Regent High School

Regent High School
formerly
South Camden Community School and
Sir William Collins Secondary School
Motto

Latin Nil Sine Labore

(Nothing without effort)
Established Leased 1873 (existed prior)
Type Community school
Head Teacher Rosemary Leeke
Deputy Heads Pete Bains, Shahid Deen
Chair Jill Hoffbrand
Founder London School Board (1877)
Location Charrington Street
Somers Town
London
NW1 1RG
England
Coordinates: 51°32′03″N 0°07′59″W / 51.53415°N 0.13304°W / 51.53415; -0.13304
Local authority Camden
DfE URN 100051 Tables
Ofsted Reports
Students 832 (2010-11)[1]
Gender Mixed
Ages 11–19
Houses 5 houses
Colours Blue, Orange, Green, Red and Yellow
Publication Mosaic, Artisan
Affiliations Reed Group, IiP, Camden Consortium, Eco-Schools
Website Regent High School
Former SCCS logo
Opening of the new extension by Sir Willis Jackson 20 October 1961, including school logo and motto

Regent High School (RHS), formerly South Camden Community School (SCCS) (1993 to 2012) and Sir William Collins Secondary School (1951 to 1993), is a co-educational comprehensive secondary school in Somers Town, in the London Borough of Camden, England. The name was last changed in an attempt to shed what staff feared was a "negative perception" of the school rooted in its past.[2] The school enjoyed an extensive rebuilding and refurbishment programme from 2011 to 2013. The school's accreditations include Healthy Schools, Sportmark, Leading Parent Partnership award and International Schools status.[1] The last Ofsted inspection for SCCS, published in 2013, rated the school as "Good".[3]

Introduction

The school has partnerships with a wide range of local, national and global organisations, and its vision is to become a hub for the local community.[4]

The most recent Ofsted inspection for Regent High, in November 2012 and published in 2013, rated the school as "good" and praised students' achievement, the quality of teaching, the behaviour and safety of students and the leadership and management of the school.[5]

The school previously held 'Specialist Arts' status, giving students access to a number of opportunities, trips and visits, to develop their confidence and self-esteem.[6]

The school has 'Advanced Skills Teachers' in Maths, Science and Drama, recognised for their classroom teaching practice. Teaching staff were finalists in the 2011 Rolls Royce Science Award,[7] an annual awards programme recognising inspirational teaching in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).[8] In 2012, the school’s English and Humanities departments created a CD for Camden Borough Literacy Resources, which was made available for all schools in Camden and which is designed to encourage sharing of best practice across the borough.

The school's accreditations include; Artsmark Gold,[9] Teaching Awards, Investor in People, Stonewall School Champions,[10] Sustainable Travel and International Schools status.[11]

Plans for redevelopment of Regent High School were proposed in January 2010 and approved on 6 August 2010.[12][13][14]

History

The school dates from 1873, when the London School Board leased the site, although a school had existed there before. The new school was completed and opened in 1877, as "Medburn Street School". In 1904, it was renamed the "Stanley School", though reversed in 1910 to avoid confusion with another nearby Stanley School. It originally took children up to age eleven, later extended to older pupils.

After 1938,[15] following various reorganisations, the school no longer took pupils under eleven-years-old. In 1951 it merged with part of the North London Polytechnic school for boys, based in Prince of Wales Road, Kentish Town, and became a boys school, "Sir William Collins School", named after Sir William Job Collins,[16][17] an eminent surgeon and local politician.

The school added "Secondary" to its title around 1960 when it became a comprehensive school, though still for boys only.[18] This was part of the London County Council policy at the time for all inner London schools. It became co-educational in 1978 and then became "South Camden Community School" in 1993.

The original Victorian school buildings were located between Chalton Street and Medburn Street; Medburn Street was used as the address. Medburn Street was demolished when, between 1958 and 1961, the London County Council extended the site and buildings to Charrington Street, which became the new address with the school offices located on that side. The new extensions were officially opened in October 1961 by eminent engineer Sir Willis Jackson (later Lord Jackson of Burnley). The extensions had, however, already been partially occupied in 1960 out of necessity with the large expansion of pupils, to approximately 1,100 at the time, which made it one of the largest schools in inner London.

