Excellence every day

Prospectus About our school High quality education for over three hundred years

When Robert May drew up his will The most recent incarnation, Robert May’s School, in 1694 he was making a precious gift was built in 1976 to house 670 students on its of education to future generations current West Street site. Due to its academic then unknown and unforeseen. success and to local demographic demands the Since that time several schools school grew to its current size of 1,200 students aged 11-16. of different types and sizes have continued to serve the local community In May 2012 the Secretary of State for Education in Odiham and surrounding villages granted permission for the school to become a under the Trust Deed that he set up. converter academy. The school is fully comprehensive and takes all eligible children, regardless of ability, who live in the Hart catchment area and who attend one of our named feeder schools.

The school’s ethos is characterised by an unfailing belief that all students can succeed in their chosen paths, and that each person in the learning community is capable of achieving excellence every day in whatever they do.

2 Robert May’s School AchievingProspectus excellenceevery day 3 Robert May’s School is a fully inclusive WeAbout pride ourselves on our academic success which ourWe have an outstanding trackschool record of providing comprehensive school and appears is built on the endeavours of our students and exciting and stimulating extra-curricular study regularly in tables of the top achieving the hard work and commitment of our talented visits and activities. We support emerging and elite 20% of schools in . teaching team and support staff. Our high calibre sportsmen and women and especially those who subject specialists work closely with all students perform in national squads. to ensure that they are challenged and supported Justin Rose, for example, was educated here, to achieve their potential. Lessons are varied, and we currently have the privilege of nurturing rigorously planned to meet the needs of a significant number of young sportsmen and individuals. Our students thrive in this sportswomen who will be representing our county, atmosphere of mutual trust and excellence. area or country in horse-riding, tennis, badminton, In addition to main-stream education, the school athletics, cricket, rugby, football and many more. runs a dedicated Resourced Provision for up to 12 There is a strong moral purpose to the school’s students who have Autistic Spectrum Disorder who work. Charitable fund-raising events take place are fully integrated into the life of the school. on a planned (and sometimes spontaneous) Admissions for this unit are run separately from the basis, and we work not just to improve ourselves, main school Admissions processes. This year we are but in the hope that we can enable our young very proud to announce that one of them gained people to go on and improve life for others a place at Oxford University. around them, locally, nationally and in the world. Our young people leave Robert May’s School to go on and distinguish themselves at Alton College, Farnborough College, Queen Mary’s College in Basingstoke, BCOT, apprenticeships or further training. Nearly all go even further, taking their talents on to Oxbridge, Russell Group Universities, Conservatoires, other universities, colleges and trades.

We are proud of our Chamber Choir, and visiting music professionals teach instrument and singing to all students who wish to take advantage of this opportunity. Our Drama department leads the annual school show and performers play to packed houses each year. We also run an annual entry to Rock Challenge, which gives many students wonderful opportunities to sing and dance to public acclaim.

4 Robert May’s School Prospectus 5

Transferring from and Induction

Robert May’s School serves the areas Children who are currently attending Hook Junior of Hook, , Long School (Hook), Mayhill Junior School (Odiham), Sutton, Rotherwick and Odiham, within Long Sutton C of E Primary School (Long Sutton), catchment boundaries set Greenfields Junior School (Hartley Wintney) and by County Council Whitewater C of E Primary School (Rotherwick) usually transfer directly to Robert May’s School. Education Authority. The school is often over-subscribed. In recent years some children from Old Basing and some other out of catchment areas have been successful in applying for places. The latest Admissions Policy explains to parents and carers how the priority system works when the school is over-subscribed.

During the course of the academic year our pastoral staff visit feeder schools and meet with students who will transfer to Robert May’s. In addition, we provide a Year 5 Parents’ information evening in the summer, and at least two opportunities to visit the school and see it in action during the autumn term of Year 6. Students in Year 6 come in again, usually at the end of June before transfer, for a day of learning activities and to sample life at the school.

6 Robert May’s School ApplyingProspectus for places 7 School rules and expectations

We expect all people on the school site, Good behaviour is the keystone to a successful whether students, staff or visitors to be learning environment. It is the result of teachers courteous and respectful towards each having high expectations of all our students and other at all times. This also applies to our parents working with us in support. Everyone off-site activities that take place in the studies within an environment in which positive praise has an important role. The school has school’s name. a behaviour policy which can be supplied on request. Students’ diaries contain the Home-School agreement which also outlines expectations, school rules, rewards and sanctions.

Courteous

8 Robert May’s School andProspectus respectful 9 fast-pacedThe school day andCurriculum in Years 7-9energetic We work to a compact and At present the schedule for every day except The school has a one-week timetable. compressed daily schedule. Wednesday is as follows: This means that students and staff have the This means that lessons are fast-paced security of knowing that they work to the same 08:15 Students permitted in form rooms and energetic. The positive effect of schedule each week. All students study the 08:30 Morning registration a short day is that students have time core subjects: English, Maths, Science, Physical Education, Computing and Religious Education. for after-school activities and interests 08:35 PSHCE/Assembly as well as further study and homework. 08:50 Lesson 1 Core subjects take up the majority of the timetable 09:35 Lesson 2 and are taught every week. In Years 7 and 8 10:25 Morning break students are given the opportunity to explore 10:45 Lesson 3 in more depth the following discrete subjects: Design & Technology (including Catering), Art, 11:30 Lesson 4 Music, Drama, History, Geography and two 12:20 Lunch Break European languages. Some of these subjects 12:40 Afternoon registration and Lesson 5 are delivered in a carousel and others have blocks 13:30 Lesson 6 of time to enable practical tasks to be completed. 14:20 End of Lesson 6 In Year 9, students are given the opportunity to 14:30-15:30 After school activities/sport/arts/clubs select the subjects they wish to study at GCSE level. (Mondays to Thursdays inclusive) By this time they should be starting to form some opinions about their own strengths and areas On Wednesdays slight changes in the schedule take for development. account of the extended tutorial time given for personal, social, health, citizenship and work-related learning. Lesson 6 ends at 14:20 and optional enrichment, sports and music activities continue until 15:30.

