the right school to grow in
THE
JOSEPH ROWNTREE SCHOOL “ working together to achieve success “ “ People come first at The Joseph Rowntree School, “Performance Through People” has to be our philosophy...
WELCOME Working together to achieve success... WELCOME THE JOSEPH ROWNTREE SCHOOL A culture of academic excellence and success FROM THE The Joseph Rowntree School is a successful and Choosing the right secondary school is an important decision. Ofsted Inspection – A good school oversubscribed 11-18 mixed comprehensive school The Joseph Rowntree School is a school which is going A vibrant, challenging and diverse curriculum SCHOOL COUNCIL of over 1,200 students, with approximately 250 in from strength to strength, and this is reflected in the Ofsted the sixth form. Our school is set in extensive, judgement of ‘Good’ for the school from the inspection in Superb pastoral care for all learners 2012 and the best ever academic results at both GCSE The Joseph Rowntree School is a very attractive grounds and playing fields. We have the and A level in 2014. We are very proud of the quality of Recognition for innovative learning programmes caring environment where everyone benefit of fantastic, state of the art facilities within the learning experience within our school, and are determined works hard for the benefit of each our buildings which really help to support and Foreign exchanges to France, Germany and America and trips to Kenya, to build upon it to provide the best possible experience for Borneo, Poland, Italy and Spain other. Teachers and students have challenge our learners in order for them to enjoy all learners. positive relationships which focus on learning and make the most of their potential in a Excellence in achievement in sport at County and National level students reaching their full potential in world of huge technological change. I do hope that you will want to visit us and experience the school both educationally and as people. vibrancy and enthusiasm for learning that is part of the ethos Recognition for talented musicians, drama productions and musicals It is our intention that students develop into mature and of our school. I look forward to welcoming you to our superb The ‘Healthy Schools’ Award The school has a vibrant atmosphere and confident learners who get involved in all elements of life at learning environment at The Joseph Rowntree School. functions as one big community providing a our school and strive to make the most of their abilities. We Commitment to charities and fundraising fantastic learning environment where everyone want to enable students to develop the necessary knowledge Richard Crane feels part of our school. and skills to contribute to society as members of a caring Headteacher Excellent partnerships with the community and diverse community. With this in mind we focus on delivering the best possible learning experience which caters for the needs of all learners and where individual talents are nurtured and allowed to flourish.
Integral to this focus on achievement and creativity are very strong guidance and pastoral care systems which ensure that all students are valued and supported. In addition, our extensive range of extra-curricular activities develops skills, interests, relationships and enjoyment of school life and learning.
2 l THE JOSEPH ROWNTREE SCHOOL THE RIGHT SCHOOL TO GROW IN l 3 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 in order to support students, parents and carers working together to achieve happiness and success for each student.
At The Joseph Rowntree School, our team of pastoral staff works closely with each child to ensure both the well-being and achievements of each student. It has been recognised that the quality of care, guidance and support provided makes a positive contribution to the student’s 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, contributing an EXCITING AND SUCCESSFUL LEARNING active role in the decision making of the school. Student involvement in the school house system encourages competition and active citizenship. At the heart of The Joseph Rowntree School is the At Key Stage 4 students are given a full and broad choice commitment to ensure that at all students make the of GCSEs, including subjects beyond the core curriculum
best possible progress, regardless of their ability, in such as Electronics, Sociology, and Business Studies. While We promote personal responsibility all subjects during their time with us. traditional GCSEs, especially combinations that lead to the English Baccalaureate are the most popular, we also offer a and appropriate behaviour, based
Our award winning purpose-built facility allows new and range of BTEC and Vocational Learning. All of our applied on courtesy, respect for each stimulating approaches to successful learning. At the core courses from Hair and Beauty to Health and Social Care meet the latest quality criteria. other, high standards and of the school is a commitment to a high quality delivery of “ personalised lessons. At The Joseph Rowntree School, we have skilled, enthusiastic moral values We offer a wide range of learning opportunities. At Key Stage and professional teachers who encourage independence and 3 (Years 7-9) students follow a core curriculum of English, creativity amongst all students. The quality of relationships Maths, Science, Computer Science, and a Modern Foreign between staff and students has consistently been praised Language, Art, Drama, Music, History, Geography, Religious by inspectors and parents alike and this is matched to a Education and Design Technology (incorporating Food, real commitment to ensure all students are challenged and Textiles, Resistant Materials and Graphics). Students also inspired whatever their chosen pathway. complete at least two hours a week of Physical Education.
Students make good progress across the school and reach above-average attainment by “ the end of Year 11 (Ofste d)
4 l THE JOSEPH ROWNTREE SCHOOL THE RIGHT SCHOOL TO GROW IN l 5 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, including sport, drama, music and quiz clubs.
