Winchcombe School is a dynamic, reflective and aspirational mixed 11-16 school, which is now part of the Balcarras Trust (since November 2023). We have had links with this popular and successful (Ofsted-rated ‘outstanding’) Cheltenham school for many years, as its Sixth Form is a popular destination for our students. With closer Trust links, our teaching staff benefit from combined Inset training. 

Our school is in the most beautiful and peaceful rural surroundings, yet close to historic Winchcombe itself, with easy bus links to Cheltenham. We are a friendly, family school, with approximately 500 students. All schools are not the same, and Winchcombe School can provide the care, support and expertise that each child needs to excel. Ofsted rates our school as ‘Good’ in all areas and recognises the caring family atmosphere that allows individuals to thrive, leading to an excellent reputation locally

Behaviour

The factor that sets Winchcombe School apart from most other schools is the ethos within the school of strong sense of community. During our most recent Ofsted inspection (March 2022), the inspectors found that ‘Behaviour around the school site is calm and purposeful.’

Academic Structure

We aim to personalise all learning and to offer suitable courses for each individual. The proportion of pupils studying GCSEs in the suite of subjects for the English Baccalaureate is rising and our 2022 GCSE results were the best ever for our school, with 84% achieving Grade 4+ (and 79% of students gaining a Grade 4+ in English and Maths). Leaders have strengthened the curriculum with carefully sequenced learning to enable students to remember content more easily.

We organise a 2-day Induction Programme in the summer term for Year 6 students due to join us in September. They undertake various tests, the results of which are added to the information we receive from their primary schools, so that they can begin their life at Winchcombe School in the appropriate teaching groups. These groupings are reviewed on a regular basis to maintain pupil motivation.

Our Aims

• To make Winchcombe School a school of excellence
• To provide every opportunity for pupils of all abilities to achieve their full academic potential.
• To support every child towards developing fully - personally, physically, socially and spiritually
• To ensure that every pupil feels safe, supported, confident and happy
• To build a learning partnership between pupils, parents, staff and governors
• To make a positive, constructive, compassionate and valuable contribution to the local and global community

We continually strive to create a stable environment, ensuring that high standards of teaching and learning are maintained. The freedoms brought by Academy Status enable us to implement new initiatives to enhance the quality of teaching and learning in the school, to maximise opportunities for all students to realise their full potential.

Our Student Council chose the school’s ASPIRES motto words of Attitude – Stewardship – Pride – Integrity – Resilience – Enjoy – Success and we encourage our school community to adopt them in their school life.

Facilities

In addition to approximately 20 acres of school playing fields and use of the local council’s on-site ‘Astro-pitch’ during school hours, we have a fantastic sports centre, opened in 2021. Thanks to a £4.8 million investment from Gloucestershire County Council, we benefitted from a programme of extension and refurbishment in 2020/21, including an expansion of the original 1960s buildings, a new science laboratory, remodeled Design and Technology wing and new indoor and covered outdoor dining areas for students.

Our PTA/Friends group, Winchcombe School Parents' Association (WiSPA) works actively with the school to raise funds for additional equipment to enhance pupils’ school experience. 

Extra-Curricular Activities

We believe that school doesn’t finish at 3.10pm every day and offer a range of activities including drama, music, stand-up comedy plus a variety of sports, with teams competing at local, district and county level. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme is well established and there are regular day and residential trips. We have links with schools in Japan, China and Spain; pre-Covid, students enjoyed hosting overseas student visitors, also setting up their own language clubs. We hope that these will resume in the future.

Our Drama/Music staff have run various stage productions over the years and students are keen to perform in talent shows etc. Students’ art work has been displayed in local businesses and we host an annual exhibition of GSCE Art and D&T coursework. All students benefit from a number of Careers and employability events, both on site and externally, including work experience placements and mock employer interviews for Year 10 pupils.

Staff Benefits

In addition to Teacher and LGPS Pension schemes, we offer free on site-parking for our staff. There are two electric vehicle charging points available.

The school buys into the Health Assured employee assistance programme, which offers confidential advice 24/7 to any colleagues with health, relationship or financial worries.

If you wish to buy a new bicycle to travel to work, we also offer the Cycle to Work scheme to help save you money.

Winchcombe School is a friendly 11-16 comprehensive academy school located in a spectacular location in the Cotswolds. We pride ourselves on the personal touch, catering for the needs of all individuals both from a pastoral and academic point of view. Each student is given the opportunity to maximise their potential. Our facilities have improved considerably during the period 2020/2021. We have invested in new technology and use Bromcom for students to check their timetable, attendance and homework from school or home. Parents sign into the incorporated system (My Child at School) to receive messages, see what homework is being set, check their child’s attendance and progress and pay into their dinner money account or for equipment, trips etc.

We are also delighted to have good links with the local community.

The school employs approximately 80 staff, including Teachers, Teaching Partners, other support and admin staff. MiQuill Catering offer freshly-cooked meals in the school canteen at break and lunchtime daily and also provide breakfast before school.

All staff are encouraged to undertake regular training to keep their CPD up-to-date and regularly share ideas and resources with each other to improve good practice.

If you're searching for your next education job, please get in touch. You'll be working for a great employer and be part of a friendly, helpful team. We're always interested to hear from enthusiastic, committed education professionals - send us your CV now via our Talent Pool and detail what sort of role you're looking for. By joining our Talent Pool we'll know you're interested in working here when the right vacancy comes up.

If you're searching for your next teaching 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 teachers - 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. Join our School Talent Pool now! For more information about School Talent Pools visit www.eteach.com