School Prospectus

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the right school to grow in

THE JOSEPH ROWNTREE SCHOOL

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WELCOME TO THE JOSEPH ROWNTREE SCHOOL We are a successful 11-18 comprehensive school of over 1200 students, with approximately 195 students in the sixth form. Our modern buildings and state of the art facilities provide an excellent learning environment and our talented and dedicated team of staff are wholly committed to the school and its students.

We offer a broad curriculum which enables students to develop knowledge and skills that lead to important qualifications and the nurturing of talents. Our extensive range of extra-curricular activities develops skills, interests, relationships and an enjoyment of school life. We are a school community where students are happy, safe and develop into well-rounded individuals.

Integral to our focus on achievement and creativity, is a strong guidance and pastoral care system; this ensures that students are valued and supported well. Upon joining the school students are assigned to one of our ‘Houses’.

The Houses are named after significant people: Muhammad Ali, David Attenborough, JK Rowling and Malala Yousafzai; names chosen by students to inspire them in their education and life. Our partnership approach to working with parents and carers helps the House teams effectively meet the needs of our young people.

In May 2017, the school was judged to be ‘Good’ by Ofsted.

We are committed to continually improving and in 2019 achieved strong results at KS4 and at Post 16.

We are proud of these measures of our success but are ambitious for the future. We continue to strive to develop the very best education for our students.

Dave Hewitt Headteacher

EXCITING AND SUCCESSFUL LEARNING 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 purpose-built facility allows new and stimulating approaches to successful learning. At the core of the school is a commitment to 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, a Modern Foreign Language, Art, Drama, Music, History, Geography, Religious Education and Design Technology (incorporating Food, Textiles, Resistant Materials and Graphics).

At Key Stage 4 students are given a full and broad choice of qualifications, including subjects beyond the core curriculum such as Sociology, and Business Studies.

While traditional GCSEs, especially combinations that lead to the English Baccalaureate are popular, we also offer a range of BTEC and Vocational Learning.

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.

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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 with parents and carers to support students. Working together we achieve happiness and individual success for each student.

At The Joseph Rowntree School, our team of pastoral staff works closely with each child to support both well-being and achievement. The quality of care, guidance and support provided makes a positive contribution to students’ 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.

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

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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 and after school, including additional subjects, sport, drama, music and quiz clubs.

• Students have opportunities to experience different cultures through the American and German exchanges.

Trips to Lake Garda with the Rugby team, Disney Land Paris with Business studies and the France and Belgium trip with languages have been recent highlights. There are many opportunities with a variety of different subjects to experience educational day trips around the country.

• Year 10 students are given the opportunity to complete a week of work experience at the end of Year 10 as part of a programme of inspiring Career Education and Guidance.

• We hold an annual residential trip in Year 8 that all students are encouraged to attend.

• We take part in The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme which provides an excellent introduction to challenging activities and voluntary service.

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

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• 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 through fundraising for activities and charities.

• Many students are involved at National level with the National Youth Orchestra and the National Youth Choir.

• 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; Blood Brothers, Bugsy Malone, Beauty and the Beast, School of Rock and Annie.

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

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AN INCLUSIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT At The Joseph Rowntree School we: • • • •

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 life long learning

Desired outcomes: • • • • •

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

THE WILTSHIRE CENTRE FOR AUTISM

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.

We have a thriving sporting scene within the Wiltshire Centre who have secured numerous trophies in several local and national competitions.

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A centre for Autistic children offers specialist teaching and care for all children on the Autistic Spectrum.

Safeguarding is highly effective Ofsted, May 2017

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SIXTH FORM We are proud to have a Sixth Form with a strong identity, clear vision and track record of success.

Students are inspired to achieve to the best of their ability whilst playing a full role in the wider life of the Sixth Form.

• We enjoy high levels of academic success and personal achievement, teaching in a challenging 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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A broad, balanced curriculum which meets all students’ learning needs, enables them to realise their full potential and achieve the best possible

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

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

The Joseph Rowntree School has: • total commitment to being a school at the heart of the community • excellent relationships with our local feeder primaries • strong cultural links and links with local associations in the community • developing programmes for adult, life-long learning • mentoring and counselling programmes supported through the community • strong partnerships across York with local and world wide organisations

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the right school to grow in

THE JOSEPH ROWNTREE SCHOOL Haxby Road New Earswick York YO32 4BZ T 01904 552100 E contact@josephrowntree.york.sch.uk W josephrowntree.co.uk @jrowntreeschool

working together to achieve success

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