Highfields School is a coeducational secondary school and sixth form located in Matlock, Derbyshire, England. At the time of its September 2012 Ofsted inspection, the school had 1175 pupils (male and female) on roll aged 11–18, with 215 in the sixth form. It is split across two sites in the town 1.8 miles apart.

History

Highfields was created in 1982 as a comprehensive school by the merger of Ernest Bailey's Grammar School and Charles White Secondary Modern School. The site of Charles White in Starkholmes became the 'lower site' of Highfields, while Bailey's was converted to Derbyshire Record Office, previously housed at the county council's headquarters. A new site was built to house the new 'upper site' at Lumsdale.Matlock's Schools in Earlier Times. 28 May 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2012.

David Marshall was headmaster from the school's founding in 1982 until he was replaced by Ian Dalrymple-Alford. Today, Marshall is remembered in the name of the Lumsdale site's David Marshall Sports Hall. Dalrymple-Alford left the school in January 2006, being replaced by Dr Ramsey Tetlow.Highfields’ head to retire. Matlock Mercury. 1 October 2010. Retrieved 4 June 2012.

The school was a specialist 'performing arts college' from 2005,Highfields School gets performing arts status. Matlock Mercury. 6 July 2005. Retrieved 4 June 2012. until the specialist schools programme was ended in 2010. The school retains an emphasis on its performing arts credentials. Dr Tetlow in turn retired in 2011, being replaced by Eddie Wilkes.New head plans for bright future. Matlock Mercury. 10 May 2011. Retrieved 4 June 2012. Due to retirement, Peter Cole & Ben Riggott became headteachers in 2016. They were then succeeded by Andrew Marsh in 2018.http://www.highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk/pdfs/LetterPDFs/HeadteacherAppointment.pdf

The school has been criticised, amongst several other British schools, for making use of the Brain Gym 'mental exercise' programme, which claims that 'the brain is a muscle' and that a set of hand and leg movements and chest rubs can promote learning. Commonly described as pseudoscience, physician Ben Goldacre has described the programme as 'ludicrous' while Teacher of the Year award-winner Philip Beadle described it as 'moonshine...you'd probably get as much benefit from taking a Brain Gym book and booting it around the room'.

Previously a community school administered by Derbyshire County Council, in October 2021 Highfields School converted to academy status. The school is now sponsored by the East Midlands Education Trust.

Uniform The school uniform consists of a grey blazer with the school logo, plain black trousers or skirt, and a white shirt accompanied with a tie that bears the school logo. Alternately, a full-length shirt may be worn with a red tie with a school logo.

Sixth form students have no set uniform but have to stick to a dress code defined as 'smart office wear'.

The school PE kit includes navy blue shorts, royal blue knee-length socks and either a royal blue rugby shirt with a reversible white strip or royal blue polo shirt.

Sites

'Lower site' is situated at Starkholmes and is the site used by year 7 and 8 students.2010–11 Staff Handbook. Retrieved 29 October 2012. The building used to be the site of Charles White Secondary Modern School but was converted in 1982 (See history). The site underwent a £1.2m refurbishment in 2004.£1.2 million for school facilities. Matlock Mercury. 30 June 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2012.

'Upper site' is situated at Lumsdale and it is used by years 9–11 and sixth form. The site was built in 1982 especially for the new school.

Ofsted inspections and performance The school was inspected in full by Ofsted in 2006. This determined that the school was 'satisfactory... with some good features'.2006 Ofsted report. Retrieved 29 October 2012. This contrasts to the 1999 report which said 'On balance, the school has more strengths than weaknesses'.1999 Ofsted report. Retrieved 29 October 2012.

The history department was inspected in 2007. The subsequent report found the department to be 'outstanding' – achieving a grade 1.2007 Ofsted report (History department). Retrieved 29 October 2012. Furthermore, Highfields was the third best-performing school in Derbyshire at A-level in 2007 according to BBC league tablesA-Level Results, BBC (2007). Retrieved 29 October 2012. and the seventh best-performing at GCSE,GCSE Results, BBC (2007). Retrieved 29 October 2012. higher than their normal placings in these league tables.

