Where Ambition Thrives
Headteacher’s Welcome Dear Parents / Carers I am delighted that you are considering Weatherhead High School for the next stage of your child’s academic and personal development. Choosing the right school is one of the most important decisions you will have to make and you should be reassured to know that Weatherhead places particular importance on supporting each child as an individual, seeking to nurture and care for every individual so they fulfil their potential during their time at school. Weatherhead is a popular and successful 11-18 girls' comprehensive school with a mixed Sixth Form. In total, we have over 1,500 students on roll, but pride ourselves on getting to know each student individually. The school has a reputation for excellence and we encourage our students to be resilient, show respect for themselves and each other, and reach for their dreams. We are a school where ambition thrives and this begins in the classroom. The curriculum is carefully designed and sequenced to take students on an exciting learning journey; it is also appropriately challenging and wellmatched to the ability of all students. Teachers motivate and enthuse the students in their care, delivering lessons that capture their interests, challenge and inspire them to learn. Staff set meaningful homework tasks that consolidate learning and enable students to extend their knowledge, skills and understanding.
Success in public examinations is important and the results we have sustained in recent years are testament to the ethos of hard work, aspiration and success that permeates the school. Your child’s education will be delivered in a supportive and encouraging environment where they will feel challenged, develop a strong sense of belonging and genuinely be able to thrive. At Weatherhead, students have a rich experience that extends well beyond the classroom and I am particularly proud of our extra-curricular programme and wider opportunities that provide enrichment and help to shape character. A broad and diverse range of activities are offered to students during the lunch break and after-school, and every student will find activities that capture their imagination and interests, and push them beyond their limits. Included in the extra-curricular package is one of the largest Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programmes on the Wirral and we are very proud of the high numbers of students who engage in the Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. We are also proud of our performing arts provision and the opportunities students have to play sports. High quality pastoral care is central to the ethos of the school. Our students are well-cared for and supported through the challenges that life at high school presents, and I can assure you that there will always be someone ready to help if your child has a concern. Weatherhead is a school that provides students with rich and exciting opportunities, and is a community in which all individuals are valued. Please visit us to talk to our students and staff, and experience first-hand the culture of respect, kindness and high aspiration.
Mr D Mackenzie Headteacher
Joining Year 7 We firmly believe that every child is entitled to be healthy, stay safe, enjoy learning, make a positive contribution to the school and achieve, and we have a team of teaching and support staff dedicated to ensuring that this is realised. To make sure students have a smooth transition to high school and gain confidence in advance of them arriving, we organise primary school visits, a comprehensive induction day and exciting transition Summer School. We also have an enhanced transition programme for those who we feel will need a little more support. Parents and carers are kept fully informed of their child’s progress and the Year 7 Form Tutor Information Evening in October of the first term supports the settling in process. Year 7 are also allocated their own designated area to relax and socialise during morning break and lunchtime, and a toilet block exclusively for Year 7 use. Students are encouraged to be the best they can and to join extra-curricular clubs and get involved in the wider life of the school. In the words of one of our students, the highlights of Year 7 are ‘making new friends, joining clubs, becoming a member of the School Council, the opportunity to perform in school shows, creating cards for care home residents, taking part in the Weatherhead termly Bake Offs, competing in Sports Day and the Year 7 residential’.
Pastoral Care & Support Every student has a Form Tutor who remains with the tutor group throughout Years 7 to 11, supporting students to quickly develop a sense of belonging, settle into friendship groups and build trusting relationships with their teachers. In addition to this, our Student Services Team is made up of professionals dedicated to providing the best for Weatherhead students, including a Year Leader and Pastoral & Academic Support Worker for each year group. We also have a Mental Health Lead and Safety & Well-Being Officer as well as dedicated and experienced Attendance, Safeguarding and SEND teams. As a parent you can rest assured that your child will be well cared for and supported during their time at Weatherhead High School.
Curriculum and Learning We offer a broad, balanced and exciting Key Stage 3 curriculum (Years 7 to 9) which has been designed to capture the interests and imaginations of students. Alongside the core curriculum of English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography and Spanish, students are taught regular lessons in Art, Computer Science, Design Technology, Dance, Drama, Food & Nutrition, Music, PE, PSHE and Religious Studies. The curriculum allows students to develop a core body of knowledge, providing essential foundations for success at GCSE. At Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11) there is a good degree of curriculum flexibility delivered through our curriculum pathways.
