We are proud to present to you our school where we value highly our mission statement,
“We are a community in pursuit of excellence where everyone is valued.”
Therefore, we are a fully inclusive mixed 13-18 comprehensive and we work hard to be a community in which all learners, staff and students alike, are encouraged to develop respect both for themselves as individuals and for others, as well as for the studies and activities in which they are engaged.
We firmly believe that all of our students have the potential for excellence and we work towards this by having high expectations of students and staff, by continually raising our aspirations and by promoting our students’ self belief alongside strong moral values. We are looking for colleagues who want to share in and deliver this vision.
Our status as a DCSF Sports College and our affiliation to the Specialist Schools Trust ensures that every subject is delivered and enhanced by using the latest technology and that we offer all students appropriate courses on which they will succeed. It is our commitment to provide an excellent learning environment for our students and the wider community, as exemplified by excellent facilities; 13 ICT suites, Observation Room, Hair Salon, Beauty Treatment Room, Construction Room and Catering Room to name but a few.
Our students tell us that Arrow Vale is a happy place to learn, which is important to us as we want them to be confident to use their talents and skills to achieve the potential that exists in all individuals. We want our students to experience an education which sets the highest standards and aspirations for all. Our ethos centres on the core values of academic success, discipline, personal responsibility and self-respect.
Achievement and standards across the school are continually improving. This is underpinned by the curriculum offered at Arrow Vale, which reflects the varied needs of our students. Our emphasis is for a broad and challenging curriculum, which provides opportunities for all to achieve. Our curriculum is delivered by a team of highly specialised and motivated staff who are supported by strong pastoral care through the Student Team, a great example of our commitment to Workforce Reform.
Similar high standards of effort and performance are developed in the musical life of the school, on the sports field, in the drama studio, (the major production last year was ”We Will Rock You” with “High School Musical” currently in rehearsal) and in the many other areas of endeavour such as the Duke of Edinburgh and Sports Leaders Awards. However, our innovative approach has seen; our students create and make their own feature film, which was premiered at The Apollo Cinema, Redditch (July 2009), the school gained a Leading Aspect Award for its staff development and also our curriculum and approach to learning has led to the school being designated as a “Change School” which cements our creativity and progress in learning.
As you can see from our prospectus and school video (on YouTube, as “ArrowValeschoolvideo”) we have a number of unique factors. It has, most importantly, a keen and dedicated work force and many hardworking, talented and ambitious students from a variety of backgrounds.
We welcome applications from colleagues at any stage in their career, including those seeking to gain QTS. We place a high priority on staff development and have a strong and very successful Staff Learning and induction programme, for which we have won the national “Leading Aspect Award”. There are many opportunities for staff within the school including our innovative Teaching and Learning group ‘The Change Team’. We are also a leading practice SEAL school (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning) and we are working with colleagues across the county, nationally and internationally on a range of initiatives, including curriculum and leadership.
We invite you to visit us so that you can see the school at work and see for yourself the opportunities open to you at Arrow Vale Community High School and Specialist Sports College.
We look forward to welcoming you to the school.
