Message from the Headteacher

 

GHS Headteacher Welcome Letter Jan 2024 

Academic Excellence

 

At Greenbank, we believe in providing a broad and balanced curriculum that equips students with the knowledge, skills, values and attributes required to be successful in their chosen careers. Examination results in all subjects are consistently high and students of all abilities make excellent progress from their starting points.  We offer a wide range of curriculum opportunities to inspire and engage our students and ensure they have a love of learning.  Please read our current Curriculum Policy on the website.

 

All of the faculties provide stimulating learning experiences across the school and prepare our students for their ‘next step’. A cornerstone of our curriculum is personal development that ranges from short and sharp Personal Development Time at morning registration to longer learning experiences such as Enrichment Days.   Throughout the school, students are offered individual, tailored careers guidance and all our students this year have been offered a place in post 16 learning. We are delighted that our alumni are always keen to come back and support current students through sharing their ambitious career paths driven from their time at Greenbank.

 

Special Educational Needs and Disability students are supported to make excellent progress through our experienced team. We are passionately committed to developing their independence as learners.  Please read our SEND information on the website.

 

We were proud to be awarded The NACE (National Able Children in Education) Challenge Award in recognition of our provision and outcomes in challenging every student to be the best they can possibly be.

 

Outstanding Support

 

Although we are a large school, we pride ourselves in making sure that every student is nurtured as an individual.

 

On joining the school, each student joins a tutor group and is part of one of our houses named after an inspirational woman.  Within the tutor group, students are supported by their Form Tutor who delivers Personal Development Time each morning.  Each year group has a Head of Year, who is responsible for monitoring the progress, pastoral issues, behaviour and attendance of the students.

 

Within the House system, we have regular competitions across the curriculum including art, literacy, music and sports. Students will have opportunities to work across year groups and develop their leadership skills through a range of activities. The House Point system contributes significantly to embedding a culture where success across a wide range of fields is celebrated. Girls are awarded blazer badges on achieving identified milestones and are extremely proud to wear them.

 

The Learning Mentor acts as a link between parents, the school and other agencies. They can provide advice or simply be someone to listen. The mentors operate drop in sessions and an appointment system to deal with any issues students may have.

 

A New Girl’s Easy Listening Service (ANGELS) has proved very successful in helping students settle quickly into life at Greenbank. Volunteers from Year 10 are attached to each Year 7 tutor group to help make the transition process as smooth as possible.

 

Expanding Knowledge and Skills – An exciting school life beyond the classroom

 

There are an inspiring variety of opportunities on offer at Greenbank at lunchtimes, after school and throughout the year.

 

We have been awarded the Association for PE Quality Mark with Distinction in recognition of our exceptional PE teaching, culture of sport for all and success in competitive sport.  We were also awarded the prestigious Sefton Secondary Sports School and Team of the Year the last time it was awarded. Our exceptional sports facilities including a brand new multi-purpose pitch and fitness suite are the envy of the local community and are used extensively throughout the year. A selection of sports clubs on offer include; netball, hockey, gymnastics, dance, football, basketball, athletics, cycling, tennis, badminton and many more! The school is represented in many competitions against other schools both locally and regionally, in which we regularly achieve success. We cater for students of all abilities and they will get the opportunity to represent the school.

 

As well as offering Drama, Music and Dance within the curriculum, there are numerous exciting projects happening beyond lesson time. Our high points of the year are the fantastic school drama productions, dance shows and the annual Christmas and summer musical extravaganza. We are an Artsmark Gold and Arts Award Champion School in recognition of our excellence in the Arts and pupils can complete the esteemed Arts Award at all levels.

 

The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme is hugely popular and embraces the school ethos of developing leadership skills. Last year over 100 students achieved the award at either Bronze or Silver level.

 

Imaginative and creative additions to our curriculum are delivered through the Enrichment Day calendar. These specialist days develop cross year collaboration, competitions such as enterprise challenges, curriculum enhancement such as Core First Aid training and a diverse range of UK based study visits.

 

Greenbank is famous for its extra-curricular clubs that enrich the school life of so many and these include:-

 

  • Let’s Get Cooking Club
  • Music – brass, clarinet and guitar ensembles, Greenbank voices, windband, music production, keyboard, jazz club, orchestra and theory club
  • Sports – football, hockey, netball, athletics, running, badminton, tennis and fitness suite
  • Computer Coding Club
  • Eco Club
  • Technology Club
  • Film Club
  • Dance Club
  • Language Club
  • Duke of Edinburgh Award
  • Philosophy Club
  • English – Creative Writing and Public Speaking Club
  • Rotary Interact Club

 

Explore the World

 

The international dimension at Greenbank High School is a central aspect of our curriculum. Students enjoy a wide variety of opportunities to travel the world and to explore and respect other cultures through exciting curriculum activities. We currently have strong curriculum links with schools in France, Spain and Ghana.

 

We have gained the International School Award from the British Council in recognition of our expertise in developing active global citizens. Every year students have the opportunity to take part in educational visits abroad.

 

Regular educational visits include:-

 

  • France (Year 7)
  • CERN and the United Nations in Geneva (Year 10 Physics)
  • Berlin (Year 10 Science)
  • Music Tour (all years)
  • PE Activity Visit in Shropshire (Years 8 -9)
  • PE skiing visit (Years 9-10)
  • Humanities visit to Pompeii & Mt Vesuvius and Krakow and Auschwitz (Years 9-10)
  • Link school in Lille, France (Years 9-10)
  • Malaga, Spain (Years 9-10)
  • Link school in Ghana (Year 11)
  • Duke of Edinburgh Award Expeditions (Years 9 -11)

 

 Developing the Leaders of tomorrow

 

We are committed to developing all students’ capacity to lead.  We have developed opportunities for students to become leaders in areas ranging from Modern Foreign Languages, Literacy, Sport and Science to Anne Frank Leaders in partnership with The Anne Frank Trust.

 

Leadership opportunities include:

 

  • Pupil Leadership Team including a Head and Deputy Head students
  • House Captains and Vice Captains
  • School Council member
  • Champions of the Arts
  • Literacy Leaders and Ambassadors
  • Peer Mentors
  • ANGELS
  • Language Leaders
  • Maths Leaders
  • Science Leaders
  • Sports Leaders and Games Captains
  • Librarians
  • Eco Leaders
  • Legal Team
  • Anne Frank Trust Leaders
  • Princess Diana Memorial Award Anti-Bullying Ambassadors
  • Young Leaders Award
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