There’s never been a better time to come back to school! We begin the new school year in the knowledge that our exam results this summer were our best results ever with 65% of students gaining 5A* to C grades. This is double last year’s results. In addition to this milestone is the increased number of students who scored 5 A* to C grades including English and Maths. Hard work from both students and staff have clearly paid dividends meaning that more Year 11 students than ever before have a greater choice of pathways at 16.
New developments in our Sixth Form also herald a new era at Robert Napier School. This year, for the first time, students are joining our sixth-form to study A-levels in English, Dance, Drama, History and Photography as well as courses covering a wide range of vocational subjects. We intend to offer further courses next year too. Robert Napier School is not only bigger but undoubtedly better!!!
This new term will see developments in other school areas. As part of our ongoing plans to improve the dining experience at school, an outdoor area with new seating and canopies is being added to the canteen building and a wider range of healthy food options is at the heart of the drive to improve students eating habits.
Improved student achievement is at the heart of all our changes such as the new structure of the school day, with longer lessons and shorter afternoons. This will enable teachers to maximise students’ learning in a full hour lesson, and reduce afternoons to one lesson only when students are sometimes more tired.
There are opportunities too for parents to play their role. As I write, we are preparing for three key dates when parents can come into school. (Please see the dates on page 8) The most important of these was our New Intake Evening where we hope parents enjoyed the opportunity to see for themselves the range of exciting and challenging activities on offer at Robert Napier.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our students and parents an enjoyable and successful new school year.
Fiona Miller
Head Teacher |