Cultural Capital
Our mantra ”Where the World Comes to School” is our motto and belief. We are passionate about cultural opportunities in the form of Festivals, Democracy, Debates, Celebrations and an in-depth promotion, understanding and appreciation of Heritage ultimately offering equality of opportunity and diversity across the school. We appreciate and promote differences in the world and its people, celebrating the things we share in common across cultural, religious, ethnic and socio-economic communities.
We provide rich experiences through an extensive extra-curricular programme that enables students to be confident, resilient and independent, and to develop strength of character. We work to enhance pupil’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development across the school.
At the Sydney Russell School we recognise not only the importance of allowing students to flourish academically but also our wider role in preparing them for their adult life beyond school. Part of that preparation is ensuring that we promote and reinforce British values in our students. The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy and considered them to be: democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs.
At The Sydney Russell School these values are taught specifically but also underpin every aspect of school life.
The examples that follow are an indication of some of the many ways we seek to embed British values at the Sydney Russell School and should be seen as an indication of our approach rather than an exhaustive list.
Our extra-curricular programme offers meaningful opportunities to be responsible, respectful, active citizens that contribute positively to the school, to society and the wider world. Pupils are exposed to discussions and debates, issues and idea through our Democracy Wall, Debating and our Citizenship curriculum.
Our Cultural Capital is rich and all-encompassing. At Sydney Russell School we are passionate to offer all students every opportunity to experience cultural capital in as a many forms as possible.
We strongly believe cultural capital unlocks creative energy and opens a student’s eyes to a world of artistic and social possibilities. We feel it unlocks other vital skills ensuring students are well-rounded, focused and open-minded, a must for future education and career paths.
Enrichment
We offer an extensive Personal Development programme, encompassing opportunities for students to develop their talents and interests alongside their academic pathway. Our mission is to ensure that every student, no matter their background or situation, is given equal opportunity to experience cultural capital. We have a relentless focus on improvement and measure our success by the achievement of all our students and our belief is that no student should be left behind. Our Enrichment programme provides a wide range of opportunities to nurture, develop and stretch pupils’ talents and interests. It encompasses Performing Arts, Debate, House Cup, Heritage, Elite Sports Squad, Football Academy, Culture Council, Student Council, Mock Trials and Mock UN. These work in tandem to offer a wide and extensive range of Enrichment opportunities for our Students.
The Arts
We offer an extensive Arts programme, encompassing opportunities for students to develop their talents and interests alongside their academic pathway. Our mission is to ensure that every student, no matter their background or situation, is given equal opportunity to experience cultural capital. We have a relentless focus on improvement and measure our success by the achievement of all our students and our belief is that no student should be left behind.
Our Arts programme provides a wide range of opportunities to nurture, develop and stretch pupils’ talents and interests.
It encompasses Performing Arts, Art, Drama and Music, Culture Council and Young Photographers. We are currently working in partnership with the Barbican, The White House, Valence House, which provide a wide range of workshops for our students. These work in tandem to offer a wide and extensive range of Art opportunities.
Sport
Sport is at the heart of Sydney Russell School, we are offering an extensive Sport programme that ensures that there is something for everyone. As part of this ideal we introduced a dedicated sports director who has developed strong links with external professional clubs and local organisations which is beginning to open doors to a professional level of sport for our students.
The range of sport on offer includes, Handball, Basketball, Rugby, Netball, Table Tennis, Athletics, Volleyball, Football.
There are also leadership opportunities for our students where they can train to become coaches. We are very proud of our Elite Sports Squad which is made of elite athletes who are dedicated to healthy lifestyle and sport. They recently exceeded our high expectations when raising over £7000 for a good cause in charity events. Often running a series of grand events for our Primary, Secondary and other schools in the borough, they have become a litmus for all other schools and their sporting drive.
The Sydney Russell School Football Academy has officially kicked off with a strong representation in both Borough and National competitions, always representing our school with pride.
The Sydney Russell School is the place to be for any student passionate about sport.
