We strive for excellence in all we do
“Outstanding care for students” Ofsted
Why Choose Hartsdown?
We change lives. We help children to find the things that they are great at, the things they love doing and we help inspire them to be the best that they can be.
We do this by being a small school where every child is known by name, where teachers know the children and understand how to meet each child’s needs, and where every child is cared for and pushed whatever their ability or ambitions.
We also provide an excellent education where children make great progress.
Making Key Stage 3 Work
Traditionally children lose progress when they move from primary to secondary. This is not the case at Hartsdown. We have worked with Cliftonville Primary to launch the Middle Years International Baccalaureate programme. This internationally renowned curriculum is challenging and ensures that our children make progress from day one.
Children have two key teachers who get to know them really well. One of these teachers delivers Maths and Science, the other delivers English, Humanities and Philosophy. Children are also taught Spanish, Art, Music and Design technology ensuring that they have the full secondary experience.
This programme is in its 3rd year and our children have made significantly more progress than would be expected according to nationally moderated PUMA and PIRA tests.
Amazing Opportunities
Hartsdown is committed to ensuring that all children have an ‘education for an amazing life’. This means that we look to give our students incredible opportunities. Watch the video to find out more.
A small school that cares
Hartsdown is a small school and we use this to make sure that children receive the best education and care.
WHO WE ARE
At Hartsdown we continuously ask the question “Is this good enough for my child”. We refuse to become an exam factory that pushes students through qualifications in the pursuit of the league tables. Instead we give children the opportunities to pursue subjects that interest them. This approach has ensured that 100% of our students have gone on to University, College or Apprenticeships.
World Class curriculum – we offer the IBCP and IBMYP
Academic Rigour – we encourage learning and growth
Individuals not exam fodder – children are more than a GCSE result
OUR VALUES
Hartsdown works with our sister school Danecourt to ensure that we achieve high levels of academic excellence. We are recognised as an International Baccalaureate World School and offer IBMYP and IBCP. These programs are usually only available at private schools.
In Key Stage 3. Children pursue the World Class International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program. This challenging program ensures that all students have a well-rounded education and well prepared for GCSES and beyond.
The IBCP programme is our primary offer at KS5. Watch below to find out more.
Teamwork is key to a successful life and a Hartsdown we give students fantastic opportunities to develop their teamwork skills. During year 7 children get opportunities to work in teams including outbound activities for example our trip to Wales.
All of year 9 access the Duke of Edinborough award this nationally recognised program develops children’s confidence as it pushes them out of their comfort zone.
Resilience is the ability to keep going in difficult circumstances. Research has shown that resilience is the key skill needed to be successful in life.
At Hartsdown we look for opportunities for children to develop their resilience. This includes challenging school work but also includes opportunities to do things that are out of children’s comfort zone. Across their years at Hartsdown this will include opportunities for public speaking, competitions, Duke of Edinborough Award.
Integrity is the heart of Hartsdown. It is love our care of students as well as our core belief that students deserve to be treated as individuals not a number.
We demonstrate this through our pastoral care and the wide range of options children have.
We also look to work with parents to help grow children into adults that we can be proud of.
Our vision is to give students the education they need for an amazing life.
We also work with students to develop their vision for their lives.
As a school we pursue excellence in all that we do. We also challenge students to continually strive for excellence.