“Bringing out the best”
www.thehowardpartnership.org
The Partnership
The Howard Partnership was the first Federation of secondary schools in Surrey. It consists of two schools, Howard of Effingham in the south west of the county and Thomas Knyvett College in the north. The Partnership was formed at the request of the Local Authority but its success has been widely recognised. The schools work very successfully together and have a shared vision and ethos. Nevertheless, each school retains its own unique identity and the leadership of each is determined so that each school meets the specific needs of their students and their community. The Partnership has already enabled significant developments in both schools for the benefit of students and has been able to provide very exciting career developments for teaching and support staff.
The Howard Partnership Education Trust forms an overarching ‘umbrella’ Trust to represent and embody the ethos, vision and values of The Howard Partnership. The responsibilities of HPET include governance, regulatory and compliance roles to monitor the finances, ‘health’ and effectiveness of each school. The vision of the Trust is to support the sustainable improvement of our schools and partners through collaborative working, in order to enhance the life chances for our students and members of our local communities. The HPET comprises of Governors from Partner Schools, a representative from the Howard Partnership Trust (an advisory Trust supporting the schools and their communities) and the Executive Head.
Having been judged ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted (in both 2006 and 2009), Howard of Effingham was among the first schools to have been invited to convert to a new-style Academy under recent legislation. In fact, both Howard of Effingham School and Thomas Knyvett College were judged ‘outstanding’ for their partnership working by Ofsted in 2009. Therefore, as a partnership both schools were invited to form an ‘Academy Chain’ of linked Academies. We became the first soft federation Academy Chain in the country led by an outstanding school. Such conversions are in-line with a reformed education system led by strong, autonomous schools within a modernised role for Local Authorities. Thus, outstanding Academies and Academy Chains are becoming a vital part of the Government’s vision for education where leading schools have a strong ethos and can act as centres of excellence or specialist provision. Freedoms in the way they use their total funding and are run, enable new-style converter Academies to take a lead in school-to-school improvement by raising achievement.
Despite our change of status, The Howard Partnership will continue to make a strong contribution to the family of schools in Surrey. We believe Academy Status will help our schools to be even more successful by building upon our existing excellent practice and so remain at the ‘cutting edge’ of education. Thus, we will continue to attract and retain the very highest quality staff which, in turn, will be reflected in our student’s achievements so truly “bringing out the best”.
The Howard Partnership is successful because it has teams of well-qualified and committed people, both teachers and support staff, who are prepared to take an interest in every child. All appointments to our staff are considered to be crucial to the success of the schools. The Executive Head, Heads of Schools and Governors are committed to the development of both our schools and staff.
Our Schools
Howard of Effingham
Lower Road, Effingham, Surrey KT24 5JR
Tel: 01372 453694
Howard of Effingham School is located outside the M25 between Guildford and Leatherhead and enjoys a rural position.
The Howard is a mixed, comprehensive school with Foundation and Trust status. There are 1568 students on roll, including 358 in the sixth form.
As a comprehensive school, it is our aim to provide opportunities for students of all abilities to achieve their full potential. Indeed, the School has a proven record of success at both GCSE and A Level over many years. In summer 2012 92% (75% including English and Maths) of students gained 5 A*-C at GCSE and at A Level students achieved an average of 363 points each.
Our last two OFSTED inspections have graded the school as ‘outstanding’. The most recent report in February 2009 stated:
“The School’s work…reflects a culture where all staff are willing to embrace new challenges in order to improve their practice.”
“Outstanding achievement overall is supported by teaching which is good in the main school and outstanding in the sixth form. Excellent relationships between staff and students are complemented by the expert knowledge of teachers…Students value the energy and enthusiasm that teachers exhibit in lessons and greatly appreciate the constant support and encouragement they receive.”
