Working at Montgomery High School

Foreword from the head teacher - Paul Moss

We hope the information on this site will stimulate your interest in this post. However, what this information doesn’t do is capture the heart of the school. There is a feeling amongst the staff at Montgomery which is a joy to be a part of.

Relationships between staff

This atmosphere does not simply happen. It is based on a recognition of the pressure teachers face from the DfES, parents, pupils and many other outside agencies. It is a demanding job. The only way we succeed as we do, is by creating a really strong sense of team spirit across all the staff. There is no divide between the staff and the Leadership Group. Staff speak openly and freely in order to shape things and change them. We have 7 working groups involving all teachers and many support staff taking forward work in key areas of school organisation. We have recently launched a staff council. These measures are intended to promote open consultation and staff ownership of developments in school. Relationships between staff and pupils

However, the most important part of the school is the relationships we seek to develop between students and staff, students with students and staff with staff. We believe that our school should operate as an emotionally intelligent organisation in which everybody demonstrates :

• The ability to recognise our own emotions
• The ability to recognise and respond positively to the emotions of others
• The ability to express our feelings in a caring and sensitive way
• The capacity to use feelings to deepen our thoughts
• The determination not to hurt others knowingly

We believe that individuals who subscribe to emotional intelligence can become more creative and flexible in their thinking, which will help staff and students alike. We believe that individuals will flourish in a climate of trust and openness, which will enable individuals to become part of a community which is innovative, dynamic and energetic in it’s thinking and activities.

Relationships with parents

The commitment is a key part of our relationship with parents. We want parents to feel confident to share with us the emotional process of parenting and developing young people. We commit to working in empathy with parents, recognising the emotional pressures which face young people as they go through adolescence, as well as the stresses of examinations. We hope all parents will recognise that we share the very same goal for their children which they hold dear to their friends and their families.

Statement from Head Boy and Head Girl

Head Girl: I enjoy socialising with everyone in school. The teachers are great and always offer the help and support we need, especially as we are approaching our GCSE’s. I am also involved in a ‘Chain Reaction’ programme where I mentor children in Year 7. This is a great opportunity to liase with them and help them with any worries they may have.

Head Boy: Since Year 7, I have been involved in all the sports activities in school. I believe this has improved my relationships with other students in Montgomery. The teachers try their best to help pupils become more of a team player and listen to each other and help one another when they need it. This is essential because these skills are important in and out of sport and help to build strong relationships.

Parents view of the school

Parent of year 7 pupil: Most secondary schools have a mission statement that refers to a policy of caring for pupils and supporting their needs but actions really do speak louder than words. I now understand that whilst some schools have a written policy, Montgomery has one which is very much alive and in action.

Parent of two year 11 pupils: …Thank you all for nurturing their self-confidence, enabling them to grow from timid 11 year olds into confident young men with some idea of their own self esteem…I am so proud of my sons’ achievements, which are due in no small part to the feeling generated in Montgomery High School – a feeling of togetherness and support, like a huge family – by the staff working together to bring out the best in a child.