Grey Coat 2 Issue 15: September 2011 Headteacher's let ter to parents Welcome back!


It is wonderful to see all the students and staff back after the summer holidays. The Year 7 and new Year 12 students have made an impressive start to their studies and I am looking forward to seeing their progress and contributions over the coming months. We are also very pleased to welcome the new members of staff who have joined us this year.


Once again students achieved excellent examination results this summer. Students in Year 13 achieved an average point score of 306, the equivalent of three B grades at Advanced level. It was wonderful to see the students open their envelopes on results day and to see such happy faces! Students are now starting their university courses in a wide variety of subjects all over the country including Cambridge University and medical schools. We wish them all well and look forward to hearing of their progress.


85% of our Year 11 students achieved the benchmark of 5 A*-C grades at GCSE including English and Mathematics with 29% of them achieving 5 A*-A grades with English and


Mathematics. The girls worked very hard for their GCSEs and we are very proud of their achievements.


The Governing Body of the school has met this term to discuss academy status following the consultation with the school and wider community. The Governing Body resolved by a substantial majority to make a formal application to the Secretary of State for Education for conversion to academy status. Lady Laws has written a letter to all parents informing them of this decision and I have included a copy of the letter in this newsletter.


Our priorities this year are based on achieving the school aim for each of our students. ‘The aim of The Grey Coat Hospital is to enable students to take charge of their learning, make decisions based on Christian values, live in the world as independent women and men and meet the challenges of the twenty-first century.’ Our priorities are as follows:


Achievement and standards


Key stage 4 – Target of 87% of students to achieve the benchmark of 5 A*-C grades with English and Mathematics


and 31% of students to achieve at least 5 A*-A with English and Mathematics


Key stage 5 – 100% Advanced level pass rate with all subjects adding value.


Teaching and learning Embed critical thinking skills and assessment for learning skills into our lessons to ensure that all students develop their abilities as independent learners to be able to apply their knowledge and skills to the challenges ahead.


Leadership and Management


Develop leadership at all levels. Ensure that each student takes charge of their learning to participate fully in the life of the school and to achieve their potential.


Behaviour


Empower the students to live by the values of the school at all times.


I am very much looking forward to us working together to address these priorities and achieve our targets.


I hope to see many of you at some of the upcoming school events this term.


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