For those who do not know the area, Chester-le-Street is a large market town with a strong sense of community, conveniently situated between the contrasting cities of Newcastle (11 miles) and Durham (6 miles). Communications are excellent, and areas of outstanding countryside in West Durham and Northumberland are within easy reach. A wide choice of places to live is available, with lifestyles to accommodate all tastes.

Park View is an exciting and successful 11-18 community school, which provides a stimulating, challenging, yet professionally rewarding environment in which to teach.

We are currently located on two sites. Years 7 and 8 are based at North Lodge some 1.7 miles away from the Upper School at Church Chare in the centre of Chester-le-Street, where students from Year 9 onwards are based on the site of the former Grammar School.

In the locality, the school enjoys a well-founded reputation for high expectations and achievement. Its examination results are consistently among the best in Durham. Over the past three years at GCSE our 5 A*-C average is 69% and over the same time period our 'A' level average stands at over 320 points per student.

The school has been oversubscribed since open enrolment was introduced, and receives part of its intake of 232+ from beyond its natural catchment area. The intake is well balanced both academically and socially and the students are, with few exceptions, a pleasure to teach. The school roll at present stands at 1,450 (which includes a Sixth Form of 280).

At present, students follow a broad common curriculum, although since 2002 we have been moving towards greater student choice post-14. All, bar a few less able students, study two Modern Foreign Languages and take at least one to GCSE level. Students have two hours of Physical Education each week, whilst PSHE is developed both in and beyond the formal timetable. At Key Stage 4 the school now delivers pre-vocational courses in Business, Health and Social Care, Art and Design, Media and ICT, and we have developed vocational studies / ASDAN curriculum for the less able. In the Sixth Form, most students follow traditional AS / A2 Level courses. They usually start on a four AS Level programme, but in Year 13 pursue only three A2 courses. Several OCR national general vocational courses are also well established.

Park View has a thriving shared-use scheme and the school�s relationships with its Community Association (the largest in Durham) and the community as a whole are of great significance. The Sixth Form shares facilities with the Community Association in a purpose built block which includes an exercise room, bowls hall and social area. The school also enjoys extensive provision in terms of PC networks and interactive whiteboards on both sites.

We have a reasonably stable and highly qualified teaching staff of 96 (fte). They are deployed mainly on a subject department basis, although a number of curriculum co-ordinators manage broad area teams and/or promote the development of whole school curriculum policies. Teaching staff are all provided with a personal laptop computer, and are supported by a wide range of administrative and technical personnel.

A system of personal professional review is long established and we are able to support an extensive range of professional development activities. The school is considered a pleasant and rewarding one in which to work, and career prospects for teaching staff are outstanding.

In June 2004 the school was inspected by HMI under new Ofsted arrangements, and received a glowing report. In all aspects � achievement, standards, personal development, quality of provision and leadership/management the school was rated as very good. The overall effectiveness of the school was summed up as follows:

�Park View is a very effective school. It is led with vision and energy. A strong focus on how well pupils learn shines through all activities. Park View uses thorough self-review to judge its effectiveness as a very good school which sets high standards and where pupils achieve very well in most of their subjects and progress across all year groups. This was well evidenced. The head teacher has firm grasp on the direction of the school; its strengths and its weaker areas and is supported capably by an energetic and committed senior team. The professional development of staff is outstanding, particularly so for newly qualified teachers. Planning to adapt and improve school practice is motivated by a desire to constantly improve the achievements of all pupils. Pupils respond very well and are cheerful, purposeful and keen to learn. They feel safe and well supported. The school provides very good value for money.�

Park View was designated as a Language College in September 1998 in recognition of the school�s excellent academic record and its commitment to providing an education enriched by a diversity of international, multi-lingual and vocational experiences. Our aim is �to create a Modern Languages Centre of Excellence which will equip learners of all ages with an outstanding range of linguistic, technological and personal skills, and enable them to play effective roles in an increasingly international community.� All staff can, and many do, contribute to our international programme.

The sustained academic success of the school together with our record for curriculum and professional development led to our award of Beacon School status in 2002. As the only secondary Beacon School in County Durham, we engaged in a range of development activities, to promote innovation and collaboration with other schools, the LEA, local universities and the NCSL. In 2004 we were granted Leading Edge Status, and are now working with a partner school, in less favourable circumstances than ourselves, to raise standards in both schools.

We currently (as at 5 July 2007) have the following employment opportunities:-

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