Ryton
TYNE & WEAR
NE40 3AH
Tel: (0191) 4132113
Fax: (0191) 4134844
E-Mail:enquiries@rytoncs.co.uk
Head: Stephen Williamson B.Ed M.Ed.
Chair of Governors: Mr A Hinchcliffe
“A
good school with outstanding features”
”Students’
attitude to learning are excellent”
“Students
are proud of their school and enjoy being active participants in its life and
work”
OFSTED 2008
Information
for Applicants
Ryton
Comprehensive is an 11-18 mixed comprehensive school with approximately 1,279 students. The Sixth Form is 214 in number and growing in
popularity. Our principal aim is that
all pupils achieve more than they thought possible. The school has a committed, well qualified
and hard-working staff which is our most important resource. We enjoy teaching and relations between the
staff and between teachers and students are positive. Those who are appointed to the staff can be
sure that they will be welcomed, supported and encouraged to make a successful
career at the school. Like all good, confident and successful teams we actively
welcome new members and fresh ideas. The School takes seriously its commitment
to well being.
History
There has been a school on the
site for more than a century. The
The
Community
The
school site is large with extensive playing fields adjoining a local golf
club. We are situated on the main road
but within five minutes walk of the old
Organisation
The school is organised around a
Year system with Heads of Year, Assistants and tutor teams taking children from
Year 7 through to the end of Year 11. In
the Sixth Form there is a different team of staff which specialises in post-16
education and careers' advice. Tutorial
groups are mixed ability groupings.
Individual departments work together to set and band students to best
suit the requirements of individual learners.
Academically there is a departmental rather than a faculty
structure. The two key consultative
groups of the school are the Heads of Year and the Heads of Department. Joint curriculum meetings are held on a regular
basis. We aim to foster a “bottom up” approach to innovation through this
structure. The Leadership Team consists of the Head, two deputies, a Director
of Resources and a strong team of assistant heads. Staff meetings are open to
the whole teaching and non-teaching staff.
Various
project teams are established with clear parameters and time scales to
introduce and pilot new initiatives or to review current practice. A Teaching and Learning Research Group is a
feature in our development of sharing good practice.
These
various meetings are minuted and they form the basic structure of staff
consultation and involvement. However,
one to one discussion with staff is valued and every attempt is made to ensure that
there is access whenever possible to the Head and deputies.
The
Curriculum
Students
in Year 7 study English, Maths, Science, Information Technology,
History, Geography, Drama, Religious Education, Music, Art and Physical
Education. They study French in Year 7
and in Year 8 they choose a second language.
There is a fortnightly tutor period for all students.
In
Year 9 Careers Guidance is introduced. This is integrated into Tutorial and
Guidance time. In Years 10 and 11 students follow a basic curriculum of English
Literature, English Language, Maths, Science, a Modern Foreign Language,
Information Technology, Physical Education and Personal and Social
Education. In addition they are able to
choose from a wide range of options to ensure breadth and balance. A vocational
programme extends their choice beyond a purely academic programme. Within this
programme we offer a wide range of options including, Motor Vehicle
Maintenance, Early Years Education and Construction.
The Sixth Form Curriculum offers over
twenty 'AS' and A2 level courses, and a range of Vocational Level 3
programmes. Additional courses are
offered to enrich a student's Sixth Form studies
e.g.:- Performing Arts, Duke of
School
Links
Parents
are welcome in school at all times. Much
individual parent/staff consultation goes on throughout the week beyond the
regular parents' evenings. We actively encourage a two-way dialogue. Links with our feeder schools are excellent
ensuring a smooth transition for pupils. Associate teachers from the
Universities of
The Parent Teacher Association,
known as, ‘Friends of RCS’ is active both socially and in its fund
raising. There are regular events
throughout the year with a particularly successful Winter Fair which can raise
in excess of £3,000 for school in one afternoon. Over the past years it has provided funds
towards the purchase of a climbing wall, photographic equipment, classroom
carpets and library resources.
We produce a twice yearly school
newspaper called the Ryton Issue which is delivered to over 15,000 local
residents and several newsletters each year to keep parents informed of what is
happening in school.
Extra
Curricular Activities
The
school is fortunate to be able to offer such a wide range of extra-curricular
activities due to the enthusiasm and commitment of the staff. There is a wealth of opportunity for
students who wish to participate which ranges from sport to music and
drama. Foreign language visits are
arranged annually in all three main languages.
There are ski trips, and much more.
Our sports teams are highly dedicated and successful. Last year’s drama production was Return to
the Forbidden Planet and the choir participates in the Ryton Music Festival and
holds a concert (or carol service) each term.
Students regularly participate in public speaking and debating team
competitions. The Sixth Form hold an annual charity week which raises several
thousand pounds for charity, the chosen charity in 2009 was the Teenage Cancer
Trust. For the past seven years a group of staff and students from RCS have visited Ethiopia for 3 weeks, where we
sponsor two Day Centres for orphaned children.
In
conclusion
Ryton
is a dynamic school with much to offer staff and students. We are not complacent about the school; we
know we can do even better and that we enjoy the challenges facing education as
we move through the twenty first century.