PROSPECTUS
NURTURING TODAY’S YOUNG PEOPLE, INSPIRING TOMORROW’S LEADERS
A PROUD HISTORY
Our history traces back to Newchurch Grammar School founded in 1703
Their staff formed Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School on our current site in 1913
A proud heritage and traditional values, coupled with a forward-thinking and modern approach to education
A long track record of exceptional results and student outcomes
Strong pastoral provision
An inimitable enrichment, co-curricular and leadership programme
Consistently placed amongst the highest performing schools nationally
Progression to the world’s best universities and apprenticeships with leading employers
THE BRGS
ADVANTAGE
At BRGS we are dedicated to providing educational excellence for all of our students and committed to helping them to reach their full potential.
As an 11-18 school, students join us for a 7-year journey, progressing from the main school into sixth form to continue on their journey of world class learning.
At BRGS, we are committed to providing the best learning experience for our students and preparing them for the wider world outside of school. We deliver a knowledge-rich academic curriculum with inspirational teaching inside the classroom.
Alongside our history of outstanding academic achievement, we are also proud of the care, pastoral support and personal development opportunities we provide to our young people. Students will experience a rich leadership programme built on the foundations of sport, creativity, performing arts, enterprise and careers, and charity and social action.
Students are supported in their chosen next step, and many progress to the world’s best universities and leading employers through securing apprenticeships.
Through our vision of “Nurturing today’s young people, inspiring tomorrow’s leaders,” we aim to create an environment where all of our students can flourish and develop into confident and successful citizens.
A very warm welcome to Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School (BRGS), where we are dedicated to providing educational excellence for all of our students and committed to helping them reach their full potential. Through our vision of “Nurturing today’s young people, inspiring tomorrow’s leaders,” we aim to create an environment where all of our students can flourish and develop into confident and successful citizens.
At BRGS, we provide high standards of education with a focus not only on academic achievements, but also on the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of our students. Our Academy’s STAR values of Service, Teamwork, Ambition and Respect are at the core of everything we do and are represented in the way staff and students model themselves. We have a culture of high expectations and we continuously encourage our students to aspire to be the best they can be. This is developed through a strong and supportive system of pastoral care provided by a dedicated team of Pastoral Leaders and Form Tutors.
Our students benefit from an academic curriculum that enables them to achieve high standards and broaden their skills and experience through enrichment activities. We take a personalised approach, where students are set aspirational, but achievable targets through a curriculum pathway that meets their individual needs. We promote fundamental British values and develop students’ understanding of rights and responsibilities in a diverse and democratic society where they can make a positive contribution. Through effective leadership and efficient structures, we provide a learning environment where our students flourish feeling safe, happy and supported.
JAMES JOHNSTONE PRINCIPAL
VISION, MISSION &
ACADEMY VISION
Nurturing today’s young people, inspiring tomorrow’s leaders.
ACADEMY MISSION
To promote a culture of educational excellence, from within a caring and secure environment enriched with the values of discipline, mutual care and respect, which extends beyond the academy into the wider community.
OUR MISSION HAS THREE ELEMENTS
EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE
Excellence is achieved through high quality teaching of a knowledge-based, high-powered, academic curriculum, with the right support provided at the right time for the right children.
We will enhance the life chances of our students by enabling them to achieve great outcomes that will open future doors.
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
Our excellent pastoral care will boost children’s emotional and physical health, fostering their resilience and self-esteem so that they can enjoy life, find their talents and grow into responsible citizens.
Inclusion is at the heart of all we do. We challenge stereotypes, champion those who are disadvantaged or who have special educational needs/disabilities and provide positive memorable experiences so that students look back on their school days with pride and warmth.
SERVICE TO COMMUNITIES
We value parents as key partners in their children’s education and ensure that we engage with them, respect their perspective and support their aspirations.
We will find the best ways of supporting the communities who entrust their children’s education to us, modelling social enterprise through our leadership specialism and ensuring that Star and its students make a positive difference in the local neighbourhood.
VALUES
ACADEMY VALUES
Our STAR values are at the heart of everything we do.
S SERVICE
Being a responsible citizen in our community
T TEAMWORK Working together for excellence
AAMBITION
Aspiring to be our best
RRESPECT
Treating others as we wish to be treated
ACADEMY PRIORITIES
Our three priorities are:
Keeping our students safe, happy and well
Achieving and sustaining excellence
Building a strong Star community
STAR PLEDGE OF
EXCELLENCE
We will ensure an inclusive school culture in which your child can focus on learning, thrive personally, socially and academically and grow into a respectful, confident British citizen.
We will deliver a high-powered, knowledge-based academic curriculum with a strong core of literacy, numeracy, and digital education which prepares your child for the next stage in their education and future career.
We will provide your child with excellent teaching from well-qualified, well-trained and motivated staff who continue to benefit from high quality professional development.