In a February 2009 whole-school inspection, the school found to be 'satisfactory' (grade 3) – below its 'good' (grade 2) target – but with improvements since the last inspection.2009 Ofsted report. Retrieved 29 October 2012. It also noted the school's performance, citing that 'standards are above average'.

Following a 2011 whole-school inspection, while still classing the school's sixth form as 'good' (grade 2), the school as a whole was determined to be 'inadequate' (grade 4)2011 Ofsted report. Retrieved 29 October 2012. and was given 'notice to improve'.2011 Ofsted Notice to Improve. Retrieved 29 October 2012. Despite Ofsted's criticisms, the school recorded its best-ever A-level results in August 2012, with a 99.6% pass rate and 60% of results at grade B or above.. This Is Derbyshire. 16 August 2012. Retrieved 14 September 2012. The school also saw a 7% increase to 70% of students earning 5 A*-C grades at GCSE.Top marks for Highfields GCSE students. Matlock Mercury. 23 August 2012. Retrieved 14 September 2012. Subsequently, a September 2012 follow-up inspection found the school to have improved markedly, achieving a 'good' (grade 2) for the first time in over 6 years. September 2012 Ofsted report. Retrieved 29 October 2012.

Racism study Highfields took part in a study in 2004 which was reported by the Department of Education. The interest arose from the school choosing to look at diversity despite its very low ethnic mix. A theatre group presented plays that centred on racism in towns like Matlock. The study led to collaborations with dissimilar schools in Derby that were funded by an interested company.Here, There and Everywhere: Belonging, Identity and Equality in Schools, by Robin Richardson, p6. Retrieved 25 February 2008

Student protest On 24 November 2010, Highfields students staged a demonstration as part of a nationwide student protest day against the government's scrapping of the Education Maintenance Allowance and decision to raise the cap on university tuition fees. Up to 300 students walked out of classes and marched, escorted by police, first to the Local Education Authority headquarters at County Hall and then onto Matlock town centre.Highfields School students walk out in fees protest. BBC News: Derbyshire. 24 November 2010. Retrieved 4 June 2012.

Sports Leadership Academy The school's Physical Education department was presented with the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service – the equivalent to an MBE for organisations – in June 2010 by HRH Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, accompanied by Olympic badminton player Donna Kellogg, for its 'Sports Leadership Academy', co-ordinated by Jayne Allen.Highfields Sports Leadership Academy receives The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service Derbyshire Sport. June 2010. Retrieved 4 June 2012.Queen praises youth coaches. Matlock Mercury. 8 June 2010. Retrieved 4 June 2012. Sports Leaders UK later announced the school's academy was to be the first ever academy to reach 'World Leader' status for leadership and volunteering.A dream come true for Jayne thanks to Sainsbury’s customers. Matlock Mercury. 7 June 2012. Retrieved 14 September 2012.

Olympic torch The school was visited by the Olympic torch relay in June 2012, the school forming the relay's 'lunch stop' as it traveled through Derbyshire.School at the heart of Olympic Torch route. Matlock Mercury. 19 March 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2012. A commemorative stone at the school marks the occasion.. This Is Derbyshire. 31 August 2012. Retrieved 14 September 2012.

A student carried the torch later that day in Derby, whilst the academy's coordinator carried the Paralympic torch.. This Is Derbyshire. 7 June 2012. Retrieved 14 September 2012.

Notable alumni Isy Suttie, comedian, actress, writer and musicianHow Isy made her mark in the tough world of comedy . Derby Telegraph. 1 June 2012. Retrieved 14 September 2012. Ben Ottewell, singer-songwriter of the indie-rock band Gomez, winners of the 1998 Mercury PrizeBen's finally bringing it on . Derby Telegraph. 18 June 2010. Retrieved 14 September 2012. Matt Chandler and Tom Marriott, guitarist and trombonist respectively, of the funk band PestQ and A: Funk-crazed collective Pest talk chocolate, big yachts and making a filthy racket . East London and West Essex Guardian Series. 28 September 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2013. Christopher Peach, who achieved notoriety as a 15-year-old when his underage dealings on the stock market were discovered as a result of Black MondayNaughty Boy. The Independent. 5 November 1995. Retrieved 19 December 2013. Ellie Watton, retired field hockey player and winner of Olympic, European & Commonwealth medals

References

External links School website