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Rydal Penrhos – The Promise in Action: A Bespoke Learning Experience for Every Child
April 17, 2024

Rydal Penrhos has set out its Promise; six core tenets that define the minimum standards that children, parents, carers, and families can rely on us to deliver, year-after-year. In this series of articles, we unpack each part of The Rydal Penrhos Promise, and explain what it means for the young people in our care.

6. A Bespoke Learning Experience for Every Child

At Rydal Penrhos, we believe that every child is unique, with their own set of abilities, strengths, and areas for growth. It is only right, therefore, that we approach each child’s educational journey in a way that is specific and personal to them.

Our commitment to providing a bespoke learning experience for each pupil begins even before they set foot in our school. Through our entrance assessment, known as a Cognitive Ability Test (CAT), we gain valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of each pupil.

The assessment, which is 90-minutes long and completed online, adapts to a child’s performance in real time, setting suitably challenging questions and tasks. The answers pupils provide help paint a detailed picture of their abilities, allowing us to tailor our support and interventions in turn.

Although ‘interventions’ can often be perceived as a daunting or negative term, they in fact serve as an essential tool in supporting our pupils’ individual progress. Rather than viewing Additional Learning Needs (ALN) and More Able and Talented (MAT) as rigid categories, we recognise that any child may benefit from extra support and opportunities.

When interventions are introduced, they are designed to be targeted and effective, integrating into the day-to-day learning process as seamlessly as possible. Almost a third of Rydal Penrhos pupils benefit from some sort of intervention, whether that is to bridge a pupil back to the target level or help a high-performer strive even further forward.

To ensure that we stay attuned to our pupils’ progress and adapt our interventions accordingly, continuous assessment occurs throughout the academic year. Assessments take place across all parts of the school, tracking key metrics such as literacy and numeracy. The valuable data captured in this process can then directly inform our teachers’ decision-making.

The results from our internal assessments paint a compelling picture of progress and achievement. In the academic year 2022/23, 65% of Year 7 and 75% of Year 8 pupils demonstrated reading abilities that exceeded the norm for their age group. For those pupils whose reading ages initially fell below expectations, their improvement trajectory also surpassed national norms. In Year 7 alone, 57% who began with a reading age below their chronological age narrowed the gap between the two figures between rounds of testing.

At Rydal Penrhos, we are committed to fostering a culture of growth and excellence. By embracing the principles of bespoke learning, we ensure that each pupil receives the individualised support and guidance they need to flourish academically and pastorally. Our approach is not one-size-fits-all; rather, it is a finely crafted combination of opportunity and support, tailored to ensure every child reaches their full potential.

The Rydal Penrhos Promise

Our Commitment to Your Child; Our Pupil

1. Small class sizes, experienced teachers, exceptional academic results.
2. Significant and ongoing investment in school buildings and equipment.
3. A broad and diverse curriculum for pupils aged two to eighteen.
4. Outstanding pastoral support from a dedicated team of specialists.
5. An extensive programme of school trips and extra-curricular clubs and activities.
6. A bespoke learning experience for every child.