The Health and Wellbeing of students is of the utmost importance. As well as ensuring that students feel safe within the school environment by offering guidance, advice and nurturing environments, our inclusion policy ensures that every student receives the same opportunities to broaden their horizons and increase their circle of friends, through clubs and events, ensuring their confidence and social skills grow.
House
The Sydney Russell School prides itself on our very active House System, established in 2017, whereby all staff and students are assigned to one of five houses. The Five Houses are CENTAUR, DRAGON, GRIFFIN, PEGASUS and PHOENIX, they each have very strong identities and the students proudly wear their House badges on their blazers. Each House has two House Captains per year, their responsibilities begin with promoting events to fellow students and culminates in them taking part in and leading teams in those events. This promotes student leadership and responsibility which we passionately believe will go a long way in helping them in the future. Our House System also instils pride, competitiveness, team-work, loyalty, problem-solving skills and confidence in all students involved. It brings students together from different groups, widening their friendship circles and horizons, which will stand them in good stead for the future.
We celebrate the successes of all of our students who strive to achieve their best in all aspects of life in school. The House system gives our students the opportunity to be rewarded for efforts and achievements across the board, be it in the classroom, in the playground, or within a House System competition. Students regularly earn house points for excellent work BUT the primary aim is to encourage ALL to get involved in the many inter-house competitions that are held throughout the year. These events can take place during break times or after school, they have included: SRS Fairground, University Challenge, The Chase, Murder Mystery, Countdown, Ten Pin Bowling, Dingo Dollar Challenge, Maths Battles, Obsta-Course, World Book Day, Board Game Evenings, It’s a Knockout, SRS Has Got Talent, Charity Bake Sales, Mastermind, The Cube, Rowathons and much more.
Our biggest and most loved event is the SRS Olympics, a day of celebrating sport, unity and well-being. This is a whole day, and whole school, event and very akin to the Olympics themselves. The day begins with a colourful parade. Athletes lead their House Teams, waving flags and banners, through the Playground where other students cheer their friends and their Houses Teams on. This is followed by a full day of sport accompanied by plenty of other games and activities for the spectators. From Bouncy Castles to face painting, from live DJ to splash the teacher, its a day that everyone looks forward to and remembers. This is the ultimate opportunity for the Houses to earn points for the final standings.
At the end of each school year the winning House is rewarded with a House Cup Trophy and an end of year Party where they have the opportunity to congratulate each other and celebrate their achievements.
Jack Petchey
The Sydney Russell School has been collaborating with the Jack Petchey Foundation for a number of years. The Jack Petchey Foundation offer many programmes to help celebrate the achievements of young people in London and Essex. Our students have been able to experience arts and culture in London. They have provided our students with many fantastic opportunities that they wouldn’t usually have access to. This foundation recognises and rewards students for their outstanding individual achievements; whether it is from helping others, being a good role model, overcoming personal challenge, volunteering and breaking through personal barriers. Jack Petchey is an integral part of the culture capital of Sydney Russell, our aim is to provide opportunities for ALL students.
Citizenship
Alongside the curriculum, Civics, Citizenship and Politics, our Cultural Capital programmes offers students social and team building skills, confidence and problem skills, ensuring they develop the knowledge and skills to play a full part in society as active and responsible citizens.
We promote and reinforce British values,allowing students to flourish academically but also preparing them for their adult life beyond school. Democracy, Rule of Law, Individual Liberty, Mutual Respect and Tolerance of those of different Faiths and Belief are some of the ways we seek to embed these values at Sydney Russell School.
We enforce Equality and Diversity through education and then build on this through Enrichment, running festivals, debates, discussions and celebrations for every belief and tradition throughout the world.
Public Speaking
The Sydney Russell School provides an enrichment scheme, centred on public speaking skills, to ensure all students leave The Sydney Russell School prepared for life outside, as confident and well-rounded characters. Our enrichment department provides an extensive programme delivered both within lessons and as extracurricular clubs. There is something for everyone, with a variety of workshops and clubs pitched to all ages and abilities.
