Principal Mr P Swatton

Claverham Community College is a mixed comprehensive school for pupils aged 11-16+ and a Community College. It has approximately 1150 pupils and about 2500 associates of the College who are involved in the life of the College Community either through adult evening classes or as a result of membership of affiliated societies.

Location

The College is located about one mile west of the very attractive small market town of Battle and is situated within 42 acres of most attractive wood and parkland. The College site includes extensive playing fields and nature areas which include both land and aquatic habitats.

The College grounds incorporate land which belonged formerly to the Battle Abbey Estate and are immediately adjacent to the site of the Battle of Hastings. As might be expected, the geographical position is an elevated one within sight of the sea.

The College takes its title from the Anglo-Saxon pre-conquest description of the district in which it is situated - place of clover or good pasture. The titles of the five College Houses - Caldbec, Montjoie, Santlache Telleham and Oakwood - are derived from post-conquest place names given by the Normans to areas of the Battleground significant in the action.

The Development of the College

The Community College was established in 1973 and was developed from the former Battle County Secondary School built in 1955. In school terms the College became fully comprehensive in 1976 and now serves the educational needs of all children between the ages of 11 and 16 in Battle and the neighbouring villages of Ashburnham, Catsfield, Crowhurst, Hooe (north), Netherfield, Ninfield, Penhurst, Sedlescombe, Whatlington and Westfield.

In addition to this traditional intake area, the College attracts pupils in relatively large numbers from an additional 40 Primary Schools in the Rye, Hastings, Bexhill, Pevensey and Eastbourne areas in particular. Claverham was designated as a training school in September 2000 and achieved Specialist Sports College Status, with ICT as the second specialism, with effect from September 2006.

The College Buildings

The main school buildings were built in 1955. These have been adapted and extended periodically - most recently in 2004 with a new science laboratory and the addition of two classrooms. Internally the College is architecturally interesting, attractively decorated and has a warm and friendly atmosphere. 

Visiting the College

Parents who would like to see the College at work and discuss the school with members of its staff are invited to telephone the Principal's secretary for an appointment or to attend one of the College Open Days that take place in October each year.

These Open Days include a full tour of the College at work on an otherwise normal school day and an 'Any Questions' session with senior staff. There will be an opportunity to visit classes, talk to pupils and staff, look at examples of work, examine text and exercise books, see how pupils behave in unsupervised situations, assess the facilities, and generally get the 'feel' of the College. We do recommend that parents visit during the day, if at all possible, in order to see the College working normally.

There was a change to the admissions process from September 2008. Up until that time, stated first preferences have always been given priority over second and third preferences. From September all preferences given by parents on their application form will be considered equally. Where a child qualifies for a place at more than one of the schools given on the form, the highest ranked preference school will be offered.

You may ask for your child to be admitted to any Secondary School in East Sussex which is maintained by the County Council.

If the number of preferences for a school does not exceed the admission limit there is usually no problem in meeting parents' wishes.

Where there are not enough places to agree all requests, the following order of priority is adopted for deciding admissions:

i) Children with statements of Special Educational Need, who have a particular school named in their statement;

ii) Looked after children.

iii) Children with strong medical or exceptional evidence which leads the Director of Children’s Services to conclude that attendance at any other school would be inappropriate;

iv) Children who will have a brother or sister at the school at the time of admission;

v) Children living within a predefined community area, prioritised if necessary on the basis of the shortest route from home to school using surfaced, passable routes;

vi) Children living outside the predefined community area, prioritised if necessary on the basis of the shortest route from home using surfaced, passable routes.

The admissions team at the Children’s Services Department (Lewes) can be

contacted for help. In addition this year, for the first time, parents can also seek

independent advice. This service is being delivered by their Parent Link team, details

of which are given on page 27 of the East Sussex County Council’s booklet.

(Applying for a School for your Child 2009-2010).

FACTS AND FIGURES ABOUT THE SEPTEMBER 2008 INTAKE

There were 551 preferences received by the initial closing date for Claverham. The breakdown was as follows:

2 were from parents with children with statements of Special Educational Needs as in (i) above – all were allocated a place;

1 was from parents with a child with strong medical or exceptional evidence as in (iii) above – they were allocated a place;

88 who had elder brothers or sisters at the school - again all were allocated a place;

132 were from parents living in the traditional area served by the school – all were allocated a place;

1 out of area child was allocated a place.

Of this total of 224 allocated places, 8 did not take up the offer (e.g. moved away from the area), leaving a total of 216 allocated.

A number of parents who had not been offered a place at Claverham for their child went to an 'Appeal' Meeting. 8 were successful on appeal.

With various parents moving from and into our area after the Appeal Meeting, a total of 235 pupils were admitted into Year 7 in September 2008.

Our admission limit was set at 224.

FACTS AND FIGURES ABOUT THE SEPTEMBER 2007 INTAKE

There were 312 first preferences received by the initial closing date for Claverham. The breakdown was as follows:

2 were looked after children.

