Our new Year 12

The interviews this week have been fantastic.

The Senior Leadership Team at the school were very impressed by the quality of the applications and the mature manner the students exhibited during the interview process. Many students came extremely well prepared: outstanding personal statements, detailed CV and some very extensive revision and study guides to show their preparation plans for their forthcoming examinations. These were able to give us insight into each student's approach to learning and their capacity for independent study. It is these qualities that will determine success at KS5.

Many students showed tremendous support and enthusiasm for the new Sixth Form. We were told by students who are already here that they want to continue their education with the staff they know, believe in and trust. They stated that this is a place where they feel their talents will be further nurtured and they see this as the environment in which they can fulfil their potential. In addition, external applicants stated that they wanted to come here for their Post 16 education because of the excellent reputation of the school. These comments I shared with the staff here during our morning briefing session today.

All students will be informed, in writing, of the outcome of the interview. More interviews take place next week and thereafter we will issue the offers of places. I would anticipate that students should receive these within the next 3 weeks.

I would personally like to thank all the students for their efforts with the interviews. For the first time I felt able to 'see' the new Sixth Form and envisage the students in the building and preparing for KS5. Once again, we move another step closer to the opening.