Strategic Plan: Review of 2010/11 and the Year Ahead 2011/12
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Introduction
During the year we have continued to make significant progress with the tasks in the 2010 to 2015 Strategic Plan which we have now updated for 2012 to 2017.
Three years ago, we consulted widely to confirm our vision and ethos. In 2009 to 2010 we continued our engagement with pupils, staff, governors and parents enabling them to make clear those aspects of our current activity that needs change to enable us to secure our place as a world-class school in Yorkshire.
Our Pupils and their Personal Development
To equip our pupils for life through opportunities within and beyond the classroom
 To foster further growth in intellectual independence, we have introduced Open University Modules and the AQA Extended Project Qualification. Twenty-one Upper Sixth students undertook an OU module alongside their A-level studies during the period between May and December 2010. The topics studied included creative writing, archaeology, financial services and microbes. Of these candidates, 17 were successful. The school also introduced the Extended Project Qualification in September 2010 and 5
Upper Sixth students have submitted projects for assessment and achieved 1 A*, 2As and 2Cs. From
September 2011 we broadened our provision at A level through the introduction of English Language and have ensured that Further Mathematics can be delivered formally within the timetable.
 The Foundation is proud of the all-round opportunities provided at Pocklington and Lyndhurst for our pupils. A wide range of team and individual sport is encouraged and there have been excellent performances in regional and national competitions. Two of our girls have joined the England Under-18 hockey squad and several boys and girls have played for the county or region at different age groups in rugby, cricket, trampolining and hockey. Overseas tours, trips, excursions and exchanges have enabled children to broaden their horizons with educational visits to Botswana (where they improved the facilities at the Tshidilo Rehabilitation Centre for disabled young people and also at the Khama
Rhinoceros Sanctuary), Germany, Greece, France, Holland and Ireland as well as camps in
Northumberland, North Yorkshire and in the Lake District.
 The Combined Cadet Force is strongly supported by staff and pupils, successfully competing in regional and national competitions as well as providing opportunities for leadership training. There is
 strong co-operation with the local ACF Detachment with whom we share the Annand VC Cadet Centre.
Several cadets have successfully qualified for their gliding wings. One pupil was awarded the prestigious de Havilland Medal, placed in the top 5 of all RAF (CCF) Cadets in the country. In July, two cadets took part in the Cadet 150 Parade in London, again in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen, and then attended a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.
Music plays an extremely important part in the life of both schools, with more than 10,000 lessons delivered each year to nearly half of the pupils. Some six ensembles rehearse weekly; the Swing Band has a full programme of concerts in local churches and plays for other charitable events in different locations. The Music Society gave another superb concert, this year giving a fabulous production of
. One student was selected for a National Youth Music Theatre production and another has had roles in Opera North productions including ‘The Queen of Spades’ (September 2011). Fourteen other individuals are members of the Yorkshire Youth Choir, two are members of the National Children’s
Choir and one has joined the National Youth Training Choir.
 Drama continues to thrive, with productions by the different divisions of the Foundation encompassing a full range of dramatic forms and works from different periods. Former students are taking their interest forward at RADA, at the Guildhall and at the Rose Bruford College. One pupil won the BBC Blast &
BAFTA Screen-Skills Award for scriptwriting.

 The Young Enterprise Team 'POCKSYE' won the Best Sales Team Award at the St Stephen's Trade Fair,
Hull in March 2011. They also won the BP Award for Best Company at the Humber sub-regional
Finals and were awarded the following: the Insight Photography Award for the Best Company Report, the
KC Award for Information Technology, the Emmerson Kitney Award for Human Resources, the
Arco Award for Marketing and Sales, and the East Riding Council Award for Best East Riding Company.
In June 2011 they won the Insight Photography Award for the Best Company Report and the PR
Company Award for Communications at the Regional Final.
 Three years ago we introduced the Pocklington Award; this encourages, recognises and rewards the participation, representation and responsibility of our young people in the extra-curricular life of the school especially in community service. This is proving to be a success and has caught the imagination of our students; this year saw the first participants to complete all stages of the scheme. We also
 recognise the value of the broader confidence-building impact and enhanced self-reliance engendered by the Duke of Edinburgh Award – and have therefore introduced the extended Silver award from
September 2011 and intend to introduce the Gold award from September 2012.
