Prospectus for The West Hampstead International School

7/27/2019 Prospectus for The West Hampstead International School

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WHIS is a not-for-profit state school delivered in partnership with:

Dame Alice Owen’s School • Watford Grammar School for Boys • Watford Grammar School for Girls •

Queen Elizabeth School, Barnet • Mount Grace School • The Wroxham Primary School



Unashamedly academic

We believe in the unique

power of a rigorous

academic education to

shape engaged,

articulate children who

want to make the most of

life.

Our ambitious curriculum

will balance depth and

breadth, with stretching

targets for learning

languages and science

taught as three separate

subjects.

Our Founding Principles

Shaping emotionally resilient children

Every aspect of our school environment will be designed to encourage students to grow into

respectful, responsible and motivated young people.

We will provide focused pastoral care to help pupils drive their own academic progress, and offer

support and guidance whenever it is needed.

Strengthening our community

Our vision is for a local school that allows children to preserve and develop the bonds they have

formed with friends from primar y school and the communities in which they live.

We will draw upon the great diversity and aspiration found in London’s patchwork of neighbourhoods

to encourage ambition and a global perspective in our pupils.

To support the community which supports us, we will make our school premises available as a hub

for learning, creativity and competition, every day of the week.



Our team

The West Hampstead International School

campaign was formed when a group of

local parents identied a shared concern

regarding the emerging lack of school places

in the area. The campaign is led by Dr Clare

Craig, Consultant Hospital Doctor and CEO

of Thanks Doctor; Rob Marshall, a nancial

analyst and governor at a West Hampstead

primary school; Shay Manuel, a family support

worker in Kilburn; and Jo Disson, a government

social researcher.

The West Hampstead International School will

enjoy the full support of the Advanced Learning

Alliance (ALA), a group of outstanding schools

based in North London and Hertfordshire,

including Dame Alice Owen’s and Watford

Boys’ and Girls’ Grammar Schools. The ALA

schools will provide staff, resources, training,

technology and expertise to help ensure the

successful delivery of an ambitious programme

of study and enrichment.

When and where?

In May 2014 we will apply to the Depar tment

for Education. Our target is to open and admit

Reception and Year 7 classes in September

2015. We have identied potential locations

around the railway tracks near to the West

Hampstead transport interchange.

Here’s where you come in…

To give our school and your child

the best chance, please ll in the A4

form included in this prospectus, or go

to www.westhampsteadinternational.org and

follow the link to sign up now.

Delivering our vision

Excellent teaching and learning

With the support of exceptional teachers from

our partner schools, we will deliver a r igorous

academic curriculum designed to inspire a

lifelong love of lear ning, including:

Enrichment and pastoral care

We want to instil in our students a passion

for life, and a strong sense of respect for

themselves and for others, by offering:

We will offer

A specialism in languages, supported by

international links and powerful technological

learning aids

A creative, evidence-based approach to

teaching in both joint and single-sex classes

and in sets according to academic ability

A healthy balance between the teaching of

critical thinking and core knowledge

Science taught as three subjects.

A specialism in music, one of many

enrichment activities to engage and

invigorate pupils

A vibrant, caring community with frequent

mentoring – from teachers, pupils past

and present, and gures from industry and

academia

Strict discipline to help develop a keen senseof responsibility and politeness

Thoughtful engagement with our

community through projects, support for

home languages, and creative use of our

public space.

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“The Advanced Learning Alliance

is all about sharing best practice

to deliver consistently outstanding

teaching.” Dr Alan Davison,

Headteacher, Dame Alice Owen’s School

AssessmentRegular and detailed assessment is a key factor

in the remarkable success of our partner

schools in the Advanced Learning Alliance

(ALA). From the day we open, our staff will

benet from the ALA’s established processes

and systems. Teachers will be able to track

and analyse the progress of students, and

ensure that they are consistently stretched

and supported. These systems will also form

the basis for regular open dialogue between

teacher, pupil and parent, helping students to

understand their goals.

Creativity

Our pupils will be given every opportunity to

build powers of self-expression. We want to

develop lively imaginations because this will

lead to innovation and independent thought.

We want to teach our children the joy of

working creatively, and encourage them to

appreciate the creativity of others. Throughout

primary and secondary school, children will

undertake creative writing classes as part of

their literacy programme. In addition to our

specialism in music, students will enjoy a variety

of creative opportunities including art, drama

and community-based projects.

The right environment

At The West Hampstead International School

we will adopt a creative but evidence-based

approach to teaching in single-sex groups and

in sets according to ability.

Studies show that, at different stages in their

development, boys and girls can benet from

being taught in single-sex groups, with a

positive impact on concentration levels and

class participation. In addition, single-sex groups

have shown a reduction in the tendency to

choose subject specialisms in line with gender

stereotypes.

To offer our pupils the best possible

learning environment, The West Hampstead

International School will adopt a ‘diamond’

approach to gender grouping. Boys and girls will

be taught in mixed classes at primar y and Sixth

Form, and taught separately for core academic

subjects during Key Stages 3 & 4. For the rest

of the school day, including during enrichment

classes such as music, and at assembly and

break times, all pupils will be together.

