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An Inspector Calls (and other news)
By Admin
Nov 13, 2007 - 3:53:44 PM

Last half term concluded with rather an unexpected flourish as we were paid a visit by OFSTED! Her Majesty’s Inspectors came to look at ‘Learning Outside the Classroom’ at AGS as part of a national survey. They also wanted to examine our school’s progress since the 2006 inspection: I am delighted to report that once again we were deemed to be outstanding and our progress excellent. A report will be published in due course and I will ensure that you receive a copy. In the meantime you may like to know that the HMI was highly impressed by what she saw; by the exemplary behaviour of our students, by the highest standards of teaching and learning and the caring ethos of the school. We can all be proud of the HMI’s conclusion that AGS was ‘possibly the best secondary school I have ever visited’. As for the range of extra curricular events,

clubs, sports, trips, fieldwork and wider opportunities, we are so fortunate in having such a committed and talented staff who offer a stunning array of activities throughout the year. Our talented and enthusiastic students participate fully and impressed our visitors so much that we will feature in a national report produced by the Chief HMI to demonstrate best practice seen in exemplar UK schools. Inspection is inevitably a stressful business but worth the effort when everybody’s hard work is appreciated. Thanks and congratulations are due to staff, students, governors and parents for all your support in achieving this latest accolade.

As if to echo the above there has been a buzz of activity very recently with the ‘Comedy of the Physical’ trip to Chicago, the Art trip to Paris, the approaching production of ‘West Side Story’ and the ‘Phantom of the Opera’ trip to London, the Business Studies trip to Estonia and the preparations commencing for Tanzania later in the year. Various other events are documented in this newsletter and you are welcome to browse our website for even more details. Do try to encourage your sons and daughters to try something new or let us know if there is a club they would like to set up.

On a personal note, I spent my half term in Australia with the International Teacher Network helping to recruit staff for UK schools. In addition to many interviews I networked with several overseas colleagues and looked out for potential link schools in Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane. The sunshine, blue skies and scenery were certainly a delight in late October as the summer approached, and the wildlife and flora fascinating, but it is a long, long way - the jetlag was quite something. - Perhaps a good time to get in yet another heartfelt request to keep holidays to school holiday times where possible please!

Now we are in November I am pleased to report that new students are well settled in to their new school and as the darker nights are upon us we enter a seriously studious part of the school year. Steady homework, regular reading and high output generally should all feature now and the first progress reports of the season are beginning to be generated. Mock and modular reports approach for some and coursework deadlines loom. Please keep monitoring homework diaries/planners and communicate with form tutors, subject staff, year heads or me if you have any concerns. Concerted efforts now can really pay dividends later in the year.

The annual prize giving ceremonies are also upon us once again. It is always a great pleasure to present GCSE and A level students with their cups, prizes and well deserved certificates. Those students in Years 7, 8 and 9 might also want to set their sights on their own Awards Day in the summer term when we celebrate their achievements and progress. I wonder who will win the Scholars’ Oak Trophy for top student this year? I do urge all students to challenge themselves to fulfil their potential and aim high.

Finally, would parents please ensure students’ clothes and belongings are labelled? We have a growing stock of lost property and too many things are being mislaid or proving difficult to return to rightful owners. I also remain concerned that many valuable phones, electronic items and jewellery come into school daily for which we cannot accept responsibility and have not the time to relocate if lost. Please be mindful and thanks to those of you who continue to keep uniform looking smart and respectable. We want AGS to be a top school in every way!

Thank you for your support.

Yours sincerely

Iain Blaikie

Head teacher

Going to press: Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the families and friends of the firemen from our local community who so tragically perished.