We will challenge your child to achieve the best possible standards, and support them using evidence-based interventions if they fall behind.
We will engage your child in a rich and diverse leadership programme that grows character and inspires charitable and social action.
We will invite, listen and respond to your feedback so that we can work in partnership to ensure your child is happy at school and achieves their best.
PLEDGE ONE
We will ensure an inclusive school culture in which your child can focus on learning, thrive personally, socially and academically and grow into a respectful, confident British citizen.
TRANSITION
Moving on to secondary school is a major milestone in any child’s life and we work hard to make the transition process as smooth as possible. We work closely with our local primary schools so that children in Years 5 and 6 get a flavour of what we offer, through ‘taster’ events that build to a summer school in the school holiday prior to joining Year 7. In this way, we begin to build good relationships from the outset, answer questions and allay anxieties. We also aim to inspire incoming children with excitement about the curriculum and the range of activities and clubs they will have the opportunity to enjoy.
PASTORAL CARE
We will provide excellent pastoral care to help your child throughout their time at our school. We operate a form system which enables students to join with their peers and their form tutor on a daily basis. Your child’s form tutor will get to know them well as an individual and will help them to understand the school systems and expectations.
We work hard to help our students to lead healthy lifestyles and develop emotional wellbeing and resilience. A range of activities take place during the year which involve students working together as form teams, boosting their sense of identity and belonging. Your child will also be supported by their head of year, the member of staff with pastoral responsibility for the year group.
BEHAVIOUR FOR LEARNING
We know that a calm, orderly and friendly environment enables students to learn well. We have high expectations of behaviour. Our rules are fair, straightforward and applied equally to everyone. All our students are taught how to ‘Behave like a Star’ and we reward them for doing so. We take a zero-tolerance approach to bullying and disruptive or hurtful behaviour. ONE
PLEDGE ONE
ATTENDANCE
We place a high value on daily attendance. Every lesson counts on your child’s journey through their school career and the evidence is clear that avoidable absence impacts on attainment. We celebrate 100% attendance through our Star Rewards programme.
INCLUSION
Our Academy is inclusive. We have high expectations of all students, matched with high levels of support. We liaise with primary school colleagues so that we have a good understanding of children’s profiles before they join us. We provide tailored support to students with special educational needs and/or disabilities to help them flourish. We build excellent relationships with parents and external agencies to ensure that provision is as strong as possible.
WELLBEING
We pay particular attention to developing children’s emotional wellbeing and physical health through an exciting range of extra-curricular activities as well as through our subject teaching. Students take part in a range of indoor and outdoor sports and are encouraged to pursue their creative talents through our clubs which cater for a wide range of interests.
Several staff are trained mental health first aiders who offer support to children in addition to that provided by form tutors and student ‘buddies.’
SAFEGUARDING
The safety of your child is our paramount concern. All our staff are appointed following careful recruitment processes and are trained in safeguarding. We teach our students how to stay safe including when they are online. We ensure that all students know how to report any concerns.
PLEDGE TWO
We will deliver a high-powered, knowledge-based academic curriculum with a strong core of literacy, numeracy, and digital education which prepares your child for the next stage in their education and future career.
CURRICULUM
Our curriculum includes all the subjects of the national curriculum at key stage 3 (English, mathematics, science, art and design, citizenship, computing, design and technology, geography, history, languages, music, physical education). All students follow a religious studies course based on the local agreed syllabus.
The vast majority of students will complete the English Baccalaureate suite of subjects at key stage 4 (English language, English literature, mathematics, science, a foreign language and a humanities subject). All students complete GCSE religious studies at the end of key stage 4. They can also select from high-status vocational options linked to future employment. All students receive physical education at key stage 4 and some choose to take a qualification in the subject.
Our curriculum design reflects our high aspirations. We want our students to leave school with qualifications that equip them for the next stage in their learning and for future employment.
Careers education is provided for all year groups so that students understand the opportunities available to them and link their learning to potential pathways.
READING
We place a strong emphasis on reading. All students read every day in addition to their timetabled lessons.
Our Star Readers programme ensures that all students read high quality literature that expands their vocabulary and introduces them to the work of renowned authors. We use the ReadingWise intervention to support any student who has fallen behind with their reading.
NUMERACY
Students’ numeracy skills are developed through the mathematics curriculum and applied in various subjects. We aim for all students to enjoy the beauty of mathematics and to have a level of competence that prepares them for life and work in a highly numerate society.
DIGITAL SKILLS
TWO
Developing our students’ safety and competence in an increasingly digital world is a theme of our curriculum. As well as studying computing as a discrete subject, they apply their skills in many contexts.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
We encourage our students to lead healthy lifestyles in which regular exercise is a key component. Our PE curriculum introduces a range of team sports and individual fitness programmes that help students to develop physical stamina and positive attitudes using our excellent facilities.
