In spite of the uncertainty and challenges they and their teachers have faced as a result of changes to the GCSEs in English and Maths this year, our pupils have shown themselves to be remarkably resilient. These results, combined with their other results, show they have definitely done themselves, their parents and the school proud and they leave the school equipped with the skills required to be successful independent life-long learners.

 

We were delighted to learn that 77% achieved the new grades 9-4 in English and 81% achieved the new grades 9-4 in Maths. Significantly, in Maths, 10 pupils attained the highest grade possible, the new grade 9.

 

Initial indications show these results are significantly above the national average for these new qualifications and our outcomes in the subjects which have yet to switch to the new 9-1 grades remain strong. I am extremely grateful to our teachers who have worked tirelessly to make learning fun and engaging and this has ensured our pupils developed, and could apply, the knowledge and understanding of the key concepts and skills in each subject. We look forward to learning how they have built on these strong foundations when we catch up with them again on Thursday 9 November 2017 at our annual Key Stage 4 Celebration of Achievement. We wish them all every success in the future.

 

 

 

While we are thrilled with the results overall, there are some amazing individual successes and these merit commendations: 3 pupils attained 11 A*/A or 9-7 grades and a total of 40 pupils attained 5 or more of these highest grades. However, I am also delighted for many other pupils who, given their individual starting points, have made tremendous progress and they should feel equally pleased with the range of grades they have secured. 

 

Our outcomes in 2016 led Ofsted (May 2017) to confirm that overall our pupils ‘make more academic progress than they do in the majority of schools across the country’. We are looking forward to learning our Progress 8 Score, which is the new measure of a school’s effectiveness, when the DFE publish comparative data later this Autumn.

 

As Headteacher, I am particularly proud of our pupils’ achievements this summer and our teachers’ unwavering commitment. Our pupils in Year 10 are also deserving of our congratulations and we wish to acknowledge their successes in GCSE Statistics and Religious Studies.

 

Chiquita Henson

24 August 2017