We promote the extra-curricular opportunities available to all pupils through the Activity
Handbook, ‘Beyond the Classroom’, and the Activities Fair. New activities have been launched in
September 2011 aimed at the Middle School (e.g. Photography Club and a Glee Club), in response to pupil suggestions.
 Lyndhurst School exudes a positive atmosphere and encourages lessons where children want to learn and progress. Pupils enjoy project work immensely, immersing themselves in the opportunity to direct their learning, as well as learning in collaboration with others; all pupils benefit from the expertise of different teaching staff including individuals from the senior school. The new Pre-Prep was launched in
2010 with great success, opening its doors to 40 children who have responded well to the creative curriculum and excellent teamwork in the planning of schemes of work. Throughout the school, subject co-ordinators are refreshing all aspects of the curriculum and the extra-curricular programme has been refreshed. Sport is a successful component of life at the school. As at Pocklington, Lyndhurst has a full programme of dramatic, musical and charitable events that involves all the children; pupils from local schools are invited to attend matinees of drama productions. An overseas trip to France is organised every other year.
B To be excellent in teaching and learning
 The performance of pupils in public examinations was very good with 95.6%% of 5th year (Year
11) pupils achieving 5 GCSEs A*-C including Maths and English Language (up from 93.3% last year) with 49.8% of the grades A*/ A (50.7% - 2010); and given the ability profile of the year group represents significant value added. At A level, a total of 22 pupils gained three or more A grades at A level, and overall they achieved 64.5% A* to B (69.2% - 2010); and taking account of the ability profile of this year group, shows similar positive value added to last year.
 Of those in the UCAS system, 71% secured a place in their first choice university and 54% were admitted into a Russell Group or 1994 Group University, with two students gaining a place at Cambridge
University. Overall, 96% of students in the UCAS system secured a place. This year four students are embarking on Gap Years; eight entered other institutions and courses; and four went into employment.
 To foster further growth in academic attainment for our pupils and to encourage self-reflection amongst our teachers, we are using independently set and assessed baseline and value added data at age 11, 15 and 17 to assist in identifying and challenging any under-achievement. Since January 2012, the Headmaster chairs a fortnightly meeting of Pocklington School pastoral and academic managers with
 the single focus of pupil attainment and progress.
At Lyndhurst from September 2011 in the:
Pre-Prep (Reception to Year 2), separate classes have been established in Reception and Year 1 along with new classrooms in the adjoining former junior boys' boarding house and a dedicated garden area provided and 'Forest School' activities introduced. Also, specialist teaching in French, ICT, music, swimming, PE and games has been introduced and all staff have been trained on the read, write inc phonics programme.
Prep school (Year 3 to 6), we have been able to increase the specialist subject teaching in Years 5 and
6 following the introduction of the synchronised timetable for Lyndhurst and Pocklington Schools. We

C now teach French across the full age range of Lyndhurst, with Spanish taught in Years 5 and 6. Design and Technology has been introduced with project days as a regular part of the timetable.
To maintain a high standard of pastoral care
 The Foundation has a strong Christian ethos and links with the Church of England which together guide our caring, straightforward approach and motivates our local and international involvement with the wider community. The Chaplain prepares candidates for confirmation as well as leading regular services in the school chapel and Pocklington Parish church.
 The Foundation could not achieve its objectives without its teaching and support staff. Their continued hard work and dedication makes such a difference to the experience of our pupils; a welfare survey in
November 2009 showed a remarkably low incidence of bullying which is attributed to the strength of our
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 pastoral system and the engagement of all members of staff with the student body.
 Student Council meetings have discussed proposed changes to: rewards and sanctions policy; school rules and anti-bullying policies.
 Parent forums, once per academic year, focus on welfare and personal development. Elizabeth Burton-
Philips, the anti-drugs campaigner, gave a presentation in November 2011.
A School Prefect training weekend was introduced in June 2010.