PSHE AND CITIZENSHIP
We aim for our students to be fulfilled, responsible citizens who make positive decisions and understand the rights and responsibilities of living in a democratic society. Our PSHE programme is designed to equip them with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about their own lives, including managing their relationships, money, and career pathways.
BUILDING CULTURAL CAPITAL
We support our students’ development of cultural capital through a range of visits and experiences beyond the classroom. Our focus is on making learning vibrant, relevant and captivating. We have built relationships with a range of local and national services to give our students opportunities to explore their own and others’ heritage.
PLEDGE THREE
We will provide your child with excellent teaching from well-qualified, well-trained and motivated staff who continue to benefit from high quality professional development.
Our teachers are well-qualified subject experts who are trained to understand the most effective ways of helping children to learn. Their lessons are skilfully structured and well-paced, with emphasis placed on students’ acquisition of academic vocabulary. They use high quality resources developed collaboratively and quality assured by experts across the trust.
Lessons start promptly and include good opportunities for students to share their ideas. Independent tasks are designed to build upon the learning that has taken place in class.
Support assistants make a valuable contribution by making lessons inclusive for all students.
Our classrooms, laboratories and sports facilities are welcoming, well equipped and carefully maintained.
Remote teaching is provided for any student who is absent from school but well enough to learn. It is also immediately available to students in the case of unavoidable school closure during term time. Some after-school intervention and enrichment sessions are also delivered online.
THREE
PLEDGE FOUR
We will challenge your child to achieve the best possible standards, and support them using evidence-based interventions if they fall behind.
ASSESSMENT
During lessons, teachers continually check that students understand the concepts that they are being taught. Lessons start with ‘silent starters’ that engage students with the subject as they recall previously taught content. At the end of lessons ‘exit tickets’ are used (either in writing or verbally) to check that the students are on track. Teachers gauge students’ understanding through low-stakes quizzes and through their marking of work. At the end of each unit of work, students complete an assessment that gives the teacher a clear view of how much knowledge they have retained. Teachers provide lots of support and encouragement to take away any fear of assessment.
INTERVENTION
Teachers pitch learning high and support any students who require additional help, through interventions and approaches that are tried and tested. Students may be invited to attend additional tuition sessions at lunchtime or outside normal school hours, at weekends and during school holidays for specific purposes. These sessions are always offered as a supportive measure to meet individual needs.
We will engage your child in a rich and diverse leadership programme that grows character and inspires charitable and social action.
Our Rising Stars programme introduces students to the work of impactful historical and contemporary social leaders. In our quest to inspire tomorrow’s leaders we provide leadership opportunities that develop students’ character and spur their ambition to make a positive difference within their local community and on a wider scale.
All our students are encouraged to show leadership in different situations in order to develop civic, moral and performance virtues. They do this through our five leadership foundations: sport, creativity, performing arts, enterprise and careers, and charity and social action. Our Star Diplomas recognise students’ charitable work.
We participate in cross-trust competitions and challenges and develop partnerships with businesses to support extended projects and work experience. Students are encouraged to excel in the arts, including by creating, producing and performing their own work.
All of our students have the opportunity to join our Combined Cadet Force (CCF) which is part of the RAF Cadets. The CCF (RAF) aims to promote the qualities of responsibility, self-reliance, resourcefulness and a sense of service to the community. Activities include drill, skill at arms, field craft and first aid. Up to 40% of a cadet’s time is spent on adventurous training activities. By joining the CCF (RAF) cadets, students will also have the opportunity to get involved with volunteer and charitable work in the community. It provides a wonderful opportunity to take part in RAF themed activities and events, all of which focus on building self-disciplined individuals with self courage and a sense of worth. As a youth organisation, the CCF (RAF) strives to give cadets a fun and safe experience. There is no commitment or expectation on cadets to join the regular Armed Forces when they have completed their schooling.
FIVE
PLEDGE SIX
You are your child’s first educator. We will communicate with you regularly throughout your child’s time with us. We will keep you updated on your child’s progress via half-termly progress cards, annual reports and parents’ evenings. Half-termly reviews take place for children who may need extra support to meet their targets. If your child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, we will involve you in regular reviews of their individual plans. If you wish to raise any matters, we will listen and respond. We survey the opinions of all parents annually and use this feedback to help us improve our provision.
Parents are invited to social events and charitable activities throughout the year and we hope that these help you to feel fully included in the life of the school.
We will invite, listen and respond to your feedback so that we can work in partnership to ensure your child is happy at school and achieves their best. SIX
WHY STUDY AT BRGS?
AT BRGS, WE OFFER:
Outstanding teaching and learning provision delivered by experts who are passionate, inspirational, pioneering and highly skilled at what they do.
