SCHOOL LEADERSHIP STRUCTURES
Governance
The Full Governing Body comprises 20 governors including parent, local authority,
community, staff and Trust governors.
The Governing Body operates a committee structure:
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Chairmen’s Committee
Finance Committee
Staffing/Pay Committee
Curriculum Committee
The Charitable Trust has 5 governors drawn from the Trust Partners; Exxon Mobil;
Rotary Club; Hampshire Local Authority; Sunnyfields Organic Farm; Hampshire Primary
Care Trust and Hounsdown School.
Hounsdown School Senior Leadership Team
Hounsdown School benefits from a experienced and committed Senior Leadership
Team.
The substantive Senior Leadership Team structure is as follows:
Headteacher
2 Deputy Headteachers
3 Assistant Headteachers
School Business Manager
To reflect the current Headteacher’s experience and involvement in system-wide
leadership at local and national level and to provide enhanced strategic leadership, the
governors implemented for a fixed two year period (September 2008-August 2010) a
structure of Executive Head and Associate Head. During this period the school pursued
and achieved High Performing Specialist Status, National Support School status and
Trust Status.
Middle Leadership Structure
The school operates a departmental curriculum structure and Heads of Department
report directly to a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
Pastoral Welfare is led by Heads of Year 7-11 and a member of the Senior Leadership
Team has oversight of the work of the team.
Student Leadership
The school benefits from a Student Leadership Committee; School Council; Year
Councils. Their work is overseen by the Student Leadership Co-ordinator and Senior
Leadership Team member.
School House System
The House System is led by students and the House Leader who reports to the Deputy
Head.
Partnership Working
The school works closely with its 8 linked primary schools, in addition to Totton and
Brockenhurst 6th Form Colleges. Some pupils also move on to other Hampshire
Colleges, eg Peter Symonds. The school is an active member of the New Forest 11-19
Consortium and the ‘Catch’ Extended Services Group.
Trust Status has enhanced the school’s formal partnerships and the development of this
is a current focus.
The school is engaging with other New Forest schools and local external agencies in
the formulation of local children’s partnerships.
As part of the work of the Leadership Partner School designation the school works
collaboratively with the Youth Sports Trust and The National College and Hampshire
Local Authority in addition to secondary schools within the South East Region.
HOUNSDOWN SCHOOL CONTEXT
Hounsdown School has increased in size over the last ten years and is now larger than many
secondary schools. It caters for pupils from widely varied backgrounds and has an extensive
catchment area embracing the urban area of Totton and 14 New Forest villages. Over a third of
pupils live more than 3 miles from the school. Socio economic data indicates that a higher than
average percentage of pupils live in high social class households. However, this data also shows that
64% of pupils, come from households where adult involvement in higher education is below or well
below the national average Some children who live in the outlying areas of the New Forest come
from families who have a distinctive way of life linked to the traditional rural occupations. The
percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is below the national average.
Less than 1% of pupils come from ethnic minority groups. 15% of pupils are currently on the
school’s special educational needs register and the percentage of pupils with statements of special
educational needs at 0.9% is below the national average. The school has 10 Looked After Children
which is higher than average when compared with similar schools.
Educational attainment at Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 is consistently higher than national average
and is exceptionally strong when compared to similar schools, particularly at Key Stage 4.
The ethos of the school is a major strength. There is a commitment to work together for success.
The relationships between pupils, staff, governors and parents are excellent. Considerable emphasis
is placed on the importance of hard work, perseverance, tolerance, respect for others, and telling the
truth. These core values guide our work. As a result we benefit from an excellent reputation in our
local community.
A brief review of the school’s key achievements demonstrates the determination and focus we have
applied to secure improvement.
2003
Science Specialist College Designation
2005
OFSTED Outstanding
2006
Enhanced Healthy Schools Status
2007
Science Specialist College Re-designation
2007
High Performing Specialist School Status
2008
Leadership Partner School Designation
2008
OFSTED Outstanding
2009
National Support School Status and Headteacher National Leader
in Education award
2009 Trust School Status ‘Hounsdown School Future Leaders Trust’
2009 Eco schools Green Flag Award
2009
Arts Mark Gold Award