Headteacher

Working at Furze Platt Senior School

Furze Platt Senior School is an extremely rewarding school in which to work. Our school culture is based on our ACHIEVE values. Relationships are a strength of our school with students and staff wanting to work with and for each other.

‘Pupils are friendly, courteous and polite. They say that they are happy and that they feel safe. Pupils’ relationships are shaped by the ACHIEVE values of the school, which stands for 'Ambitious, Collaborative, Happy, Integrity, Endurance, Versatility, Excellence’. Pupils behave well in lessons and around the school.’ Ofsted 2021

We are a highly inclusive, comprehensive and local school with virtually all students living within walking or cycling distance. As the largest school in Maidenhead we are able to offer our students a wealth of options within and beyond the classroom. Similarly, our staff have a wide range of CPD and promotion opportunities.

We are keen to encourage every child to ACHIEVE their excellence whether that be a highly academic place at Oxbridge, a more vocational route or one of the many other pathways open to them. By offering opportunities throughout their school careers, we ensure students are not just well-qualified but mature young adults who we are proud to know.

Furze Platt Senior School was rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted in our most recent inspection (November 2021). We have nearly 180 caring, committed and good humoured teaching and support staff together with an oversubscribed school population of approaching 1500 students. This is a school where staff and students work together to achieve high standards and excellent outcomes.

Our student body is taken from the town of Maidenhead, 30 miles west of London, and from other parts of Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. Whilst overall the area is affluent, ours is a truly comprehensive school, with students from all social, economic and ethnic backgrounds. The school is popular and well regarded in the local community. Parents and carers are supportive, seeking to work with us to support their children.

‘School leaders are ambitious for the school. They enjoy positive relationships with the rest of the staff and work with them to ensure the success of the school. Teachers are grateful for the support offered in terms of induction and the consideration given to their workload.’ Ofsted 2021

Our vertical tutor group system emphasises our sense of community. The House system is the basis for our pastoral care and support, as well as offering friendly competition. We have a specialist unit for students with autistic spectrum disorder and provide excellent support for those with academic or emotional difficulties.

Our curriculum is broad and balanced and aims to meet the differing needs of students. Students follow the National Curriculum at Key Stage 3 including learning two modern foreign languages. Towards the end of Key Stage 3 students are supported with the selection of their GCSE options and the school works hard to ensure every student is able to study the subjects they have chosen.

Our Key Stage 4 curriculum provides an appropriate mix of GCSE subjects including English Language and English Literature, Maths and Single Sciences, Humanities, Languages, Art, Drama, Music, Technology, Computing, Business, Psychology and Philosophy and Religion. Students can also opt for more vocational subjects such as Creative iMedia, Leisure and Tourism and Child Development. Standards are very high; students make good progress and many departments have results above the national average.

The Sixth Form is an undoubted strength of Furze Platt Senior, with around 300 students. The broad curriculum offer and high standard of teaching has led to excellent examination results. A very large number of sixth formers progress to highly rated apprenticeships and university. Sixth Form students are also expected to undertake community work in or out of school, including paired reading and maths schemes, and acting as subject prefects or mentors. They make a significant contribution to the school.

‘Behaviour is calm around the school site and conducive to learning in lessons. Interactions are courteous and respectful. Teachers quickly pick up any inappropriate behaviour. Behaviour in the sixth form is exemplary. Sixth-form students are good role models for the rest of the school.’

Ofsted 2021

We also believe passionately in music, drama, the arts and sport, and have some excellent facilities to support these including a Dance studio, two state of the art Drama studios, a professional recording studio, practice rooms and a recent addition of a gym and all-weather astro-turf. There are a large number of music and drama productions, along with recreational and competitive sport.

In recent years we have opened a new English and Science block, along with a new 400 seat state-of-the-art Theatre. We invest in our staff, facilities and resources enabling our students to benefit from the great opportunities we have to offer.

We have a strong team of teaching staff and are committed to developing our teaching to ensure that even more students reach their full potential. To this end, we invest heavily in teachers’ professional development. Staff are encouraged to pursue their interests in all aspects of pedagogy and benefit from staff coaching. Staff attend a range of internal and external courses, and we encourage staff to visit other schools to see examples of best practice.

Furze Platt Senior School is an exciting school in which to work. I hope that the information in this pack inspires you to apply to work with us. Should you require any further information, then please visit our website (www.furzeplatt.com) or contact me via my P.A. Mrs Jacky Phillips via email jacky.phillips@furzeplatt.net.

With best wishes

Dr Andrew J Morrison (BA Hons, PGCE, MA, PhD)

Headteacher