Colleges

Our school mission is to ensure ‘Together we Excel’, working collaboratively to support and challenge everyone to reach their potential.

Every student is placed in a family group, called a college when they join our school. This helps facilitate transition from primary, providing stability and consistency for pupils and parents throughout their time with us. Siblings are always placed in the same college. The system encourages cross-year friendship networks, and provides role models, mentoring, collaboration and support through the vertical tutor system.

This truly helps us to demonstrate British Values. Students learn that everyone's voice matters, regardless of age or experience. Vertical tutoring allows students to develop confidence, self-expression and independence within a supportive environment. By having mixed age tutor groups, pupils develop respect for difference, empathy, tolerance, and kindness. Finally, through younger students hearing from the older ones' experiences, they learn that rules apply consistently and fairly to all members of the college community, helping them to appreciate the importance of structure, responsibility and accountability.

In each college there is a senior leader, a Head of College, a Pastoral Officer, an Assistant Head of College and a team of form tutors who all monitor, support and challenge their students to achieve excellence.

 

The college system focuses on ensuring:

Pupils feel safe… describe the school as a family
Ofsted 2026

 

Pupils are known well and get the help they need
Ofsted 2026

 

Leaders have built an inclusive culture 
Ofsted 2026

We embed our values through the college system:

Family – We show respect and support for one another

Pride – We build character through grit, resilience and independence

Ambition – We have high expectations and aspirations in all we do

Excellence – We have the inspiration and creativity to learn and grow