5 were from parents with children with strong medical or exceptional evidence as in (iii) above – all were allocated a place;

83 who had elder brothers or sisters at the school - again all were allocated a place;

127 were from parents living in the traditional area served by the school – all were allocated a place;

Of this total of 217 allocated places, 9 did not take up the offer (e.g. moved away from the area), leaving a total of 208 allocated.

A number of parents who had not been offered a place at Claverham for their child went to an 'Appeal' Meeting. 14 were successful on appeal.

With various parents moving from and into our area after the Appeal Meeting, a total of 230 pupils were admitted into Year 7 in September 2007.

Our admission limit was set at 216.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE 2009 INTAKE

The admission limit will be set at 224

The Governors of the College, in consultation with the staff, have agreed that the aims of the school are to help its pupils:

1. to develop fully their individual academic, emotional, physical and social potential;
2. to develop self respect, self discipline, adaptability, concern for others and the ability to live as independent adults while at the same time contributing service to the community;
3. to acquire conceptual insight, knowledge, skills and practical abilities and the will to use them in the following areas of experience: scientific, technological, mathematical, linguistic, aesthetic, creative, commercial, moral, spiritual, economic, political and recreational;
4. to appreciate human activities of every kind;
   
5. to acquire understanding of the social economic and political order and a reasoned set of values, attitudes and beliefs;
6. to prepare for their adult lives at home, work, leisure and in society as consumers and citizens.

Discipline

We believe strongly that children need the security of a clearly defined and consistent disciplinary structure within which their personal and intellectual growth may flourish. We attach a great deal of importance to the personal appearance of each pupil and expect school uniform to be strictly adhered to and correctly worn. Visitors to Claverham regularly comment about the sense of happiness, warmth and caring that is evident throughout the College. Parents are always notified in writing if a pupil has to serve an after school detention.

Claverham as a Community College

Claverham's community college status is based on a very broad comprehensive approach to education, recreation and leisure for the whole community and for all ages. Our response to the needs of our local community is made up of several components:

Claverham Day Nursery: Opened in May 1993, we provide quality care for 40 children from 3 months to 5 years throughout the year. This is an excellent creche facility both for our own staff and the local community.

Adult Education Programme: We put on an extensive Adult Education programme at the main College site; at our Community Education Centre in Battle and at numerous local Village centres. In the current programme there are over 250 courses on offer. Also, in conjunction with a number of local voluntary organisations, we run an extensive programme for Adults with Learning Difficulties or Disabilities. For details, please refer to our Adult Education prospectus.

Facilities and Services for Young People: In addition to the extra curricular school based activities for our pupils, we also provide a structured coherent programme of services and activities for young people in the Battle Area. These include:

• a Youth and Community Centre in Battle
• informal educational and recreational courses for toddlers and upwards (at our Youth and Community Centre, the College and at our Sports Centre)
• an Outward Bound programme with rock climbing, orienteering and camping on offer
• a Duke of Edinburgh Awards programme
• a Summer Play-Scheme aimed at 8-14 year olds.

Sports Facilities: We have a four badminton court Sports Hall, a squash court, fitness room, a fully equipped gymnasium, a climbing wall, extensive playing fields and a heated outdoor pool (Summer season only). Our Sports Centre Staff run a wide range of sports courses and activities and, of course, all of these facilities are available for hire throughout the year.

• Access for the Community: All of Claverham's facilities can be available for, and used by, local people - the sports facilities mentioned above, small and large meeting rooms, classrooms, the assembly hall, workshops and computer facilities, can all be hired by the local community.

For further information on any of the above, please contact the Community Education Department on (01424) 775375, the Sports Centre on (01424) 774772 or the Nursery on (01424) 774548.

Timing of the School Day

• Registration 0855 - 0915
• Period 1 0915 - 1005
• Period 2 1005 - 1055
• Break 1055 - 1115
• Period 3 1115 - 1205
• Period 4 1205 - 1255
• Lunch 1255 - 1340
• Period 5 1340 - 1430
• Period 6 1430 - 1520

The Organisation of Teaching Groups

Most subject teaching is carried out within a system of setting according to ability in each separate subject. For example, a pupil might be in Set 1 for English, but Set 4 for Mathematics. These set placements are reviewed on a regular basis and pupils can, therefore, move between the sets according to their progress. Such an arrangement enables us to respond to the development of each child individually.

Reporting to Parents

We report to parents four times per year. The report provided gives details of each child's attainment and effort in every subject. Parents receive this information about every ten weeks throughout the year.

Special Needs

The College takes very seriously its responsibilities for pupils with needs that differ from, or are greater than, those of the majority. The College aims to identify special needs and ensure that adequate resources are devoted to meeting them. Strategies used include: individual learning programmes, in-class support, one to one withdrawal teaching and inputs from the Language and Learning Support Service and the Educational Psychology Service.

