Our Mission Statement summarises these shared goals. It should guide our actions, shape our decisions, and direct our energies. It should ensure that we are all moving together in the same direction.

At Great Barr School, it is our mission is to be an innovative, forward-thinking school which provides a secure and caring environment built on values, mutual respect and the principles of equality, and in which:

we all want to play an active part in making our community sustainable, ordered, peaceful and successful.

Our school is driving forwards. We are not afraid to make radical changes to the way we organise our school and its curriculum to achieve ever improving outcomes for our children. The world around us, the world for which we are preparing our children, is constantly changing and we must change with it. Whether it is developments in teaching and learning methodologies or opportunities afforded by new technologies, if we believe that some or all of our children might benefit from them, we are keen to embrace them.

If we are to prepare our children for success in the world outside school, we must build strong links with that world. We are continually building and maintaining links with local and national business organisations, bringing experts into school to work with our children so that they can benefit from expertise which is not available within the School, setting up short and long term work experience placements and running regular visits to real workplaces which reinforce and deepen the knowledge our children are gaining in the classroom. Through our Science Specialism, we have developed strong relationships with local community groups and organisations, higher education institutions and other educational bodies. We have created opportunities for our children to teach and to learn from people they would not otherwise have met, breaking down barriers within the community and building stronger, mutually respectful relationships. Our family learning sessions, at which parents and children can learn together, promote lifelong learning. As well as being forward-looking, Great Barr School is outward-looking.

Our children are well cared for and every effort is made to promote their social, emotional and intellectual development. Great Barr is undoubtedly a large school, but ‘large’ doesn’t mean ‘impersonal’. Our pastoral system, arranged into four Houses, is an acknowledged strength of the School, ensuring that all children are known and their development is closely monitored and nurtured. The welfare and safety of all of our children is paramount. Through our vertical form groups, our Prefects, School Council and Community Ambassadors, we encourage our children to take responsibility for themselves and others.

We recognise that all of our children are individuals and will therefore have different needs. We work hard to create support structures and opportunities which enable us to cater for the most diverse needs, and to reach and fully integrate all of our children. For us, every child really does matter.

Hard work and progress are top of the agenda for everyone. We want every child to be successful, to aim for success from the very first day they join us and throughout their school career. We want our children to achieve their full potential. Our extensive reward structures provide incentives for success and achievement which are valued by the children.

Of course, success can only be achieved in an atmosphere of purposeful work. When you visit the School, you will soon see how committed we are to maintaining an ordered and disciplined environment in which pupils can focus on their learning. Behaviour for Learning, our consequence-based discipline system, has been tremendously successful in focusing pupils’ energies into productive work.

We recognise the importance of our role in helping to shape the character and attitudes of every child. We work with parents to instil good manners and respect for others so that Great Barr pupils can make a positive impact on their local communities.

The commitment, expertise and professionalism of our highly-qualified teaching staff are vital to our continued success. The School is committed to continuing its investment in the recruitment, retention and development of the best teachers and support staff.

We actively encourage parents to actively share our high expectations of behaviour, attendance, hard work and commitment to achievement, as it is only when we work together that our children will achieve their full potential. Our ‘real time reporting system’ will allow parents to make daily checks on their children’s attendance, behaviour and progress.

I think you will agree that the following comments, taken from our latest OFSTED inspection report (November 2009), reinforce much of what I have said above:

“The school’s good pastoral care for students through its effective tutorial system is a feature of provision highly valued by most students.”

“Major modifications to the curriculum have made the most marked contribution to the improving trend in achievement and the curriculum is now an emerging strength.”

“Most students enjoy learning, are keen to do their best and behave well in lessons. Students’ concentration and attitudes to study are good when the tasks they are asked to do are engaging and encourage active learning.”

“In 2009, the proportion of Year 11 students gaining five good GCSEs rose significantly compared to the previous year.”

“Students feel that most of their teachers go out of their way to help and guide them in their studies.”

“Safeguarding procedures are now good, as are the care, guidance and support for students.”

“It is a tolerant and welcoming community in which most students thrive.”

Whether you are considering applying for your child to join the School or you are applying to join our large team of dedicated staff, I look forward to receiving your application and to the opportunity in working with you to further the success of our School and our children.

C M Abbott.

Headteacher