Head Teacher’s Introduction

Since opening in 1957 as a small county grammar school in the grounds of Duffield Hall, The Ecclesbourne School has had a varied organisational history. It became a co-educational 11 – 19 comprehensive school in 1976, grant maintained in 1990 and a Foundation School in 2001. Central Government recognised its excellence in 1999 by awarding ‘Beacon’ status.

The School was successful in its bid to become part of the ‘Specialist School’ programme when it was awarded Technology College status in 2001. Ecclesbourne became a ‘Leading Edge School’ in 2003 because of its continued excellent attainment and for its innovative and collaborative practices. Our Leading Edge Partnership originally included the 19 secondary schools in the geographical region of South East Derbyshire know collectively as SEDSSIP (South East Derbyshire Secondary Schools Improvement Partnership) but now is focussed on our collaborative work with John Flamsteed School.

In 2004, the School was again recognised for its work and was presented with the prestigious ‘Career Mark’ and ‘Sports Mark’ awards. More recently, the School was one of only two schools in Derbyshire to receive the ‘Health Promoting Schools’ award. In 2005, the School was successful in its redesignation bid to retain its technology specialism and, due to its continued high academic standards, was invited by Central Government to take up a second specialism as part of the High Performing Specialist Schools Strategy and to continue its collaborative work as a Leading Edge School from 2006. The ‘Arts’ subjects, including English, were selected as the second specialism to maintain the overall balance across the School’s curriculum. In 2008 the School has again been awarded the ‘Career Mark’.

The School has been inspected by Ofsted on four occasions since 1995. It was awarded the highest rating of ‘Very Good’ in 1995 and 2000, and was considered ‘Outstanding’ in 2005. In the latest Ofsted Inspection in September 2008, the School’s rating was confirmed as ‘Outstanding’. The latest Ofsted report can be found on the Ofsted website http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/oxedu_reports/display/(id)/100287

Whatever it’s particular title or status, the School’s great strength lies in its continued commitment to providing a first class education for the children and young adults it serves, building on the high standards and reputation achieved throughout its past whilst looking to embrace the challenges of the future.

We believe that our students are equally important. We welcome their inherent differences and we operate a fully inclusive system as we help all our students achieve their full potential. We encourage them to value each other and the relationships they make. We help them to raise their aspirations and give them the confidence to reach for the stars whilst maintaining a touch of realism.

We build on the excellent educational experiences that they bring with them to the School by providing a wide range of exciting learning opportunities through our broad and stimulating curriculum. We encourage them to be lifelong learners as we help them to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to leave our secure school environment to further their education or to enter the world of work.

I am very proud to be the Head Teacher of The Ecclesbourne School and feel privileged to work with students, staff, parents, governors and the community. We are dedicated to improve continually the quality of education we provide. If you join us we expect you to take a full part in the life and work of the school, to meet the challenges that we offer and to endeavour to become a valued member of our school community. The School’s motto, “Integrity, Tenacity, Service”, is as significant now as it was when the School opened its doors in 1957.

If you want an inspirational learning experience then Ecclesbourne is the School for you.

Lesley Underhill, B.Ed(Hons) M.Sc.

Updated November 2008