Headteacher's Blog May

Summer is here at last and so is exams season.

Our year 11s couldn’t be in a better position. Unlike other schools, we are going to keep on working with our year 11s well into June; lessons and business as usual to give the best chance of success.

Their attitude to learning and motivation for success is inspiring. It shows in their attendance alone: regularly over 98%!

This week we did a joint training session with our students and colleagues to identify the values we want to display in our words, actions and aspirations. Whether you’re a parent, student, member of staff or governor, we will all uphold and work towards these values. Watch this space!

Attendance overall has improved weekly. We could hit our target and turn around that key ofsted target. What is a challenge is making up for the lost attendance for those who have taken term time holiday. 86 students have
taken between 1 and 12 days holidays, missing over 930 sessions which wipes 0.5% off attendance before we’ve even started. Imagine how many students (who haven’t been on holiday) have to have 100% attendance to make this up. Attendance and holidays is the key factor that slows down
progress and will prevent good and outstanding from Ofsted.

We would hit national average and beyond easily with that 0.5% extra. Year 10… Year 11 is weeks away. The focus is turning to you soon and the first focus point will be attendance. The lowest in the school. Good attendance equals good progress. Can I thank all the parents and carers, students of year 11 and staff for their hard work in ensuring that the current year 11 have become a year group to be so proud of! Good luck in your exams!!