Oriel High School
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2009) |
| Oriel High School | |
|---|---|
Mixed | |
| Age | 11 to 18 |
| Enrolment | 2057 |
| Houses | Africa, Asia, America, Australasia |
| Colour(s) | Oriel Purple |
| Website | http://www.oriel.w-sussex.sch.uk/ |
Oriel High School is a maintained community secondary school for pupils aged 11 to 18. It opened in September 2004 as part of a reorganisation of secondary education in Crawley, catering for just 370 pupils in years 7 and 8. It was expected to grow to around 1450 pupils by 2009.[citation needed] It then grew to roughly 1600 students by 2015, and expanded once more to 2100 students in 2021. The school has wheelchair access and an accessible lift to all areas, one of the only schools in the area to be fully accessible. Oriel is rated "Good" by Ofsted as of 2019.[1]
Location
The school is located at Maidenbower Lane in the
History
The school was opened by
Oriel High School opened to pupils in September 2004, initially for an intake of around 370 pupils in years 7 and 8. The school continues to accept a new entry of pupils in each academic year, gradually increasing the provision offered. A sixth-form opened in 2008, with a full 11–18 school operating by 2009.
Organisation
The school is organised into Learning Communities – all four of which are named for continents. Pupils are taught by specialist teachers, and also belong to a Learning Mentor Groups, which are supervised by a Pastoral Leader.
Most pupils attending the school live within the catchment area, and transfer from one of the local junior schools: Maidenbower Junior School, Pound Hill Junior School, and Milton Mount Primary School. Other pupils travel from nearby neighbourhoods such as
Student Headship Team
Each year, Oriel High School selects a Student Headship Team, usually composed of three boys and three girls. The team is appointed by their predecessors after a selection process involving written applications and interviews. Their main responsibilities include organising end of term assemblies; leading the prefect team; representing the student voice to the headteacher and governing body of the school. They also participate in community events on behalf of the school, and speak from a student's point of view at meetings of parents.
Learning communities
Oriel is divided into four Learning Communities which are led by an
| Community name | Community colour |
|---|---|
| Australasia | White, (2004–2008) Red (2009–present) |
| Africa | Yellow |
| Asia | Green |
| America | Blue |
Headteachers
- 2004–2009 : Gillian Smith
- 2009–present : Philip Stack
Oriel Sixth Form is the newest
Sixth form
The Sixth Form was opened by
The Sixth Form is not organised into Learning Communities like Oriel High School, however they are split in half for supervisory purposes only. The Headteacher and both Deputy Heads are the most senior member of staff for Oriel Sixth Form, however there is an appointed Assistant Head of Sixth who is directly in charge. Students are taught by specialist teachers, and also belong to a vertically-mixed Personal Tutor Group, which are supervised by a Senior VIth Tutor.
Oriel Sixth Form does not require its students to wear the Oriel Tartan uniform, the Oriel Sixth Form committee agreed that students must adhere to a
Controversy
Oriel High school has had a number of recent controversies reported worldwide, including a recording of Phillip Stack (Headteacher 2009- present) telling students to "go to hell" in 2022,[3] criticism of the school for showing a football game instead of GCSE Mocks in 2022[4] and teachers using racist language.[5] Further negative media attention was centered on the school when their twitter account was 'hacked' and the headteacher was suggested to join a pornographic site.[6] All together negative image may have contributed to Oriel falling from first place to third for School Rankings in Crawley[7]
References
- ^ https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/school/134042/oriel-high-school
- ^ https://www.westsussexcycleforum.org.uk/documents/crawley-cycle-map
- ^ https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/20208453.crawley-head-tells-pupils-go-hell-signing-shirts/
- ^ https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/23148250.oriel-high-school-slammed-showing-world-cup-mocks/
- ^ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-12584669
- ^ https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/11874760.police-called-after-secondary-schools-twitter-account-hacked-to-suggest-head-teacher-joined-porn-site/
- ^ https://www.schoolguide.co.uk/best-schools-in/Crawley
