Curriculum
The curriculum at Rickmansworth Park is underpinned by the three guiding principles of the school:
Teachers are passionate about teaching a curriculum which enables each and every child to achieve their full potential. The school has long recognised that in order to deliver a curriculum which meets the needs of all of the learners in our school, the content must be well rounded and inspiring. Our aim is to immerse our pupils in a full and rich curriculum so that our children can discover for themselves where their own interests and talents lie.
“Everyone is passionate about the school and the quality of education that pupils receive.” – Ofsted October 2018.
“Learning seen and work displayed indicate a broad and balanced curriculum for all” – HCC Brokerage Visit Report June 2019.
“The Curriculum is broad and balanced, and leaders ensure that pupils learn about other cultures both through stories and through visits and visitors. The curriculum contributes well to pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development” - Ofsted October 2018.
As a Read Write Inc school since 2012, all adults in the school are also fully committed to teaching children to read. The school believes that by empowering children to become confident readers, they are being given the tools to access learning for life.
“Reading is the one ability that, once set in motion, has the capacity to feed itself, to grow exponentially, producing a base from which the possibilities are infinite.” – Michael Morpurgo.
Following a day of external assessment on 18th July 2019, the school was very proud to be awarded the Rights Respecting Gold Award. The school is one of only three schools to hold this title in Hertfordshire.
“Learning at Rickmansworth Park is underpinned by a whole-school ethos as a Rights Respecting School. This work has a high profile in school and children’s work on display throughout reflects their strong understanding of rights and responsibilities” – HCC Brokerage Visit Report June 2019.
The ongoing work on rights gives genuine meaning to the school’s values and links seamlessly with the school’s Guiding Principles.
Children at the school benefit from a vast range of enrichment opportunities to enhance the curriculum. Wherever possible, staff make great use of visits and visitors to bring the curriculum to life. Large numbers of children, including the Disadvantaged, take up the opportunity to learn through extra-curricular activities including sports, performing and expressive arts, yoga, computing, and chess.
For the past three years, the school has been awarded the Gold Schools Games Mark and this year was the highest ranking, for participation, of all the schools in the local Sports Partnership. Since 2018, the school has bought in the services of Council run ‘Play Rangers’ to provide outdoor adventurous and team building activities for the pupils at lunchtime. This opportunity to engage in ‘risky play’ is available to all year groups from YR to Y6.