Tuxford School is both popular and successful. It has approximately 1450 pupils on roll including 250 in the Sixth Form. There are ten official feeder schools in our family but we regularly take in pupils from over 25 schools. The admission limit for Year 7 is currently 240 and the school is regularly oversubscribed. There are over 75 full-time members of the teaching staff and 80 support staff.

 

Everyone associated with the school is justly proud of what has been achieved over the years because governors, parents, pupils and staff have all contributed to our success. Expectations are high. Examination results continue to climb and the Sixth Form, in our Post 16 Centre, is growing year by year. The school is characterised by good humoured, informal, yet purposeful approaches to all activities. Staff are encouraged and supported in their own professional development and in any initiative they wish to take within and outside the curriculum. In 2006 we were recognized nationally as a centre of excellence by being included in the list of 'Top Schools' for exam performance, published in the Times newspaper.

 

Teachers at Tuxford are supported by our large teams of administration and learning support staff who enable teachers to concentrate on the key work of teaching. All staff are treated as equal members of a winning team. All are provided with high quality up to date information including pupil attainment and behaviour, minutes of all relevant meetings, and clear summaries of policies and procedures. A wide range of professional development opportunities are available. A warm welcome and a relaxed but purposeful working environment make Tuxford School a pleasant and rewarding place to work.

 

The school is situated in pleasant, rural surroundings on the east of Tuxford, a small town with some local light industry, a population of 3000 and excellent communications. The town is 8 miles from Retford. The A1 passes Tuxford and the M1 is not far away so the local community is spoilt for choice when planning shopping or social trips. Lincoln, Doncaster, Nottingham and Sheffield are all within easy reach and the East Coast mainline railway serves both Newark and Retford stations.

 

Staff organise and lead a full range of educational visits and trips both at home and abroad. About half of all pupils in Years 7 and 9 go out on camps during the Summer Term and all Year 8 are encouraged to participate in a residential experience. Regular trips abroad are made to France, Spain and Belgium, and we are developing links with Hong Kong that have led to two trips so far. There is an annual skiing holiday - usually to continental Europe but also as far afield as California. The school has also been involved in exchange visits to France, Germany, Poland and the Ukraine.

 

Working in partnership with parents and pupils is at the heart of the way in which the school operates. At Tuxford School, we do our best to ensure that all students enjoy school and learn well. We put a lot of effort into establishing the needs of students and supporting them on an individual basis. We believe that students can be most effectively supported in their learning and development if school and home work closely together with full co-operation on both sides.

 

Relationships between school and home can sometimes be tested when a student does not behave considerately or appropriately. If pupils' behaviour falls short of our expectations, we need parents' trust and support, to ensure that we act together to show him/her how to behave. By implementing a rewards system, by providing support structures, identifying unacceptable behaviours, and by operating clear, appropriate and fair sanctions, Tuxford School encourages positive behaviour.

 

Our last OFSTED inspection in May 2009 rated us as 'outstanding'. We have been re-recognised as an "Investor in People" several times and an assessor concluded that "Tuxford School is a model organisation where people development is its very core". In 1998 Tuxford School was one of only 25 schools nationwide to receive a Charter Mark after a rigorous vetting procedure and in 2004 it was re-awarded for the third time. Staff and Governors are understandably proud of this achievement. More recently, we were awarded "Sportsmark Gold" and "Healthy Schools Status". All these successes are an indication of our determination not to become complacent. We fully recognise the need to be constantly developing and improving.

 

The school has created 'Oculus', an innovative behaviour management system that tracks pupil behaviour, both positive and negative, on punctuality, uniform, homework, classwork, behaviour and attitude. Much interest has been shown by other schools in the system.

 

A series of community leaflets to explain the school's policies on such topics as homework, work experience and bullying is another method of reaching a wider audience. Copies may be collected by visitors to the school's reception.

Technology status, gained in January 2002, has released considerable funding to enrich our curriculum, to employ new staff and to improve our learning resources. However, other parts of the curriculum remain just as important to us as they always have. The school places a great emphasis and value on Sport and Creative and Expressive Arts. Soccer, Rugby, Basketball, Athletics, Tennis and Cricket are the boys' main sporting interests and Netball, Athletics, Tennis, Football and Hockey are the girls' main interests.

 

Drama and musical productions play to packed houses, performing both in local theatres and other venues. Our Art and Textiles departments mount impressive exhibitions and work closely with a local textiles company.

 

An Activities Programme ends each academic year. Work Experience in October is a compulsory part of the Year 11 curriculum. Both students and staff gain: in that it gives pupils an insight into the 'World of Work' and staff in that they are able to see and assess the students in a different environment - out of the classroom.

 

For vocational students in Year 12, work experience is an important and valuable part of their course. Those students wishing to go on to higher education will find it offers useful material for their UCAS applications.

 

Tuxford School moved into new state of the art accommodation in March 2007 on Marnham Road in Tuxford.

 

 

New opportunities and new challenges lie ahead because Tuxford School is eager to go from strength to strength. Pupils, parents, staff and governors are united in their determination to be the best.