Celebration of Achievement

9 November 2009

This week we welcomed back the ‘Class of 2009’ who achieved an impressive 72% 5 or more A*-C grades in their GCSEs this summer with some pupils scooping excellent grades in as many as 15 subjects. We are delighted to learn that over 90% of the year group have chosen to continue with their learning at either Cirencester College or another post-16 provider.

At our annual Key Stage 4 Celebration of Achievement Evening, on Thursday 12 November 2009, we formally celebrated the achievement of all pupils in this year group and the contributions they made to the school with their parents, tutors and subject staff. Simon Pike, formally Head of Key Stage 4, acted as ‘Master of Ceremonies’ and he was joined by other members of our Key Stage 4 Team and Heads of Faculty to review the breadth of their studies, highlight the progress they made and reflect on their achievements, particularly during their last 2 years at the school.

With over 190 nominations, there were subject awards for each faculty and individual pupils were also recognised for their overall academic excellence. A special Headteacher’s award went to two pupils who made outstanding progress in Key Stage 4. Joining Chiquita Henson, Headteacher, and Aminul Hamid, Vice Chair of the Governing Body, on the stage to congratulate the award winners was Jo Grills, Director of Learning and Education, and Kevin Sheppard who in his closing motivational speech provided inspiration for the future.

Throughout the year we regularly report on the progress of all of our learners and following their most recent assessments pupils in Key Stage 3 will soon be bringing home their interim reviews. We remind parents that there is a Joint Year 7 and 9 Parent/Tutors/Mentors’ meeting on Thursday 19 November 2009.

Last week on Wednesday 4 November, we held our Year 11 Parent/Tutors/Mentors’ meeting. With over 90% attendance, we were pleased to have the opportunity to meet with our current Year 11 pupils and their parents to further review their progress and identify the next steps they need to take to secure the best outcomes they can next summer. Their Mock Exams begin on 16 November and, consequently, pupils were encouraged to develop and apply their revision strategies. We will be sharing the outcomes of these practice examinations with our pupils on our Mock Exam Results Day on Friday 8 January 2010. We are grateful to former pupils from the ‘Class of 2009’ who, as role models, continue to contribute to the school by volunteering to help coach and mentor their peers.

Chiquita Henson
Headteacher