Great Wyrley High School striving to be at the community's heart

Great Wyrley High School is a school that wants to be at the heart of its local community, says headteacher Chris Leach.

"We recognise that each learner is an individual; that all learners are creative; that all learners need to succeed; that all young people need care, advice and guidance to help them make the right life choices," said Mr Leach.

"Therefore, Great Wyrley High School places the student experience at the heart of daily life at school.

"We try to foster a caring and creative environment that emphasizes the social, emotional, physical, intellectual development of each young adult.

"We are an ambitious school. Providing an environment conducive to success is a key part in our pursuit of the highest standards."

Last summer Great Wyrley High School students produced the best examination results in the school's history,with 73 per cent of them achieving five or more A*-C grades and all of the school's sixth form students securing places at university if they wanted them.

"Each student is highly and equally valued whatever their ability or talent," said Mt Leach.

"We work hard with students and parents to ensure that we are inclusive and that every student is able to access the full range of opportunities.

"We strive to nurture their gifts and talents and support them to build confidence and skills, so that they can access their curriculum and be active participants in their learning.

"We are proud of the range of extracurricular activities we have to offer from lunchtime clubs to evening theatre visits and skiing holidays, from sports teams to the German exchange.

"Our provision for the performing arts has gone from strength to strength and continues to flourish."

Mr Leach said that a large and increasing number of students took part in instrumental and voice lessons and they have plenty of opportunity to perform and showcase their talents.

"Ensuring that our learners have the maximum number of opportunities to achieve their personal best is crucial to our planning at school. Care of the individual is at the heart of what we do," said Mr Leach.

"Our systems recognise and value the fact that every learner is an individual and that everyone has skills and abilities that need to be identified and nurtured.

"Academic examination success and appropriate progression beyond school are seen as the route to graduate from our system becoming the flexible life-long learners needed by society in the 21st Century.

"We believe that the effectiveness of partnership between school, students and home is a crucial factor in determining success. We work hard to maintain an on-going open and positive dialogue with our parents.

"The curriculum we offer is the most flexible and differentiated that it can be, continually evolving in response to the changing needs of our learners.

"In Years 7-9 learners follow a broad and balanced programme that allows them to experience the full range of subjects and to identify their strengths and preferred learning styles.

"We are very proud of the achievements of the current students that inhabit the rooms, halls and corridors of GWHS at this time."

The best of the school's work will be highlighted at an open evening on October 4, from 6pm-8.30pm.