ACHIEVE Days

Year 7

October ACHIEVE days

Mountfitchet Castle and Spymasters

The visit to Mountfichet Castle helps students to understand the construction of early medieval castles and what life was like within a motte and bailey castle and will assist students in developing their understanding of the Norman Conquest, the development of castles, and the nature of power in the Middle Ages.

Spymasters is an interactive, exciting, adventure centre where students work in teams undergoing maths-based challenges which are related to the work of MI5/James Bond. These challenges involve the students trying to crack codes on computers, as well as various physical challenges.

Healthy Body, Healthy Community, Healthy World Workshops

This in school day of workshops is led by the West Ham Foundation, students will rotate around a series of specially planned workshops which will grow their understanding of how we look after ourselves, others and the wider world around us.

July ACHIEVE days

French Day

All Year 7 students will take part in a French day in school, being immersed in French culture and continuing to develop their French linguistic skills through a range of workshops and activities.

Kew Gardens

Kew Gardens is a botanic garden in Southwest London that houses the largest and most diverse plant collection in the whole world. On this trip students will be able to explore a range of different ecosystems and how plants and animals have adapted to live in them. There will be opportunities for students to experience the humidity of tropical rainforests and the heat of hot deserts.

Hollywood Bowl & In-house Cinema

This is to celebrate the students’ success in Year 7.  Please note that behaviour and attendance records will be taken into consideration and some students who have not met their targets may not be permitted to attend the celebration of success trip.  Every opportunity will be given to students to ensure they are on target to pass their behaviour reports and to improve attendance. There will be two activities, one will be an in-house cinema at school and the other Bowling at nearby Hollywood Bowl, Dagenham.

Year 8

October ACHIEVE days

English – Debate Mate workshops

Debate Mate offers an engaging and transformative experience for students, helping them build essential life skills. Through interactive debates, students will improve their critical thinking, communication and public speaking abilities. These workshops foster confidence, creativity, and teamwork, equipping students to articulate their ideas clearly and solve problems effectively. It’s a fun, supportive environment where every child learns to express themselves and engage with different perspectives

Colchester Zoo

The visit to Colchester Zoo enables students to see an incredible variety of animals from all over the world. This will reinforce the understanding of adaptations and habitats as well as food chains and webs – an important part of Key Stage 3 Science curriculum.

July ACHIEVE days

Dance Days

Students will be taking part in dance workshops taught by professional artists in a variety of dance styles, either at JRCS or at one of the local primary schools. The Year 8 Dance Days have always been an exciting experience for every student and even the form tutors join in the performance experience! The two days culminate in a final performance at JRCS judged by a special guest. Details of which students will be off-site will be distributed nearer the time.

Adventure Island: Southend

This is a whole year group trip to celebrate the success of Year 8. Please note that behaviour and attendance records will be taken into consideration and some students who have not met their targets may not be permitted to attend the Adventure Island celebration of success trip.  Every opportunity will be given to students to ensure they are on target to pass their behaviour reports and to improve attendance.

Year 9

October ACHIEVE days

Ypres

The focus for the Ypres visit is for students to visit and experience first-hand the cemeteries and battlefields of the First World War. This is an outstanding opportunity for students to appreciate the realities of fighting on the Western Front. The day will include visits to the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres, a section of the trenches at Hill 62 – Sanctuary Wood, and the war memorials at Langemark and Tyne Cot Cemetery.

Tower of London

Students that do not attend the Ypres trip have the opportunity to instead visit the Tower of London to experience one of the most famous and historic landmarks in the UK. The Tower of London has stood guard over the Thames since William the Conqueuror first started the castle in the 1070s. The castle has served as a fortification, a royal palace, a prison and a place of execution. The current crown jewels are also kept at the Tower. This experience will enrich students and provide them with a better understanding of London’s past.

Global Awareness day

Students will work in school for the whole day spending two hours in each of these departments on a variety of activities which are detailed below.

Students will spend time in each of these departments on a variety of activities which are detailed below.

Geography – The main theme of the day is globalisation and fair trade.  Students will work in groups on a very exciting international trade game that requires teamwork, planning and strategy skills. They will be fully engaged in trying to outwit each other and emerge triumphant on the world stage. This will also give students a concept of the wider application of geographical knowledge.

DT – During the Design Technology section of the day students will be actively involved in teams and given a range of creative problem solving tasks focusing around Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths work. There will also be some explanation of careers, opportunities and pathways within the worlds of Design, Engineering and Construction.

Literacy – Students will engage in one of two activities. Either a performative poetry session with an external provider ‘Adisa the Verbaliser’ covering themes such as the intricacies of migration, the empowering essence of resistance, the transformative power of self-discovery to name but a few. Or they will engage in a session to learn the art of debating in small groups ran by an external provider Debate Mate.

