In the last eight years our examination results have risen from 31% of pupils getting 5A* - C grades to a record 99.4%. This makes us the most successful school in Dudley and one of the top 100 most improved schools nationally. Our number of A* grades has trebled and our A grades have more than doubled as well. Our 5A* - C (including English and Maths) now stands at 80.1%, making us arguably the most successful comprehensive in the whole of the Black Country. Ofsted, at its most recent inspection in November 2012, decided that in all areas the school is ‘outstanding’. However, I would like to stress that, while we are pleased with what we have done, we have not exhausted our ambition - we can, and will, do even better. Our Sports College Status has brought with it substantial achievements - obviously sporting but also across other subjects and within the local community in areas such as our outstanding productions, community events such as the Senior Citizens Christmas Party, and our International School Award ~ the first to be awarded to a Dudley school. We are, furthermore, one of the first schools nationally to be granted our own Army Cadet Detachment. We were also the first school in Dudley to receive the Leading Parent Partnership Award, awarded at the time to only 250 schools, mainly around London. We take seriously the idea of ‘in loco parentis’, the idea that while students are with us we are their parents and, like all parents, we want the absolute best for them. We will also actively help parents help their children whenever they can.
