The University of Birmingham School will be a mixed ability, co-educational, state school, admitting pupils regardless of religious affiliation, ability or disability, or social and financial background. There will be no entrance exams for admission to Year 7, and our aspiration is to serve pupils from across Birmingham.
The curriculum will focus on academic achievement. Pupils will be required to study a broad range of academic subjects, including in most instances the full range of sciences and a language at GCSE. Vocational qualifications will not be offered. There will be a high standard of teaching and facilities throughout, with a particular focus on ensuring excellence in science and mathematics. Teachers will be of the highest calibre, with significant experience in the classroom and with Master’s degrees or higher qualifications. The teachers will be skilled as leaders, mentors and trainers.
Our focus will be on personal growth, with strong discipline, an emphasis on character-building, and outstanding support for each pupil as an individual. Character Education will be embedded in the curriculum and approach. A range of extra-curricular activities, including sports, will be provided. Pupils will have access to some of the facilities and resources of the University of Birmingham to support and facilitate their learning. The school will have an international dimension. Addressing Special Educational Needs will be part of our offer.
Between ages 11 and 14, all students will follow a broad and balanced curriculum, including:
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English
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Mathematics
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Science
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Humanities (History, Geography, RE)
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Ancient/foreign language(s)
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Technology (including ICT and Computer Science)
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Creative and performing arts (Art, Music, Drama/Dance)
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PE
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Citizenship/PSE.
At GCSE, information technology will be deployed across the curriculum and pupils will be required to study a broad range of academic subjects, including in most cases three sciences and a modern language.
Pupils already enrolled in the University School will have priority for places in the University Sixth Form, providing they reach the required levels of academic achievement at GCSE.
Engaging with parents is an important part of the development of the University School. Parents can engage with us in two ways.
If you have a child who would be eligible to enter Year 7 in September 2014 or September 2015 (children in Years 3 and 4 during the 11/12 academic year), please consider logging your interest in the school via our on-line form for parents of children in Years 3 and 4. Collecting such expressions of interest is a key part of our application, without which we cannot proceed with this project. When you do this you can also provide other comments and sign up to receive updates from us as we proceed.
If you do not have a child in the relevant age groups but you would like to comment on the proposal or sign up for updates, please do so via a separate on-line form.