Easthampstead Park Community School
One of the top
100 most improved schools in England 2011
Examination Success - Again our Sixth Form Students have led the way in their A level results. There was a 98% pass rate at A2 with 38% getting the highest A*/AB grades and 12% getting the coveted A*. These are fantastic results and have helped launch our students into their chosen universities. Notable amongst these is Max Lacey who has gained a place at Royal Holloway with 3 A* grades. Other exceptional successes were Rachel Morley, Sarah Hooper and Harrison Freeman. They all paid tribute to the excellent support of their hard working teachers. The Sixth Form is now established as an excellent and consistent support for the students in their care. The quality of teaching is now clearly good as measured against the national average and the team led by Judith Ayliffe, Director of Sixth Form Studies, has already been working closely with the new Year 12 students and the returning Year 13 group.
The students who have completed their GCSEs this summer broke the record books again! Students this year achieved 48% 5 A*-C grades including Maths and English. This is an increase on last year but also a massive increase on two years ago when we were a national challenge school. This is the measure by which the government judge schools and the progress the students are making, hence the focus on succeeding in this area of our learning programme.
In addition, our 5 A*-C overall has leapt to 83% from a good 60% last year. A terrific improvement! All the strategies and interventions which have supported the improved teaching continue this year and the students in Year 11 have already accepted the challenge to surpass the results of the class of 2011. During this year the tracking of performance will continue to allow parents and carers to be clear about how students are progressing towards their targets. This is now established in all year groups and teachers will advise where students need to improve and provide support to ensure progress is made.
The way in which teachers let parents know if areas of concern regarding their child’s progress exist, have been strengthened. It is really important that parents and carers attend the formal events where this information is shared and also contact us when they have concerns about their child’s progress. Should you be concerned about progress generally, I would ask you in the first instance to contact your child’s tutor who can collate information for you and keep you updated. Please continue to contact the subject teacher directly if the concern is limited to that subject. E-mail addresses are available from the school.
The new all-weather surface - We have already established a full programme for the new 3G outside facility!!! It is now being well used both by our students and members of the community. This is a good example of what we offer to our community and more details of the use of our facilities can be found by contacting the school.
The school environment - The bike sheds have successfully been moved inside the school walls to increase security and we encourage students who can, to cycle to school. However safety includes using the correct cycle ways, being sensible on their bikes and wearing a helmet. Please encourage your child to be safe and sensible. I have been impressed by the way most of our cyclists have started the term.
The large school site has had a spruce up in several areas and all teaching rooms have now been painted or refurbished over the last 3 years. Students can now eat food from the canteen in a sheltered and convenient area which has been set up close to the History Department. There are also additional areas of seating around the site which are covered and airy.
Students are more engaged in their learning through our EP Way and are active in supporting their peers and teachers in the process. Please make sure you ask your child about this programme and read the updates provided by staff in future parental bulletins.
Forthcoming events - Please check the calendar dates on the web site and in the bulletin and ensure that those which are relevant to your child are noted and that you are aware of the implications of these. Don’t forget that there will be an open evening on Thursday 29 September.
Student Expectations - The students at Easthampstead Park Community School are now rightly proud to be part of a successful school. Parents, carers and the school staff want this reflected in their dress and behaviour. If you are unsure of any of the rules please contact your child’s tutor or refer to the student diary. Tutors check the diary regularly and I would ask parents to monitor progress via the diary, letting the tutors know of any queries or concerns.
Please note that the length of the school day is 08:40 – 15:10. Students do not go home for lunch and I would ask parents and carers to try to arrange for necessary absences to take place outside the school day. Any period of absence will not be authorised by the school unless there are extenuating grounds for this.
I am very proud to be Headteacher of Easthampstead Park Community School and am looking forward to yet another successful year. I am equally proud of the caring nature of our community both inside and outside the school. I hope that your child has a productive year and feels that they are achieving as they progress through to next summer. We cannot predict the future but although times are difficult for everyone the students at EPCS can look forward to their future knowing that they have the opportunity to achieve their potential thanks to their hard work supported by their teachers, their families and their friends.