The quality of the educational provision for pupils will be regularly monitored and parents informed where programmes alter or provision changes.

A copy of the full College Special Needs policy is available on request.

All pupils take English, Mathematics, Science, a Tutorial Programme (including Careers and Citizenship), Physical Education and statutory Religious Studies. In order to maintain as broad and balanced an education as possible, most pupils opt for at least one subject from each of three other main areas of the curriculum. These are:

1. Languages : French, German, Spanish
2. Humanities: Geography, History, Religious Studies
3. Creative/Technology: Art, Ceramics, Textiles, Media Studies, Music, Drama,
   Design Technology (Food or Product Design), Information and Communication Technology.

To give pupils a chance to make the most of their strengths and interests, there is an additional choice of subject which can be taken from one of the lists above or one of: Child Development, Latin, Physical Education and Dance.

Some pupils who find academic work more difficult are offered a BTec Diploma course in place of Languages and some Science teaching time. In addition, some pupils who opt for Information Communication Technology are offered a course leading to the new AiDA (Award in Digital Applications) qualification, rather than G.C.S.E. This is an equivalent qualification, but more practically based. Both the Diploma and AiDA offer an easy transfer to vocational courses at 16+.

Careers Guidance

A Programme of Careers Guidance is delivered via the College's Tutorial Programme, with inputs appropriate to the age of the pupil.

All pupils have at least one meeting with the Careers Officer and, where appropriate, more are arranged. It is the College's policy to respond to the individual's need. Year 10 pupils take part in a 'job shadow' exercise for two days during the summer term.

Year 11 pupils all spend at least one week on a work placement during the Autumn Term and undergo planning and debriefing activities as part of the whole Vocational Experience Programme.

Transfer at 16+

By the end of Year 11, we hope to have developed smart, well qualified, well informed, sensitive and considerate young men and women.

Currently, pupils who wish to acquire 'A' Level qualifications, with a view to securing a place in a University or other Institute of Higher Education, usually transfer at the end of the year to the Sixth Form College in Bexhill, the grammar schools in west Kent or to one of the Colleges of Further Education at Hastings or Eastbourne, where they are able to embark upon suitable courses. Pupils wishing to embark upon vocationally oriented courses mainly transfer to one of the colleges in Bexhill, Hastings or Eastbourne. Support and advice is given to other pupils who may wish to enter the world of work or government training schemes. We maintain close working relationships with the local Colleges of Further Education during Years 10 and 11, and organise visits for our pupils.

The Learning and Skills Council and the Local Education Authority have approved a proposal for the re-organisation of Post 16 education in Hastings and Rother. A phased programme of implementation will begin from 2008.

The Board of Governors

The 1988 Education Reform Act has placed governing bodies in a position of considerable responsibility which they share with their Principals and Head Teachers. The College works in close collaboration with the Governors on all significant matters affecting the life of the entire College community.

Membership of the Governing Body consists of representatives of the local business community, parents of pupils, teachers, support staff and the L.E.A. It sends representatives to the Parents and TeachersAssociation, the Battle Area Sports Centre Management Committee and the College Social Committee. The Governors may also co-opt up to four additional members.

Parents and Teachers Association

This is an open meeting to which all parents are invited when it meets once a term. Apart from the general conduct of business, a feature of meetings is that, on each occasion when it meets, a particular facet of work of the College is examined in depth. The Principal and other Senior Staff are also present.

The College Social Committee

This is very much a "doing" Committee which organises social functions and fund raising activities for the College and its community. It is extremely active and friendly and very much welcomes new members. For anyone wishing to interest themselves in the life of the College, while also not wanting to become too deeply involved, this Committee is perhaps the ideal starting point.

Many members of the P.T.A. have subsequently become Governors of the College, perhaps because involvement with a school can become quite compelling and is a good vantage point from which to see and come to understand something of the very considerable complexities of school management.

The Battle Area Sports Centre Management Advisory Committee

This consists of representatives of the District Council, the L.E.A., Battle Town Council, the Governing Body and Staff of the College. Its role is to advise on the overall planning and management of the Centre. Day to day management is the responsibility of the Sports Centre Manager and his staff.

Complaints Procedure

In the first instance, complaints should be made in writing to the Principal with a view to an informal resolution of the complaint. Should this fail, the complaint will be referred to the Governing Body, following which a formal hearing will take place. Should the complainant still feel aggrieved, the matter may then be referred to the Local Education Authority and, if necessary, to the Secretary of State for Education.

Responsibility for resolution of complaints lies with the Assistant County Education Officer (Operational Services) at P.O. Box 4, County Hall, St. Anne's Crescent, Lewes, BN7 1SG.

Further Information

Should you require any further information about Claverham please contact us by email, letter, telephone or fax. info@claverham.e-sussex.sch.uk
North Trade Road, Battle, East Sussex. TN33 OHT
Telephone: (01424) 772155 Fax: (01424) 774106