I
am delighted to be able to put down some thoughts as
we open our new web site. The first thing is to say
a big thank you to Mr Howells for all his hard work
in putting the site together. It reflects the new ‘corporate’
colours and the school’s sharper and aspirational focus.
Prestwich Arts College has seen many incarnations since
it first opened its doors as the Heys
Boys School in 1936. The current name and logo reflect
the school’s designation as one of the Government’s
Specialist ‘Arts Colleges’ in 2004. However, I want
to make it clear at the outset, that we are still very
much a comprehensive school providing the full national
curriculum but with an Arts focus and, increasingly,
a vocational focus. Our specialist facilities enable
us to provide state of the art opportunities for our
students, our partner primary schools and our local
community. Along with capital refurbishment in many
other areas such as Technology and Humanities, the school
now offers a modern learning environment within a traditional
setting.
 At Prestwich Arts College, our ‘mantra’ is very clear
and uncomplicated. What we want for your child is what
we would want for our own : the best. This means that
we have high expectations of ourselves as Teachers and
Governors and we have high expectations of our students
and their parents! We are committed to continuous improvement
and that upward spiral of success which characterises
good schools. Our recent designation of as an ‘Investor
in People’ (January 2007) and our latest OFSTED inspection
(February 2007) were both highly complimentary and the
reports can be found elsewhere on our website. Leadership,
student support and the impact of the specialist school
were all highlighted and examination results have risen
continuously since 2002. OFSTED were right to describe
the school as an effective and improving one.
The proposals in 2005 / 6 to close the school were defeated
by a vigorous community based campaign involving Parents,
Staff, Students, Governors, Local Churches, MP’s and
Councillors from all 3 parties. This says much about
the reputation of the school within the community and
we will use this vote of confidence as a springboard
for further success.
Prestwich Arts College is a vibrant, aspirational school
with a reputation for high achievement within a supportive
atmosphere.and caring environment. We embrace the challenges
of the future whilst cherishing those values such as
(some may say ‘old fashioned’) courtesy and respect.
We have a full intake for September 2007 and are oversubscribed
in most years.
We are an ‘Award Winning School’ and in 2006 achieved
the coveted ‘Arts Mark Gold Award’ for our commitment
to the Arts across the school. Our student support facility
has won awards at both local and regional level and
Conservative Front Bench MP, Teresa May was highly impressed
with our students when she visited us last summer.
Our commitment to our local communities is absolute
and in the near future, we hope to be introducing Adult
Education Courses in partnership with Bury College.
Our 5th annual Gifted and Talented ‘Summer School’ will
run again this July as we try to ensure that we really
are a school at the heart of the community.
As you can probably see, I am passionate about Prestwich
Arts College and am both proud and privileged to lead
a very talented teaching team and to work with such
a supportive and ambitious Governing body. However,
don’t take my word for it, come and visit the school
and see for yourself what makes up ‘The Prestwich Experience.
Best Wishes
Geoff Barlow
Head Teacher
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