principal's review
Principal's address - Awards Evening 2007
Awards Evening is as ever a particularly special occasion for several reasons, however this year there has been one departure from tradition: invitations have been extended to guests outside of the Academy – so it gives me great pleasure to welcome representatives from Middlesbrough Borough Council, local Councillors, Radio Tees, the Evening Gazette and the Corporate Director of Children, Families and Learning. It is a delight that our students’ success and hard work is now being acknowledged in our wider community.
This evening is focussed on achievement therefore it is important to begin by reflecting upon our students’ performance. Each year it becomes increasingly difficult to raise the bar yet higher, as our overall standards are already so high, however, in the early part of the summer holiday results season our Year 13 Post 16 students excelled: achieving an average points score of 285 which represents a 99% pass rate, well above the national average.
The extent of that achievement is reinforced when you consider that 45% of the passes were at A and B grade. This is all the more gratifying as the Academy has implemented various strategies to improve and enhance our Post 16 study. Really pleasing are the number of students who then progressed on to quality education and training and there is no better example of this than our guest of honour this evening, former Macmillan student Stephanie McGovern.
We are delighted to see Stephanie back and I look forward to introducing her later.
Another very pleasing trend continues at Key Stage 4 where the effect of five years work is rewarded by 92% of Year 11 students gaining 5A*-C GCSE passes compared to the national average of 60%. This is a most noteworthy achievement for staff and students alike. There are numerable ways of exemplifying this success but for me what is more important than the headline score is that we have encouraged students’ desire to achieve. Based on the aspirational targets students are given on entry to Macmillan the added value they gain during their time at the Academy places us in the top 100 schools in the country. There are 3,500 schools so that is a really creditable position which is representative of our core business: working together with parents, students and staff to ensure achievement and success for all!
For the first time we have had a number of our students who gained the highest marks nationally in their examination papers! It is really pleasing to be part of that success and a credit to the departments who have enabled it to happen.
At Key Stage 3 we have had less time to exert an influence on achievement, but nevertheless, we have witnessed some really pleasing trends in increasing numbers of our students achieving the highest grades in core subjects.
At this stage of the evening it is important that I pay tribute to all the adults who support our Macmillan family. Full attendance on the last two Board of Governors meetings demonstrates the commitment of our governing body, many of whom, along with the Chair, take a very active part in the life of our Academy. Senior leaders, Heads of Department, Heads of Year, staff with responsibility and teachers, work hard to ensure quality provision for our students. They are assisted by a dedicated team of teaching assistants and non teaching staff who provide a level of care and commitment second to none. There are innumerable examples where all staff give their time, expertise and support to provide the encouragement, experience and energy that marks this Academy out both regionally and nationally. It is, as always appropriate to acknowledge this immense contribution (applause).
With an OFSTED HMI team visiting today and tomorrow we will have an accurate independent assessment of the quality and standards of education in our Academy. Their report should be published in the first week of the New Year: so we and I am sure all of you, will look forward to reading this.
In this address, I often refer to the Review of the Year which normally accompanies the publication provided for you. The text, however, does not do justice to the range of activities we provide and excel at so later this year we look forward to producing a Year book which will truly reflect our student experience, best practice, individual performance, team work and Academy events. A flavour of the contents can be seen in our other publications such as; the In Touch magazine; our DVDs of Academy events and productions and our Y11 Leaver Book all of which we are justifiably proud.
Living in a time of rapid technological development creates a significant impact and challenge on educational establishments such as ours. Modern communication such as texting, emailing, internet chat forums, can if not checked damage students’ ability to write coherently and accurately; skills demanded by our modern workplace. Furthermore, computer games, television and ipods can, if allowed, disrupt the art of conversation and if we are not careful promote a less active lifestyle for our youth.
This fast paced life may, if not watched, herald a “throw away generation” where reasoned decisions become difficult and short sightedness prevails. Today it is all too easy to become inward looking and self-seeking when in reality we need to view our world with more global eyes. At Macmillan we strive to ensure that our students look beyond their world and take time to appreciate it. This sentiment underpins our conviction to support parents in the wider development of their youngsters and is why we firmly believe in the key values embedded in our Academy ethos.
We have a commitment to foster a moral responsibility in our students. This is not just something taught in a particular lesson or week but is ongoing and exemplified through student observation and experience of all the finer principles for conducting one’s life. Students’ ability to demonstrate this understanding is reinforced in particular programmes of Outdoor Learning, Learn 2 Learn and Citizenship and further complemented by offering role models and opportunities to reinforce good practice and evaluate poor decision making. Learning from the negatives as well as the positives is the key to success in life!
It is extremely pleasing to hear how well our students are received by employers, or by those with whom they engage at home and abroad. The manner in which they conduct themselves offers us comfort that we have prepared them well as they make their way in life. Education for us is more than just academic lessons it is education of the whole child, education for adulthood!
There are some frightening statistics currently published about the pace of change likely to affect young working lives. Technology means many jobs currently in our workplace will no longer be available. Students need to be adaptable in order to prepare for the likelihood of these significant changes in their careers. Students who can stay five years in their first job are now few and far between. We need young people to be resilient and flexible, able to adapt confidently to changing circumstances. Our new specialist programmes have enabled us to enhance our curricular provision and expand our range of challenging opportunities to ensure our students are prepared for their future.
Changes are likely in many other aspects of our lives and while I worry for my generation, I have real concerns for our children about the type of world they will be part of and the health of our planet. We have made some real strides in the Academy, I believe, in reinforcing the need for sustainability. Sadly, because it is not a high priority for everyone it will be one of the last features to be incorporated in our building programme, but we are ahead I believe with our Eco Outdoor classroom. The enthusiasm of the Eco team, the strides we have made in recycling and student experiences through the John Muir Award and conservation, demonstrate our commitment in this area. In addition, we have taken a conscious decision this evening to reduce the number of publications and to publish the programme you have been issued on recycled paper, further exemplification of our commitment to sustainable resources. I watch with interest as we attempt to change the mind set of many to that of good sustainable practice in the Academy, the home and in our community. We are working closely with Middlesbrough to sow the seeds for success in this area.
With our new secure environment and proposed cycle sheds, now is the time to start looking at cycling options and other more sustainable modes of transport such as car sharing. The Mayor has indicated that for all his conviction on this matter, unfortunately, a small railway platform across the road from the Academy is not yet even in design stage! Here’s hoping!
This year has seen much progress on the building front but if I am honest it is still ‘work in progress’ and we all await the time we can reclaim our refurbished, renewed and refreshed site to vitalise our educational journey well into the 21st century. The space, the opportunity and the facilities are immense for us allowing us to be at the forefront of all that is best in student learning.
With our OFSTED inspection being conducted today and tomorrow I wanted to end by successfully reviewing my message - a key feature of all good classroom practice.
Many may not realise that I have such a varied and modern musical taste – borne out of my own selection for car journeys to and from work and a much more extensive and louder selection at home playing in the bedrooms; the bathroom; the living room and kitchen (often simultaneously in stereo)! Need I say more…
I believe passionately in what I have said tonight, it is our work in partnership with parents that marks us out. For me it is encapsulated perfectly in the lyrics of one musical track I am subjected to. We will play it on departure as a signature for the evening. The lyrics are apt and standout even if they do belong to ‘Westlife’!
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains.
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas.
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up, to more than I can be.
Thank you.