When Susan Sontag, the American writer, philosopher and political activist gave a commencement address to students in Wellesley College, she ended her speech by giving a three-fold piece of advice to the listening audience. The advice was simple: “Be Bold. Be Bold. Be Bold.” This boldness is grounded in the capacity to be intellectually inquisitive – of never being indifferent and what I understand as persistence. This ability to be determined and tenacious is the best way that I can find to describe our students who have achieved such wonderful A level and GCSE results this year. 

The statistics are amazing and so clearly speak for themselves; 92% of examinations taken at A level were awarded grades A*- B, over double the national figure. At GCSE 75% of entries achieved grades 9-7, close to 3 times the national figure. Our A level students are going onto fabulous universities and wide-ranging degree courses, from Biochemistry at the University of Bristol to Modern Languages and History at Durham University. Other areas of study include Mechanical Engineering, Psychology and Flight School.

The teaching and learning that has occurred to achieve such dazzling grades and variety of skills, demonstrates the positive and supportive relationship that exists between our students and their teachers. The primacy of the classroom experience and the excellence shown by our teaching staff has enabled our young people to thrive and achieve great things, despite the obvious obstacles faced over the past academic year and beyond. I am so proud of what each has achieved and I know that our school will only go from strength-to-strength based upon these outstanding results. We will continue to focus upon excellent teaching and always ensure that we are achieving the best grades, sending our young people to their Universities of choice and celebrating their accomplishments.

I am also acutely aware that there is far more to what we achieve at Alton School than great results. Our students grow in stature, confidence and in their abilities to take responsibility for their learning and wider successes. They are supported by teachers who know them and they feel empowered to make progress because they are guided to seek excellence – not just as an innate gift but rather as a skill that takes practice.  The relationships that are developed through all their years at school contribute to their successes.

I am so proud of all that our young people, teachers and staff have achieved across the whole of our School and Nursery and I look forward to this success continuing in the year that awaits us.

Karl Guest