Joseph Rowntree School Prospectus

the right school to grow in

THE JOSEPH ROWNTREE SCHOOL working together to achieve success

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People come first at The Joseph Rowntree School, “Performance Through People” has to be our philosophy...

WELCOME Working together to achieve success...

A culture of academic excellence and success Ofsted Inspection – A good school A vibrant, challenging and diverse curriculum

WELCOME

THE JOSEPH ROWNTREE SCHOOL

FROM THE SCHOOL COUNCIL

The Joseph Rowntree School is a successful and oversubscribed 11-18 mixed comprehensive school of over 1,200 students, with approximately 250 in the sixth form. Our school is set in extensive, attractive grounds and playing fields. We have the benefit of fantastic, state of the art facilities within our buildings which really help to support and challenge our learners in order for them to enjoy learning and make the most of their potential in a world of huge technological change.

Superb pastoral care for all learners Recognition for innovative learning programmes Foreign exchanges to France, Germany and America and trips to Kenya, Borneo, Poland, Italy and Spain Excellence in achievement in sport at County and National level Recognition for talented musicians, drama productions and musicals The ‘Healthy Schools’ Award Commitment to charities and fundraising Excellent partnerships with the community

The Joseph Rowntree School is a very caring environment where everyone works hard for the benefit of each other. Teachers and students have positive relationships which focus on students reaching their full potential in school both educationally and as people.

The school has a vibrant atmosphere and functions as one big community providing a fantastic learning environment where everyone feels part of our school.

It is our intention that students develop into mature and confident learners who get involved in all elements of life at our school and strive to make the most of their abilities. We want to enable students to develop the necessary knowledge and skills to contribute to society as members of a caring and diverse community. With this in mind we focus on delivering the best possible learning experience which caters for the needs of all learners and where individual talents are nurtured and allowed to flourish.

Choosing the right secondary school is an important decision.

The Joseph Rowntree School is a school which is going from strength to strength, and this is reflected in the Ofsted judgement of ‘Good’ for the school from the inspection in 2012 and the best ever academic results at both GCSE and A level in 2014. We are very proud of the quality of the learning experience within our school, and are determined to build upon it to provide the best possible experience for all learners.

I do hope that you will want to visit us and experience the vibrancy and enthusiasm for learning that is part of the ethos of our school. I look forward to welcoming you to our superb learning environment at The Joseph Rowntree School.

Richard Crane Headteacher

Integral to this focus on achievement and creativity are very strong guidance and pastoral care systems which ensure that all students are valued and supported. In addition, our extensive range of extra-curricular activities develops skills, interests, relationships and enjoyment of school life and learning.

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STRONG SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE The Behaviour for Learning Policy emphasises rewards for good behaviour and celebrates good behaviour and achievement We are proud of the relationships we develop in order to support students, parents and carers working together to achieve happiness and success for each student.

At The Joseph Rowntree School, our team of pastoral staff works closely with each child to ensure both the well-being and achievements of each student. It has been recognised that the quality of care, guidance and support provided makes a positive contribution to the student’s success and personal development.

The progress of our students is closely monitored and reported back to parents, from the important transitional experience of Year 7, through Key Stage 3 to GCSEs and then into the Sixth Form.

At the heart of The Joseph Rowntree School is the commitment to ensure that at all students make the best possible progress, regardless of their ability, in all subjects during their time with us.

Our award winning purpose-built facility allows new and stimulating approaches to successful learning. At the core of the school is a commitment to a high quality delivery of personalised lessons.

We offer a wide range of learning opportunities. At Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) students follow a core curriculum of English, Maths, Science, Computer Science, and a Modern Foreign Language, Art, Drama, Music, History, Geography, Religious Education and Design Technology (incorporating Food, Textiles, Resistant Materials and Graphics). Students also complete at least two hours a week of Physical Education.

At Key Stage 4 students are given a full and broad choice of GCSEs, including subjects beyond the core curriculum such as Electronics, Sociology, and Business Studies. While traditional GCSEs, especially combinations that lead to the English Baccalaureate are the most popular, we also offer a range of BTEC and Vocational Learning. All of our applied courses from Hair and Beauty to Health and Social Care meet the latest quality criteria.

At The Joseph Rowntree School, we have skilled, enthusiastic and professional teachers who encourage independence and creativity amongst all students. The quality of relationships between staff and students has consistently been praised by inspectors and parents alike and this is matched to a real commitment to ensure all students are challenged and inspired whatever their chosen pathway.

We have a very strong student council, contributing an active role in the decision making of the school. Student involvement in the school house system encourages competition and active citizenship.

We promote personal responsibility and appropriate behaviour, based on courtesy, respect for each other, high standards and moral values

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EXCITING AND SUCCESSFUL LEARNING

Students make good progress across the school and reach above-average attainment by the end of Year 11 (Ofsted)

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EXCITING LEARNING BEYOND THE CLASSROOM The Joseph Rowntree School is very proud of the extra curricular opportunities that it is able to offer its students.

• A wide variety of superb extra curricular activities are available throughout the school day, including sport, drama, music and quiz clubs.