July ACHIEVE days

London Walking Tour

The focus of the City of London visit is for students to immerse and experience the 2000 year old City of London through a walking tour that will enable them to visit some of the most important sights in London’s historic centre. The City of London was first built by the Romans over 2000 years ago when it was named ‘Londinum’. It has also experienced a huge wave of different migrants, the plague and fire. This experience will enrich students and provide them with a better understanding of London’s past and test their skills of navigation and communication as they follow a trail throughout the city.

Music days

As part of the Music Department’s commitment to delivering a wider curriculum programme, students will experience two live concerts performed by professional musicians. They will also work in groups to participate in four workshops throughout the day hosted by visiting artists/musicians who will offer a wide range of musical opportunities to enhance the KS3 curriculum.

Chessington World of Adventures

This is a whole year group trip to celebrate the success of Year 9. Please note that behaviour and attendance records will be taken into consideration and some students who have not met their targets may not be permitted to attend the Chessington celebration of success trip.  Every opportunity will be given to students to ensure they are on target to pass their behaviour reports and to improve attendance.

Year 10

October ACHIEVE days

Business Enterprise Day

Students will participate in a range of activities throughout the day which will be based on the hit BBC TV show ‘Dragons’ Den’. The following skills will be developed which will contribute to work related learning skills necessary to succeed in the world of business:

• team work
• financial planning
• marketing
• communication
• project management

Success Day

Students will be working at school where they will participate in three activities concentrating on skills and attitudes needed to succeed in many aspects of life – not just at school and work. We hope that students will take this chance to think about what they want from the future and continue to develop this outlook that will allow them to achieve their goals. The students will participate in an ‘introduction to work experience’ workshop where they will make their online choices for their work experience placement. A major part of the day will focus on students thinking about the skills they need to go to university and further education.

July ACHIEVE days

Employability Day

It is important that we ensure every Year 10 student has the opportunity to reflect on their work experience and develop their employability skills. To help enable this, students will participate in a range of sessions over the course of the day including:

• Work experience reflection
• CV writing
• Interview techniques

Additionally, each student will also participate in a formal interview with an employer. They will be provided with feedback after this activity.

Personal Development Education days (PDE)

Further to their lessons in PDE through Key Stage 3 and 4, this event will allow all students to participate in a day focusing on sex and relationships education and drug awareness.

Thorpe Park

This is to celebrate the students’ success in Year 10. Please note that attendance records will be taken into consideration and some students who do not meet their attendance targets may not be permitted to attend the Thorpe Park celebration of success trip. Students who are behind on coursework or have work outstanding will also not be permitted to attend and will remain in school on this day. Every opportunity will be given to students to ensure they are on target to complete coursework and to improve attendance.

Year 11

October ACHIEVE days

Core subject exam preparation

The English, Mathematics and Science Departments have organised two days of intensive subject based intervention. The activities are focused on controlled assessments and examinations and they will help to ensure students achieve the best possible results on the new course pathways.

Year 12

October ACHIEVE days

London Culture Day

Students are encouraged to appreciate their close links to our nation’s capital; London. Issued with a tube and street map and a list of “London Sights/ Icons” they must evidence their day whilst on a mystery tour around London. Additional places of interest are also suggested, such as particular exhibitions that may be running at the time. Many of the students stay longer in London on the day than they are required. Importantly though, the day aims to prepare them to be more independent whilst travelling to, and around London, for work, fun or as part of a journey to a university campus!

The World Today in Action

Students are invited to engage in discussions regarding beliefs and attitudes in society today – listening to a variety of outside speakers.

July ACHIEVE days

Higher Education and Post 18 week

Students engage in a series of activities as part of the Sixth Form’s higher education and Post 18 week. During the week students visit the University of Essex, learn to cook an economic, tasty meal and think about living on a budget. Students are given guidance about how to write a successful personal statement, how to research courses successfully and understand the process of degree apprenticeships. Guest speakers and expert staff help students plan for a successful future after their time at JRCS.

Brighton Trip

Extending from the London Culture Day at the start of Year 12, students are offered the opportunity to travel to the ‘seaside’. The trip is designed to further enhance independence, allowing students travel independently via London to meet school staff before travelling to Brighton; a destination in reality not that far away. Once out of a city environment, they further develop their experiences for university, important life choices and a chance to make a different environment a known environment

Year 13

October ACHIEVE days

Life after sixth form

Students utilise these days with activities preparing them for life after the sixth form. The days are spent in school with guest speakers, workshops and individual work within tutor groups. The focus is on career guidance, learning interview skills and practising them, and completing university applications.