Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School
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| Name: | Holmes Chapel Comprehsive School (HCCS) |
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| Motto: | Quality Education in a Caring Environment |
| Category/ Type/ Specialism: |
Community Comprehesive Sixth Form Specialist Science College |
| LEA: | Cheshire |
| No. of Students: | approx. 1100 |
| No. of Staff: | approx. 87 teaching |
| Religious Affiliation: | None |
| Student Age & Gender: | 11-18, Mixed |
| Contact: | Selkirk Drive Holmes Chapel Cheshire CW4 7DX England 01477 534513 office@hccs.info |
| Website: | www.hccs.info |
| Headteacher: | Mr. Denis Oliver(since 1998) |
| School Colours: | Black and Gold |
| Awards: | Sportsmark Gold Artsmark Silver |
Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School is a Secondary School and Sixth Form Centre located in Holmes Chapel, Cheshire.
A Specialist Science College and designated Training School which has also been accredited with both Sportsmark and Artsmark awards, the school consistently performs well in academic performance League Tables, invariably exceeding both National and Local Education Authority averages.
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[edit] History
The school was originally founded in 1978 as a purpose-built 11-18 comprehensive and sixth form.
[edit] Student Population
In total, the school community contains just over 1200 students whose ages range from 11 to 18 years. Approximately 170 of these are members of the Sixth Form, and there are about 85 members of teaching staff. The lower school is divided into five year groups, each containing about 180 students, whilst the Sixth Form is divided into two year groups of about 75 students each.
The proportion of pupils with special educational needs is well below average, while the proportion of pupils with statements is average. Pupils with the highest levels of need mostly have specific learning difficulties (dyslexia), emotional and behavioural difficulties, or moderate learning difficulties. About three per cent of the pupils have minority ethnic backgrounds. Several different minority ethnic groups are represented in the school and so there is no significantly large sub-group. While many of these pupils are bilingual, none are in the early stages of learning to speak English. The proportion of the pupils who are eligible for a free school meal is well below the national average and the socio-economic census data for local wards is very favourable.
The school's catchment area is large, and approximately half its students live in the surrounding towns and villages of Allostock, Brereton, Byley, Chelford, Cranage, Goostrey, Lower Peover, Middlewich, Plumley, Smallwood, and Wincham. Consequently, many students travel to school on private buses, provided by either Cheshire County Council or the school itself. The majority of those who live in Holmes Chapel walk or, to a lesser extent, bicycle to school. The local area is rural and socially mixed, although generally affluent.
The student attendance record for 2005 is given below:
| Authorised Absence: | 5.6% (6.7% locally, 6.7% nationally) |
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| Unauthorised Absence: | 0.5% (1.2% locally, 1.3% nationally) |
[edit] Curriculum
As per the norm for English or Welsh Secondary schools, students study the Key Stage 3 Curriculum in years 7, 8 and 9, and sit National Curriculum assessment examinations (SATs) at the end of this period.
In years 10 and 11, students are given the opportunity to choose which subjects they wish to continue to study (although English, Mathematics, Science, Core PE and ICT remain compulsory. Students must also choose a Humanities - History, Religious Studies or Geography). During the two years, students are assessed by external qualification bodies through both coursework and examinations, and are awarded GCSE or GNVQ qualifications in all subjects in which they pass at the end of the period. Subjects offered at either GCSE or GNVQ level by the school include: Art, Business Studies, Drama, Food Technology, French, Geography, German, Graphic Products, History, Information Communication Technology, Music, Physical Education, Religious Studies, Resistant Materials and Systems and Control.
Students who choose to remain in the school and join the sixth form for years 12 and 13 study for AS and A2 qualifications. Usually, students study four AS-level subjects in year 12, and then continue three of these into A2 during year 13. Over 28 subjects are available to choose from. Additionally, most students also take AS/A2 General Studies (although this is not taught). A large proportion of students go on to study at University or pursue other further-education opportunities after completion of their AS/A2 studies at Holmes Chapel.
