John Hampden Grammar School (Buckinghamshire) URN: 136771
Updated 14 February 2020
Applies to England
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Fair access and partnership plan summary
The above school has made a commitment to deliver the following fair access and partnership plan by 2020 (and in subsequent years) as part of its successful Selective Schools Expansion Fund bid.
Admissions
John Hampden Grammar School (JHGS) has already increased, for 2019 and subsequent years, its year 7 published admission number (PAN) by 30 places to 180. It also intends to introduce a year 9 PAN of 30 (for September 2020 only), and to increase its year 12 PAN for external applicants by 15 places to 25 from September 2020 onwards.
The school aims to double the number of pupil premium pupils entering the school each year within 3 years of September 2020.
After the admission of looked after and previously looked after boys, boys eligible for the pupil and service premium will be prioritised for admission to years 7 and 9.
Of the year 7 places, 12 will be ring-fenced for pupil and service premium boys who have achieved 115 or more in the admissions test and are in catchment. (The pass mark in Buckinghamshire is 121 for other children).
Outreach
Target primary schools for outreach and partnership work have been chosen on the basis of the percentage of their students who are (a) eligible for the pupil premium (‘PP’), and (b) from an English as an additional Language (‘EAL’) background, their key stage 2 results, their proximity to the school, and their desire to work in partnership:
- Castlefield Primary School
- Chepping View Primary Academy
- Carrington Junior School
- Hughenden Primary School
- Disraeli School
The school already has a number of established outreach initiatives with the above local primary schools which will continue. The cumulative benefits of partner school students visiting JHGS is that they familiarise themselves with the school environment, the students and the staff. They see it as “their” local school and are more confident to apply to it.
Existing activities which will continue are:
- maths outreach with Local Primary Schools - this comprises weekly mentoring sessions using the support of JHGS Sixth Form students; each student works with a group of 3 to 5 primary school pupils focusing primarily on extension material including aspects of algebra, problem solving and other higher ability level (‘level 6’) material
- pupils in partner schools have also had their English skills supported with JHGS Sixth Form students visiting on a regular basis to mentor students in years 5 and 6
- a Design and Technology outreach programme brings local years 5 and 6 children to JHGS to experience Design and Technology (‘D&T’) - this enables the children to develop their practical, manual skills in addition to literacy and numeracy skills
- a matinee of the annual school production is given free of charge to local primary school students - this widens their cultural experiences and develops literacy and creativity skills
- over 1000 primary students come to JHGS throughout the year to participate in sports activities developing their physical fitness, teamwork and communication skills
More generally, for economically disadvantaged students, JHGS can cover the cost of school uniform, materials to support the curriculum (such as revision guides), all curriculum educational visits, participation in extra-curricular sports clubs, musical instrument lessons and the completion of the Duke of Edinburgh Award in key stage 4.
New outreach activities will extend the above activity in partner schools to explicitly focus on boosting the academic attainment of Ever6 and EAL students and will include the following:
- Sixth Form mentors working with the students on a regular basis, particularly in literacy and numeracy (where possible, they will be students who came from that school)
- carousel days at JHGS at the end of year 4 and 5 where students will experience secondary school lessons in a grammar school
- for year 5 students, the headteacher and SLT members will signpost familiarisation materials to students and parents in partner primary schools
- using the expertise of the primary schools JHGS staff and students will support particular students with tailored interventions to promote progress
Partnership
General partnership activity will also focus on the above partner schools.
As a new initiative, JHGS staff will run CPD sessions in the partner primaries (particularly of specialist subjects such as MFL, Science and Humanities). Primary staff will also be invited to attend CPD sessions at JHGS. The focus for this continuing professional development (CPD) will be planned in conjunction with the partner primary schools to address their areas of need.
Another new programme will address the difficulties many local primaries are experiencing in trying to attract governors. JHGS will establish a programme to encourage middle and senior leaders at JHGS to take up governorships at partner primary schools in order to share their expertise more widely.