Challenge Partners - May 2022

We are incredibly proud to share more details of our Challenge Partners Report we received last week. Challenge Partners believes the best way to enhance the life chances of all pupils through collaboration between schools.

As part of the programme we have four trained reviewers on our Leadership Team who have the opportunity to visit other schools and we have a visiting team of reviewers to challenge us, about our ways of working and how we can further develop as a school.This report is a summary of the findings of the reviewers.

The reviewers praised leaders at all levels for their aspirational vision of ‘Excellence in the Heart of the Community’

Please click here to view the report.

'The Principal and her team have developed a culture in which the highest expectations of students and staff are the norm. Senior Leaders are highly skilled at ensuring that all staff feel a valued part of the team. Everyone shares the vision and values of the school’

The work our Subject leaders and teachers have put into developing their curriculum and choosing the right knowledge at the right time was also recognised.

‘Subject Leaders know their subjects and areas of responsibility well and ensure there is sufficient breadth to the curriculum. The identification of core knowledge within departments has paid dividends. It is evident, when visiting lessons, that teachers are clear about what students should know and remember’

Our focus on reading came through in all areas of school with pupils and staff talking positively about our reading culture and changes we have made to support developments in reading.

‘As a result of deploying effective reading strategies, more students are now confident readers and can decode unfamiliar words on their own’

We are passionate about supporting the Personal Development of our pupils in addition to supporting them in getting the best academic outcomes. This was evidenced when reviewers stated:

‘The curriculum also includes a range of opportunities for students to develop their personal and social skills. A Year 11 assembly around the concept of kindness allowed students to reflect on the importance of being kind to yourself, others and the planet’

As always, our pupils demonstrated the Hillside Way with exceptional behaviour and attitudes. Reviewers recognised the safe learning environment pupils have and how this is secured through strong relationships between pupils and staff.

‘Students demonstrate positive attitudes to learning and, in the best lessons, are resilient and not afraid to make mistakes. In all lessons visited, students benefit from positive relationships with their teachers’

Pupils talked positively about the high quality feedback they receive every lesson to improve their learning.This was also seen in lessons and pupils books.

‘Feedback has a tangible impact on students’ progression’

It is a team effort here at Hillside to support our pupils.Reviewers talking positively about support seen in lessons from Teaching Assistants and of how the new Tutor Team at Hillside are passionate about improving outcomes and confidence of our pupils.

‘Trusting relationships between teachers and teaching assistants (TAs) help students to successfully access the curriculum’

We could go on and on as there are many positive quotes we could take away from our report. We are always determined to strive forwards in our mission of ‘Excellence on the Heart of the Community’ and we are excited to keep moving forward on our journey in making sure our pupils have exceptional provision and make excellent progress both in their academic and personal development. Congratulations to all our school community for this positive feedback as a school, we couldn’t do this without our wonderful pupils, the support of their families and every single member of staff here on our Hillside Team.