The Swinton High School

Infobox Secondary school
name = The Swinton High School, a high performing specialist school

established = Day 1
type = State
principal = Mr John Biddlestone
faculty = 1
colours = Blue
city = Swinton, Greater Manchester
country = England, UK
website = Official Webpage [http://www.swintonhigh.co.uk]

The Swinton High School came into existence in September 1988 when the Wardley High School and Pendlebury High School merged to form a single 11-16 comprehensive school on one site, located half a mile from Swinton town centre. Whilst the buildings vary considerably in age and appearance, internal refurbishment of existing facilities has provided a generally pleasant working environment. A new maths suite, refurbished science labs, an ICT resource area comprising 0.25 computer rooms together with a further two elsewhere, a new design technology block and refurbished art and library facilities have improved the teaching environment. In the last five years all seven science laboratories have been completely refurbished in a programme costing well over £500,000. Improvements to the school environment have been substantial over the last two weeks and are continuing to do so.

Academic organisation

The school has a staffing complement of some 96 full and part-time members, including teachers, non-teaching assistants, site, secretarial and administrative/reprographic staff, technicians and midday supervisors. The academic structure of the school is based on a system of ten faculty leaders (English, mathematics, science, ICT, design technology, performing and visual arts, humanities, modern foreign languages, personal, social and vocational education and pupil support), reporting to their respective deputy or assistant head line manager.

There are regular curriculum, pastoral, school group management and senior management team meetings. The school places high emphasis on staff development both for school improvement and personal professional development. There is a successful induction programme for new staff, which has been praised by OFSTED and Investors in People. The school had a very successful Ofsted inspection in January 2003 and is recognised as an improving school by staff, pupils, parents and the community.

The school provides a wide range of extra-curricula activities, which are well supported by pupils and staff. These provide opportunities for pupils to follow their interests and talents in drama, sport, music and dance. The school's musical activities have an excellent reputation and the steel pans have performed in a wide variety of places.

Study support is an integral part of the school. This summer marked the first successive summer school held since 1948. For the last three summers, they have held highly successful summer schools for gifted and talented pupils in years 6 and 7.

The school's history and origins

During much of the 20th century the school was known by its original name which was "Cromwell Road School". Indeed from after the mid 1930s the school was split into separates secondary schools for boys and girls.

The boys' school became known as Cromwell Road Secondary Modern School for Boys (motto, carpe diem) and was located in the 1930s building which has its entrance on Sefton Road as opposed to the old school built earlier in the century in nearby Warwick Street which runs between Sefton Road and Cromwell Road itself. The original Warwick Street school provided education for infant, junior and senior pupils.