The site for the new extension was about 5 acres (20,000 m2). The cost at the time was £375,000, and a further £36,500 for furniture and equipment. The architect was Mr William Crabtree, FRIBA and the general contractor Gee, Walker & Slater Ltd. The design consisted of interconnected quadrangles, designed to have as many rooms looking inwards as possible.[19]

Rebranding

The school was rebranded and renamed in 2012. The new name was chosen after consultation with students, staff and governors, and the construction of a £25 million new building[20] featuring classrooms, a fully equipped gym, three all-weather multi-use pitches, science laboratories, a theatre with professional lighting and staging, drama studios, music recital rooms, technology suites, a recording studio, four art studios, a media studies suite and a large library.[21][22] The school plans to use the new building to become a hub for their community and partner primary schools.[23][24]

Through the rebranding process, a compulsory uniform was established, consisting of a navy blazer with the logo and a plain white school shirt with a clip-on tie with the student's tutorial colour. Boys are required to wear plain black trousers, whilst girls have the option of wearing either these or a plain black knee- or ankle-length skirt.

Ofsted

In November 2012 Regent High School was rated as a "good"[25] school under the new Ofsted framework. The inspection praised students' achievement, the quality of teaching, the behaviour and safety of students and the leadership and management of the school.[25]

Inspectors found that "all staff share a relentless drive to raise the achievement of students,[25] that the school's broad curriculum caters for students' individual learning needs and interests, and that 'teaching supports students' social, moral, spiritual and cultural development strongly".[25]

The report confirms that the school's "capacity to secure and maintain improvement is reflected by the significant yearly improvements in attainment and achievement",[25] that "GCSE and equivalent results obtained by Year 11 students have improved well... due to the very strong emphasis on learning"[25] and that "a significant proportion [of students] made outstanding progress in 2012".[25]

Regent Sixth Form was also rated "good".[25] Inspectors noted that "the achievement of students leaving in Year 13 is good, especially for students studying vocational qualifications" and that "the success of the school's drive to improve students' life chances is reflected in the greater proportion of students progressing to higher education".[25]

Location

Located just north of central London, in the Borough of Camden, Regent High School is partnered with various institutions,[26] including University College London, Rothschild, Sainsbury's and The Francis Crick Institute.[27][28] The partnerships enhance the school's curriculum, support students preparing for higher education, developing employability skills, and gaining understanding of the world of work. These opportunities form an integral part of the learning environment, where individual students' needs are met and their talents and interests developed.[26] In addition, the partnerships provide extensive CPD opportunities for staff.[29]

Sixth Form

Regent Sixth Form is expanding and provides a wide range of AS/A Level and BTEC National courses.[30] The curriculum is extended by work with other local post-16 providers, a mentoring programme and a number of unique initiatives, along with advice on higher education, UCAS applications and career options. The Sixth Form provides an enrichment programme, including nationally-recognised award schemes.[31]

Those enrolled in Sixth Form are encouraged to take an active part in the Vertical Tutoring system in place at the school, encouraging independence, initiative and leadership.[32] The school provides dedicated study space for post-16 students to work together in groups or independently.

Sixth formers progress onto a range of university courses, including biomedical and forensic sciences, law, nursing and geography at a number of Higher Education institutions.[33] In 2012, 100% of Regent sixth form students were accepted onto their chosen university courses.

The sixth form has an "Aim Higher" programme in place, which includes careers days, academic booster sessions and mentoring schemes with UCL, Sainsbury's and British Land.[31] Post-16 students attend an annual Higher Education Conference, designed to give students information about a number of future options.

In 2011 the school was in the top 25% of all schools and colleges nationally in terms of progress made by students at Key Stage 5.[34]

Exam results

In 2012, the school had their best ever results with 62% of GCSE students achieving 5+ A*-C grades, including English and Maths, marking a 13 percentage point increase on the previous year's results.[35]

At A-level, post-16 students achieved a 98% pass rate, with 52% of students attaining an A*/A grade or equivalent in their A level and BTEC courses, with two thirds of Year 13 students achieving at least one grade at A*/A.[33][34]

The school's most recent Ofsted report from November 2012 stated 'results are improving rapidly'.[36]

Partnerships

The school's location in the city of London facilitates extensive links with professional organisations, businesses and educational institutions. Examples include: UCL,[37] Rothschild,[38] Wellcome Trust,[39] Sainsburys, British Land[40] and The Francis Crick Institute.[41] The collaborative partnerships provide students with unique opportunities such as trips, visits, motivational speakers, masterclasses and mentoring.

