End of Year Principal Letter
19th July 2023
Dear Parent/ Carer,
First of all, I would like to say a big thank you for your continued support over the course of what has been, yet another, most unusual academic year.
Successes
At the end of the year it is right that we take the time to reflect on our many successes. The academic achievement of our young people is really good, above national indicators and improving. Our attendance rates are in the top 25% of all academies and well above the national rates. Our students leave for appropriate courses after both year 11 and year 13: more of our 6th Formers are going on to course at Russell Group universities than previously. Our Salter Scholar programme means that our youngsters have a comprehensive offer of visits, guest lectures, competitions, and leadership opportunities that is the envy of many other schools. This year we have received the Inclusion Quality Award, ACE Character Award, Early Help Partnership Gold Award, Sandwell Mental Wellbeing Charter Mark and the Careers Mark Award. We are an honest and modest Black Country school, that is, unlike some, guilty of not shouting loud enough about our very many successes: I make no apology for doing so here.
Ofsted
As you know we were recently inspected and were applauded by Ofsted for our continued drive to be ambitious for every student, defy disadvantage and build “stronger outcomes” for students. Inspectors were particularly impressed by how much the academy has improved since its previous inspection, with students “achieving increasingly better outcomes” and leaders providing increased support for teachers and students. The glowing report highlighted how students “value the way school life is about much more than lessons” and described the support for students’ personal development as “commendable.” Through the Salter Scholar Programme, students at GSA have access to an “impressive range” of “inspirational” guest lectures, competitions, and leadership opportunities that build character development.
In addition, the inspectors praised the “ambitious curriculum” at GSA, noting the teaching staff’s “strong subject knowledge” and the high quality of feedback provided to children, so “students know how to improve their work” and learn “key knowledge and important skills.”
Our attendance rate is now in the top 25% of all academies and inspectors also noted that “impressive numbers of students successfully move on to education or employment” after leaving.
Other positives from the report include:
Literacy provision: the recently implemented reading strategy “encourages an enjoyment of reading” and “includes support for weaker readers and reading sessions in tutor time.”
Behaviour: students at GSA “enjoy being in school and are keen to meet the high expectations staff have of their behaviour”, with a “calm atmosphere in lessons” and students who “happily focus on their learning activities.”
SEND provision: students with special educational needs and/or disabilities at GSA follow an “ambitious curriculum” and parents and carers of students with SEND “praise the support their child receives.”
Careers: the academy’s “strong careers programme supports students in making the best decisions about their future”, with Year 11 students and sixth formers “well prepared for their next steps.”
Personal development: students at GSA follow a “carefully mapped” personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education curriculum, so they learn about “being a good citizen” and “value diversity and embrace the school’s ethos of ‘one world in one school’”.
Safeguarding: “leaders have created a real culture of safeguarding”, going “above and beyond in securing the help or support those pupils or families may need.”
Whilst it is most rewarding to receive such praise I would also point out that at GSA, we plan for long-term sustainable improvement not an inspection. We know what is needed to build on our success and I look forward to continuing this exciting journey with an incredible team. Our priorities for 2023/24 are unchanged and remain assessment, reading, scholastic ethos and inclusivity.
Uniform
As the summer approaches can I please just take the time to remind everyone of our uniform standards? I am far from happy with the current standard; in the hot weather skirts seem to have got shorter and when the inevitable rain came shoes were either too wet to wear or ‘broken’. Our uniform hasn’t changed over the past six years and has, for some time, taken into account cost. Shirts, trousers, skirts and jumpers can all be purchased from any outlet. The PE kit was designed in collaboration with the young people and is both hardwearing and high quality. We do not insist on a particular brand of school skirt but from September will make sure that the skirt is no more than 6cm above or below the knee. It must also be made from school skirt material; too many stretchy material skirts are ‘riding up’. The definition of what is a shoe hasn’t changed: it is considered to be polishable leather, is not a trainer and we will not allow anything other than what we consider a shoe to be worn. Do not be deceived by false marketing and advertising in some shops. Finally, there have been no changes to our policy on hair and jewellery: no unnatural hair colours, only one stud in each ear and nothing else. Please do not allow piercings or unnatural hair colours to be undertaken in the last two weeks of summer as this will pose a big problem upon the return to school in September. From the first day in September if a student arrives not in full school uniform we will contact parents and ask for the situation to be rectified immediately. If this isn’t possible the student will spend their time working away from their friends until the situation is remedied. We will be sending out regular reminders about school uniform over the course of the summer.
Staff
Like all head teachers I am well aware that I stand on the shoulders of giants and am grateful that I lead the wider team of professionals that I do. A team whose hard work, dedication and effort above and beyond what may be required serves our community so well. As is always the case we say ‘au revoir’ to some staff at the end of this term. Once a member of our GSA family you are always part of our family. To the following staff I say that whilst we are sorry to see you leave we are grateful for all that you have done:
- Mrs Allen, History
- Mr Alverez, MFL
- Miss Bane, Academic Coach
- Mrs Grant-Patel, Art
- Mrs Hebba, Science
- Mr Longombardo, Dance
- Mr Mitchell, Drama
- Miss O’Farrell, Maths
- Mr O’Neill, PE
- Miss Round, English and Asst. SENDCo
- Mr Saxon, LSA
- Mr Usman, Science
- Mrs Whittaker, Art
I look forward to seeing the young people return on Wednesday 6th September.
Thank you for your support which is not taken for granted.
Yours sincerely,
Mr A Price
Principal
