About Cannock Chase High School
Intake and Catchment Area
Cannock Chase High School is a mixed comprehensive school catering for pupils in the 11-18 age range. The catchment area includes Cannock and its wider area and consists of a number of former mining villages. The school takes a significant number of pupils from outside its catchment on the basis of parental choice. The number on roll is 1,600 with 9-14 tutor groups in each of years 7 to 11.
The Sixth Form is flourishing with over 250 students enabling us to offer a wide range of AS and A2 courses. The ability profile of the school is a normal distribution and 13% of pupils are entitled to free school meals.
From September 2004, the school became a Specialist Science College, attracting significant extra funding. This is being used for the benefit of the entire school community.
Facilities
The general facilities of the school (built in the 1950s) are good although showing their age. The school is on two sites, which are within easy walking distance. Pupils move from one lesson to another but staff remain based in one area. Departments are located in specific areas within the school and enjoy considerable autonomy. In recent years the school has had a new sports hall and sixth form provision built.
The Information & Communication Technology (ICT) provision is considerable, with all departments having close access to ICT equipment. Our computer-to-pupil ratio is approximately 1:4.
Specialist accommodation is as follows:
- 15 Science laboratories
- Large preparation room
- 6 Technology rooms
- Sports Hall
- Swimming Pool
- Gymnasia
- Extensive playing fields
- 2 Assembly Halls one with accompanying dining area
- Library
- Computer suites
- Purpose built music suite with practice rooms
- Art rooms
- General Teaching rooms
Reprographic facilities are good and we have a highly efficient and helpful team of support staff.
Standards and Achievement
GCSE
The table shows the trend of improvement at GCSE over the last 5 years:
| 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage achieving 5+ A*-C grades | 58.3 | 51.2 | 56.4 | 53.4 | 56.1 |
| Percentage achieving 5+ A*-C grades (inc English & Maths) | 42.8 | 36.2 | 42.8 | 41.0 | 44.7 |
| Percentage achieving 5+ A*-G grades | 95.0 | 93.9 | 95.0 | 93.7 | 93.9 |
| Percentage achieving 1+ A*-G grades | 99.4 | 99.4 | 100 | 99.7 | 98.9 |
| Uncapped average points score | 369.8 | 359.2 | 383 | 372 | 377.3 |
The 2007 Raise-online gives our KS2 to KS4 Contextual Value Added as 1010.9 – significantly higher than average. Our KS3 to KS4 CVA is outstanding at 1016.4.
KS3 Tests
The table shows the trend of improvement at KS3 over the last 4 years:
| 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage level 5+ English | 64 | 55.6 | 76.1 | 70.1 | N/A |
| Percentage level 5+ Mathematics | 72 | 78.2 | 74.6 | 75.5 | N/A |
| Percentage level 5+ Science | 72 | 70.1 | 69.0 | 67.1 | N/A |
Our overall Contextual Value Added in 2007 for KS2 to KS3 is 100.4, KS2-3 CVA in English and Maths is significantly above average.
The Sixth Form
Performance at AS and A level in the Sixth Form is satisfactory.
| 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average points score per student | 296.2 | 295 | 791 | 737 | 747 |
| A level pass rate | 97.5 | 97.6 | 96.4 | 93.7 | 96.6 |
| AS level pass rate | 89.5 | 79.5 | 81.6 | 83.1 | 89.7 |
Students are closely monitored and supported which leads to high performance against their target grades.
Overall
Cannock Chase High School is achieving high standards overall. We are justifiably proud of the results our students gain at all levels. In March 2006 OFSTED judged standards of achievement to be good overall and outstanding in the Sixth Form.
Curriculum
The school operates a weekly timetable consisting of 30 x 50 minute lessons:
Key Stage 3 Curriculum
| Subject | Y7 | Y8 | Y9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Mathematics | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Science | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Technology | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| French | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Geography | # | 2 | 2 |
| History | # | 1 | 2 |
| Religious Education | # | 2 | 1+ |
| Music | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Art | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Drama | 1 | 1* | 1+ |
| ICT | # | 1 | 1 |
| Physical Education | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Citizenship | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Chase Learning | 8# | ||
| 30 | 30 | 30 |
Key Stage 4 Curriculum
| Subject | Lessons |
|---|---|
| English | 4 |
| Mathematics | 4 |
| Science/Additional Science | 6 |
| Physical Education | 1 |
| RE (Short Course) | 1 |
| ICT | 1 |
| Citizenship (GCSE Short Course) | 1 |
| Option 1 | 3 |
| Option 2 | 3 |
| Option 3 | 3 |
| Option 4 | 3 |
| 30 |
* Shared with Food Technology - 1.5 terms each.
* RE and Drama share 1 period - 1.5 terms each
# Chase Learning encompasses elements of
English, Science, ICT and Humanities.
In Years 12 and 13
Pupils choose from 5 option pools. Most will study 3 or 4 AS subjects in Year 12 along with AS General Studies. This leads on to 3 or 4 subjects studied at A2. We offer a wide range of A Level subjects and the vast majority of pupils gaining 5 or more GCSEs at grades A* – C come back into our Sixth Form.
A small number return to study level 2 courses in Early Years Childcare and Business. We are developing our post-16 provision in conjunction with the Chase Collegiate which is a collaboration between nine high schools and Cannock Chase Technology College.
Groupings
Block timetabling enables decisions regarding pupil groupings to be delegated to departments. Each department must have a clear rationale for the way pupils are grouped with equal gender balance and no more than 28 pupils per group.
Pupils with Special Educational Needs are supported in two ways.
- In-class support using classroom assistants and special needs tutors.
- By extraction from lessons, either individually or in small groups.
There is a large number of lunchtime and after school clubs. Cannock Chase High School has established a good reputation locally and at county level for the quality of its sporting provision.
Drama and Music events are a regular feature within the school involving a considerable number of pupils and staff. There is a wide variety of orchestras, choirs and musical ensembles. We have a significant reputation for high quality school productions.
Pupil Guidance
The school is organised on a year basis, each under the control of one or two Heads of Year. Heads of Year are accountable to the Deputy Headteacher (Pupil Guidance). The Heads of Year move up with their year groups. The Head of Sixth Form is a static position. All pupils are allocated to mixed ability tutor groups under the guidance of a form tutor. Form Tutors progress from Years 7 to 11 with their tutor groups. More recently we have introduced a Behaviour Manager to work alongside Heads of Year in Key Stage 3.
OFSTED Inspection
The school was inspected by OFSTED during March 2009. We were delighted by the outcome. The overall effectiveness of the school was judged to be good and outstanding in the Sixth Form. The curriculum and care, guidance and support were judged to be outstanding.
Finally
Cannock Chase High School is a great place to work and the quality of relationships within the school is excellent.
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