KS3

When joining PRS at KS3 we provide our students with an enriching and varied curriculum allowing them to ‘enjoy and achieve’ their learning. The offering we provide meets all the requirements of the National Curriculum including English, Maths, Science, P.E. and French. Students also follow courses in Art, Music, Drama and Technology. All students throughout PRS also take an hour of Enrichment each week (we like to call it ‘compulsory pleasure’). Students can choose from approximately 50 clubs including falconry, bee-keeping, chicken rearing and jewellery making. Choices are made for one half-term and then students move to a different club. This lesson takes place period 4 (Midday until 1 o’clock) every Wednesday.

An important development that we have recently made is the introduction of our RR4LL (Risborough Roots for Lifelong Learning) course (known affectionately as Ruffle). This involves 4 lessons per week in year 7 and 2 lessons per week in year 8. This course involves project based work and aims to develop those learning skills which are critical for all young people to become successful learners, such as teamwork, project management, independent working, leadership, and self-review.  We believe this crucial development will play a vital role in not only producing better educational outcomes but also in producing young people who are ready to take their place in the competitive world of the 21^st century.

Setting takes place in year 7 after around 6 weeks, in Science, Maths and English.  Movement is fluid between the sets and allows us to ‘personalise’ our offering to all of our students. Setting takes place based on internal testing and not on Key Stage 2 SATS results or 11+ outcomes.

Further personalisation occurs in lessons through skilled differentiation for all students. SEN students benefit from outstanding support both in and out of lessons including a focus on literacy where this is required. For our more able students, stretch and challenge is provided throughout the school as evidenced by the NACE (National Challenge Award for Gifted, Able and Talented Students) Award which has recently been awarded to us. We are one of only 177 schools in the country to receive this award and it provides clear evidence of our ability to meet the needs of our most able students.

In tandem with the excellent transition programme that we provide for students between primary and secondary school our exciting curriculum offering meets the needs of all our learners and allows them to excel from day one academically, emotionally, spiritually and socially.