Dear all,

We are pleased to inform you that we received confirmation yesterday that the school has achieved its first ever positive Progress 8 score of +0.1. P8 is the measure of how much progress our Year 11 students have collectively made from the time they joined us. It is calculated using their SATS results from Year 6 and their GCSE results from Year 11. A P8 score of 0 would mean that Year 11 students have made progress exactly in line with the national average. Our positive P8 score means that HP Year 11 students are, for the first time ever, above the national average. This is testament to their hard work and willingness to take responsibility, and also to the efforts and skill of our fantastic teachers. We as a school know that achieving above national average outcomes at Year 11 and Year 13 genuinely changes lives and keeps doors open to our students that would otherwise be closed. We are totally committed to helping our students achieve better and better outcomes over the next few years.

This year we have introduced some fortnightly attendance texts that some of you may have received. The purpose of the fortnightly attendance tests are to continue to raise awareness about the importance of attendance. Having above 95% attendance to school is proven to be an important marker for increasing both students' attainment and wellbeing. Being in school means students are up-to-date in their learning, which increases self-confidence, enables them to take part in the widest array of extracurricular activities and to spend time with their peers. We, of course, recognise that there are sometimes exceptional circumstances which prevent a student having an attendance of 95% or higher. However, it is critical that regular attendance to school is recognised as one of our whole school priorities. If there is any further attendance support that we can offer at any point, please do not hesitate to contact us.

This week all of our applicants to become Year 12 Prefects had their interviews with Mrs Marsden-Green, Assistant Headteacher for Sixth Form, and Miss Browning, Head of Character. They have informed me that the standard of these interviews was incredibly high, and we are thoroughly looking forward to them commencing their roles in November. Our Year 12 Prefects play a key role in modelling the expectations and providing support to our young students. Well done to them all for putting themselves forward, writing excellent application letters and then representing themselves so well in the interviews - these are all crucial life skills.

I wish you all a lovely weekend,

Mr Hudson
Headteacher