Arrow Vale is a school which has students at the centre of all that it does. Our school mission statement is ‘to go further than I thought; to run faster than I dared; to reach higher than I dreamed; to become the person I need to be; to be happy in what I do’. We are an aged 13-18 (Years 9-13), friendly, welcoming and vibrant high school at the heart of the community of Matchborough in Redditch. The school has changed dramatically over the last 3 years with 1.5 million being spent on new facilities, vocational programmes, Science laboratories and a brand new sixth form centre which was opened by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith (an ex teacher of Arrow Vale) in November 2007.
Our school motto is “Aim High” and is on every student blazer as a reminder. This encapsulates the beliefs and values that underpin our work. We believe that all our students have the potential for excellence. We work towards this by having high expectations of students and staff, by continually raising our aspirations and by promoting our student’ self belief alongside strong moral values. We are looking for colleagues who want to share in this vision. We work hard to ensure there is a businesslike and purposeful learning atmosphere in the school where good behaviour allows teachers to teach and students to learn. We are also clear that relationships between students, staff and parents are key to creating a successful climate for learning.
We have a very active school council and strong student voice within the school. We also have a close and effective partnership with our parents and carers. We listen to their views and use them to inform the work of the school. Attendance at school events is high and the effective Governing Body has a full representation of parents.
Our curriculum is broad and balanced and offers many exciting opportunities for all students both in school and out. There is a real vocational element in our curriculum offer. We now offer BTECs in a number of subjects including hairdressing, construction, performing arts and science alongside traditional GCSEs. Our Specialism brings a strong sense of the importance of team work and healthy living throughout the curriculum. There are tremendous opportunities for extra-curricular sport, performing arts, Duke of Edinburgh and the like and every year there are many trips. February saw a highly successful ski trip to Austria and in March our production of Bugsy Malone played to sell out audiences every night in our own theatre. Our Year 9 and Year 11 boys have both won the county cup this year for Rugby. Sports clubs are available every lunch time and after school in our Sports Hall for five days a week. In short, we believe there is something for everyone at this school.
I took up my post as Headteacher in January 2005 and genuinely feel it is an honour and privilege for me to be able to lead and develop further the education of the children at Arrow Vale High School and Specialist Sports College. It is a great place with which to be involved and I believe the school is going through an exciting period of development. We welcome applications from colleagues at all stages in their career, including those seeking to gain QTS. We place a high priority on staff development and have a strong and very successful INSET and induction programme. There are many opportunities for staff within the school including our innovative Teaching and Learning group ‘The Change Team’. We are constantly evaluating what we do as part of our belief in ‘Aiming Higher’ and we have delivered training to schools within the county on Learning Live. We are also a leading practice SEAL school (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning) and we are working with a group of teachers across the county on a new project on ‘Learning Conversations’ with Worcestershire local authority. We invite you to visit us so that you can see the school at work and see for yourself the opportunities open to you at Arrow Vale High School and Specialist Sports College.
I look forward to welcoming you to the school.
Yours sincerely
Peter Woodman
Headteacher
