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.

Colchester Zoo

The visit to Colchester Zoo will reinforce the understanding of food chains and webs – an important part of the Key Stage 3 Science Curriculum, as well as fulfilling enabling students develop an understanding of the environment.

July ACHIEVE days

France

Students will have the opportunity to visit Boulogne sur Mer, France. This visit will enable the students to try out some of the French they have learnt so far whilst experiencing a little bit of the French culture. Students will have the opportunity to visit a bakery, where they will be able to learn how to make bread and croissants and then have a go at making their own and eat them! Lunch will be in the historic town centre where the students will discover the characteristics of Boulogne. The students will also have the opportunity to buy snacks in the old town. In the afternoon, the students will then go to a French hypermarket to do some shopping.

Historic Dockyards; Chatham

Students will take part in a day visiting the Historic Dockyards in Chatham. On this trip students will be divided into teams of 30 and will have a full tour of the dockyards and its various activities including rope making. The focus of the day is to develop knowledge of innovations in design and technology within the last 200 years and an understanding of the basic principles within the design of ships.

Coast Visit; Walton on the Naze and Clacton

Students will have an opportunity to see first-hand the effects of coastal erosion and how this can be managed through sea defences. The students will also visit Clacton where they will be given the opportunity to use the amusements.

Year 8

October ACHIEVE days

London Dungeon and Globe Theatre

Students will benefit greatly from this visit; this will enrich their understanding and appreciation of a range of topics currently studied. Students will experience aspects of life in Medieval and Early Modern Age Britain through their visit to the Dungeon, with particular attention devoted to the Black Death. During their visit to The Globe they will further their appreciation of Shakespearean theatre during the Elizabethan era.

Science Museum

The visit to the London Science Museum will allow students to investigate a range of scientific exhibits and information. Many of these exhibits allow students to become interactively involved. One area the visit will focus on the Glaxo Welcome area of the museum. This futuristic area offers students thousands of fun, scientific experiences; they will be able to explore how their face would appear if they were the opposite sex and how aliens might appear, if they exist. Students will also get the chance to watch a 3D short film in the IMAX Cinema located inside the Science Museum.

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.

Fair Trade 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.

• 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 team work, 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.

• Food
  The session in food will introduce the students to Catering and Hospitality careers and courses. The theme for this subject will be ‘Roses all the Way’. Students learn about careers in the food industry as well as being able to participate in a number of different practical activities.

July ACHIEVE days

Music Day

As part of the Music Departments 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 Key Stage 3 curriculum.

Aim Higher days

The focus of this visit is to offer all Year 9 students an insight into university life. As part of this taster day students will participate in challenging group work activities with support and advice from university students at Westminster University. They will also participate in a range of team building challenged facilitate by the PE department in the lovely Regents Park.

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 travel card, 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!

Volunteering Day

The power of giving up some of our free time is highlighted by a range of external speakers who offer opportunities for our students to volunteer through various organisations. However, the most important message that the day provides is that volunteering, even a small amount of time, has significant impact not only for those that the time is given to, but also to those that give the time themselves.

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 and attend a UCAS Fair at Queen Mary, University of London. They also learn to cook an economic, tasty meal and think about living on a budget. 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.

July ACHIEVE days

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