Raising Aspirations, Delivering Excellence

Raising Aspirations, Delivering Excellence “ YOU’LL BE HARD PRESSED TO FIND A SCHOOL MORE LIKELY TO STEER YOUR DAUGHTER ON TO GREAT THINGS.” Good Schools Guide WELCOME

We are all very proud of our school Academy Trust) with seventeen schools and encouraged. We want each girl to and the way our community of across Medway and Portsmouth. These have a personalised passion for learning, students, parents, staff and governors include secondary, primary, junior and a desire to enquire, to question and to work together to provide a learning infant schools. Our Trust’s mission is think and to act responsibly. The school environment for the 21st Century. ‘Every young person in our community aims to nurture successful ways of We are educating our children for a deserves to have the best opportunities thinking and effective tools for life. world that is rapidly changing, a world at life regardless of their individual This is achieved by girls acquiring habits that we expect will be very different circumstances’. Education is the key to of excellence, developing resilience and by the time they have graduated from accessing these opportunities and we engaging with the thinking tools that university compared with the time support and develop every member of are used across the school. they join us in Year 7. This requires not our community to: only an excellent foundation of learning, • Think about their Thinking Finally and most importantly, we believe but also the acquisition of habits of • Be their Best self that every girl is unique: we endeavour flexible thinking and learning, and • Shape their Success to build on the raw talent and energy confidence in solving problems as an that your daughter brings, to enable her individual and within a team. Our In this way Thinking Schools Academy to achieve personal success. innovative curriculum is very much Trust transforms life chances. We are tailored towards meeting individual also a Teaching School and the New We look forward to working in learning needs; we expect every girl Horizons Teaching School Alliance is partnership with you over the next to achieve her full potential whilst successfully working with schools in few years. she is with us. Kent, Medway, Bexley and Portsmouth. Mrs C Brinklow BA (Hons) MSc Outstanding teaching and learning is Head of School In our last Ofsted report we were judged Wat the heart of our ethos and we have BA (Hons) NPQH Mr G Bassan to be outstanding in every category. been recognised by the Department for Director of Education We were re-accredited by Exeter Education (DfE) as a sponsor for other University as an Advanced Thinking schools. School in April 2016, having retained this status since 2010. We are part of a We all learn best when we are happy Multi Academy Trust (Thinking Schools and valued, supported, challenged

1 “ STUDENTS FEEL VERY SAFE AND WELL CARED FOR.” Ofsted A COMMUNITY OF FAMILIES

Within the school community of school and within weeks many are RGS, each girl is a member of a eager for positions of responsibility. House group. During her time in the school she will get to know Student voice is important and, most of the members of her House, in addition to their own ‘House not only in her own year group, but Council’ and ‘Student Council’, from across the school. Her daily girls are represented on numerous contact with a form tutor will be other groups and working parties, as part of a smaller division of her including the Student Thinking house community, containing Team. students from Years 7 to 12. “ THE PUPILS FEEL IT’S AN EXTREMELY We aim to nurture the whole All new students are ‘buddied’ student with our mindfulness and SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY. ‘THERE with a Year 8 mentor who can wellbeing programme and students ISN’T A PERSON WHO WON’T HELP closely relate to any worries that have access to a learning support YOU’, SAYS ONE.” Good Schools Guide they might have about settling in. manager and their Head of House to AStudents settle very well into the help them settle in.

FURTHERING EXCELLENCE

We are proud of our external – the foundations for academic examination results; we consistently success. feature amongst leading schools nationally in performance tables. Personalised pathways enable girls to access advanced level courses High quality teaching and learning, in subjects in which they choose to assessment, monitoring and tracking specialise. Of course, we recognise of student progress are at the that some girls will prefer a pathway heart of our curriculum. that allows them to consolidate their learning at a more orthodox pace. Within a secure and stimulating “ THE TEACHERS MAKE IT FUN environment we provide personal TO LEARN. THEY HELP YOU challenge and enjoyment of learning TO PERFORM TO YOUR BEST ABILITY AND IMPROVE YOUR F KNOWLEDGE IN A FUN WAY.” Rebecca, Year 7

“ TEACHING AND LEARNING ARE OUTSTANDING IN ALL YEARS.” Ofsted

5 “ ACTIVITIES FOR HIGHLY GIFTED AND TALENTED STUDENTS ARE WELL CONSIDERED AND STIMULATING.” Ofsted UNIQUE AND PRINCIPLED

Each girl has unique talents and All girls have personal passions and For girls with outstanding talents and/ abilities, though all share in the need talents, and all develop their own or academic ability, there are exciting to develop sound, enduring values. interests through our PREP programme and challenging opportunities through Our child-centred education promotes (Philosophy, Research, Experience and our Apex programme. Similarly, for not only academic achievement, but Personality) that enables particular those requiring support in their learning the development of integrity and academic interests to be demonstrated. there is a fully staffed support provision compassion. to help them gain skills and the confidence to thrive.

