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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 around 2100 young people from a wide range of backgrounds. 32% PP, 80 languages 
  • About 58% boys in Year 7-11 because there are more girls’ than boys’ schools in the LA 
  • Artsmark Platinum and 6 PTI curriculum awards 
  • Provision for Deaf students and those with autism and language impairment ‘SCALI’ (45 EHCP) 
  • High mainstream SEND: 86 EHCPs as well (7%), 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
  • We have a 2 week, 25 hour-a-week timetable, split lunchtime (1st; 7 & 8 and 2nd; 6F, 9, 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 Headteacher, 3 Deputy Heads, Chief Operating Officer, 5 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 (Year 7-11 = 270 in each year, Post-16 = 760)
  • Curriculum Areas have a Curriculum Leader, and larger departments may also have a 2ic
  • 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 and 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 Years 10 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 are a Lead Delivery Partner for the Greenwich Learning Partnership's school led teacher training programme

​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
  • Well attended parents’ evenings for all year groups
  • Wide range of targeted parent support services, active PTFA

​Enrichment

​Website

Assemblies
  • 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)
  • Weekly by year group in the main hall

​Student responsibilities
  • Citizens assemblies to ensure the student voice is heard
  • Ambassadors for Anti-Racism, Climate, LGBTQ+, SEED 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