Welcome to Seniors
They say that school days are the best days of your life, and following on from the solid foundations laid by our Preparatory School, in the Senior School these happy memories continue to be fostered.
With a whole new raft of both academic and personal challenges ahead, our aim is to equip our pupils with a toolbox of strategies to enable them to cope effectively with whatever life brings them.
At this juncture in education, the academic environment will by nature become gradually more demanding, but here at Rougemont a team of dedicated and experienced staff is on hand to support and guide each of our students as they continue their journey with us.
A clearly defined support system is at the heart of the Senior School’s caring atmosphere. Small class sizes and the friendly atmosphere allow for excellent relationships between staff, pupils and parents – a foundation which is enjoyable as we celebrate the good times but can be vital as we navigate the rapids affecting teenage lives. Academically, subject teachers carefully monitor assessment grades and examination results so that support and help based entirely on an individual’s needs can be given where necessary.
It is not all work and no play in the Senior School. There are a variety of regularly reviewed clubs and activities both at lunchtime and after school, and sports teams have regular practices and fixtures. All pupils in Year 10 upwards are encouraged to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme.
Working together is encouraged, and the regular inter-house competitions ensure a competitive but friendly environment where highly talented pupils (and occasionally brave members of staff!) show their skills, but equally important is the premise that all should be included. Some of the biggest cheers of the day go to those who simply ‘have a go’ and to us this sums up the true spirit of Rougemont.
The greatest strengths of the Senior School are undoubtedly the relationship between staff and pupils, and the support pupils give to each other. Discipline and respect are key ingredients which, when mixed with friendliness, make a great recipe for exam and personal success. At the end of their time in the Senior School, not only do our pupils have academic currency with which to move forward in life, but crucially they also have friends and happy memories that will last a lifetime.
Mrs S Archer | Director of Seniors
Rougemont Ready
Being #rougemontready continues into Senior School life, where the patter of tiny feet is replaced by rather larger shoes, but the principles and ethics of the school continue. During senior school life, we are obviously aiming for academic heights as well as preparing our students for the demands of the outside world. It can be tough at times, and our pastoral team are extremely well trained to be able to guide and support students through their teenage years using a variety of different strategies, but always keeping the emphasis on the wellbeing of the child.
As with the Prep school, students are encouraged to take responsibility in a variety of ways. The House system is an excellent way for pupils to have a lot of positive and competitive fun outside of the classroom. Our Sixth Form House Captains liaise with House Tutors to ensure that House competitions are varied, inclusive, well organised and are fairly contested throughout the year. House representatives are also voted in for each House within each year group, so there is every chance for interested pupils to get involved at an early stage.
The Pupil Council meets every month and is chaired by the Head Boy and Head Girl, with a member of staff in a supporting role. The Pupil Council discusses issues relevant to the pupils themselves, and those voted in as Councillors know that they have a valuable role in collecting information from their Form and feeding it into meetings. The Pupil council is incredibly popular – nothing whatsoever to do with the promise of tea and biscuits at the meetings!
Additionally, we have positions of responsibility throughout the school for Eco club, Sports captains, Charity representatives and many other areas of the school where opportunities exist to enrich the lives of our pupils.
We know that academic success is and must be a large part of senior school life, as realising an individual’s potential will enable career choices. In Years 10 onwards this is inevitably a large focus of school life, but as a prelude to provide challenge and opportunity both inside and outside of the classroom to Years 7-9 we have launched the very popular and successful KS3 Award, more details for which can be found on the Website.
We hope you will agree that our provision indeed enables pupils to be their best selves, and supports their development both pastorally and academic throughout their journey with us.
While the classroom remains central to Rougemont School life, we also see that co-curricular activities are vital to a rounded education.
The co-curricular programme at Rougemont is both formal and informal, with involvement with clubs, workshops, lectures, young enterprise groups, as well as interactions with academic departments an expected and pleasurable part of the daily school life.
We are proud of the variety that our co-curriculum programme offers with over 60 clubs or activities to choose from. The energy and enthusiasm of our staff is such that every pupil is sure to find something of inspiration, and is strongly encouraged to participate in a minimum of one activity per week. In fact, if there is interest in an activity not currently available we will do everything in our power to make it available. In this way, many of the clubs and societies can be initiated by the pupils themselves.
