Broad Oak Sports College
Broad Oak High School is a small comprehensive serving an area of high social and economic deprivation. The percentages of students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and with statements of special educational need are above the national average. The proportion of students eligible for free school meals is well above national average. About 27% of students in the school are from minority ethnic backgrounds. In 2003 the school achieved specialist status as a Sports College. In 2005 the school was scheduled by the local authority for closure but this was rescinded in July 2007.
Read here how Deputy Head Chris Owen explains how IRIS has helped turn the school around.
Cedar Mount
A smaller than average secondary school serving an urban area with very high levels of social and economic challenge. The proportion of students entitled to free school meals is well above the national average. Over half the students are from a wide variety of minority ethnic backgrounds and about one third of all students have English as an additional language. There are about 45 different languages spoken by students as their first language. The number of students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, including those with statements of special educational needs, is well above average.
Read here how Deputy Head Martin Dunkerley describes the impact of IRIS.
Our Lady's RC Sports College
A smaller than average college lies on the outskirts of Manchester and serves an area of significant social and economic disadvantage. The proportion of students known to be eligible for free school meals is more than three times the national average. Most pupils are of White British heritage but there is an increasing number entering the college with English as an additional language. The proportion of pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities is broadly average. Our Lady's has been a specialist sports college since September 2003 and is now working towards Healthy School status. It has been identified for an extensive rebuild under the Manchester Building Schools for the Future programme.
Read here how Deputy Head Mike Leader describes the school's use of IRIS.
Weatherhead High School, Wirral
Formerly on three sites, the school has occupied a new building since 2003. With re-location, the school now serves a diverse area. A higher than average number of girls are entitled to free meals. The great majority of students are White British; very few are learning English as an additional language. The number of students is increasing; the sixth form is growing rapidly. The proportion of students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities is similar to that found nationally, though lower numbers were recorded in the past. There are fewer students than usual with statements of special educational needs. Specialist School status was awarded in 2002 for media arts.
Read here how Assistant Head Teacher Geraldine Fraser describes the impact of IRIS.