The School gained Specialist Status in July 2002 and was the first Specialist Science College in Surrey. We were re-designated in 2009 and have also been awarded Leading Edge under the High Performing Specialist Schools initiative from the DfE. Specialist Status has driven whole school improvement and this, together with Leading Edge, has supported our work with partner schools. In May 2007 we formed a Federation with our partner school Thomas Knyvett College. As a result staff at both schools enjoy the opportunity to work for the benefit of students across the two schools.
We consider all appointments to our staff to be crucial to the success of the school. The Executive Headteacher and Governors are committed to the development of both the school and its staff, truly ‘bringing out the best’ in everyone.
Thomas Knyvett College
Stanwell Road, Ashford, Middlesex TW15 3DU
Tel: 01784 243824
Thomas Knyvett College is located in Ashford, Middlesex, 3 minutes walking distance from Ashford station and 1 ½ miles from Staines town centre. Excellent road links to Surrey, Berkshire and London are close by via the rail network, the M25, A30 and A4.
In May 2007 the college federated with The Howard of Effingham School, one of Surrey’s top performing schools, and is consequently ‘one of the most improved schools in the country’ Minister of State for Schools and Learners. In the Ofsted inspection in May 2012 the inspection team recognised the sustained and remarkable improvements and, they reported:
“Students in Year 11 exemplify the culture of learning that now exists in the college. They spoke to inspectors with pride about their achievements.”
“Students are keen to learn and they respond enthusiastically to good teaching.”
“Senior leaders have effectively established the college vision of ‘bringing out the best’. There is a shared determination to secure good achievement for every individual, irrespective of their starting point”
We provide opportunities for students of all abilities within the 11–16 age range to achieve high standards within a caring atmosphere that enables them to develop socially no less than academically. We are particularly concerned that students develop self-esteem, confidence and consideration for others through the process of their secondary education. The College sets high standards for behaviour, promoting traditional values that will be important for life long achievement. We believe that academic attainment flourishes in this atmosphere, enabling students to develop into confident and well rounded young adults.
The 2012 GCSE results were excellent with 81% of Year 11 students achieving 5 or more A*-C grades and 66% securing 5 A*-C grades including English and Maths. The value-added aspect of our results is outstanding and is an outcome of the high quality education that we provide. These results are reflective of excellent standards in the core subjects (English Language 73% A*-C, Maths 73% A*-C and Science 75% A*-C) and also across our diverse and broad curriculum. We are now one of the highest performing schools in Surrey.
We work in an establishment which is at the forefront of educational developments in Surrey. Our daily work enables us to make a tremendous difference to the lives of the students and parents we support. To quote one member of our Science teaching staff, ‘I feel I have made more impact on the learning and the lives of these children in two weeks than I did in two years at my previous school’.
Our student-centred approach means that the child lies at the heart of everything we do and through them the family and the community. In “bringing out the best” we do all we can to ensure that every student fulfils his or her potential and achieves more than they ever thought they would.
Additional Information
As part of our standard recruitment procedure, we would draw your attention to the fact that the school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
The successful candidate will be subject to a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB).
Benefits
Teaching staff across The Howard Partnership enjoy the benefit of being in the top 5% of Surrey Schools for PPA allocation (well above the national averages). We have an excellent CPD programme and many opportunities in school for staff to extend their professional knowledge and develop their skills. As a result, we have a very good record of staff gaining internal and external promotions. There is a warm, collegiate and supportive atmosphere among the staff and teachers have the opportunity to work outside their faculties in mixed faculty year teams and on other cross curricular projects. There is also the opportunity to teach across The Partnership.
Teachers are exceptionally well supported and The Partnership is committed to ‘freeing teachers to teach’. This is achieved by our highly professional and expert teams of support staff including administrative, clerical and technical support as well as dedicated HR and financial teams.
Additional Benefits include:
· Childcare Voucher Scheme
· Cycle to Work Scheme
· Sainsbury’s Discount Card
· Schoolcare Foundations Pack (eyesight testing voucher, opportunity for staff to join dental/medical health insurance schemes at preferential rates)
· Teachers Pension Scheme and Local Government Pension Scheme