Headteacher

About Ullswater Community College

Information for candidates

Ullswater Community College is situated in Penrith – a small Cumbrian market town on the fringes of the Lake District National Park and only a stone's throw from Ullswater, the second largest lake in the Lake District. We are a popular and oversubscribed school.

This is a happy place in which pupils and teachers expect to treat one another with respect. We are fiercely ambitious for our students, care deeply about all aspects of their success and value everyone’s unique differences. Our vision is to ensure that UCC is ‘best in county’ in all we do.

Our wider community is incredibly supportive of the efforts and values highly the relationships we develop with them and the wide variety of extra-curricular activities and other opportunities that the school offers.

UCC is a larger than average 11–18 comprehensive school serving the biggest catchment area in England, including both rural and small urban populations. The proportion of students who come from minority ethnic groups is very low, as is the percentage whose first language is not English, although this number has grown in recent years. The proportion eligible for free school meals is lower than the national average. Students come from a wide range of backgrounds, although the majority do not live in areas of significant social deprivation. A large number of children use school transport; some travelling a considerable distance to reach school. The percentage of students with statements of special educational needs is around the national average and we are very proud to host a strategic facility for students who, in the main, have severe, profound or multiple learning difficulties.

Our school is progressing rapidly and is recognised as one of the most improved in the county. UCC has a warm and supportive environment and this is an exciting time to be joining us.

We are currently housed in several buildings of varying age but grouped closely together, with adjacent playing fields across a large site in the heart of our beautiful market town. We have, however, recently been named in the school rebuilding programme and anticipate a significant investment or new build in the near future.

The school invests heavily in staff development, considers the well-being of colleagues in every development and encourages all to be fully involved in whole-school and departmental learning initiatives.

At UCC we pride ourselves on our fantastic students and the curriculum offer for all our students, including the sixth form. Our strong pastoral system is organised on a horizontal basis and most staff are Form Tutors, in which important aspect of their work they are led and supported by their Head of Year. These year-group teams deal with the academic progress, welfare and discipline of our students. Our Heads of Year maintain close working contact with parents and with external agencies, ensuring we do everything possible to enable all our students to succeed.

UCC has well-established and experienced senior and middle leadership teams.

All those associated with UCC share my pride in being part of something bigger; something that will make a difference to all our students’ lives and set them on their own path to success irrespective of background or ability.

I hope this has provided you with some background and context – please visit the school website to find out even more about our wonderful school.

Stephen Gilby, Headteacher

January 2023