Fred Longworth is an increasingly popular 11 - 16 High School with an enviable and deserved reputation as a caring and successful establishment. Staff morale is high and the school has a positive approach to progress and raising attainment. This success has been recognised by the Secretary of State for Education in designating us as a Specialist School - with Arts College status. We were also one of the first schools in the country to gain ’Leading Edge’ status and in 2008 we were awarded a second specialism in Applied Learning. In this summary, we wish to give you a flavour of the educational programmes on offer at Fred Longworth and to show how we provide students with a quality education.
The school occupies a pleasant, open site, with extensive sporting and leisure facilities and has been remodelled and extended since receiving its first comprehensive intake in 1976. Impressive Science, Technology and ICT facilities are matched by those of similar quality in, for example, Drama, Dance, Music, Art, Media Studies and Physical Education. Anyone visiting the school sees, immediately, how much we pride ourselves on building and maintaining a quality educational environment, which students care for and respect. We are continually developing courses so that they are relevant to students in this complex and ever changing world.
We see successful education as a partnership between parents, students and ourselves. Links with parents are of paramount importance, with regular and frequent contacts via parents' evenings and high quality newsletters, which contribute to continuing dialogue about the education we provide for our children.
We have high expectations of the two hundred and fifty five students joining us each year, who thrive in what is a well-ordered, purposeful and happy learning environment. Discipline is firm but fair. We are committed to traditional excellence with high standards of behaviour and academic achievement, as well as to flexible and positive approaches which make learning and teaching, a stimulating experience. Each new student is valued as an individual learner, with her or his strengths, needs and hopes for success. Where students have learning difficulties, they are given additional help in many ways, including special tuition by our experienced learning support team. Where they have special talents, they are encouraged to develop them to the full.
The school has an excellent reputation in the local community, which we are proud to serve. Strong industrial and business links are complemented by a highly successful whole-school work experience programme. Students and staff are together involved in a range of activities which both enhance and develop community ties, and assist students to achieve the very highest standards of which they are capable in all areas of life, including work, sport, the arts and a care and concern for others. Our intake is very comprehensive and very local and we have particularly strong links with our primary schools. Few students experience any transitional problems since they all know us very well. There is a real community of education in the area with mutual support. This does not stop at the age of 16 and we are open 5 nights per week and often at weekends for community activities - a rich source of revenue for the school. If you are new to the area, or, for some other reason, are unfamiliar with the school, please ask in the locality for the views of parents who have, or have had, children at the school recently. If you have missed our ‘Open Evening’, please feel free to contact school to arrange a visit.
Fred Longworth is an achieving school. 2008 saw improved levels of academic performance with 61% of students gaining 5 or more A*-C grades. Our 'Value Added' score based on a multi-level analysis, regularly ranks the school as one of the top performers in the North, with a value added measure of +5.0 GCSE grades per student. Achievement is by no means 'academic' alone. We have a strong tradition of excellence in Art, Music and Drama, with outstanding levels of public performance, and in sport, our teams regularly gain local, regional and national acclaim.
In March 2007, Ofsted endorsed our work and declared FLHS to be a ‘Good School with many outstanding features’. The report was overwhelmingly complimentary highlighting the very good teaching, the extremely positive attitudes of our students and the excellent relationships throughout the school. In addition we received a School Achievement Award in May 2003 for out-performing schools in similar circumstances.
All teaching and support staff have a crucial role to play in setting standards. Through a professional caring and sensitive approach based on mutual respect, we achieve a great deal. In particular we expect all staff to be committed to our Arts College aims and to play an active part in our initiatives.
In the confident hope that what you hear and see of the school pleases you, and make Fred Longworth High School the secondary school of your choice, I wish you a happy and successful association with the school. The unswerving support of local parents allied to the efforts of a hugely talented staff have been cornerstones of Fred Longworth’s achievements. I know that the school will build upon these and go from strength to strength.