Whoever coined the phrase “a change is as good as a rest “ almost certainly didn’t work in education (nor probably the NHS ), where change seems to be inevitable and constant. Cur-rently we are facing the challenge of new courses at both A level and GCSE with the added thrill at GCSE of a whole new grading system. Those of us of a certain age have been here before; we all remember the mighty CSE, where the results were awarded in numbers, a grade 1 being the equivalent of a C at O level – not at all complicated! The new GCSEs, starting with English and Maths for Year 10, are also being awarded in numbers but in order to keep us all on our toes 9 is high and 1 is low. Are you keeping up so far?
Nothing fosters a teacher’s Dunkirk spirit like a new course or several. I have had the pleasure of many conversa-tions with our teachers about the new challenges ahead and every single one without exception has had zeal and a passion about them which has been inspiring to see. What has been very clear is that teachers are always wanting to learn and this seems an ideal opportunity. By looking at our subjects in a new way, by thinking of different methods of teaching them and to share them with our students we can all learn together. Indeed, over the years when qualifications have changed, we seem to improve our results as we all engage even more intently with the content and structure of these new courses.
Last week Miss de Alwis and Mrs Sharman talked to Year 10 about some of the changes facing them and I hope that this will help to build their confidence and relish for what lies ahead. We are intending to send home similar information to parents soon and to keep you as informed as we can as the changes occur. If you are lucky enough to have a daughter in Year 10, why not give her an impromptu test and see what she remembers?
Although there is much to excite us about new topics, new ideas and new challenges, we have no illusions about the hard work ahead. We can only hope that after all this we can coin a new phrase - perhaps that “a rest would be good for a change”.
Mrs Amanda Meredith, Deputy Head
