Woodbridge High School, Woodford Green
 | |
| Motto | "Pride in Achievement" |
|---|---|
| Established | 1937 as St. Barnabas County School |
| Type | Community school |
| Headteacher | Mr Steven Hogan |
| Location |
Woodford Green Greater London England 51°36′08″N 0°02′02″E / 51.602326°N 0.033823°ECoordinates: 51°36′08″N 0°02′02″E / 51.602326°N 0.033823°E |
| Local authority | Redbridge |
| DfE URN | 102854 Tables |
| Ofsted | Reports |
| Staff | 125 |
| Students | 1,508[1] |
| Ages | 11–18 |
| Houses |
Blue Green Red Yellow Purple |
| Colours | Green and yellow |
| Website |
www |
Woodbridge High School is a co-educational secondary school located in Woodford Green in the London Borough of Redbridge, London, England.
The school’s Headteacher is Steven Hogan, who was appointed in 2018. He previously held a number of posts at the school, including Deputy Headteacher, Assistant Headteacher and Head of Modern Languages. He has taught Russian, German and French at the school since 2000. The previous headteacher, Andrew Beaumont, retired in 2018 after 15 years in post, and prior to that the former headmistress Barbara Haigh retired in 2003 after 16 years.
Woodbridge has approximately 1,800 pupils and over 160 members of staff. The school's motto is "Pride in Achievement".
The catchment area for Woodbridge is wide, and includes the Orchard Estate council housing area nearby whilst also stretching up as far as the Church End Ward in South Woodford. Many pupils come from the surrounding areas such as Walthamstow, Gants Hill and Ilford. The nearest tube stations are Woodford (10 min walk) and South Woodford (20 min walk) on the London Underground Central line.
Pupil development and pastoral care
A pastoral system ensures academic and personal progress, as well as a safe environment in which to learn. Pupils are placed in mixed ability tutor groups. The same team of form tutors led by the year co-ordinator stays with the group for five years until the sixth form. The welfare and progress of every pupil is monitored with annual school reports, covering their achievement, attendance and good behaviour, which was recognised in their 2005 Ofsted report.[2]
The ratio of computers to students is 1:3. There is a Sports Hall and a Library, and the school also has a music studio, two drama studios and scientific practical classrooms as well as general classrooms. The two main buildings, Mallards and Wynndale, are situated either side of an all-weather sports pitch. Some departments have their own ICT facilities and the majority of classrooms are equipped with interactive white boards.
Curriculum
At Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) all pupils study English, Mathematics, Science, Technology, History, Geography, two Modern Foreign Languages, Art, Music, Drama, ICT, Religious Education, Physical Education and Life Studies. Pupils are mainly taught in mixed ability groups, although there is some ability related setting in Mathematics and Languages.
At Key Stage 4 (years 10-11) all pupils are prepared for GCSE qualifications. Most pupils are entered for 9 - 10 GCSEs. They study English Literature, English Language, Mathematics, Science, a modern language, history or geography, and take part in some form of Physical Education. They also choose options from a very wide range of subjects. The subjects offered are Art & Design, Business Studies, Child Development, Computer Science, Design Technology, Drama, French, Spanish, German, Russian, Geography, History, Information Technologies, Media Studies, Music, Physical Education, Psychology, Religious Studies and Sociology. Students may take vocational courses in Business and Health & Social Care. A Study Support option is available for students who need support with their GCSE subjects.
Extra-Curricular
The school is noted for its TAFAL programme. "Teach A Friend A Language" is a scheme where pupils are encouraged to learn new languages from fellow students and enter a competition. The format has been adopted by schools nationwide.
There are also many extra-curricular sports activities that all students can participate in. This includes basketball, football, netball, rounders, trampolining, and many others.
Woodbridge High School is known in the local community for its outstanding Music Department which encourages students of all abilities to join various clubs and be a part of the two concerts it puts on every year. The orchestra also plays for the annual Drama production, playing professional-level music from scores such as Oliver! and Bugsy Malone. In March 2015, the choir went to Edinburgh on its first music tour, performing in Edinburgh Castle and Cathedral to sight-seers. Other ensembles include Guitar and Ukulele Club, Jazz Ensemble and Wind Ensemble. Students are helped to put together their own groups, and A Level students are encouraged to perform the compositions they wrote as part of their course.
Multiculturalism
Woodbridge accepts children from all and any religious and ethnic backgrounds, with many of the students having English as a second or even third language. The school has holds annual events celebrating different cultures, such as Chinese New Year and Black History Month, which all students are encouraged to take part in and learn about. The school does not tolerate racism and is firm and strict with name calling and bullying.
The Site
There are two main buildings in Woodbridge High School known as Mallards and Wynndale, along with the Sports Hall, which is situated in the central field and the Business Centre, which contains business classrooms. The school also has an additional building, which has better facilities for the creative arts subjects, including new music practice rooms and an auditorium. The school also has a large playground with 3 sets of basketball hoops, 2 large tennis court areas, and various grassy areas.
Mallards
Mallards is a three-floor building situated at the Broadmead Road end of the site. It contains the school's main office, and the departments of Science, English, Business, Psychology,and Media. There is a library and a learning support department. There is also a canteen known as "Mallards Canteen" and a large Sixth Form suite upstairs, including a common room for students to socialise, two private study areas, and the recent addition of a cafe area where 6th Form students can purchase a variety of hot and cold food and drink.
Wynndale
Wynndale is the more modern building on the site, and is accessible by the St Barnabas Road gate. The building holds the school's main canteen and Wynndale Hall, where most of the school's events are held and exams take place. The main subject areas taught in Wynndale are Maths, Geography, and Religious Studies, with the Technology block situated at the rear of the building.
Roding Creative Arts
The Roding building is Woodbridge's new block. It goes over three-floors with the facilities for Drama, Music, History, Art and Computing. It includes a disabled access lift and an auditorium for drama and music performances.
Fitness Centre
The fitness centre is a new building situated in between the Mallards building and Business Centre. It has facilities for boys and girls changing rooms, a fitness suite, and a dance studio. The fitness suite has revolutionary new gym machines which run on air pressure as well as the normal treadmills and bikes.
Uniform
Years 7 to 11
Black blazer with school crest, white shirt, black and yellow striped school tie, black jumper, black trousers and black shoes. Overcoats must be black or navy in colour.
PE kit consists of a white polo shirt and shorts in summer, or rugby shirt and tracksuit bottoms in winter, and trainers or tennis shoes.
Sixth Form
Sixth formers wear smart, business-like clothing every day of the week.
Notable alumni
The Skints, London Reggae band
References
- ↑ Ofsted school page
- ↑ The 2005 Ofsted Inspection Report