Learning
"At RMGS we want our students to be ARCH learners who are Aspirational, Respectful, Curious, and Happy in their learning. As a selective school we aspire to use our curriculum to encourage students to be the best version of themselves, harnessing their intellect, their work ethic, their individuality, and their natural curiosity."
Our curriculum has been built on our PROUD principles. Running through our curriculum areas we create opportunities for students to Philosophise, to Read, to be Orators, to Understand the world around them, and to Debate.
We aim to inspire a lifelong love of learning and reading by offering a broad curriculum that will both challenge and excite our students. Our world is constantly changing, and, through our curriculum, we aim to give our students opportunities to prepare for a future that has not yet been imagined. We believe that they need a strong academic knowledge base, and the resilience to adapt, the ability to debate, the confidence of strong oracy skills, and the respect and empathy needed to work with others.
Every RMGS student is important to us, and every RMGS student is an individual. We have a strong teaching staff and Inclusion team. We aim to ensure that our curriculum meets the needs of all of our students, and we work hard to understand our young people so that we can support them as they flourish as learners. Throughout their time at RMGS we ensure that they are well supported with guidance about their future choices in life.
Implementing the Curriculum
Our teachers are experts in their disciplines and their crafts. As a school, we are influenced by what we know about Cognitive Science, Sherrington’s interpretation of Rosenshine’s principles, and practice informed by research from reliable sources such as the EEF. We use The Teacher Standards as our rubric for what makes excellent teaching.
We teach “The RMGS Way” and our lessons will include:
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Do Now activities so that students are ready to learn;
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Narrating the learning so that students know why they are learning what they are learning, what their learning links to both in school and out of school;
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Thinking time so that students can think in depth and with curiosity, challenge themselves, and work towards mastering concepts;
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Opportunities for students to talk about their learning, and collaborate with others;
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Modelling processes and approaches in lessons so that students can learn from each other, from their teacher, and from strong examples of exemplary work;
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Scaffolding tasks so that students can build up to strong responses, and practise smaller sections;
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Opportunities for practice in lessons so that students can deliberately practice and embed their knowledge and skills;
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Formative assessment and feedback so that students know how to improve their work;
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Praise, positivity and rewards for students in lessons so that they know how well they are doing, building motivation
Key Stage 3 Curriculum - Years 7, 8 and 9
At Key Stage 3 we offer a three-year Key stage 3 curriculum that is broad and allows students to build on prior knowledge and interests whilst also introducing them to new subjects, new learning, and new ideas. We are proud to offer our students the opportunity to study two languages during key stage three, as well as a wide Expressive Arts offer. Reading is essential for excellent progress and for the development of empathy. Subsequently, habitual reading opportunities are built into our curriculum, and reading around topics in all subjects is expected. Our Maths curriculum is built around the concept of mastery and students are well supported to build on and master the knowledge gained at primary school. They are guided to make positive choices about their next steps.
Key Stage 4 - Years 10 and 11
At Key stage 4, students study for their GCSE's. All students have to study Literature, English Language, Sciences, and Maths. We also expect all students to study a Language and a Humanities. We believe that continuing to study a Language at Key stage 4 greatly benefits our students. Students are also offered a rich choice of option subjects to study as they start to consider their futures.
The option subjects are: art, business studies, computing, creative i-media, design technology, drama, economics, food and nutrition, geography, history, music, physical education and religion, philosophy and ethics.
A second language choice is also available in the option pool (French, German or Spanish), as is the option to do both history and geography.
Key Stage 5 (Sixth Form) - Years 12 and 13
The Key Stage 5 curriculum is thoughtfully designed to prepare students for adulthood and their future pathways, underpinned by the values of ARCH: Aspiration, Respect, Curiosity and Happiness. It supports students in becoming confident, informed and well-rounded individuals by encouraging ambitious goal setting, self-discovery and a commitment to excellence, while promoting inclusivity, kindness and mutual respect.
We have an excellent post-16 offer of a wide variety of different A Level subjects, with the expectation that our students will study at least 3 A Levels. The majority of our students stay with us to enjoy the highly academic and interesting provision available to them. Recognising that every RMGS student is unique, a strong teaching staff and Inclusion team work closely to understand and support each individual, ensuring they flourish both academically and personally, with clear guidance for future choices. Our sixth formers are leaders in our school and not only follow an academic curriculum but also have many opportunities for enrichment and for leadership.
Linking curriculum to Careers
RMGS seek to maximise the life chances of all of our young people. Our career education and guidance policy, in keeping with the ethos of the school, seeks to foster wellbeing, promote success and unlock the potential of our students.
Underpinning all of this is a Career Provision that is supported and endorsed across all subjects throughout the Curriculum, PSHE, Trips, Clubs, Events and across the Enrichment programme.
Please click here to find out more about our extensive Career Provision
For further information on the Curriculum please contact Mrs Napier, Deputy Headteacher via the school office (Tel: 01634 364151 or email: RMGS-office@rmet.org)
To find out information about the the sixth form courses offered please see the sixth form pages.