Richard Lander School

www.richardlander.co.uk

1 RICHARD LANDER

Richard Lander was a Cornish Tracing the course of the Niger explorer. The son of an Innkeeper, opened up valuable trade links he was born in 1804 in what later between West Africa and the rest of became the Dolphin Inn, situated in the world; trade links which still result the middle of Truro. in economic benefit, even today. Lander’sA ambition for his future MAN Richard Lander’s values are ones OF began at an early age. He wanted which fit our school very well. Our to travel the world and realised that young people are encouraged to London was the place to be, to gain be ambitious, to set the highest this experience. So at the age of standards for themselves and 9, he walked to London and soon to develop the confidence and found himself on a ship headed for leadership skills to achieve them. the West Indies. By the age of 19 he WELCOME had also sailed to the Cape of Good Like Lander, we are all charged with Hope in South Africa. making a positive contribution to FROM THE SENIOR TEAM... the VALUEworld in which we live, building Lander’s main achievement was to towards a more caring, just and trace the course of the River Niger sustainable society. Richard Lander School is founded This means our students have access in Nigeria, all the way to New Bussa on the principles of respect, hard to quality learning in all aspects of where the Richard Lander Primary work and ambition. Our aim is to the curriculum, with leading edge School now stands in recognition of enable every student to achieve to technology to support this. his work. the best of their ability and to grow in confidence, self-esteem and maturity. Parents are welcome to visit us where the Headteacher or another Through a vibrant curriculum, a member of the senior team will be AND wealth of extra-curricular activities delighted to show you and your and many opportunities to develop children around the school. You will student leadership, we ensure be given the warmest of welcomes students are well prepared for college from our staff team and our student and university beyond, keen to make body. a positive difference to the world in which they live.

Helping students become ‘the best Our aim is to they can be’, is the hallmark of all enable every AMBITION our work. So in lessons, you will find students engaged, eager to learn and student to achieve to achieve the highest of standards. Beyond the curriculum, there is a rich to the best of their offer of activities, helping students develop confidence, teamwork and ability and to grow commitment. in confidence, Like Lander, we are all charged with making Richard Lander School is also a a positive contribution to the world in which newly built school, which brings self-esteem and with it the very best in facilities and maturity. we live, building towards a more caring, just resources. and sustainable society.

2 3 Being a new school means our Drama facilities, resources and technology is Studios at the leading edge of learning. 10 2 Design & A NEW Technology Suites The quality of our building, facilities and resources enables our students to enjoy their education, achieve their Dance potential and see their five years at Studio secondary school as a very special SCHOOL journey. Our new school build is also Young people deserve the very best sensitively designed, supporting our Art & Design in life, to enable them to have the caring ethos, in which all our young Suites 10 Music people can develop confidence, Science Suites best opportunities for their future. We pride and ambition, and their sense Labs are proud and indeed privileged that of place, community and purpose. Richard Lander is a new school build, Physical activity facilities include ICT providing all our students with the very a sports hall, gymnasium, health 6 Suites related fitness suite, tennis courts best a modern education has to offer. and all weather pitch Sports Facilities

4 5 CURRICULUM OVERVIEW We believe that young people learn best when they are engaged, motivated and inspired. This should be supported by a vibrant curriculum, which enables every child to succeed, regardless of background or ability.

Our curriculum is broad and varied; it follows These skills include: the National Curriculum and allows for flexibility to meet the needs of all students in • Independent enquiry all year groups. • Creative thinking • Team work The aim of our curriculum is to ensure that all • Reflective learning students grow in confidence and experience • Self-managing academic success, enabling them to succeed • Effective participation at school, then at college and university beyond. We aim to ensure all students reach their academic potential and to enjoy their learning. Our focus is on Within this broad framework, we focus on high quality teaching in all subjects, enabling all our developing key learning skills across all young people to be ‘the best that they can be’. subject areas, which we call the ‘Personal Learning and Thinking Skills’ framework.

