RUTLISH SCHOOL www.rutlish.merton.sch.uk
‘A Place to achieve REAL success’ RUTLISH SCHOOL
EXCELLENT ACHIEVEMENT AND A FIRST CLASS EDUCATION FOR ALL STUDENTS Welcome to Rutlish School I am extremely proud to be the Headteacher of this outstanding school which has a rich history and legacy for excellence as confirmed by Ofsted in 2022 and 2017. We are committed to educating the whole person and helping our students understand the importance of compassion, competition, fairness and honesty in all that they do. We embrace the school vision: “A place to achieve REAL success: Respect, Equality, Aspiration, Learning”. Our skilled teachers are committed to provide an outstanding quality of teaching and learning, where all students strive to be the very best they can. Our students achieve highly and we are proud that their examination results continue to be amongst the best boys’ state schools in the country. We have received national recognition for student attainment and progress in GCSE, A Level and vocational qualifications. We care about every student’s wellbeing through an inclusive approach that ensures every member of our diverse and multicultural school community is valued, happy and safe. Students are expected to take responsibility for their learning, respect others and respect the environment. We insist on high standards of behaviour and reward students for developing their personal and learning skills. Our students benefit from our twenty acre site, superb facilities and outside space in the leafy suburbs of Wimbledon. Learning is enhanced through a wide-ranging enrichment and extra-curricular programme. We offer a broad range of activities to meet the interests of all our students. In addition, we also run trips and visits both locally and abroad. Rutlish students leave the school as confident and wellrounded young adults who are equipped to succeed in whatever career pathway they chose.I hope this prospectus will give you an understanding of our aims and values. If you would like to visit the school or find out more, please contact the school via the details on the last page. Ms L Howarth Headteacher RUTLISH SCHOOL Welcome
A PROUD HISTORY OF 125 YEARS AND LINKS WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY Our original benefactor was William Rutlish, embroiderer to King Charles II and a wealthy man. He left his money in a trust for “the worthiest and most suitable objects of charity” in Merton. In 1887 John Innes, as Chair of Trustees of the Rutlish Foundation, agreed to use the money to establish Rutlish Science School. The school officially opened in 1895 with the first thirty boys paying £6 a year, or £3 if they were from Merton. John Innes left a further financial legacy to the Foundation in 1904. The school moved to its current location in Merton Park, within the John Innes Conservation Area, in 1957. Our Cadet Battalion, now the Combined Cadet Force, was founded in 1921. The House system was introduced in 1922, and both continue to flourish today. A new joint Sixth Form with Ricards Lodge High School, RR6, was established in 2010. Rutlish Foundation The Foundation continues to thrive with a remit to assist current and former students of Rutlish School, including providing grants for students in higher education. Rutlish parents and carers have the opportunity to join the Foundation as a Trustee. Old Rutlishians’ Association The Rutlish Old Boys Association was formed in 1906 to provide former students of the school with a sports facility and meeting place. While membership has opened up to the wider community, “Old Ruts”, based in nearby Poplar Road, and the school continue a close relationship. Parent Teacher Association We have an active PTA who organise social events for parents, support the school at events such as the Open Evening and successfully raises funds for the school to enhance the education and experiences of our students. RUTLISH SCHOOL History
HIGH QUALITY TEACHING AND LEARNING We are ambitious and teach a broad and balanced curriculum designed to meet the needs, interests and abilities of every student. Our curriculum intention is for students to be aspirational, innovative, creative and resilient, with the confidence and determination to achieve and succeed. Excellent, respectful behaviour is central to our core values. We praise and reward the development of students’ social, emotional and behavioural skills. We ensure all students acquire the knowledge, skill and cultural capital through studying in depth and breadth the full national curriculum. The curriculum is taught by subject specialists from Year 7 to Year 13. Teachers ensure lessons are planned to stretch and challenge the most able students in their classes as well as supporting those who sometimes find learning more difficult. Students who need extra support receive this through a wide range of interventions, including in lessons, after school catch -up sessions and, where appropriate, with our SEND department. Personal, Social & Health Education PSHE and relationship and sex education programmes promoting spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development are taught both in standalone lessons and across the curriculum. Careers Advice and Guidance We are committed to providing all students in Years 7 to 13 with high-quality, independent information, advice and guidance to assist them with their next steps in training, education or employment so they can make informed choices and are fully supported during transition. Special Educational Needs and Disability We have an inclusive provision for students identified with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Support programmes are individually designed and may include in-class support, small group intervention or one to one sessions. RUTLISH SCHOOL Curriculum
Students enjoy access to high quality specialist facilities, which include music rooms with keyboards for whole class, music practice rooms, two drama studios, two art rooms, six fully equipped design and technology rooms, nine science laboratories and nine IT suites. Rutlish has two learning resource centres, one for the main school and one for RR6. Our Sixth Formers benefit from a large common room and outdoor space. We also have our CCF Hut and a wellbeing garden which are both available for extra-curricular activities. Our canteen serves hot and cold food at breakfast, break and lunchtime. Sporting Facilities Students at Rutlish are fortunate to benefit from the superb sports facilities on site. These include extensive grounds, a sports hall and gym, pavilion with fitness suite, a large field for football and rugby in the winter, and cricket pitch, long jump and athletics track in the summer, an outdoor basketball area and hard court area. Students also have access to tennis at local clubs. EXTENSIVE FACILITIES WHICH ENHANCE LEARNING RUTLISH SCHOOL Facilities
