Foreword
Message From The Chair of Governors
The Courtyard - September 2005
The past year has seen yet another astounding set of SATs, GCSE and A-level results, results for which students, teachers and parents alike should be justly proud.
Brooke Weston, under the leadership of Peter Simpson, continues to stretch boundaries in education, maximising the potential of our students and arming them with the right skills to give them the best possible opportunity to excel in our complex, dynamic, modern world. The year 2005 saw 100 A-level students securing University placements of their choice, including three to 'Oxbridge' and for the second successive year GCSE students achieved 100% in the five or more A*-C key indicator. The pioneering curriculum developed by Dr Andrew Campbell resulted in Year 8 students passing their Level 3 SAT with similar results to those in Year 9, creating a whole 'spare year' for students and enabling the College to extend the abilities and experiences of students further than ever before. Clare Haworth's innovative treatment of PHSE under the new banner of 'Period 1' has not only emphasised the importance of the subject to students but enabled it to be delivered in a stimulating and exciting way. Feedback using a student survey has confirmed a remarkable improvement in this area.
For some years now we have justifiably celebrated the steady improvement in the GCSE headline result. Next year however, the DfES measurement at GCSE will change. The future result published will be five or more A*-C and must include the core subjects of mathematics and English; had this been our measure this year our result would only have been 78% as opposed to 100%. Results in English alone were 94% and in maths 80%.
The College remains well placed and invested to continue to serve current and future students. The on-going astute management of finances and allocation of resources ensures that the working environment remains optimal for learning. We must however, be careful not to take too much for granted and recognise the dedication of our staff who work longer hours than in almost any other school. We recognise the importance of the discrete but critical activities that maintain our ISO and IIP accreditations, the efforts that are directed in maintaining the fine condition of our buildings and grounds, the excellent standard of food in our restaurant, our comprehensive staff training provisions, and the huge success of our commercial wing '@tain' without whose profit stream we would not be able to fund such improvements as the new Astroturf laid during the year.
Collaboration with local projects such as the Corby Academy development and working as the excellent school in the local excellence cluster are evidence of our desire to actively contribute to the prosperity of our local community. Brooke Weston has led both the curriculum design and physical layout design of the new Corby Academy, adopting overall project management responsibility and taking it to a position now that almost everything is in place to enable the final funding agreement to be signed.
Throughout the year the College has been engaged with the DfES in discussion about the possibility of our own College converting to an Academy owing to progressively unfavourable changes in funding arrangements offered to CTCs. The Trustees and Governors have been fully involved in these discussions and continually reinforce that the continuing success of the College and its students is, and always will be, their primary responsibility and focus. An expression of interest was registered with the DfES during the year which included the potential for a £5.2m capital spend to expand the College's faculties in digital media, food technology and drama. We are extremely fortunate to have the continuing generous support of the Weston Foundation and the de Capell Brooke family in respect of the private sponsorship should we ultimately take the decision to convert to an Academy. The latest position agreed at an extraordinary Trustees meeting on 22 September 2005 was the approval for the College to move into the 'design phase' for the conversion process. This phase is likely to take up to 12 months to complete and does not guarantee our commitment to conversion but seeks to prepare all the necessary detail in advance of signing a funding agreement.
Brooke Weston's success will continue as long as we embrace strong leadership and direction, stretch and reach for realistic goals, seek to continuously improve and as long as we don't become complacent. The year 2005 has been exceptional. I would like to offer my congratulations to Peter Simpson and his team of staff who deliver their profession with such dedication and tirelessness. Also congratulations to the students for the achievements that have led to their deserved success and, of course, to the parents who continue to encourage, nurture and coach their children so admirably.
Peter Hedges
Chair of Governors