6 7 KEY STAGE 3

All students follow the National Curriculum and will study the following subjects: English, Maths, Science, Design Technology, ICT and Computing, Modern Foreign Languages, Geography, History, Religious engaging Education, Art, Drama, Music, Physical Education, Citizenship and Personal, Social and Health Education.

Our aim is to ensure that students receive the This enables students to develop at a pace best grounding in a broad range of academic, appropriate to their ability – with students BE creative and technology based subjects. in higher ability sets able to accelerate their This provides a secure foundation on which learning among peers of the same ability, and success at Key Stage 4 is grounded. students in lower ability sets able to develop their key skills in classes which are often Students are encouraged to develop much smaller in size. independent learning skills: to plan and creative research effectively, to manage their time and The Key Stage 3 curriculum also offers a great to make the best of their developing skills. deal of opportunity for learning outside of the classroom and this is supported through In some subjects, students are placed in lunchtime and after school clubs, trips and a class sets to match their ability - this includes wide range of further activities. THE BEST setting arrangements in English, Maths, Science, Humanities and Modern Foreign Languages. reflectiveYOU CAN BE effective Our aim is to ensure that students receive the best grounding in a broad range of academic, creative and technology based subjects. learning

8 9 options BE THE BEST YOU CANsuccess BE

development

Additional to this, students will Within the Science curriculum, Some students may opt to take a choose from a range of options students are encouraged to study the vocational course and this gives which they can also study to GCSE 3 separate Sciences to GCSE level them the opportunity to spend a day KEY level and these include: and this includes Biology, Chemistry a week working across a range of and Physics. vocational settings. History, Geography, French, Spanish, Art, Dance, Drama, Music, Alternatively, students can take The Key Stage 4 curriculum aims to Photography, Psychology, Business the Double Science GCSE award ensure that all students across the STAGE 4 Studies, Computing, Information and this gives them further scope ability range are able to thrive and to Communication Technology, Food to study a further Creative Arts or see this rewarded in the highest of Technology, Textiles, Graphics, Technology based subject to GCSE qualifications. Resistant Materials, Engineering, level. At Key Stage 4, all students follow the Physical Education. core curriculum which includes: Maths, Students who are gifted academically Students are encouraged to study a Students are encouraged, as part may take an additional GCSE English, Science, Physical Education, of their options choices, to study a qualification or study for an A/S Level language and a humanities subject, Religious Education, Citizenship and language and a humanities subject, award which is supported by Truro to ensure a broad academic core to Personal, Social and Health Education. to ensure a broad academic core to College. their curriculum. their curriculum.

10 11 GIFTED &

Every child has a special gift or talent and it is important TALENTED that we develop this potential in all our students.

Within this broad philosophy, we also Further to the curriculum, our identify our most academically gifted provision for academically gifted PROVISION students and provide a range of students includes opportunities to: opportunities to nurture and develop their potential. • Gain extra GCSEs in a range of after school classes As a result, we are proud that the proportion of Richard Lander • Gain an A/S Level qualifications, students going on to secure places delivered at Truro College at the most prestigious universities is in after school classes well above the national average. • Engage in various in-school, Our curriculum is organised so that national and international across most academic subjects, academic challenges and setting arrangements ensure that competitions gifted students are placed in top sets, where learning can be set at a • Visit various universities, including challenging and ambitious level. an annual residential trip to Oxford University Our gifted students also benefit from a range of leadership opportunities, • Take part in a range of conferences helping them to develop the skills to delivered by nationally renowned become tomorrow’s leaders. figures within education and industry This includes: The Junior Sports Leader and Junior Language Leader awards, the Youth Speaks and Mock Trial competitions, the Vinspired Leadership scheme and through the Student Leadership and Student Council forums.

Setting arrangements ensure that gifted students are placed in top sets, where learning can be set at a challenging and ambitious level.

12 13 Each student should be given the opportunity to grow in confidence and to achieve their potential.

