Welcome to Bradley Stoke Community School! You might think that the thrill of being in a new school fades but I assure you that it is exciting to see each new cohort of students and staff start with us and to plan the resources and logistics to ensure the smooth running of the school as it expands. Our fourth year group of students joined us in September 2008 and it will be less than a year now until we reach capacity in our 11-16 designation; at the time of writing we are waiting for confirmation that we will be able to have a sixth form with a building programme to provide facilities for 2010.

I am proud to be the school’s first Headteacher and I look forward to seeing the school develop into a fully-fledged community as each successive cohort of students joins us. We have a team of dedicated and innovative staff working to ensure that the children of Bradley Stoke are given an inspirational secondary education that will be both memorable and successful.

Our vision is for a school which will be both in the community and for the community. As we bring in new staff with the arrival of each new cohort of students, we will continue to prioritise the appointment of colleagues who love working with young people and who will provide them with the challenge and support needed to achieve greater things than they could imagine being possible and at the same time instil in them a desire to give something back to the community. When Ofsted inspected the school in October 2006, they had many positive things to say, which validated our approach to developing our school. Relationships are good and there is an enthusiasm for learning in the school which is often commented on by visitors. Having welcomed our first students in September 2005, we now have four year groups in school and are beginning preparations for welcoming our fifth cohort. There are now 750 students and over 105 staff working to shape and establish the ethos and learning culture in our brand new school; students and staff are involved in running a series of induction events each year to ensure that each new cohort of students is fully prepared for the start of their secondary education.

My colleagues and I will make a point of getting to know our future students and make time to hear their concerns and priorities so that they can join us with confidence. Our students are very keen to be involved in welcoming and mentoring new students to the school and our student council has worked with tutors from the University of the West of England to make a DVD to show prospective students how they can have a voice in decision-making if they join Bradley Stoke Community School.

We have an active and supportive school governing body and a parent association – the friends of Bradley Stoke Community School. All involved with the school want to establish the school at the heart of the community and to ensure that our students are happy and successful.

Dave Baker
Headteacher