Principal's Blog

31/10/2012

It has been a very encouraging start to the year as we review progress and achievements from term 1. Our overall GCSE results were affected by the national issue with English Language but there were also many very positive outcomes from the GCSE exams and our A level results were very good. 83% of students went from year 13 to university and over half of these to Oxbridge, Russell Group or 1994 Group universities. The results in one subject, English Language GCSE, had a disproportionate impact on our headline figure but I am very proud of how staff have responded to this. Rather than blame Ofqual or WJEC and labour under the seeming injustice they have dedicated a huge amount of time and effort to ensure we are not put in this position again. We will do that by striving for A and B grades and by giving the students every opportunity to achieve these.

This term has also seen the implementation of the new curriculum in year 7. Teaching the new curriculum in History has been a real pleasure personally and we are all hugely confident that the curriculum will have a profound impact on the students’ achievement and cultural literacy.

The term ended with a visit by the Mayor of London to launch his Education Enquiry Report. There are many aspects of the report we would agree with, most notably improving teaching, sharing best practice and widening horizons and we look forward to developments in the coming months. The Mayor was very complimentary about the Academy and the work of students and staff here. It is pleasing to have this recognition at mayoral level given all the great work put in by students and staff.