Within this broad framework, we • Small group and one to on support those students who, for support in literacy and numeracy whatever reason, are not able to access the curriculum or who may • Mentoring provision, particularly have emotional or social needs - so for students with social or they can enjoy and thrive at school. emotional needs

Provision for students with special • College provision at Key Stage educational needs can come in a 4, providing access to a range of SPECIAL variety of forms and these include: vocational qualifications • Curriculum provision, with small Additionally, our new school build is classes and teaching assistant designed to offer an inclusive ethos support and educational provision to students EDUCATIONAL with a range of physical disabilities. • Staged examination pathways from Year Groups 9-11, so The school’s policy for Special qualifications can be gained Educational Needs and Disability can NEEDS gradually over a period of time, be found on our website and can be rather than sitting all GCSEs at the posted to parents upon request. end of Year 11 Every child at Richard Lander School is special and should experience success and reward wherever possible. Each student should be given the opportunity to grow in confidence and to achieve their potential.

14 15 This helps students to organise Our teachers welcome such their time and develop their self- feedback and will support where HOMEWORK management skills. there are issues. When homework is issued, there is Homework may come in a variety of normally a 2-4 day deadline for the forms: individual tasks to support the work to be handed in. class topic, a timed test or a project Homework is an important part of a young person’s education. which may take a number of weeks This gives students or parents time to to complete. Studies show that if students are consistent in their application to make contact with the class teacher, homework, it can add one full year’s worth of education over a 5 either via e-mail or the student This breadth of tasks supports planner, if a student is finding the students to develop their skills of year period, and improve GCSE grades by one to two grades. work difficult. self-organisation, research and project management.

We see homework as a partnership Resources may also be attached to between staff, students and parents. the Show My Homework facility, and It is important that parents are fully again this keeps parents in the loop. aware of the homework which their It also means students have an online children receive, so we have an copy of resources which may have online homework facility in place, been handed out in class when the called ‘Show My Homework’. homework was set.

Parents can use this facility to check All students will have a homework what homework has been set on any timetable, identifying which subject’s given day. homework should be completed on Breadth of tasks supports students to develop any given day. their skills of self-organisation, research and project management.

16 17 Many of our students enjoy taking From chess to creative writing, part in extra-curricular sport, music reading, climbing, art, mandarin, or drama. cooking, craft making, gardening, BEYOND THE sound and lighting, Ten Tors and Many others have a particular interest Duke of Edinburgh. in science and technology. As this provision is so extensive, it is detailed Whatever the interest, we will do our on the following pages. Here, we will best to provide something to enable CURRICULUM focus on just some of the other clubs every student to get the most out of students can get involved in. their years at secondary school.

There is always so much going on ‘beyond the curriculum’ at Whatever your child’s interests, there will be a club or activity on offer at Richard Lander School – from the many lunchtime and after Richard Lander School which they school clubs, visits and trips, special projects or focus groups. can enjoy and take part in. There really is something for everyone and a chance to make new friends and to develop new skills and interests.

18 19 BEYOND THE CURRICULUM engaging SPORT Beyond the curriculum, the school offers a wealth of opportunities for students to take part in sport, and we BE have an enviable record of success. creative Many of our students currently compete at Each term, the PE department will focus on county level, with some competing at national specific competitive sports and will take part level including: athletics, rugby, football, in county, regional and national competition rowing, BMX racing among other sports. leagues and structures.

Our purpose built facilities help to support We believe that sport and regular physical this success, including our sports hall, activity is one of the foundations which THE BEST gymnasium, health related fitness suite, astro prepare young people for a happy, healthy life. turf pitch, sports fields, tennis courts and netball courts. It also encourages a sense of team work, fair play, ambition and competition, enabling During lunchtimes and after school, the PE young people to thrive in a range of contexts, department is alive with activities and clubs both within and beyond school. including: football, rugby, hockey, netball, athletics, cricket, trampolining, tennis, table That is why we encourage all our students tennis, fencing, badminton, cross country, to take an active part in sport and physical reflective fitness clubs and much more. activity at Richard Lander School. YOU CAN effective BE learning

Many of our students currently compete at county level, with some competing at national level including: athletics, rugby, football, rowing, BMX racing among other sports.