• Students have opportunities to experience different cultures through the American, French and German Exchanges. Annual Business Studies trips abroad, enhance learning opportunities, as well as trips to Auschwitz and Majdanek, in Poland. Expeditions include trips to Mexico, New Zealand and Kenya and Borneo.
• Many additional subjects are offered to students
after school, which allow students access to as wide a We foster strong partnerships with curriculum as possible.
parents and the local community, • We hold annual, extremely successful trips to our residential based on a desire to promote centre in Stape, near Pickering, for the whole of Year 8. learning and personal development “ • Every year with Technology we have many successful PERFORMING ARTS entries in National Award Categories.
• Students have ample opportunities to represent the school and community through a wide range of activities. • Many students are involved at National level with the • We have extremely successful sports teams, with many National Youth Orchestra and the National Youth Choir of them reaching County and National levels. • Students perform in a wide range of productions, and • Students are given the opportunity to develop skills enjoy links with York Theatre Royal through the Partnership such as teamwork and budgeting through fundraising and Educational Theatre (PET) project. for activities and charities. • 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; Fame, Jesus Christ Superstar, Les Misérables and the first English school performance of Avenue Q: School Edition. All enjoyed high acclaim in the Vaudeville Theatre.
• State-of-the-art facilities in the Performing Arts cluster provide students with a flexible performance space for acting, dance, musical theatre and concerts.
• The school has a ‘Showcase Stage’ of musical talent every Friday creating opportunities for students to practise
live performance skills.
Students show their musical talents on the Showcase“ Stage (Ofsted)
6 l THE JOSEPH ROWNTREE SCHOOL THE RIGHT SCHOOL TO GROW IN l 7 SIXTH FORM
We are proud to have a sixth form with a strong identity and clear vision, where students are inspired to achieve to the best of their ability with a lot of fun as a sixth form along the way.
• We enjoy high levels of academic success and personal achievement, teaching in a challenging but relaxed 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.
EVERY CHILD MATTERS
At The Joseph Rowntree School we: • promote spiritual, moral, social and cultural development “A broad, balanced curriculum which meets all students’ • embed high standards of behaviour and attitude towards learning • emphasise personal development and well-being learning needs, enables them to realise their full potential • encourage the enjoyment of lifetime learning and achieve the best possible qualifications
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 Parents make positive comments about how well their children are supported, saying that staff are THE WILTSHIRE approachable and ensure that CENTRE FOR AUTISM students receive exactly what they need in order to do well. A centre for Autistic children offers specialist teaching
and care for all children on the Autistic Spectrum. Students speak highly of the Autism Centre and the
Students with autism are integrated into school but have their own dedicated accommodation comprising of learning spaces, a opportunities it provides for kitchen and a ‘chill out’ space as well as a dedicated green area them to gain in confidence with seating and beautiful planting. “ and self-esteem (Ofsted) A specialist teacher and additional teaching assistants work with students across the autism spectrum.
8 l THE JOSEPH ROWNTREE SCHOOL THE RIGHT SCHOOL TO GROW IN l 9 OFSTED ON...
GUIDANCE Students benefit from the school’s outstanding promotion of their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Students are supported and cared for well. The quality of care, guidance and support provided by the school makes a positive contribution to the students’ success as well as their personal development and well-being.
EXCITING LEARNING Students make good progress across the school and reach above-average attainment by the end of Year 11. Skilled and enthusiastic teachers encourage independence “A caring community and creativity amongst all the students, matching their needs which supports and develops and interests. the staff and students by seeking OUTSTANDING FACILITIES continuously to improve the quality
Students are proud of their school and feel safe within of education and performance its walls.
The students are polite and welcoming and comment, “It is like a second home: teachers listen to us and make us feel important.” Mutual respect abounds (Ofsted)“ A VERSATILE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AT THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY
The Joseph Rowntree School inspires learning, The Joseph Rowntree School has: nurtures every student and member of staff. It is a • total commitment to the school as the heart of the source of pride and a practical resource for the local community and wider community. • excellent relationships with our local feeder primaries from Year 5 into Year 7 As part of Eco Schools, we educate for and practise environmental sustainability. We have ground source heating, • strong cultural links and links with local associations in wide spaces, green spaces, trees and lots of daylight flooding the community into the building. • developing programmes for adult, life-long learning • strong support from our senior citizens in the community • mentoring and counselling programmes supported through the community • strong partnerships across York with local and world wide organisations
Our students are recognised for making an outstanding contribution to the wider community. The school and its students are regarded positively and affectionately within the local community. Our facilities are there for everyone to use.
10 l THE JOSEPH ROWNTREE SCHOOL THE RIGHT SCHOOL TO GROW IN l 11 the right school to grow in
THE JOSEPH ROWNTREE SCHOOL Haxby Road New Earswick York YO32 4BZ
T 01904 552100 F 01904 760664
W josephrowntreeschool.co.uk “ working together to achieve success “