John Ruskin School, Coniston
General
John Ruskin School is a successful LA maintained mixed 11-16 comprehensive with 155 students currently on roll, situated in Coniston in the heart of the Lake District between Coniston Old Man and the shores of Coniston Water.
Our GCSE results have shown an upward trend since 2012.
2012 / 2013 / 20145A* to C including English and Mathematics / 50% / 53% / 63%
5A* to C / 69% / 75% / 72%
KS2 to KS4 progress value added (best 8) / 992 / 991 / 1016.4
We were recently inspected at the end of March 2015 and although the report has not yet been published I am pleased to report that the school has made improvements in all areas.
We are an active member of the South Lakes Federation, a federation of the learning establishments in the South Lakes area comprising of ten secondary schools, one special school, the local further education provider and the University of Cumbria.
Staffing
The Senior Management Team comprises a Headteacher, a Deputy Head, a Leader of Student Development and the Lead on Data Analysis.
The teaching staff consists 5 full-time staff and 14 part-time staff. However, as a small school, staff are multi-skilled and often carry more than one responsibility.
There are six teaching assistants and two part-time cover supervisors, a technology and science technician and a network manager.
There are four members of the office staff who include the finance manager, the exams officer, the librarian and we run our own kitchen and cleaning team.
Curriculum
There are thirty lessons of fifty minutes duration per week. In Key Stage 3 all students follow English, Mathematics, Science, PE, History, Geography, RE, Design Technology, Catering, Art, ICT, Dance and Drama, French, Personal Development and Music. In Year 9 students study Outdoor Learning Skills where they learn skills in navigation and orienteering, working towards national awards. They also work towards the John Muir Award.
At Key Stage 4 all students follow a core of English, Mathematics, Science, PE, RE, ICT, Personal Development and choose four further subjects from a list of options including History, Geography, French, Music, Expressive Art, Art, Resistant Materials, Catering, Triple Science, Environmental and Land-based studies and CoPE. Some also opt to do a GCSE in Computing and this is included as an option for Year 10 from September 2015 which will also mean that ICT will no longer be a core subject.
Through our links with the South Lakes Federation we ensure that we make the best possible provision for all of our students through mutual support and some alternative curriculum options or extended work placements if appropriate, although these situations are few and far between.
We profit from our natural surroundings by offering a fell-running club, the Duke of Edinburgh programme, an annual fell race and an annual whole school walk in the summer around the local area as well as the aforementioned Outdoor Learning Skills to Year 9.
Accommodation
We have an attractive site with sports fields and a heated open air swimming pool. The classrooms all have data projectors and most have interactive whiteboards.
We have fourteen main classrooms including two science laboratories, a catering room, a design technology workshop and room, an ICT room, an art room, drama room and a music room.
Learning Support Department
The school has students across the full ability range; however, there is a higher than average number of students on the Learning Support Register. The school has a good record with regard to supporting young people with learning difficulties and is fast developing the same reputation for the most able students. LS work is a mixture of small group and in-class support work.
Extra-Curricular Activities
There is a wide range of extra curricular opportunities including sports clubs, dance, music and drama clubs and a technology club. Extra-curricular activities this year include gymnastics club, swimming club, sports teams, expedition group, and cultural visits. We also offer the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Productions and concerts are very well supported by parents and students. There is a good-sized stage in the Hall with lighting and sound equipment. The termly life of the school is celebrated through our in-house publication the JRS Express which is sent to all families and placed in the local community.
Sports fixtures with other Cumbrian schools are played in football (boys and girls), cricket, netball, hockey, rugby, tennis, table tennis, cross-country, orienteering and athletics.
Parents and Governors
The school has a well-established reputation for its work with parents. We have regular parents’ evenings and seek out opportunities to maintain contact with parents, such as positive phone calls and interim reports and post Year 11 mock-exam interviews.
Reports are sent to parents to update them on student progress towards targets.
The governors are enthusiastic and supportive of the school and are involved in school improvement.
Transition
Students enter the school at age 11 from over a dozen rural primary schools. The school draws more than half its students from beyond its traditional catchment area, by parental choice.
Post 16 John Ruskin School students study at a range of local Sixth Form Colleges and FE Colleges with a handful finding local employment with training.
There are regular Careers Conventions from Year 8 onwards held within school to support the students’ choices as well as individual work with our Inspira PA for those students with additional needs.
Year 10 have a work experience week and Year 11 have mock interviews to prepare them for entering the world of work or further education.