Redden Court is not a selective school and attracts an intake spanning the entire ability range.  It is school policy that pupils are taught in groups with others of a similar ability. This enables teaching to be better targeted to the specific needs of the individual.

At the start of year 7, pupils are placed in bands and sets based on information received from their previous school, and on early assessment data.  Groups are under constant review, with opportunities for pupils to move between sets at regular intervals.

The school’s policy is to extend the more able pupils as far as possible and there are opportunities for special curriculum enhancement.  The results of pupils in the higher ability groups are comparable with pupils in any school in the Borough or surrounding areas.

The Special Educational Needs department works with pupils with learning difficulties; these pupils are taught according to their particular needs.  Pupils placed towards the lower end of the ability range have had some outstanding successes.

The buildings have been built in several phases over the last 60 years and almost all rooms have been decorated in recent years.

Science -  four well equipped laboratories, each with its own prep Room.

Mathematics - a suite of four specialist rooms.

English and Drama - a suite of four specialist rooms.

       Design and Technology - two large CDT rooms

      - two Home Economics Rooms for the teaching of Food and Textiles Technology.

Art - a suite of three specialist rooms, one of which is dedicated to Pottery and 3-Dimensional work.

          Music - the recently developed Music complex, next to the Sports Hall, has a keyboard laboratory, listening / performing room and two practice rooms for personal instrumental tuition.

        Modern Languages - two specialist rooms where students are taught French.

        Humanities - there are five specialist classrooms for History, Geography and Religious Education.

        Physical Education   - a large Sports Hall and Fitness Centre, as well as the playing field which is used for football, rounders and athletics, depending upon the season.

ICT - as well as 3 specialist rooms which are equipped with computers, most teaching rooms in the school have IT and computer facilities. Overall, Redden Court  boasts one of the highest computer per student ratios of schools in the Borough.

Learning Resources Centre - incorporates the Library and allows students access to CD ROM and Internet facilities.

Learning Support - a specialist room which is well equipped with a variety of resources which enable students with learning difficulties to receive the necessary support.

Careers Library  -  a room which houses up to date Careers information and computers.

Assembly Hall - used for Year Group assemblies, school examinations, Gymnastics, drama and music productions.

Dining Hall - recently refurbished to provide hot and cold meals and snacks.  The Dining Hall is available to students before school, during morning break and at lunchtime.

Drama Room - temporary Drama Studio to be replaced by specialist facility as described below.

Currently, plans are being drawn for extending the main building. This will replace the outdated Art Rooms and provide specialist accommodation for Drama and Dance. It is expected that this ambitious building project, representing a £6.2million investment in the school, will be started in Spring 2008.

Click here to view our Extra Curricular Activities           The school week is divided into 25 one hour lessons. Key Stage 3 – Years 7, 8 and 9 The number of hours spent on each subject is as follows: Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 English (including Literacy) 3 3 3 Mathematics (including Numeracy) 3 3 3 Science 3 3 3 Design Technology 2 2 2 French 2 2 2 History 2 2 2 Geography 2 2 2 Physical Education 2 2 2 ICT 1 1 1 Art 1 1 1 Music 1 1 1 Religious Education 1 1 1 Drama 1 1 1 Personal, Social and Health Education (inc. Citizenship) 1 1 1

Key Stage 4 – Years 10 and 11

Students are prepared for examination in GCSE, Short Course GCSE, Vocational GCSE or other appropriate qualifications depending upon the subject and individual ability.  There are certain subjects which are compulsory and are studied by all students.  The number of hours spent on each of these subjects is as follows:

     There are also optional subjects which vary from year to year depending upon demand.  Students choose to study three of the following, each for 2 or 3 hours per week: