Hollyfield School

Technology College and Academy status

Hollyfield School was awarded specialist Technology College status in September 2003. This follows work since 1999 when the governing body and the Local Education Authority (LEA) approved a bid to the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and the school began raising the £50,000 sponsorship needed to support the bid. By July 2002 the school had raised the required £50,000 sponsorship and the bid went in during 2003. The award gave the school an additional £800,000 funding over five years.

As of 1 December 2011, the Hollyfield School has converted into an academy.

Fast Track

More able pupils are identified prior to entering the school and are placed in the top ability groups. These are called Fast Track groups. After pupils have been offered a place in the school the Fast Track group is selected from an ability test while the other pupils are placed in mixed ability groups known as Express. Fast Track pupils are set a demanding curriculum and their progress is monitored. Each pupil is set targets together with work to ensure that such pupils are stretched and attain their potential. It is expected that these pupils will achieve 8-12 GCSE grades A*-B.

Houses

There are 3 houses with their own colours: Eagle (Red), Falcon (Blue) & Osprey (Yellow). The three houses compete for house points throughout the year. 'House Points' are given to students for exemplary classwork, home-learning or in extra-curricular activities. At the end of the year, the houses compete during 'Sports Day', and the overall winning house is announced.

Inter-house competitions have been played which include cricket, rugby and more.

Years 7-9

Through years 7-9, boys wear a black blazer with the Hollyfield School logo, a white shirt, black trousers and a blue, red and yellow striped tie. For girls, a black blazer with the Hollyfield School logo, a white shirt and a black skirt.

Years 10-11

Through years 10-11, boys wear blue ties to distinguish them from younger students. Sixth Formers are not required to wear uniform.

Special Educational Needs policy

The Hollyfield School has an effective Special Educational Needs Policy which is kept under regular review. There is a Special Educational Needs Department headed by a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator. There is also a nominated governor who monitors the work of this area.

Information is received from feeder primaries and together with early secondary assessment, provision is made within the resources available to meet individual needs. In accordance with the Code of Practice and school policy and procedures pupils’ needs are assessed, recorded and made available to all teaching staff.

Individual Education Plans are formulated for the identified pupils and subject staff are provided with the necessary information to enable them to modify their schemes of work and use appropriate teaching strategies.

The school uses a well proven and effective reading recovery scheme that enables those whose reading skills prevent them from being able to benefit from the full curriculum to build confidence, catch up and achieve their full potential.

Awards and recognition

The school has gathered many awards throughout its existence. These include the International School Award, due to the creation of Mandarin classes. The class has performed in a Confucius Institute opening; as well as having two students reach the final of the 2012 Panda Challenge. Students were also chosen from the thousands who entered across the country to go to Westminster Abbey in the presence of Elizabeth II, Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall among politicians from countries across the commonwealth, to celebrate the Royal Commonwealth Society's launch of The Jubilee Time Capsule.

Charity Work

Recently, students developed the Malawi project. They are currently fundraising to aid a school for the blind in Nkope, Malawi. Many fundraising events, such as busking and cake sales have occurred throughout the past year to help the cause. Previously, the school also created and finished the Ghana Project. Students raised money in order to create a school for the disadvantaged in Ghana.

The Ilex Theatre Company

The Ilex Theatre Company is Hollyfield School's drama group. The name of the theatre company comes from the Latin word Ilex, meaning holly. The school's ambition for Ilex Theatre is to make it an organisation where young people can be involved in making theatre and learning at the same time. Drama teacher Marianne O'Shea arranges this. Ilex aims to provide an opportunity for all those involved in the annual productions to learn new skills and develop a greater understanding of the commitment and dedication involved with the production of Theatre. Ilex includes actors, front of house staff and behind the scenes workers.

Previous productions include:

The Ilex Theatre also took part in the National Theatre Connections youth theatre festival in 2016, performing It Snows by Bryony Lavery at the Watermans Art Centre. Ilex Theatre were later chosen to perform the play at the Royal National Theatre as part of the festival. The performance is taking place in July 2016.

Sport

The Hollyfield School has a large gymnasium and multi-use games area on site. The school also has facilities for football, rugby and athletics at a large sports field in Hook, Chessington.

In 2008, the year eight rugby team managed to get to the semi-finals of the King's competition.

Alumni