Headteacher's End of Term letter
Posted: 22/07/11End of Summer Term Letter
As we reach the end of my first year at Chiswick Community School I guess it is only natural to look back and assess progress made so far. It’s hard to believe that a whole academic year has flashed past in what seems like a blink of the eye.
I am convinced that we are building a school to be proud of. Chiswick is a complex London School with the full range of issues that accompany a true comprehensive, but we have a wonderful body of staff (teaching and associate), who are fully committed to the progress of our students, and students who in ever increasing numbers are proud of their school and want to be the best that they can be. When we add the support of parents we have a combination that can only move the school forward
At times this year has been difficult but through adversity we have become stronger and the sense of family and community is palpable. We now need to push on next year and further establish ourselves as a school moving fast towards its objective of providing outstanding educational experiences for all our students, irrespective of gender, race, ability or creed.
As I write, the results of the recent student and parent surveys have just arrived in school. This will provide some interesting holiday reading for all members of the Leadership Team, but headlines that jump from the pages include:
| Parents | Students | ||
| Perceived Strengths | Areas for development | Perceived Strengths | Areas for development |
| Caring teachers | School facilities | Community spirit | School facilities |
| Control of bullying | Careers advice | Levels of homework (fuel for an interesting debate) | Computer access |
| Community spirit | Availability of resources | School security (safety) | Careers advice |
| Exam results | Levels of homework | Happiness at school | Availability of resources |
| Teaching Quality | Choice of subjects | Developing confidence | Healthy lifestyle / diet |
| * Shown in rank order top to bottom | |||
We will provide a more detailed analysis for students and parents at the start of next term but I am sure that you will agree that the above responses provide both good news (81.4% of students believe that community spirit is a real strength at Chiswick), and food for thought (how do we bring additional funding to school for capital improvements in the demise of the government’s building programme).
Through careful budgeting we have managed to finance a series of capital projects to be carried out over the summer break and students will return to much improved changing facilities in the sports hall, a fitness suite where the squash courts used to be and a new suite of Apple Mac computers to be shared across subjects.
I am delighted to state that we have relative stability on staffing with only six members of staff leaving us this summer. I wish them all well as they continue their careers away from Chiswick Community School and thank each and every one of them for the dedication that they have shown Chiswick students.
I would also like to thank our Connexions Officers who move on due to a restructuring of the area careers service. We are fully staffed for September and I will write at the start of next term to introduce our new staff members.
All that remains is to thank you all for your support in my first year in post, I have really enjoyed the last year and after a short rest we will continue the journey in a few weeks time. I wish you all a safe and restful summer break and look forward to seeing you all in September.
Yours Sincerely
Tony Ryan
Headteacher
