Happy Easter everyone!
I'm sure everyone will agree that the last ten weeks have absolutely flown by! We seem to have moved from Christmas to Easter in the blink of an eye, but we are proud of how much we have managed to cram into the shortest school term of the academic year.
In this edition, you will read about the multiple personal development opportunities that our students have had access to this term, in the form of trips and visits, events, extra-curricular clubs and many more!
You may have seen my letter a couple of weeks ago about the numbers of students that are now wanting to come to RFSS. We have experienced unparalleled applications for both Year 7 and Sixth Form, which we believe shows the incredible work that all are doing at our school. The national picture of education is quite challenging at present, but I am pleased that RFSS continues to attract people who want to be here, and are recognising what we are trying to achieve.
We have had the pleasure of hosting 38 Senior Leaders from other schools in this ten week period, who have come to look at our school and to learn from our approaches. We are very proud of this, and look forward to working with them and learning from them, too.
I am also proud of how our students showcased our school during an external visit a few weeks ago. Our visitors spoke highly of our students, and how well the vast majority behave, learn and approach school-life. The work that our students and staff have undertaken this term demonstrates the attitude and application in the building.
I wish you a relaxing couple of weeks, before the final term of the academic year begins on Tuesday 9th April 2024.
Mr Green
Headteacher
Round Up from the Heads of Year
Year 7
Honouring Resilience and Achievements
As we come to the end of another enriching term at Rugby Free Secondary School, it's time to reflect on the remarkable journey of our Year 7 students. The transition from primary to secondary school can often present its challenges, but our Year 7 cohort has navigated these hurdles with admirable resilience and determination.
Overcoming Challenges, Embracing Growth
From the outset, it was evident that the transition for our Year 7 students wasn't without its trials. Adjusting to a new environment, forming new friendships, and adapting to the rigors of secondary education can be daunting tasks. However, what sets our Year 7 cohort apart is their unwavering perseverance in the face of adversity.
Despite the challenges they've encountered along the way, our Year 7 students have shown remarkable adaptability and tenacity. Whether it's seeking support from teachers, leaning on their peers for guidance, or simply pushing themselves beyond their comfort zones, their resilience has been nothing short of inspiring.
Embracing Opportunities, Building Community
One of the highlights of this term has been witnessing the incredible camaraderie and teamwork displayed by our Year 7 Inclusion Football Team. In a testament to their dedication and passion for the sport, they've not only competed admirably but have also achieved remarkable success on the field.
The inclusivity and sportsmanship demonstrated by our Year 7 Inclusion Football Team exemplify the values of unity and teamwork that we strive to instil within our school community. Their achievements serve as a reminder that regardless of background or ability, every individual has the potential to excel when given the opportunity and support.
Celebrating Achievements, Inspiring Futures
As we prepare to celebrate the achievements of our Year 7 cohort at our upcoming awards assembly, it's important to recognise the diverse talents and accomplishments of each and every student. Whether it's academic excellence, artistic flair, or contributions to the wider community, every achievement, no matter how big or small, deserves to be celebrated. To our award recipients, congratulations! Your hard work, dedication, and perseverance have not gone unnoticed, and you should be immensely proud of your accomplishments. Your achievements serve as an inspiration to us all and reflect the limitless potential that lies within each of you.
Looking Ahead, With Optimism and Excitement
As we bid farewell to this term and look forward to a well-deserved break, I encourage our Year 7 students to take the time to rest, recharge, and reflect on their journey thus far. While there may have been challenges along the way, it's important to acknowledge how far they've come and the growth they've achieved.
As we embark on the next chapter of our journey together, I have every confidence that our Year 7 cohort will continue to flourish and thrive. With their resilience, determination, and unwavering spirit, there's no limit to what they can accomplish. Here's to a bright and promising future ahead, filled with even more opportunities for growth, learning, and success.
Until we reconvene for the new term, I wish our Year 7 students a safe and enjoyable holiday break. Cherish this time with family and friends, and return refreshed and ready to embrace all that the future holds. The best is yet to come, and I can't wait to see what wonders await us in the days and months ahead.
Miss Angell - Head of Year 7
Year 8
As the Head of Year 8, I want to take a moment to applaud each and every one of you for your outstanding collaboration and kindness within our school community. Over the past months, I have witnessed countless acts of support, understanding, and friendship among you all, and I couldn’t be prouder.
Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do here at Rugby Free Secondary School. Whether it’s working together on group projects, supporting each other in extracurricular activities, or simply lending a helping hand to a classmate in need, your willingness to come together as a team is truly inspiring. By pooling your strengths and talents, you have not only achieved academic success but also fostered a sense of unity and camaraderie that sets our year group apart. Equally important is the kindness that each of you demonstrates on a daily basis. From small gestures like holding the door open for someone, to larger acts of generosity such as volunteering your time to help those less fortunate, your compassion and empathy make our school a better place for everyone. It is through these acts of kindness that we build a supportive and inclusive community where everyone feels valued and respected.
Looking ahead, I encourage you to continue embracing collaboration and kindness as guiding principles in your journey through Year 8 and beyond. Here are a few steps we can take together to ensure our continued success:
1. Support Each Other: Continue to be there for one another, whether it’s academically, emotionally, or socially. Offer help and encouragement to your classmates, and don’t hesitate to seek support when you need it yourself.
2. Celebrate Differences: Embrace the diversity within our year group and recognize the unique strengths and perspectives that each individual brings to the table. By valuing our differences, we can learn from one another and grow as a community.
3. Practice Empathy: Put yourself in someone else’s shoes and try to understand their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Showing empathy towards others fosters deeper connections and strengthens our bonds of friendship.
4. Spread Positivity: Be a beacon of positivity in our school community. Offer words of encouragement, give compliments freely, and look for opportunities to brighten someone’s day.
5. Lead by Example: Remember that each one of you has the power to influence those around you. Lead by example and embody the values of collaboration and kindness in all that you do.
In closing, let’s continue to work together to make Year 8 a year filled with success, growth, and meaningful connections. Your dedication to collaboration and kindness is truly inspiring, and I have no doubt that together, we will achieve great things.
With gratitude and admiration,
Mr Rupal - Head of Year 8
Year 9
Although it's been a shorter one, this term has been so important for Year 9. For Year 9, the new term brings with it new possibilities, starting new subjects and meeting new teachers. Most students in the year group have been fortunate enough to receive all of their first choice options, so I hope all are looking forward to the new challenge.
The term saw Year 9 finalise their options, take part in a fantastic careers event with NatWest, some have competed in sporting fixtures, and more recently, Duke of Edinburgh! Well done to everyone that participated and represented the school excellently.
I appreciate that for some, the idea of starting GCSE subjects after Easter may well be daunting. For this reason, please find comfort in knowing that I am here to support over the Easter break to answer any questions any of you may have. Please know you are all in very capable hands when it comes to the transition of KS3 into GCSEs.
Good luck to all Year 9 students, as they embark onto the next chapter of Secondary School.
Take care, and have a lovely Easter break.
Mr Hallmark - Head of Year 9
Year 10
The Spring Term has been a short one but full of learning, hard-work and progress from our Year 10 students. There has been a real step up, in terms of expectations as the pupils are no longer new to their GCSE subjects and, for the vast majority, it has been met with dedication and renewed effort. I have been delighted when dropping in to lessons and seen several students starting to take a real responsibility for their learning. Books are often neat and organised and the work show real promise.
This term, the focus has been on building our independence both in and outside of the classroom. We have used assembly time to promote the ideas of being ‘active’ within a lesson, making sure they involve themselves in the learning. I have also loved seeing the effort each tutor group has gone to in designing their PSHE posters which were presented this week. It was a real success and the students were a credit to the school.
My hope, as we move into the final term of this school year, is that each and every student in Year 10 accesses all that school has to offer for them and pushes themselves to be really active within the classroom. Whilst the behaviour is generally good, it has been noticed that several pupils have a nervousness in answering questions, for fear of getting them wrong. We have spent a lot of time looking at a student's right to be wrong, to give it a go and to know that knowledge comes from our mistakes and failings. It is my genuine belief that, the more students commit to trying, no matter what the outcome, the more they will learn and ultimately improve. I hope to see this from everyone next term.
