Roundwood Park School Learning | Integrity | Friendship | Excellence ‘Thanks for being so in touch with your students and helping them on their educational journey’ Year 10 Parent Welcome to Roundwood Park A very warm welcome to Roundwood Park School. Thank you for reading our prospectus which is intended to give you an introduction to our school.

As a school graded Outstanding by ‘Aspire’ develops learning habits which, in OFSTED, we were one of the first schools addition to knowledge, allow our students to in the county to convert to Academy become resilient, resourceful and creative status in 2011. as they develop as learners. They develop Roundwood Park is a school with a strong these habits not only in their lessons but in reputation as an innovative and exciting the many extra-curricular opportunities, place in which to learn and to teach. It is sporting and musical events and on trips and a place where traditional values of smart visits within the UK or abroad which we offer. appearance, excellent behaviour and LIFE at Roundwood Park is greatly acting with integrity mingle with modern enhanced by our vibrant and modern house learning and high academic standards. system which offers a fresh approach to a Our clear definition of the characteristics spirit of friendly competition and ensures of the Roundwood Park leaver as a happy that we are an outward-facing and caring young adult who is not only well-qualified, community through the money that we raise but also a well-rounded individual, means for charity each year. that students leave us with optimism, The students and staff of Roundwood Park self-confidence and a desire to change always offer a warm welcome to visitors and the world for the better. there is always so much going on. Why not The key to our success lies in our visit us to experience LIFE at Roundwood ‘Aspire’ programme, which builds on the Park for yourself? We are confident that you many years of experience of teaching will be inspired by what you see. students from and its Alan Henshall surrounding villages. Headteacher

Roundwood Park School 01 LEARNING INTEGRITY FRIENDSHIP EXCELLENCE ‘Life’ at Roundwood Park To be successful, to acquire and retain knowledge, to be skilful in what we do, we take pride in our key values:

ENJOY LEARNING SHOW INTEGRITY NURTURE FRIENDSHIP STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE Developing a passion for Demonstrating Encouraging teamwork Achieving exemplary creativity and lifelong learning honesty and fairness and mutual respect standards

02 Roundwood Park School ‘I can only marvel at their good fortune, attending such a great school with such passionate staff.’ Year 9 Parent

Roundwood Park School 03 ‘Thank you for the support, care and education that you and your excellent team gave my daughter throughout her secondary schooling.’ Year 13 Parent

04 Roundwood Park School The curriculum Familiarity and confidence with literacy and numeracy, combined with good communication skills, are essential in today’s world. Roundwood Park’s expertise in Maths & Computing has enabled us to take full advantage of the new and fast-moving developments in modern technology.

In order to achieve this, we provide a curriculum which: • Is consistent with the requirements of • Promotes a commitment to lifelong the National Curriculum but also learning and learning for life. develops learning habits to last a lifetime. • Fosters scientific, technological, sporting, • Promotes and supports the ability of our aesthetic and cultural achievement. students to make the right choices, enjoy, • Gives the students a sense of success achieve and attain economic wellbeing. through their achievements. • Promotes and supports “inclusion” at • Encourages students to appreciate all Key Stages. and admire the achievements of others, • Is perceived by students to be both in the school community and in the challenging, inspiring and relevant wider world. to their preparation for adult life. • Provides active and full co-operation • Is broad, balanced and develops between home, school and the community. knowledge and understanding regardless • Provides a wealth of cross-curricular of ability, gender, ethnic origin or social activities in terms of clubs, trips, events background. and performances, which are open to • Encourages a spirit of enquiry and an all students. ethos where we have high expectations of all our students.

Roundwood Park School 05 Fulfilling potential At Roundwood Park we aim to help every student fulfill their potential by offering the widest possible range of opportunities. The curriculum is subject to constant review to keep abreast of educational developments.

