School Size
Sir Thomas Rich's is a very popular school. It is popular because of its outstanding examination results; the calm, well-behaved, purposeful atmosphere; the wide range of extra-curricular activities. A further attraction is its size, large enough to offer a full curriculum taught by highly qualified specialist staff - yet small enough for pupils and teachers to know each other, small enough to retain its friendly ethos. We limit class sizes to a maximum of 27.
Because of its popularity, Sir Thomas Rich's has grown from two forms of entry in 1989 to four forms of entry. We do not want to become too large, so entry levels will not increase further and the school has reached its maximum size.
In recent years our buildings and facilities have developed.
In 1994 we gained new changing rooms to go alongside the new swimming pool,
a new library, new entrance foyer, Food Technology room, Sixth Form accommodation,
dining area and extra classrooms. In 1995/6 the local authority invested over
a million pounds' worth of new building, in the form of a second Quadrangle,
composed of ten classrooms and a multi-purpose Hall, as well as providing an
eighth laboratory and a second computer room. In 1998 a Sports Hall with changing
rooms and a multi-gym was completed and in 1999 an air-conditioned Music Centre
opened. A new Language Centre will be constructed during 2001/2002.