This is ...

... a very brief snapshot of Tallis

​Who we are

• A very large 11-18 comprehensive school (founded 1971) which now has just under 2000 students.
• Young people from a wide range of backgrounds (17% FSM) and ethnicities (80 languages).
• About 58% boys in Yrs 7-11 because there are more girls’ than boys’ schools in the LA.
• Proud to be a community comprehensive school with Artsmark Platinum and 4 PTI awards.

​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 extremely close to capacity.

​School day & week

• Staff briefing is on Wednesday at 08:20.
• We have a 2 week, 25 one-hour period timetable (per week), split lunchtime (1st: 7, 8, 12 & 13: 2nd: 9, 10, 11).

​Vision

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

​Character

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

​Organisation

• Young people are in year groups under a Head of Year (Y7, 8, 9 & 10 - 270, Y11 - 300, Yrs 12 & 13 ~ 600).
• 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).

Post 16

• We are about 600 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, both in Britain and abroad.
• Very high levels of university entry, including 55 Russell Group (1 to Cambridge and 3 to Medical School) 2018-19, 5 to Oxbridge 2018.

​Curriculum

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

​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 pedagogy develops powerful knowledge and Habits of Mind and stretches all learners.
• We expect 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, 6 x 6 hours disaggregated time for targeted training.
• Whole school focus on quality schemes of work.
• All teaching staff undertake an annual cycle of Action Research in order to develop Tallis Praxis.

​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. 

​Leadership

• The Leadership Group is Head, 2 Deputy Heads, 1 Director of Business, 4 Assistant Heads, (+6 Director level posts).
• We have agreed expectations of LG and of all teachers in any position of leadership.

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

• School council annually elected.
• 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.