Academic Achievement

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Ensuring our pupils achieve GCSE success is at the heart of what we do.

This academic focus sets them up well for their A Level or BTEC choices in the sixth form. Most students will take 9 GCSEs, though some can opt for fewer. We work hard to ensure that students enjoy their learning and want to do well. We report every half-term to parents on progress and how things are going in both classwork and prep.

This work is underpinned by a more general development of study skills and revision strategies. Students take exams relatively early in the year – so there is time to give them help to improve. We seek to embed a healthy attitude to work. There is a good deal of praise, and criticism is always diagnostic and supportive.

Students use a laptop for most of their work and they are given help in learning how to do this well. We use Google Classroom, which helps pupils organize their work and always a weekly summary of assignments for parents and guardians.

In Year 9, students take a wide range of subjects and make their GCSE choices in March / April. Parents are fully involved in this process. At GCSE all students study English Language, Mathematics and all three Sciences and can chose up to 4 other subjects from a wide range of options.

In Year 9 by the end of September students are set by “ability” in English, Mathematics and Science. Our sets are reviewed after any exams and also at the end of the academic year.

All our teachers are experienced with, and supportive of, dyslexic students and are dyslexic-friendly in the way they teach. Our Teaching and Learning Centre (TLC) guides both pupils and subject teachers in the most effective way to learn. We have some experience with other special educational needs too but everyone who joins the school must be able to complete GCSEs in most subjects.