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Curriculum
Maximising Potential
The Academic Curriculum is of central importance. Considerable emphasis is placed on helping pupils achieve their best and we expect in return a good work ethic and a desire to do well. Pupils in the Lower School are streamed or put into sets according to ability, enabling us to maximize the effectiveness of the learning process. We have an experienced Learning Development Department which offers support to many pupils including those with specific learning difficulties and those who have problems in getting to grips with particular aspects of their studies. The tutorial system underpins both pastoral and academic support ensuring that each pupil is treated as an individual, encouraged and supported as appropriate. Every member of staff has around ten tutees spread across all the year groups in a particular boarding or day house. Tutorials are held at least once a week to discuss how things are going. Regular internal reports form the basis of these tutorial conversations and of target setting. The school monitors pupil progress with care and parents are informed if concerns persist.
Independent Learning
Academic facilities are excellent with most classrooms now fitted with interactive white boards and a fully resourced ICT network available across the campus via wireless connections. We have a state of the art language laboratory, newly fitted out in 2006 and recently refurbished Science Schools. The Temple Reading Room (library) is an outstanding resource and is much used by pupils and teachers alike. A strong emphasis on engaging pupils in their own learning and in making the academic experience a creative and enjoyable one is underpinned by a range of societies and lectures for pupils of all ages. Debates, language days, “book week”, brains trust discussions, science forums, subject based societies of all sorts provide opportunities for pupils to develop their own research, communication and thinking skills in a lively and challenging environment.
We emphasize the development of individual skills. The importance of communication is self evident. Facility in presenting ideas cogently, in speaking in public and in producing well reasoned arguments are central to success in almost every walk of life. The ability to work in groups or to research and plan individually are universally prized as is competence in problem solving, self motivation and creativity. Skills are developed across the curriculum and in many other aspects of life at Rugby, culminating in a sixth form Management Conference in the Trinity term in which our pupils team up with sixth formers from a number of neighbouring schools in a series of challenges. The final task is judged as a competition by local Head Teachers. Numeracy is developed through a well taught course in IGCSE mathematics in the Lower School. Those whose skills are relatively weak are given extra lessons in Year 9 (the F Block) to ensure competence in key areas. Mathematics remains one of our most popular subjects at AS and A2. Competence in ICT is encouraged across the curriculum at all levels with possession of a laptop compulsory for everyone up to GCSE and strongly recommended thereafter.
Well Rounded Individuals
We place considerable importance on PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education). Pupils are encouraged to discuss all aspects of their welfare and are brought to think carefully about their own principles and attitudes. Talks by visiting speakers and small group discussions form the core of our delivery with topics of all sorts addressed in a supportive environment. Respect for oneself and for others is the dominant theme with the emphasis on encouraging pupils to develop as well rounded and caring individuals, capable of making reasoned judgments and able to deal positively with the challenges that will face them as adolescents and adults.
Forward Looking and Innovative
There is much that is innovative about our curriculum. With growing emphasis on active learning, pupils are engaged as much as possible in their own learning. Links with IBM make our sixth form IT course one of the most up to date in the country with pupils working alongside a Master Inventor to create devices applicable to the modern world. Perspectives on Science, a new and pioneering course in philosophy, ethics and science invites pupils to develop high level research skills in an AS Level examined solely through a research thesis and presentation, now accepted by QCA as a model for the sixth form extended essay which will be made available to all schools from 2008. An Oriental Studies course invites pupils to broaden their understanding of China, its cultural, political and historical roots and the inspiration behind its economic resurgence, a course more likely to equip pupils for contact with the Orient than the relatively low linguistic skills imparted through a study of Mandarin to GCSE. We are closely involved in developing the Cambridge Pre-University Qualification which aims to replace A Levels with more academically rigorous programmes of study. Although we remain open minded in our attitude towards the new A Levels we are nonetheless determined to give our pupils the best of the academic courses on offer.
Excellent Value Added
Our academic results are excellent with the raw data masking impressive Value Added figures. We challenge and cajole by turns with the ultimate aim of equipping our pupils with intellectual curiosity and the skills to move forward in life with confidence.
Our examination results are shown on a separate page
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Lower School Curriculum Guide