St Aldhelm’s Academy’s GCSE results have shown significant improvement in 2017 with 48 per cent of pupils achieving a standard pass of at least five GCSEs, including English and Maths.
The academy, in Herbert Avenue, Poole, was taken over by Ambitions Academies Trust (AAT) in June 2015 and since then the number of pupils achieving five GCSEs has risen by 30 per cent (up 14 per cent in 2016 and 16 per cent in 2017).
This year’s results also show 64 per cent of pupils achieved the new grade 4 (standard pass) in English, compared to 43 per cent in 2016 and 37 per cent in 2015.
While 57 per cent of pupils achieved the standard pass in maths – up 15 per cent on last year.
Students collect their GCSE results at St Aldhelm’s Academy in Poole.
The Academy is also delighted to report a positive progress 8 score. This measure is validated later in the year.
Among the many success stories is Melissa Mudge, who attained: 2A*s, 3 As, 1 B grade, 2 grade 8s in English language and literature, 1 distinction, and 1 grade 6.
Shannon Burgess, who aims to be an English teacher, attained: 1 A*, 2 As, 2 Bs, 1 distinction*, 1 distinction, 2 grade 6s in English language and literature and one grade 5.
Luke Howell achieved 2 grade 6s in English language and literature, 1 grade 7 in maths, 3 As, 2 Bs, 1 distinction and 1 merit.
And Macaulay Playford attained 1 A, 2 Bs, 2 Cs, 1 distinction, 1 grade 8 in English literature, 1 grade 7 in English language, 1 grade 6 and 1 merit.
Principal, Jon Webb said: “When AAT took on St Aldhelm’s our current GCSE pupils were in year 9 and their secondary education up to that point had been inadequate.
“AAT pledged to improve the education and progress of all our pupils.
“Our results for the last two years are testament to that progress and to the sheer hard work of our pupils and teachers. I can’t commend them enough.”
Sian Thomas, CEO of Ambitions Academies Trust, agreed: “As the former Principal of St Aldhelm’s Academy and now CEO, I have seen many of the current year 11s grow into strong, intelligent young people with ambitions and goals – and it fills me with immense pride.
“Our intake for Year 7 is up from 72 in 2016 to 110 this September and we are showing around new parents every week. We look forward to helping all these pupils reach their full potential.”
In April 2016 Ofsted inspectors applauded St Aldhelm’s “transformation” under the Trust and removed it from special measures, re-grading it a Good school.
Ambitions Academies Trust has a track record in transforming underperforming schools. The Trust has taken on Tregonwell Academy, Queen’s Park Academy in Bournemouth and Longspee Special School in Poole, which have since been rated as ‘Outstanding’ by government inspectors.
St Aldhelm’s is holding an Open Evening at the school in Herbert Avenue, Poole, on Thursday September 28 from 5.30-7.30pm for parents considering a Year 7 choice for their children from September 2018. For more information contact Melanie Vass, Assistant to the Principal on: 01202 305168. E: mvass@staldhelms-academy.co.uk
Media information on this release from Debbie Granville at Deep South Media: 07884 657782 or email: Debbie.granville@deepsouthmedia.co.uk
