RIVINGTON & BLACKROD HIGH SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORMCommunity . Standards . Inclusion

Rivington and Blackrod High School is a Church of England Voluntary Controlled Comprehensive School for students aged 11-18. Founded in 1566, the school has incorporated the former grammar schools from Blackrod and Rivington and the secondary and technical schools from Horwich. It currently serves around 1900 students, 300 of whom are in the Sixth Form. The school is housed on two sites: the Pathway Centre in Horwich houses year 7 students and the Rivington site accommodates years 8, 9,10,11 and the Sixth Form.

“A strong culture of learning and achievement, where students are keen to succeed, is well established” Ofsted

I would like to offer you a very warm welcome to Rivington and Blackrod High School and Sixth Form. Founded in 1566, our school has held an important place in this community for centuries. We are very proud of our tradition as a successful, forward thinking and caring school. I extend a personal invite to you to visit our school and to see the rich opportunities available for all students, supported by an inclusive caring community.

We pride ourselves on offering an excellent education in all areas of the curriculum and a wide range of learning and enrichment opportunities. Our Christian values underpin all that we do in ensuring that all of our students achieve the highest academic standards and develop spiritually, morally, socially and culturally. Our aim is to ensure that all students feel safe, happy and grow as successful learners and caring global citizens. Insisting on high standards in all that we do, we strive to encourage students to achieve to their highest aspirations.

As a school, we constantly develop ways of improving and extending the range of opportunities and the support that we offer. I am proud of our status as a School Direct Centre, training student teachers, thus allowing us to push the boundaries of teaching and learning further, and supporting us in raising aspiration levels even higher for all of our students.

This prospectus will provide you with important information about Rivington and Blackrod High School and Sixth Form and will help you to make the vital decision about what is best for your child’s secondary education. However, should you wish to find out more please do not hesitate to contact us in order that we may speak with you personally.

I look forward to welcoming you to our school.

Mr P RoachHeadteacher

WELCOME

It can be daunting for students moving to a new school. To help provide a seamless transition, we work closely with local primary schools to organise collaborative activities; share best practice in teaching, learning, care and support and invite parents to induction events where our high expectations are explained and questions answered.

Students begin year 7 at our Lower School site adjacent to the Pathway Centre which we share with Lord Street Primary School.

The Pathway Centre is a unique facility which enables students to spend their first year with

us in a welcoming and nuturing setting. Students meet new friends in their year group before moving together to our Upper School site in year 8. Throughout the year, they access a number of lessons at Upper School, which helps to create further confidence in the transition to year 8. Our pastoral teams help students to settle into school, monitoring their attendance, well-being and academic progress liaising directly with parents as appropriate. This support continues throughout their time with us.

“The transition was made so much easier through having a friendly and bespoke site for Year 7 Students”

Year 7 Parent

Caring and supportive relationships are very important to us, and support from home is vital. Parents work with us to encourage their children to grow and succeed. To enrich this learning partnership, we provide parents with regular updates, online progress reports and opportunities to meet staff. This holistic support network ensures good communication, reassurance and early intervention if necessary.

In order to support our students’ awareness and respect of the world, we work closely with businesses, local industry and our wider community. We arrange visits to universities and work experience, have visiting speakers, facilitate apprenticeship schemes, and run a variety of life-enriching projects to support students’ social, moral, cultural and educational development. Alongside academic success, we provide leadership opportunities to give students the competitive edge.

Year 7 Parent

Our ambition for our students shines through as we ensure that a broad range of learning opportunities and extensive pastoral programmes, provide students with the power and motivation to realise and keep growing their goals and aspirations.

High achievement is an expectation and student progress is constantly monitored, reviewed and discussed in every subject with extra support given where required. Ambitious and personalised academic targets ensure that students achieve their full potential, which prepares them for the responsibilities and experiences of further and higher education, training and employment.

We firmly believe that a high quality learning environment helps to support excellent teaching and learning. All students can learn on both Windows and Apple Equipment. Students have access to specialist facilities including Rivi Studios; science laboratories and technology rooms with computer aided design; manufacturing equipment and software; specialist art, drama, music, library and sporting facilities and a virtual learning environment which fosters independent learning.

We believe education does not solely belong in the classroom therefore we provide extra-curricular opportunities to reinforce key skills in literacy, numeracy, citizenship, teamwork, communication and cooperation. We offer educational visits across the UK, Europe and the USA; drama, musical and theatrical performances; environmental expeditions; enrichment days; mountain biking; live radio broadcasts; charity and community events and extensive holiday activities. Enrichment fosters students’ individual and unique talents, often building upon their experiences to form successful careers in their chosen specialism.

We have an exceptional sporting programme which gives students the opportunity to participate in regional and national level competitions

or lead sporting events for our local Primary School children. We work with the Lawn Tennis Association and Bolton Arena International High Performance Tennis Centre to play host to some of the best up and coming tennis players in the country.

“The commitment of staff has been superb, and has ensured that my children thoroughly enjoyed their time at Rivington whilst achieving a balance between academic work and the many extra-curricular activities and opportunities available to them.” Parent, Year 11 Student

We nurture each child within school, and provide outstanding care within a safe environment in which students can develop as responsible young adults. Through our pastoral structure we offer a personalised level of support, and we have a teenage health facility, which is unique to Rivington and Blackrod High School and has been recognised by the Department of Health for being young person friendly. Through a comprehensive support network, we help our students to stay safe and healthy and help them to meet their potential.

For copies of all school policies, including our disability equality scheme, valuing diversity and our spiritual, moral, social and cultural policy, please contact the school or visit our website. All of our students are safeguarded in line with our child protection policy.

“Rivington and Blackrod High School is the best school because the teachers are so supportive and always seem to know what we need to do to achieve our best.”

Year 7 Student

We have been recognised as a school that is fully committed to the rights and responsibilities of young people and, as such, ensure that every child has the right to:

• a good education • be safe and healthy • be involved in making decisions about their

future

Our Student Senate is the driving force which gives all young people a voice to make a difference and all members of our community embrace the student and staff agreements that show that there is a right way to be effective citizens and learners.

The mix of highly effective teaching and learning coupled with individual guidance and support makes our Sixth Form a very special place. Students are welcomed from all schools and our collaboration with post-16 providers gives students a personalised programme of academic or vocational A Level packages which meets their needs and aspirations.

We have a very clear ethos in our Sixth Form which puts the student at the centre of everything we do. Our key aim is to ensure each student goes on to fulfil their potential and achieve success.

We have excellent facilities which include a dedicated post 16 study and social area; personal study pods and catering facilities. All students are supported through a personalised mentoring programme and are encouraged to develop a strong profile through a range of enrichment opportunities including international trips, sports activities, leadership, charity work and lots more.

Our commitment to developing a wider educational and cultural experience ensures students are very successful in their university or employment applications. To help to adjust to life at university, we have a comprehensive university preparation programme and visiting speakers from the business world help students in their future careers.

Whichever course students choose, they can be sure that they will benefit from our belief that everybody can achieve success.

“The Sixth Form is good. Good teaching is supporting improvements in AS and A level and achievement in vocational courses is strong.”

Ofsted

Lower SchoolThe Pathway CentreAlbert StreetHorwichBoltonBL6 7AW

Upper SchoolRivington LaneRivingtonBoltonBL6 7RU

Telephone. 01204 333266Fax. 01204 333264E-mail. head@rbhs.co.ukWebsite. www.rbhs.co.uk