Saddleworth School

Our Vision

To Empower and Inspire

Enabling young people to develop and find their talent

Our staff

The key strength of the school is the staff. There is a genuine sense of community and all

within the school work together to support the students and each other. We have a real blend of youth and experience on the teaching staff and there is a flourishing CPD programme to support all staff at every stage of their career.

Our geographical area

Saddleworth School is a 10-form entry, 11-16 Comprehensive School, situated in pleasant rural surroundings at the foot of the western slopes of the Pennines, some four miles east of Oldham. The school, which enjoys a good reputation, caters for the whole rural district of Saddleworth and also for the nearby residential areas on the eastern side of Oldham. This district contains nine large villages with varied industrial undertakings and farming activities. Manchester and the M62 are within easy reach and the region is popular with commuters. The school has recently moved to the village of Diggle just off the main A670 Ashton-Huddersfield Road which links with the A669 Oldham Road.

Our school organisation

The school is growing and we have a PAN 1460 but will expand to 1500 by 2026 now that the school has moved to its brand premises in the village of Diggle. After more than 100 years at our old school we relocated to a new site with a new school building in 2022. We now have a school with state of the art classrooms, fully equipped specialist areas and modern facilities to support our delivery of a first-class learning experience for our students.

On entry, children in Year 7 are placed in mixed attainment classes, but set by attainment in Maths during their first half term. From Year 8 onwards, there is increased setting in maths and science. There is a long-standing record of strong achievement in external examinations and students tend to leave with above average attainment.

A wide range of extra-curricular activities is available. Fieldwork and outdoor pursuits are very strongly supported; a full programme of sporting activities is maintained, as are a wide range of excellent musical and drama activities and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme is particularly well represented.

The school day is shaped around five one-hour lessons and a daily 8:30am form time registration. All students have their lunch break from 1.20pm to 2.00pm. All staff engage in CPD that runs after school on Wednesdays.

The pastoral system is organised on a year basis, with each year led by a Home School Leader. Form tutors play a crucial role and it follows; therefore, that all candidates for teaching posts at the school must be fully committed to the education of the ‘whole child’ and be prepared to contribute to the school as an active and caring form tutor. Standards of student dress and behaviour are good and children are encouraged to play a part in the running of the school, through the elected Senior Student Leadership body and the School Council.

The school has become the focus of many of the leisure pursuits of the local community. It is widely used after school and in the evenings for sport and cultural activities. The element of community service in the Duke of Edinburgh scheme has involved helping the Tame Valley wardens with their conservation work, helping at the museum, and the St John Ambulance, and giving support to the old people in the area.

The school’s high standard of inclusion is well supported by Pastoral Support Assistants who are attached to each year group. The school also has a specialist provision through or Link Department for students in need of additional support and/or a personalised curriculum.

Saddleworth School is a stimulating and rewarding environment in which to work. This is a school where teachers and students can really flourish.

Quick Facts

Age range

11-16yrs

Local Authority

Oldham LA

Number of   children

1440

% FSM

21.71%

% SEN

18.83%

% EAL

1.34%

Our Values and Ethos

The school has a proud tradition of enabling our young people to experience academic success whilst also providing a nurturing and supportive environment. Our students and their wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do and our team of dedicated staff will support every young person so that they can thrive and flourish.

At Saddleworth we are ambitious for our students and we aim to instil that sense of ambition in them too. We have high standards and expectations of them and their futures. We want our students to be successful academically but also to gain the knowledge and skills to make sense of the world and to contribute positively to the communities in which they live.

The key to this is building effective relationships for learning. That means children must have a voice, be valued and sit at the centre of all we do. It is vital that children learn to listen, value the views of others and improve their own thinking. We are developing the curriculum, our teaching and assessment so that it is fit for purpose and nurtures self-esteem, self-discipline, confidence and independence.

Ultimately, we want children to leave our school feeling happy, empowered and inspired and we want to work with parents, students and colleagues who share that ambition.

CPD opportunities

Saddleworth School is committed to ongoing CPD for all staff. Each Wednesday there is a calendared programme of development opportunities in which all staff engage. There is also a complementary programme of CPD accessible to all staff to support development of their career stage or specific areas of interest.

Equality of opportunity

Saddleworth School is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including age, gender, race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, religion, marital status, sexual orientation and/or medical condition.

Safeguarding

Saddleworth School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people. There is an explicit expectation that all employees share this commitment and adhere to all safeguarding policies and procedures. Applicants should be aware that the recruitment process will include an assessment of your suitability to work with children.

Saddleworth school is a place where:

· We each feel that we are valued by and belong to the Saddleworth community.

· All work hard and are considerate and courteous towards each other

· We are respectful, compassionate and kind.

· We are all encouraged to explore, find, nurture and develop our passion

· We are ambitious for ourselves and for each other.

· We have high standards and expectations and strive for excellence.

· We embrace success and take pride in our own achievements and those of others

· We develop and encourage a growth mind-set and positive attitudes in ourselves and others

· We all actively contribute to the Saddleworth community to ensure that it remains a place that we all want to work and to learn.