SUPPORTING THE WELLBEING OF OUR STUDENTS Rutlish School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and wellbeing of children and we expect all staff, governors, visitors and volunteers to share this commitment. Transition We place great emphasis on our transition programme for students joining the school, to provide the support they need for the change from primary to secondary school. For students requiring extra help, we provide a bespoke programme during the summer term to help them become familiar with Rutlish. Students are placed in mixed ability tutor groups with a dedicated tutor as their first point of contact and tutor time sessions at the start of each school day. Tutors are supported by a Head and Deputy Head of Year. Together they are responsible for the pastoral wellbeing of their students, supported by our Inclusion and SEND departments. Inclusion Team Our Inclusion team assist students in need of emotional, medical, academic, self-esteem and behavioural support, either through our in-house mentors or in partnership with a number of external providers. Mental & Physical Wellbeing Our Personal, Social and Health Education programme, PSHE, contributes to providing a broad and balanced curriculum preparing students for the challenges, opportunities and responsibilities of adult life. PSHE helps students build emotional resilience, life and social skills, and develops the qualities and attributes they need to thrive as individuals, family members and members of society. It helps students to connect and apply the knowledge and understanding they learn in all subjects to practical, real-life situations while helping them to feel safe and secure enough to express themselves and fulfil their potential. Our physical education curriculum and extensive extracurricular activities promote the physical wellbeing of students. In Key Stage 3, students learn food technology and healthy eating to promote good physical health. Rutlish works with the charity, Place2Be, to provide counselling support for our young people in need of emotional and mental health support. Place2Be work closely with our students, families and the school to ensure they remain safe and well. RUTLISH SCHOOL Wellbeing
Rutlish students are expected to act as role models for others, make a positive contribution to school life and support our school community. The Student Leadership Team is led by our Head Boy. With his deputies, he has a team with responsibilities in various areas of the school such as primary transition, the Progress Centre, department representatives and extra-curricular representatives. The team liaise with our Senior Leadership Team, Heads of Department and Heads of Year and meet regularly to leave a legacy at the end of their tenure. There are a number of RR6 student ambassadors across both Rutlish School and Ricards Lodge High School who champion the voice of the Sixth Form and work closely with the Student Leadership Team. Student Ambassadors We have students in all year groups who are ambassadors across areas including Anti-Bullying champions, LRC monitors, Community and Charity leaders and Equality and Diversity champions. They support their fellow students, assist staff, or may help organise fund-raising events. School Council Representatives from all year groups are voted onto the School Council by their peers. The Council discusses matters important to the student body and makes proposals to staff on how to further improve the school. House System The House system is an integral part of the school introduced in 1922 to inspire competition, and was re-introduced in 2007. It ensures students develop a sense of belonging within the school and builds relationships between different year groups. Every student is a member of one of eight houses and wears their house tie accordingly. House competitions and fund-raising events take place every week and may include anything from poem writing and poster design to cake baking. Our House shields can be seen carved in to the external wall of the Main building. VIBRANT STUDENT LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES RUTLISH SCHOOL Student Leadership
AN EXCITING PROGRAMME OF ENRICHMENT AND EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES All students are encouraged to take part in additional activities which help broaden their horizons and support creative, cultural and sporting passions. The Arts Opportunities in art, drama and music lead to various performances and exhibitions during the academic year. Students also have the chance to learn an instrument, compete in national art competitions or take part in drama showcase events. Adventure We offer the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, including gold in the sixth form. Our Combined Cadet Force train and parade at school with additional weekend camps, outdoor pursuits and flying for RAF cadets. Trips We offer a varied range of educational and enrichment trips to all year groups locally and internationally, including to London museums, galleries and theatres, ski trip to Europe, language, geography and science trips such as to France, Spain, Switzerland and Germany. Sport Our PE Department runs an extensive timetable of extracurricular sport for all interests and abilities. Sports played include rugby, football, basketball, cricket, badminton, trampolining, athletics, table tennis and indoor rowing as well as tennis at a local club. Students in all year groups take part in inter-house competitions as well as representing the school both locally and nationally. Extra-curricular activities take place before, during and after school. RUTLISH SCHOOL Enrichment
RUTLISH SCHOOL RR6
UNITED IN EXCELLENCE RR6 is our combined sixth form, established in 2010 between Rutlish School and Ricards Lodge High School. Our two schools are “United in Excellence” to ensure the quality and continuity of education, support, advice and guidance for all of our sixth form students. Our students benefit from a commitment to first class teaching and a pastoral framework that supports students to become independent young adults. The study programme in RR6 is designed to provide students with a structured and challenging learning programme that supports their development and progression for future career plans. Subjects are timetabled across both sites. We offer students A level and BTEC courses in a wide range of curriculum areas including our specialist subjects - Mathematics, Computing, Performing and Visual Arts - ensuring access to university education and a range of vocational careers. Students benefit from a structured PSHE programme and an exciting and varied enrichment programme. These include personal development, study skills and employability skills, debating, sport, dance, bicycle maintenance, diversity and local community service. Sixth Form students are encouraged to build on their leadership skills. As senior members of the school, they are role models for the main body of the school. They have the chance to take a lead in community and charity events and act as peer mentors. Careers and further education advice is tailored to the individual. We offer external careers presentations, careers fairs and support with Oxbridge applications. RR6 students enjoy dedicated facilities including a common room and learning resource centre on each site. RUTLISH SCHOOL RR6
Rutlish School Watery Lane, Merton, SW20 9AD 020 8542 1212 administration@rutlish.merton.sch.uk www.rutlish.merton.sch.uk X (formerly Twitter) @RutlishSchool
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