We are delighted that you are considering our school as your school of choice for your son/ daughter. We believe that this is a very special place; an inclusive school where all children can and indeed do flourish. Our vision is very clear and our expectations are extremely high. For more information do read carefully our website sections on ethos and values, for this is only a summary document to address some of the frequently asked questions, prospective parents often ask.

Our vision is simple- “to create tomorrow’s citizens today” and we know that this is even more imperative in a world that is changing and transforming in an unprecedented and sometimes dramatic way.

At Simon Balle All through School-

Education is a key driver to ensure that all human beings flourish so that they can become happy, successful people who live well together as part of a community
Each individual is valued for who they are and what they bring. Everyone will be treated fairly and with dignity
Mindset and intelligence are not fixed and we have the highest aspirations for all

This is a truly inclusive school which offers places to local children. Our excellent results demonstrate that all students make outstanding progress, regardless of their starting points. Our curriculum is unashamedly academic and traditional, with mainly academic GCSEs  and A levels taught. However our great focus upon first class teaching means that our teachers are skilled to differentiate work as well as offer stretch and challenge to those children who are more able.

Children in reception and all through the primary phase are taught Spanish and French and thus it is these languages that are taught in KS3, KS4 and KS5. As so many children are not able to study languages to any depth in their primary schools, we concentrate  upon one language in order for them to make good  progress. We believe that most students should study a foreign language at GCSE, as this is important for a broad and balanced curriculum and thus equips them to be “tomorrow’s citizens”.

Educational research clearly shows the advantages of mixed ability teaching, especially upon entry into Y7. Gradually some of our academic subjects introduce either setting or banding, but always our response to grouping is guided by data and is flexible.

Here at Simon Balle All through School we put great emphasis upon physical wellbeing. In fact we always emphasise the link between exercise and mental wellbeing. Every student receives two hours of PE each week and a variety of team and individual sports, alongside physical activities, are taught. We have our own indoor swimming pool and an all weather pitch, alongside a large area of sports fields. Sports studies is a popular option at both GCSE and A level.

In a normal school year, there are numerous opportunities to play sports after school and also to compete. The school is committed to Saturday morning sporting leagues.

Music is at the heart of our school. Our holistic approach places great emphasis upon the arts and in particular musical education. We say it is ‘the lifeblood’ of our school and its influence affects both performers and those who listen and appreciate. Music is a ‘golden thread’ which weaves its way through our ethos and culture. For many of our students it is a life changer – playing music and their instrument becomes part of who they are and they take this with them wherever they go. Our department, we are regularly told, has a national reputation of excellence. We have specialist facilities for our musicians.

In addition to the traditional instruments seen in any orchestra, students can learn percussion, drums, classical and electronic guitar. Piano and singing lessons are extremely popular . There is an expectation that students who learn an instrument will join one of our many groups, ensembles, orchestras or bands. Together they represent a wide spectrum of genres, from baroque to classical, jazz to Big Band, rock to folk.

We have a strong pastoral structure. Form tutors and Heads of Year keep a careful eye on student progress.  We expect the very highest standards of behaviour, setting out clear boundaries. Our rewards and sanctions which are based upon our values education programme, is clear and motivating. We foster an ethos of strong, respectful relationships and students are encouraged to talk to an adult if they are unhappy with anything. We have a culture of high expectations and students generally respond well. Parents are involved when standards are not kept and we expect the family and school to work together to rectify behaviour.

Bullying at Simon Balle is very rare. It is dealt with sensitively and fully and students feel safe here, as our attendance figures and our most recent Ofsted report confirm.

The need to be digitally literate is particularly important at this time and we educate our students to be safe and to use the internet as a fantastic learning tool. To this end, for many years, we have used ICT effectively within classrooms. Most of the students’ work is via Google suite on Google classroom and students also access a wide range of resources online. To this end we expect all students when they enter the school in Y7 to purchase a Chromebook, through our specially negotiated scheme. Indeed, The Chromebooks offer seamless integration into the school’s curriculum and IT infrastructure as well as providing safety by locking the devices into the school’s existing security protocols.

This package offers:

An educational spec Chromebook (currently an Asus C214)

A 1, 2 or 3 year accidental damage and theft insurance policy
An extended 3 year warranty
The option to pay upfront or spread the cost via monthly Direct Debit, interest free, over 1 to 3 years (dependent on year group)

Full details of the scheme are given before your child joins us

We strive to communicate effectively and efficiently with parents. Newsletters are regularly sent out and up to date information can be found on our website. We also use Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. If you wish to communicate with the school your first contact should always be your child’s Form Tutor.

Admission is managed centrally by Hertfordshire County Council, and the rules favour proximity to the school, from your residential address.  We have 180 places for  Year 7. All information is available on our website. Please note that allocated places vary each year depending on sibling numbers, number of applications and where the applicants live. However, if you share our educational vision and values, it is always worth applying.