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Background Information - Branksome Heath Middle School

AGE RANGE 8 - 12 YEARS

NOR AT SEPTEMBER 2006 - 516

THE COUNTY OF DORSET

Dorset is a small attractive county stretching from Lyme Regis in the west to Christchurch in the east and as far north as Sherborne and Gillingham.  The county population at the 1991 census stood at about 678,000, of whom approximately half live in the Poole/Bournemouth/Christchurch conurbation.  The greatest part of the county is rural with many small villages and a few small towns.  In April 1997 Poole and Bournemouth became Unitary Authorities.

POOLE UNITARY AUTHORITY

Poole has a range of school structures, the majority following an 8‑12 Middle and 5‑12 Combined School system.  There is still a selective system, two Grant Maintained 12‑18 Grammar Schools taking 16% of the population.

THE SCHOOL AND ITS ORGANISATION

Branksome Heath Middle School is in Upper Parkstone and is situated approximately half way between Poole and Bournemouth drawing from a mixed catchment area.  At present the school has 487 pupils.  The school operates fully under LMS and in Autumn 2001, received an Ofsted Report which identified it as a rapidly improving school.

Our school is a friendly, welcoming school which values the relationships formed between colleagues, children and home.  There is a high level of pastoral care for youngsters and the school's Rewards and Sanctions policy is regarded as an example of good practice by the Local Education Authority.

A recent visit by HMI found that the school is very inclusive and is developing a culture which is inspiring pupils to believe they can be successful learners.

The school was built in the early 1970's for a 3 form entry.  The completion of a new block in 1995 has provided additional specialist rooms .  At present there are 24 teaching staff including the Headteacher, 2 Higher Level Teaching Assistants and 22 Teaching Assistants providing valuable and much needed support in school.

The school is organised into 4 year groups, divided into 4 mixed ability classes in Years 4,5 and 6 and 5 mixed ability classes in years 5.  These classes form the teaching groups for nearly all the lessons in Years 4,5 and 6, the class teacher having responsibility for the academic progress, behaviour and pastoral care of their pupils.  Each year group has a Year Leader who is a member of the senior management team. Each subject area is led by a co-ordinator, who has overall responsibility for the management of their particular area throughout the school. In Year 7 a more specialist approach is adopted, however the role of the class teacher is regarded as important and each teacher has some curriculum time with their class.

The school has a full time non-class based Special Needs Co-ordinator and a Pastoral Care Worker.