Deputy Principal of Chichester Free School

ABOUT CFS

Chichester Free School (CFS) is a state-funded, all-through school, established in response to real demand within the local area for a greater variety of schools. It is part of Sussex Learning Trust, with the key objective to establish, maintain, manage and develop a broad and balanced education. The Trust is absolutely committed to providing young people with the best possible chance to succeed.

CFS is now entering its second decade and is fully established in our state-of-the-art facilities on the Carmelite Convent Site on the Hunston Road in the south of Chichester. Our PAN is 60 in primary, and 120 in Secondary, but in most year groups we are oversubscribed with waiting lists.

As a Free School, we are the same as any other academy; we are both held and hold ourselves to the same exacting and rigorous standards as all state-funded schools. We follow the national curriculum, and are proud of our ambitious, inclusive and varied curriculum offer. Our pupils engage with SATs and GCSE assessments. Since 2013, CFS has achieved two ‘Good’ Ofsted Inspections. As a school we are now striving for excellence in all areas, and to achieve above average outcomes in both phases.

CFS is a member of Sussex Learning Trust, a family of like minded schools that put children at the forefront of everything we do. For more information on the Trust, please see the link here.

CFS is open to pupils of all abilities. We do not have a catchment area, thus ensuring the School is fair and inclusive. We take part in the West Sussex County Council (WSCC) admissions process for our Reception and Year 7 intake and so parents apply for places for their child in the same way as any other local state school for those year groups.  However, we manage our own in year admissions for all other year groups and applications should be made directly to CFS.

At CFS we strive for excellence in all that we do. Whilst proud of being a relatively small school in our Secondary phase where every child is truly known as an individual, our ambition is uncompromising. We aim for all pupils to achieve their full potential, and exceptional progress sits proudly as our most important pupil outcome measure. We are a school where the happiness and safety of our pupils and staff is just as important as academic achievement.

WE BELIEVE IN NUTURING, CHALLENGING AND INSPIRING ALL OF OUR LEARNERS.

We aim to nurture, challenge and inspire in everything we do at CFS, in and outside the classroom. Our practice is rooted in engaging and inspiring lessons, where academic rigour is achieved by building on pupils’ prior learning. We encourage our pupils to show resilience in lessons, challenge them to achieve the best that they can and inspire them through creative approaches which fire a desire to learn. Our intention is to ensure pupils make outstanding progress and that our inclusive and adaptive curriculum removes any potential barriers to learning and prepares our young people for the outside world.  For more information about the intent, implementation and impact of our curriculum please do have a look at our curriculum page here.

WE BELIEVE IN AN ALL-THROUGH EDUCATION.

We provide a seamless education from ages four to 16. We aim to inspire curiosity and engage learners in common approaches throughout Primary and Secondary. Sharing practice across both phases is common place, and this approach allows us to reduce the negative effects often associated with transition.

WE BELIEVE IN A VARIED CURRICULUM.

Throughout the School we maintain rigorous standards of the core subjects, whilst also providing a varied, high quality and broad curriculum. As evidenced by our state of the art facilities, we are committed to STEM and creative subjects. Our creative, inclusive and flexible offer for all pupils is never compromised, despite the ever increasing emphasis on accountability results.

WE BELIEVE IN COMMUNITY AND FAMILY.

Our House system permeates school life on a daily basis, providing all stakeholders with an engaging sense of community and healthy competition.

WE BELIEVE THAT A STRONG EDUCATION IS NOT JUST ABOUT QUALIFICATIONS.

We know that personal skills such as respect, good speaking and listening skills, common sense, a resilient and hardworking attitude, and ambition are key skills for young people. Our curriculum focuses on these qualities and ensures that every child is ready and equipped for their future. We also work hard to provide experiences that ensure pupils leave us as truly global citizens, with the outlook, empathy, respect and motivation to thrive.

WE BELIEVE THAT THE QUALITY OF OUR TEACHERS IS FUNDAMENTAL TO THE SUCCESS OF OUR SCHOOL.

We recruit proven individuals who we regard as being absolutely the best people to teach. Through a robust process of performance management, our staff receive guidance and support to ensure they continue to do their very best. We hope all staff will feel honoured to be part of CFS.