Headteacher’s Welcome

Headteacher’s Welcome

Welcome to our website which provides us with the perfect platform to showcase the school. The website will also provide you with all the latest statutory information required by the government. We hope that this website will give you some insight into the way we work and what we offer, but we also hope it reveals something of the special place that Prince Henry’s is.

It is a privilege indeed to be Headteacher of such an outstandingly successful school and work with committed students, staff, parents and governors. As a parent myself with children currently in school, I fully understand that choosing the right school is one of the most important decisions you will ever have to make. I hope the information contained here will provide you with a flavour of our fantastic school.

We are all very proud to be a part of Prince Henry’s High School and are conscious of its history, current achievements and distinctive ethos. Visitors to the school often comment on the sense of purpose and commitment that they encounter. We hope that you will feel the same and that you will share our belief that Prince Henry’s has something very special to offer. We ensure at Prince Henry’s that our students strive for the highest standards and have a wide range of opportunities to learn effectively, both academically and socially.

We appreciate that learning is a social activity and that teamwork is fundamental. That is why we foster in students respect for themselves and others, encouraging co-operation and collaboration. We are confident that you will find that there is a real sense of engagement with students enjoying their education at Prince Henry’s. This arises from them feeling that they are being motivated, stretched, valued and supported by the high standards we expect of them. We are proud of the numerous opportunities available for our pupils, both within and outside the traditional curriculum and we are totally committed to ensuring our students achieve their full potential no matter what their abilities, aptitudes and strengths are. Our guiding principle is for every student to succeed, and we believe that success is achieved through hard work.

Truly successful education is a partnership between school, students, parents and our community, and we aim to develop a future generation who have the self-confidence to use their talents and skills for their own benefit and that of the community in which they live. We aspire to enable pupils to develop their abilities and personal characteristics such as initiative, enthusiasm, leadership, tolerance, perseverance, commitment and self-discipline.

Our students are supported by an experienced, dedicated and committed staff to ensure their learning experience is as wonderful as it can be. However, please don’t just take my word for this. The following is an extract from the first paragraph of the Ofsted report from May 2010:-

“Prince Henry’s is an excellent school which continues to provide an outstanding education. The students say they enjoy school and that they are well supported. Parents and carers are also very positive about their children’s education. As one parent said, reflecting the views of others, “both my children have had a happy and fruitful time at Prince Henry’s. I have nothing but praise for the education they have received”.

Prince Henry’s was last inspected by Ofsted in May 2013. The Inspectors again judged Prince Henry’s to be outstanding; the fourth consecutive inspection in which we have been placed in the highest category. Our Sixth Form was also judged to be outstanding, as were all of the individual component judgements such as Teaching & Learning and Care, Guidance & Support. The following are extracts from the report:-

“The school provides an exceptionally high quality of education for its students. They make outstanding progress in their academic and personal development.”

“Teachers have very high expectations of students and develop excellent working relationships in the classroom.”

“Students take great pride in the school, have highly positive attitudes to learning and are very keen to do their best in class. Their behaviour in lessons and around the school is exemplary. The vast majority of parents and carers agree that their children are safe and happy in school and are very positive about behaviour in the school.”

“The Sixth Form is outstanding and students make excellent progress on their AS-level and A-level courses . Sixth Form students receive outstanding information, support and guidance. They make an excellent contribution to the life of the school, for example on the School Council, as prefects, or as mentors to younger students.”

“The headteacher and senior leaders provide excellent leadership. Governors and staff are very proud of the school and are fully committed to its success. There is an obvious determination to ensure that all students achieve the highest standards they can.”

“School leaders are relentless in their drive for improvement in all parts of the school’s work. The very experienced governing body is exceptionally effective. Governors provide both support and challenge for the school and are committed to its continued improvement.”

Many students from Prince Henry’s go on to achieve outstanding success in their future careers and lives. We want for your child exactly what you want as parents – the best and nothing but the best. Prince Henry’s has a great deal to offer your child and I am as excited as ever at the prospect of leading everyone connected with the school in the drive to develop, maintain and extend its exceptional quality.
We look forward to welcoming you and your family to our school!

Dr A Evans
June 2013