20 21 BEYOND THE CURRICULUM DRAMA & DANCE

There are a wealth of opportunities for students to take part in extra-curricular Drama and Dance, where they can develop their creative abilities, cultural awareness and indeed, have lots of fun.

In Drama, students can take part in a range The Drama department also takes every of lunchtime and after school clubs. opportunity to welcome professional workshops to the school, giving students The highlight of every year is our school opportunities to develop their skills production, which normally sees in excess alongside lead professionals. Additional of 150 students taking part, both on-stage to this, the school organises regular and behind the scenes. theatre trips for both GCSE students and students more broadly across the school. Additional to this, students can take part in regional and national programmes such as In Dance, the school offers various the Shakespeare for Schools project, where lunch time and after school classes and students prepare a Shakespearean piece to a Twilight GCSE course is available for modern times and perform it at the Hall for students who have a high level of dance Cornwall. expertise. The school also takes part in the annual Carrick Dance performance at the Hall for Cornwall.

The Drama department also takes every opportunity to welcome professional workshops to the school, giving students opportunities to develop their skills alongside lead professionals.

22 23 BEYOND THE CURRICULUM MUSIC

There are a wealth of opportunities for students to take part in extra-curricular Music. Students who are keen to develop their musical skills can have one-to-one or small group tuition during or after school hours.

We offer this tuition in most musical The school also has several choirs, instruments such as guitar, drums, ranging from choirs which sing simply flute, violin, cello, trumpet, trombone, for pleasure, to more accomplished recorder, and many more. choral groups. Again, our choirs regularly perform on the public stage There are also various musical and have even performed at The groups which new, intermediate or Royal Albert Hall. experienced musicians can join – this includes the school orchestra, jazz The Music facilities includes two band, samba band and recorder specialist rooms and several practice group. rooms and these are well used during lunchtimes, either by students who Each of these groups regularly want to practice their particular performs on the public stage both in musical instrument or the various Cornwall and wider afield. school bands hoping to become the next major international act.

The school also has several choirs, ranging from choirs which sing simply for pleasure, to more accomplished choral groups.

24 25 BEYOND THE Greenpower Racing Team Greenpower Racing is a national Teams of students spend months CURRICULUM initiative which aims to develop at the design and build stage, then design and engineering skills. spend the rest of the year racing their Schools are given the task of building cars at various race meets across the race cars which run using sustainable southwest and further afield. energy. Each school is given a STEM set of batteries and is tasked with Our Greenpower Racing team designing, building and racing its regularly competes at the highest of own school-built car. levels and has recorded a series of STEM is a national initiative whose aim is to develop the skills of students local and regional victories. It has Richard Lander School has three race also won several national awards across Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. With a range of extra- cars running, due to the popularity of including the ‘most sustainable curricular opportunities supporting this. the school’s Greenpower project. design’ award on two occasions.

Teen Tech Award

The Teen Tech Award is a national Recent success saw our Teen Tech competition for Key Stage 3 team design playground equipment, students.Schools enter teams which when used, could create of students who are tasked with sustainable energy for households in developing a product or designing the developing world. a solution, using the core skills of Science and Technology. Our national award for this saw students invited to Buckingham In recent years, our students have Palace where they were able to won both south west awards and meet with eminent scientists and national awards at the Teen Tech designers. finals.

Stem Club

Key Stage 3 students have the opportunity to join the STEM club. This gives them access to a wide range of exciting activities and visits. Students are also able to complete various design and engineering challenges and work with mentors from industry.

26 27 markets and turn their small sum of This focuses on developing IT and money into something much larger. computer programming skills. Again, this is an excellent foundation YOUNG for budding business leaders. Whether it is the design of the next ground breaking ‘App’ or the use Richard Lander craft club make and of IT to create a more sustainable sell handmade items ranging from future, students are again developing Christmas decorations to patchwork the skills to become leaders in the ENTERPRISE quilts, laying the foundations of field of business and IT. enterprise skills.

