This is ...

... a very brief snapshot of Tallis

​Who we are

• A very large 11-18 community comprehensive school, founded in 1971 
• Named for the father of English Church music who lived in Greenwich, 
• We have over 2100 young people from a wide range of backgrounds. 32% PP, 80 languages 
• About 58% boys in y7-11 because there are more girls’ than boys’ schools in the LA 
• Artsmark Platinum and 4 PTI curriculum awards 
• Provision for Deaf students and those with autism and language impairment ‘SCALI’ (45 EHCP) 
• High mainstream SEND: 73 EHCPs as well (5%), 400+ SEN support (28%), more than twice national averages 

​Accommodation

• 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

​School day & week

• Staff briefing is on Wednesday at 0820
  
• We have a 2 week, 25 hour-a-week timetable, split lunchtime (1st; 7,8,9: 2nd; 6F,10,11)

​Vision

• Our vision is of education to understand the world and change it for the better 
  
• Our School Plan focuses on curriculum, creative teaching, achievement, inclusion
  
• As a comprehensive school we want to be a model for a better world

​Character

• We expect our young people to be kind, respectful, fair, honest and optimistic 
  
• We expect cheerful good manners at all time in a relaxed but hard-working atmosphere

​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.

Leadership

• Leadership Group is Head, 2 Deputy Heads, Chief Operating Officer, 6 Assistant Heads
  
• Governor Mark accredited governing board, assiduously seeking diversity
  
• Governors are diligent and fulfil their duties through detailed work programmes and visits
  

​Organisation

• Young people are in year groups under a Head of Year (y7-11 270, 6f=760)
  
• Curriculum Areas have a Curriculum Leader
  
• Students are taught in a mixture of sets and mixed ability groups, depending on subject

Post 16

• We are about 760 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, Russell Group
  
• 35+ students each year to Art and performing arts college, many to highly competitive places
  

​Curriculum

• Threshold Concepts underpin all subject teaching
  
• We are committed to a broad, balanced knowledge curriculum with a wide range of arts options. 
  
• Our KS3 is year 7-9 KS4 is years10 and 11.

​Teaching & Learning

• We expect 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 pedagogies develop Habits of Mind, powerful knowledge and stretch all learners
• We expect teachers to be organised and thorough and have our Craft of the Tallis Classroom 
• We lead the R&D and ITT aspects of the Royal Greenwich School Alliance.

​CPD

• 2 training days in September, 6 x 6 hours disaggregated time for targeted training
  
• Whole school long-term focus on quality curriculum development and delivery
  
• Tallis Praxis handbook for staff describes curriculum theory and expectations

​Behaviour

• We expect good behaviour in a pleasant atmosphere: we try not to shout
  
• Clear referral systems within and outside departments and a non-teaching pastoral support team
  
• Intensive support for older students who fail to make enough effort

​Uniform

• Distinctive and relaxed, building and reflecting our community: trainers and jewellery are allowed.
• Post 16 students have no uniform. 

Governance

• Governor Mark accredited governing board, assiduously seeking diversity.
• Governors are diligent and fulfil their duties through detailed work programmes and visits.

​Parents

• Parents’ evening attendance average 80% 2016-17.
• Wide range of targeted parent support services, active PTFA. 

​Enrichment

• Annual extracurricular activities timetable includes Duke of Edinburgh and Arts Award.
• We have 3 annual community days for all year groups on cross-curricular themes (e.g. Protest).

​Website

• Justly admired widely: it is the first stop for school information www.thomastallisschool.com.
• 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

• Innovative Jury Service model to check progress with our vision
  
• Ambassadors for Anti-Racism, Climate, LGBTQ+, SNED and Mental Health rights
  
• We work closely with students who are encouraged to set up campaign groups

​Building relationships

• Links with local groups and organisations, including religious, through Community Framework.
• 6 Parent Forums a year.