Holmer Green Senior School 2025 Entry
2 Photo of Headteacher with students
Mission and Values Welcome to Holmer Green Senior School We recognise that choosing a secondary school that suits your child is one of the most important decisions a parent can make. We hope that this brochure, and our website helps you make an informed decision. Our mission at HGSS is: To support students to become the best possible versions of themselves in everyway We have a simple motto: Work Hard, Be Kind, Have Passion These three values along with the following two underpin everything we do as a community school: Pursue Excellence Curiosity Our staff work incredibly hard at helping to transform the lives of HGSS students and go out of their way to ensure that they know each student as an individual in a nurturing environment. 3 Work hard, be kind, Have Passion
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Work Hard Resilience At HGSS we expect students to work hard as we believe the 11+test or Key Stage 2 SATs results do not define a child’s potential, but that they are just a single measure at that particular time. We run the PENN resilience programme in Year 7 and Year 9 as we recognise that for some, learning a concept may just take a little longer, and that to learn it a child needs to persevere. The education we deliver is not an end in itself, but the foundation for a fulfilling life. As a school we expect students to take up enrichment and extra-curricular offers and to work hard at these. We recognise students develop a range of skills from attending such events and they grow their social capital and leadership skills as a result. In taking up such opportunities, students meet a wide-range of individuals and develop their speaking and presentation skills. We know that students are under pressure to produce quality work whilst leading busy, active lives, and it is tough, but nevertheless, it is an important lesson. We believe that as students push themselves in such ways, they begin to achieve what they previously only ever dreamt of. 5
6 We are impeccably respectful, kind, tolerant and serve all others regardless of their, or our background, or circumstances. We understand it takes a whole team to develop each of us https:// martinphelps.zenfolio.com/ p367678880?customize=3
Be Kind By attending a mixed, non-selective school, we know all HGSS students have the benefit of meeting many other students from a wide-range of backgrounds, with a diverse range of cultures and experiences. All students undertake a GCSE in Religious Education as we believe that being knowledgeable about different religions, viewpoints, lifestyles and ethics breeds greater tolerance and respect. We expect and encourage HGSS students to contribute to, and improve, our school community by displaying manners such as opening doors, being on time, smiling and so on. Our actions speak louder than our words. Students take part in weekly PSHCE sessions where they explore British values, current affairs and a wide-range of topics exploring online digital footprints, drug and alcohol awareness, bullying, keeping themselves safe online, financial awareness and character. Through the above experiences we expect all HGSS students to develop the skills to thrive in a fast-paced world, to be knowledgeable about current affairs, to be ready to express a viewpoint, to be tolerant of others from all backgrounds, to act selflessly and importantly to have integrity so that they can identify right from wrong. Tolerance, Selflessness, Integrity 7
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We encourage students to pursue their interests and work at moments that may seem divergent from their current paths, all with an open mind in the knowledge that this will support them to become a better version of themselves. Some students will have developed life-long passions already as a consequence of hard work and curiosity in that area. Others will be on this journey and our aim is to provide a wealth of experiences for students to try in order to develop such passions. Students are encouraged to: read widely and often; to be curious and find out about topics they have learnt in school out of lesson times; to push themselves hard in performing arts, the Visual Arts, sport, and so on. Other experiences students pursue include: Duke of Edinburgh; Student Council work; Music; Cooking; a range of sports; Robot Wars; Debating; Mentoring and participating in trips. Going beyond 9 Have Passion
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Pursue Excellence Our curriculum challenges all of our learners to develop knowledge and skills across a wide range of subjects and interests. Students have a broad, mixed curriculum in Years 7 and 8, select specialist subjects for Year 9 and choose GCSE options for final study in Year 10. We offer a range of academic and vocational qualifications in our sixth form. We have a number of high performing department areas that achieve consistently strong exam results, across Key Stages 4 and 5. We have a very strong commitment to professional development to ensure our staff are themselves well supported. “No excuses” means that we expect students to have exemplary punctuality and attendance and to be polite and courteous at all times. We have the highest expectations of behaviour as we run a calm, orderly environment. We set out our Code of Conduct clearly in our Home School Agreement that students and parents agree to sign. Non-negotiables for behaviour and lessons are clearly laid out. Poor or disruptive behaviour is not tolerated. “No excuses” 11