Enterprise skills are developed across a range of projects at the Students can also enter the national Raspberry Pi competition where school. Our GCSE Business Studies students take part in the teams are set the task of designing annual Young Enterprise Awards and have had success at local a technology based product or and regional level, including success at the Young Enterprise South solution. West Awards.

Each Young Enterprise team is given It is an excellent foundation for a small amount of money to create budding business leaders and a start-up firm. They work together entrepreneurs. to design their product and then set Each team will receive a fixed sum of about producing and marketing it. Students can also take part in the national ‘stocks and shares’ scheme. money and they will work under the In doing so, they work to an agreed Each team will receive a fixed sum of business plan, set forecasts and money and they will work under the guidance of a member of staff and budgets and ensure they stay within guidance of a member of staff and this for the duration of the year. business mentors, to work the stock business mentors.

28 29 Leadership at Richard Lander Every Tutor group will have 2 School is developed in many ways members belonging to the Student and the detail below represents just Council and its membership is made STUDENT some these: Hard work, endeavour up of students from across all Year and commitment to studies are Groups. recognised through the school’s ‘Lead Learner’ award. On a termly The Student Council gives an basis, the school assesses the important perspective on school LEADERSHIP progress and attitudinal skills of life and helps shape school policy students. and practice. Lead members of the Student Council will also attend This will identify those students who some Senior Leadership Team Every one of us has the potential to do great things and to play consistently give of their best and are meetings and Governor meetings. our part in developing a just, sustainable and successful society. fine role models for other students. Students who receive the ‘Lead The school also has many students We can achieve this by developing the leadership potential of Learner’ award will be given special taking part in the Vinspired our young people, so that students are prepared and ready to privileges in recognition of their programme, an accredited scheme endeavour. which rewards students who give a leave their mark on the world. significant commitment to leadership The Student Council is another work or to local community work. example where students can demonstrate leadership skills and take on extra responsibility.

30 31 A SCHOOL AT THE HEART OF ITS COMMUNITY Richard Lander School is very much at the heart of its community in both its values and work. A vibrant and caring community lies at the heart of Cornish values, so it is our responsibility to prepare the next generation to build upon this further.

Our Vinspired initiative offers students the such as primary schools, nursing opportunity to work with community partners homes and St Piran’s Day parades. and to gain formal accreditation for this work. We also work in partnership with Hundreds of students are signed up to the the local Rotary Club to support our Vinspired initiative and this sees them working Ugandan partner schools and their local in a variety of contexts such as helping out at communities. local primary schools, visiting senior citizens at a local nursing home and organising beach This gives our students access to cleans. working with a range of professionals in the Truro district and from a range of Through this, our students recognise the age groups and business backgrounds. value of giving and the personal development which comes with it. Our Music and Drama We also have close links with the local departments will often take performance council and our local MP, and this gives groups and choirs to perform in the local our students the ability to help shape community. This includes Drama based their own community. assemblies to local primary schools and choirs which sing to a variety of audiences

Our inspired initiative offers students the opportunity to work with community partners and to gain formal accreditation for this work.

32 33 A GLOBAL SCHOOL

In the modern world, it is important that students see themselves as global citizens. Our aim is to develop young minds which are tolerant, inclusive and respectful of other cultures and beliefs.

We take valuable opportunities, within the curriculum, to ensure that global awareness is a focus of our work – both in lessons and in tutorial activities.

Richard Lander School is also the lead Cornish school in the ‘Green is Global’ international school to school project.

This initiative brings together Cornish secondary schools with their international partner schools, with a focus on developing student leadership and global sustainability values.

A recent Green is Global school conference saw over 30 schools come together at The Eden Project – which included schools from France, USA, India and Uganda.

Students also have plentiful opportunity to take part in foreign visits or student exchanges. This includes visits to France, Spain, USA and Uganda.

These visits give students a rich cultural experience as well as the opportunity to make new friends in different countries.

We take valuable opportunities, within the curriculum, to ensure that global awareness is a focus of our work – both in lessons and in tutorial activities.

