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A High Performing Specialist Academy for Technology & Applied Learning

4 January 2023

Happy New Year to all our parents and carers!

Very Exciting News - Major Renovation Project!

I am delighted to confirm that the College has been included in the 239 schools, with only two selected in Surrey, that the Department for Education has announced will benefit from major renovation as part of the School Rebuilding Programme.  This represents the next significant step forward in the development of the College’s estate which will deliver state-of-the-art facilities to enhance the learning environment and support our excellent teaching and student outcomes.  Any new buildings will be more energy efficient and net-zero in operation – a key priority as we work towards our ambitious 2030 net-zero emissions target.

Full details of the scheme, including this latest announcement can be found here: About the school rebuilding programme - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

A thorough feasibility process will commence in the new year to determine the scope and nature of the forthcoming project and we will share more exciting details as this work progresses.

Exciting news to start the new year!

Staffing

As promised, details of staff changes:

Member of staff who left at the end of last term:

Mrs S Goodall - has moved to another school in Surrey

Staff starting this week:

Miss L Hevey - Head of Art
Miss S Amin - Teacher of Science
Mrs R Legg - Teacher of Science
Mrs G Boggs - SEN Administrator

Year 11 Mock Results Assembly

On Thursday 15 December 2022, our Year 11 ‘Class of 2023’ students gathered in Kingston Theatre for a special mock exam assembly led by Head of Upper College, Miss Watling and Mr San Emeterio, KS4 Progress leader.  The Year 11 Pastoral Team simulated a mock ‘opening the envelope’ results assembly whereby staff handed students their results envelopes.

There was a positive atmosphere in Kingston Theatre whilst students opened their envelopes and discussed their results with friends and their Form Tutors.  Of course, there was a wide range of emotions shown but, as always, we were inspired by how well our students supported each other and responded to this experience.  The mock assembly was an opportunity for our students to take stock, to celebrate and to highlight their areas of strength and for them to focus on areas for improvement.

The important message given was that regardless of their mock results, each student has the opportunity to still make excellent progress, some of which will be significant, depending on the individuals’ mindset.  Experience consistently shows that, with hard work and a ‘can do ‘attitude, our students can improve their final grades significantly.

Miss Watling spoke about students ‘aspiring to be the very best they can be’ and ‘to take advantage of any additional revision sessions, use revision materials effectively and to take opportunities offered to support their learning both in the classroom and after College.’

Mr San Emeterio challenged the students to reflect upon:

What do you want your envelope to look like in the summer?
What do you need to do to achieve this?

We hope that all students and parents will take the opportunity to attend our virtual Year 11 Parents’ Evening on Thursday 5 January 2023 to see how best to improve on their mock results.  Online booking available.

Due to staff illness, unfortunately the Year 11 Parent Partnership meeting tonight has been CANCELLED and details of the presentation will be sent out at a later date.

Students were finally congratulated on their excellent application to their mocks, some pleasing mock results and their Attitude To Learning in lessons and they were reminded that ‘before anything else, preparation is the key to success’ (Alexander Graham Bell).

Mr Tanner - Principal

Curriculum Information