The Community at Sir Thomas Rich's School
The School Community
Sir Thomas Rich's is committed to creating a cohesive community where pupils feel physically and emotionally safe, where communication is open and honest. We enable all students to access the curriculum through individualised support including our SEN provision. We monitor and track the progress of individuals and group of pupils and intervene early when under-performance is evident. We celebrate the success of our pupils through a range of activities, for example, commendations and assemblies which recognise diversity and cohesion. We offer an enormous range of extra-curricular activities. Take up is very high. A Deputy Headmaster has the responsibility for Extra Curricular Activities. The promotion of a wide range of activities is one of the School's three main aims. Provision is regularly monitored and evaluated.
We have an active Parents' Association which plays its part in the School community. Parents are encouraged to come into School and to communicate their views on a regular basis. Parents are consulted formally every three years via a questionnaire about their son / daughter's education.
Parents and the local community are actively encouraged to contribute to School life through attending concerts, productions and watching sports matches, as well as using the school facilities as community groups.
The Local Community
We raise awareness of the local community through curricular activities such as visits to churches and visits to sites of local interest. We invite many members of the local community into School e.g. special Study Days, and representatives from local businesses and charities visit the School regularly for a range of activities including mock interviews, careers talks and other advice. Our students make a number of study visits to local businesses and work place learning providers; all Year 11 students access a week’s work experience mostly in the local community.
We promote citizenship through the ethos of the School, through PSHE and assemblies. Students choose their own local charities for termly fundraising. Players from local professional teams - Gloucester Rugby FC, Cheltenham Town FC, Gloucestershire County Cricket Club - present awards at end of term assemblies. Year 7 go on a Founder’s Trail, learning of the School’s and Gloucester’s history.
As a Specialist Language College and Specialist Science College our students visit local primary, secondary and special schools to aid learning. As part of our Wednesday afternoon activities programme, sixth form students visit our local Special School and Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. We have very strong links with local sports clubs; our pupils represent teams in the local community and the clubs use our facilities. The clubs include the Old Richians’ Rugby Club and Nine Elms Cricket Club.Our table tennis and chess clubs play in local Gloucester leagues against adult teams.
We have strong and productive links with a range of agencies such as the police, for example, through the Safer School Partnership Agreement between the School and the local police station, as well as Connexions and other services such as the YES Team services. We have a significant number of community lettings at our school. Community groups very regularly use our Sports Hall, Gym and Swimming Pool. The School Hall and dining room are also used. We support our local primary school with a range of provision including sport through the JSLA award for example.
National and International Communities
Students are involved in a number of national and international visits as part of the curriculum
We raise national and international issues such as the Tsunami, floods in 2009, Haiti earthquake, etc. in assemblies, tutor time and via the main curriculum.
We have a strong link with a partner school in Uganda. As a Mentor School, we offer advice and guidance to those schools nationally that seek support.
We have a large number of students involved a variety of activities such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, Sports’ Tours and cultural overseas visits. Expeditions and trips are undertaken locally, nationally and internationally.
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