
49ST JOHN FISHER CATHOLIC COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL |
BEST PRACTICE REPRESENTATIVE 2018
Our behaviour interventions were
designed to be targeted, to deploy
external agencies where necessary, and
to be clear to all students and staff.
We worked to build relationships with
all parents and carers, especially those
who had been traditionally hard to
reach. Overall, we reduced the number
of permanent exclusions to just one
student, with an 80 per cent reduction
in the days of fixed-term exclusion
compared to the previous year.
The tracking and monitoring systems
were not fit for purpose as our data
was inaccurate and staff were not
intervening with the correct students.
We worked with external partners to
implement a new data system based on
sensible aspirational targets. Intervention
is now data led, so that staff use
accurate tracking to identify and further
support underachieving pupils.
Working with external partners
We have made considerable efforts to
build up our reputation, introducing
more community meetings as well
as a new parents’ association. The
governing body recruited new parent
governors and we have used our
pastoral care team proactively.
We started to build relationships with
other schools, establishing links with
our Catholic primary feeder schools
as well as developing a partnership
with St Paul’s Academy in Greenwich.
We work together on teaching and
learning, as well as developing middle
leadership. We are also part of a sixth
form consortium, and have, together
with two other providers, reaffirmed
our commitment to working together.
Leadership team
Prior to my arrival, the leadership
team was disparate and did not
have sufficient impact. In response,
a temporary AHT was appointed to
lead on behaviour and as designated
safeguarding lead. I shared the raising
standards leader responsibilities
between two senior colleagues. Finally,
I appointed an assistant head teacher
to be in charge of CPD as well as
teaching and learning. This ensured
that the team operatedeffectively.
We also restructured the school day; all
students line up in the playground with
their equipment, to show that they are
ready to start the day before moving
on to form time, with breakfast being
available to staff and students prior to
8.30am. Resources for each morning’s
registration session are accessible on
the school landing page, ensuring an
orderly start to the day.
Looking forward
It was a challenging year for staff
and students, but the systems
and structures implemented had a
significant impact, with our summer
2017 GCSE results being significantly
improved, resulting in an overall
Progress 8 score of -0.08. Having spent
my first year putting structures and
systems in place, I now look forward
to the future, when SJF will improve to
reach the potential that it promises.
We have begun
building
relationships
with other
schools,
establishing
links with our
Catholic primary
feeder schools
as well as
developing a
partnership with
St. Paul’s
Academy in
Greenwich
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