Dear all,

I am writing for the last time as Headteacher to update you on our 2023 exam results. 

As you are aware, Beaufort's 2019 GCSE results placed us in the bottom 1% of schools for progress made by students at GCSE. In 2022, we were exactly at national average, making us the 10th most improved school in the country, with the percentage of students getting 4s in both English and Maths rising from 42% to 62%. 

Progress scores haven't yet been released, but results were almost identical to last year, with the average grade remaining at 4.5. This is despite huge deflation in grades across the country to bring grades back in line with pre-COVID thresholds. As a result, we are very confident that when the Department for Education publish progress figures, Holmleigh Park will now be well above both the national and Gloucestershire averages, and I'm sure Mr Hudson will update you once these are published. 

It was a similar story for Sixth Form; while our results dipped slightly in line with the national picture, results were still strong, with an average grade of a C. In addition, we saw an increase in the number of students gaining places at top universities. On top of the steps forward we made last year, with the percentage of A*-B grades rising from 15% in 2019 to 62% in 2022, this again means our Sixth Form is now in a very strong position. 

This sits alongside our other improvements, including achieving the School of Character Quality Mark, making huge improvements in behaviour and attitudes, and becoming one of the most oversubscribed schools in Gloucestershire. I am fiercely proud of both our staff and your wonderful children who have worked so hard to make this happen. 

None of this, however, would have been possible without the support of our community, and I'd like to finish by thanking you all from the bottom of my heart. I know that we have asked a lot, that the pace of change has often been relentless, and that some of you will not have agreed with every decision we have made - but I have never doubted how you all want the best for your children, and how much you want Holmleigh Park to be the best school it can be. I am incredibly grateful for the trust, faith, and kindness you have shown to the staff and me. 

I feel very sad to leave such a remarkable school, but I know that you are in the best possible hands with Mr Hudson, who takes over as Headteacher from today, and I look forward to continuing to support the school in my new role. 

I'd like to finish by thanking you again, and wishing you and your families the very best for the future.

Yours faithfully,
Mr Farmbrough

PS - Key information for the start of term can be found here.