Attendance and Family Support Officer

School Size 1260 with 252 in Sixth Form

Founded In 1957

West Hatch High School enjoys a position as a large, thriving, successful, heavily oversubscribed Academy.

We are committed to serving our local community and as a result demand for places is high.

West Hatch is situated on the Central Line overlooking the Roding Valley with easy access to London. A significant building programme has resulted in refurbishment in Science, a new English block, a Business and Enterprise Centre, new Music block, Maths, Drama and Dining Block, and a new Sixth form Centre. In addition there has been significant remodelling internally and we have had agreement from the Local Authority to finance the building of a Sports Centre and additional teaching spaces, to accommodate an additional two forms of entry from 2018. The School was awarded High Performing Specialist School status and was rated ‘Good’ by OFSTED (Sept 2013) with 92% of all teaching scored as ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’.

West Hatch is a happy, thriving school. Every student is able to access a wide learning experience, both via the curriculum and the vast array of enrichment and extra curricular activities epitomised in the school's ‘Opportunity Curriculum'. International trips have included pupil and staff visits to India, China, Sri Lanka, Ecuador, Brazil, Ghana, Iceland and Kenya. Sporting trips to Dubai, America, Canada and Spain along with field trips to France take place as well as many more closer to home. Students are preparing for an expedition to Borneo in 2017.

We are the proud holders of a number of National Awards, the National Healthy Schools, Investors in People, Sports Mark and the Heart Beat Award. The Green Flag – Eco Schools Award, Growing our own Leaders Award, IT Academy Microsoft Programme School and The International Schools Award. We have also been awarded the national “EPPA Award” which is recognition for Outstanding Partnerships with Parents, with families and the community. More recently we have received The National E Safety Award.

We have an extensive programme of community provision which has grown considerably with over 1000 additional users of the school site outside of school hours each week.

We regularly attract key personalities such as Sir Alan Sugar, Ray Winston, Ann Widdecombe, and other notable speakers to bring the curriculum alive instilling interest and excitement amongst the student body.

We have a vibrant and successful Sixth Form of over 270 students many gaining places at top universities across the Country and Apprenticeships.

On a number of fronts we have supported and worked with several schools and have run courses to develop both teachers and Senior Leaders.

We place great store on leadership development at all levels and offer a whole range of opportunities for colleagues to develop their leadership potential within and beyond West Hatch. Leadership programmes include interschool placements and shadowing. We are proud holders of the “Grow our Own Leaders” Kite mark and have staff speaking at a number of conferences nationally.

Support for parents is extremely well developed with guidance materials and information evenings well established helping them support their child’s learning at home. There is full access to progress reports, attendance data, behaviour logs and homework set via Eportal and the Learning Gateway to further enhance our partnership with them in the learning process.

Our School motto is: ‘To Be The Best That I Can Be’ and frames all our work.

We believe that schools ‘can’ and ‘do’ make a difference. Our daily focus on learning, teaching assessment and the quality of lessons provides the engine that drives the school forward. Pupils only get one chance at their education and to this end we are committed to reviewing constantly, looking for incremental improvement in all aspects of our work. We aim to provide opportunities to enable our students to have the edge, and be able to compete with the best.

We are a PIXL and PIXL 6 school and thrive on working with a range of Partner schools.

We regularly take into account the perceptions of parents, pupils, staff, governors and, where possible, the wider community in terms of how we are doing. We conduct the Keele University or Kirkland Rowell attitudinal studies on a regular basis.

Our latest parent survey highlighted that;

• 98% of parents consider West Hatch has a good reputation
  
• 97% would recommend it to friends
  
• 99% feel their child is well cared for.
  

At West Hatch we aspire to create;

A ‘CAN DO’ culture where people are able to pursue ideas and take risks – they are developed.

Good relationships which exist at all levels, based on trust, openness, team work and respect.

A ‘buzz’ and enthusiasm where people are curious and keen to try out new ways of working.

A strong sense of optimism and pride in the school’s successes, together with a willingness to improve.

A ‘no blame culture’ because we accept that at times we all will get it wrong but believe that a good school learns from its mistakes.

We expect from all students

•  A commitment to achievement, success and hard work
  
• Self-reliance and a sense of responsibility
  
• A respect and tolerance for others.
  

Our students learn that excellence is not an ‘act’ but a habit, that anything is possible. They develop an understanding of the power of education to make a real difference in their lives.

We enjoy excellent exam results at both GCSE and A Level with 86% of Year 11 in 2016 achieving A*-C in English and 72% in Maths. 59% of all grades awarded at KS5 were A*-B and 86% A*-C.

The most important resource in any school is its staff. The success of West Hatch High School is largely due to our committed, experienced and enthusiastic colleagues.

The School believes that effective teachers take ownership and give a high priority to professional development. A comprehensive programme runs throughout the year with weekly training that staff can opt into.

We thank you for your interest in our School and look forward to hearing from you.