From September 2011, we introduced ‘individual tutorials' within the Lower School and Middle School to assist day and boarding pupils with time management, planning, academic review and pastoral issues.
Each pupil will, from time to time during the lunch break, have a guided conversation with their tutor which will give opportunity to discuss friendships, ambition, motivation and anything else that affects their wellbeing and success. Tutors in all three divisions of Pocklington School took part in training on
Monday 5 September 2011 to consider and share best practice in this area of pupil care. This year, we will review and develop PSHE and peer mentoring.
 New Lower School locker areas are nearly completed and those serving the Middle School should be in place for September 2012
2.
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Our School and the Wider Community
To provide the best possible supportive 'home from home' environment for our boarders
 Dolman House has been refurbished to accommodate junior boy boarders.
 A Foundation Manager now has responsibility for boarding following a re-organisation of management
 tasks.
Boarding Housemasters and Housemistresses now meet weekly to inform the management and development of boarding.
 There is an increasing awareness of the benefits of the boarding options for Lyndhurst pupils. We have expanded the Lyndhurst boarders’ activities programme on a Saturday.
B To communicate clearly and distinctively our vision, values and ambition within and beyond the schools
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 We are exploring how we can improve our communication through the appropriate use of digital technologies. However we made a mistake in attempting to move the popular ‘blue book’ to a digital format; and have since reinstated the original paper format.
To involve current and former parents, Old Pocklingtonians and others for the benefit of our pupils and the wider community
 The “Friends of Pocklington School” have revised their constitution, securing their independence whilst receiving increased support from the school.
 Closer links are being developed with the former pupil and parents’ associations. The Pocklington 500
Committee has already started providing opportunities for parental and alumni involvement. Three recent dinners have been extremely popular. A termly newsletter is also distributed.
 The Old Pocklingtonian Association has also reviewed its activities. The concept of ‘OP for Life’ has been introduced and the Association is providing an evolving programme of careers advice, placements and workshops for existing and former pupils as well as continued provision of social and sporting events.
The Foundation continues to nurture links with local state-maintained schools through, for  example, the Middle Leaders Development Programme; from a cluster of schools including Driffield
School, Beverley High School, two state primary schools and ourselves. We are the first independent school in England to be leading a cluster.
 We provide the local community with access to school facilities; and for the second year, we are hosting the Mayor-making ceremony.

 We have developed links with the Town Council including liaison with a specific councillor and the
Deputy Headmaster is a member of “Gateway”, a Town Council sub-committee that actively promotes the town.
 We have a programme of community work, with pupils spending time in local junior schools, a special school at Driffield and residential homes, and more than £12,000 was raised by pupils during
Charity Week to which can be added significant fundraising in support of a school in Namibia.
Pocklington School Enterprises Limited aims to attract summer schools, youth choirs and orchestras and theatre groups from the wider community as well as making the School's facilities available to local groups and schools. Several of our societies, particularly ‘Historia’ and the Music Society, are open to local schools and adult groups to attend.
3
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The Foundation and Our Staff
To employ the best staff and manage their on-going training, development and well-being
A revised annual professional review and development scheme has been introduced.
The Head of Sixth Form and Director of Teaching and Learning are now delivering the 'Middle Leaders
Development Programme' to middle managers
B To provide facilities and services that support our pupils' education
 We have a programme of planned maintenance and investment, with particular attention being paid to developing the fabric and facilities of the School in the next two to three years. We have invested strongly in the existing buildings with new electrical and fire systems as well as new roofs and boiler systems.
C
 The Pre-Prep facilities and the conversion of Dolman House were completed in advance of the start of this academic year 2011/12.
 Environmental issues are also a high priority and we are making our buildings more energy efficient, seeking the more efficient use of water and supporting recycling initiatives.
To ensure effective and efficient decision making and planning at all levels supported by sound financial management
 Our future plans are financed primarily from fee income. The Governors ensure a sound infrastructure and financial base are preserved for the next generation of pupils, in the same way as our current pupils benefit today from the investment made in the past. We must therefore ensure that not all of the cost of our present advances falls to the current generation of parents and modest loan finance fulfils this covenant.
29 March 2012