Rainham Prospectus

Rainham School for Girls

Welcome to our School Rainham School for Girls represents a culture of high aspiration, high expectation and success.

Our aim is to provide an outstanding learning experience for all students within a safe, disciplined and caring environment.

Throughout their educational career, our students will be offered a vast range of opportunities to extend their knowledge and skills base in both curricular and extra curricular activities in order to prepare them for their future careers and for life.

Our students will engage in a learning journey which will challenge and inspire them, one which will see them progress and grow into independent, confident, respectful young people.

Partnerships with parents are valued highly and are essential to a student’s success. By sharing the same educational goals and working together, we are able to form the solid foundation needed to enable the highest levels of achievement for your daughter.

Ms K Roberts Headteacher

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“ Our school makes you believe in yourself… fantastic learning! ”

– Yasmin,Year 7

“ Teachers use their high level of subject expertise to good effect to motivate and engage students.” – Ofsted, June 2012 Page 2

Inspiring Students At Rainham School for Girls we pride ourselves on the education that we offer.

We want all of our students to • be happy • develop their interests and talents • achieve academic success • be confident, independent individuals.

We are a wide ability school catering for individual needs, talents and different learning styles. We believe in a personalised approach to learning that balances academic challenge, support for each individual and an innovative curriculum. We offer the opportunity of early entry examinations in creative and academic GCSEs, within a broad curriculum that places a high priority on literacy and numeracy which are building blocks for successful futures.

Our curriculum structure and setting arrangements are organised to ensure that all girls work at a pace that challenges them. We have a high achieving “Stellar” group, which caters for the most able of students following an accelerated curriculum. Our experienced and highly effective Learning Support Department encourages and supports students with various specific learning needs, and our well qualified, experienced staff and excellent facilities ensure that our students fully develop their individual skills and talents.

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Creativity and Challenge Creativity and challenge are key elements in our teaching, providing students with opportunities to develop their skills, knowledge and talents.

Whilst our curriculum is grounded in the expectation of good mathematical, literacy and scientific skills, which we feel are so important to adult life, we also offer flexibility and choice.

All students will take GCSEs in English, Maths and Science, and in year 9, 10 and 11 they will have the opportunity to choose additional GCSEs in which to specialise.

The wide range of courses we offer includes: • Children’s Care, Learning and Development

• Health and Social Care

• Public Services

• History

• Religious Studies

• Dance

• Hospitality

• Science – Biology

• Art and Design 2D Communication

• Drama

• ICT

• Science – Chemistry

• English Literature

• Art and Design with Fashion Design

• Law

• Science – Physics

• Film Studies and Media Studies

• Music

• Sociology

• Business

• Food Technology

• Physical Education

• Statistics

• Child Development

• French

• Product Design

• Textiles Technology

• Psychology

• Travel and Tourism

• Art and Design (Fine Art) • Art and Design (Graphic Communication)

• Geography

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“ I came here from another school. My confidence has grown and there is so much more choice in the options available.” – Jasmine,Year 10 “ The curriculum is innovative and meets students’ needs.” – Ofsted, June 2012

This variety of choice results in combinations of GCSEs which are targeted to the personal needs of the students. All are encouraged to consider a balanced curriculum leading to the English Baccalaureate.

we use a range of intervention strategies to support girls who need additional guidance. Parents can track progress through our on line parent portal.

Students are set clear, challenging targets against which their progress is reviewed regularly by their subject teachers and form tutors. This academic development is tracked through regular assessment, and

Homework is set regularly with the aim of developing independence in learning, and our able and talented strategy provides additional challenge for high attaining students.

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Care and Support We are proud of the relationships within our school and the pastoral care that we offer.

Students are supported by strong year teams which enable every girl to have a voice, and ensure that she knows who to turn to for support, whether academic, social or personal. Careful monitoring by the form tutor, year manager and director of studies ensures that any problems are dealt with swiftly. We want our students and parents to feel that we are approachable and accessible, and strive for good communication.

We see transition from primary to secondary school as vitally important.

Before transferring we liaise closely with our feeder schools to ensure that girls are placed appropriately for their individual development.

All primary schools are visited by one of our pastoral staff to offer reassurance to pupils transferring, and address any areas of concern.

Close communication with the primary school teachers and two induction days make the transfer process as smooth as possible.

We want to build students’ confidence and do so by celebrating achievement and progress, rewarding students’ successes through praise, certificates and prizes. Attendance and behaviour are monitored closely and parents are contacted promptly if there are any concerns.