Music, sport and drama all play an integral part in the pupils’ lives, both within the curriculum and beyond. Participation in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award from Year 10 onwards has become increasingly popular in recent years, offering a nationally recognised award, enabling pupils to gain vast experience in physical activity, a volunteering project whilst serving the community and learning new skills.
Our ethos is that every pupil should find himself and be who he or she wants to be. We aim to deliver a wide ranging and evolving co-curricular programme that all can enjoy.
The effectiveness of this holistic co-curricular programme is measured by the fact that every pupil chooses what they want to do and has a full and active programme. The aim is to create a co-curricular programme that fosters tolerance and teamwork, develops integrity, enthusiasm, resilience, fairness, humility, warmth and confidence; the key elements of leadership. We also expect to produce the skills of time management and promote the ability to use time as profitably as possible. Participation in Co-curricular activities is strongly encouraged as time has shown that a youngster’s participation can benefit them in a number of ways and help to shape the pupil into a well-rounded individual.
We accept that individuals will want to become specialists as they progress, but the aim of the co-curricular programme is to help develop well-rounded individuals with all the qualities that will enable enjoyment of life to the full and for the pupils to be enriched by their breadth of experience.
It’s not just about learning to kick a rugby ball, play the piano or recite your lines on stage, it is also about dedication, teamwork, reliability, motivation and leadership and these are key, transferable skills both for the classroom and for later in life.
Curriculum
At Rougemont Senior School, the curriculum is distinctive in its variety and academic rigour. The well-balanced curriculum is designed to cater to pupils’ individual needs to ensure they maximise their potential at all levels.
Our outstanding examination results at GCSE and A Level are testament to the excellent standard of teaching at Rougemont as well as the hard work of both our pupils and their parents.
Ms P Rogers | Deputy Director of Seniors (Academic)
Key Stage 3
At Key Stage 3 (ages 11- 14), the curriculum is deliberately broad so that the best possible schooling is combined with the latest National Curriculum initiatives.
At this stage, all of the Key Stage 2 subjects continue, but the separate sciences – Physics, Chemistry and Biology – replace General Science. Latin is introduced in Year 7 and Latin or Drama is offered for pupils in Year 8. Spanish is being offered as the second modern foreign language. The number of 55 minute periods studied over a two-week timetable by pupils at this stage is as follows:
| Year 7 | Year 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| English | 7 | 7 |
| Maths | 7 | 7 |
| French | 4 | 4 |
| Spanish | 0 | 2 |
| Physics | 3 | 3 |
| Chemistry | 3 | 3 |
| Biology | 3 | 3 |
| Geography | 3 | 3 |
| History | 3 | 3 |
| Latin | 2 | 0 |
| Latin/Drama | 0 | 2 |
| RE/PSE | 3 | 3 |
| IT | 3 | 2 |
| Art | 3 | 3 |
| Music | 3 | 2 |
| DT | 2 | 2 |
| PE | 6 | 6 |
Year 9 will have the opportunity to choose certain subjects from a pre-GCSE option list.
One main advantage in the new Year 9 curriculum structure is that there will be more time allocation for the subjects chosen compared to previous years. The core subjects will still be compulsory and a more comprehansive GCSE option system will still apply in Year 10.
GCSE
When it comes to the GCSE years of Key Stage 4, we believe in choice. Maths, English Language and English Literature normally remain compulsory, as does Physical Education. But, following a special conference half-way through Year 9, pupils choose six further subjects.
The option subject groupings vary from year to year to cater for the aptitudes and interests of pupils.
Normally at least one modern language, one science subject and one humanities subject are taken by each pupil in order to ensure a broad and balanced education.
The full list of subjects available is as follows:
| Languages | Sciences | Humanities | Creative Arts |
|---|---|---|---|
| French | Biology | Business Studies | Art |
| Spanish | Chemistry | Geography | Computing |
| Latin | Physics | History | Design & Technology |
| Religious Studies | Drama | ||
| Music |
In addition to compulsory and option subjects in Years 10 and 11, pupils have the opportunity to take additional GCSEs in Physical Education and Latin. For pupils seeking an extra challenge the Higher Project Qualification is also available in Year 10.
