Dear Parents/Carers,
A very warm welcome back to the new academic year. I do hope that you all enjoyed the lovely, sunny summer holiday.
During the summer a number of improvements were made to the school infrastructure, including the upgrading of computer rooms, the completion of air conditioning in the main block and the installation of a more environmentally friendly boiler. I am grateful to the Site team, IT team and Finance team for all their hard work, as it means that the school community have returned to a lovely learning environment for the new term.
Of course the highlight of the summer was the publication of the GCSE results on 23rd August. I am delighted to report that the Year 11 cohort of 2018 achieved the best results in the school’s history.
You will no doubt have read in the media that this year almost all GCSEs were awarded 9-1 with 9 being the highest. Students and schools are measured in terms of the progress made during secondary school (P8) and the outcome of their best 8 grades with English and Maths double counted (A8). Additionally, they are also judged on the percentage of students who gain the “Basic” measure, i.e. at least a Grade 4 in English and Maths. We will not know the P8 score until later this month as it is nationally calculated. Our A8 score is 56 – the equivalent of a Grade 6 in all subjects.
35% of all entries gained 9-7/A*-A grades
90% gained 4+ in English Literature/Language
83% gained 4+ in Maths
82% achieved 4+ in both English and Maths
60% achieved 5+ in both English and Maths.
Our congratulations go to all students on their excellent achievements. We are very proud of both their attainment and progress.
We have had a very successful start to the beginning of the new academic year with two very focused staff training days on 4th and 5th September. We welcomed our new Year 7 students to Woking High School on 6th September and welcomed back those in Years 8, 9, 10 and 11. We also welcomed new staff to the school and I am delighted to say that we have a full complement of excellently qualified subject specialists in all subjects.
Once again, we are looking forward to an exciting, successful and enjoyable Autumn Term.
A reminder to all parents of Year 10 students that the KS4 Curriculum evening is to be held on Monday 10th September at 6 p.m. in the School Hall. Information about this evening was sent at the beginning of this term. Curriculum evenings will also be held for Year 7s (17th September) and Year 8 and 9s (24th September). Letters will be sent shortly with further details. I will also send a more detailed Welcome Letter next week, which will include up-to-date staff lists, uniform lists and details about specific school policies and practices.
Best wishes,
Jane Abbott
Headteacher