The first three years, Years 7 to 9, provide There are also thirteen specialist computer a solid foundation of learning in all subject rooms and online access to IT facilities areas, building on the knowledge, skills and throughout the school using the whole school understanding acquired at primary school. network and Wi-Fi. In Years 10 and 11 all students continue with The Library is a very important part of the the essential core curriculum of English, school. As well as a large stock of fiction, Mathematics, Science, PE, Philosophy, reference and information books, it offers Religion and Ethics (PRE) and PSHCE; newspapers, magazines, a Careers and nearly all students will continue to learn Higher Education area and access to the a modern foreign language and are able school network and the internet. It is open to select freely from a range of options throughout the day and after school and including the Humanities, Economics, professional library staff are always available Computing, IT, Expressive Arts, Design to help students find the resources they need. Technologies, Separate Sciences and a second language. The school has specialist suites for all major subjects, including ten Science laboratories, an Art block, large Music and Drama suites, modern Technology facilities, Sixth Form Centre, Sports Centre, 3G pitch and extensive playing fields.

06 Roundwood Park School ‘It was great to come away from the post-16 evening feeling that whatever she studied will be well taught.’ Year 11 Parent

07 ‘Thank you to the teachers for their dedicated and diligent teaching and for their care and guidance of their students.’ Year 13 Parent

08 Pastoral Care At Roundwood Park the pastoral system is designed to provide a caring and a disciplined environment to help all students achieve their academic potential and develop as considerate and responsible young people. We take the welfare of each child seriously We regard Year 7 as a foundation year in because we recognise that social and which the Form Tutor’s role is to ensure emotional wellbeing are prerequisites that students settle quickly into their new for good learning. We make it a priority environment. In Years 7 and 8 the tutors through our pastoral organisation that each deliver a pastoral programme through student feels known and cared for. a tutorial period once a week. In Years All our students are members of a tutor 9 to 11 this is replaced with a Personal, group and pastoral care is organised Social, Health and Citizenship Education through a year system. We want them to (PSHCE) course which is taught by a feel very much part of their tutor group, specialist team rather than the tutors. their year group and the whole school. The Sex education provides factual information Form Tutor oversees the personal and to enable students to develop responsible academic welfare of students and is the first attitudes towards their own sexuality and point of contact for them and their parents. towards relationships and to encourage The work of the tutors is co-ordinated by the development of a moral perspective. Heads of Year and senior leaders who can Parents meet their children’s teachers deal with more serious issues. Our pastoral and tutors at Parent Consultation assistants make an important contribution Evenings and Performance Reviews but to our pastoral provision and the school are encouraged to contact individual staff counsellor is available for confidential if they have particular concerns. Parents consultations. The school nurse is available are kept up to date throughout the year by appointment to support students with and have an annual full written report. confidential health or personal concerns.

Roundwood Park School 09 The Sixth Form Roundwood Park has one of the strongest and most successful Sixth Forms in the county. We have an impressive record of achievement, with the majority of our students going on to Higher Education, including a large number who go to Russell Group universities.

The outstanding success of the As students move through the Sixth school’s two year A Level programme Form and witness the challenges is recognised throughout of entry into Higher Education, and beyond. Matching students’ employment, training or gap years, they academic and vocational needs to are assured of expert guidance from relevant courses is central to our work. experienced subject staff and tutors. Our collaboration with Harpenden’s Opportunities available are continually and St George’s reviewed. As well as serious study, we School has further enhanced the encourage our students to take an active subject options for our students. involvement in school and community life. The introduction of the Extended Project There is a student leadership group led by Qualification (EPQ) has broadened our Sixth Formers and all post-16 students curriculum opportunities. are encouraged to accept responsibility A full and varied Sixth Form leads for areas of school life and to help in the to a successful and well-rounded pastoral care of younger students. young adult who is then able to move We regard our students as important purposefully on to the next stage, representatives and role models for whilst recognising that education is the school and unfailingly they represent for life, not solely for results. us well.

10 Roundwood Park School A wide range of extra-curricular and enrichment opportunities are available (see page 14) including community and sporting activities. Members of the Sixth Form have a purpose built Common Room, study area and computer suite for their exclusive use. At Roundwood Park School we offer a dynamic and challenging experience for all our Sixth Form students.

