Headteacher's News January 2012
The new year has begun with energy and enthusiasm. We welcome 25 new students into Year 12, 175 into Year 7 and a small number of new staff. Buoyed up by our recent Ofsted report which credited us as good with outstanding features and an excellent set of examination results, we continue on our journey for Excellence, Inclusion and Innovation. We also welcome a new Chair of Governors, Dr Julia Garratt and a new Vice Chair of Governors, Professor Chris James.
We maintained success in GCSE and ‘A’ Level results appearing in The Daily Telegraph top 100 schools for GCSE and ‘A’ Level and were at 125 in the Guardian top comprehensive schools for GCSE. Our GCSE results were 70% A*-C including Maths and English GCSEs and 72% overall. Our ‘A’ Level results once again were over one third A* and A grades and two thirds A*, A and B grades. Fred de Fossard, our outgoing Senior Student gained a place at Magdalen College, Oxford to study History having achieved A* grades in History, English Literature and Fine Art. For our data tables and more news for both GCSE and A Level see the ‘About Us’ and ‘Exam Results’ section.
On Friday September 2nd the staff welcomed in our new Year 7 and many of their parents and carers in the main school Hall with a special assembly marking the entry of Year 7 2011 into the school. There was a terrific sense of excitement and some apprehension in the hall. Some of the students had been up since 6.00am and arrived very early at school. Year 7 students had been asked by the Headteacher to write in to the school telling us their dreams an ambitions and we responded with a presentation based on these. We felt resoundingly positive about the year group and that the future will be a good one in their hands. For now they are finding their way about and Year 7 residential visit to the Mendips takes place in mid-September.
Year 12 Residential at Exeter University is a great team building opportunity as well as a wonderful chance to look into the future and see what university life is like.
We welcomed former Ralph Allen Student Scott Sinclair into the school at the start of term. Scott is now 22 years of age and is a Premier League football player for Swansea. The film cameras came and Scott spent some time chatting on film (and off) to his former teacher Mr Steve Rose. TV programme Match of the Day recoded some footage as did Sky Sports who will be featuring Scott in the near future in a profile programme. Scott’s return to school also featured in Bath Chronicle. Scott also met some young players from the area, many of whom attend Ralph Allen School. It was great to have Scott back in school inspiring younger sports men and women.
New School Day times
We are running successfully so far with an earlier start to our school day at 8.40am when our students are expected to be in lessons. We respectfully ask all parents who drive and drop off their sons or daughters to avoid using the school site where possible in dropping off or picking up and instead use the Sulis Club car park to drop off and pick up. The site is particularly congested at the end of the school day and as buses and taxis have priority at this time it can become unsafe for young people if parents try to drive into the school site at this time. Equally it is potentially dangerous for young people when parents park on the pavement outside the school as it restricts the passage of young people exiting school.
Above all please arrive early at the start of school. We are monitoring our buses with the help of B&NES and ensuring there is sufficient capacity for all travellers. So far, in spite of bad weather and heavy morning traffic this is going well. Please drop off your son/daughter by 8.30am. Mr Rose is regularly monitoring the bus park with a visual display to alert young people to the time remaining before lessons and indeed to their lateness should they be running short of time. Missing the start of lessons is unacceptable so please arrive on time!
Communication
This is a major emphasis of this year and we would like parents to tell us what we are doing well and how we could do even better. Many of our parents take the time to do this and we would encourage more instant feedback.
Uniform
Samples of the proposed new uniform are on display in the school foyer. Parents will be balloted on this proposal this term.
Wishing everyone a really wonderful and successful 2011-12.
Libby Lee
Headteacher
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Safeguarding Regulations
All visitors to the school will be asked for evidence of identity. Unless you are from an organization which operates CRB checks (such as a school, local authority, teacher training institution) we cannot allow you unsupervised access to the school site. A member of staff will accompany you.
E-Safety |
Students are encouraged to click on the CEOP button if they are concerned about their own saftey or any inappropriate behaviour towards them when using the Internet. It's a free and confidential service offered to all young people for their own safety, protection and peace of mind. |
Internet Payments
Ralph Allen School now accepts payments via the Internet.
Click here to goto Ralph Allen School Internet Payments
