Fairfax School
Motto | All of us, all of the time |
---|---|
Established | 1959 |
Type | Academy |
Executive Head | Mr A Bird |
Head | Mrs D Bunn |
Chair of Directors | Mr S Rowney |
Founder | Mr G Philpott |
Location |
Fairfax Road The Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield West Midlands B75 7JT England Coordinates: 52°33′42″N 1°47′51″W / 52.5618°N 1.7975°W |
Local authority | Birmingham |
DfE URN | 136908 Tables |
Ofsted | Reports |
Students | 1,333 |
Gender | Co-educational |
Ages | 11–19 |
Houses | Coventry, Kenilworth, Stratford and Warwick |
Colours | Black & Yellow |
MAT Website | http://fmat.co.uk |
Website | Fairfax School website |
Fairfax is a secondary school with academy status in The Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield, north of Birmingham. The school was established in 1959.[1] The school has a popular 6th Form with a new 6th Form Centre being opened in September 2013.
About Fairfax
Fairfax is a friendly learning community set in well maintained, extensive grounds on the edge of Sutton Coldfield. The School actively encourages students to fulfil their potential both academically and socially in order to maximise their opportunities in their adult lives
All Students have access to a broad, balanced and exciting curriculum, which is delivered with care and support by understanding teaching staff. The curriculum is adapted appropriately to enable those students with learning difficulties to have the widest possible access to it. The School encourages students to develop the skills the require to play an integral role in society and become valuable and responsible contributors to it.
Fairfax prides itself on its fantastic House system which was established upon its opening in 1959. This wonderful tradition provides students with the essential foundation to develop leadership skills, loyalty, responsibility as well as healthy competition in many aspects of Fairfax life.
All students are offered the opportunity to take part in many different sporting and extra-curricular activities which also helps to promote House spirit amongst the Fairfax community.
Facilities Fairfax is steeped in over 50 years of history and when funds allow, the buildings are developed to provide up to the minute facilities for the students and staff. These developments over the years include;
- Purpose Built Technology Suites
- Specialist teaching rooms
- Performing Arts suite
The Schools most recent developments include
- Canopy area
- Learning Resource Centre
- Outdoor Multi-Sporting Centre
- Dining Facilities
- Brand New 6th Form Centre (2013)
History
The School opened in 1959 the founding Headmaster was Mr G Philpott. The School became a grant maintained, under the headship of Mr R Metcalfe, it then transitioned to become a foundation school under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. The School converted to become an Academy (English school) on 1 July 2011 under the headship of Mrs S Calvert, who was appointed Headteacher in September 2006, she left in December 2011 to take up post as Headteacher at Crompton House School. Mr A Bird was appointed as the New Headteacher from the start of the Spring Term 2011/12. On 1 November 2014 Fairfax School became part of the Fairfax Multi Academy Trust, Mr Bird became the Executive Head, Mrs D Bunn was appointed as Headteacher. Bournville School is also a member of the MAT.
House System
At Fairfax, the wellbeing of each student is a primary focus and the schools vision is to enable all students to maximise their potential both academically and socially. The House system generates a sense of identity, which help students to develop leadership skills, loyalty, responsibility and healthy competition.
On Admission, students are allocated to one of the four houses
- Coventry
- Kenilworth
- Stratford
- Warwick
Each House is led by a House Director, who together with their Pupil Support Director and tutors, monitor, track and evaluate the whole-school involvement of their students. There are also peer mentors from all year groups, who work closely with students to support and guide them, as well as a team of Learning Mentors, Attendance Officers and Administrators to ensure the school day runs smoothly.
The exceptionally strong support and care of students through the House system, is the foundation to the academic success of students at Fairfax and encourages healthy competition in the following areas
- Academic – The school’s merit system rewards students for exceptional effort and achievement, At regular point throughout the year, House Directors monitor progress. At the end of the year, the points are combined towards the House Achievement Trophy.
- Sports Competitions – Students in each year group are encouraged to participate in a wide variety of sports, with House competitions taking place each week. Points for these competitions culminate in the House Swimming Gala and Athletics Day. These all contribute towards the House Sports Trophy.
- The Annual Eisteddfod celebrates creativity across the curriculum. The Eisteddfod is made up of a variety of event such as Art, Photography, Creative Writing and Music Composition. The Final events take place over two performance evenings, which is a fantastic highlight of the Fairfax Calendar.
Sports
Fairfax believes participation in team games not only provides exercise and a safe outlet for students’ energy, but also encourages team loyalty, healthy competition and self-discipline.
Fairfax on-site facilities include:
- Indoor heated swimming pool
- Gym – Complete with trampolines, rowing machines and gym equipment
- Sports Hall – complete with basketball/netball hoops, badminton nets
- Tennis Courts (Outdoor courts removed in 2011)
- Football Cages
- Indoor and outdoor Basketball/Netball Courts
- Table Tennis
- Playing Fields for rugby, hockey, cricket
Along with extensive on-site sporting facilities, the school also takes advantage of other facilities in the local area, in particular the amenities at Wyndley Leisure Centre.
Fairfax sports teams fulfil an extensive fixture list against other schools and have achieved considerable success in many sports at Area and County levels. Individual students and teams have gained numerous representative honours in area, regional and national squads. Each Year Group is given the opportunity to become involved in outdoor pursuits organised by the staff at various centres throughout the school year. These include:
- Duke of Edinburgh Award
- Skiing in Europe and America