Woodbridge High School (London)
Encyclopedia
Woodbridge High School is a co-educational secondary school located in Woodford Green
in the London Borough of Redbridge
. It is designated as a Specialist Language College
.
The school appointed Andrew Beaumont as headmaster
in 2004 after the former headmistress
Barbara Haigh retired after 16 years at the school. Andrew Beaumont previously held the deputy headmaster post at Watford Grammar School for Boys. The headteacher takes an active role within the school community and teaches classes of Geography and RE.
Woodbridge has approximately 1,500 pupils and over one hundred members of staff, although this is always increasing. There is a great variety of pupils from different backgrounds within the school, and the school is multi-cultural. The school's emphasis on a good all-round education is emphasised from its school motto, "Pride in Achievement".
The catchment area for Woodbridge is wide, and includes the Orchard Estate council housing area nearby whilst also stretching up as far as the Church End Ward in South Woodford
. Many pupils also come from the surrounding areas such as Walthamstow
, Gants Hill
and Ilford
. The nearest tube stations are Woodford
(10 min walk) and South Woodford
(20 min walk) on the London Underground
Central Line
.
Woodbridge has good facilities. The ratio of computers to students is approximately 1:3. There is a modern sports hall, a newly furnished and equipped library, the school has one music studio, and two drama studios and many scientific practical laboratories as well as many general classrooms. The two main buildings, Mallards (Upper School), and Wynndale (Lower School), are situated either side of a few grassed fields. All departments have their own ICT facilities and the majority of classrooms are equipped with interactive white boards that have been installed in recent years.
Mathematics, Science, Technology, History, Geography,
two Modern Foreign Languages, Art, Music, Drama, ICT,
Religious Education, Physical Education and PSHE.
Pupils are mainly taught in mixed ability groups,
although there is some ability related setting in
Mathematics and Languages.
At Key Stage 4 (years 10-11) all pupils are prepared for
GCSE qualifications. Most pupils are entered for 10 - 11
GCSEs. They study English Literature, English Language,
Mathematics, Double Award Science, a Modern Foreign
Language and take part in some Physical Education. They also choose
options from a very wide range of subjects.
The subjects currently offered are Art & Design, Business
Studies, Child Development, Drama, Expressive Arts,
French, German, Russian, Geography, History,
Information Technology, Media Studies, Music, Physical
Education, Psychology, Religious Studies, Resistant
Materials, Building Craft Occupations, Graphics, Food
Technology and Textile Technology. Students may take
Applied GCSE courses in Business and Health & Social
Care as two of their options. An Additional Studies
option is available for students who need support with
their GCSE subjects.
An alternative pathway is now available for students
who wish to follow a more vocational, work-related
curriculum. College courses, work placements and
work-based learning can be chosen alongside core and
optional subjects.
The school has received many accolades in recent years. The school is a designated Language College and Business & Enterprise College. It also has an Applied Learning Specialism. In addition to its Specialist College status, it is an Investor in People and an International School. It has received School Achievement awards further to the 'value-added' to students.
The school is also noted for its TAFAL programme. TAFAL or "Teach A Friend A Language" is a scheme where pupils are encouraged to learn new languages of other class pupils and enter a competition. The format has been adopted by many schools nationwide.
stated in one of its campaign leaflets that the school was guilty of 'mental child molestation' as it taught racial equality in lessons. Andrew Beaumont was described as a 'dripping wet liberal' for allowing children from ethnic minorities to join the school, on the basis that white British children should be given priority.
P.E Kit must consist of T-shirt in house colours and shorts in summer, or rugby shirt and tracksuit bottoms in winter, and trainers or tennis shoes
Woodford Green
Woodford Green, formerly in the county of Essex, is part of the North East London suburb of Woodford, on the edge of Epping Forest, mostly within the London Borough of Redbridge with a small part on the western side of the green within the London Borough of Waltham Forest .-History:Woodford Green...
in the London Borough of Redbridge
London Borough of Redbridge
The London Borough of Redbridge is a London borough in outer north-east London. Its administrative headquarters is at Redbridge Town Hall in Ilford. The local authority is Redbridge London Borough Council.-Etymology:...
. It is designated as a Specialist Language College
Language College
Language Colleges were introduced in 1995 as part of the Specialist Schools Programme in the United Kingdom. The system enables secondary schools to specialise in certain fields, in this case, modern foreign languages...
.
The school appointed Andrew Beaumont as headmaster
Head teacher
A head teacher or school principal is the most senior teacher, leader and manager of a school....
in 2004 after the former headmistress
Head teacher
A head teacher or school principal is the most senior teacher, leader and manager of a school....
Barbara Haigh retired after 16 years at the school. Andrew Beaumont previously held the deputy headmaster post at Watford Grammar School for Boys. The headteacher takes an active role within the school community and teaches classes of Geography and RE.
Woodbridge has approximately 1,500 pupils and over one hundred members of staff, although this is always increasing. There is a great variety of pupils from different backgrounds within the school, and the school is multi-cultural. The school's emphasis on a good all-round education is emphasised from its school motto, "Pride in Achievement".
The catchment area for Woodbridge is wide, and includes the Orchard Estate council housing area nearby whilst also stretching up as far as the Church End Ward in South Woodford
South Woodford
South Woodford is a suburb of north-east London in the London Borough of Redbridge, situated north-east of Charing Cross. Together with Woodford Green, Woodford Bridge and Woodford Wells it forms the area known as Woodford, the origins of which date back at least to the Saxon period...
. Many pupils also come from the surrounding areas such as Walthamstow
Walthamstow
Walthamstow is a district of northeast London, England, located in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. It is situated north-east of Charing Cross...
