Welcome

Hartshill School is an 11–16 mixed Foundation School in the North of Warwickshire on the outskirts of the thriving market town of Nuneaton and is only 75 minutes from London by train. The school is fully comprehensive; very much part of the village. There are currently 880 students on roll.

The intake to the school is very much in line with the national average. 2% of students have Special Educational Needs and a further 2.8% have Statements. 8% of students claim free school meals. Attendance has improved considerably and is currently over 93%.

Students are encouraged to participate in a wide range of extra curricular activities including sport, the Duke of Edinburgh Award and music. There are frequent residential trips including Barcelona and New York as well as language exchange visits.

The School has made significant progress in recent years. In 2006 41% of students achieved 5 A-C grades. In 2008 this rose to 64%. Results improved in 13 departments with Catering, MFL and Science having the best results. 93% of students achieved 5 A-G passes and 99% achieved at least 1 pass, again exceeding our challenging targets.

2007/08 was an extremely successful year for the School. As well as the best ever results, the School achieved Gold Standard in Investors In Careers, we won the local PACT Award for the work that students do in the community and had the first school Drama production at the Abbey Theatre for many years, which was a huge success.

There has also been considerable investment in the school environment with:

New canteen
New reception area
CCTV across the School
New Drama Studio
Extension of the Student Support/SMART Centre
4 Science Laboratories refurbished
Refurbished Science prep. room
Refurbishment of toilets throughout the School
Extensive decorating

OfSTED 2007

Hartshill is at a very exciting stage in its development. For many years the school was judged to require special measures or a notice to improve by OfSTED. However in October 2007 the inspectors said that Hartshill School was making “very good progress”and that the school was no longer in need of improvement. Inspectors praised the school, in particular the leadership –

“The focus of senior leaders and governors on securing the best possible education and personal development for the pupils is outstanding; every child does matter in this school”

David Jones HMI also praised the “outstanding governance”in helping to bring about the considerable improvements in the school.

The Report also noted –

Students

Their behaviour isgood, as is their attitude towards learning. School procedures to improve attendance and punctuality are rigorous and these have improved. Students say that teaching is good and they enjoy their lessons, appreciating what staff do to make them interesting. Care, guidance and support are good and ensure that students know what to do to improve.

Teaching and Learning - are now good overall, and particularly so in Science.

Curriculum and other activities Inspectors noted the stimulating curriculum which well meets the personal and academic needs of students. High attaining students and those with particular learning needs are well catered for.

The future is a very positive one for Hartshill School. We are looking for teachers who are dynamic, passionate, dedicated and ambitious for the school and the students they teach. If you decide to join us you will be assured of a warm welcome and a lot of support. However there is no doubt that there are still plenty of challenges ahead. If you are someone who sees these challenges as an opportunity to make a difference to the lives of young people, and you are ready to be part of the transformation of a school, then Hartshill is the place for you. The school has Investors in People Status and there is a good programme of induction for all new staff.

We are applying to become a Science and Arts Specialist School and are waiting to hear if we have been successful.
You are very welcome to visit and I look forward to meeting with you.

Wendy Tomes
Headteacher