It has been fantastic to welcome students back to school this week. I have been impressed by the way in which they have applied themselves in lessons and around the building. Year 9 seem to be finding their way around school quickly. If you have any queries please contact your child’s form tutor or Head of House.

Over the Summer the school has been far from quiet. In August Year 11 and Year 13 students collected their examination results. Once again students at Thomas Alleyne’s have made more progress than in schools nationally.

74% achieved a pass in English and 69% of the cohort achieved a pass in Maths. In Maths 18% of the cohort achieved the highest grades 9 or 8 on the newly designed GCSEs. Performance in Science was also strong with 28% of students, who studied Physics, Chemistry, Biology, achieving an A or A*. Similarly over 25% of PE and Art students attained an A* or A grade.
These results include the new GCSEs for English Language, English Literature and mathematics which are graded on a one to nine scale. The grade 9s have been designed to recognise the top 3% of students in individual subjects across the country. This year Hannah Brown from Marchington achieved an incredible 10 GCSEs at the highest possible A* or above which includes 3 grade 9s. Ruby Wollard from Tean achieved an impressive set of GCSEs with 8A* and 1 A grades; along with Joanna Thornett from Hollington 7A*and 2 A, James Cooksedge from Doveridge 7A* and 4As; Lauren Walker from Uttoxeter 3A* and 8As, Callum Perett from Tean 4 A* and 4As, Phillipa Dale and Hannah Ufton achieved 8 A grades or above. Joseph Martin from Uttoxeter 2A* 7As, and Isla Stubbs 2A*, 6 A grades and 1 B.
They were amongst a large group of 32 students who all achieved at least 5 A/A*s the group included​: Katie Hall, Milly Radley, Livia Robinson, Sara Coxon, Georgia Cumming, Zachary Wright, Rachel Clemett, Katie Arnold, Ewan Haas, Abbie Keeling, John Simister, Alice Smith, Bryony Hall, Adam Richards, Euan Rodger, Laura Stones, Harry Thorne, Harry Whitehouse, Mackenzie Smith, Lydia Grocott, Jessica Poole and Adam Burrows.
In the first year of the new GCSEs 99 students, 40% of the cohort, achieved at least 1 A*/A in an area of their specialism.

Sixth form students have similarly produced another fantastic set of individual results in their exams this year.

The pass rate was 98% which has once again enabled students to secure top university places including Oxbrdige and Higher Apprenticeships as well as enter into the world of work.

Vocational subjects have continued to secure superb results with a 100% pass rate which will place students in the top 1% nationally for their achievement.

A high proportion of students achieved exceptional A-level results, and the vast majority of students have been successful in securing places at their first choice university.

There were some exceptional individual performances:

Alfie Holmes A* A* A* A*. Alfie has been accepted to study Maths at Oxford Univeristy

Harry Cooper A* A* A A. Harry is planning to study computing at Imperial College London.

Ben Woodhead A* A* A. Ben has secured a place at Durham university to study Geography.

Hayley Winstanley A* A A. Hayley will be studying make up for media and performance at University of Bournemouth.

Megan Jones A A A. Megan has been successful in securing a place to study Geography at Lancaster University.

Alex Canning A A A. Alex has been accepted to study Medicine at Keele University

Harvey Marples A A B B. Harvey will be studying Physics at Nottingham University.

Megan Gardiner A A B. Megan has secured a place to study Physiotherapy at Birmingham university.

Lucy Ormiston-Lee A A B. Lucy has secured a place to study Pharmaceutical Sciences.

William Pennell A A B. William has secured a position to study Physics.

Martha Taylor A* B C. Martha will be studying at fine art at Manchester Met university.

Peter Walker A B B. Peter has secured a place at to study engineering.

The following students performed exceptionally successful across both vocational and academic qualifications.

Johnathon Mackay Distinction*, Distinction*, A, B.

George Simister Distinction*, Distinction*, B. George has been accepted to study broadcast journalism at Salford University.

Tyler Williams Distinction*, Distinction*, C. Tyler has secured an apprenticeship at Total Enterprise Solutions

Luke Orzechowski Distinction*, A, B. Luke will be returning to Poland to continue his studies.

Jack William Hall Distinction*, Distinction*, B. Jack will be studying Computer Systems at Nottingham Trent University.

In addition to this Eve Abram, Victoria Clinton and Aislyn Hall secured places to study music at the prestigious Birmingham and Leeds Conservatoire schools of music.

Academic success is important in our school, however along with it we are passionate in providing opportunities to ensure students have chance to develop skills in teamwork, independence, resilience and creativity. In August over 70 community-minded Year 11 students took part in the National Citizenship project, spending time in a local University, raising significant amounts for charity and completing a range of outdoor activities. Experiences like this give our students the opportunity to understand the world around them a little better and also helps them foster confidence, tolerance and perseverance.

Whilst the main school have been away our Site staff and ICT team at the school have been busy improving facilities for students return. We have replaced our central server at school which supports our computer network. This will provide us with an improved service. We know parents may have had to change passwords and apologise for any inconvenience caused. If you have any unresolved queries please contact the school directly. During the Summer our site team had a substantial amount of the school lighting replaced to improve the environment in classrooms.
We wish all students a happy and productive year with us this year.