St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School

Infobox UK school
name = St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School


dms = yes
phone = 0117 3772100
fax = 0117 3772101
established = 1571
type = State
head = Elisabeth Gilpin
street = Somerset Square
city = Bristol
country = England
enrollment = c.1350
lower_age = 11
upper_age = 18
website = http://www.smrt.bristol.sch.uk/

St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School (often referred to as 'St Mary Redcliffe', 'Redcliffe' or 'SMRT') is a Church of England Voluntary Aided school for 11-18 year-olds situated in the inner-city suburb of Redcliffe (sometimes "Redcliff"), Bristol. It is close to St Mary Redcliffe Church (on its northern side) and Bristol Temple Meads train station (to the east), while its southern boundary follows the 'New Cut' of the River Avon.

As the only Church of England secondary school in the Diocese of Bristol, SMRT differs from most comprehensive state schools, in that entry is not restricted by catchment area; the school serves both the city and the outlying communities of Greater Bristol, for which there are no alternative Church of England schools. However, the school's administration now includes a small number of places for which no church link is required, thereby serving the immediate locality. The school is designated a 'Specialist Humanities College'. Elisabeth Gilpin is the headteacher; Director of Sixth Form is Adrian Champion.

History and culture

Bristol mapbox
latitude = 51.4464
longitude = -2.5880
caption=Shown within Bristol and the UKOn receiving an Elizabethan Royal Charter in 1571, St Mary Redcliffe School began in a building outside the south porch of St Mary Redcliffe Church (near the present-day war memorial), before moving to the Lady Chapel inside the church. Formerly termed a 'Free Grammar School', [Library History Database: http://www.r-alston.co.uk/school.htm] this school merged with Temple Colston School (founded 1709) in 1966, creating the co-educational 'SMRT', which moved to its present site in Somerset Square the following year. The dates of foundation for the original boys' and girls' schools (i.e. 1571 and 1709) appear superimposed on the Maltese cross-like crest of the school-uniform badge, itself part of the school's coat of arms (pictured).

On entry to SMRT in Year 7, students join James House (for a number of years located at Boot Lane, in nearby Bedminster); they are then placed in one of the four main houses: Canynges (yellow), Cartwright (blue), Colston (red) and Francombe (green). The house names refer to notable civic dignitaries, ecclesiastical benefactors and local educational pioneers. Although the colours of the SMRT shield include 'Colston' blue (usually identified outside the school as royal blue), the colour assigned to Colston house is red.

The school's two mottos are 'Steadfast in Faith' (historic) and 'A Christian Community Committed To Excellence' (modern). Both reflect the partnership with St Mary Redcliffe Church, and also the official faith of the school. Annual events include House Eucharists, beginning and end of year services, an Ascension Day Eucharist, the Redcliffe Community Summer Fete, a Christmas carol service, and the annual Colston Day service.

The school has been used for TV productions. In 2005 the school's buildings and uniforms featured in the BBC's "Patrick's Planet", while episodes of the Bristol-based "Casualty" drama series have been filmed at the school. In 1997, to celebrate the 500th anniversary of John Cabot's discovery of mainland America, SMRT students were invited to follow the progress of a replica of Cabot's ship, which the BBC filmed as it recreated the voyage of "The Matthew" from the area in which it was built.

Teaching and learning

As of 2007, SMRT has over 1,500 students, including approximately 450 in the Sixth Form (Years 12-13). [http://www.smrt.bristol.sch.uk/vacancies/07Mar_DT.pdf] With the exception of some lessons requiring extra space and facilities (for example, fields at Brislington being used for Games), most subjects are taught either in the Main Building (begun 1965), Temple Colston Building (opened 1987), Cartwright Building (opened 1998). SMRT's on-site sports facilities include an indoor swimming pool and gym, and the outdoor 'Arena' and hard-courts.

GCSE and 'A' level examination results are generally above the national average. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/education/06/school_tables/secondary_schools/html/801_4603.stm School average compared with LEA and National averages from the BBC] As well as achieving 'Humanities College' status, SMRT became a Beacon School in 2000, and has also been part of the 'Excellence in Cities' scheme (incorporating 'Gifted & Talented' programmes).

6th Form

Until 2005 SMRT's sixth-form programme shared the main premises with the rest of the school. The Redcliffe Sixth Form Centre, first opened in 2004, is based separately on Redcliffe Hill. However, some sixth-form lessons still take place in the main school.

The 6th form subjects for 2008/09 are:

References

External links

* [http://www.smrt.bristol.sch.uk/ School website]
* [http://www.panavista.eu/#smr Panoramic pictures of the church]