Private School News

EXCELLENCE AT FARNBOROUGH HILL CONFIRMED BY INSPECTION REPORTS

Farnborough Hill ‘aspires to academic excellence and to giving pupils a sense of fun and enjoyment in their learning. It amply fulfils both these aims’ according to school inspectors. Inspection reports by ISI in May and by the Portsmouth Diocesan Validation team in April have just been released. Mrs Sarah Buckle, Headmistress, said “Both reports describe Farnborough Hill, its students and staff in the most glowing terms. It was gratifying to know that independent assessors came to such positive conclusions based on all the evidence before them.”

The ISI report praised all aspects of the school. Mrs Buckle commented “We were particularly pleased to have our pastoral care recognised as ‘outstanding’ and our teaching summarised by the phases ‘the staff teach enthusiastically, imaginatively and very effectively” and “many lessons are taught to an outstanding standard”.

Other statements that the school is particularly proud of include:
·‘Socially, pupils display a cheerful and enthusiastic attitude towards school life. They enjoy excellent relationships with each other, within and across year groups, and with the staff.’
·‘The pupils … are confident, without being over-confident; they are concerned for each other and for their fellow human beings; they become courteous and responsible young people.’
·‘The school has a vibrant cultural life, which pupils enjoy and in which they take pride.’
·‘The school enjoys excellent governance and strong leadership at all levels.’

Phrases used by the Diocesan Validators include:
·“The positive Christian ethos and respectful interpersonal relationships reflect the excellent spiritual and moral development of the students”
·“A dedicated and talented staff combines with the enthusiastic and well motivated students to create a community that pulsates with activity and endeavour.”
·“Teaching and attainment in Religious Education are outstanding.”

Praise is also included for Farnborough Hill’s community links, charity work, extra-curricular programme, learning support and provision for gifted and talented. Mrs Buckle says “We are very proud of the students and staff who do so much to make all this happen.”

Of course there is always room for improvement and both reports include targets and next steps for the school which had already been identified. For example Farnborough Hill is reviewing the timing of the school day to accommodate the increased time needed by students to move to the new sports hall, art, design and technology facilities.

Farnborough Hill girls celebrate

Happy smiles were the order of the day at Farnborough Hill on GCSE results day. Staff, students and proud parents were thrilled to discover that 21% of the girls achieved A* or A grades in all their subjects. More than a quarter of the year group gained 9 or more A* or A grades.

As always there were superb performances from a number of individuals with Alexandra Cooper, Tegwen Gabb and Hannah Patel gaining 9 A*s as well as AS level English a year early.

The 21 candidates in Year 10 sitting their English GCSE a year early as part of our extension programme for the gifted and talented achieved 100% A*/A grades.

Headmistress, Mrs Sarah Buckle, said ‘We are delighted with these results and pleased that the girls have done so well. Coming on top of last week’s brilliant A level results and a superb inspection report, the school really is looking forward to another exciting year.’ Mrs Sharon Young, a parent of three girls at the school, said ‘I’m so pleased with Phoebe’s results – and the girls have so much fun learning at Farnborough Hill.’

Academic Gold 2008

Delighted students opened their A level results envelopes at Farnborough Hill this morning to discover that, for the second year running, half of the entire year group had achieved 3 or more A grades at A level. This outstanding set of results meant that 87% of the year group achieved A or B grades, with 95% getting grades of C or above. Pictured are Emily Malyon-Roberts, Rebekah Overton, Katie Smith, Zoe Hawken, Molly Beck, Laura Mattar and Sarah Rowlands who were among the girls achieving at least 3 A grades.

At AS level three students were awarded the top five marks nationally: Hannah Shelley for Biology and Alexandra Cooper and Tegwen Gabb for English. In fact Tegwen and Alexandra have just completed their GCSEs and were sitting their English AS a year early as part of Farnborough Hill’s extension programme for the gifted and talented.

Headmistress, Mrs Sarah Buckle said “We are delighted with this set of outstanding results. The girls have worked so hard and there are many personal triumphs among these A level achievements too. Credit must also go to the dedicated and talented teaching staff at Farnborough Hill who always go the extra mile to inspire and support their students”.