34 35 The school also has a student led Our Teen Tech Science group has Environment Club which has an also enjoyed national success in active role in directing school policy designing sustainable solutions to A SUSTAINABLE with regard to sustainability issues. scientific and environmental issues. Members of the Environment Club Our work with the local Rotary Club regularly report to the school’s Senior to support communities in Uganda Leadership Team on sustainability has seen the life and health of SCHOOL issues and this ensures we maintain people benefit through improving our focus, with student voice at the water and sanitation facilities in their heart of the process. communities.

The theme of sustainability is also Through all this work, our aim is to Richard Lander School is a new school build and its design incorporates at the heart of some of our key-note ensure that our young people are many leading edge features in terms of sustainability and eco-efficiency. school projects. Our Greenpower aware of sustainability issues and Racing Team has had much success through their own leadership and This enables us to have the best facilities to support our young people’s at regional and national level, commitment, they can help to create education and to manage this in a way which is caring to the environment. designing and racing their eco- a better and more sustainable world. designed race cars.

The theme of sustainability is also at the heart of some of our key-note school projects.

36 37 PASTORAL We believe that every child is special and has something unique to offer the school and the wider community. Our aim is to nurture these gifts CARE and ensure that every student becomes ‘the best that they can be’.

In order to achieve this, the values Tutor groups will also belong to a which underpin all our work are: Learning Community and these are: respect, tolerance, trust and Godrevy, Pentire, Rame and Towan, partnership. named after Cornish headlands.

At Richard Lander School, these This creates a ‘house system’ values are seen in the way we go which again supports the notion of about our work, the way we build community. our relationships and the way we celebrate student success. Each Learning Community is supported by a full time member Ours is a happy school, a nurturing of support staff and a dedicated school and a school which builds Assistant Headteacher, whose confidence and self-esteem. On entry primary role is to ensure the welfare, to the school, students will belong to attendance and achievement of all a ‘vertical tutor group’. students.

Each tutor group has a mixture of The school also has additional students from across all year groups support staff, enabling us to offer a which means younger students nurture facility for students who may can benefit from the friendship and need it, and Parent Support Advisers mentoring of older students. who work specifically with parents and their children, where there are This also emphasizes our sense of specific issues needing support. community, where all members of the school have equal value and status, regardless of age.

Ours is a happy school, a nurturing school and a school which builds confidence and self-esteem.

38 39 Once Year 6 pupils have been allocated a This provides an opportunity for parents to give place at Richard Lander, there are a range of feedback regarding the first few weeks and to activities on offer including a 2 day induction make connections with other parents. in the summer term, where students will be able to meet their new tutor group and get to Primary schools whose designated area is PRIMARY do lots of exciting educational activities. We contained within or forms part of Richard also put on a range of projects and events for Lander School’s designated area are listed designated area primary schools, including: below. Attendance at one of these schools taster days, sporting events, musical and affords some priority for admission to TRANSITION dance projects and gifted and talented Richard Lander School in accordance with workshops. the oversubscription criteria but it should be noted that it does not guarantee a place at the At the beginning of Year 7, each student will school. be ‘buddied’ with an older member of their It is important that all students starting out at Richard Lander School, tutor group. This is one of the reasons why the Parents/carers should refer to the admission feel they know the school well before they join us in Year 7. vertical tutor system works so well, offering the arrangements on Cornwall Council’s website chance for older students to mentor new Year (www.cornwall.gov.uk/admissions) for details This will give them the confidence to start secondary school 7 students through their first year at school. of how places will be allocated. knowing they will be happy and able to thrive, both within and In the first term, parents will be able to meet beyond the curriculum. with their child’s tutor, and meet other Year 7 parents whose child is in the same tutor group.