Other community partners include: Global Generation,[42] City Learning Centre, Somerstown Community Neighbourhood forum,[43] The British Museum,[44] British Library,[45] Age UK Camden, Foundling Museum, Metropolitan Police, Camden Fairtrade Network, Camden Mela and Somerstown Festival, Anne Frank Trust and ARUP, Young Enterprise,[46] Sainsburys and The British Council.

In addition, the school works closely with their primary school partners.[36] Activities and events include masterclasses, taster sessions and educational workshops, and allow for pupils to work with teachers and students from the school.

The school achieved the 2012-2015 Full International Schools Award (ISA),[47] in recognition of their international partnerships with Bububu Secondary School, Zanzibar, Tanzania, UNRWA School, Abu Dis, Palestine and Jongintaba Junior Secondary School, South Africa.

Headteachers

Notable former teachers

Notable former pupils

Publications

The school issues an 8-page magazine each term, titled Regent Reporter.[51]

References

  1. 1 2 Ofsted report published July 2011, accessed 16 December 2011
  2. ↑ South Camden Community School changes name to shed 'negative perception' Camden New Journal online, accessed 23 June 2012
  3. ↑ Ofstead Inspections 2013 and previous, accessed 6 April 2014
  4. ↑ Regent website, accessed 20 May 2013
  5. ↑ OFSTEAD 2012 report, accessed 20 May 2013
  6. ↑ Regent website, accessed 20 May 2013
  7. ↑ Regent website, accessed 20 May 2013
  8. ↑ Rolls-Royce website, accessed 20 May 2013
  9. ↑ Regent website news section, accessed 21 May 2013
  10. ↑ Stonewall website, list of school champions, accessed 21 May 2013
  11. ↑ Regent website, accessed 21 May 2013
  12. ↑ Calls to make an exception for community school to the cuts to the "Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme" - Camden New Journal 15 July 2010, accessed 23 July 2010
  13. ↑ Camden schools lose out as building plans are scrapped, Hampstead & Highgate Express, 6 July 2010, accessed 23 July 2010
  14. ↑ Hampstead and Highgate Express 6 August 2010 - SCCS re-furbishemtn given the go-ahead
  15. ↑ History of the school (accessed 18 February 2007)
  16. ↑ Papers held on Collins at Senate House Library, University of London (accessed 3 May 2009)
  17. ↑ Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (accessed 3 May 2009)
  18. ↑ Ceremonial Opening booklet dated 20 October 1961 shows the names in effect since 1950
  19. ↑ Text in the Official Opening Booklet, 20 October 1961
  20. ↑ Students return to newly-renamed Regent High following £25m makeover
  21. ↑ Regent High School kicks off new era with Ofsted praise
  22. ↑ Regent High School official site
  23. ↑ Regent High School - Our new build
  24. ↑ Regent High School - New beginnings as Regent High School
  25. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 OFSTED 2012 inspection report, accessed 17 May 2012
  26. 1 2 Regent High School - Our partnerships
  27. ↑ Regent High School - Community partnerships
  28. ↑ Regent High School - Business partnerships: learning from the experts
  29. ↑ Regent High School - International partnerships
  30. ↑ Regent High School - Sixth Form curriculum
  31. 1 2 Regent High School - Your Sixth Form experience
  32. ↑ Regent High School - Vertical tutoring
  33. 1 2 Regent High School - Sixth Form
  34. 1 2 Regent High School - Exam results
  35. ↑ Regent website - exam results, accessed 21 May 2012
  36. 1 2 http://www.regenthighschool.org.uk/docs/Ofsted/Ofsted_2012.pdf
  37. ↑ Partnership activity
  38. ↑ Rothschild — Brightside
  39. ↑ http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/stellent/groups/corporatesite/@msh_peda/documents/web_document/wtvm055664.pdf
  40. ↑ Our community partners – British Land
  41. ↑ The Francis Crick Institute
  42. ↑ A Day and Night of Shining Stars
  43. ↑ Somers Town Community Association
  44. ↑ British Museum - Local community
  45. ↑ British Library Jobs
  46. ↑ King's Cross - Schools
  47. ↑ International School Award
  48. ↑ Hansard record of debates for 8 February 1994 (accessed 18 February 2007)
  49. ↑ Hansard record of debates for 9 December 1994 (accessed 7 March 2007)
  50. ↑ The Changi Murals (accessed 7 March 2007)
  51. ↑ Regent High School - Regent Reporter

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Wednesday, March 16, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.