12 We think “outside-the-box”, understanding that all new learning is just problem solving and get involved in the extra-curricular and enrichment environment of the school
Curiosity Students are taught to be curious. They are encouraged to be individuals. The school offers a range of exciting activities that encourage curiosity. Cross curricular opportunities such as the “cells” project taught in Science and Art, which encourages students to identify how subjects collide, and our work on oracy and speaking skills all develop students’ abilities to transfer skills and knowledge between subjects. Problem solving is taught across all subjects and students are encouraged to work in teams as well as individually, preparing them for life. The school is a “hub” for the Arts, including Art, Textiles, Photography, Music and Drama. We hold the very prestigious Platinum Artsmark. Some of the staff in the Arts subjects train other teachers, and network meetings held at HGSS provide support for schools in the county. Students take part in performances and events in the Arts, and are hugely successful in local and National competitions. They benefit from visiting artists and awards events for example. We are a Microsoft Showcase school as we believe IT is a tool that unleashes tremendous learning gains and other opportunities. 10 Creativity, Problem Solving 13
15 HGSS is an inclusive school that, as well as challenging our most able learners, supports our students who have special educational needs. Students’ SEN needs are met within the classroom by our experienced teachers, who will use different techniques to support and challenge students to meet our high aspirations for all learners. Outside the classroom students with special educational needs will be supported in our SEN Department and our Additionally Resourced Provision (ARP) for students with speech and language difficulties. The role of the SEN Department is to support students who have additional needs to access the mainstream curriculum. This is done by providing targeted, small group interventions for reading, literacy, numeracy, social communication and assessing for and delivering appropriate exam concessions. Students may have support from LSAs in lessons, though we do not provide this in every lesson as we aim to make students independent of support so they are prepared for work and adulthood. As a school we believe in integration not isolation. Inclusion
12 Aspirational 17 We are committed to providing a first class Sixth Form experience at Holmer Green, which provides every student with the best opportunity for progressing to university, an apprenticeship or the first step towards a successful career. We have high expectations for our students. Our students wear business dress and are expected to work diligently whilst approaching their studies with open and enquiring minds. We are also aware that universities and employers look for far more than academic qualifications when selecting young people for courses or work, seeking fully rounded individuals who are self reliant, resourceful and who show abundant initiative. In order to support students to develop these qualities, we provide a wide range of opportunities. Students carry out a week of career related Work Experience, achieve the Gold DofE Award, lead sports training for primary children, complete 1 hour of Community service supporting in classrooms every week, are MIND mentors, EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity) prefects and role models to the lower school. STEAM and Visual Arts Scholarships are available for those students interested in pursuing a career in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art or Maths. Currently we have Scholars for Medicine, Engineering, Art, Computer Science and Investment Banking. These Ambassadors of our Sixth Form are tasked to inspire future students to aspire to achieve great things, whilst we support their journey. Our modern Sixth Form facilities afford students the opportunities to socialise together as well as to study independently. Sixth Form
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Catchment Area To see if you are in our catchment area, please visit the following link: https://services.buckscc.gov.uk/school-admissions/nearest You will be asked to enter your postcode and home address and will be presented with a list of schools, showing if you are in catchment and the distance from that school to your home address. Catchment Area 20
Results 2024 The performances tables can be found at https://www.gov.uk/school-performance-tables The strong partnerships of students, parents, staff and governors working together have enabled Holmer Green Senior School to produce some truly excellent results. GCSE – 2024 Results Students achieving 5 GCSE grades 9-4 including English and Maths = 73% 18% of grades were 7— 9 Students achieving a grade 4 or above in GCSE English = 86% Students achieving a grade 4 or above in GCSE Maths = 83% A Level – 2024Results Percentage of grades A*-A = 18% Percentage of grades A*-B = 49% Percentage of grades A*-C = 79% Average Grade for Best 3 ‘A’ Levels = B 21
Holmer Green Senior School Work Hard, Be Kind, Have Passion Holmer Green Senior School, Parish Piece, Holmer Green, High Wycombe, Bucks HP15 6SP Tel: 01494 712219 www.hgss.co.uk
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