House System
The Rougemont House system encourages friendly competition in a very supportive and encouraging atmosphere. There are three Houses named after Welsh Saints; Gwynog (yellow), Caradog (blue) and Dyfrig (red), each led by a designated member of staff (the House Tutor), and supported by the Y13 Senior Prefect team as House Captains and Vice Captains. There is also a House Prefect within each Year group whose responsibility is to liaise with their Year group and feed back into House Meetings. All pupils are allocated to a House when they join the school, and we try to place siblings within the same House so that they are able to support each other!
Competitions throughout the year are numerous and varied; our pupils really get behind their House and events have a tangible ‘feel good’ factor. Staff are also affiliated to a House, so the feeling of whole School involvement is extremely evident; staff are equally as passionate as the students in wanting their House to do well, and are a great support to House Tutors and their teams.
Whole School competitions throughout the year are House Music, Sports Day, Cross Country, Eisteddfod, the IT Challenge, the Christmas Quiz, the House Bake Off and House Frisbee, but there are also smaller House events, some within a year group, each of which adds points to the House total. The House Year culminates in a Final assembly where, with much fanfare, the House with the most points is revealed, and the House Cup proudly adorned with ribbons displaying the winning colour.
Throughout the years we have seen enormous skills of many different kinds in our House competitions, and quite a few surprises too! Pupils clearly feel a sense of belonging and pride in their House and largely because of the very supportive ethos within the school, feel able to showcase their talents even if they are a little shy at first. Alongside the many other activities on offer, the House system provides an opportunity for our pupils to shine in many different ways, and year on year they do.
Pastoral
The well-being of our pupils is central to all that we aim to achieve at Rougemont. Our priority is to get to know all our pupils as individuals so that we can help them to develop as well-rounded young people, comfortable in themselves and in the company of others.
All of our staff actively engage in making our pastoral care the very best. Form tutors are at the centre of this pastoral hub. They are key to ensuring the well-being and progress of our pupils, liaising with Heads of Year, parents and other staff when necessary. Each Head of Year works closely with the Pastoral Deputy Head who is also the child protection officer.
If you have any concerns about your son or daughter, please do not hesitate to contact us, firstly via your son/daughter’s form tutor.
PSHE
The aim of Personal, Social and Health Education lessons is to prepare our pupils for responsible lives in our increasingly complex society. It helps them to be thoughtful, self-confident and enterprising in the present, while preparing them for active and considerate involvement in family, social, economic and civil life in the future and in their careers.
PSHE for Years 7 to 9 is taught in form groups with one lesson over the two-week timetable. In Years 10 and 11 PSHE is incorporated into tutorial / pastoral time and delivered by form tutors.
Personal Wellbeing explores feelings, emotions and family issues as well as friendships and looking after our bodies and minds. Social Education includes topics such as responsibilities, values and opinions. Keeping Healthy incorporates age-appropriate material on sex, relationships, drugs and personal safety.
Citizenship considers the role of the Government, the Law, finances and Global issues.
Looking to the Future incorporates some aspects of our Careers programme and promotes discussions on skills needed for the future as well as a career pathway. Financial Capability considers our life influences, and managing our finances sensibly. The course is progressive and planned so that each topic, taking a half term, introduces new concepts at the right time in a pupil’s emotional and physical development. Visiting speakers and outside agencies form an integral part of the PHSE provision, bringing with them not only their expertise, but the ‘real life’ application of some of the topics under discussion. Such speakers may be invited to give whole school assemblies, work with individual year groups, form classes, or in ‘circle time’ with only a few students.
The PSHE programme is managed, co-ordinated and developed by specific members of the teaching staff in discussion and collaboration with the Heads of Year and Deputy Head.
Transition to Senior School
Making the move from Juniors to Seniors is an exciting yet sometimes overwhelming experience for pupils.
At Rougemont, we endeavour to make the transition from Year 6 to Year 7 as smooth as possible with support for every pupil and their individual needs.
Mrs Munro works alongside the Head of Key Stage 3 as the Year 7 Pupil Progress Co-ordinator to ensure every pupil maximises their potential in the transition from ‘grey’ blazers to ‘black’ blazers. Equally, pupils joining Rougemont from Year 7 can expect support and encouragement from day one ensuring new friendships are nurtured and academic achievement fulfilled.
Key Stage 3
As pupils move into the Senior School so the focus on academic achievement grows. House events and competitions continue to play a huge part of school life and co-curricular opportunities increase with plenty of sport on the agenda. Pupils have the opportunity to broaden their interests whilst still benefiting from the small class sizes.