Mr Doherty - Head of Year 10
Year 11
Year 11 have had a fantastic start to 2024; they should be incredibly proud of themselves! The year group have been working hard in the lead up to their third and final set of PPEs, before the official exams in the summer! The year group have demonstrated a great level of maturity and resilience during the exam period. This time has given students the opportunity to practice their revision strategies, embed their key knowledge and practice sitting tests in exam conditions for the final time, before it really counts!
Over the past few weeks, students have been getting their exam papers back in lessons and been going through mark schemes, to get effective feedback from their exams. Students will be provided with an updated report with updated predicted grades, before they break up for the Easter holidays. This will allow students to effectively plan and structure their revision in the lead up to the summer exams, to close any gaps in their knowledge.
This term has also been incredibly busy, with the GCSE PE practical moderation, GCSE Food Technology and Nutrition practical assessments, Drama immersion days and final assessments, several Interhouse competitions, Music exams and so much more!
Over the next half term, it's really important for students to stay focused, continue to work hard in lessons and attend interventions where possible. However, it's also really important for students to take care of themselves, during this time, ensuring they are getting enough sleep, eating well, having time away from screens and speaking to friends/family/their teachers if they need additional support.
On an exciting note, Year 11 Prom was launched to students in Assembly this week. I have met with the Year 11 prom committee to decide on a colour theme and to put a DJ set list together (which has some interesting choices on it!!) The prom will take place on Friday 28th June; it is going to be a fantastic opportunity to celebrate all of the students' hard work over the past 5 years!
There are Year 11 interventions running over the Easter break, on both Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The timetable and sign up form has been shared with parents/carers and students. It would be amazing to see lots of Year 11 students attend.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank parents/carers for their ongoing support throughout the year, and to thank you in advance for the next half term. I'm aware that it can be a stressful time for our students (and parents/carers!) and the support that students get, inside and outside of school, plays a huge part on our students' success.
I hope you all have a lovely Easter break. Rest up, eat lots of choccie and get ready to work hard next half term!
Miss Probert - Head of Year 11
Year 12
The spring term at Rugby Free Secondary School for Year 12 has been marked by a plethora of enriching experiences and invaluable learning opportunities.
Pre Public Exams (February)
The term kicked off with Year 12's first set of pre-public exams in February. This assessment within linear A level subjects provided students with a valuable opportunity to gauge their progress and identify areas for improvement. Teachers played a pivotal role in offering personalized advice and constructive feedback, empowering students to take proactive steps towards addressing any gaps in their learning.
Modular Vocational Results for January Exams
Students who study Sport, Digital Media and Business at level 3 received their first set of external modular exam results. We also received results for level 2 students who take Health and Social Care. Overall, these outcomes were extremely positive with only a handful of students being required to re-sit their modular exams in May 2024. Congratulations to all students on these results.
English and Maths GCSE Resit Results
In January, students on our Level 2 programme of student also received resit results for both Maths and English. These were well above national average and demonstrated the excellent commitment these students showed with a resit exam in the early part of Year 12.
PSHE Workshops
A series of PSHE workshops led by Miss Clancy, particularly focusing on contraception, were conducted, equipping students with essential knowledge and promoting responsible decision-making regarding their health and well-being.
Careers Trip to Edgbaston
A notable highlight of the term was the educational excursion to Edgbaston, where students had the opportunity to explore various aspects of UK universities and apprenticeship opportunities. This trip not only broadened students' horizons but also provided valuable insights into potential career pathways.
Volunteering for Change Your Mind
A commendable initiative undertaken by some students involved volunteering alongside Miss Love for "Change Your Mind," aimed at enhancing Primary School children's mental health. This altruistic endeavour reflects the school's commitment to fostering empathy and contributing positively to the community.
Completion of Enrichment Programme (Block 3)
The term concluded with the successful completion of Block 3 of the enrichment programme. This diverse program encompassed activities ranging from sports and reading to preparation for life beyond RFSS and philosophical discussions. Such holistic enrichment endeavours not only complement academic learning but also foster personal growth and development.
In summary, the spring term for Year 12 at Rugby Free Secondary School has been characterised by academic rigor, personal development, and community engagement. We wish students in Year 12 a happy and restful Easter.
