“The good quality of leadership throughout the school is driving the development of teaching and learning…”
Ofsted Inspection Nov 2007
Tanbridge House School has much to celebrate!
Jules White headteacher of Tanbridge House School arrived in January 2008 with the goal of Tanbridge House School becoming an ‘outstanding’ school. Important steps have already been taken to ensure the vision becomes a reality.
Exam Success
In August, Tanbridge received their best ever GCSE results, + 75% A*-C, 6% higher than last year with some significant individual achievements. David Hawkins Year 11 achieved 8A*, 2As, 4 ICT GCSEs plus an A in a post GCSE Maths Exam, Charlotte Skipper Year 11 achieved 11A*, 1A plus a post GCSE Maths Exam and Year 9 student , Georgia Fife Year achieved an A* in German and Alice Kendall Year 10 achieved an A* in French these two Gifted & Talented students have had the opportunity along with 98 other Tanbridge House School Gifted and Talented students to participate in a wide range of workshops and courses at Tanbridge and also to join the West Sussex enrichment programme. James Cooksley in the Year 9 National Curriculum Tests was awarded full marks, one of just 5 in the county to achieve this, for his Shakespeare writing paper.
Dream Jobs for Tanbridge Students
Jules White, headteacher, upon arrival at Tanbridge initiated a unique and exciting programme for students from Years 7, 8 and 9 giving them the opportunity of experiencing their dream “profession” for the day. Aided by PMW, a Billingshurst based media company, the first eight students during the summer had their once in a lifetime experience. Decaln Cusack, Year 8 fullfield his ambition of experiencing a day in the life of a commercial pilot when he visited Virgin Atlantic another Year 8 student Elizabeth Millbank dream of finding out more of working in a veterinary practice came a reality when she spent a day at Arthur Lodge Vets Practice. Year 7 student Charlotte Stanbridge had an insight into the world of crime when her special day was spent with Horsham’s police detectives and two Year 9 student, Luke Merritt and Justine Harding spent a day treading the boards at London theatres fulfilling their dreams of meeting professional actors. Jules White said, “Unlike work experience, our ambassadors have the incredible, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work with some of the top people in their field and venture out into the most exciting of work places. The experience will no doubt inspire them when choosing the right career for the future.”
Sporting Success continues to grow – so much so that during July a special Sports Awards evening was held at Tanbridge, sponsored by Horsham Junior Baseball Club to celebrate the achievements of over forty students who during 2008 had excelled in school, county, district , national or international sporting events.
Fully Up to Date
Tanbridge House are not only improving standards and results but are committed to making available the latest equipment and technology. During the summer a significant investment was made to provide the most up to date technology throughout the school with added investment in ICT, Maths, Music, the Main Hall and English. Five information screens are now in place around the school to keep all students fully informed and updated on school news. Four new industry standard servers and seventy new computers both enhance student’s use of ICT across all subjects as befits are Specialist Status.
A Specialist Science, Mathematics & Computing College – the specialist areas of the school continue to flourish and have a strong and positive impact not only at Tanbridge but also on the wider Horsham community – Tanbridge are delighted to be the supporters of the Y Centre Art Project and to offer IT classes to the community during the school holidays also the work with local primary schools offering younger children the opportunity of master classes in Science, Mathematics & Computing is proving very popular.
The central courtyard saw the removal of two temporary classrooms to be replaced with an eye-catching landscaped garden for which the school are grateful to the Old Barn Nursery, Dial Post for there help in the selection of plants and generous discount.
Performing Arts are a key part of the curriculum at Tanbridge House School. Every student has the opportunity to perform on stage in annual productions and concerts and following the success of West Side Story in the summer students are now busy rehearsing The Taming of the Shrew as part of this year’s Shakespeare Schools October Festival.
Mr White said, “the continued drive towards higher academic standards will continue, as will our emphasis on care, courtesy and respect. I am confident that new classroom practices and curriculum developments will allow all Tanbridge House students to fulfil their potential.”