Winter 2016
The
Rutherford Review
Headlines This has been a very busy term especially with our Year 10, 11, 12 and 13 students focusing on Pre Public Exams (PPE). These exams will continue in January and all evidence indicates that attitude is everything - the better the student’s attitude to learning the better their results. We have also had our new Progress 8 data for GCSE and equivalents. This figure measures the progress students make from KS2 to GCSE. Our progress 8 score shows our students, whatever their ability, make above average progress and as a school we are in the top 25% of schools in England. This is down to the hard work of our students, staff and parents. Our Sixth Form data also shows that we add positive value to all our students.
Anti-Hate Crime Project Bedfordshire’s Anti-Hate Crime Schools’ project was launched in October at Mark Rutherford School. Students in Years 7 & 8 were trained as ambassadors and took those at the launch around the Anne Frank exhibition. They did a fantastic job – growing in confidence, developing leadership skills and learning more about Anne Frank’s story. This project is a collaboration between the Bedfordshire Police, the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Anne Frank Trust UK. The guest speaker at the launch was Anne Frank’s step-sister and Holocaust survivor Eva Schloss.
Students in Year 11 this year will be the first cohort through the new GCSEs and their outcomes will be measured with numbers from 9 to 1; 9 is the highest possible outcome and 1 the lowest. A pass for this year will be a 4 and a good pass a 5. Staff and students are working hard to gain those 5 and above. By the time Year 7 and 8 students come to sit these exams we will have 3 years’ worth of experience - the advantage of being a well-established secondary school.
PCC Kathryn Holloway said: “When Holocaust survivor Eva spoke of her experiences in a concentration camp and of how she had known Anne as a little girl and seen her diary at first hand…you could genuinely have heard a pin drop…Immediately she finished she was surrounded by pupils shaking her hand and wanting to have a selfie with her which shows the huge impact her incredibly moving speech had on those who were listening…”
It is always good to hear from past students about their successes and this year we have a theme of performance: Kane Horn dancing on the X Factor; Josh Moore at Milton Keynes Theatre, on a national tour with Strictly and Candice Brown winning The Great British Bake Off. We also have one of our current students, Miles Harcombe (Year 8), performing in the West End in the musical Matilda.
In January six of our students will now go on to be ambassadors in other schools to spread the message and to support the training of their students. Well done to all of the students involved in the project.
We are working with one of our sporting Alumni, Andy Johnson, to set up the Crystal Palace Football Academy at Mark Rutherford and we are looking forward to the growth and development of our partnership with the Northampton Saints and our Rugby academy. Our STEAM focus (science, technology, engineering, arts and maths) continues to develop and has had a real impact on the life chances of our students. We now have Arkwright engineering scholars, working with Villiers Park and Network Rail, very successful Year 9 STEM days and we are now inviting our local schools to become more involved. This links into our collaborative work with 12 lower and primary schools to show the direct pathway from Year 1 through to Year 13 at MRS. Governors and Heads have agreed to develop this collaboration at a recent meeting and by September 2019 all the students at our local lower schools, which will become primary schools, will have a direct route through to our school. These schools will appear on our admissions criteria: • Putnoe Primary • Renhold Lower • Scott Lower • Roxton Lower
• Great Barford Lower • Beauchamp Middle • Willington Lower • Wilden VA Lower
• Alban Academy • Ravensden Lower • Cople Lower • Goldington Green Academy
There are also a number of other schools now showing an interest in joining us. Other exciting developments are digital days and programming clubs in ICT, Artsmark status supporting the strengthening of Arts, performing and visual, across the school and working in partnership with the Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre as one of our chosen charities this year. As you can see Mark Rutherford School is a vibrant place to be, with many opportunities to support the students in becoming well rounded individuals who will make an extremely positive contribution to society. Have a safe and happy holiday!
Mr Richard Millard, Headteacher
History Morning On Tuesday 12th July, all Year 7 students took part in a History morning which included designing medieval shields, playing a typical game from the Middle Ages called Nine Men’s Morris and taking part in a workshop. The workshop was delivered by Peter from a company called School History Days. As part of the workshop, students were able to make medieval coins, try on armour and study genuine artefacts such as swords and clothing. All students were able to take their coins home with them and they had an enjoyable and interesting morning.
Eva Schloss
Student Ambassador
Crystal Palace Football Academy Exciting news! We will be working with ex-student Andy Johnson to bring the Crystal Palace Football Academy to Mark Rutherford School. The course will start in September 2017 and there will be 20 places for students who meet both the academic criteria and also the football skills criteria. There will be more information to follow as the final arrangements are made.
Mark Rutherford Rugby Academy Following on from the announcement regarding the School becoming a Northampton Saints Partnership School, we can now confirm that the Rugby Academy will begin for Year 12 students in September 2017. Students will select Rugby as one of their four subject options and will be focusing on developing their skills in playing, coaching and officiating Rugby. They will complete a variety of courses which will include coaching and refereeing qualifications, Sports Leaders award and First Aid, to name a few. The Level 2 Sports Leader Qualification is nationally recognised and enables learners to lead a safe, purposeful and enjoyable physical activity. The partnership will also provide students with opportunities to visit Northampton Saints' playing and training facilities and to gain access to professional staff in fields such as diet and nutrition, fitness and exercise and data analysis. This opportunity is open to current Mark Rutherford School students and also those students attending other institutions and looking to move to Mark Rutherford School Sixth Form. Mr Snowdon is available for further information.