Top 10% Nationally - Bishop Thomas Grant School

Dear Parents and StudentsYou are no doubt aware that theschool was inspected by Ofsted inFebruary 2012 under its new verychallenging framework and also by theArchdiocese of Southwark in March2012. Brief extracts from them appearin this issue of Nuntius. All currentparents have been sent thefull versions.The excellent reports give us furtherconfirmation of the fact that this school is aplace for outstanding successes. Some of thesefeature in these pages.We remain a hugely oversubscribed school forplaces in Year 7 and the Sixth Form. In view ofthis a new 1.4 million pound Sixth Form buildinghas been built and will open ready for use thisSeptember. It will contain 3 classrooms, 3 ICTrooms each containing 25 desk top computers,an additional common room, a very extensivesixth form private study area containing 50At university, her MA topic was on Harry Potterand its relationship with the Classics, andshe is a research assistant to classicist andtelevision presenter Bettany Hughes.She is also connected with Team London anda scheme to popularize Latin in schools.desktop computers, toilets, offices andadditional social spaces outside the building.There are a number of changes to the schoolcurriculum for the next academic year in allkey stages. In every year group, curriculumpathways have been developed which caterfor the individual strengths and weaknesses ofthe students instead of ‘one size fits all’ whichis prevalent in most schools. For example, thehighest achieving students joining in Year 7 asfrom this September will be following a verychallenging grammar school curriculum.They will study Mathematics, English, Physics,Chemistry, Biology, Latin, French, History,Geography, Computer Science, DT, Art, Musicand Drama and a range of sports. They will take5 GCSEs a year early and will start 2 A Levels ayear early. They will also be expected to followa very extensive extracurricular programme.I am particularly pleased to see that the studyof Latin and the culture of the Ancient RomansShe visited fellow enthusiasts in this schoolin February.Invited by Dr Sini-Spencer, she gave two talks– one to Year 7 students who learn Latin andanother to the Classical Civilisations Club, whichis for Years 9 to 11. The title was The UnderworldAdventure of Aeneas in Virgil’s Aeneid.She pointed out the remarkable resemblancesbetween the underworld of Homer’s Odysseyand that of the Aeneid, and also severalimportant differences.“Aeneas’s trip to the underworld is alsoVirgil’s opportunity to indulge in an extensiveaccount of Rome’s future glory, particularlyin his glorification of the Caesars…is becoming firmly established in the school,thanks to the efforts of Dr Sini-Spencer andher links with Cambridge University. I am surethat her pioneering efforts will continue to besuccessful and that the efforts of those studentswho have become deeply engaged with thesubject will continue. A Classics trip to Romeand Pompeii is being arranged for next April.At the end of the Summer Term, my warmestbest wishes go to the students and staff whoare moving on, especially to members ofYear 13 who have been excellent role modelsfor younger students.My sincerest thanks go to all those people whothrough their constant hard work and devotionhave ensured that this school has maintainedsuch an enviable reputation.Louis Desa HeadmasterOur love for LatinLucy Felmingham has been an enthusiast for Latin and the Classics from an early age, and she is convinced that thelanguage and the stories from the ancient world are relevant today.Statue of a gladiator found at PompeiiVirgil depicts Augustus, his own ruler andbenefactor, as the promised ruler who presidesover a Golden Age. This is not just propaganda,because Virgil had good reason to believe thathe was living at a high point in history, becauseRome ruled most of the known world.In this context, Augustus was seen as thenatural counterpart of Aeneas, bringing toperfect fruition the city whose history theTrojan hero initiated.”Sean Cobb and Christopher Luu (pictured),both in Year 7, are both in love with Latin.Sean has even produced his own newspaper– Roman Rumours – which contains items like‘How to cook a peacock’ and ‘New fashion tipson tunics’.“It’s great to explore the Roman era and tolearn the language. I have become particularlyinterested in the architecture.” – Sean“I made a Roman amphitheatre out ofcardboard, with sand in the arena. I amfascinated by the gladiators – the retiarii, themurmillones and the bestiarii.” - ChristopherIn the first century BC, a Roman namedVirgil wrote the Aeneid, an epic poemdivided into twelve books. It tells thestory of Aeneas, who leads a fleet ofTrojans to Italy, where the gods toldhim he was to bring up noble people.WHAT THE INSPECTORSSAID ABOUT USHere is a selection of their statements:Ofsted Report (February 2012)• Attainment in the school is above average. Inparticular attainment and progress in English andMathematics are outstanding and significantly abovethe national average.• The behaviour and safety of the students areoutstanding. Exceptional care, underpinned by strongvalues, results in the overwhelming majority ofstudents being happy to come to school.• The school provides outstanding opportunitiesfor students’ spiritual, moral, social andcultural development.• Parents and carers hold the school in very highregard and believe that their children are looked afterextremely well.• Good and outstanding progress was seen in the largemajority of lessons observed, characterised by a highlevel of engagement of students in their work and anenjoyment of learning.• The outstanding leadership of the headteacher andhis team has resulted in sustained improvement,based on high ambitions for the school and allits students.• Teachers use excellent subject knowledge to planstimulating lessons that engage and enthuse learners.• Students are set challenging targets, which arerigorously monitored to ensure that students do notfall behind.• Good relationships between students and adults,underpinned by the strong ethos of the school andthe students enthusiastic attitudes to learning, leadto a calm, orderly and purposeful atmosphere whichensure that lessons proceed without interruption.• Regular homework, including extended researchtasks, supports students’ learning well. The schoolhas a robust marking policy which contributes tostudents’ clear understanding of how to improve.• The school’s curriculum is broad and balanced andit is under constant review to ensure that it providesopportunities for memorable experiences and highquality learning. For example, pathways have beencreated for the most able learners to ensure they arechallenged to achieve the highest grades.Diocesan Report (March 2012)This inspection focuses on the quality of the Catholic life ofthe school.• Pupils enjoy being at the school and display a real loveof and pride in being part of this faith community.• The school benefits from the outstanding leadershipof the Headteacher, Senior Leadership Team andthe Governing Body ably assisted by the Chaplain.Leadership at all levels is ambitious for excellence.The Headteacher and his leadership team is a sourceof inspiration for the whole community, who in turn,appreciate value and desire to emulate their example.• The Catholic life of the school is highly visible andGospel values permeate through its structures,strategies, policies and practices. The school’sleadership and management are deeply committed tothe Church’s mission of education. They are energisedby the task of living out their Mission Statement ineveryday life.• Parents felt that their children were being educated in alearning environment which prioritised safety, personalfulfilment and academic progress.• The quality of provision for private and collective actsof worship is excellent. Priests have a regular presencewithin the school and witness to the respect theyreceive from the children and the reverence they showduring acts of worship.• Within the school nothing is allowed to present itselfas a barrier – either to learning or to the building ofexcellent relationships. Instead Bishop Thomas GrantSchool adopts a “relational” approach to individualsand bodies, including external agencies. It reaches outto others – through works of charity, prayer, educationalprogrammes and social events irrespective of faith,ethnicity, academic and/or social background.The Gospel values which underpin these virtuesare strongly promoted within the ReligiousEducation programme with its emphasis on lovingone’s neighbour.2 3