Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School

Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School (HCCS)
Motto	Quality Education in a Caring Environment
Established	1978
Type	Community Comprehensive and Sixth Form
Religious affiliation	None
Headteacher	Mr Denis Oliver
Chair of Governors	Mrs Jackie Beard
Specialism	Specialist Science College
Location	Selkirk Drive Holmes Chapel Cheshire CW4 7DX UK
LEA	Cheshire
Staff	c. 87 teaching
Students	c. 1100
Gender	Mixed
Ages	11 to 18
School colours	Black and Yellow
Telephone	01477 534513
Email	office@hccs.info
Notable Awards	Sportsmark Gold; Artsmark Silver
Website	www.hccs.info
Coordinates: 53°′″N 2°′″W / +53.197189, -2.368717

Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School is a Secondary School and Sixth Form Centre located in Holmes Chapel, Cheshire.

A Specialist Science College and designated Training School which has also been accredited with both Sportsmark and Artsmark awards, the school consistently performs well in academic performance League Tables, invariably exceeding both National and Local Education Authority averages.

History

The school was originally founded in 1978 as a purpose-built 11-18 comprehensive and sixth form.

Student Population

In total, the school community contains just over 1200 students whose ages range from 11 to 18 years. Approximately 170 of these are members of the Sixth Form, and there are about 85 members of teaching staff. The lower school is divided into five year groups, each containing about 200 students, whilst the Sixth Form is divided into two year groups of about 75 students each.

The proportion of pupils with special educational needs is well below average, while the proportion of pupils with statements is average. Pupils with the highest levels of need mostly have specific learning difficulties (dyslexia), emotional and behavioural difficulties, or moderate learning difficulties. About two per cent of the pupils have minority ethnic backgrounds. The proportion of the pupils who are eligible for a free school meal is well below the national average and the socio-economic census data for local wards is very favourable.

The school's catchment area is large, and approximately half its students live in the surrounding towns and villages of Allostock, Brereton, Byley, Chelford, Cranage, Goostrey, Lower Peover, Middlewich, Plumley, Smallwood, and Wincham. Consequently, many students travel to school on private buses, provided by either Cheshire County Council or the school itself. The majority of those who live in Holmes Chapel walk, due to the school's position reasonabely near the centre of the town, and about 10 or 15 students cycle. The local area is rural and socially mixed, although generally affluent.

The student attendance record for 2005 is given below:

Curriculum

As per the norm for English or Welsh Secondary schools, students study the Key Stage 3 Curriculum in years 7, 8 and 9, and sit National Curriculum assessment examinations (SATs) at the end of this period.

In years 10 and 11, students are given the opportunity to choose which subjects they wish to continue to study (although English, Mathematics, Science, Core PE and ICT remain compulsory. Students must also choose a Humanities - History, Religious Studies or Geography). During the two years, students are assessed by external qualification bodies through both coursework and examinations, and are awarded GCSE or GNVQ qualifications in all subjects in which they pass at the end of the period. Subjects offered at either GCSE or GNVQ level by the school include: Art, Business Studies, Drama, Food Technology, French, Geography, German, Graphic Products, History, Information Communication Technology, Music, Physical Education, Religious Studies, Resistant Materials and Systems and Control.

Students who choose to remain in the school and join the sixth form for years 12 and 13 study for AS and A2 qualifications. Usually, students study four AS-level subjects in year 12, and then continue three of these into A2 during year 13. Over 28 subjects are available to choose from. Additionally, most students also take AS/A2 General Studies (although this is not taught). A large proportion of students go on to study at University or pursue other further-education opportunities after completion of their AS/A2 studies at Holmes Chapel.

The school has recently begun teaching astronomy GCSE, available to students in both years 10 & 12. The course is taught to 20 students by Mr. Jason Jones of the science faculty, on Wednesday evenings.

Academic Performance

The school consistently performs well in performance league tables:

OFSTED

The most recent OFSTED report concluded as follows:

This very effective school provides excellent value for money. Its success is based on exceptionally strong leadership, much very good teaching and the very good attitudes of the overwhelming majority of the pupils. The achievement of all groups of pupils is very good. Pupils make very good progress in most subjects and overall results in National Curriculum tests and GCSE and A-level examinations are well above average.

