This is ...

... a very brief snapshot of Tallis

​Who we are

• A very large 11-18 comprehensive school (founded 1971) which now has about 1900 students.
• Young people from a wide range of backgrounds (46% FSM)and ethnicities (64 languages).
• About 61% boys in y7-11 because there are more girls’ than boys’ schools in the LA.
• Proud to be a community comprehensive school.

​Accommodation

• Our new building opened in 2011, costing £56m, through the BSF PFI initiative, managed by G4S.
• It has Olympic legacy sports facilities in the gymnasium and dojo and a shared use sports centre.
• The site was built for up to 2000 students and we are therefore almost at capacity.

​School day & week

• Staff briefing is on Wednesday in the staffroom at 0820.
• We follow a 2 week timetable of 25 one hour periods per week with a split lunchtime.

​Vision

• Our vision is of education to understand the world and change it for the better.
• ​We are committed to excellence through creativity, community, challenge and engagement.

​Character

• We expect our young people to be kind, respectful, fair, honest and optimistic.
• We expect cheerful good manners at all time.

​Values

• We are a liberal and inclusive community with high positive peer pressure amongst staff and students.
• We value the Tallis Habits inquisitive, collaborative, persistent, disciplined and imaginative.

​Organisation

• Young people are in year groups under a Head of Year (y7 270, y8 300, y9-11 270, 6f ~ 550).
• Curriculum Areas have a Curriculum Leader.
• Students are taught in a mixture of sets and mixed ability groups, depending on subject.
• We have distinct provision for Deaf students and those with autism and language impairment (SCALI).

​Sixth Form

• We are about 550 in the sixth form, which offers a mixture of A level and Level 3 BTEC courses.
• Students come to our sixth form from a wide range of schools including grammar and fee-paying.
• Very high levels of university entry, including Oxbridge and Russell Group.
• Large numbers of students (40) go on to Art Foundation courses.

​Curriculum

• We are committed to a broad, balanced knowledge curriculum for all with a wide range of arts options.
• Our KS3 is year 7 and 8, KS4 is years 9, 10 and 11.

​Teaching & Learning

• We expect our teachers to be highly qualified with a lively interest in their subject.
• We expect teachers to enable our young people to be independent learners and creative thinkers.
• Our signature pedagogy develops powerful knowledge and Habits of Mind and stretches all learners.
• We expect our teachers to be organised and thorough.
• We lead the R&D and ITT aspects of the Royal Greenwich teaching School Alliance.

​CPD

• 2 training days in September, weekly disaggregated time for targeted input from expert willing staff.
• Whole school focus on quality schemes of work.
• All teaching staff undertake an annual cycle of Research & Development in order to develop Tallis Praxis.

​Behaviour

• We expect good behaviour in a pleasant atmosphere: we do not shout.
• Clear referral systems within and outside departments and a non-teaching pastoral support team.

​Uniform

• Distinctive and relaxed, building and reflecting our community: trainers and jewellery are allowed.
• 6th form have no uniform.

​Leadership

• LG is Head, 2 DHTs, 1 SBM, 5 AHTs, (+4 Director level posts).
• We have agreed expectations of LG and of all teachers in any position of leadership.

Governance

• Small governing board of 10. 1 staff governor, 3 parents.
• Governors are diligent and fulfil their duties through detailed work programmes and visits.

​Parents

• Parents’ evening attendance average 79% 2014-15.
• Wide range of targeted parent support services, active new PTFA.

​Enrichment

• An extra-curricular activities timetable is produced each year including D of E and Arts Award.
• We have 3 annual community days for all year groups on cross-curricular themes (e.g. Protest).

​Website

• Is justly admired widely: it is the first stop for school information.
• ​All departments have dedicated sites with links to a broad range of online support.

Assemblies

Weekly by year group in the main hall.

​Student responsibilities

• School council relaunched in 2014-5.
• We work closely with students who are encouraged to set up campaign groups.

​Building relationships

• Wide links with local groups and organisations, including religious organisations.
• A newly re-formed PTA and 6 parental forums per year.