SCHOOL HISTORY

SCHOOL HISTORY: 1975- 1996

Broughton High School took its first intake of Year 7 pupils on the 8th September 1975.  The school was initially planned as a 3 form entry 11-16 school, the first purpose-built comprehensive school in the Preston area.  It was established on a green field site already designated by Lancashire County Council for a school building.

The school was built to provide additional accommodation for the growing number of 11 year olds in the rural area to the north of Preston as a consequence of the accelerated house building resulting from the development of the proposed Central Lancashire New Town.  New housing estates were being created in the Ingol/Tanterton area and the area to the east of the A6.

The raising of the school leaving age (RoSLA) had also put pressure on the existing secondary schools in the Preston area, especially Fulwood High School and so additional capacity was needed to meet these demands.

By 1977 it was generally agreed that a 3 form entry secondary school was not really viable and so further building was undertaken to provide accommodation (and a Sports Hall) for six forms in each year group.

The design of the building was based upon an architectural model apparently created by a partnership of North-West  education authorities, the prototype had already been built in Haslingden.  The design was, at the time, considered cost effective during a period of high inflation.  It was designed as a low-profile building to meet local planning concerns.

The first head teacher, Mr. Harris, aged 37 at the time of appointment, had previously been a deputy head teacher in a Lancashire Secondary School in Knowsley.   There were 10 teachers appointed in time for the opening of the school, some of these were part-time appointments. The initial team was young and ambitious,  four of them becoming head teachers of similar schools after only a few years.

The school took on the ethos of comprehensive education.  The accent was on mixed ability teaching, setting being limited to Mathematics and English initially.  This ethos also extended to the admission of pupils with physical disabilities who, hitherto, may have been directed to special schools.  The building had been designed to meet the needs of these pupils by having wide doors and corridors. Initially, all the teaching areas were on the ground floor. Only one room, an art studio, was above ground floor level, and this was replicated by an additional ground floor facility.  Workshops and laboratories were also designed to cater for pupils with physical disability.

The school adopted a uniform similar to the one worn by pupils at the nearby secondary school, partly to reduce costs for parents.  The school badge, however, was distinctive.  Designed for the school by the Art and Design Adviser of Knowsley MBC, it depicted the three roses of Lancashire and the cog wheel and corn stook – to represent the industrial and rural areas around Preston from which the first pupils came. 

The comprehensive curriculum at the school’s inception attempted to provide a full range of educational experiences.  French, Classical Studies and basic Latin courses appeared on the curriculum, together with drama and debating.  The school pioneered a PSE course which was later adopted by a number of local schools.  Dance became a feature of Physical Education for both boys and girls in Year 7 – and led to the development of gymnastics.  Opportunities were created for pupils to receive instrumental tuition in Music.

The school developed close links with St. Martin's College, Lancaster, from which it benefitted considerably.

A strong and active Parents Association was developed from the outset at the school.  This offered a programme of activities for all the families associated with the school, including regular well-supported day hikes, family residential courses, plus a regular cinema programme (complete with ice creams in the interval).  Broughton tried to be a family oriented school!

 

SCHOOL HISTORY:  1997-2008

The school’s 2nd Headteacher, Mr Bob Davies, took over in January 1997 after working as Deputy Head at Alder Grange High School in Rawtenstall for 6 years 

One year after this, Mrs Judith Fawbert was appointed as Chair of Governors, a post she still holds today. Continuity and stability in these senior positions have been important factors in the school’s history.

Throughout this next phase of its development, the school looked to retain the best traditions of the past, build upon its previous successes, and develop new ideas and practices for the future.

All schools were under increasing pressure during this period to improve their external GCSE examination results in order to move up the “league tables”. Broughton did this successfully with year on year improvements, but crucially it maintained and enhanced its caring, family atmosphere and child centred approach.

The health, safety and general well-being of all its pupils was a top priority and the school was highly regarded for its inclusive approach. The pastoral care system was a real strength of the school with form tutors and Heads of Year playing crucial roles within the lives of their pupils. 

Visitors regularly commented on the warm, happy and purposeful learning environment. The school continued to be extremely popular within the Preston area and was consistently heavily over-subscribed for admission places.

The school’s achievements and developments throughout this period were recognised in 3 successful OFSTED inspections (1997; 2001 and 2007), Investors in People, Healthy Schools and Sportsmark Awards.

All pupils were constantly encouraged to “do their best” and to make the most of the vast array of extra-curricular activities on offer. Sport, music and drama were extremely popular activities which allowed pupils to develop their interests and skills to extremely high standards.

