Welcome to Marling School!

When you visit us, I am sure that you will be impressed by the openness and warmth of welcome you receive. We want our students to enjoy school and I am confident that you will see how enthusiastic and engaged they are in their education and how proud they are of their school.

Our unifying statement 'We Are Marling' emphasises how important community and inclusion is to all of us and it is underpinned by our three Mission Statements that set out what we strive to do every day:

Inspiring Excellence 

We are ambitious for our students and staff so that they thrive in a vibrant, inclusive environment that provides pace and challenge. They feel safe and supported to engage with new ideas, to think deeply, to take risks and be aspirational. Inspirational teaching, with broad curricular and extracurricular experiences, foster intellectual curiosity and a passion for learning. We keep the pursuit of excellence at the heart of everything we do, demonstrating our commitment to continuous improvement. 

Building Character 

Our traditional school motto, which can be seen on the school crest, is Abeunt Studia in Mores, which we translate to mean ‘Let us go forward through study to character’. It dates from the formation of the school in 1887, yet we believe this idea serves us as well now as it did all those years ago. Our aim is for all Marlingtonians to develop a range of positive character values, including the core values of Kindness, Intellectual Curiosity and Perseverance. Marling students learn to be independent thinkers who take responsibility for their learning and their behaviour, who believe in freedom and equality and will join society as citizens of principle taking an interest in the world around them.  

Succeeding Together 

We place the wellbeing of our students and staff at the heart of our work and, through the building of positive, mutually respectful relationships create an environment where they can look after themselves and each other. We are immensely proud of, and gain strength from, our community’s diversity and have a deep commitment to ensuring we are an inclusive community for all. 

Glen Balmer, Headteacher. 

Marling School is committed to serving the community. The school recognises the multi-cultural, multi-faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom, it also understands the vital role it has in ensuring that groups or individuals within the school are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them.

It follows equal opportunities guidance which guarantees that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar. Marling School is dedicated to preparing students for their adult life beyond the formal examined curriculum and ensuring that it promotes and reinforces British values to all its students.

The Government emphasises that schools are required to ensure that key ‘British Values’ are taught in all UK schools. The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy.

The four British Values are:

• Democracy
• The rule of law
• Personal responsibility and individual liberty
• Mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

The school uses strategies within the National Curriculum and beyond to secure such outcomes for students. The examples that follow show some of the many ways Marling School seeks to embed British values.

Democracy

The principle of democracy is consistently being reinforced at Marling School, with democratic processes being used for important decisions within the school community, for instance elections for Student Council reps. The principle of democracy is also explored in the History and Religious Studies curriculum as well as in form time and assemblies. 

The Rule of Law

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at Marling School.

Students are taught the rules and expectations of the school which are highlighted by the student code of conduct and student expectations. Students are taught the value and the reasons behind laws that govern and protect us through Life Skills lessons and assemblies, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the local Schoolbeat officer help to reinforce this message. 

Individual Liberty

At Marling School, students are actively encouraged to make independent choices and are guided to help them make decisions about their future studies, in the knowledge that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment. Students are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on how to exercise these safely, for example through e-safety and Tutor Time work. The rule of law and democracy and individual liberty are specifically covered in RS at GCSE.

Marling has a robust anti-bullying culture and has in place a comprehensive Behaviour Policy.

Mutual Respect

Respect is a strong part of Marling School and is part of its Core Values. Students learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect and this is reiterated through teaching and learning environments. 

Mutual respect is embraced throughout the curriculum by providing the opportunity for students to express their views in a safe environment. This can be seen through lesson observations and during class discussions where the opinions of all students are taken into account.

Tolerance of those of different Faiths and Beliefs

This is achieved through equipping students with the ability to understand their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity within the school community. Students benefit from a number of international visitors, including students from other countries and cultures. Additionally, students are actively encouraged to share their faith and beliefs within the school and celebrate festivities throughout the calendar year. The Religious Studies curriculum, which is compulsory for all students up to KS4, provides a broad and balanced education on a range of faiths, religions and cultures. 

Marling School strives endlessly to ensure that its students leave with the strongest foundation of values upon which to build a successful life and a successful contribution to our society.

The 2nd hand uniform store exists to provide affordable 2nd hand items for Marling parents and carers. All money raised goes towards funding school projects.

• The stock will change frequently as items are sold and new items donated.
• If you need an item of uniform, please contact the school office on reception@marling.school or marlinguniform@btinternet.com.
• If you have any items to donate, please bring them to the school office or leave them in a labelled, sealed bag in the plastic crate in the school porch, outside Reception.

If you have any queries, please email marlinguniform@btinternet.com.

Thank you for your support.Marling PSA

The Old Marlingtonians' Associaton (OMA) was formed in 1925 by the former Head of Marling School  H.W. Carter (1919-1944) who was also the Association's President for its inaugural ten years.

One of the functions he wished the OMA to serve was "the providing for old boys and the School of opportunities for mutual service".

Through annual subscriptions and fundraising activities, the OMA have contributed several items towards the School including:

• the World War I and II memorial boards in the School Hall
• the lectern and oak chair in the School Hall
• the Clock Tower on the Cricket Pavillion
• the portrait of H.W. Carter to celebrate its Jubilee in 1975

More recent contributions include:

• funding the re-mounting of the stone balls on the pillars which punctuate the railings
• funding resources to protect the School archives
• paying for the restoration of the Sir Samuel Stephens Marling portrait
• funding equipment for the School Gym
• paying for the specialist IT equipment needed to support the Music curriculum

Keep up to date with what is happening at Marling School by joining the Old Marlingtonians' Association. Please complete the form below and return to Jennie Varley, Membership Secretary (jennievarley@hotmail.com)

To contact the chair of the OMA, please email John Payne -  johndurleypayne@gmail.com