Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre

Headteacher's Welcome

Welcome and thank you for your interest in Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre.

Highdown School is a very special place. As Acting Headteacher, I am very proud of all we do here and our resolute determination to continue to improve every day. Staff and students aspire to achieve excellence in all we do. Our commitment and resilience is underpinned by core values of Aspiration, Respect and Excellence. We ARE Highdown!

Our philosophy is simple – great teaching supported by committed pastoral care gives great outcomes and life chances for our young people. Our curriculum is broad and balanced and provides a solid platform for life in our Sixth Form. We provide learning opportunities to ensure our students remain stimulated and motivated and develop a lifelong thirst for learning. Highdowners should go from outstanding lesson to outstanding lesson, being challenged and guided to make the most of their Highdown journey for five, or more likely, seven years..

Our commitment to staff development is second to none. A motivated staff body provides the best education for our children. We have strategic partnerships with other trusts and Higher Education providers to support this. We also support other schools because of our recognised expertise.

Whether a prospective parent, student or colleague, come and visit us at Highdown. Your Highdown experience can then begin. I look forward to meeting you.

Matt Grantham

Acting Headteacher

Reasons to join our team at Highdown

Our most important resource is our staff. Therefore, we aim to create the conditions and culture within the academy that make Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre a rewarding place to work. We are committed to investing in staff professional learning and leadership development, taking action to rationalise workload, promote mental and physical health and wellbeing, and encourage collaboration and peer support.

For a teacher, Highdown School is an exciting environment in which to work. The total commitment to continuing improvement and the vision for Highdown School to be the best it possibly can be is underpinned by a dynamic programme of Joint Professional Learning (JPL). Colleagues can select from a wide range of sessions and tailor their training to their personal development goals. Professional development of colleagues is second only to the achievements of our students.

For support staff, there is also a commitment to development and an expectation that all are working to the same goals as the school.

What our staff say about us:

"An environment that has supported my personal and professional growth. During my time as an LSA, I have had the privilege of working alongside dedicated colleagues and extraordinary students. The experiences and relationships I have made here will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on my career."