Students typically study nine GCSEs (or equivalent) although this may be adapted for some students. Alongside the core curriculum, they are able to make options choices from a wide range of GCSE and vocational courses, including Child Development, Health & Social Care, Photography, Sociology and Textiles, providing breadth and allowing students to play to their interests and strengths, and there is a strong emphasis on the creative arts. In all subjects, students are taught by experienced, passionate and highly skilled teachers who deliver engaging, creative and challenging lessons, inspiring students’ love of learning. Fundamental to students’ success is the extra time their teachers invest in supporting them well and helping them to remove barriers to learning. The strength of the relationships that students have with their teachers is unique to Weatherhead and was recognised by Ofsted inspectors during their visit in November 2022 who commented ‘relationships between staff and pupils are strong’. Homework Students are encouraged to develop good study habits and are taught how to learn effectively, and homework forms an integral part of students’ learning journey through school. Homework is set using the EduLink app which is accessible to parents, allowing them to support their child’s learning by discussing their homework with them and providing an appropriate environment for them to study independently at home.
Reading Our students are taught to read well and are encouraged to read for pleasure and to improve their knowledge. Reading for learning is central to the delivery of the curriculum and a love of reading is promoted by our award winning librarian, who organises a wide range of opportunities for young people to immerse themselves in books. Meeting the Needs of All Learners Weatherhead is a proudly inclusive school where all children are challenged, supported and nurtured to succeed. A wide range of curriculum enhancing opportunities are offered to the most able students, including the chance to study an additional language, visit universities and museums, and participate in the Scholars’ Programme, preparing them well for academic study at university. By the same token, those students who require additional support and personalisation are very well-cared for by our dedicated SEND team, enabling them to access the curriculum and achieve success. It truly is an environment where every young person can enjoy, achieve and fulfil their potential.
Learning Beyond the Classroom Learning is not just something that happens in the classroom. Students have a wide range of extracurricular activities from which to choose, catering for all interests and allowing them to try something new. The creative arts are important with students being able to immerse themselves in an exciting extra-curricular programme across art, dance, drama and music. There are also plenty of opportunities to play individual and team sports, and the school has an excellent track record of success in local, regional and national sports competitions. From rounders to rugby to rowing, the extensive extra-curricular sport programme promotes good health and the benefit of activity amongst our students. Extra-curricular opportunities extend way beyond the creative arts and PE with most subject areas and the Learning Resource Centre offering lunchtime and after school enrichment, including clubs for chess, art, science and coding, to name but a few. Alongside the extra-curricular programme, opportunities for leadership are provided to students through many different routes, including the School Council Reps, Anti-Bullying Ambassadors, Subject Ambassadors, Event Leaders and Careers Ambassadors.
Learning Beyond the Classroom The pinnacle of student leadership in school is the Student Senior Leadership Team which is instrumental in leading on improvements for all students, delivering assemblies, organising charity fundraisers and making a significant contribution to school life. Leadership is also developed through the very popular and successful Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme which attracts high numbers of students at Bronze, Silver and Gold, providing opportunities for teamwork, the development of new skills and service to the community. Excellent extra-curricular opportunities, specialist careers advice, and a variety of enrichment and leadership opportunities ensure continuous social and personal development, and the acquisition of character and resilience. It also means that students leave Weatherhead High School well-prepared for higher education, the world of work and the challenges that life beyond school presents. Engagement in the wider life of school is encouraged and students’ effort, commitment and contribution to the school community is recognised and rewarded through the school’s reward system.
Our Facilities The school was only built 20 years ago and has exceptional facilities. Students benefit from being taught in a stimulating learning environment and have access to specialist facilities, including a theatre that seats an audience of 450, a dance studio, specialist rooms for the delivery of Science, Computing, Food Technology and the Creative / Performing Arts subjects and a Learning Resource Centre, stocked with a wide range of books, that is organised across two floors. Sports facilities are excellent and include a four-court sports hall, gymnasium and fitness suite, netball and tennis courts and a full-size 3G football pitch. The school is very wellmaintained and students take pride in the environment and all it has to offer.
Our Values At Weatherhead, the individuality of each student is valued and respected, and the school prides itself on being a vibrant, happy and caring environment. Underpinning the school’s values - RESILIENCE, RESPECT, REACH and REWARD - is a system of care and support which exists to promote positive relationships and a culture of self-respect and respect for others. The Weatherhead Charter sets out the importance of valuing and respecting all members of our school community, and we ensure that students’ resilience, self-esteem and confidence are developed, with additional support given to those who find the journey through high school more challenging. What is Special About Weatherhead? A welcoming school with a culture of high expectations and aspiration for all. An exciting curriculum offering breadth and personalisation. Excellent range of extra-curricular activities, school trips and wider enrichment opportunities. Fantastic creative arts and Broadway standard performances. A thriving Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme (Bronze, Silver and Gold). Caring and supportive teaching and nonteaching staff who enable all students to reach their full potential. High quality careers advice and guidance, preparing students well for life beyond school Outstanding facilities (including 3G football pitch and 450 seat theatre). An excellent Sixth Form with preference. An extensive Student Leadership Programme A range of opportunities for community and charity engagement. Open every day from 8:00am (Breakfast Club) until 5.30pm (LRC). Recognised by Ofsted as ‘Good’ in November 2022.