• Students have opportunities to experience different cultures through the American, French and German Exchanges. Annual Business Studies trips abroad, enhance learning opportunities, as well as trips to Auschwitz and Majdanek, in Poland. Expeditions include trips to Mexico, New Zealand and Kenya and Borneo.

We foster strong partnerships with parents and the local community, based on a desire to promote learning and personal development

• Many additional subjects are offered to students after school, which allow students access to as wide a curriculum as possible.

• We hold annual, extremely successful trips to our residential centre in Stape, near Pickering, for the whole of Year 8.

• Every year with Technology we have many successful entries in National Award Categories.

• Students have ample opportunities to represent the school and community through a wide range of activities.

• We have extremely successful sports teams, with many of them reaching County and National levels.

• Students are given the opportunity to develop skills such as teamwork and budgeting through fundraising for activities and charities.

PERFORMING ARTS • Many students are involved at National level with the National Youth Orchestra and the National Youth Choir • Students perform in a wide range of productions, and enjoy links with York Theatre Royal through the Partnership and Educational Theatre (PET) project.

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• The Performing Arts Faculty produces two annual productions and forges close links with all of our feeder primary schools and local charities. Recent productions include; Fame, Jesus Christ Superstar, Les Misérables and the first English school performance of Avenue Q: School Edition. All enjoyed high acclaim in the Vaudeville Theatre.

• State-of-the-art facilities in the Performing Arts cluster provide students with a flexible performance space for acting, dance, musical theatre and concerts.

• The school has a ‘Showcase Stage’ of musical talent every Friday creating opportunities for students to practise live performance skills.

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Students show their musical talents on the Showcase Stage (Ofsted)

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SIXTH FORM We are proud to have a sixth form with a strong identity and clear vision, where students are inspired to achieve to the best of their ability with a lot of fun as a sixth form along the way.

• We enjoy high levels of academic success and personal achievement, teaching in a challenging but relaxed atmosphere, with an emphasis on unequivocal support and guidance for all students.

• We have an excellent record of progression into higher education, with almost all students gaining a place at their first choice institution and an increasing range of opportunities to explore alternative pathways such as apprenticeships.

• We are keen to offer a rounded experience through enrichment lessons, personal development opportunities and social occasions, to broaden the sixth form experience beyond academic achievement.

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EVERY CHILD MATTERS At The Joseph Rowntree School we: • • • •

A broad, balanced curriculum which meets all students’ learning needs, enables them to realise their full potential and achieve the best possible qualifications

promote spiritual, moral, social and cultural development embed high standards of behaviour and attitude towards learning emphasise personal development and well-being encourage the enjoyment of lifetime learning

Desired outcomes:

THE WILTSHIRE CENTRE FOR AUTISM A centre for Autistic children offers specialist teaching and care for all children on the Autistic Spectrum.

Students with autism are integrated into school but have their own dedicated accommodation comprising of learning spaces, a kitchen and a ‘chill out’ space as well as a dedicated green area with seating and beautiful planting.

A specialist teacher and additional teaching assistants work with students across the autism spectrum.

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Parents make positive comments about how well their children are supported, saying that staff are approachable and ensure that students receive exactly what they need in order to do well.

Students speak highly of the Autism Centre and the opportunities it provides for them to gain in confidence and self-esteem (Ofsted)

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• everyone understands cultures and religions which are different from their own • everyone is healthy and safe • everyone enjoys and achieves • everyone makes a positive contribution • everyone is equipped to achieve economic well-being

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OFSTED ON...

GUIDANCE Students benefit from the school’s outstanding promotion of their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

Students are supported and cared for well. The quality of care, guidance and support provided by the school makes a positive contribution to the students’ success as well as their personal development and well-being.

EXCITING LEARNING Students make good progress across the school and reach above-average attainment by the end of Year 11.

Skilled and enthusiastic teachers encourage independence and creativity amongst all the students, matching their needs and interests.

OUTSTANDING FACILITIES Students are proud of their school and feel safe within its walls.

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A caring community which supports and develops the staff and students by seeking continuously to improve the quality of education and performance

The students are polite and welcoming and comment, “It is like a second home: teachers listen to us and make us feel important.”

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Mutual respect abounds (Ofsted)

A VERSATILE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AT THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY The Joseph Rowntree School inspires learning, nurtures every student and member of staff. It is a source of pride and a practical resource for the local and wider community.

As part of Eco Schools, we educate for and practise environmental sustainability. We have ground source heating, wide spaces, green spaces, trees and lots of daylight flooding into the building.

The Joseph Rowntree School has: • total commitment to the school as the heart of the community • excellent relationships with our local feeder primaries from Year 5 into Year 7 • strong cultural links and links with local associations in the community • developing programmes for adult, life-long learning • strong support from our senior citizens in the community • mentoring and counselling programmes supported through the community • strong partnerships across York with local and world wide organisations Our students are recognised for making an outstanding contribution to the wider community. The school and its students are regarded positively and affectionately within the local community. Our facilities are there for everyone to use.

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the right school to grow in

THE JOSEPH ROWNTREE SCHOOL Haxby Road New Earswick York YO32 4BZ T 01904 552100 F 01904 760664 E joseph.rowntree@york.gov.uk W josephrowntreeschool.co.uk

working together to achieve success

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