Shene School is 'one of most improved schools in London' for GCSE results, Government figures show

For those who don't receive the Richmond and Twickenham Times, I thought we would print in full their article which was published Wednesday 13 January:

Shene School was today hailed as one London's most improved schools by the Government for its GCSE performance.

The school was one of only 26 in London that saw a rise of at least 10 per cent in GCSE pass rates in 2009, according to figures released yesterday by the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

The number of pupils awarded five or more A* to C grade GCSEs including English and mathematics - the Government’s main measure of achievement - was up 10 percentage points to 45 per cent.

Lesley Kirby, headteacher of the Park Road school, said: “We have almost doubled our results in two years. There aren’t many schools in London that can say that. It’s testament to our students and teachers. We are really thrilled. We have an ambition to be one of the most successful schools in London in terms of moving the children along their path. Our desire locally is to be the school of choice for local parents. I hope parents will see they can entrust their children to us and they will do well.”

As you can imagine, I was delighted to receive the phone call on Monday from the Department of Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) telling us the good news and congratulating us on the achievement. The local press came down on Wednesday to photograph some of this year's Year 11 who are all on track to achieve outstanding results too.  Our 5 A* to C including English and Maths (what the government terms 'good' GCSEs) actually exceeded the  so-called 'D' targets set by the Family Fischer Trust, which is the organisation used by the goverment to set targets for secondary schools based on the results obtained by students in KS2.  The 'D' targets are those achieved by the top 25% of similar schools.

We are now focussed on ensuring our current Year 11 better their targets and reach their potential: all have high targets and are constantly being challenged to hit them.

senior citizens, academies and snow

Happy New Year - and decade - to you all. 

Senior Citizens
I would like to begin by copying for you a letter from one of the senior citizens who attended our tea party (see previous blog). This was one of several thank you's we received:

"Dear Ms Kirby

I am writing to thank you  and Ms Staples and the children of Shene School for a lovely Christmas Party on December 14th.

I was overwhelmed by the children's kindess and enthusiasm shown us by the children, the entertainment, singing, dancing, Poetry reading and solo playing was most enjoyable.

I should like to say a big thank you to the XL Club and Students Council who organised and helped to make it such a successful party and also to form 10T1 for my beautifully decorated hamper and contents.

Shene School is a credit to Sheen and it helped to make a most enjoyable start to Christmas for me.

Thank you all and everyone from a grateful OAP."

As you can well imagine, I was really very moved by this letter.  Others wrote in a similar vein, some in more detail.

Weather!
The snowy weather did not dampen the Team Shene spirit and, so far, we have remained open each day. Children were allowed to leave 20 minutes earlier yesterday, Wednesday, but we left as normal tonight. Staff battled to get in from all over London, including, incredibly, one colleague who comes in from Winchester! Our wonderful site manager, Laurie Kennison, remained cheerful throughout as he spread grit, cleared paths and encouraged the boiler to heat the buildings better.

Academy consultation

The consultation for the academy is now beginning in earnest and several meetings have been arranged for parents, staff, students, local residents, local primary schools and other interested parties. Please see the school or Local Authority websites for details of these.  I am sure all the so-called stakeholders will want to contribute their ideas and views as to the new Academy and how it will look, so do please try and come along; it is fine to attend a meeting at another primary or for another group if you cannot make the one which appears the most appropriate for you.