“ PARENTS SPEAK HIGHLY OF THE SCHOOL’S RAPID IDENTIFICATION OF AND SOLUTIONS FOR ANY LEARNING DIFFICULTIES. WHAT THEY HAVE IN COMMON, SAY PUPILS, IS THAT ‘EVERYONE REALLY U WANTS TO DO WELL’.” Good Schools Guide

7 “ WE FOCUS ON HOW TO LEARN NOT JUST WHAT TO LEARN.” A FOUNDATION FOR THINKING

To be a student at RGS is to be and critical thinking. Girls will not special. We plan for each girl to just ask “What is the right answer?” develop her thinking skills to the but “What are the different ways full so that she does not only think I could approach this problem?” about Geography, Physics or Mathematics, but learns to apply The school has introduced a her thinking to the world at large. dedicated thinking room: the Maya Angelou Thinking Suite for We provide all girls with ‘thinking quiet reading, reflection and study. toolkits’ to map and organise their Doubling up as a library, students learning experiences and are can use this facility at lunch time currently in the process of being and after school to extend and re-accredited as an Advanced enhance their learning. Thinking School for the second time. Each girl will develop habits of persistence, flexibility, open- “ COGNITIVE APPROACHES ARE SO These tools allow girls to approach mindedness and teamwork, A EMBEDDED IN THE ETHOS AND their learning in different ways. which she will carry with her They encourage flexibility, creativity beyond her time at RGS. CULTURE OF THE SCHOOL THAT IT FEELS AS IF THE SCHOOL IS DRENCHED IN THINKING!” Fiona Knapp, Exeter University Cognitive Education Development Unit

9 “ I WAS REALLY HAPPY TO JOIN RGS. THE ATMOSPHERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN FRIENDLY AND INVITING FROM THE MINUTE I STEPPED THROUGH THE DOORS.” Aaron, Sixth Former “ THE OVERALL EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SCHOOL IS OUTSTANDING STUDENTS’ LEARNING IS EXCELLENT BECAUSE THEY ARE TAUGHT BY ENTHUSIASTIC, KNOWLEDGEABLE, INNOVATIVE AND COMMITTED TEACHERS, DESCRIBED BY ONE PARENT AS ‘INSPIRING, AMIABLE STAFF’.” Ofsted

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES

The online Learning Platform (Edmodo) Within lessons girls are expected to “ WE USE COMPUTERS provides day-long year-round support be actively engaged, for example using for learning tasks and individual the advantages of the electronic white IN A LOT OF LESSONS, exploration. boards as tools for solving problems FOR ME THEY HELP TO and creating ideas. All girls develop their own personalised BRING THE SUBJECT online learning platform, used for RGS has multiple state of the art ICT TO LIFE.” exchanging views on various topics suites, along with excellent facilities Alex, Year 10 as well as for submitting work for where students can work collaboratively assessment online. using desktops, laptops and various electronic media tools to enrich their Alearning.

13 “ OUR SCHOOL GIVES US THE HELP AND INSPIRATION WE NEED TO BECOME CONFIDENT, STRONG STUDENTS.” Bella, Year 7 BEYOND THE BOUNDARIES

A school year will offer a RGS was announced as a National kaleidoscope of activities – in the Citizen Service Champion School arts, in sport, in debating, and in in August 2017. Our annual charity science and humanities events. dance show ‘Flair’ raises thousands There are also opportunities for of pounds for charity and students students to meet with adults from enjoy taking part in Charity Weeks the wider community through and events throughout the year. work shadowing, Yr12 Careers Fair, There are a vast array of guest speakers and competitions. extracurricular clubs including We also have one of the highest choirs, orchestra, drama and STEM number of students taking the Duke to name a few. All of these events of Edinburgh award at all levels in and activities are invaluable in the country. building a well-rounded individual.