Individuals and teams had successes at town, county and international level. Many will look back at their appearance in a cup final at Deepdale as the highlight of their football careers. Two Preston North End managers made appearances in school: David Moyes was the Guest Speaker at the Annual Awards’ Evening in November 2000 and Craig Brown addressed pupils in a Year 8 assembly in February 2003. 

The school’s annual Sports Day was always a keenly contested affair and some of the Sports Day records have stood for a long time. Ex-pupil and England international athlete Helen Clitheroe spoke to pupils about her career in a whole school assembly.

Christmas, spring and summer music concerts became popular annual events together with the school band’s performance at the Preston Rotary Club’s Guildhall Concert. The school sports hall was the venue for a surprise visit and lunchtime performance by (the then unknown) pop group Atomic Kitten.

The annual drama productions provided superb entertainment for many audiences over the years: A Mid-summer Night’s Dream (1998); Hamlet (1999); Macbeth (2000); Twelfth Night (2001); Romeo (2002); Taming of the Shrew (2003); Teechers (2004); Bugsy Malone (2005); The Exam (2006); Shakers (2006);Grease (2007).

And there was also a llama drama!!!

The school was always keen to celebrate the success of its pupils and staff. Whole school and year group assemblies offered regular opportunities for such recognition and contributed to the positive atmosphere within the school. Special events and occasions such as Easter, Harvest, Remembrance Day, Divali and Ramadan were also celebrated in assemblies. Rumour has it that together with being able to use the Year 11 lounge facility, being able to sit on a chair rather than on the hard wooden sports hall floor in whole school assembly was the biggest perk of being in Year 11!

Pupils (and staff) enjoyed end of year trips to Camelot, Lightwater Valley, Drayton Manor and Alton Towers. History trips to Quarry Bank and Skipton Castle, Geography field trips to Malham and French trips toParis all gave pupils the opportunity to learn outside the classroom. Teachers willingly gave up their own time to take pupils abroad. Broughton’s exchange trip to Bonndorf was maintained and pupils had the opportunity to ski in France, Italy, Switzerland, USA and Canada. Narbonne provided the venue for a Water Sports holiday in 2001.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme continued to be an extremely popular activity in school and provided the background to many interesting and unlikely stories. The PTFA continued to provide additional funds for the benefit of pupils in school through their fund raising activities such as fashion shows, craft fairs, Summer Gala and Christmas raffle. The PTFA bought the school’s first mini bus.

Throughout this period in the school’s history, it was thanks to the dedication, professionalism and generosity of staff with their time and experience that so many pupils were able to enjoy such a wide range of events and activities. Annual events included the Talent Show, Carol Services and Concerts, Awards’ Evening, Arts & Activities Day, Year 11 Leavers’ assembly and Leavers’ Dinner (Barton Grange), Christmas Discos, Year 11 Super Learning Days, RE days, Drugs Awareness and Safety days, Health days and Maths Challenges.

Pupils were constantly reminded and encouraged to think of those people less fortunate than themselves. Enormous amounts of money were raised for a range of local and national charities including Help the Aged, Children in Need, Sports Relief, Breast Cancer Awareness, Red Nose Day and SCOPE.

And to think that all these things were going on in addition to everyday lessons in classrooms !!!

There were two particularly significant events in the history of the school during this period. The school celebrated its 25th Anniversary in September 2000 with a re-union of past pupils and staff at the Guild Hall and a PTFA barbeque and disco at school.

In September 2002 Broughton High School became Broughton Business and Enterprise College. Along with the vast majority of other secondary schools throughout the country, the school applied to become a specialist school. Following its successful specialist status application and with additional financial support from the Local Authority, the school was able to fund the building of the i centre which houses a Learning Resource Centre, an ICT room and 2 Business Studies classrooms.

A new school uniform was introduced together with a new school day and new curriculum structures at both Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4. Business Studies was taught to all pupils in Years 7, 8 and 9 and there was an increased range of Business Options for pupils in Years 10 and 11. New activities included Business and Enterprise days and an Enterprise Fair as part of National Enterprise Week.

As a result of being recognised as a high performing school nationally, Broughton was invited to apply for specialist status in another area. In September 2006 the school was awarded specialist status in Modern Foreign Languages. Additional funding allowed the school to enhance staffing, resources and activities in this area.

