Message from the Principal
Dear Parents,
It’s been a good term.
Changes to the College day, introduced in September, have led to a very quiet and purposeful learning environment. New tutoring arrangements have also meant that more time can be given to ensuring that students understand where they are in the learning process and what needs to be done to reach their target grades. Following the College’s examination successes in the summer, it is clear that everyone is committed to improving outcomes once again for all of our students in 2012.
The 200% improvement in Kingsthorpe’s GCSE results over a three year period has been recognised on a national level. It was very exciting to welcome the Deputy Director of the Policy Unit at 10 Downing Street, Chris Brown, to College on Thursday 1st December. Chris was particularly interested in how the College had made such a difference in a relatively short period of time. He spoke to students, members of staff and College governors about the effective systems that have enabled more and more of our students to gain at least 5 GCSEs at C grade or above including English and maths. His visit included a full tour of the College and visits to lessons. He was clearly very impressed with everything that he saw on the day.
I am also delighted to let you know that the College has won an award. This is the Edison Learning Award for 2010 – 2011 in recognition ‘of excellence in providing a world-class education for every child.’ The award was presented to Kingsthorpe College in America by the CEO of Edison Learning and celebrates the College’s significant improvement in examination results last year.
It is an honour to win such an award from a highly respected international company which works tirelessly to improve the life chances of students in a number of countries through effective leadership, systems and teaching and learning.
Thank you to the many parents who attended Progress Day on 29th November. I have been told that we held learning conversations with over 70% of parents during the afternoon and evening. Thank you also for completing the questionnaires regarding your thoughts about aspects of our work. I have included the outcomes in this newsletter.
I hope that you all have a lovely Christmas and a time to unwind.
Happy Christmas,
Judith Long
Principal
