14th January 2010
During the second to last week of term, we were visited by Ofsted. The visit took us all by surprise (it had been hinted it might take place in the Spring!) but the result of the Inspection was truly excellent. Despite staff feeling poorly from Swine Flu and other seasonal illnesses, Inspectors were really impressed with what they saw.
The excellent result is even more satisfying given the fact that the new framework for Inspection is stricter and has higher standards than the old.
Inspectors were especially pleased with the progress made by students within the school, which was twice the national average! A key area of concern with the new inspection regime is that of safeguarding and inclusion – it is especially pleasing, therefore, that Inspectors rated our work here as good, approaching outstanding.
The systems put in place by Chris Harrison (School Business Manager) and Dawn Jenkins (Assistant School Business Manager) were rated exemplary: the Inclusion Centre was described as being “the hub” of the school and positive relationships as a “highlight of the school.”
The behaviour of students was judged as satisfactory overall with students being described as “excellent ambassadors for the school.”
Attendance routines were described as “exceedingly robust” – Inspectors said that the Attendance, Inclusion and Welfare Teams worked together in exemplary fashion.
The Team concluded by saying that school leaders showed “passion and drive, pushing the school forward on its journey of improvement.”
The full report is now available on the school website.
During the winter term so much was achieved – staff, students and parents all showed their quality. For me, perhaps, the highlight was the Christmas Concert, when once again, Portchester proved “It had talent!”
We have much to achieve together during the Spring and Summer terms, but I know that if we continue to work together in partnership then we can only achieve great things!
23rd October 2009
There is much to celebrate. As you know, our 2009 results at GCSE (60%) were the highest ever in the history of the school at 5 A*s to C. More important, as something to celebrate, is the fact that we have made a real difference to the life chances for our students. We were proud that the value added last year was the highest for boys’ schools in Bournemouth and was second only to Avonbourne for all schools. This year, we have done even better, our CVA at 1010 puts us in the top 35% of all schools nationally.
Our students have demonstrated their quality over the last two months in so many ways. For example, Year 11 and Year 8 students have taken a very successful part in Avonbourne’s “Back to the 80s” drama production. Our athletes have continued to smash records, especially our Indoor Rowing Teams and our Table Tennis Teams. Employers have commended the behaviour and attitude of our Year 11 students in the Annual Work Experience. A whole range of interesting jobs was on offer – one student accompanied the Band Coldplay to Paris! UNICEF are releasing, internationally, a DVD peformed by one of our senior students promoting the Rights of the Child. Paul and his team of Peer Mediators have continued their excellent work - Paul has been working in Romania to share our good practice.
The school is clearly going from strength to strength but we need your help to make it better. We only want the best for your son. We all know that good attendance is vital for future success. Our Attendance Team has been praised for its work in reducing the number of persistent absentees, but we know we could do even better. We welcome your support in further improving the attendance of our youngsters. There is a clear link between academic achievement and good attendance.
We take issues of bullying very seriously and the school has been asked to head up a Local Authority group dealing with this crucial issue. We believe that every student has the right to be safe and happy within his school. We therefore welcome your support to address this important issue. We even include name calling within our definition of bullying to indicate how seriously we take this issue.
Dealing with bullying goes hand in hand with ensuring good behaviour in school. We believe we have the right to expect this from our students and we welcome your support to help us to improve behaviour even more.
May I wish you a happy and restful half term holiday.
8th October 2009
The Year 7 welcome evening was a great success, with positive feedback received from parents and carers, together with their sons, who attended this evening. Members of the PSA introduced themselves and as a result it is pleasing to report the attendance of a number of new Year 7 parents at the next PSA meeting.
The school Open Evening was well attended, with up to 500 sets of parents arriving in school to view the facilities, speak with staff and listen to the presentations given in the new dining hall.
Responses to an evaluation form, handed out on the evening, were very positive, as were the individual emails also received from parents or carers who had attended the evening.
Particular praise must go to our students who made the evening so memorable, especially Tom Gamble who started proceedings with an excellent vocal and guitar piece.
Huge thanks must go to Natalie Morgan and the Music Department, also to Lindsey Hunnisett for enthusing and motivating her students so well with the “living statues.”
The school’s success with the Year 9 Extra Mile project last year was celebrated nationally in the Times Education Supplement. Mr. Kerslake is to be commended for the good work he has evidenced for this project. The school features in a national publication produced by the DCFS intended to “narrow the gap” for disadvantaged learners.
The school’s Relationships Co-ordinator, Paul Kus, recently visited a school in Romania at the invitation of the Bucharest Board of Education to spread the message about restorative justice, his work is celebrated on the Romanian Education Authority’s website.
The school has won the British Council’s International Schools (Full) Award – Our International Schools’ Co-ordinator, Mark Harding, will be invited to a ceremony to be held in London to celebrate and recognise this achievement. Links with global partners are ongoing, with a trip to a school in Izmir, Turkey, for students and staff in the Easter term 2010.
Year 11 have completed another successful block placement for work experience. Students really appreciated the opportunity to engage with the world of work. One student had the opportunity of flying back to England from France in a private plane with the members of the group “Coldplay.”
14th September 2009
There is much to celebrate at the start of the new term. Key Stage 3 SATs targets were exceeded by English, Science and Mathematics. We are, therefore justifiably proud of the achievements of our new Year 10 students who will have the opportunity to prove their quality with staff who have delivered good results.
GCSE results sustained the significant progress evident since 2007. 60% of students gained 5 A* to C GCSEs and 36% gained 5 A* to C GCSES (including English and Maths) – comfortably above the National Challenge target of 30%. Our School Improvement Partner and National Challenge Advisor, Rosemary Tong, met with senior staff and with the Chair of Governors on Monday 14 September 2009 to express her congratulations and to plan the support which will make Portchester truly outstanding.
Year 11 are currently on Work Experience and the indications are that they are proving a credit to themselves, their parents and the school. Staff visiting students on Work Experience placement have received good feedback from employers.
Year 11s current achievement indicates that they should aim to excel – Mr. Chamberlain, Mrs. Packer and Mrs. Finch will be doing all they can to support subject teachers with this aim.
The new Year 7 have settled in well and look smart and tidy. They are showing the right attitude – demonstrating the Portchester spirit. We wish them well!
