Head Teacher

WE ARE AND OUTSTANDING CO-EDUCATIONAL DAY SCHOOL AND MUSIC ACADEMY FOR STUDENTS AGED 11-19

Education has a very long history in Eye and the surrounding villages. The grammar school was founded in 1451 and there are indications of the presence of a school in Eye even before then.  Hartismere carries on this tradition of very high levels of academic success and the school is traditional in the approach it takes to young people.  Our motto "discamus ut serviamus" suggests our core values and ethos: the children both learn and serve.  They receive a superb academic education which is rounded by opportunities to give to and to become even more a part of our community. The Hartismere Hundred began as an attempt by students, staff and friends of the school to support 100 different charities: in 2015 the school achieved this aim and the number continues to grow. Students often lead in activities to support local, national and international charities.  In addition to helping our children to develop as compassionate and thoughtful human beings these activities are great fun and help to develop a spirit of camaraderie and friendship.

Hartismere was Suffolk's first Academy. It is also a national Teaching School.

OFSTED " Hartismere is a very caring school and places the outstanding guidance and support it gives to its students at the centre of its work"

A comment from the Headmaster Mr Jim McAtear - MA MSc MPhil MEd

"It is a special privilege to serve as Headmaster at Hartismere. Each and every day I see a level of commitment from staff that I have never encountered in another school during the course of my careen. Our parents are amongst the most supportive I have had the privilege to know and our scholars are both a pleasure to teach and a credit to their families.  They deserve the high standards they achieve in examinations and they make the atmosphere caring and warm"

OFSTED "Students very much enjoy their learning"

In recent years the school has benefited from significant improvements to its environment.  A new dance studio (one of the largest in East Anglia) has been added and the school now has its own fitness suite (which can be used by staff).  The library has been completely refurbished and a sixth form reading room has been added.  Almost every classroom has been modernised along with an internet cafe in the Sixth Form College. A six pitch sized field has been added for rugby, cricket and hockey together with an all weather floodlit MUGA pitch.  Two new science labs and two new ICT rooms have recently been added and the food technology room has been completely refurbished.

OFSTED  "Students are proud of their school...and the school offers them a broad range of subjects and extra curricular activities to choose from"

The school offers many school trips and extra curricular activities. Trips are organised to both local and international destinations.  Recent trips have included Iceland, Barcelona, Berlin, Cambodia, Norwich Castle, the North Norfolk coast the Globe theatre to name but a few. There are many clubs offered during lunchtime and after school ranging from rugby to archery, radio club to choir and speed-stacking and chess to go-karting and sailing.

OFSTED " The quality of teaching is outstanding in a wide range of subjects and across all years"

Academic achievement in the core subjects is traditionally outstanding at Key Stage 3, at GCSE and at A level. The core subjects (English, mathematics and science) are studied by all pupils in years 7 through to 11.  All three subjects have their own suite of rooms tailored to their particular needs.

OFSTED "The sixth form is outstanding and promotes a culture of high expectations and aspirations amongst teachers and students" ..."students receive high quality advice and guidance about decisions regarding the next stages of their lives" " a high proportion of the students go on to higher education including the top universities"