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