10 Robert May’s School Prospectus 11 Curriculum in Years 10-11 Support for post-16 education and beyond

InformedThe majority of students study English Literature, choicesAll students are entitled to receive careers advice English Language, Mathematics, at least two and counselling. At Robert May’s School we start sciences, Ethics and General Studies. to introduce students to the world of work and career choices through the tutorial system. Beyond this, students can choose any three further During Years 10 and 11 every student receives subjects from the following: a third science subject, at least one formal careers interview. at least one language, at least one arts subject, design technology (including engineering, catering/ In addition we benefit hugely from liaison with local, food technology, computer aided design) computing, national and international businesses who work with art and design, music, drama, physical education, us on Business Enterprise days when students from child development, history and geography. Year 9 upwards are able to experience competitive commercial scenarios. In Year 10 we support The school believes that all students should take students and their families in arranging a week of examinations in the subjects for which they are work experience, if they opt for it. This opportunity best suited and which they enjoy. We do not insist is at its most meaningful when it is related to that students select specific “English Baccalaureate” students’ career hopes or further study aspirations. qualifications but we do make sure that students In the last two years, all students in Year 11 have can take a broad and wide-reaching range of gone on to sixth-form college, qualifications. Families who wish to ensure that their or training. This is an outstanding record and one children study the Russell Group University “enabling” we aim to maintain in the future. qualifications are directed to the Russell Group guide which is called “Informed Choices” (www.russellgroup.ac.uk/informed-choices/).

12 Robert May’s School Prospectus 13 Extra-curricular activities, trips and visits Well-being, safety and safeguarding

Robert May’s School has a long tradition Subject leaders arrange study visits that Robert May’s School has always placed We have a team of Learning Support staff of ensuring that as many students as enrich and develop the whole person as well great importance upon students’ who complement the work of teachers in the possible have access to high-quality as supplying essential learning opportunities. well-being. On admission, students classroom. Their role is to make sure that learning experiences that take place In the upper school the majority of study visits are organised into tutor groups or those students who have learning difficulties both on and off-site. For many of these provide valuable time to cover field-work for forms. Care is taken to heed advice are able to develop independent learning GCSE examinations. strategies so that they succeed and are able study visits we request a voluntary from primary school colleagues about to fulfil their potential. donation to help cover costs. A regular programme of highly stimulating European helpful combinations and friendship This is part of the school’s charging exchange visits takes place, and for the last few years groups. Most form groups contain up to Lower school students benefit not just from policy and support is available for those we have been supporting students in Year 11 with 30 students. a dedicated tutor and pastoral leaders, families who might require it. a very successful and life-changing annual Camp in but also from advice and support given by Kenya. The school is a leading light in area and county volunteer Year 11 prefects and trained student music performances, and the Robert May’s School mentors. Each year group has a Pastoral Head Chamber Choir performs all over the county. Every and an assistant whose roles are to work with year before Christmas, the school production plays tutors to ensure that students enjoy their time, to packed houses for a week, to critical acclaim. work productively to their very best ability and achieve well. They are the first people to intervene if something is not going the way it should. The school employs a Family Support Worker and a school counsellor on a part-time arrangement. Students can self-refer or will be encouraged to use these services in times of need.

We also have a dedicated Student Support area where young people can go if they are troubled, unhappy or experiencing difficulties in their day-to-day lives. This is staffed by a specialist trained teacher, a counsellor and an administrator.

All colleagues are trained in child protection Enrich and safeguarding procedures that comply with national requirements and those of the Hampshire Safeguarding Children Board.

14 Robert May’s School and develop Prospectus 15 A Guide to Robert May’s Academy Trust Statutory Policies

Copies of all policies are available on request.

1. Charging and remissions 2. Behaviour 3. Sex Education 4. Special educational needs 5. Data protection 6. Health and safety 7. Admissions arrangements 8. Accessibility Plan 9. Complaints procedure statement 10. Freedom of information 11. Home school agreement 12. Premises management documents 13. Equality information and objectives 14. Staff discipline, conduct and grievance procedures 15. Child Protection policy and procedures 16. Statement of procedures for dealing with allegations of abuse against staff

In addition, the following information is published on the school website: information on the pupil premium allocation; information on curriculum provision, content and approach, by year and by subject; details of admissions arrangements; school policies in relation to behaviour, charging, and Special Educational Needs, and disability provision; links to OfSTED reports and to the Department of Education’s achievement and West Street attainment performance data. Odiham Hampshire RG29 1NA t (01256) 702700 f (01256) 703012 e [email protected] www.rmays.hants.sch.uk