Our Partner Schools:

Archbishop Benson School Mount Hawke Primary School Blackwater Primary School Shortlanesend School Archbishop Benson Mount Hawke Bosvigo School St. Agnes Primary School In the first term, parents will be able to Blackwater Shortlanesend ChacewaterBosvigo School St Agnes St Mary’s School meet with their child’s tutor, and meet CusgarneChacewater Community PrimarySt School Mary’s Threemilestone School other Year 7 parents whose child is in the MithianCusgarne School ThreemilestoneTruro Learning Academy same tutor group. Mithian Truro Learning Academy

40 41 The school communicates in a range of ways to Parents may contact the school, Progress Information or any specific member of staff, parents, keeping them informed about their child’s using the Student Planner, which is The school issues progress updates issued to students at the start of the to parents on a regular basis. This progress or welfare issues. academic year. includes the academic progress each child is making against the targets Parents can also contact the school set for them, as well as reports by e-mail, using the enquiries@ focusing on work ethic and key richardlander.cornwall.sch.uk work skills. This allows parents to e-mail address. praise and at times, to counsel their children, as they move through the And of course, parents can contact secondary school years. the school by telephone, which is often the swiftest and most reassuring form of day to day Merits communication. When a student has worked really Our telephone number is well or where they have shown good 01872 273750. leadership skills or teamwork, they may be issued a merit. The number The school communicates in a range of merits earned across a week of ways to parents, keeping them is communicated to parents via a informed about their child’s progress weekly e-mail. This allows for positive or welfare issues, and celebrating discussion about the week’s work at success wherever we can. the end of each week.

This includes: E-mail or Text Message

Homework More general communication may also be sent home by e-mail or text All homework is issued online message. This includes reminders through the Show My Homework about key dates such as parents’ facility, meaning parents can see evenings. what homework has been set for their children on any given day – including the deadline for its submission. An Weekly Bulletin and e-mail will also be sent to parents if School Website a piece of homework has not been completed by their child. the weekly bulletin and school website gives an update on a variety of general matters, for parent information. We also use these to celebrate the many successes, trips and wider activities our students are WORKING WITH involved in. PARENTS

We see education as a partnership between staff, students and parents. Through building positive and effective partnerships, we are best able to support every child to reach their potential.

42 43 TRANSITION BEYOND YEAR 11

Richard Lander School is located just two minutes’ walk from Truro College, so we are ideally placed to have excellent links with college staff and students. The vast majority of our students will transition to Truro College after they complete their GCSE studies, with the remaining students normally going to Cornwall College.

By the time our students reach the Both Truro College and Cornwall end of Year 11, they are very familiar College also offer a range of with the surroundings and staff of vocational courses which students both Truro College and Cornwall can follow at Key Stage 4 as part of College. their options programme.

This is supported through various Richard Lander School also employs induction days spent at both colleges a key worker whose role is to offer during Key Stage 4. These induction information, advice and guidance to days see students taking part in Key Stage 4 students, to ensure that a variety of workshops which will every student is best placed to make support their future educational the right choices for their post 16 choices. education.

Additional to this, Truro College offers our Gifted and Talented students the opportunity to follow a Critical Thinking Skills course at Key Stage 4, which leads to an A/S Level award gained by the end of Year 11.

By year 11, students are very familiar with the surroundings and staff of both Truro College and Cornwall College.

44 45 The quality of our building, facilities and FIND OUT resources enables our students to enjoy their education, achieve their potential and see their five years at secondary MORE school as a very special journey.

If you would like to know more about the school, please visit our school website at www.richardlander.co.uk

Our website will give a flavour of the ethos and values of the school. It also has lots of recent news articles and videos which our ‘Student Press Pack’ team will have produced. The website also contains further information on the following:

• School policies • Recent Ofsted report • ‘Show My Homework’ facility • Contact details at the school • School calendar

The school’s website also provides links to our school Twitter and Facebook accounts. Do join these groups to find out all the latest news stories, trips, activities and student successes.

If you would like a tour of the school with the Headteacher, please contact the Headteacher’s PA either by e-mail to: [email protected] or phone the school to arrange this on: 01872 273750.

We would be delighted to meet with you and to show you round our very happy, warm and caring school.

46 47 VISIT US ONLINE

www.richardlander.co.uk

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