“ I like it here because the teachers help you and there are friends who always support you.” – Sara,Year 8 “ Students say that they feel safe.” – Ofsted, June 2012

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“ There are friendly teachers and a positive atmosphere. Every day is enjoyable.” – Jade,Year 10 “ The headteacher has an ambitious vision for the academy… staff, students and parents and carers, attribute the rapid pace of improvement to her outstanding and inspirational leadership.” – Ofsted, June 2012 Page 7

“ The school has helped me grow from strength to strength, giving me the confidence to achieve things in and outside of the classroom I never thought possible. The teachers are so focused on helping every student achieve their potential, and beyond, it’s easy to see how all the students do so well. This time last year I never thought I would be Head Girl.” – Kerry, Head Girl Page 8

Beyond the Classroom Of course qualifications are very important, but school is about much more than examinations.

A wide range of curriculum enrichment activities enable our students to have plenty of opportunities to develop their individual interests.

Our students are encouraged to participate in creative, sporting and cultural activities. They can join a range of clubs including art, dance, drama, food, science, psychology, forensics - or even start a new club of their own. The school has a strong tradition in performing arts and our talented dancers, musicians and drama students take part in performances for their parents and peers throughout the school year.

The school offers a range of sporting activities, giving students the chance to compete at local and national level, or just for fun. Our students successfully complete the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, play netball, hockey, rugby, basketball, tennis, football, rounders, trampolining, athletics, and participate in many more activities.

Students also have the opportunity during their time in school to take on a variety of responsibilities as senior students, prefects, associate governors, peer mentors and form and year representatives. These positions enable them to develop both as individuals and as members of a team.

Educational visits are also a major feature of our enrichment and the school offers a busy programme of cultural and study trips including water sports’ and ski holidays, visits to museums and theatres as well as international travel to places such as Iceland, Rome and New York.

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A Community Working Together We pride ourselves on the caring nature of our students who recognize and celebrate talents in themselves and others, and actively support one another.

Students feel safe in our happy, supportive environment and all members of our school community enjoy working in an atmosphere of mutual respect and co-operation.

We are committed to ensuring success for all and very much value the school-parent partnership. We strive to ensure effective communication to keep parents informed about their daughter’s successes and progress.

Our Student Council is a dynamic group through which students can voice their views, make positive recommendations and thus make a valued contribution to the improvement of the school. Through the community links and charity work our students develop an appreciation of their part within the wider community.

Rainham School for Girls, itself an academy, derives strength and support from The Kemnal Academies Trust, of which it is a member. This family of schools ensures that best practices are shared, and helps ensure that we provide the high quality facilities and resources in school that your daughter deserves.

We have a strong and supportive Governing Body who are themselves representative of the local community and who help shape the strategic direction of the school.

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“ The school and teachers help you with any problems that you have.” – Rebekah,Year 11 “ Behaviour in lessons and around the academy is good and the academy is a calm and orderly place.” – Ofsted, June 2012

“ We would like to say a big thank you to all of the teachers who have supported and encouraged our two daughters over the last seven years.

The teachers have been inspirational with their guidance and commitment, being there for them both during and after school.”

– Mrs Mace, parent of Lorna and Rebecca,Year 13 Page 11

Career Pathways An 11 18 Experience We have always encouraged students to continue in education and training post-16. In the sixth form, students take greater responsibility for their own learning, acquire new study skills and become more self-motivated.

With its own enrichment and guidance curriculum, the sixth form offers students a real opportunity to achieve their potential and develop the personal qualities they need for their future lives.

Our Key Stage 4 curriculum is carefully planned to enable students to progress into the sixth form where the majority complete a two-year programme leading to level 3 qualifications. The school offers students a very wide range of courses including traditional A Levels and applied learning/vocational subjects. This in turn provides the opportunity to apply successfully for higher education, and most of our A level students progress to degree courses at university. The girls and their parents see the benefit of being part of a successful 11–18 school, and our students benefit from the opportunity of choosing from a range of over 50 A Levels.

High quality careers education and guidance supports all students in their eventual transition to employment.

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“ The teachers are passionate about us getting the grades we can achieve and push us to our full potential.” – Brittany,Year 11 “ Examples of outstanding teaching were seen and teachers have high expectations of what their students can achieve.” – Ofsted, June 2012

Rainham School for Girls

Rainham School for Girls Derwent Way, Rainham, Gillingham, Kent ME8 0BX Tel: 01634 362746 Fax: 01634 388334 Email: admin@rsg.org.uk www.rsg.org.uk