The Right Secondary School 2009

Sydney Russell Comprehensive School

Head Teacher: Roger Leighton BA

Admission Number: 300
Department for Children, Schools and Families number: 301-4028

Open Evening was on Monday 15 September 2008, 7pm, and Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 September 2008, 9.15am.

Traditional values

We follow the traditional values of strong discipline, school uniform and a demanding classroom environment. At the same time, we are totally committed to using the best computer technology to help teaching and learning. Our first priority is to develop every child's academic potential as far as possible. We set high standards and we expect full backing from parents.

We take strong action in dealing with bullying. We also have a strict uniform policy. We expect students to wear the correct school uniform and wear it smartly and properly, as a sign that they take pride in belonging to the school and have a professional approach to their studies.

Grouping by ability

We have no mixed-ability classes. We place students in 1 of 3 bands according to their ability. All their lessons take place with students of similar ability. As a result, teachers are able to encourage every child at the right pace, allowing high-ability students to move ahead very quickly and students who need extra support to get the help they need.

We regularly review each student's progress to make sure they are in the correct band.

We set all students demanding targets for attendance, work and behaviour. Failure to meet these targets can mean moving a student out of their current band, although this happens very rarely. We place students in the top 30% of the ability range in one of our special fast-track tutor groups.

Computers

There has been a major investment in computer facilities in recent years, which is ongoing. There is a network that covers the whole school, with access in every teaching room, and a number of computer teaching rooms with 30 computers in each.

All teaching rooms have digital projection equipment so that all staff can make the most of online teaching materials with a whole class. During 2004-2006, a £2 million building programme has provided a brand-new IT teaching block with 10 air-conditioned state of the art classrooms.

Caring for your child

We pride ourselves on maintaining the caring atmosphere often associated with smaller schools. We do everything possible to make the move from primary school to secondary school as smooth as possible. New students and their parents say that they find the school welcoming and secure.

We place each student in a form group under the guidance of a tutor, who gets to know each child and his or her parents very well. We take the safety of students very seriously. Students are not allowed to leave the school site at lunchtime.

Clubs, trips and activities

We expect and encourage students to take part in the wider life of the school. A range of clubs and activities is on offer, including chess, science, humanities, mathematics, computers and languages. Sports clubs and teams include football, cricket, netball, rugby, basketball, volleyball and athletics.

Students have the opportunity to receive individual music tuition in a range of instruments as well as joining groups such as the choir, orchestra and steel band. They also have the chance to take part in public performances - each year there is a Christmas show, a spring concert, a dance evening and a major production in the summer term.

What the Ofsted inspectors say

In January 2001, Ofsted inspectors spent a week in our school as part of the regular round of national inspections.

This is what they said.

"The leadership of the Head Teacher is very good."

"Standards are rising at a rate above that nationally."

"Good teaching was seen across the school and in all subjects (96% of lessons graded as satisfactory or better)."

What pleases parents most:

'"Their child likes school. Their child is making good progress in school. The teaching is good. The school expects their child to work to their best."

Closest public transport

Buses - 5, 62, 145, 364, 129, 173, 175, 499

Rail - Becontree and Dagenham Heathway Stations