Parents
Dear Parents and Carers
Welcome to Epsom and Ewell High School. I hope that you have got a real insight into the school from the information on this website and by visiting us to see us at work. I would encourage all of you to make an appointment to outside of the open evening so that you can confirm external agencies' views of us:
- In 2011 the local authority graded us as 'outstanding' in all key areas and overall
- In 2011 our exam results were outstanding and showed that we performed well above the progress made in the top 25% of schools nationally.
- In 2010 OFSTED graded us a 'good' with a number of outstanding features, particularly in the key areas of leadership, progress and capacity to improve
- In 2010 we were named in the OFSTED Chief Inspector's Report as one of the 8 most improved schools in the country and one of only 3 schools that jumped four levels in their grading categories in one go. The Chief Inspector of Schools for England and Wales stated that to "... become a good or outstanding school after being in an Ofsted category in the previous full inspection shows a singularity of purpose that comes from highly capable leadership."
- In both 2010 and 2011 we were ranked 5th in Surrey for our GCSE results in terms of added value
- In 2011 were appointed as one of Surrey's support schools whereby we offer assistance to other schools in making changes. There are only 8 such schools in Surrey. Since that appointment we have supported the establishment of a new school and will provide quality teaching to two others throughout 2011-12.
- During the last year we have provided leadership training to the Metropolitan Police, 5 secondary schools in Buckinghamshire and have been asked to do the same for Philips, the consumer lifestyle business based in Guildford.
- We are part of the SJB and George Abbott teaching school partnership to train new recruits to the profession. Only 20 such partnerships have been established for the 2011-12 academic year.
In short, this is a fast moving school in which all students can achieve both inside and outside the classroom. OFSTED's main conclusion accurately reflects what this school is now about. The final report stated that "Epsom and Ewell High is a good school. It provides students with outstanding support so that they make at least good and sometimes outstanding progress. Behaviour is outstanding and students are motivated, articulate and polite with a clear focus on learning."
Our exam results this summer will really support this. Such is the quality of the teaching and the aspirational attitude of the students we have shown that if you if you attend at least 95% of the time you will get at least 5 good GCSEs at grade C or above. This is the magic qualification that will open up courses in sixth forms and colleges. For those wanting to go onto higher education the importance that we attach to English and mathematics and the results that our students achieve show that we provide an excellent academic platform for all.
Importantly for everyone associated with the school we are not content to stand still. Please access our strategic and development plans. They reflect our ambition to continue to provide the best education we can for our students and be the highest performing school in Surrey. Best of all please come and visit - any time on any day. We would be delighted to show you round.
The opening evening for prospective students looking for entry in the 2012-13 academic year will be on Tuesday 4th October 2011. The evening will start at 6 p.m. and end at 9 p.m. Alex Russell, the headteacher will give two addresses. The first will be at 6 p.m., the second at 7 p.m. Each address will last about 30 minutes.
The school will also be open from Monday 10th and Tuesday 11th October from 9.15 a.m. for parents and prospective students to tour the site and see us at work. If you cannot make that time you are welcome to make an appointment any time. Please contact the school office to arrange this.
Alex Russell
Headteacher