Our department offers opportunities such as:
- Debate Mate to help students build on their debating skills while working with professional mentors
- Model United Nations which will familiarise students with current affairs and develop their negotiation and diplomacy skills
- Magistrates and Bar Mock Trials for students who wish to work with judges and barristers in a real court setting
- British Parliamentary Style Debating whereby students compete at university level competitions to build the leaders of tomorrow
- Public Speaking Competitions against other schools across the country on a variety of topics
- Inter house competitions culminating in the end of year Great Debate and Staff versus Student Debate
- University visits and workshops to build student confidence and broaden their horizons.
In recent years our students have gone on to become debating champions and topped league tables across the country. This invaluable experience has helped students with, not only their university applications and interview preparation, but also provide them with vital social and communication skills.
Leadership Opportunities
At The Sydney Russell School, we aim to prepare students to take an active role in their communities once they leave school. As part of this, they are given opportunities to contribute to the life of the school and the wider community. One aspect of this is that students are selected to lead certain teams. While a member of staff has overall responsibility for the various enrichment activities, it is intended that students will take as much responsibility as possible. The current structure is as follows:
Students volunteer or apply to be members of a committee and take responsibility for initiating and organising events relevant to their committee.
Charity Committee
Throughout the year, students initiate, plan and run a wide range of events to raise money for charities chosen by the students. One of these is Jeans for Genes Day.
Environmental Committee
Students are involved in discussions to reduce the amount of litter around the school. They have begun a project to develop gardens in secluded parts of the school. There are various initiatives to do with recycling.
SNAG Committee
There is a School Nutrition Action Group. Students are involved in designing strategies to encourage others to eat healthily.
Community Committee
In the course of an academic year students plan and run a range of activities to involve the local community. A regular feature is a coffee morning for local residents to raise money for Macmillan.
House Captains
They are responsible for leading their designated teams to victory every year and ensuring publicity of events to ensure that that the students in their houses are well informed of relevant competitions and challenges in sport, quizzes, puzzles, team and whole school events. This is a leadership role, the skills learned during their time as House Captains will stand them in good stead for their future pathways.
Elite Sports Squad
They are responsible for leading major sports events including Primary and Secondary Sports days. They captain many of our sports and athletics teams encouraging them to utilise their leadership skills as well as their sporting prowess. They represent our school with pride and zeal in every competition.
Culture Council
Equalities Working Group
IAM Leaders
Prefects
Student Principal
Student Council
Careers
Our Careers programme prepares pupils for future success in education, employment or training. We provide our students extensive careers guidance, a range of speakers to train and educate pupils from Year 8 to Year 13. We have recently established an Alumni network of ex pupils who have been successful in both higher education and the work environment, which offers meaningful work experience opportunities for our pupils. It has increased the career opportunities providing our students with extra advice and guidance towards their future pathways, through a number of events, integrated into the school Careers Programme.
There is a Careers Hub established, where students can visit, research, discuss, and receive careers guidance.
We believe that education comes through exploring and experiencing the wider world. School trips are another way of ensuring that this is possible and we have established an entitlement programme which ensures that every child has the opportunity to attend at least one of these trips. This entitlement programme ensures that all pupil premium students get equal and fair access, no pupil is left behind.
Our Careers programme prepares pupils for future success in education, employment or training. We provide our Students extensive careers guidance through education, our Alumni network and visitor speakers. Our Careers Hub provides them a place they can visit, research, discuss, and receive further guidance.
As a school, we are committed to providing our students with the best advice and guidance towards their future pathways that we can. With that in mind, we work towards the Gatsby Career Benchmarks.
Throughout their time in Sydney Russell School, students are guided through a host of career and future pathway events and activities. Dedicated careers advice is available and is complimented by university trips, visiting speakers from the Apprenticeship Service and nationally based providers, a dedicated careers library, UCAS and Apprenticeship application support, as well as regular contact with their own tutor. Students are also expected to undertake a period of work related learning experience that is linked to their future ambitions.
Leaving students attend universities across the UK to study a range of courses including medicine, law, languages, mathematics, and midwifery and with some students attending a Russell Group university.
For some of our students, the university pathway is not desired, with students often taking on Higher Apprenticeships with some of the biggest employers in London.