A message from County Councillor, Rupert Simmons.
As the Heathfield County Councillor I would like to congratulate Heathfield Community College on three separate outstanding commendations. Firstly the School has been named in a new OfSTED Internet "Hall of Fame" listing of all Schools in the Country that have received the watchdog’s top accolade and been praised as particularly successful in at least one of the Chief Inspector’s annual education reports over the last ten years.
Heathfield Community College distinguished itself with the most outstanding combined value added scores across the County. This is the measure that those in Education regard as the most important in judging a School’s educational merit.
Secondly, the Key Stage 3 (age 14) scores show Heathfield well above National and County averages and third best performer of the County’s Secondary Schools. For the Key Stage 4 (GSCE or equivalent) the School's score is 1018.3 which indicates that the educational progress made by pupils at this school is significantly higher than the average pupil. This is the highest score achieved by mainstream schools in East Sussex. This outcome compares very well with the LEA average of 990.6 and It is also higher than the average of any of East Sussex's statistical neighbours. Thirdly that the School with 69%, now joins the top 4 list of performers in education in the County for the highest percentage of pupils gaining five or more A*-C grades at GSCE. Put together this is a tremendous tribute to the efforts of the Board of Governors, the Headteachers, both recent past in Mr Robinson and new incumbent Alan Powell and the outstanding Staff. The Students and their Families should also be applauded for making the most of their opportunities and long may the School’s considerable and consistent progress continue. The Community as a whole should be particularly proud of the College at its heart and the young of its future.
County Councillor
Rupert Simmons
For more information on the College please visit Heathfield Community College
Heathfield Community College is located just outside the market town of Heathfield in the heart of East Sussex. It draws its students from a large geographical area including the villages of Cross in Hand, Horam, Mayfield and Burwash. There are currently over 1400 students on roll with approximately 250 in the 6th form. The College works very closely with its family of primary feeder schools (Broad Oak, Burwash, Cross in Hand, Dallington, Five Ashes, Old Heathfield, Herstmonceux, Mayfield, Maynards Green, Parkside and Punnetts Town).
Heathfield Community College has a very good record of academic achievement and received excellent Ofsted reports in November 2005 and January 2009 (available on the ofsted website http://www.ofsted.gov.uk).
In recent years 75% of students have consistently achieved 5 or more GCSE passes at A*-C, with 99% of pupils achieving 5 or more passes at grade A*-G. A level achievement is equally high with the College being in the top 20% of the highest performing sixth forms in the country.
Success is based upon a combination of high expectations, excellent teaching and committed students.
The "value added" indicators for the College are very high and place it consistently amongst the top 25% of schools nationally.
The College was awarded Specialist College status in 2003 as one of only a small number of schools nationally specialising in both the visual and performing arts. This has added an extra dimension to the College and has increased the opportunities for pupils within the arts and, in particular, in working with professional artists. Since achieving specialist status, the College has been asked by the specialist schools trust to make presentations at both the regional and national Arts College conferences, a clear indication of the effective and excellent work undertaken at the College.
The College has also achieved a number of external awards including Sports Mark, Arts Mark Gold and the Healthy Schools Award. There is an extensive range of extra curricular activities on offer to all students including field trips, Year 8 camp, ski trips, residentials (most recently to Loire Valley, Barcelona and Berlin), theatre visits, clubs, sport, drama and revision classes.
There is a very positive ethos at the College and relationships between staff and students are a strong feature of success. Staff enjoy working here and students are motivated and keen to learn.
The College enjoys an excellent reputation within East Sussex and works collaboratively with other primary and secondary schools. Current projects include developments in the arts, sport and support for the gifted and talented in areas such as mathematics, science and technology. The College is also working closely with three neighbouring community colleges and Sussex Downs and Plumpton Colleges in order to provide a range of additional KS4 vocational opportunities including construction, motor vehicle maintenance and hair and beauty.
Please find below a summary and extracts from the 2009 Ofsted inspection:
The inspection was carried out by one of her majesty's inspectors and an additional inspector. The inspectors evaluated the overall effectiveness of the school and investigated the following issues: the overall effectiveness of the sixth form, achievement and standards, teaching and learning, the impact of the school's specialist status for visual and performing arts, and leadership and management.
During the inspection the inspectors identified the College as being outstanding in 22 of the 27 Ofsted categories and highlighted the following:
· leadership and management are outstanding, with a clear vision for the college's continuing development · its capacity to improve is outstanding · academic standards are rising · students feel valued as individuals · the standards attained overall are exceptionally high for a wide ability school, significantly above the national average· the college has a well developed commitment to supporting those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and these students make the greatest progress · students' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding · behaviour in lessons and around the school is excellent · outstanding pastoral and academic care and guidance provide a strong framework for students' excellent personal development in this inclusive community · students of all abilities benefit from an outstanding curriculum · progression to further education, training or employment is exceptionally good
Head teacher, Alan Powell, commented: "This is an excellent report, which recognises the strengths, successes and achievements of the College. These achievements are based on the hard work of students, the dedication of staff and strong support from parents, governors and the community."