Mr Chadwick - Director of Learning for Sixth Form
Mr Edwards - Assistant Director of Learning for Sixth Form
Ms Bagnall - Assistant Director of Learning for Sixth Form
Year 13
As we head towards the final term of Year 13, our students can be proud to look back at what they have achieved over the very short term that has just passed. Most of our Year 13 students are looking forward to moving onto university next year, and so this term they have been making their decisions about their firm and insurance choices. It is fantastic to see them so excited about this next step, and the excellent offers they have received. At the start of March, we welcomed a speaker from De Montfort University to speak to Year 13 students and their parents about Student Finance, and since then they have been busy making their applications and arranging their accommodation for next year. Some students have decided to apply for apprenticeship programmes rather than university, and they are currently in the midst of these applications. We wish them all the best.
In February, students sat their final set of PPEs, which is a crucial stage in their exam preparation. We have been pleased to see the results of these, especially those of the students who have been working with members of the Sixth Form Team on the Boundary Leapers Programme, which supports students to achieve their target grades. Even more pleasing to see was the excellent results from the January vocational exams, where many students achieved grades which put them in a really strong position going into the summer.
In spite of the pressures of exams, students have still managed to maintain their extra-curricular activities. It has been lovely to see Year 13 students mentoring younger peers this term, helping to prepare them for GCSEs or Year 12 exams, and also supporting them with their wellbeing. Students have also engaged proactively with PSHE and tutor time activities, including a really informative workshop about contraception led by our Head of PSHE, Mrs Clancy.
We look forward to welcoming lots of Year 13 students to their Easter Holiday intervention sessions, but we also hope that they manage to get a well-earned rest over the break. With one final term to go before they finish school, we hope they will return to school in April feeling well rested and ready to embark on this last stage of their school education.
Mr Chadwick - Director of Learning for Sixth Form
Mr Edwards - Assistant Director of Learning for Sixth Form
Ms Bagnall - Assistant Director of Learning for Sixth Form
House Update
What a busy half term it has been for our Houses with lots of events and competitions taking place.
Earlier in the term we had the Bake Off Competition and we had so many contributions to our bake sale, as well as over 70 entries from students who wanted to take part in the House Bake Off. Lots of money was raised for charity and the winning House for the bake sale was Attenborough.
We had the Interhouse Football Competition take place just before February half term and we had lots of students eager to sign up and represent their Houses. A huge well done to Pankhurst house who won this competition.
Earlier on in the term we asked our students if they could look at our school uniform and see how they could incorporate the house colours into the uniform. We had some great designs handed in and Mr Green selected Turing House as the overall winner for the best design.
Every half term we calculate which house has achieved the most positive behaviour points and Ali House this half term has taken the top spot earning the House 100 points.
Next term we are excited to launch the RFSS House Talent Show, as well as planning for the House Charity Day and we will be launching a new House Gardening Competition.
Thank you to all students for your participation and for parents and carers for supporting their child when we have House fundraising events.
We look forward to the final term and all the House events that awaits.
Who will be RFSS House Winner this year?
Mrs Cassidy, Mr Goodwin, Miss Vella and Miss Cowperthwaite - Heads of Houses
Set For Life
Community is part of our Set for Life curriculum and is our commitment to ensuring students have the opportunity to develop their social skills through working collaboratively and celebrating similarities and uniqueness!
We are proud to be part of the nationwide Change Your Mind project run by sixth formers to improve the mental health of younger students. This year, 16 of our Year 12 and 13s have taken part. They have visited 4 local primary schools (RFPS, St Oswalds, St Matthews Bloxam and Riverside Academy) and our SRP. The team have been very well received with lots of five-star reviews and requests to come back! They have loved interacting with the younger pupils and hearing their imaginative thoughts and ideas. We've seen a huge increase in the team members' confidence and public speaking skills since September. They have been excellent representatives of our school.
Health and Wellbeing is also part of our Set for Life curriculum and is our commitment to ensuring students are given lots of opportunities to take part in activities which will promote health and physical fitness and mental wellbeing.
Duke of Edinburgh Award
The Year 9 Bronze Duke of Edinburgh students have been preparing for their upcoming practice expedition in June. Students attended an 'in school' training day on the 2nd March, which involved practicing putting up tents, meal preparation, learning how to use a trangia, first aid training and planning their expedition routes. Students have also attended an 'offsite training' day at Newbold Quarry Park, on the 17th March, putting their map reading and compass skills into practice.
