A Monthly Publication

 By Veronica Welham

Smithdon High School recorded its highest ever examination results this year.

At A Level the overall pass rate rose by 2% to 96%. The precentage of students gaining A, B or C grades equalled the school's previous best of 61% and the average point score rose significantly by more than 20 points to 599. Alex Peach gained 4 A grades in Sciences and Maths and several other students recorded only A and B grades.

  At GCSE the school broke the important psychological and academic barrier of 50% 5 or more A* - C grades, a huge increase of 10% on the previous year. The percentage of 5 A* - C grades inculding English and Maths rose by 8% to 38% and 97% of students achived 5 or more A* - G grades. This last figure shows a steady rise over the past 5 years and reflects the success of the inclusive nature of the school.

  At the Prize Presentation Evening on September 17th both the Headteacher, Mr Jon Goodchild, and the Chair of Governors, Mrs Veronica Welham, congratulated the students, their parents and the staff on the effort and co-operation required to achieve this improvement. Mrs Welham also spoke about the school's other accomplishments during the past year, such as the tremendously successful staging of the musical 'We Will Rock You,' individual sporting achievements and the fact that after many years of campaigning, the governors have finally been given permission to modernise the students' toilets in the main block. (Anyone who has ever attended the school will recognise the significance of this last fact.) Her final point was that everyone has to strive to continue this improvement because the school is judged each year on how close students come to achieving their potential. Smithdon has fantastic facilities and dedicated staff and it is the responsibility of each student to do their best and make the most use of all the support on offer.