Welcome and thank you for your interest in Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre.

Highdown School is a very special place. As Acting Headteacher, I am very proud of all we do here and our resolute determination to continue to improve every day. Staff and students aspire to achieve excellence in all we do. Our commitment and resilience is underpinned by core values of Aspiration, Respect and Excellence. We ARE Highdown!

Our philosophy is simple – great teaching supported by committed pastoral care gives great outcomes and life chances for our young people. Our curriculum is broad and balanced and provides a solid platform for life in our Sixth Form. We provide learning opportunities to ensure our students remain stimulated and motivated and develop a lifelong thirst for learning. Highdowners should go from outstanding lesson to outstanding lesson, being challenged and guided to make the most of their Highdown journey for five, or more likely, seven years..

Our commitment to staff development is second to none. A motivated staff body provides the best education for our children. We have strategic partnerships with other trusts and Higher Education providers to support this. We also support other schools because of our recognised expertise.

Whether a prospective parent, student or colleague, come and visit us at Highdown. Your Highdown experience can then begin. I look forward to meeting you.

Matt Grantham

Acting Headteacher

Our most important resource is our staff. Therefore, we aim to create the conditions and culture within the academy that make Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre a rewarding place to work. We are committed to investing in staff professional learning and leadership development, taking action to rationalise workload, promote mental and physical health and wellbeing, and encourage collaboration and peer support. 

For a teacher, Highdown School is an exciting environment in which to work. The total commitment to continuing improvement and the vision for Highdown School to be the best it possibly can be is underpinned by a dynamic programme of Joint Professional Learning (JPL). Colleagues can select from a wide range of sessions and tailor their training to their personal development goals. Professional development of colleagues is second only to the achievements of our students.

For support staff, there is also a commitment to development and an expectation that all are working to the same goals as the school.

What our staff say about us:

"An environment that has supported my personal and professional growth. During my time as an LSA, I have had the privilege of working alongside dedicated colleagues and extraordinary students. The experiences and relationships I have made here will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on my career."

GLF Schools is a Multi-Academy Trust established in 2012. We believe that every child in our schools can achieve the highest academic standards whilst enjoying a vibrant, challenging and rich curriculum. What we say in our motto is true: "Where Children Grow, Learn and Flourish." Whilst operating as a part of a family, each of our schools has its own distinct character and culture which is respectful of its community and context but their utmost common ground is that it is our staff that make each school. Our collective GLF culture is built upon caring for our children and students by enabling our staff to provide the best possible education with the resources at our disposal.

We have a simple mission. "To be a supportive family of schools where together we grow, learn and flourish”

Joining GLF schools brings a wealth of opportunity both personally and professionally. Each school in our trust has its own individual identity, while benefiting from the expertise that comes from a dedicated and experienced support team. GLF Schools will recognise your skills, encourage creativity and provide opportunities for you to grow, learn and flourish. As a member of staff you can expect GLF to invest in your career progression, provide a bespoke career development plan and offer the potential to be fast tracked into leadership. GLF Schools has a generous employment offer which allows our colleagues to Grow, Learn and Flourish.

For more information about the benefits of working for GLF, please click here to visit our GLF Careers page.