A copy of the entire report is available on OFSTED's website [1].

Expansion and Development

Since it first opened almost 30 years ago, HCCS's student population has grown enormously, leading to considerable expansion of the school buildings. In the last five years, a new Arts building was opened, as well as an extension to the science department and a complete refurbishment of all the science rooms has been completed during the summer of 2007. Partially funded by donations and sponsorship from parents and local businesses, the Arts building is home to the art and music faculties, along with a number of rooms dedicated to Sixth Form use on the first floor including a common room, and other 'A level only' courses such as sociology and psychology.

In September 2006 a new dining hall facility was completed. This building helped to resolve the problem of over-crowding at lunchtime, allowing lunch to be served in two sittings, rather that four. It also houses a dedicated 'bistro' for the use of Sixth Form students, which currently provides food in the mornings, but usually not after 2pm. A cashless system for dining came into action on January 29, 2007 using cards, and that has since been updated for some years to biometric thumbprints, to help solve the problem of lost cards.

Finally, in a radical measure introduced by Mr Oliver for the start of the school year in September 2007, the school no longer will no longer have independent heads of year who follow their year group through the school, instead having one teacher for two year groups.

Year 6 and 7 - Mrs Robertson (Humanities)

Year 8 and 9 - Miss Roberts (English)

Year 10 and 11 - Mrs Thorley (P.E.)

Year 12 and 13 - Ms Fraser (English)

School uniform

Two typical School photographs from years 7 and 11, both showing the school's uniform.

All students enrolled at HCCS are required to wear school uniforms [2].

The uniform consists of a black pullover, either a black or white polo shirt, black trousers and black or brown shoes. The school badge is emblazoned onto the polo shirts and pullovers. There is also a strict no make-up/jewellery policy.

Trivia

Previous Head Teachers include Mr. Knight, Mrs Duffy.

Notable alumni

• Dean Ashton - West Ham United Footballer and England U-21 Footballer (born 1983)
• Mark Bowden - Composer (left 1997) - Composer
• Seth Johnson - England football player

External links

• School's Website
• Most recent OFSTED Report
• League Tables from the BBC

Cheshire County Council maintained secondary schools of Cheshire
Cheshire Portal
Chester	Bishop Heber High School  • Blacon High School  • Christleton High School  • Queen's Park High School  • The Bishops' Blue Coat Church of England High School  • The Catholic High School, Chester • Upton-by-Chester High School
Congleton	Alsager School • Congleton High School • Eaton Bank School • Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School • Middlewich High School • Sandbach High School and Sixth Form College • Sandbach School
Crewe and Nantwich	Brine Leas High School • Coppenhall High School • Kings Grove School • Malbank School and Sixth Form College • Ruskin Sports College • Shavington High School • St Thomas More Catholic High School • Victoria Community Technology School
Ellesmere Port and Neston	Cheshire Oaks High School • Ellesmere Port Catholic High School • Ellesmere Port Specialist School of Performing Arts • Neston High School • The Whitby High School
Halton	Fairfield High School • Halton High School • Saints Peter & Paul Catholic High School • St Chad's Catholic High School • The Bankfield School • The Grange Comprehensive School • The Heath School • Wade Deacon High School
Macclesfield	All Hallows Catholic High School • Fallibroome High School • Henbury High School • Knutsford High School • Poynton High School • Tytherington High School • Wilmslow High School
Vale Royal	Frodsham School • Hartford High School • Helsby High School • Rudheath Community High School • St. Nicholas Catholic High School • Tarporley Community High School • The County High School, Leftwich • The Verdin High School • Weaverham High School • Woodford Lodge High School
Warrington	Bridgewater High School • Birchwood Community High School • Culcheth High School • Cardinal Newman Catholic High School • Golborne High School • Great Sankey High School • Lowton Community High School • Lymm High School • Padgate High School • Penketh High School • St Gregory's Catholic High School • Sir Thomas Boteler High School  • William Beamont Community High School • Woolston Community High School
See also List of schools in Cheshire

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