Notre Dame High School is a popular and successful Catholic co-educational Academy with a very wide catchment area drawing on all parts of the city and beyond. It has approximately1500 students, including over 400 in the Sixth Form. The school is part of the St Clare, Catholic Multi Academy Trust.

 Our Ethos

 Notre Dame is a Catholic school with a strong ethos at its heart. All staff are expected to uphold and contribute to the ethos of the school, which is what makes it a special place to work. We are an inclusive and diverse school and want to achieve the best outcomes for all of our students. We work hard to provide equity for students who have vulnerabilities or disadvantages in life. Our aim is to ensure that everyone in our community feels valued and that they belong.

 We are a Catholic Christian school, that provides a distinctive Catholic education whilst celebrating, respecting and welcoming young people from other Christian denominations and those that practise other World Faiths. We help our students to develop an understanding of their faith and to provide opportunities to foster and develop its practise. Each day begins and ends with a prayer, and all students attend regular assemblies and services. A liturgical calendar is produced annually, and the school community recognises and celebrates special times and holy days in the liturgical cycle. All staff employed by the Governors are asked to guarantee that they will uphold the Catholic/Christian ethos of the school and are required to sign the Catholic Education Service contract. All teachers are therefore expected to lead prayer with students and accompany them to acts of worship held in the school Ethos – Notre Dame High School .

 Our School

Our staff are dedicated, highly experienced and approachable, creating a supportive and ambitious learning environment. The school employs over 150 members of staff, including 90+ teachers, whose expertise and commitment ensure high standards across all areas of the curriculum. The Senior Management Team comprises the Headteacher, Senior Deputy Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher and four Assistant Headteachers, providing clear strategic leadership and direction. Inclusion and Pastoral Care is led by a Deputy Headteacher and delivered by a strong team of Heads of Year, Pastoral Managers, administrators and Form Tutors, who are central to the school’s pastoral system and the daily wellbeing of students. The Chaplaincy Co-ordinator plays a vital role in supporting the whole school community, offering emotional support and spiritual guidance to both students and staff as well as opportunities to live out aspects of faith. The Sixth Form is led by an Assistant Headteacher, ensuring a focused and aspirational experience for our older students. Staff structures are carefully designed to meet the academic demands of a broad and challenging curriculum while nurturing the distinctive spirit of the school. Teachers collaborate within subject-based teams, fostering professional dialogue and sharing best practice. Teaching and learning are further supported by dedicated reprographics, technical and administrative staff. We are committed to open, participative and supportive leadership, with a strong culture of continuous improvement.

 Enrichment and Extra-curricular

We are committed to educating the whole person, so that our students reach their full potential and can lead full, rich, lives. Our aim is that when they leave school, they are well prepared for the future and will make a positive contribution to society and the Common good.

 We value learning, opportunities and experiences that enrich the taught curriculum, and all staff are encouraged to provide these opportunities through lessons, clubs, trips and visits.

 Professional Development

At Notre Dame the ongoing professional development of all staff is a key priority. Our view is that we can always improve, not because we are not good enough but because we can be even better at what we do and that this in turn will ensure the very best outcomes for our students. We also aim to help staff to be ready for their ‘next step’ in their careers whatever that might be.

 In order to achieve these aims we:

• have an ethos of ‘learning together’ through joint practice development which is conducted in a supportive and developmental way. Staff are encouraged to take risks and use research and evidence-based approaches to improve their classroom practice.
• Encourage staff to be reflective and take the lead in their own professional development so that their individual needs are met
• Assign Teacher Developers to all departments to provide bespoke training and development
• Have a three-year ECT programme to fully support those new to the profession. This involves meeting together in groups to share and develop best practice and working with a coach on an individual basis
• Provide trainee mentoring programmes for those moving into new positions for example middle and senior leadership