News & Events

Pupils in all year groups have applied themselves quickly to tasks and those in Year 11, who returned to learn some of their GCSE module exam results, especially, have shown a determination to succeed this year. Many have already secured good GCSE grades in French, Statistics and Religious Philosophy and have laid strong foundations in Geography, Maths and Science.

Pupils in our new Year 7 benefitted from their two induction days in July, when they were given the opportunity to follow their actual timetables. Many arrived in school on Thursday 2 September with their first pieces of homework complete. The quality of their introductory posters impressed their tutors and Miss Skerten, our Head of Key Stage 3. By their last lesson, pupils in Year 7 were more familiar with the layout of the school and Headteacher, Chiquita Henson, was able to catch up with them on one of her regular 'learning walks' in English, Music, Science, and PE. In Music, the pupils were developing their understanding of musical terms and identifying rhythm, tone, texture and timbre. In Science, one group was learning about the safe use of the apparatus, including the Bunsen burners, while another group learnt about circulation and observed a dissection of an ox heart.

On Wednesday 8 September, Mrs Russell, one of our Advanced Skills Teachers, is hosting a Gifted and Talented Challenge Day for Year 10 pupils from Deer Park, Farmors' School and Brockworth Business and Enterprise College. This event focuses on developing creativity in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths and reflects our status as a specialist school for Technology.

2009-10 was a very successful year for the school. We were successfully re-designated as a specialist school; we achieved the prestigious ICT Becta Mark award; we were judged to be 'outstanding' in our Ofsted Inspection in May 2010 and our pupils achieved the school's best ever GCSE results. We look forward to another fantastic year.

To promote our partnership with parents on Thursday 16 September Mr Clarke, Head of Key Stage 4, and his team will be hosting an information evening for parents of pupils in Year 10. This will focus on our strategies for supporting pupils through to their examinations and will include sessions on managing coursework and revision as well as the support and challenges we offer pupils to ensure they can all make good progress and achieve their goals.

We look forward to welcoming prospective pupils and their parents to the school on our Open Mornings (Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 September - 9.15am to 11.15am) and Open Evening (Wednesday 29 September - 6.30pm to 8.30pm). Even if the children are already familiar with the school through their involvement in our programme of after school activities (new programme available shortly), previous open events or because they have an older sibling already at the school we encourage you to come in again to take another look. In the last 3 years everyone who wanted to come to Deer Park has been successful in gaining a place at the school. For more information contact our Admissions Secretary, Allison Boucher.