Upcoming Expeditions:
Friday 14th & Saturday 15th June - Practice expedition
Friday 6th and Saturday 7th September - Qualifying expedition
PE Lessons
PE has had a challenging few weeks, with the poor weather, combined with PPE's utilising the indoor PE areas. The resilience, character and enthusiasm of the students has shone through in adversity.
It has been great to see the creativity of the students, particularly in gymnastics and trampolining sessions. Year 7 gymnastics routines have been superbly choreographed. It has been great to see the maturity of a group of Year 11's who have been running their own fitness sessions. Year 10 have been trying some emerging sports, with Ultimate Frisbee proving particularly popular. Handball and hockey have provided the spine of the activities this term, with the courts (weather dependent!) being the main action area.
Thank you to the drama department for the use of the main hall, 'Just Dance' sessions proved extremely popular when the outdoor areas were unusable.
Fingers crossed for some good weather after Easter!
Student Success
Ethan wins BRONZE medal at the British Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool!
Despite competing with a rotator cuff injury, Ethan triumphed over adversity in the Under 16's Men's Overall competition. He competed in floor, high bar, pommel, parallel bars, vault and rings, he finished an incredible 12th overall in the whole country!
The highlight of the meet was him winning a bronze medal on the combined vault!
A monumental achievement of which he, his family and the school are so proud of. We look forward to hearing what comes next for this extremely talented, hard working and modest student.
Employability is the third part of our Set for Life curriculum and is our commitment to ensuring students have opportunities to meet with employers, explore career opportunities and develop skills needed for the future.
The Spring Term at Rugby Free Secondary School has been marked by a series of engaging and insightful career development initiatives, catering to students across different year groups. The school's commitment to providing a well-rounded education extends to its emphasis on preparing students for future professional endeavours. Here's a comprehensive review of the notable career-related activities that took place during this term.
1. Year 10 Workshop with Lawyer Rebecca Mayfield:
One standout event for Year 10 students was the informative workshop led by Lawyer Rebecca Mayfield. In this one-hour session, students were given a valuable insight into the field of law. Lawyer Mayfield expertly navigated through the necessary transferable skills and outlined the entry requirements for a career in law. The interactive nature of the workshop allowed students to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of the profession, aiding them in making informed decisions about their future career paths.
2. Year 9 National Careers Challenge (Sponsored by Natwest Thrive):
Year 9 students actively participated in the National Careers Challenge; a program sponsored by Natwest Thrive. This initiative is designed to empower young individuals by equipping them with the skills needed to make informed decisions about their futures. The challenge not only encourages critical thinking but also fosters a sense of responsibility in career planning. By taking part in this competition, Year 9 students have been given a head start in developing the essential skills that will undoubtedly benefit them as they progress through their educational journey and start their GCSE option choices. Year 7 and 8 students will take part in this challenge in The Summer Term.
3. Bespoke Careers Interviews for Year 11, 12, and 13:
The commitment to providing personalised career guidance is evident in the continued provision of bespoke Careers interviews for Year 11, 12, and 13 students. The school's independent Careers advisor from Careers Torch has played a crucial role in guiding students through the complexities of career choices. These one-on-one sessions ensure that students receive tailored advice based on their individual strengths, interests, and aspirations. The ongoing support from Careers Torch has been instrumental in helping students make well-informed decisions regarding their post-secondary education and future career paths.
In addition to the enriching experiences mentioned above, the school's collaboration with Unifrog continues to support in shaping our students' futures. Unifrog's Virtual Fair on 13th March allowed students to explore live sessions and establish direct connections with universities across the UK. All students at RFSS are encouraged to continue to work on their personal development through logging these meaningful encounters on Unifrog and building their personal profile.
The combination of traditional career activities and modern virtual engagements underscores our dedication to fostering well-rounded individuals prepared for the dynamic landscape of the professional world.
Independent Living is part of our Set for Life curriculum and this term we have ensured students know how to keep themselves safe both in school and as they go out into the wider community.
After Christmas most of our year groups move swiftly into topics on Relationship, Sex and Health Education. This is a compulsory part of the curriculum for students and helps to empower them in a whole variety of topics.
