A LOOK at Mansfield High School, Brierfield.

SCHOOL REPORT: Mansfield High School is making news for the right reasons! "Learning for Life" is the school's motto, and this encapsulates the spirit of the school. It aims to be genuinely comprehensive, providing a stimulating and relevant education to all students irrespective of their ability, gender, social or ethnic background. It is proud to be a multi-cultural school serving a multi-racial community.

OUR STUDENTS: The 1,200 students are intelligent, capable, diligent, committed, smart, fun, lazy and untidy -- but they are very special to us. All belong to a form group of about 25 with eight groups in each year.

HOW THEY LEARN: The students' learning is sometimes reluctant, but is usually enjoyable and exciting. We try to make it that way with a great stress on active methods of learning through investigations, problem solving and group work. We ensure that students are literate, numerate and competent in ICT, and we follow the National Curriculum. However, how students learn is more important and a consistently applied teaching and learning policy ensures a quality experience.

SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF: We are proud of our progress and achievement over the last three years. GCSE results have never been better in the school's 30-year history as a comprehensive. We have averaged 44 per cent five-plus A-C grades at GCSE and this year will exceed 50 per cent -- not bad given the ability intake! We are proud that we are recognised as being at the forefront of many educational initiatives. We are proud that students of mixed ethnic background can co-operate together despite increasing racism in the local community.

OUT OF SCHOOL: We have an unequalled record in sporting competition as shown by our "sweeping the board" in inter-school hockey this year. There are regular visits, trips at home and abroad, regular activities including dance, drama, music and leisure interests. We have a vibrant homework club and will soon launch a breakfast club. The range of extra-curricular activity is designed to provide opportunity for all students to develop new interests and talents. Above all they allow staff and students to work together in a mutual interest.

Mansfield High School seeks to be a civilising and civilised school. We are on a journey to achieve this so Brierfield will be a better place for all.