A curriculum balancingbreadth and depth

We believe that an effective teaching style

emphasises both content and technique. We

will give our students a broad knowledge base,

allowing them to develop cultural literacy and

a context for their learning. Our curriculum

will relate closely to the National Curriculum,

and students will work towards GCSEs and

A-levels. In keeping with our high academic

aims, students will study science as three

separate subjects. All pupils will study Spanish

throughout primary level, with an introduction

to Latin in Year 7 and further language options

thereafter.

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Learning comes rst



International perspective

WHIS will have a languages specialism and links

with schools overseas. In this way, we hope

to prepare students for life in our shrinking

world by teaching them about other countries

and cultures. We will seek to join one of the

recognised international school groups, which

provide curriculum support and access to a

network of schools with a shared ethos.

Music to inspire and engage

Children learn best when they are fully

engaged in school, and music and drama will

form a vital par t of our enrichment curriculum.

North London benets from several highly

successful initiatives that have demonstrated

the extraordinary capacity of music to inspire

a love of learning in children of all backgrounds.

In partnership with the Camden Music Service,

we will deliver a wide range of options for

small and large group tuition, with an emphasis

on live performance at every opportunity in

order to build condence and powers of self-

expression.

Our specialisms

Languages as a catalyst forsuccess

Learning a foreign language is not just a way

to gain additional qualications – it develops

a concrete and demonstrable life skill. As

well as being highly valued by employers, a

widely spoken second language brings cultural

awareness, social skills, and the opportunity

to travel or work abroad. All students will

aim for two GCSEs or equivalent in modern or

ancient languages.

Our youngest students will enjoy the precious

opportunity to learn a language early in

life, with Spanish lessons from their very

rst year. For students joining at secondary

level, the Year 7 curriculum will include intensive

Spanish coaching so that, as soon as they are

ready, children can embark on ambitious

bilingual programmes such as ‘Spanish through

Geography’. In this way, we will bring WHIS

students the proven benets of language

learning for mental development.

House system and studentfamilies

Each child will belong to a small house group

within the school. They will represent their

house in music, sport and drama competitions,

and the system will encourage pupils to build

relationships with students of different ages.

Every student will have two named school

siblings in each year group, with older students

taking a role in helping younger siblings to feel

welcome and to enjoy school life.

Girls and boys

We believe our ‘diamond’ school approach

promotes the best of both worlds for girls and

for boys. From age 11 to 16, they will enjoy

the proven benets of single-sex teaching for

concentration, self-condence and aspiration.

Then during much of the school day, and

throughout primary and Sixth Form, boys and

girls will spend time together, learning sensitivity

and respectfulness.

Special Educational Needs

The school’s special needs provision will be

driven by our inclusive philosophy. There will

be members of staff dedicated to identifying

special educational needs at an early stage.

These staff will be responsible for enabling

teachers to support those with special needs

in mainstream lessons and, where necessary,

for providing specialist intervention.

Role models and mentors

Our students will benet from various forms

of mentoring and peer group str uctures:

English as an additionallanguage

We think our school should reect the diversity

of our city and so, as well as intensive English

tuition, we will offer teaching and support in

home languages for those students who speak

English as their second tongue. We believe

these children will embrace their existing

bilingualism as an advantage and as a catalyst

to academic attainment.

We believe passionately in helping our pupils to become emotionally resilient young people. We

will not look to protect our students from failure by denying that it has happened: instead, we will

promote a supportive community which cheers second attempts, and encourages children to put

themselves forward in the classroom without fear of humiliation.

A supportive framework

Academic mentoring from form tutors,

encouraging each child to discuss their

objectives and take ownership of their

academic career

Teaching in school assemblies, including

stories of unlikely heroes and appearances

from alumni and other role models from

industry and society

Behavioural mentoring, helping children to

respect their peers, their teachers and their

learning environment.

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Responsibility

We want all our pupils to realise that they

are responsible for their future, and that only

through effort will they succeed. We believe

that academic success follows when children

are able to ar ticulate their objectives and take

ownership of their school career.

From their rst day, pupils will also be taught

the value of supporting the community by

taking charge of the organisation of school and

house events. Children will be entrusted with

responsibility for the upkeep and decoration

of common areas such as their house rooms.

Leadership and competition

We will ensure that a full afternoon per week

is dedicated to spor t, allowing students access

to excellent facilities. PE classes will provide

exercise and will teach the benets of healthy

living. Children will have the opportunity to

engage in a variety of competitive team sports

in house groupings, learning the importance of

teamwork and leadership.

Equipped for life

“The School should be a microcosmof what we would like society to be:

a collection of caring, motivated,

hardworking and happy people

who are capable of living together

harmoniously while recognising and

respecting each other’s differences.”

