Headteacher's Welcome

Welcome to the North School, where we believe high expectations and a focus on achievement help us develop happy, confident learners who are supported, encouraged and inspired to reach their full potential.

As headteacher, I am proud of the way our students, staff, parents and carers create a community that supports our goal of ensuring pupils leave school with the right skills, appropriate qualifications and good grades.

My mission is to ensure that every member of that community is ‘putting achievement first’, showing respect for others, developing resilience and supporting the school’s aim of preparing young people for a productive and rewarding adult life.

Our experienced and committed staff, supported by our strong partnership with the Swale Academies Trust, work tirelessly to ensure students achieve the highest possible standards academically, socially and morally and build on our recent successes.

We have a traditional ethos that believes students need high quality teaching and a calm, positive learning environment, which is why we have extremely high expectations for behaviour both inside and outside the classroom.

Communities and the Curriculum

Our school is made up of three communities, Essella, Mabledon and the Sixth Form, each supported by a dedicated team of teachers and support staff that create an effective platform underpinning each pupil’s progress and well-being.

While our aim of ‘putting achievement first’ ensures we prepare students for their exams, both academic and vocational, our curriculum is focused on delivering more general knowledge and on supporting our students’ spiritual, cultural and moral development.

In academic subjects, students are set according to ability so that they can receive the most appropriate support. We offer a range of exam options to cater for different interests, abilities and learning styles, with a grammar stream that allows higher-ability students to meet their aspirations and their parents’ expectations.

Values and Ethos

The North School recognises that people have different strengths and interests and we aim to give individuals the opportunity to develop those further where possible. In return we expect students to have high expectations of themselves and share our aim of ‘putting achievement first’.

Our school values were selected through a consultation led by students, teachers, governors and parents. We believe that every member of the school community will therefore own, and help deliver, the values they put forward.

• Respect: The school upholds each individual’s right to learn and we promote respect for individual views, opinions and beliefs; we expect each member of the school community to show kindness, tolerance and consideration towards others.
• Achievement: The school’s aim of ‘putting achievement first’ reflects its commitment to achievement and we are proud of the results we achieve at GCSE and at A level. At the same time we celebrate the achievement of those who make good progress and those who pursue vocational, sporting or artistic goals.
• Resilience: We understand that long-term success requires perseverance and the ability to learn from mistakes and we believe mental toughness is important in tackling challenges both at school and in life in general.
• Community: We believe that being part of the school community makes us stronger; caring for each other and supporting our local community helps us achieve our very best. We learn together, we celebrate together and we support each other through challenges.

If you believe students should have high expectations and be given all possible support to achieve those expectations, please make an appointment to visit the school and find out more about our values, our ethos and our drive to help children reach their full potential.

I look forward to meeting you. Please do not hesitate to contact the school if you would like more information.

A. Lawrence