The Chase School

The Chase School is a secondary school (ages 11–18) in Malvern, Worcestershire, England. The school opened as a Secondary Modern in 1953 under headteacher Mr Garth.[1] It was officially opened by Lord Cobham on 26 March 1955. The Chase became a comprehensive with the abolition of selective education in Worcestershire in 1974 and became an academy on 1 November 2011. Teaching students from Year 7 to Year 13, The Chase has around 1,300 students, making it one of the larger schools in Worcestershire, with just under 300 students in the sixth form.[3][2]

For the New York art school founded by William Merritt Chase, see Parsons School of Design.

The Chase School
Address
Geraldine Road

Malvern
,
Worcestershire
,
WR14 3NZ

England
Information
TypeSecondary Comprehensive. Academy Converter
MottoA school of excellence
Established1953[1]
Local authorityWorcestershire
Department for Education URN137625 Tables
OfstedReports
ChairAdrian Thompson
HeadteacherMike Fieldhouse
Staff112[2]
GenderMixed
Age11 to 18
Enrolment1,332 (October 2021) of which 275 in sixth form.
HousesBeacon (Green)  , Jubilee (Yellow)  , Evendine (Purple)  , Pinnacle (Red)  . Named after the Malvern Hills and springs.
Colour(s)Navy blue, gold   
PublicationProspectus
Twitter@TheChaseMalvern
Websitehttp://www.chase.worcs.sch.uk/

The school is located in Barnards Green, a suburb of Malvern, adjacent to the sites of QinetiQ and the Malvern Hills Science Park. Links between the school and these organisations have led to the establishment of the Cyber-security Apprentice Development Scheme, an apprenticeship initiative aimed to encourage more students into the cyber security sector.

Background

The Chase School has been a specialist schools programme Technology College since 1999, and was awarded Beacon school status in 2002.[4] The school achieved Artsmark Gold status in 2001 for excellence in art and design, drama, music, creative writing and public speaking. The Chase School is also a Language College (French, German (although German as of 2021 is no longer taught at examination level) Spanish and Japanese). The school has Sportsmark Gold status, awarded to schools by Sport England for excellent provision of Physical Education and school sport.[5]

Former headmaster Richard Jacobs started in 2013, taking over from Kevin Peck who had started in 2002. Peck was appointed when the previous headteacher retired; David Fawbert had been awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to education during his tenure. Current headmaster, Mike Fieldhouse, was appointed in 2017.[6]

A recent Ofsted inspection on 19 and 29 October 2021 rated the school 'Good' with the Sixth Form ranked as Grade 1 (Outstanding). The inspectors noted under 'What does the school need to do to improve?' required improvements that "A minority of staff do not implement the behaviour policy consistently. As a result, pupils are unsure of how adults respond to different behaviours, and so they can experience some disruption to learning. Leaders should ensure that all staff understand and consistently uphold the school’s high expectations for pupils’ behaviour." [7]

The school was named in 2019 as a computing hub for the National Centre for Computing Education.[8]

Buildings
Photograph of The Chase School. A view of the stream in front of the Science Block with the Malvern Hills in the background.

The Chase School library opened in September 2006 and was officially opened on 23 February 2007, by the now poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy. The library is situated adjacent to the main ground floor block. The science block was built and was open in 2008 and was officially opened in 2009.

In 2014 local MP Harriett Baldwin officially opened the new £1 million humanities block, a new build featuring seven classrooms.[9]

Traditions

The students of The Chase School take part in the annual "Hills Walk", a 7.5-mile walk across the Malvern Hills and the surrounding area. The walk begins at the clock tower in North Malvern, at the foot of the Malvern Hills, and finishes at the school campus on Geraldine Road, Malvern. The walk has taken place almost every year since it was started in 1977 to celebrate the Queen's Silver Jubilee.

The school supports a variety of charities and runs various fundraising events, regularly raising over £5,000 each year.[10] This includes the donation of food parcels to residents of local housing for the elderly and to food banks in Malvern.[11]

Achievements

In 2016 the school won a record eighth best team trophy at the Worcestershire Schools' Sailing and Canoeing Association (WSSCA) OnBoard Regatta.[12][13]

The school's links with local technology companies have enabled them to develop apprenticeships in cyber security. In 2015 a team representing The Chase secured the runners-up prize in the national finals of the UK Cyber Centurion Competition and second in the international competition.[14][15]

In 98/99 the year 11 football Team won the district cup. After beating Evesham High school in the semi-final the team went in to beat St Henry’s in the final played in Worcester.

The Chase achieved top marks in the 2012 Business, Accountancy and Skills Education competition run by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).[16] They have also been successful in Young Enterprise.[17]

Notable alumni

References
  1. "Schools". Window on Wedderburn. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  2. "DfE School and college performance tables". DfE. 21 January 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  3. "Ofsted Inspection Report July 2016" (PDF). Ofsted. 12 September 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  4. "Chase named a Beacon school". Worcester News. 29 May 2002. Retrieved 17 April 2008.
  5. "Ofsted Inspection Report March 2009". Ofsted. 20 March 2009. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  6. "Mike Fieldhouse takes up head's post at Chase School". Malvern Gazette. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  7. "The Chase - Ofsted inspection report October 2021". Ofsted. UK Government. 19 October 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2022. Ofsted inspection report October 2021
  8. "Teach Computing". Teach Computing. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  9. "New block unveiled at The Chase". Malvern Observer. 15 October 2014. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  10. "Dedication pays off for Chase's charities". Malvern Observer. 23 July 2015. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  11. "Chase pupils bring Christmas parcels to local elderly residents". Malvern Gazette. 17 December 2014. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  12. "Schools contest sailing prizes at county regatta with Malvern's The Chase starring at Upton Warren". Malvern Gazette. 15 July 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  13. "Record-breaking The Chase School rule the waves at county schools regatta". Malvern Observer. 11 July 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  14. "Chase students are cyber champions". Malvern Gazette. 25 April 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  15. "CADS take part in International Cyber Competition @Bletchley". 3sdl.com. 28 April 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  16. "Top marks for The Chase School – winners of the national "business game"". Midlands Business News. 25 July 2012. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  17. "Young Enterprise group top the pile". Malvern Observer. 17 May 2015. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  18. "BBC - Hereford and Worcester - Sport - on yer bike".

52.10303°N 2.31005°W / 52.10303; -2.31005

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