A place to develop skills

Academic success is very important to us and we work hard to make sure every student is supported to “do their best”.  High grades are important to any school but what makes Redcar Community College special is that we are also committed to developing skills.

From their first day at the school our students start improving their “personal learning and thinking skills”, these are very important to us as they help the young person develop independence and resilience.

Functional skills like these are what make one young person employable over another with similar qualifications; it is good to be knowledgeable but even better if you can apply this knowledge.  We also ensure that the wider aspects of a student’s education are not neglected; we do this by providing a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities.  We are interested in the development of your son or daughter academically but also as a self-aware and positive person.

Senior Students

Towards the end of year 10, many students will be hoping to become senior students and a selection process will have begun which for some will lead to the formal presentation of a “purple sweatshirt”.  This is a high status event and the outgoing senior students hand over the shirts as the names are called.  The senior students have a very important role in the school and are excellent role models for the younger students; uniquely they have their own lunchtime base in the Compass Centre.  The best of the best are selected to become Head boy and Girl and their deputies.  Their names will be added to the role in our school hall for future generations of students to see.  The parents of these four exceptional students are invited to the year’s final assembly to watch the presentation.

Senior students are not simply the most able!  This position is open to any student who is a good role model for others, irrespective of ability.

Young Leaders

The school is very keen to promote leadership amongst students and trains promising youngsters to become young leaders in a variety of fields.  For example “Sports leaders” may be observed coaching younger children or organising events for primary age children.

Buddies

Because we place so much importance on creating a friendly, family like atmosphere in the school we train some students to act as “buddies” for younger more vulnerable children and they are very effective at supporting or seeking help for these children.

School Council

There is an active school council and the student members have a real voice in important school decisions.  It may surprise you to learn, for example, that every new teacher we employ, no matter how experienced, is observed teaching and then interviewed by students.

“Pastoral leaders provide a central source of support for students and many of their families and are highly committed in their care and support for an enormous range of students’ and families’ needs.” – Ofsted