School "propelled into upper ranks" (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

School "propelled into upper ranks"

THE academic year 2004/5 was one of building, planning and ultimately another year of outstanding success, as students at Bishop Wordsworth's School "propelled the school into the upper ranks of state schools nationally," said headmaster Stuart Smallwood last Thursday.

Mr Smallwood was giving his report at the school's annual prizegiving in Salisbury Cathedral and said that, because of those successes, BWS could move forward through this academic year with confidence and expectation and plan with confidence for the future.

During the year, the school acquired Language College status and Mr Smallwood told guests it was establishing the facilities and organisation necessary to bolster the delivery of languages within the school and make contact with partner primary and secondary schools.

He said: "The result is that we are now making rapid headway with the many aspects of Language College, with firm foundations to build on.

"The other aspect of Language College status is the community work, especially with our seven partner primary schools.

"The aim is to deliver a programme of learning to seven- to nine-year-olds so that they are familiarised with spoken French and not intimidated by the steep hill that they would otherwise have to climb when they reach secondary school."

He continued: "Of course, the lifeblood of a traditional grammar school ultimately is the shared desire for success and excellence, delivered through a challenging and balanced curriculum, together with a broad menu of extracurricular activities."

Mr Smallwood said this was the area for development, as standards intensified, exams became more complex and universities more demanding in what they are looking for from prospective students.

He said discussions at BWS would be focusing on developing a distinctive learning agenda over the coming years, as this could provide the school with a means of ensuring students were stretched and maintained an edge when it came to applying for higher education.