Alan Powell
Head teacher
May 2010
Broad Oak Pre-School
Meets at Broad Oak Village
Hall Ages 2½-5
Mrs K Twinn 01435 867904
Chipmunks Nursery School
Held at Union Church Hall, Heathfield. Ages 3-5
Mrs N Saunders 01435 864194
Heathfield Opportunity Playgroup
Held at Heathfield Youth Centre
Janice Hall 01435 868583
Huffle Nursery School
Beechwood House, Beechwood Lane , Heathfield
Jennifer Woodhouse 01435 864699
Kipling Pre-School
School Hill, Burwash, Etchingham, East Sussex . TN19 7DZ
Supervisor Sue Bailley 01435 882440
Caters for children from 21/2 to rising 5
5 mornings per week plus 2 afternoons for the youngest children.
Little Tinkers Nursery School
Mayfield Flat Farm, Mayfield Flat, Heathfield 01435 863220
Little Punnetts - at Punnetts Town Community Primary School
Ages 2 – school age, held at Heathfield Chapel
Mrs L Moore 01435 863043
St Richards Pre-School
Ages 2 – 5, held at St Richards Hall
Alison Hall 01435 865633
Union Church
Station Road, Heathfield
Gill Barker 01435 864003
Sheepsetting Lane Pre-School Group
Cross-in-Hand School, Sheepsetting Lane
Jacqui Fuller 01435 862941
Welcome Pre-School
Held at Welcome Church , Alexandra Road , Heathfield
Mrs Susan Pinfold 01435 864646
Young Haymakers Kindergarten
Kirby Farm, Foxhunt Green, Waldron , TN21 0RU
Trish Pepper 01435 812555
Broad Oak County Primary School
Telephone: 01435 862951
Fax: 01435 862942
Scotsford Road
Broad Oak
Heathfield
TN21 8UD Head Teacher: Ms Maria Maslin Broad Oak Community Primary School is a County Community Primary School with approximately 145 pupils on roll. It caters for boys and girls aged 4 to 11. The school gained a School Achievement Award in 2002.
Punnetts Town Community Primary School
Telephone: 01435 830361
Fax: 01435 830924
Punnetts Town
Heathfield
East Sussex
TN21 9DE
Website: www.punnettstown.e-sussex.sch.uk
Headteacher: Ms Maria Maslin. Punnetts Town Community Primary School is a school for boys and girls aged 5-11.
Cross-in-Hand C of E Primary School
Telephone: 01435 862941
Fax: 01435 862464
Sheepsetting Lane
Cross in Hand
Heathfield
TN21 OLT Head Teacher: Mrs. G Mills Cross in Hand Church of England Primary School is a Controlled Church of England Primary School with approximately 351 pupils on roll. It caters for boys and girls aged 4 to 11. It has an Artsmark Gold, a South Education Business Alliance Award for Best Creative & Performing Arts Project 2002, and the Investors in People award. There is a new computerised air conditioned library which is also available for local pre-school children from September 2002, a new purpose built ICT suite with internet café for the community. The school participates in community play working with Waldron village and also has a Year 5 croquet squad.
All Saints & St Richards C of E Primary
Telephone: 01435 863466
Fax: 01435 862026
School Hill
Old Heathfield
TN21 9AE Head Teacher: Mrs Sarah Ridyard All Saints and St Richards Church of England Primary School is an aided Church of England School with approximately 135 pupils on roll. It caters for boys and girls aged 4 to 11. In the last year the school gained a School Achievement Award and participated in National Small Schools week.
Parkside County Primary School
Telephone: 01435 864577
Fax: 01435 865532
Beechwood Lane
Heathfield
TN21 8QQ Head Teacher: Mr. N Wood Parkside Community Primary School caters for children from the ages of 4 to 11. It has 215 children on role organised into seven individual age groups. The school currently holds the Basic Skills Agency 'Quality Mark' and is an 'Investor in People'. The school believes in helping children achieve their potential in all areas of the curriculum. A tradition of high standards in the core curriculum areas is balanced by a reputation for success in sport, a wide range of musical activity and excellent artwork. A thriving Parent Teachers Association ensures that Parkside is a friendly community for the whole family. School website: http://www.parkside.e-sussex.sch.uk%20/
Maynards Green School
Telephone: 01435 812622
FAX: 01435 813944
Heathfield
TN21 0DD Head Teacher: Mr. Brian Newman Maynards Green Primary School serves the village of Horam and the southern part of the town of Heathfield. It has one class for each age group
Acres Learning
The Adult College for Rural East Sussex offers a wide range of courses for adult learners both in the daytime and in the evening.
Course subjects include:
• Arts and Crafts
• IT
• Digital photography
• Fitness
• Gardening
• GCSE, A ‘Level and NVQ courses
• Foreign languages
• Food and drink
• History
And many more...
Courses run in Heathfield, Uckfield, Crowborough, Wadhurst and Hailsham. We can also put on courses for specific groups of people – so if you are part of a group of people who would like a course provided just for you then contact us and we will see what we can do. Reduced fees are available to those on low incomes.
ACRES also offer the Skills for Life courses that will help you get rid of your maths, reading and writing “gremlins”, and these courses are offered free of charge. You can normally join at any time throughout the year.
There are also many courses starting throughout the year, so for a copy of the latest brochure, call the ACRES team on 01825 761820 or visit www.acreslearning.org.uk
Local networks improving the lives of Children and Young People. Please see the attached leaflet for information on what they are and how you can get involved.