Years 7 and 8 form a solid grounding for a more mature approach to learning and studying before entering Year 9 where pupils have the opportunity to choose certain subjects from a pre-GCSE option list.
The Key Stage 3 curriculum in the Senior School remains broad and blends the best traditional schooling with the latest curriculum initiatives. Science is separated into Biology, Chemistry and Physics, and Latin is introduced to complement French and Spanish.
Key Stage 3 Awards
The Key Stage 3 Award offers a range of very exciting and engaging opportunities for each and every pupil within Years 7, 8 and 9. It is the culmination of nearly twelve months of planning and development, with contributions from every subject and teacher in Senior School alongside a range of whole school activities and co-curricular clubs. Designed to encourage every pupil to aim for excellence, the Award endeavours to provide opportunities for pupils to develop their skills as learners as well as be active participants in the wider school community.
The Award is split into three main sections – Bronze, Silver and Gold:
BRONZE AWARD – 5 activity credits + 1 book
SILVER AWARD – 6 activity credits + 3 books
GOLD AWARD – 7 activity credits + 5 books
Each year group has been allocated specific subjects within which they may work as part of the Award. Alongside these ‘Academic Achievement’ subjects, pupils will be encouraged to showcase their skills and abilities in common areas of focus titled: Creative Performance, Leadership and Independence, Social and Personal skills, Physical Endurance, Citizenship and our Community, Peer Mentoring and Coaching, and Digital Competency. There is also a reading list (Wider Reader) from which pupils are required to read a minimum number of set titles. Pupils are not expected to complete every activity available, but choose from those that interest them and that they can complete to a high enough standard to meet the given success criteria. Guidance on all the activities and common areas of focus can be found in the Key Stage 3 Award Logbook. Form tutors and subject teachers will be guiding each pupil through their Award.
The Award also recognises that learning experiences and success extends beyond the classroom and, for certain categories, achievement and participation in external co-curricular activities may be submitted. Participation in an official sponsored event, a club or society that requires regular attendance and played fixtures or an activity where international honours are gained to name just a few. For our creative and musically talent pupils, taking part in a stage performance or official musical event may also be submitted as evidence.
Tasks have been created for each of the nine categories and pupils have until the May half-term to gather their evidence and submit it for their Award. Every pupil will be encourage to work through to a minimum of Bronze Award and record their achievements in their logbook. For those pupils who wish to set the bar even higher, a Platinum Award is available. Here, the key word is exceptional and pupils wishing to gain the Platinum Award will have already secured the Gold Award and then complete two of the three possible extension activities.
At the end of this academic year, you will be invited to a presentation evening to acknowledge the pupil’s achievements and success within the Award; here successful pupils will be given formal recognition for their hard work and efforts. Showcased at the presentation evening will be a range of work completed through the year by the pupils.
Key Stage 4
The Key Stage 4 years represent a personal milestone in the lives of our pupils as they make the sometimes rather challenging transition into young adults. As if things were not confusing enough, this is also the time when academic pressure can really begin to build as out pupils embark upon their GCSE courses. The specialist support and guidance provided at Rougemont can prove crucial at this time.
Key Stage 4 sees pupils further developing their own ideas and opinions. Whilst this is whole-heartedly encouraged at school through participation in school council and other forums, it is a time of great personal and social change, and it is likely that at some point individual help of some kind will benefit. The staff at Rougemont have individual and collective experience which makes them highly effective at helping pupils back on track should the need arise, and supporting them in managing issues for themselves to encourage resilience in every day life.
The majority of pupils will study 10 GCSEs, selected as options according to academic strengths and interests at the end of Key Stage 3. Examination success is at the forefront of Key Stage 4, and teachers carefully monitor assessment grades and examination results so that targeted and timely help can be given to pupils where necessary. This may take the form of extra classes or parental meetings so that a network of collaborative support is available and pupils are more likely to achieve their predicted grades.
Happily, it is not all work and no play in the Senior School, and at Key Stage 4 co-curricular activity and participation in House events is strongly advocated in order for pupils to enjoy a broad educational and social experience. This is extremely important in developing personal skills but equally desirable as a foundation for future applications. All pupils in Year 10 upwards are encouraged to participate in the character-building Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme.
