Prospectus

All pupils follow a broad and balanced
           course of studies, avoiding early specialisation
                      and keeping all doors open

Personal Development
We have described how we endeavour to identify and meet the individual needs of each boy and girl. Whilst the paramount need is for an appropriate academic course, other needs are not neglected. Pupils assemble a Record of Achievement and have weekly sessions for Personal Health and Social Education and Citizenship, aimed at equipping them with the necessary personal skills and knowledge for taking their places in society. The lessons are planned by the Citizenship Co-ordinator in conjunction with the Key Stage Co-ordinators, and thus reflect the needs as seen by those staff with responsibility for the pastoralwelfare of the pupils.
Key Stage 3: Foundations
The foundations are laid in the first three years,
and three important principles guide the curriculum at this stage. Firstly, all pupils follow a broad and balanced course of studies, avoiding early specialisation and keeping all doors open. Secondly, there is the opportunity to take on extra studies where appropriate, such as Latin, and to join express groups for able children in key subjects. Thirdly, each boy and girl is encouraged to set his or her own personal goals and to work towards them without competitive pressure fromothers in the class. Most subjects are taught in the normal class organisation, but setting is introduced in Year 8 for Mathematics. Full details of the curriculum are given in Rickmansworth School Today.

Key Stage 4: GCSE
In Years 10 and 11 our aim is to provide diversity of opportunity and informed choice for all pupils. A broad common curriculum is maintained in order to minimise the risk of choices being made at the age of fourteen which might later seriously limit higher education and career opportunities. Subject to the prevailing requirements of the National Curriculum, all pupils study the following subjects to GCSE:

Mathematics
Science
English and English Literature
Most will also take a Modern Foreign Language


Additionally, further GCSE courses are chosen with guidance to ensure that each pupil continues with a sensible balance of subjects – from a wide choice of subjects, giving the average pupil nine subjects for GCSE taken at the end of Year 11. The GCSE requirements of all universities and professions are met with ease in thisway. All pupils continue with Games,Personal Health & Social Education and Citizenship. Religious education is taught to all pupils through a full GCSE in Religious Studies unless parents exercise their statutory right to withdraw their children. The National Curriculum requirements in information and communications technology (ICT) are met through the core subjects.