Recognising, nurturing and celebrating the uniqueness of individuals; enabling them to be the best they can at all times

Thank you for taking up this information about Tor Bridge High School. I hope it gives you a flavour of who we are and that you will be interested enough to apply for a role with us. Joining Tor Bridge High (TBH) means that you will become part of a highly supportive, hardworking, creative and innovative learning environment.

As a school, we strive to achieve excellence and are ambitious in all we do. Uncompromising in our determination to improve and to ensure that every student achieves their highest academically, as well as developing personally, in order that they leave us having acquired knowledge, skills and experience as a result of the provision and opportunities we have planned and delivered.

Previously Estover Community College 1981 to September 2010, renamed Tor Bridge High, following a rebuild as part of Plymouth’s BSF (Building Schools for the Future) on school pathfinder 2008 to 2012. Tor Bridge Partnership was founded in 2009/10 and includes three other schools, Plymbridge Nursery & Children’s Centre, Tor Bridge Primary (previously Estover Primary School) and Cann Bridge School (previously Downham SLD School) co-located on site from September 2012. TBH became a convertor Academy on 1st August 2011.

TBH is a fully inclusive 11-19 community school with 1256 students, including 226 Post 16 (in September 2018). We admit fewer students of higher ability band on entry than nationally, as we work in a selective city. Attainment is below the national average for all current year groups on entry. For the last 2 years under the new performance measures for schools, we have been in line with national figures in terms of progress. In 2017 English and maths reformed GCSE 48% attained both at grade 4. This rose to 52% in 2018. STEM was 31% in 2018.

Analyse School Performance (ASP 2016/17) showed our school deprivation indicator as 0.20, the same as national. The proportion of students eligible for free school meals is above average at 30%. The number of young people with SEN EHC Plan is 3.8% and is well above national. 18 students have a physical disability. Few children come from ethnic minority backgrounds or are travellers. 1.1% of students have English as an additional language (16.3% nationally). We have a specific Speech & Language Communication provision for 10 students (KS3/4).

Students travel from all areas of the City and South Hams to attend, with our intake coming from an increasing number of Plymouth Primary Schools, 25 primaries in 2018, 6 of which are partner primaries. Student numbers across Plymouth have been in decline with falling roll’s, but TBH remains popular with a PAN of 210. We have been oversubscribed on first choices since September 2013. TBH was a pioneer in developing the role of extended schools and has long had community integration and development at its core. We were one of the first specialist Arts Colleges and whilst this designation no longer remains, creativity continues to be central to our ethos. Every student studies an art or technology subject at Level 2 (GCSE). The school has achieved Artsmark Gold, Healthy Schools and then Healthy Schools Plus. We have also achieved the International Schools Award, this being most recently re-designated in 2017.

As a school, themes of Internationalism, Enterprise and Outdoor Challenge provide the focus for extended curriculum learning, challenge days and our challenge experience (three days in Term 6).

We are one of three local schools in a Post 16 Partnership for Learning and Education (PLE) with Lipson Co-operative Academy and Sir John Hunt CSC. Vocational provision is delivered through PLT with 19 training providers enabling an inclusive range of programmes from GCSE, L1, L2 and L3. On site, we deliver a small Art foundation programme (accredited through ABC for up to 20 students).

I was appointed as Acting Headteacher from September 2017 following six years as Vice Principal and was confirmed as permanent Headteacher in September 2018. I have been at the school since 2001, when I joined as the Curriculum Leader for Science.

In March 2018, Ofsted visited and judged us to be a Good school. We were delighted that our drive and commitment were recognised and believe we are in a strong position to now strive for Outstanding. Do please take a look at our Ofsted report at www.reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

We look to recruit the very best staff to join our team and contribute to the ongoing success of our young people. The key to this is the outstanding professional development and learning of all our staff where individuals are empowered to develop professionally, addressing whole school areas of focus. This ensures the very best teaching and support is given to each and every one of our students; maximising their learning and progress is vital.

If you feel Tor Bridge High is the place for you to begin or further your career, we would love to hear from you. Should you wish to visit before applying, you would be very welcome Please contact our Human Resources Team via our reception email address to: TBH-HR@torbridge.net to arrange this.

Do also see our website for further information about our school at www.torbridgehigh.net.

We look forward to meeting you soon.

Graham Roser

Headteacher

If you're searching for your next post, why not contact us now? You'll be working at a great school and be part of a friendly, helpful team. We're always interested to hear from enthusiastic, committed individuals - send us your CV now via our School Talent Pool and say what sort of role you're looking for. By joining our School Talent Pool we'll know you're interested in working here when a future vacancy occurs.