The school has recently begun teaching astronomy GCSE, available to students in both years 10 & 12. The course is taught to 20 students by Mr. Jason Jones of the science faculty, on Wednesday evenings.
[edit] Academic Performance
The school consistently performs well in performance league tables:
| Students achieving five A* to C grades at GCSE (2005): | 73% (national average: 57.1%) |
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| Students achieving five A* to C grades at GCSE inc. maths and English (2005): | 62% (national average: 44.9%) |
| AS/A2 average points per student (2005): | 312.6 (national average: 277.6) |
[edit] OFSTED
The most recent OFSTED report concluded as follows:
This very effective school provides excellent value for money. Its success is based on exceptionally strong leadership, much very good teaching and the very good attitudes of the overwhelming majority of the pupils. The achievement of all groups of pupils is very good. Pupils make very good progress in most subjects and overall results in National Curriculum tests and GCSE and A-level examinations are well above average.
A copy of the entire report is available on OFSTED's website [1].
[edit] Expansion
Since it first opened almost 30 years ago, HCCS's student population has grown enormously, leading to considerable expansion of the school buildings. Recently, a new Arts building was opened. Partially funded by donations and sponsorship from parents and local businesses, the building is home to the art and music faculties, along with a number of rooms dedicated to Sixth Form use.
Additionally, in September 2006 a new dining hall facility was completed. This building helped to resolve the problem of over-crowding at lunchtime, and allow lunch to be served in two sittings, rather that five. It also houses a dedicated 'bistro' for the use of Sixth Form students. A cashless system for dining came into action on January 29, 2007 and currently is disliked by many teachers and pupils. A large majority of students, especially higher up the school, feel the money could have been better spent on new equipment for several of the schools faculties. However, some teachers feel that it is a step forward in "an ever changing world".
[edit] School uniform
All students enrolled at HCCS are required to wear school uniforms [2].
The uniform consists of a black pullover, either a black or white polo shirt, black trousers and black or brown shoes. The school badge is emblazoned onto the polo shirts and pullovers. There is also a strict no make-up/jewellery policy.
[edit] Trivia
Previous Head Teachers include Mr. Knight, Mrs Duffy.
[edit] Notable alumni
- Dean Ashton - West Ham United Footballer (born 1983)
- Mark Bowden - Composer (left 1997) - Composer
- Seth Johnson - Former Leeds and England football player
[edit] External links
| Cheshire County Council maintained secondary schools of Cheshire | |
|---|---|
| Chester | Bishop Heber High School • Blacon High School • Christleton High School • Queen's Park High School • The Bishops' Blue Coat Church of England High School • The Catholic High School, Chester • Upton-by-Chester High School |
| Congleton | Alsager School • Congleton High School • Eaton Bank School • Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School • Middlewich High School • Sandbach High School and Sixth Form College • Sandbach School |
| Crewe and Nantwich | Brine Leas High School • Coppenhall High School • Kings Grove School • Malbank School and Sixth Form College • Ruskin Sports College • Shavington High School • St Thomas More Catholic High School • Victoria Community Technology School |
| Ellesmere Port and Neston | Cheshire Oaks High School • Ellesmere Port Catholic High School • Ellesmere Port Specialist School of Performing Arts • Neston High School • The Whitby High School |
| Macclesfield | All Hallows Catholic High School • Fallibroome High School • Henbury High School • Knutsford High School • Poynton High School • Tytherington High School • Wilmslow High School |
| Vale Royal | Frodsham School • Hartford High School • Helsby High School • Rudheath Community High School • St. Nicholas Catholic High School • Tarporley Community High School • The County High School, Leftwich • The Verdin High School • Weaverham High School • Woodford Lodge High School |
| Warrington | Bridgewater High School • Birchwood Community High School • Culcheth High School • Cardinal Newman Catholic High School • Golborne High School • Great Sankey High School • Lowton Community High School • Lymm High School • Padgate High School • Penketh High School • St Gregory's Catholic High School • Sir Thomas Boteler High School • William Beamont Community High School • Woolston Community High School |
| See also List of schools in Cheshire | |
