About the School

Alderbrook is an 11-16, mixed comprehensive school serving the pleasant area of south Solihull. It was formed in 1974 from an amalgamation of Harold Malley Boys' and Harold Cartwright Girls' Grammar Schools. Approximately 243 pupils of all levels of ability are admitted each year with a further 9 places reserved for pupils with Statements of Special Educational Need, for whom the school is additionally staffed and resourced.

Alderbrook Governors and staff share a passionate commitment to meeting the varied individual needs of all the students in the school and of making their educational experience here a joyous, inspiring and successful time of growth and development which lays the foundation for a lifetime of further learning and future success. To that end we have made our Mission Statement central to all that we do at Alderbrook.

"Our purpose is to provide a positive, inclusive environment for learning and growth which promotes excellence and inspires staff and students to discover, develop and fulfil their potential and to become lifelong learners."

Mr. William Sedgwick
Headteacher


Facilities

Alderbrook is situated on an attractive, open parkland campus in the south of the Borough. The school comprises two main adjacent buildings, surrounded by extensive playing fields. The Malley building house the Technology, Arts and English Faculties along with the main administration area and medical room. Linked to Malley is the purpose built Languages block, the Gibbons building. The Humanities, Maths and Learning Support Faculties are situated in the Cartwright building. Science is located in both buildings - a legacy of the school's origins as two separate schools. Both main buildings have an assembly hall and gymnasium. The library is in the Cartwright Building as are the 3 well-equipped I.C.T. rooms. Each faculty also has its own I.C.T. resource area. All computers are linked by a school wide network with internet facilities. The network and its computers was entirely replaced in 2000.

The school's resources and facilities are excellent with 'state of the art' I.C.T. facilities, Electronic Whiteboard and the latest CAD-CAM equipment. The playing fields are marked out for rugby, soccer, hockey and athletics. We also deliver netball, tennis and basketball and have a cricket square and practice wickets. Our changing facilities have recently been refurbished to a high standard. The school boasts excellent Arts facilities with new and specialist areas for Drama, Music, Dance and Art. Alderbrook has a considerable reputation for the quality of the Arts experience it offers.

Pastoral Care

Each year group has its own Head of Year, responsible for the welfare of all pupils in the year group and for leading and supporting the year group's form tutors. The Director of Pupil Welfare leads the Year Heads team and supports in individual instances. The whole school follows a Personal, Social and Health Education programme in which all staff and pupils participate.

The school prides itself on its strong pastoral care system which emphasises good communication between home and school and tries to provide appropriate support for each child's educational and social needs. The Year Heads liaise closely with professionals in other local education authority services such as Education Welfare and Social Services.

The school expects and achieves high standards of behaviour and appearance. The wearing of uniform is compulsory. Regular reports on progress are given to pupils and parents, both of whom are brought into the target setting process. Regular meetings are held for parents to discuss the child's individual progress. Homework is set regularly.


The Curriculum

For Years 7, 8 and 9 there is a common curriculum which is designed to ensure that all pupils study the whole range of subjects. For most subjects pupils are taught in mixed ability groups through varied and differentiated learning and teaching styles.

All courses in Key Stage 4 are offered at GCSE level. We also offer a wide variety of alternatively accredited courses, e.g. GNVQ, ASDAN Youth Awards, RSA courses, Basic Skills Certificates etc. We aim to offer a wide variety of accredited courses to suit all abilities and interests.