‘Thank you for all the hard work which makes the school a caring and supportive environment.’ Year 13 Parent

Roundwood Park School 11 ‘My daughter is really loving life at Roundwood – thriving, both personally and academically.’ Year 7 Parent

12 Roundwood Park School Trips & school visits Roundwood Park School organises numerous visits and field trips which support national curriculum studies and extra-curricular activities. Trips and visits include a week’s Over the past few years, senior residential Geography field trip in South students have had the opportunity Wales and a Year 7 residential trip in the to join expeditions to countries such UK. There are numerous one day trips as Botswana, Ecuador, Tanzania, to theatres, museums, art galleries and Mongolia, Borneo and Zambia. places of special interest. Inevitably an extra charge has to be All students studying languages made for some activities and in cases have regular opportunities to use the of hardship the school may be able to languages taught in the countries where help. Details of the charging policy are they are spoken and sometimes such available on the school website. trips create cross-curricular possibilities Service to the community is a key – such as trips to France and Belgium to component of the Duke of Edinburgh’s visit the war graves and a trip to Berlin as Award scheme which is very popular part of a study of World War II. at Roundwood Park. Our annual In the summer term students participate Christmas party for the elderly of in enrichment week; at this time the Harpenden, organised by Year 12 whole school is engaged in special students, is also a highlight. activities of some kind. Our students are proud of their school Every other year during the Easter and to that end we have a growing holiday there is an extremely popular ski Alumni Association. trip to European destinations or the USA.

Roundwood Park School 13 Clubs & Extra-Curricular Roundwood Park offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities, which are open to everyone. In most of the sporting activities there is the opportunity for students to experience competition by playing in the schools’ district events.

SCHOOL CLUBS INCLUDE: • Art • Duke of Edinburgh • Nerdfighters • Athletics Award Scheme • Netball • Badminton • Fitness • PI club • Football • Basketball • Reading clubs • French • BBC School Report • Rotary Club • Games club • Book clubs • Rounders • Geography • Brass band • Rugby • German • Chamber orchestra • Science • Guitar group • Chess • Spanish • Home learning club • Choir • ICT • Sports leadership • Computing • Ignite (Christian Union) • STEM club • Concert band • Jazz band • Table tennis • Creative writing • Junior band • Technology workshops • Cricket • Language Leaders • Tennis • Dance • Music theory • Trampolining • Drama • NaNoWriMo • Youth Speaks

14 Roundwood Park School ‘Thank you for developing my son’s sense of personal responsibility.’ Year 9 Parent

Roundwood Park School 15 Additional information Governors Attendance Working closely with the Governing Board The school regards regular attendance is an important feature of the way we as vital to students’ progress; student work. The governors, who are all trained absences are promptly and thoroughly volunteers, have a key role in setting followed up. We only give permission the direction and ethos of the school. for absence in term time in exceptional They are ultimately responsible for circumstances and we do not authorise ensuring that the school meets the law’s absence for holidays. We ask parents to organise dental and medical appointments requirements. They do this by creating, out of school hours where possible. and keeping under review, a policy framework that allows the Headteacher Uniform and staff to remain firmly in control of We believe that high standards of dress the day to day running of the school. In reflect high standards in other areas. practice, although the Governing Board The school’s uniform helps promote and its main sub-committees meet twice a sense of belonging to the distinct every term, governors find that a valuable community which is Roundwood Park. and enjoyable part of the job is visiting It has been chosen to be smart, practical, readily available and reasonably priced. during the working day to develop their understanding of the school and to talk Admissions with the staff and students. Roundwood Park admits 196 students per year into Year 7. All admissions The Governing Board is representative are handled on our behalf by the Local of the school’s key stakeholders: staff, Authority at Hertfordshire County Council elected parents and the local community and in accordance with the published rules (mainly local people with particular explained in the County Handbook. skills and knowledge to contribute). We The Handbook is distributed via primary encourage you to join our team – details schools and is also available from the Schools’ are available from the school office. Admissions Officer on 0300 123 4043.

16 Roundwood Park School ‘A great big thank you to all who have made my daughter’s first year a smooth and fun transition from primary school.’ Year 7 Parent www.roundwoodpark.co.uk E F T Roundwood Park, Harpenden, HertfordshireRoundwood Park AL5 School3AE 01582 765344 01582 461404 [email protected]

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