Aspirations run high at Richmond School and Sixth Form College

A former Prime Minister, Olympic swimmers and an England rugby player rub shoulders with nano-industrialists leading the latest industrial revolution, a high court judge, the deputy speaker of the House of Lords and the president of BAFTA.

Aspirations run high at Richmond School and Sixth Form College as it aims to fulfil the dreams and ambitions of all students regardless of their backgrounds and abilities.

“If you come here that is what we expect – for you to be able to fulfil your ambitions and your dreams whatever they are,” said head teacher Ian Robertson. “If you buy into our school then we have the facilities and the teachers to help you do this.

“Students make excellent progress because all staff get to know them and focus on helping them to achieve their best results. It is about giving individual attention to every single child and I am really proud of what we now achieve at the school.”

But there is certainly more to Richmond School and Sixth Form College than just the results.

“I am equally proud of the fact that we have got more students involved in extra-curricular activities than ever before; in sport, music, dance, drama; recently we have seen students travel to Ecuador, France, Germany, India, as well as all over the UK,” Mr Robertson said.

“Our job is also about giving students a broad education to make them rounded people. Exams are crucial and improve a student’s life chances but we focus just as much on wider opportunities, embracing their hobbies and their passions in life. I hope that we make them believe in themselves and we are committed to finding something for everyone.”

As head teacher Mr Robertson is passionate about developing his own staff. “I want the school to be the employer of choice for teachers across the region,” he said. “Teaching is a vocation but it’s a tough job and there is no better place to do it than here.”

Lancashire-born and educated in a Salford secondary modern, he stayed in education to pursue his love of sport, particularly rugby. He studied a theology degree at the College of Ripon & York St John and undertook teacher training at Birmingham University.

Mr Robertson began teaching religious studies at a comprehensive school in Rotherham, moved to Sandbach School in Cheshire and Castle Hall in Mirfield, West Yorkshire. He later became deputy head teacher at Woodham School, Newton Aycliffe, head teacher of Blakeston School, Stockton and executive principal at the Hermitage School, Chester-le-Street, before moving to Richmond in 2010.

His experience in teaching has led to a belief in the importance of schools supporting schools and the community. “The school is a community asset and the number of people and organisations who access our facilities is phenomenal. Most of the year we are open seven days a week, 9 till 9 and we do this in partnership with a host of clubs and organisations.

“Seeing the children do well drives me, seeing them have great life experiences through education, seeing them enjoy all sorts of activities and it is a privilege to rub shoulder with these young people on a daily basis.”