As one of the leading comprehensive schools in England we consistently deliver high achievement. Building on our Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ judgement, we are continually developing and improving the educational experience for all learners. Our dynamic and inspirational team of staff deliver a high quality learning experience where every student has the opportunity to excel. There is a strong partnership between students, parents, staff and governors who work together to provide the very best possible support in achieving shared goals. We have established a creative and inclusive atmosphere in which individual talents are nurtured and allowed to flourish. Our extensive range of extra-curricular activities develops skills, interests, relationships and most importantly the students’ enjoyment of school life and learning.

2. Welcome to Ryedale School. As one of the leading
comprehensive schools in England, we consistently
deliver high achievement.
Building on our Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ judgement,
we are continually developing and improving
the educational experience for all learners. Our
dynamic and inspirational team of staff deliver
a high quality learning experience where every
student has the opportunity to excel. There is a
strong partnership between students, parents,
staff and governors who work together to provide
the very best possible support in achieving shared
goals. We have established a creative and inclusive
atmosphere in which individual talents are nurtured
and allowed to flourish. Our extensive range of
extra-curricular activities develop skills,
interests, relationships and most importantly the
students’ enjoyment of school life and learning.
We established the Ryedale Federation in July
2016 and in collaborating with three of our feeder
primary schools, we are improving the continuity in
learning between the key stages thus enhancing the
educational provision we offer. Through working in
real partnership with our primary colleagues we are
best placed to support student progress in Year 7
and beyond.
We have significantly enhanced our learning
environment through the recent completion of our
exciting development that has included: nine new
classrooms, the refurbishment of science and
art rooms and two additional tennis courts. From
September 2018, we are moving to a five form
entry and six setted groups in core and humanities
subjects. This organisational change, combined
with our increased capacity and teaching staff,
will enable us to provide a fantastic educational
experience for 150 students in all year groups from
September 2018.
We are very proud of our school and hope that
you will join us in the unique and dynamic learning
experience that is Ryedale School.
Ryedale School is committed to combining the very best educational provision with high
expectations and traditional values. In doing so we challenge and support students both to
fulfil their academic potential and become exemplary young people of whom we can all be
proud. This unites us in our commitment to ‘Aspire and Achieve’.
2
Your Future
Starts Here
Mark McCandless Executive Headteacher
Domenica Wilkinson Secondary Director

3. The quality of teaching
is exceptional. My child
comes home every day
feeling motivated and
inspired by her lessons.
Parent of a Year 9 student
“
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4. 44

5. Achieve
High expectations are essential to high
achievement. We place great emphasis
on attitude to learning, sustained effort,
teamwork and leadership. We instil in
our students a desire to improve their
performance, to broaden their horizons
and to think independently.
Central to the ethos of Ryedale School is
the emphasis on the individual. Personal
strengths and talents are recognised and
given the opportunity to flourish. We value
and celebrate high achievement in all
aspects of school life including making a
positive contribution to the school and the
local community.
Relationships between peers and between
students and staff are positive and caring.
We provide a secure, stable framework in
which students are supported in aspiring
to achieve.
We believe in providing the right blend of challenge and
support to enable all learners to maximise their potential
in every aspect of school life.
Aspire and
5

6. Fulfil
Central to the success of Ryedale School is high quality
teaching combined with high expectations for every student. Our
exceptional team of teachers combine with high quality resources
to ensure students develop a love of learning and a passion for
their subjects.
Our consistently excellent GCSE results
reflect our strength across the curriculum.
Students of all abilities study a broad
range of subjects at both Key Stage 3 and
GCSE through our carefully considered
curriculum design and options process.
For English, maths, science, modern
foreign languages and humanities, our
students are set according to ability from
the beginning of Year 7 based on their
performance at Key Stage 2. Sets are
reviewed on a regular basis. Other subjects
are taught in mixed ability groupings.
Ryedale students are educated to meet
the challenges of the twenty first century.
Our highly skilled team of staff collaborates
with colleagues both within the Ryedale
Federation and across North Yorkshire,
through our involvement in the Yorkshire
Teaching Schools’ Alliance, to develop
best practice and innovative approaches
to teaching. Our investment in staff
development ensures that we are best
placed to support our students to fulfil
their potential.
6
your

7. Potential 7

8. 8

9. Parent of a Year 7 student
The pastoral care is
clearly central to the
ethos of the school.
My son was so well
supported during the
transition, he could not
wait to start at Ryedale
School.
“
”
At Ryedale School we are committed to providing equality of opportunity and
a school climate in which all students are able to achieve their potential. We
encourage students to strive for high personal standards, both in their studies
and in their conduct and celebrate student success in all aspects of school life.
Sense
of Belonging
On entry to Ryedale School, every child is
placed in a tutor group. The form tutor is
the person with whom each student has
the closest contact on a day to day basis
and who oversees the care of your child.
Students are also assigned to one of four
Houses and are encouraged to play an
active part in our dynamic House system
which promotes teamwork and healthy
competition.
Our high quality pastoral care system
undoubtedly pays dividends. Students
are more confident and optimistic, better
behaved and more socially integrated while
remaining distinct, characterful individuals.
We encourage our students to take pride
in themselves and in their school.
Our inclusive and supportive approach
fosters a real sense of belonging.
9

10. Expressive,Creative,
Independent
The Performing Arts has a huge impact on the life of the school
and has opened up opportunities to every single learner.
10
An impressive number of extra-curricular
performance activities take place each
term. These range from drama and dance
clubs, whose members perform regularly
in assembly and to the public, to the
popular after school art sessions. Musical
performances take place throughout the
year, with opportunities for parents and
the local community to see our students
perform to an exceptional standard in
recital evenings and concerts. Our whole
school musicals take place every other
year and involve over 100 students.
Academic achievement is high in GCSE
music, art and drama. Studying these
subjects gives students a desirable
breadth of study at GCSE and encourages
them to be expressive, creative and
independent.

11. Mr Moxon, Head of Performing Arts
Over a quarter of
our students receive
instrumental or vocal
tuition.
“
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12. 1212

13. Miss Flintoft, Head of Girls’ PE
Students of all
abilities thoroughly
enjoy participating
in our clubs, house
matches and
competitions.
“
”
13
Sport is an integral part of our school life. The confidence,
discipline and sense of achievement obtained through
extra-curricular sporting activities are valuable components
of the education at Ryedale School.
Fostering our inclusive ethos, over 90
highly competitive house events take
place every year; elected Sports Captains
organise and encourage younger
participants across all year groups. Clubs
take place every lunchtime enabling
students of all abilities to get involved and
have fun in an activity of their choice.
Our sporting achievements are remarkable
considering the size of the school.
Apart from distinguished individual
performances including representative
honours at District, County and National
level in a variety of games, our teams
regularly win District and County
competitions. Ryedale School has a proud
tradition of nurturing future champions of
sport.
Champions
Sportof

14. 14
Successful
We believe students who
enjoy school achieve the
greatest success. We work
hard to ensure our students
are given every opportunity
to engage in new and
fulfilling experiences; from
the Duke of Edinburgh
Award Scheme to the range
of foreign trips available
during Enrichment Days.
There is so much on offer
to challenge and inspire our students during
and beyond the school day.
The wide variety of extra-curricular activities
complements our engaging and inspirational
curriculum perfectly to ensure all of our students
can flourish academically, socially, physically
and emotionally.
The standard we set for every Ryedale
student is to work hard to meet the high
expectations we hold for them and to engage
in the opportunities on offer. In return, we
guarantee a successful, rewarding and
enjoyable Ryedale School experience!
For a personal tour of the school please
contact Stephanie French, PA to the
Headteacher, on 01439 772610 or email
sfrench@ryedaleschool.n-yorks.sch.uk who
will be happy to arrange your visit.
Rewarding

15. 15
Enjoyable
Lessons are amazing. Every lesson
is taught by a subject specialist who
is passionate and knowledgeable in
their field. Take advantage of this, ask
questions, work hard, and I promise
you will achieve highly and love your
time at Ryedale School.
Harry McMurray, Head Boy
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16. Gale Lane, Nawton, York, YO62 7SL
Telephone: 01439 771665
Email: info@ryedale.n-yorks.sch.uk
Web: www.ryedaleschool.org
A HIGH PERFORMING
SPECIALIST STATUS SCHOOL
SPECIALIST IN
THE PERFORMING ARTS,
SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS
2018-2019