Hurlingham and Chelsea School

Community, Mixed

At Hurlingham and Chelsea School we strongly believe the most important people in the education process are our students and we are committed to providing true high quality education for students of all abilities, including the most able. We expect all teachers, students and parents to take a pride in what we are doing on a daily basis and we are committed to raising standards of attainment through: 

• a focus on learning through the provision of work that motivates and challenges students to reach consistently high standards 
• the rigorous monitoring of progress with targets set for continuous improvement 
• high standards of behaviour, uniform and positive relationships 
• an emphasis on co-operation, where each person is respected equally and valued as an individual 
• striving for excellent attendance and punctuality 
• a strong partnership with parents and the local community
• high expectations of students and teachers.       

Ofsted inspected Hurlingham and Chelsea in November 2005 and concluded that we are 'a rapidly improving school', where teaching as well as test and examination results have improved significantly. 

Visitors to our school now remark on the orderly and busy atmosphere in our classrooms. Learning is the main focus of work at Hurlingham and Chelsea. We therefore have an approach to teaching and learning that requires all teachers to focus on: 

• providing challenging lessons and developing students’ problem-solving skills 
• creating high expectations of all students 
• encouraging depth and quality of work, whilst challenging work of low quality 
• using a wide variety of learning activities within the classroom 
• supporting students who may be having difficulty or require extension work 
• providing suitable homework that extends students’ learning outside the classroom
• supporting the development of literacy, numeracy and ICT skills.       

Hurlingham and Chelsea has a positive approach to behaviour management that is underpinned by the principle that all students and adults should be equally valued and must mutually respect the needs of others. The school code of conduct expresses in clear and positive terms the expectations we have of teachers, students and parents. However, since nothing must be allowed to detract us from achieving the highest possible standards, we will not hesitate to deal effectively with students who disrupt learning or behave badly. 

At Hurlingham and Chelsea we take a pride in our environment – litter, graffiti and low quality work will not be tolerated. There continue to be significant improvements in the facilities we offer, which include a recently completed music and drama block. These facilities are also available outside normal school hours through our study support programmes. A variety of extra-curricular activities also take place regularly. 

We firmly believe that good links between parents and the school are essential to students’ progress. The Student Planner plays a crucial role in home-school communication and parents are encouraged to use the planner to communicate regularly with teachers. A school newsletter is produced every half-term and is distributed to all parents. 

Those of us who work and learn at Hurlingham and Chelsea are proud to be associated with an improving school such as ours. Our diverse community of students and teachers is supported within a genuinely inclusive, comprehensive and caring school that strives to provide an increasingly important role in the local community. To find out more about our school and/or arrange a visit please telephone us at any time. We will be happy to meet you and let you see for yourself what we can offer. 

The curriculum 

In years 7 to 9 students are taught the full national curriculum with extra support where necessary for ‘gifted and talented’ students and those requiring extra support with basic skills. In years 10 and 11 students can opt to follow BTEC vocational courses at Hammersmith and West Lonodn College for one day a week in addition to the full range of academic GCSE courses. A number of study support and revision programmes operate after school and during the holidays. 

Extra-curricular activities

The school offers a broad and balanced curriculum and places considerable importance on extra-curricular activities. Each curriculum area offers after-school clubs and other activities every week. A homework club operates in the library each night. Older students are offered two weeks’ work experience, which is complemented by a work-related learning programme and careers guidance. 

Improvements to facilities 

Our music and drama block opened in May 2002 and the school has recently received council capital funding of £600,000 for further improvements to accommodation and facilities. 

How to find out more about the school:

• Write or telephone the school to receive a detailed prospectus.
• We advise you and your child to come and visit us to get the feel of the school and the opportunity to ask us questions - open days and evenings
• Visit the Ofsted website at www.ofsted.gov.uk
• For admissions criteria see here.