Like all organisations, the school endured setbacks and difficult times during this period. A gas leak resulted in a school closure for a day in April 2003 and later that year 50 windows were smashed during a weekend. The start of the 2004-05 school year was delayed by 2 weeks following a major flood which resulted serious damage to the building and resources.

The petrol crisis in 2000 and the foot and mouth outbreak in 2001 made life for everyone difficult and affected the lives of many people.

Tragically the school lost 3 of its pupils during this period. David Hodson died in hospital after an illness in July 2004 and almost one year later Philippa Brazier died suddenly in May 2005. In June 2006 the school mourned the loss of Bradley Dargavel who was killed in a road accident on the A6 near the school.

It is often during difficult times that people show their “true colours” and character. The family spirit and community feeling at Broughton shone through during these periods and enabled the school to continue to move forward with increased optimism for even greater success in the next phase of its development.

Bob Davies retired from his post as Headteacher in December 2008.

SCHOOL HISTORY: 2009 – 2014

Chris Morris was appointed as the third Headteacher in Broughton’s history taking up the post on 1st January 2009.  He began his teaching career in 1980 at a high school in Warrington - Broughton is the fifth school in which he has taught.

From day one there was a commitment to maintain the traditions and values associated with the school.  All associated with Broughton talked about the ‘special atmosphere’ and the ‘family spirit’ which, hopefully, continues to the present day.  Mutual respect prevails at all levels and appropriate, supportive relationships exist between staff, governors, parents and pupils.  People enjoy working and learning at Broughton.  Recently a visitor remarked that “it feels a very joyful school” and this is a worthy, appropriate compliment.  The climate and the atmosphere continues to be relaxed, yet purposeful.

During the last five years the number one priority has been the continual improvement of the quality of teaching and learning.  The education of children is the raison d'etre of a school and Broughton staff have always believed that the provision of high quality, engaging, stimulating lessons is absolutely fundamental.  Teachers and support staff work collaboratively to enable each and every child to enjoy and achieve in and out of lessons.

Whilst teaching and learning is given prominence, so too is the importance of a range of extra-curricular activities.  “Get Involved” is a message and an expectation.  In any one year there are over fifty extra-curricular activities.  This is such an essential, vibrant part of life here at Broughton and is what makes the school so special for pupils and their families.

In February 2012, Broughton was officially recognised by Ofsted as an “outstanding school”.  The report was especially pleasing because, not only did it recognise success in public examinations, it also highlighted the importance of the breadth of the school’s enrichment programme.  We are well aware that traditions such as the German exchange, D of E, Public Speaking, Sports Day, support for charities, Awards Evenings, Talent Show, Sports Dinners and visits abroad all add a richness to Broughton.  The level of participation in such events definitely helps to make the school what it is today.

In 2013 Broughton was designated a National Support School and the Headteacher was invited to become a National Leader in Education.  In the same year, Broughton continued its close links with the University of Cumbria (St Martin’s) and was appointed a lead school in the new teacher training and recruitment ‘School Direct’ programme. 

In 2014 Broughton was designated a Teaching School by the Department for Education.  This status will enable a Preston Teaching School Alliance to work collaboratively at primary/secondary level supporting children and schools within and beyond the City of Preston. 

As from September 2014 the school name will revert back to Broughton High School.  

The specialist school era is over and it is appropriate that the school name reflects the breadth of provision in our modern comprehensive school.

Many of the subjects introduced in the mid 1970’s still remain -Languages, Drama, PSHE – whilst a number of new ones have been added including Engineering, Computing, Business and Catering.

One noticeable difference is the amount of computer hardware and software in a modern high school.  e-Learning isan essential tool for pupils and teachers.  Blackboards have been replaced by interactive whiteboards in every teaching area.  Apart from the i-Centre building, the ‘footprint’ of the original 1970’s site is still the same.  Internally the configurations have been altered, but fundamentally it is still the same ‘low-profile’ and high maintenance (!) building.

Pupil numbers remain buoyant at over 900 and the perception remains that Broughton is still a ‘very good school’.  Broughton is regularly over-subscribed and this is a testament to the professionalism and commitment of all the staff.  The profile of the workforce has definitely changed since 1975.  56 teachers and 54 support staff are currently employed at the school and, yes, Barrie Shepherd is still here …

The staff may have changed, different generations of families may have been educated and various rooms altered, but what still remains is the family atmosphere and the importance of every child being known as an individual.  Children still enjoy coming to school at Broughton.  It is a happy, supportive learning environment.  They leave as confident, well-educated and mature young people ready to embrace all the world has to offer.