Great improvements at HT
We continue to rapidly improve the quality of education we are providing for our community, which was clearly identified by Ofsted in May 2018.
Here are some examples of our successes in the past 12 months.
We always welcome visits from interested families to see us in action.
Brand new building to enhance learning
We have opened our brand new state of the art building, with 12 new classrooms, 3 new science laboratories, an additional sixth form teaching room, and a large library.
New teaching facilities
Two fully refurbished Science laboratories and over 100 new student PCs in classrooms, and the complete redecoration of two further buildings.
Year 7
A greater number of applications and places offered for Year 7 compared to previous years.
Sustained improvement in Year 11 Maths
Students in Maths are making much greater progress than students of the same prior attainment at Key Stage 2 compared to all schools nationally.
Sustained Improvements in Year 11 English and Science results
Students in English and Science performed more strongly in 2019, 2020 and 2021 as a result of stronger teaching and additional revision support.
Sustained improvement in Year 7-11 student attendance
Student attendance was 94.4% in 2018-19 (prior to the pandemic) – a nearly 2% increase compared to the previous two academic years. Attendance has remained high during the pandemic.
Sixth Form
Large Year 12 intake in September 2021, with 175 students in our Sixth Form in total.
A Level performance
We had a significant rise in % A*-B grades in 2019 compared to 2018 – a 15% increase in % A*-B grades over two years. Results have continued to rise further in 2020 and 2021.
Student academic progress is amongst the highest in the local area, and across Hertfordshire sixth forms and colleges, based on 2019 outcomes, when exams were last taken.
Vocational qualifications
Strong performance in the new, reformed BTEC and other vocational qualifications in Year 11 and Year 13 in 2019, 2020 and 2021.
University applications
Students applying to university are successful with securing a place, including at very many very competitive universities, including three students securing places at Cambridge and Oxford universities in the past three years
Student behaviour and relationships
Very positive student behaviour and attitudes to learning.
A significant reduction in fixed term exclusions and other behaviour issues compared to two years ago.
Partnership with Haileybury
Increased opportunities for students, including masterclasses, membership of Combined Cadet Force, use of climbing wall and swimming pool.
Partnership with partner primary schools
Increased links with Brookland Junior School and other local primary schools, which included Year 5 music lessons for Brookland Junior School children prior to the pandemic.
Co-curricular clubs and activities, trips and visits
Increased range of opportunities for students, including trips to Australia, Belgium, France, Italy, Poland, Spain and the USA prior to the pandemic. We hope to re-start these visits soon!
Staffing
Low staff turnover, and well-qualified, specialist teaching staff across all subject areas.
Funding
Very secure funding, with reserves being used to improve our facilities further. Funding is enhanced as a result of our partnership with Haileybury, and from community fundraising, including for IT devices.