Dame Helen Hyde, Headteacher, Watford

Grammar School for Girls

Engaged and articulate

We want our students to engage with the world around them – its people and its institutions. So

as well as offering a broad curriculum that gives pupils the knowledge and per spective to think for

themselves, we will hold regular debates and public speaking competitions. In order to reinforce the

role of core knowledge in our curriculum, we will also hold house quiz events.

Discipline and behaviour

The West Hampstead International School will create a calm classroom environment that allows

students to focus on learning. We will expect all children to be punctual, wear smart school uniform,

and treat teachers and classmates with courtesy. Senior staff members and behavioural mentors will

deal with disruptive pupils outside the classroom.

In a culture founded on building trust and self-restraint, students will be given important roles in

the organisation of the school. Our mentoring plans will help students to acquire a sense of respect

for themselves and their peers. Through the small house system and a programme of alumni visits,

children will be inspired by positive role models and develop a sense of pride in their school.

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“I am dedicated to developing approaches

to teaching and learning that do not rely on

determinist beliefs about ability. I believe

that the most effective school is one where

individuality and difference are celebrated

and everyone is valued.” Dame Alison Peacock,

Headteacher, The Wroxham School

Breadth and rigour

We have high aspirations for our young

people, and will deliver this vision through

excellent and enthusiastic teaching of a broad

curriculum in a safe, disciplined environment.

As our students will come from a multitude of

ethnic and linguistic backgrounds, we will focus

on developing competence and condence in

spoken language.

During Early Years, our teachers will balance

academic, social and physical development,

preparing children for the diligence and

precision we will bring to learning in later years.

Across the year groups, we will ensure that

children have grasped important skills before

moving on to the next stage. Children will be

trusted to set the pace of their learning, and

will be motivated by the satisfaction of their

own success.

Continuity

Children who join us from the very beginning

will enjoy the full benet of our stimulating,

supportive ethos throughout their school

career. They will be well prepared for the

advantages of our ambitious languages

programme, studying Spanish from Reception

class onwards.

In Year 6, pupils will get a taste for the next

stage of their education by spending lesson

and enrichment time with pupils and teachers

from the secondary school.

Creativity

School is not only about academic achievement.

It is also about developing powers of self-

expression during our children’s formative

years. We want our students to enjoy going

to WHIS because it will help them to achieve

more. Children are naturally creative, and our

teachers will promote a classroom culture

that thrives on this, with strategies designed to

spark new ideas and a sense of wonder. Our

lessons will aim for a healthy mix of ‘order

and adventure’.

Music will play a key role throughout the

school, and children will be provided with

plentiful opportunities to learn an instrument

and to perform for friends and family. A broad

range of after-school clubs will allow children

to develop interests and hobbies such as choir,

cookery and drama.

The West Hampstead International School will open with 60 Reception places. Our primary and

secondary schools will share the same vision and values, reected in a common objective: to build

a safe, supportive environment where children are happy and engaged, allowing their creative and

academic gifts to ourish.

Our primary school

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Continuity breeds success

At the heart of our vision is a neighbourhood school where groups of

children from the excellent local primaries can move on to secondary

school together. Research has shown that disruption can damage children’s

academic progress, and that students thrive when they can enjoy the

support of friends and familiar peers.

WHIS primary students will benet from the continuity of a smooth

progression to secondary school, but we are equally keen to ensure that

pupils arriving in Year 7 from other local schools will settle in happily. To aid

this transition, we will forge strong relationships with nearby primaries, and

get to know parents and pupils before their start with us.

Giving back

We want our school to be woven into the fabric of the area, and our

students will take on regular neighbourhood outreach work to teach them

the value of being involved with the community.

As the beneciaries of precious taxpayer money, we feel that our free

school has a moral obligation to make the most of its amenities. So we will

strive for innovative ways in which to open up our physical premises as a

base for community and educational activities:

Parents and carers

Supportive parents and carers will be key to our success, and we believe

that family and school have a mutual obligation to support each child’s

educational career. We expect parents to reinforce the importance of

education by ensuring their child completes homework and attends on

time every day. Parents will be able to view and monitor their child’s

academic and extra-curricular progress online and to have termly meetings

with teachers or subject leaders.

Community

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Hosting local language tutors and schools

Running and hosting community services such as youth clubs, lm and

book clubs, cookery and textiles classes

Hosting community sports clubs.

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Next steps We will apply to the Department for Education in May 2014, with a target of opening to admit

Reception and Year 7 classes in September 2015.

We urgently need your support. Before May 2014, we require written signatures of

support from the parents of children who will attend our school.

To give our school and your child the best chance, please ll in the A4 form included in this

prospectus, or go to www.westhampsteadinternational.org and follow the link to sign up now.



Be a part of it We urgently need your support. Before

May 2014, we require written signatures of

support from the parents of children who will

attend our school.

To give our school and your child the

best chance, please ll in the A4 form

included in this prospectus, or go

to www.westhampsteadinternational.org and

follow the link to sign up now.

Contact Uswww.westhampsteadinternational.orginfo@westhampsteadinternational.org

WESTTHE

HAMPSTEADINTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

Documents

Prospectus for The West Hampstead International School