www.helpyouchoose.org - Norfolk's 14-19 Area Prospectus

Fakenham High School and College

Type of Provider: School, Sixth Form, College
Area: Northern Area
Age Range: 14 - 19
Deputy Head: Andy Williams

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2 other venues

About this Provider:

 Fakenham High School and College is a mixed 11-18 community school of 1350 students.  In the High School there are currently 7 or 8 forms in each of Years 7 to 11 and about 330 students in the College, which consists of Years 12 and 13.  We serve a large rural area in the heart of North Norfolk.  Fakenham itself is a small but busy market town with a population of some 7,000, ten miles from a beautiful coastline and midway between Norwich and King’s Lynn.  It has good road links and house prices in the town or surrounding villages are above the national average.

We are proud of our academic achievements.  In 2008, the A Level pass rate was 97%, with 67% at grades A-C, whilst 66% of students achieved five or more A*-C grades at GCSE.  We have had four ‘Good’ OFSTED Inspections, most recently in May 2008.  We are an Investor in People and gained both Sportsmark and Artsmark Silver awards in 2005.  We took on Specialist Technology School status in 2000 and set up the Rural Norfolk Federation in 2003.  In 2005 we were designated a high performing specialist school and since 2006 have held a second specialism for Applied Learning.  We were successful in going through the Gateway and launched the CBE (Construction and Built Environment) Diploma in September 2008.

We are usually fully subscribed and attract a significant number of applications from families living outside the catchment area.  The College is one of the biggest Sixth Forms in Norfolk, attracting about half of all students from a wide range of high schools and schools in the private sector.

The school operates on two sites, separated by playing fields, along a quiet road.  The College is based at Highfield House, a listed Georgian building with commanding views across splendid grounds to the town.  Its swimming pool is also used by the local community.  Our new Conference Hall was opened in 2006.

Years 7 to 11 are based at the Field Lane site, which is a mixture of well-maintained buildings mostly dating from the late 1950s and the 1990s.  Our most recent building (2005) includes the school library, a second fully-equipped drama studio and office accommodation.  Most departments enjoy specialist accommodation.  The town’s sports and fitness centre is on a site adjacent to the school and the PE Department enjoys sole use during the day. 

All students follow the National Curriculum in Years 7 to 11.  Drama, PSHE, and Citizenship, are added to prescribed KS3 subjects.  By the start of Year 9 setting is used in mathematics, modern foreign languages, science, English and PE, and mixed ability teaching in most other subject areas.  In Years 9 and 10 all students follow an examination course in ICT while in Years 10 and 11 they must take English, mathematics, science and technology.  We encourage students to choose a modern foreign language as one of their three optional subjects.  Options include a wide range of applied learning courses which take place both in school and on the premises of the 3 further education colleges in King’s Lynn and Norwich with whom we work.  In September 2008 we introduced the new Diploma in CBE at a very well-resourced centre on a nearby industrial estate.  Most College students begin with four AS courses, chosen from an extensive range, before progressing to A2.  We also offer a range of Level 2 and Level 1 vocational courses in the College.

Most support for students with learning difficulties is undertaken in mainstream lessons.  ICT is delivered through discrete lessons as well as in cross-curricular form.  As a specialist Technology School, we have a commitment to continuing investment in hardware.  We are well equipped with a whole school ICT network, dedicated ICT suites and laptop trolleys accessible to all.  Every teacher has a lap top computer and interactive whiteboards have been installed throughout the school.  Students’ learning is supported by our VLE and the use of innovative teaching strategies co-ordinated by a leader of e-Learning.

We place great emphasis on pastoral care at an individual level through the tutor group.  Our pastoral system is led by an experienced team of Pastoral Managers and Year Tutors, each of whom leads a team of tutors.  The College has its own Management Team.  All teachers at Fakenham are expected to accept tutorial responsibility.  The Leadership Group consists of the Headteacher, three Deputies (one of whom is the College Director), five Assistant Heads and the Business Manager.  The Middle Management Group is central to School Improvement and Development issues, some of which are also shared with working parties.    The Governing Body is very supportive of the school and is made up of people from a wide variety of backgrounds.

As Investors in People we value all those who work at Fakenham, whether teachers or support staff.  We recognise that working in a school that is committed to a policy of continual professional development and improvement can be demanding and sometimes exhausting.  All staff have the opportunity to consider their own CPD needs.  The Staff Association arranges regular social events and staff are encouraged to take advantage of the school facilities.  The School is part of the Norfolk Well Being programme and is a no smoking environment.

We are committed to the development of the Student Voice in the improvement and management of the organisation.  Each year has its own elected council which meets regularly to discuss different aspects of the school and which feeds in to a School Council.  The Head Girl and Boy and their deputies run a team of Prefects in the High School and take on a range of responsibilities, representing the school at all public functions.  In both School and College there is extensive community involvement and a very wide range of extra curricular activities including a thriving Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, outstanding instrumental music provision, both major and workshop drama productions and a wide range of sports teams and clubs.  

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