Welcome to Casterton College Rutland
Our school is situated in the beautiful county of Rutland, close to the historic town of Stamford. Founded in 1939, we are proud of our long record of success, over nearly a century.
At Casterton we believe ability is not fixed. We challenge young people to achieve more than they ever believed possible, both in their academic learning and personal development. We also offer them expert teachers, an ambitious curriculum and a world of opportunity, embracing the best national and international research to broaden their horizons and inspire them to succeed.
Casterton has an excellent extracurricular programme known as the Rising Stars of Rutland, and we are proud of our high standards in both the arts and sport. Many of our students have progressed the best universities and achieved great things in their professional careers.
In 2021, we were in the top three secondary schools at the National Teaching Awards and, in 2017, our Maths department was named the best in England at the same event. Casterton is on the school rebuilding list, promising for the future the best facilities of any school in the area.
Carl Smith
Principal
You are welcome to arrange a tour of the school at any time. Just contact us at enquiries@castertoncollege.com.
Meet The Senior Team
Carl Smith - Principal
Carl became Principal at Easter 2015. He graduated with a History and Politics degree from Warwick University and an MA in History from Leicester before training in education at University College London. In 1998 he became Britain’s first Advanced Skills Teacher and has written numerous books and articles on education and history. He is Rutland's representative for the Association of School and College Leaders and chairs its Education Strategic Partnership. He is also a radio host on Teachers Talk Radio. In 2021, he was shortlisted for Headteacher of the Year at the national teaching awards.
Carl is married with three children and lives in Leicester.
Neil Rawes - Vice Principal
Neil has been Vice Principal since 2010. He graduated with an Economics and History degree from the University of York before training to teach at the University of Sheffield. A firm believer in lifelong learning, he gained a distinction in his MA in Teaching and Learning from the University of Leicester in 2015. Neil also delivers National College for School Leadership Programmes, training the next generation of senior school leaders across the region.
Neil is married, with one child and lives in Rutland.
Tina Green - Business Manager
Tina joined Casterton in 2005 as senior science technician while studying for a Bsc in Life Sciences with the Open University, completing her degree in 2009. Previous to joining Casterton Tina served in the RAF and on leaving the service worked within the NHS laboratories.
Due to a spinal injury in 2010, her career path changed direction and she joined the admin team working within the Finance department. In 2020 she was appointed as School Business Manager and continues in this role.
Abi Hibbins - Assistant Principal (Behaviour)
Abi graduated with an English Literature degree from Portsmouth University in 2005. She joined Casterton originally as a Cover Supervisor before moving on to completing her training as an English Teacher through the Graduate Teacher Programme with The Cambridge Partnership. Abi left Casterton to work in an academy in Corby where she was given a number of opportunities; KS5 English Language Coordinator, Second in English and then Head of English and Media. Abi returned to Casterton almost 2 years ago and was recently appointed as Assistant Principal.
Abi loves working in education and is passionate and committed to her role.
Mary Mindham - Assistant Principal (SENDCO)
Mary joined Casterton College as SENDCO in 2022. Mary graduated with a German degree from Leeds University in 2010. After working as a cover supervisor Mary trained to be a teacher, completing her PG.Dip.Ed at Birmingham University. Mary started her teaching career as an MFL teacher, and has since also taught English and led PSHE. In 2015, Mary completed her M.Ed In Teaching Studies and is NASENCO qualified.
Our Vision
Ability is Not Fixed
Dreams Don't Work Unless You Do
We want young people to be successful and happy, by providing
- The knowledge and skills they need
- Great teaching, every day
- A safe, caring, and supportive environment
We want our school to
- Provide young people with a high standard of education so they can thrive and live good and happy lives, making a positive contribution to society.
- Foster a culture of care, kindness, compassion and respect, where everyone feels valued and there is a genuine sense of community amongst staff, parents, and young people.
- Respected widely, not only for the quality of education, care and support we provide but because it is a great place to work.
- Thrive and help our community thrive
Aims
- To be the school of choice in Stamford and Rutland with the best outcomes, facilities, and care.
- Have an inspiring curriculum that embraces the best research, nationally and internationally.
- Be a place where young people thrive, safe, secure, and feel supported whilst developing their character and using the best research on mental health and social and emotional difficulties to improve their resilience.
- Open a world of opportunities by recruiting and retaining the best staff, broadening young people's horizons, and raising the aspirations of the whole school community.
- Leading the way by developing leadership, maintaining consistently high expectations and facing outwards to the world.
Our History
Casterton was founded in 1939 in the village of Great Casterton in East Rutland, three miles north-west of the beautiful town of Stamford. It is an independent 11-16 academy serving young people from four counties; Rutland, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire. It has a long-standing reputation for high academic standards, excellent pastoral care and opportunities for enrichment.
Casterton has been the highest performing school in Stamford and Rutland for many years and in 2021 it was in the final three for Secondary School of the Year. In 2017, our mathematics department was named the best in England. Our principal was in the top seven for Secondary School Headteacher of the Year in 2021.
Number on roll: 900
Casterton is on the school rebuilding list, expecting to enter project delivery next year.