At Helston Community College, our students matter: each one an individual, valued and appreciated. We are highly ambitious for all of our students and are committed to providing a learning experience that consists of high challenge combined with excellent pastoral support and brilliant teaching in a positive, inclusive and disciplined environment.  We want our students to leave us well prepared and excited about their futures.

Our College is a place where doors of opportunity are opened for young people, and we encourage them to make the most of every opportunity that comes their way. We provide a diverse curriculum, allowing students to develop knowledge, skills and talents in a broad range of subject areas. We challenge students’ thinking and encourage them to learn from setbacks, so that they become resilient learners who can respond effectively to future challenges. We urge our students to believe in themselves, to take responsibility for their own learning and personal development, and to work hard so that they achieve their very best.

We believe that Helston Community College is a unique place and has something special to offer its students and staff.  The relationships between staff and students have been recognised by OFSTED and others as being 'very strong'; students say that they are very proud to study here, and staff are overwhelmingly proud to work here.  The College is a true community school and the links we have with the local community are expectational.  The College is incredibly well supported by parents.  Year on year, almost 90% of parents and carers say they would recommend us to others.

We are one of a few schools in Cornwall to have a sixth-form.  It is a thriving and successful provision with approximately 200 students enrolled on courses recruiting from the College's Year 11 and also from other secondary schools in the area.  Our aim at Post 16, is to provide an excellent education and to develop the skills to allow students to make the transition from College to the next stage of their lives.  Regularly over 90% of our students are offered a place at their first-choice university.  We have an excellent history of supporting students to get into Oxbridge and we are one of the top performing colleges in Cornwall.  Our destinations data is excellent with students leaving us to achieve great things in life.

We follow the national curriculum at Key Stage 3 and offer a broad range of academic and vocational courses at key stages 4 and 5. Whilst the importance of English, Maths and the ‘Ebacc’ subjects is recognised, we equally value the importance of the foundation subjects and believe they have a vital role in the students’ development and securing them a great future. Creative Arts, Technology and PE are hugely popular with excellent participation in our extra-curricular offer. We work closely with the other secondary schools in the Trust to create great schemes of work to ensure all our teachers and all our students have access to the best resources.

All students have an iPad with access to some incredible apps to support their learning. Known as the Advantage Project, we are committed to a digital transformation that ensures technology is used effectively to give our students the edge and reduce any gaps experienced by our most vulnerable students.

Professional growth for all staff is at the heart of our teaching and learning vision. We are a ‘Walkthru’ school and use the great resources from renowned national leaders to support our coaching model to make our teaching as effective as possible. 

At Helston Community College, we are committed to creating a Culture of Community, where every staff member can thrive in a positive and supportive environment. We believe that being part of a team, feeling valued, and having colleagues to turn to for support and guidance are essential elements of a fulfilling workplace. We encourage all staff, regardless of role, to support one another and foster a positive team spirit.

We understand that wellbeing is essential to personal and professional success, and we actively promote a culture that supports mental, physical, and emotional health. We take a holistic approach to staff wellbeing, ensuring our employees have access to the necessary resources, support and benefits to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Our wellbeing initiatives include:

Mental Health Support

· Access to a Wellbeing Champion Team 

· Staff Wellbeing Notice Boards for information and inspiration

· Mental Health first aiders available in the workplace

· Flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance

· Employee Assistance Programme [EAP] offering a range of confidential services

Physical Wellbeing

· Workload Charter to promote manageable workloads

· Access to occupational health services

· Use of the on-site fitness suite

· Cycle to Work Scheme

· Wellbeing workshops

Emotional and Social Wellbeing

· Open-door policy with management for guidance and concerns

· Opportunities for professional development

· End of Term social events and charity events to foster community spirit

· Weekly ‘You Made my Day’ nominations to acknowledge colleagues’ efforts

· Secret Buddy Scheme to promote workplace connections

At Helston Community College, we are dedicated to ensuring that our staff feel valued and supported. We believe that a positive work environment not only benefits individuals but also strengthens our entire school community.