, Gants Hill
Gants Hill
Gants Hill is a district of Ilford in the London Borough of Redbridge in northeast London, England. It is a suburban development situated north east of Charing Cross....
and Ilford
Ilford
Ilford is a large cosmopolitan town in East London, England and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Redbridge. It is located northeast of Charing Cross and is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan. It forms a significant commercial and retail...
. The nearest tube stations are Woodford
Woodford tube station
Woodford is a London Underground station in Woodford in the London Borough of Redbridge, United Kingdom.The station is on the Central Line between South Woodford and Buckhurst Hill. The station is also a terminus for services via the Hainault loop....
(10 min walk) and South Woodford
South Woodford tube station
South Woodford tube station is a London Underground station on the Central Line, between Snaresbrook and Woodford in Zone 4.-History:The station opened as South Woodford on 22 August 1856 as part of the Eastern Counties Railway branch to Loughton, which was eventually extended to Epping and...
(20 min walk) on the London Underground
London Underground
The London Underground is a rapid transit system serving a large part of Greater London and some parts of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Essex in England...
Central Line
Central Line
The Central line is a London Underground line, coloured red on the tube map. It is a deep-level "tube" line, running east-west across London, and, at , has the greatest total length of track of any line on the Underground. Of the 49 stations served, 20 are below ground...
.
Pupil development and Pastoral Care
A very emphasised pastoral system ensures academic and personal progress, as well as a safe environment in which to learn. Pupils are placed in mixed ability tutor groups. The same team of form tutors led by the year co-ordinator stays with the group for five years until the sixth form. The welfare and progress of every pupil is monitored with annual school reports, covering their achievement, attendance and good behaviour, this was recognised in their 2005 Ofsted report , where the school was noted as one where 'every child really does matter'.Woodbridge has good facilities. The ratio of computers to students is approximately 1:3. There is a modern sports hall, a newly furnished and equipped library, the school has one music studio, and two drama studios and many scientific practical laboratories as well as many general classrooms. The two main buildings, Mallards (Upper School), and Wynndale (Lower School), are situated either side of a few grassed fields. All departments have their own ICT facilities and the majority of classrooms are equipped with interactive white boards that have been installed in recent years.
Curriculum
At Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) all pupils study English,Mathematics, Science, Technology, History, Geography,
two Modern Foreign Languages, Art, Music, Drama, ICT,
Religious Education, Physical Education and PSHE.
Pupils are mainly taught in mixed ability groups,
although there is some ability related setting in
Mathematics and Languages.
At Key Stage 4 (years 10-11) all pupils are prepared for
GCSE qualifications. Most pupils are entered for 10 - 11
GCSEs. They study English Literature, English Language,
Mathematics, Double Award Science, a Modern Foreign
Language and take part in some Physical Education. They also choose
options from a very wide range of subjects.
The subjects currently offered are Art & Design, Business
Studies, Child Development, Drama, Expressive Arts,
French, German, Russian, Geography, History,
Information Technology, Media Studies, Music, Physical
Education, Psychology, Religious Studies, Resistant
Materials, Building Craft Occupations, Graphics, Food
Technology and Textile Technology. Students may take
Applied GCSE courses in Business and Health & Social
Care as two of their options. An Additional Studies
option is available for students who need support with
their GCSE subjects.
An alternative pathway is now available for students
who wish to follow a more vocational, work-related
curriculum. College courses, work placements and
work-based learning can be chosen alongside core and
optional subjects.
The school has received many accolades in recent years. The school is a designated Language College and Business & Enterprise College. It also has an Applied Learning Specialism. In addition to its Specialist College status, it is an Investor in People and an International School. It has received School Achievement awards further to the 'value-added' to students.
The school is also noted for its TAFAL programme. TAFAL or "Teach A Friend A Language" is a scheme where pupils are encouraged to learn new languages of other class pupils and enter a competition. The format has been adopted by many schools nationwide.
Multiculturalism
Woodbridge is completely non-denominational, so it accepts children from all and any religious and ethnic backgrounds. The school in the past has held a variety of events including Chinese New Year celebrations and Black History Month concerts. However, the British National PartyBritish National Party
The British National Party is a British far-right political party formed as a splinter group from the National Front by John Tyndall in 1982...
stated in one of its campaign leaflets that the school was guilty of 'mental child molestation' as it taught racial equality in lessons. Andrew Beaumont was described as a 'dripping wet liberal' for allowing children from ethnic minorities to join the school, on the basis that white British children should be given priority.
The Site
There are three main buildings in Woodbridge High School, along with the Sports Hall which is situated in the central field.Mallards
Mallards is a three-floor building situated at the Broadmead Road end of the site. It contains the school's main office, and the departments of Science, English, Drama, Business, Media and Art. There is a library and a learning support department. There is also a canteen known as "Mallard's Canteen" and a large Sixth Form suite upstairs, including a common room for students to socialise and a private study area.Wynndale
Wynndale is the more modern building on the site, and is situated at the bottom of Wynndale Road, although it is accessed by the St Barnabas Road gate. This building holds the school's main canteen and Wynndale Hall, where most of the school's events are held and exams take place. The main subject areas taught in Wynndale are Music, Maths, History, Geography, Religious Studies and the Technology block is situated at the rear of the building.Boys
Double vented school blazer with embossed school crest, white shirt, black and yellow striped school tie, black V-Necked jumper, black trousers and black smart shoes, overcoats must be either black or navy in colour.P.E Kit must consist of T-shirt in house colours and shorts in summer, or rugby shirt and tracksuit bottoms in winter, and trainers or tennis shoes