Exceptional teachers with a proven track record of outstanding GCSE and A level results.
A family feel. We have a strong sense of a cohesive and inclusive community where students thrive within a happy, safe and supportive environment.
A holistic educational experience with a resolute focus on strategic thinking and determination through our super-curriculum.
Outstanding teaching and learning with subject-specialists who are skilled and experienced at securing excellent results for their students.
High expectations for all, we believe that every student is capable of achieving top grades and progressing to prestigious universities, sought after degree apprenticeships and leading successful careers.
Targeted support to fulfil your potential in all subject areas, including intervention sessions and exam support to ensure that you make excellent progress.
Personalised progression pathways to support and fulfil your career goals and aspirations at every step of the way.
OUR ACADEMY
TERM DATES
BRGS will consult on the school calendar on a yearly basis but intends to operate the normal three terms per annum to fit in with Lancashire County Council’s holiday pattern and minimise disruption, particularly to parents and teachers with children in other local schools.
UNIFORM
Students are proud to wear the BRGS uniform and demonstrate this by their conduct in and outside of the school. The uniform is smart and reflects our aspirations for our students to become both business and community leaders.
CATERING AND LUNCH ARRANGEMENTS
BRGS catering service provides a varied selection of appetising school meals, all of which meet national nutritional standards. By providing our students with access to a healthy, balanced diet, we encourage them to develop sensible eating habits and give them the fuel they need to remain attentive and focused in class.
& ADMISSIONS
ADMISSIONS
BRGS is part of Star Academies. As an 11-18 progressive and inclusive community academy, the academy will consider all applications equally.
BRGS is a designated grammar school primarily for children who attend primary schools in Bacup, Rawtenstall and the surrounding areas. As a grammar school, our entire intake is selected on the basis of high academic ability.
We admit up to 180 students each year, based on their performance in our main entrance examination, which is held each September. Children must pass the entrance examination in order to be considered for a place. However, passing the examination is not a guarantee of a place due to our over-subscription criterion.
Students and parents are encouraged to attend the Open Evening to visit the school to view our fantastic facilities, speak to our staff and students, and to learn more about the BRGS experience.
OUR SITE &
At BRGS we are extremely proud of the facilities we have in which to work and learn. Set with impressive grounds, the Edwardian buildings provide an inspirational learning environment for all of our students both in the main school and sixth form. Our facilities include:
State-of-the-art classrooms and the best of modern technology
A large variety of specialised learning spaces
Excellent PE and sports facilities
Canteen
Fully-equipped science laboratories
In addition to the above our sixth form students have access to:
FACILITIES
ACADEMIES STA R
Star Academies is a mixed multi-academy trust that runs a diverse network of primary and secondary schools. We are a values-based organisation, committed to enhancing social mobility. All our efforts are geared towards raising the aspirations of children and young people in areas of social and economic deprivation to improve their life chances and help them succeed at the highest levels of education, employment and the professions.
Star Academies is one of the country’s leading education providers, and our schools promote excellence in everything they do. In every school, the entire staff team – working in partnership with parents and the local community – is committed to nurturing today’s young people and inspiring tomorrow’s leaders.
Our schools work together as Star Partnerships in five cluster areas – Lancashire, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, the Midlands and London. Schools within the Partnerships collaborate to share expertise and maximise opportunities and experiences for our students.
Star Academies employs the very best staff and invests heavily in their continuing professional development. Staff benefit from an extensive range of nationally accredited training.
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Choosing the best secondary school for your child is a crucial decision. There are many factors to consider when selecting a school that will provide your child with a great education in a supportive and caring environment. I hope that this prospectus will provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision about the next stage of your child’s education.
Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School is part of Star Academies. We are one of the leading providers of education in the country, with an established reputation for academic excellence.
At Star Academies, it is our mission to create outstanding schools that deliver the very best education to young people.
Our culture is one of aspiration and high expectations. Every child’s educational journey is of paramount importance to us and we take seriously our responsibility to shape their future life chances.
The Star family – students, parents, staff, governors and partners – is united in the pursuit of excellence that is realised in every child’s opportunity to succeed. We also want all our young people to enjoy their
school life, benefit from our vibrant extra-curricular programme and relish the leadership opportunities we provide.
We are a values-based organisation, driven by a sense of greater social purpose. Our vision of ‘ nurturing today’s young people, inspiring tomorrow’s leaders’ is at the heart of all we do. We passionately believe that schools have a transformational impact on society and we have seen the difference that a rounded, high quality educational experience can make to individuals and communities.
Thank you for considering Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School.
SIR HAMID PATEL CBE CHIEF EXECUTIVE, STAR ACADEMIES
Bacup & Rawtenstall Grammar School
Glen Road, Waterfoot, Rossendale BB4 7BJ
01706 234500 | info@brgs.staracademies.org | brgs.org.uk