:CHSCrest.gif | |
| Address | |
 | |
White Hill , , HP5 1BA | |
| Information | |
| Established | 1947 |
| Local authority | Buckinghamshire |
| Specialist | Humanities |
| Ofsted | Reports |
| Headteacher | Mr Philip Wayne |
| Gender | Coeducational |
| Age | 11 to 18 |
| Enrollment | 1250 |
| Colour(s) | Red, Black, White, Blue |
| Website | http://www.cheshamhigh.bucks.sch.uk |
Chesham High School is a grammar school on White Hill, Chesham, Buckinghamshire. There are over 1200 male and female students aged between eleven and sixteen. It also has a sixth form of 360 students. In 2007 the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) awarded the school specialist school status as a Humanities College.[1]
History
Chesham High School was originally founded in 1947 as the Chesham Technical School - a result of the Education Act 1944 which set up the tripartite arrangements of grammar, technical and secondary modern schools. The all-boys school was originally housed in only one building, which is now the sixth form block known as "Tringwood". In 1961, the school became known as Chesham Technical High School and during the 1960s, there was huge development in the area, and it became a mixed grammar school. In 1970, the school changed its name to Chesham High School as it moved away from its technical roots.
The first headmaster was Sidney Chapman who occupied the Headship from 1947 to 1966. After a one year stint by Paddy Evans, Ken Stokes took over in 1967 and ran the school until his retirement in 1992. Since then, the Head has been former Biology teacher Tim Andrew (1993-2007 with a one year break covered by Nigel Fox). Since 2007, Philip Wayne has taken the Headship.[2]
Recent years have seen major expansion of the school, including a new maths block, a textiles block, an art block, expansion of the English block, a new library, and a new drama/psychology Block. There is now a new technology/art building built over what was A1, the main art room. A leisure centre has also been incorporated into the site where once a number of the old pre-fab buildings stood.
Admissions
Admission to the school is controlled by Buckinghamshire LEA, which operates a selective education system throughout the county.
Pupils have to pass the 11+ examination to be eligible to attend the school (pass mark over 121 or on appeal). Other than that they have to live within the school's catchment area which spans several miles around the school in to Amersham, Chorleywood and Chesham Bois. There is also the 12+ which gives students the ability to apply a year late, with the same concept as the 11+, although there is a limit to the number of students that can be accepted.
The school also accepts students into the sixth form who achieve the required GCSE grades. Typically the school accepts students with an average of 5.5/195 or above.[citation needed]
The new 2009/10 academic year saw the highest number of admissions into Year 12 in the history of the school, with 233 pupils being accepted.
Uniform
Lower school
CHS (as it is otherwise known locally) operates a strict dress code that all pupils must conform to. In recent years, this uniform has developed so that it is now much smarter. Boys wear black blazers, white shirts, black trousers and black shoes with a tie containing the school colours red, white, black and blue. Whereas girls wore jumpers a few years ago they now wear blazers like the boys, but with the option of skirtsas long as they do not fall beneath thigh level.
Sixth form
There is also a published dress code for sixth formers
Leaver destinations
In 2003, 94.4% of the students in year 11 chose to stay at the school to continue in to the sixth form. In the same year, 97% of year 13 sixth formers went in to further or higher education and 1% went straight in to employment.[citation needed]
Blog Incident
In 2007, one of the school's French teachers at the time, Julie Bois, wrote a blog entry describing some of her pupils as "little shits who should be slapped" [3]. She also branded some of her pupils "thick", and went on to describe how she dreaded "killer" parents' evenings, saying "I hate having to shake all those hands. Some are so wet and flabby".[3] Although she removed the comments from her blog, she later resigned her post [4]
New Headmaster
In September 2007 Philip Wayne joined the school as the new headmaster, succeeding Tim Andrew. He is keen on uniforms being properly worn and, in an interview in the Bucks Examiner he stated his intention to run a "tight ship".[citation needed]
The Prime Minister's Global Fellowship
The school has a good record of students attaining places on the prestigious Prime Minister's Global Fellowship programme. The school achieved its first student in the inaugural year of the programme, 2008, and in 2009 had 2 more successful applicants. [5]
References
- ^ "Specialist Schools Home". Department for Children, Schools and Families. 2007-07-03. Retrieved 2007-08-07.
- ^ Chesham High School 60th anniversary guide book, 2007
- ^ a b Kids see French miss' Net rant The Sun, 2007-06-23
- ^ Teacher Resigns After Internet Blog Insults Bucks Free Press, 2007-08-03.
- ^ British Council website "Fellows" accessed November 10, 2009.