Year 7 learnt about topics that involve them and information about how to keep themselves healthy as well as how to be assertive and respectful of other people’s wishes. They did this through covering topics on puberty and their hormones – finding out about the changes that can happen when they go through this transformational time in their life. They learned about consent and how to be assertive ensuring our students are learning about body autonomy and why it is important to be respectful to other people’s choices and boundaries around this, to keep themselves and others safe.
Year 7s also covered important lessons on respect and relationships, what a health friendship looks like and how we can manage them, but also respect that people can make their own choices about who they want to be friends with. Our students also received a talk from Mrs Clancy (our subject specialist) on ‘Violence Against Women and Girls’, this was their introduction to this important topic and why we need to raise awareness. The main message students received here is: if we want to make a difference in the lives of other we need to learn how to stand up for others and to speak up if we see something that we don’t agree with.
Year 8 started off this term learning about relationships and sex education, how sexual relationships are different to other relationships, they started to discuss about the rights a person has within a sexual or intimate relationship and how people should be respected and treated in relationships. This continued into students learning about the characteristics of a healthy relationship, what conflicts are and how to manage and resolve conflicts in a healthy way, but importantly to know when a conflict isn’t healthy or an okay part of a relationship. Students then began to understand in more depth about the differences between a person’s sexual orientation (who they are attracted to) and their gender identity (who they identify as), this helped our students to be more understanding, tolerant and respectful of other people’s choices. Year 8s also received a specialist workshop where they were introduced to different types of contraception, year 8s were fantastic in this workshop, they were a credit to themselves and felt confident to ask lots of questions! From this topic year 8s moved onto learning about different risks and dangers within society and how to look out for warning signs as well as how to manage different situations. It is so important that we educate our young people on how to keep themselves and others safe but also provide them with information and the courage to make their own choices in situations.
Year 9 started off the year looking at options and their next steps. They were given the opportunities to learn about an abundance of different career pathways in order to help them feel informed and confident about choosing their next steps in education. Once their option process was completed they moved onto a block of work that aims to help equip them with financial skills so they can be money savvy as well as how to look at different areas in life to help improve their self-concept and as a result their mental health and wellbeing, the topics ‘reframing failure’ and ‘what is happiness’ hoped to do this.
Year 10 started off 2024 by looking at ‘Sexualization of the Media’ and how what we see on TV, on social media and on adverts is a way to sell products and can cause individuals – especially young people, to question how they should look. This was a session that created a lot of discussions within classes, which in itself is an excellent skill for students to develop. From this, students had a specialist session on ‘Porn life vs Real life’ and the different expectations that can be brought about by watching a lot of pornography for anyone involved in intimacy and how relationships should be built on respect and consent, which are things not often shown in this type of media. Students also found out about how to keep themselves safe and more specifically laws around ‘Violence Against Women’ including learning about FGM and other illegal practices, students were able to discuss about human rights and why these laws are important. The second half of this term has seen year 10s working collaboratively on projects to raise awareness of different crimes as well as things that can cause others harm, we thank them for their efforts towards this project and we look forwards to sharing this work with you.
Year 11 Having been learning about 2 very different topics. They have been given the chance to learn about being a parent, everything from what fertility is, what can impact it and so how to keep themselves healthy moving into the next stage of their lives. They have had the chance to find out how you plan to start a family from the different ways you can become parents – natural, IVF and adoption, they have had parenting lessons which saw them looking after babies (dolls), being responsible for changing their nappies to different strategies to try when they cry. They learned about the importance of attachments in the early stages and the impact this can have on a child’s neurological development now and later in life. In complete contrast to this, students have been learning about ‘Life as an independent citizen’, different types of banks, calculating gross and net pay as well as the different deductions that occur when paying tax. They also learnt about pensions and what these are and finally about ‘rights and responsibilities’ of an independent citizen and the importance of these in contributing to society and how they help our society to function.
New Staff
We will be welcoming the following new staff in April who will make a fantastic addition to our team. Joining us are:
Staff Name | Position |
Macauley Hemming | Science Technician |
Phillip Hopkins | Director of Learning for ADT |
Rachel Hopkins | Director of Learning for Music |
Please be reminded that school is closed on Monday 8th April for a Teacher Training Day. We will welcome students back into school on Tuesday 9th April. Doors open at 8:35am. See you there!
Kind Regards,
Mr Iain Green
Headteacher
