Hanson is an 11 to 19 comprehensive school with a long established, excellent reputation in the city of Bradford, reaching back to the days when there were separate boys’ and girls’ Hanson Grammar Schools.  
The traditional reputation has been successfully enhanced and Hanson is now a modern, forward-looking school with very high expectations, aware of parent and student aspirations and responsive to new ideas.  There is a sense of purpose and progress and a clear, strong emphasis on high standards of work, behaviour and attitude, aimed at establishing an ‘achievement culture’. 

The school serves an urban area of mixed housing stock and approximately 15% of students are from ethnic minority groups (predominantly Asian heritage).  The school is extremely popular amongst parents and children in the area and has been oversubscribed for at least the last 10 years.  Currently there are 1837 students on roll, 300 in each of Years 7 – 11 and a further 300 in the Sixth Form.  Students are drawn primarily from 8 nearby primary schools.  The overall student population of Bradford is rising.

The school, Grant maintained from 1993, is now a Foundation School and was designated a Technology College in April 1995.

Hanson won the coveted Sportsmark Award in June 2000 and has recently had the Investors in People Award and Artsmark renewed.

The school underwent a successful Ofstead in 2003

SITE AND BUILDINGS 

The purpose built accommodation is set in pleasant surroundings, bounded by playing fields, running track and the GOALS complex.  There are:

• 17 science laboratories;
• a suite of well equipped workshops, large design office and appropriate technician workshops;
• a suite of 4 interconnected art rooms;
• 15 fully networked information technology centres with computer cluster in all faculty and departmental areas.  There are Broadband internet connections;
• a gymnasium, large Sports Hall and the GOALS complex (state of the art all weather 5-a side courts and full size pitch; dance studio).  There are plans to develop sports facilities to include a 2^nd Sports Hall;
• remaining areas of accommodation are divided into faculty areas, each with a faculty office;
• the 6^th Form Centre provides excellent study and social facilities;
• a drama studio.

Over the past five years, we have been following a programme of re-decoration and refurbishment, placing a strong emphasis on the quality of the physical environment, display around school and in classrooms.  We are delighted to be in Phase 2 BSF and we are excited about the opportunity to transform learning as our school is partially rebuilt and completely refurbished.  This work should be completed by 2009. 

The school has 132 teachers, and some 201 associate staff (including 6 Learning Mentors, 50 Student Support / Learning Support Assistants, 40 Administrative / Technical staff and 26 dining supervisors). 

The Leadership Group comprises of a Headteacher, 3 Deputy Headteachers, 5 Assistant Headteachers, 6 Year Leaders and 9 Heads of Faculty.  Some middle leaders have been in post for a substantial time, giving the school stability, but there has been a real injection of new and younger staff over the last 5 years, resulting in an excellent mix of experience, enthusiasm and skill.  The school places great emphasis on the professional development of both teaching and associate staff and invests heavily in their training. 

The school is committed to providing a relevant, challenging and interesting curriculum to all its students within and beyond the National Curriculum Framework. 

CURRICULUM 

There is a common curriculum for all in Year 7, 8 & 9 with a broad common framework in Years 10 & 11.  A recent review will result in more KS3 curriculum time for PE and ICT and to 3 distinct pathways at KS4 from September 2007.  The school is committed to providing equal access for all students regardless of special educational needs, gender, race and culture.  In seeking to do this, support teachers for students with special needs work within mainstream classes.

In Year 7, 8 and 9 all students study Maths, English, Science, History, Geography, Technology, Art, Music, a modern foreign language, PE and PSHCE (which includes careers guidance and RE) and ICT. 

In Years 10 and 11, all students study a core of Maths, English (which includes English Literature), Science and Technology.  Most students then select 2 or 3 other courses, which may include History, Geography, RE, Business & Communication, GCSE Business, MFL, Music, Drama, Art and Applied Health & Social Care, Business & ICT.  An innovative range of alternative courses is also provided for small numbers of students.

The school offers a wide range of courses post 16.  This includes approximately 21 subjects at ‘AS’ and ‘A’ Level, which are studied by a majority of 6^th Form students, and a wide range of Advanced Vocational and Intermediate courses, including Health & Social Care, Science, Business & Finance, Leisure & Tourism, ICT and Art & Design.  Students can access more courses through the Central Bradford Confederation.  Students from other Confederation Schools also study at Hanson. 

All students in KS4 and students in Year 12 studying vocational subjects, undertake a two-week Work Experience placement. 

We use an increasingly sophisticated system of monitoring student progress, involving all subject staff and there is frequent contact with parents when we are pleased or concerned about student progress. 

We hold a regular Consultation Evenings for parents, both with tutors and subject staff.

All students are given a statement of achievement at the end of Year 11. 

PASTORAL STRUCTURE 

The pastoral system is organised on a year group basis, each with a Student Achievement Leader and Student Support Leader, and a team of 12 tutors who move, with their forms, through Years 7 to 11. 

The role of the form tutor is an important one and we try to involve tutors in all matter concerning students in their form. 

The tutor also plays an important role in monitoring student progress, setting realistic targets and guiding students to these targets.  To this end all tutors have 1 period per week set aside for Progress Interviews with students from their form where work is checked and discussed and future action agreed. 

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES 

The school day finishes at 2.55pm on Monday and at 2.15pm the rest of the week.  This offers very positive advantages in terms of extra-curricular activities.  Many staff give time and expertise in organising a wide range of voluntary clubs and extra-curricular activities to encourage leisure pursuits and sporting excellence in the students.  The school encourages foreign exchanges and each year there are a variety of study visits on offer. 

In addition, there are many lunchtime activities, including art clubs, computer clubs, chess club and outdoor pursuits. 

There is a flourishing and accomplished drama and music section in school with a school wind band, small groups, ensembles and choir.  We mount at least one major production each year, having recently performed ‘Guys & Dolls’, ‘Annie’, ‘Our Day Out’ and ‘The Wiz’. 

COMMUNITY LINKS 

The school has strong links with the local community.  Local people benefit from the campus provision including GOALS and the Sports Centre.  Community Education Classes, working in partnership with independent providers will be offered from September 2007.  We have strong links with many voluntary organisations and local firms. 

We are part of an Extended Schools cluster and we annually organise Christmas parcels for the elderly as well as countless fund raising events for local charities. 

The school has a Learning Resource Centre, which is used throughout the school day and after school for students in order to help them with their homework, as well as being used for training purposes.  The GOALS and Sports Centre are fully booked by local groups in the evening and at weekends.  In addition, the school sports fields host the Bradford City Football Club School of Excellence on Sundays.