“ THE SCHOOL CELEBRATES STUDENTS’ NON-ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, B KNOWING THAT THIS CONTRIBUTES TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE GIRLS’ ENJOYMENT OF SCHOOL LIFE AND TO THEIR INDIVIDUAL PERSONALITIES AND MATURITY.” Ofsted

15 “ THE POISE, FOCUS AND ARTICULACY OF SIXTH FORMERS HERE IS INCREDIBLE – IT’S LIKE TALKING TO YOUNG GRADUATE PROFESSIONALS.” Good Schools Guide TRANSFORMING LIFE CHANCES

We expect all of our students to Theory of Knowledge, complete CAS be in a position to enter our Sixth hours and a 4000 word essay in an Form, where they are joined by area of their choosing. We are very students from outside of RGS, keen proud that the Times listed RGS as to benefit from our high reputation the Top state school in the UK for IB and standards. point score in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017. Students interested in applying We have a mixed Sixth Form in for Medical School or Oxbridge have which all students are enabled a tailored programme to give them to become young adults and to the maximum chance of success in prepare for the full independence of these competitive areas. life at university and in employment. From September 2020 Sixth Form More than half of the year group students will study the unique stand for election as School Officers, “WHEN STUDENTS LEAVE THE and prestigious International and all students participate in some SCHOOL, THEY HAVE NOT Baccalaureate Diploma. As part way as role models and as leaders ONLY THE QUALIFICATIONS of the IB, students study six subjects; of the school, for example, as Tthree at Higher Level and three at academic mentors or as organisers TO PROCEED TO HIGHER Standard Level. Students also study of clubs and events. EDUCATION, BUT ALSO THE MATURITY AND INDEPENDENT LEARNING SKILLS THAT SERVE THEM WELL IN THEIR CHOSEN CAREERS AND FUTURES.” Ofsted

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES

For over 10 years RGS has been an France, Germany and Japan, also faiths and beliefs. We believe that International Baccalaureate World broaden their horizons. In 2017 RGS these values are essential for life in School, and our Sixth Form programme was awarded the British Council’s a multicultural Britain and enable expects all of our students to recognise prestigious International School Award students to understand and reflect that they are ‘global citizens’. in recognition of its work to bring the upon global issues and events in a world into the classroom. principled and balanced way, thus Students at RGS will feel part of their promoting tolerance of all groups and community of close friends, they will Students have the opportunity societies. This diversity is celebrated feel part of their House community, to embark upon World Challenge in multicultural week, as well as and they are also encouraged to feel expeditions to improve the quality assemblies and events through the part of wider communities, locally, of life of communities in less year. nationally and internationally. economically developed countries. As a school that respects global Charitable fund raising enables students At RGS, students are taught the cultures and diversity, we have a to identify with others in need of their British values of democracy, individual dedicated multi-faith prayer room for support. Cultural visits abroad, which liberty, rule of law, mutual respect and students to use during lunchtimes. Ginclude exchanges with families in appreciation of those with different “I LEARNT MORE ABOUT MYSELF IN THOSE 32 DAYS THAN I THOUGHT POSSIBLE. I GREW STRONGER AND MORE CONFIDENT AND MADE LIFE-LONG FRIENDS.” Kate Chandler talking about her World Challenge Trip 19

THINKING SCHOOLS ACADEMY TRUST

The Rochester Grammar School Our Trust comprises a number and All Faiths’ Children’s Academy of secondary and primary schools founded a Thinking Schools from Medway, Portsmouth and Deal Academy Trust (TSAT) that has that are committed to an ethos now grown into a highly successful of excellence and a whole school and respected Trust of seventeen integrated approach to cognitive schools. We believe we are education. We are passionate ‘stronger together’ and our about the difference this makes in primary aim is to improve the nurturing adaptable and resilient life chances of all our children thinkers. Indeed, through this and young people. approach to the teaching of thinking, we believe it “makes learning irresistible”.

T“THE ENTHUSIASM OF THE STAFF TOWARD A COGNITIVE APPROACH HAS OBVIOUSLY HELPED TO GENERATE AN ATMOSPHERE OF GENUINE ENQUIRY AND DELIGHT IN LEARNING AMONGST THE STUDENTS.” Professor Robert Burden (CEC Exeter University) 21 TheThe TheRochesterRochester RochesterGrammarGrammar GrammarSchoolSchool School

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