Our school is closely involved with the local community in many ways. As a Specialist School the scope of involvement as a learning centre at the heart of the community is continuing to expand.

Partnership with primary schools
We work closely with local primary schools. Our teachers work with your children before they arrive at Hazel Grove. Getting to know each child’s interest and aptitudes enables them to progress smoothly from primary to secondary schooling thereby optimising their success. Students take part in a range of activities at our school while they are still in their primary school. Examples include: a Maths and Technology Day, attendance at day-time Performing Arts event, and a Year 5 Mathematics competition.

Partnership with business
We have many points of contact with our business community including: Work experience, Industry visits, Neighbourhood Engineers, ICT training and Practice Interview sessions.

Partnership with the voluntary sector
Students are encouraged to contribute to charities and we have actively supported many projects: Beechwood Cancer Care, Age Concern, RSPCA, Stepping Hill Intensive Care Unit, Treetops, Frances House, and many more. These links are at the heart of our active Citizenship programme for which the school has gained recognition from the Department for Education and Skills. Our examples feature on DfES ‘Best Practice’ materials circulated to all schools nationally.

Preparing for the world of work
Careers Education is ongoing from Year 9 when students have their initial presentations about the breadth of opportunities available. We are proud of our links with colleges. Just as close links with primary schools provide a smooth transition on entry, so our links with colleges enables each student to select the appropriate route beyond their time at Hazel Grove. Most of our students go on to Advanced Level courses in academic subjects and vocational programmes that equip them for high level entry onto their chosen career path.

Community News
We take very opportunity to share our successes and achievements with our community. Each term we produce a comprehensive news publication that provides details of activities, events and achievements and include examples of students’ work. This is distributed to all parents. Our Community Newsletter is distributed directly to homes throughout the area.

Our Parent Teacher Association
We have a thriving Parent Teacher Association which is open to parents, teachers, students and friends of the school. As a registered charity, our Association is able to raise funds in a variety of ways for the direct benefit of all our students. Parents are asked to support the programmes and fundraising activities of the Association.

Parent Forum Meetings
We hold regular Parent Forum Meetings where we discuss issues surrounding the school. We also have ‘themed’ events where all parents are invited to attend. Themed events help parents to understand more about our school and include themes such as homework, exam preparation, uniform and attendance.

Community Neighbour Meetings
We regularly hold meetings with our neighbours in order to discuss issues that are happening both inside and outside of school. The meetings are well attended and also involve the Police Community Support Officers.

Community Open Mornings
In June 2008, we held two Community Open Mornings. The idea of this event was to give members of our local community the opportunity to come into school and have a look around - see our students at work, have a look at the departments and to also look at the major refurbishments that have taken place over the last few months. Both days were well attended and people were very impressed with the behaviour of our students and the look of the school. We aim to hold these open mornings every year.