The Rochester Grammar School

Transforming Life Chances

01 WELCOME

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

“YOU’LL BE HARD PRESSED TO FIND A SCHOOL MORE LIKELY TO STEER YOUR DAUGHTER ON TO GREAT THINGS.” Good Schools Guide 01 A COMMUNITY OF FAMILIES

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

“STUDENTS FEEL VERY SAFE AND WELL CARED FOR.” Ofsted 03 FURTHERING EXCELLENCE

We are proud of our external Within a secure and stimulating examination results: we consistently environment we provide personal feature amongst leading schools challenge and enjoyment of nationally in performance tables. learning – the foundations for academic success. High quality teaching and learning, assessment, monitoring and tracking Personalised pathways enable student progress are at the heart of girls to access advanced level our curriculum. This was recognised courses in subjects in which they by the CIEA who awarded RGS the choose to specialise. Of course, Excellence in Assessment Award in we recognise that some girls will December 2015. prefer a pathway that allows them “THE TEACHERS MAKE IT FUN to consolidate their learning at a TO LEARN. THEY HELP YOU more orthodox pace. TO PERFORM TO YOUR BEST ABILITY AND IMPROVE YOUR KNOWLEDGE IN A FUN WAY.” Rebecca, Year 7

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

05 UNIQUE AND PRINCIPLED

Each girl has unique talents and All girls have personal passions For girls with outstanding talents abilities, though all share in the and talents, and all develop and/or academic ability, there need to develop sound, enduring their own interests through is an exciting and challenging values. Our child-centred our PREP matters programme Higher Attainers’ Programme. education promotes not only (Philosophy, Research, Similarly, for those requiring academic achievement, but Experience, Personality) that support in their learning there is the development of integrity enables particular academic a fully staffed support provision and compassion. interests to be demonstrated. 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 WANTS TO DO WELL’.” Good Schools Guide

“ACTIVITIES FOR HIGHLY GIFTED AND TALENTED STUDENTS ARE WELL CONSIDERED AND STIMULATING.” Ofsted 07 “WE FOCUS ON HOW TO LEARN, NOT JUST WHAT TO LEARN.” A FOUNDATION FOR THINKING

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

09 “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

“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 ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES

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

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 We also have one of the highest kaleidoscope of activities – in the number of students taking the arts, in sport, in debating, and in Duke of Edinburgh award at all science and humanities based levels in the country. All of these events. There are also opportunities events and activities are invaluable for students to meet with adults in building a rounded individual. from the wider community through work experience, work shadowing and events such as ‘running your own business’.

“THE SCHOOL CELEBRATES STUDENTS’ NON-ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, 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 the prestigious International be in a position to enter our Sixth Baccalaureate Diploma programme. Form, where they are joined by Students interested in applying for students from outside of RGS, keen Medical School or Oxbridge have to beneﬁt from our high reputation a tailored programme to give them and standards. the maximum chance of success in these competitive areas. We have a mixed Sixth Form in which all students are enabled More than half of the year group to become young adults and to stand for election as School prepare for the full independence of Ofﬁcers, and all students participate life at university and in employment. in some way as role models and as “WHEN STUDENTS LEAVE THE We offer a wide range of leaders of the school, for example, Advanced Level and Cambridge as House Representatives or as SCHOOL, THEY HAVE NOT pre-U courses, in addition to organisers of clubs and events. ONLY THE QUALIFICATIONS TTO PROCEED TO HIGHER EDUCATION, BUT ALSO THE MATURITY AND INDEPENDENT LEARNING SKILLS THAT SERVE THEM WELL IN THEIR CHOSEN CAREERS AND FUTURES.” Ofsted

17 GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES

We are an International Baccalaureate exchanges with families in France, appreciation of those with different (I.B.) World School, and our Sixth Germany and Spain also broaden their faiths and beliefs. We believe that Form programme expects all of our horizons. We lead a major international these values are essential for life in students to recognise that they are Erasmus project allowing our students a multi-cultural Britain and enable ‘global citizens’. to work alongside students from students to understand and reﬂect France, Germany and Italy, exploring upon global issues and events in a Students at RGS will feel part of their local environments. principled and balanced way, thus community of close friends, they will promoting tolerance of all groups and feel part of their House community, Students have the opportunity to societies. This diversity is celebrated in and they are also encouraged to feel embark upon World Challenge the student-led annual cultural fashion part of wider communities, locally, expeditions to improve the quality show. nationally and internationally. of life of communities in less economically developed countries. As a school that respects global Charitable fund raising enables students cultures and diversity, we have a to identify with others in need of their At RGS, students are taught the dedicated multi-faith prayer room for support; cultural visits abroad include British values of democracy, individual students to use during lunchtimes. the annual international choir tours; liberty, rule of law, mutual respect and

“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 01919 THINKING SCHOOLS ACADEMY TRUST

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

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 The Rochester Grammar School

The Rochester Grammar School, Maidstone Road, Rochester, Kent ME1 3BY Tel 01634 843049 Fax 01634 818340