About us.

The Romsey School is an 11-16 community comprehensive school, which serves the greater part of Romsey and the surrounding villages of Ampfield, Awbridge, Braishfield, Sherfield English, Michelmarsh and Timsbury. The part of Romsey within the catchment area lies to the north of the old Eastleigh to Romsey railway line, east of the Sun Arch, north of the A27 from the Sun Arch to the Plaza roundabout, continuing along the bypass over Middlebridge. There are 1100 pupils on roll with an admission limit of 224. Each year group is full.

Academic achievement and ethos

The Romsey School sets out to teach pupils in a well-ordered and disciplined environment, and aims to give every pupil a sense of purpose and achievement. The school enjoys considerable academic success with results amongst the best in Hampshire. It was recognised by the Observer as one of the top 100 state schools. It received a special mention in the Chief Inspector’s annual report 1999, for the progress of the pupils and the good value the school provides.

The school espouses traditional values with an unambiguous approach to discipline and clear policies on uniform. The best of the school’s traditions will be retained and the ethos will be developed to ensure that:

• there is success for every individual;
• pupils take increasing responsibilities within the school, for themselves and for others;
• the school looks outwards to develop links with the wider community and Europe .

A school for the community

There is considerable community activity on the site which is open from 7.00 am to 10.00 pm on most days. There is a full programme of adult education classes, as well as the use of the facilities by local groups and organisations. The success of the community dimension is recognised by the achievement for the third time of the prestigious Schools’ Curriculum Award.

Facilities

There has been considerable work in recent years to update and improve the facilities. There is a modern sports hall, and a floodlit all weather pitch. There is a fully equipped health club on site open from early morning to late evening. These facilities complement the gymnasium, tennis courts and playing fields. They are well used by the school and the community; there is a tradition of sporting excellence at the school and a full programme of extra-curricular activities and fixtures.

A performing arts block was completed in 1995. This consists of two music rooms, a well-equipped drama studio with removable tiered seating and a further drama room. Theatrical productions and concerts can also be mounted in the school hall. The school choir and orchestra produce high quality performances in school, in Romsey Abbey and in Southampton University ’s concert hall. Of equal standard is the popular annual production involving large numbers of pupils and staff.

There is a new library and resources room with stock partly funded by the highly active parents’ association. There has been significant investment in IT in recent years and the school now has 9 well-equipped IT rooms including a business and information studies suite. Through their fundraising activities, parents have contributed significant sums towards these facilities. Pupils and staff contribute to the school’s web site. There are other networked and stand alone computer facilities, and this is an area of further development highlighted by the Headteacher.

There are up-to-date facilities for the teaching of the arts, humanities, science, mathematics and modern languages, and curriculum areas each have their own suite of rooms. There has been further development of the facilities with a new classroom block incorporating the special needs area which was opened in September 2002.

Specialist School Status

In September 2004 the school was designated a Maths and Computing Specialist School . This means that there is increased investment in maths and ICT to ensure the school is at the leading edge of teaching and learning. This specialism allows us to continue to increase, update and replace our hardware. We will introduce additional courses in Key Stage 4. Some pupils, for example, will have access to A/S courses in these subjects. We aim that all pupils leave the school with a qualification in maths and ICT. The skills and teaching methods that can be developed through maths and computing can be readily transferred to other subjects in the school, thus helping to raise standards across all subjects. We intend to achieve a whole school maths and computing ethos which, we believe, will enhance the employability of our pupils.

Support for special needs

The intake is of above average ability with around 7% receiving free school meals. Nevertheless, there is a strong special needs department which provides support through withdrawal and in-class support. There is a literacy/numeracy option for pupils in key stage 4 for whom the full range of GCSE courses is problematic, and the school is developing links with local colleges to provide extended work placements and vocational courses for selected pupils.

Aspergers Resourced Provision

In September 2002 a new provision opened in a purpose built area for small numbers of pupils in the autistic spectrum. Entry to the provision will be via a child’s statement of special needs and will be determined by the County. Where possible these children will be educated in mainstream lessons with specialist support. There will also be the opportunity for one to one tutoring and support in social time.

GCSE and preparing for the future

Pupils take between 8 and 13 GCSEs in core and optional subjects. A very high percentage of pupils enter further education. Many pupils achieve scholarships to further and higher educational establishments including Oxbridge. Pupils are also prepared for the world of work through the careers guidance programme which begins in year 9 and the successful Business Project in year 10 which brings in consultants from business and commerce to work alongside pupils prior to their work experience placement.

Caring for pupils

Pupils are placed in mixed ability tutor groups and each subject sets pupils according to ability at an appropriate time. Setting in English, Maths and Modern Languages takes place early in Year 7. The pastoral role of tutors is important and developing. The Personal Social and Health Education programme is delivered by a specialist team throughout the school and they are supported by tutors in tutor time. It is intended that tutors remain with their group throughout their time in school. The oversight of the care of pupils is the responsibility of the five year leadership teams, the Head of Pastoral Support and the Deputy Head. The pastoral team maintains close liaison with educational welfare services and parents to ensure as much co-operation and support as possible. The school is open to parents at any time of the day so there are considerable opportunities for parental involvement.

Activities

The school extends beyond the normal curriculum by means of clubs and activities, sporting and cultural. As well as providing opportunities for enjoyable and worthwhile experiences the extra curricular dimension also helps to cement the good pupil/teacher relationships which are the cornerstones of the success of the school. This is a particularly strong area of the school highlighted in our past OFSTED inspection.