Woodbridge High School, Woodford Green
| Woodbridge High School | |
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| Location | |
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| Information | |
| Type | Community school |
| Motto | "Pride in Achievement" |
| Established | 1937 as St. Barnabas County School |
| Local authority | Redbridge |
| Department for Education URN | 102854 Tables |
| Ofsted | Reports |
| Head teacher | Mr Andrew Beaumont |
| Staff | 125 |
| Age | 11 to 18 |
| Enrollment | 1,508[1] |
| Houses | Blue Green Red Yellow |
| Colour(s) | Green and yellow |
| Website | http://www.woodbridgehigh.co.uk/ |
Woodbridge High School is a co-educational secondary school located in Woodford Green in the London Borough of Redbridge, London, England.
The school appointed Andrew Beaumont as headmaster in 2004 after the former headmistress Barbara Haigh retired after 16 years at the school. Andrew Beaumont previously held the deputy headmaster post at Watford Grammar School for Boys. The headteacher teaches classes of Geography and RE.
Woodbridge has approximately 1,500 pupils and over one hundred members of staff. The school's motto is "Pride in Achievement".
The catchment area for Woodbridge is wide, and includes the Orchard Estate council housing area nearby whilst also stretching up as far as the Church End Ward in South Woodford. Many pupils come from the surrounding areas such as Walthamstow, Gants Hill and Ilford. The nearest tube stations are Woodford (10 min walk) and South Woodford (20 min walk) on the London Underground Central line.
Pupil development and pastoral care
A pastoral system ensures academic and personal progress, as well as a safe environment in which to learn. Pupils are placed in mixed ability tutor groups. The same team of form tutors led by the year co-ordinator stays with the group for five years until the sixth form. The welfare and progress of every pupil is monitored with annual school reports, covering their achievement, attendance and good behaviour, which was recognised in their 2005 Ofsted report.[2]
The ratio of computers to students is 1:3. There is a Sports Hall and a Library, and the school also has a music studio, two drama studios and scientific practical classrooms as well as general classrooms. The two main buildings, Mallards and Wynndale, are situated either side of an all-weather sports pitch. Some departments have their own ICT facilities and the majority of classrooms are equipped with interactive white boards.
Curriculum
At Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) all pupils study English, Mathematics, Science, Technology, History, Geography, two Modern Foreign Languages, Art, Music, Drama, ICT, Religious Education, Physical Education and PSHE. Pupils are mainly taught in mixed ability groups, although there is some ability related setting in Mathematics and Languages.
At Key Stage 4 (years 10-11) all pupils are prepared for GCSE qualifications. Most pupils are entered for 10 - 11 GCSEs and take either two modern foreign languages or just one alongside a BTEC/Cambridge National of their choice.They study English Literature, English Language, Mathematics, Science (BTEC or IGCSE), French or Spanish, and take part in some form of Physical Education. They also choose options from a very wide range of subjects. The subjects offered are Art & Design, Business Studies, Child Development, Drama, Expressive Arts, German, Russian, Geography, History, Information Technology, Media Studies, Music, Performing Arts, Physical Education, Psychology, Religious Studies, Resistant Materials, Building Craft Occupations, Graphics, Food Technology and Textile Technology. Students may take Vocational GCSE courses in Business and/or Health & Social Care as two of their options. An Additional Studies option is available for students who need support with their GCSE subjects.
Extra-Curricular
The school is noted for its TAFAL programme. "Teach A Friend A Language" is a scheme where pupils are encouraged to learn new languages from fellow students and enter a competition. The format has been adopted by schools nationwide.
There are also many extra-curricular sports activities that all students can participate in. This includes basketball, football, netball, rounders, trampolining, and many others.
Woodbridge High School is known in the local community for its outstanding Music Department which encourages students of all abilities to join various clubs and be a part of the two concerts it puts on every year. The orchestra also plays for the annual Drama production, playing professional-level music from scores such as Oliver! and Bugsy Malone. In March 2015, the choir went to Edinburgh on its first music tour, performing in Edinburgh Castle and Cathedral to sight-seers. Other ensembles include Guitar and Ukulele Club, Jazz Ensemble and Wind Ensemble. Students are helped to put together their own groups, and A Level students are encouraged to perform the compositions they wrote as part of their course.
Multiculturalism
Woodbridge accepts children from all and any religious and ethnic backgrounds, with many of the students having English as a second or even third language. The school has holds annual events celebrating different cultures, such as Chinese New Year and Black History Month, which all students are encouraged to take part in and learn about. The school does not encourage rasicm and is firm and strict with name calling and bullying.
The Site
There are two main buildings in Woodbridge High School known as Mallards and Wynndale, along with the Sports Hall, which is situated in the central field and the Business Centre, which contains ICT facilities. The site is also currently undergoing work for an additional building, which will create better facilities for the creative arts subject, including new music practice rooms and an auditorium. The school also has a large playground with 3 sets of basketball hoops, 2 large tennis court areas, and various grassy areas for students to enjoy themselves during their breaks and lunchtimes.
Mallards
Mallards is a three-floor building situated at the Broadmead Road end of the site. It contains the school's main office, and the departments of Science, English, Drama, Business, Psychology, Media and Art. There is a library and a learning support department. There is also a canteen known as "Mallard's Canteen" and a large Sixth Form suite upstairs, including a common room for students to socialise, two private study areas, and the recent addition of a cafe area where 6th Form students can purchase a variety of hot and cold food and drink.
Wynndale
Wynndale is the more modern building on the site, and is accessible by the St Barnabas Road gate. The building holds the school's main canteen and Wynndale Hall, where most of the school's events are held and exams take place. The main subject areas taught in Wynndale are Music, Maths, History, Geography, and Religious Studies, with the Technology block situated at the rear of the building.
Uniform
Boys
Black blazer with school crest, white shirt, black and yellow striped school tie, black jumper, black trousers and black shoes. Overcoats must be black or navy in colour.
PE kit consists of a white polo shirt and shorts in summer, or rugby shirt and tracksuit bottoms in winter, and trainers or tennis shoes.
Girls
Black blazer with school crest, white shirt, black jumper, black skirt or trousers, and black shoes.
PE kit consists of a white polo shirt and shorts in summer, or tracksuit bottoms in winter, and trainers or tennis shoes.
Sixth Form
Sixth formers wear smart, business-like clothing every day of the week. This may include suits for the boys, and smart blouses and skirts for the girls.
References
- ^ [1] Ofsted school page
- ^ The 2005 Ofsted Inspection Report