THE HERTFORDSHIRE & ESSEX HIGH SCHOOL AND SCIENCE COLLEGE in Hertfordshire, Bishop's Stortford

Education Centre Information: The Hertfordshire & Essex High School and Science College:

Establishment Type:Foundation School
Phase of Education: Secondary
Status: Open
Local Authority: Hertfordshire
Boarders: No Boarders
Sixth Form: Has a sixth form
Urban/Rural Description: Urban > 10k - less sparse
Special Classes: No Special Classes
Religious Character: None
Nursery Provider: No Nursery Classes
Total Pupils: 1071
Number of boys: 60
Number of girls: 1011
Admissions: Comprehensive
Age Range: 11-18
Gender: Girls
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Background:

The Hertfordshire and Essex High School was founded jointly by the two counties in 1909. It has two halls, a library, an art and technology block, food and textile rooms, three multi-media workshops and three art rooms. Facilities for PE include four hockey pitches, five hard tennis courts, four rounders pitches, three netball courts, a football pitch and an outside basketball court, a swimming pool and a gymnasium. Extra-curricular activities include sport, drama, dance, debating, French, geography, IT. Visits abroad are also arranged. The school was designated as a Specialist Science College in 2003 and has since seen considerable investments in its science facilities. From September 2006 Mandarin, Chinese is offered as a further enrichment and language opportunity. The school will also be forging a formal curriculum unit with a school in China to add to already established very well school in Uganda. The school operates on the principles of mutual trust, respect, honesty and integrity. There is a very strong sense of community within the school. 5 In accordance with the School Admissions Code of Practice, 5 percent of places will be allocated to girls with a proven aptitude in music and 5 percent to girls with a proven aptitude in sport. This is in line with the school's long tradition of excellence in these areas. Aptitude in these areas will be assessed by tests to be taken by applicants in November and December 2006. The tests have been devised to be taken by children whether or not they have had experience of, or formal training in, either music or sport. More detailed information about the tests is available from the school on request. If fewer than 5 percent of students qualify to be admitted under either proven aptitude in music or in sport, then the percentage admitted under the other category could be increased above 5 percent correspondingly. For example, if 2 percent were to qualify in one of these categories, then up to 8 percent could be admitted from the other. The school will seek to maintain this 10 percent balance in each year group; if a child originally admitted under criterion 5 subsequently leaves, the school retains the right to admit a child under the casual admissions process using this criterion.