The new school will bring relief for student numbers.

We totally agree! There is a clear need for extra school places in this part of Nuneaton.

Higham Lane North Academy (HLNA) is looking to not just offer school places but places at an excellent school, building on the work and experience of the Ofsted-rated Outstanding Higham Lane School (HLS).

Higham Lane has a proven track record which needs maintaining and not diluting by increasing numbers at one premises but by offering a new school with their traits of high standards of teaching.

Yes- we agree! Higham Lane has a proven track record of success. It is full to capacity and we have a large number of pupils on our waiting lists in every year group. As you suggest, we will bring our experience in highly effective teaching and learning to the newly-created Higham Lane North Academy. A culture of high expectations and excellence will be embedded throughout Teaching and Learning. Our knowledge-based curriculum will require a commitment to excellent subject knowledge by teachers, which will ensure that our pupils are challenged appropriately in every lesson. We will employ a clear and effective system of teaching based on both research evidence and our acknowledged successful practice at HLS.

I want to apply Higham Lane School. What information do you need and how can I apply?

Thank you for your interest! We would love to be able to offer your child a place at Higham Lane School. Please contact Warwickshire County School Admissions and they will be able to help and advise you. Please email them here: admissions@warwickshire.gov.uk.

The catchment area needs to include the Horeston Grange area.

Thank you for your view on this. It is not yet clear what the priority area for Higham Lane North Academy will be as the school has not yet been built and many houses within that area are still being built. The Local Authority will decide the local priority areas in time for applications to the new school, which is due to open in 2022.

Celebrate and encourage more able students so that parents don't feel the need to make their children go through the pressure and stress of going to a grammar school.

Like Higham Lane School, Higham Lane North Academy is fully committed to meeting the needs of all students, including more able students. We will set challenging and ambitious targets for all students including the most able, to really stretch them. More able students will have the opportunity to take, for example, Further Maths, Statistics and the separate sciences as well as other optional courses as deemed appropriate. They will also participate in enrichment activities with both the Sixth Form at Higham Lane School and those local universities, who already work with the more able students at HLS. Higham Lane’s excellent work on this in initiatives such as the ‘Able and Ambitious’ programme, along with the employment of a More Able Coordinator, will be part of the new school’s provision.

Positive and sincere handling of racism and bullying.

We agree that this is essential.

At Higham Lane School, we pride ourselves on having excellent relationships between students and between students and staff, irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. We are looking to create a happy, inclusive learning community within Higham Lane North Academy. HLNA will be at the heart of its community and will grow as the community grows and forges links with existing communities. The School will be fully committed to helping the pupils in this newlyformed community to bond and flourish, building their confidence and resilience.

We agree that racism and bullying are two really important areas for all schools to address and be very clear about. Our ‘never do nothing’ approach on bullying will be maintained at Higham Lane North Academy. This will be supported by very effective policies and the work of our student Anti-Bullying Ambassadors. Students’ cultural development will be evident by students’ understanding and appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage and the local community. They will develop an understanding and appreciation of the range of different cultures within their school, local community and further afield as an essential element of their preparation for life in modern Britain. We will promote British Values as defined by the Department for Education. We will educate our students about racism, why it is completely unacceptable and how it breaks the Equality Act.

Bullying and discrimination, whether online or offline will not be tolerated and will be addressed promptly and effectively. Really effective work in C&PSHEE and assemblies linked to the School’s values will reinforce this. This will mirror the highly-effective practices at Higham Lane School as recognised by Ofsted.

Effective 2-way communication from school to home.

We agree that this is so important! We are committed to forming effective partnerships with students and their parents and carers at Higham Lane North Academy, just as we do at Higham Lane School. This is achieved through effective communication, listening to one another, working together and building trust. We will develop excellent relationships with parents/carers and elicit their feedback through regular opportunities to engage with us, such as at parent forums and information evenings.

As well as speaking to parents/carers over the phone or in person, we will use a range of effective and convenient means of communication, including email, texting, the My Ed App, the School’s website and social media.

Ideas for the use of the new school’s facilities

HLNA will be at the heart of its community and will grow as the community grows and forges links with existing communities. The School will be fully committed to helping the pupils in this newly-formed community to bond and flourish, building their confidence and resilience.
HLNA will place its facilities at the heart of its new community and developing responsible, respectful, active citizens. In order to do this, we will work closely with all local families and organisations to ensure that a wide range of opportunities is provided for all families, particularly for disadvantaged students.

Thank you for sharing your ideas on how the new school’s facilities could be used. You suggested the following:

• public use of sports facilities x 3
• holiday play scheme x 3
• adult learning and training courses x 3
• after-school clubs x 3
• after-school meetings of local voluntary groups x 4
• community events including arts and cultural events x 2

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to our Higham Lane North Academy consultation event.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on: info@HLNA.co.uk

Thank you and keep safe!