It was another year full of hard work, challenge and success for Melksham Oak, and we firmly believe that we ended 2017 in a stronger position than in which we began the year.
Our focus was, as always, trying our hardest to achieve the best possible results for our exam year groups and as in five of the six previous years, the Year 11 pupils who left us in the summer did so having achieved above national average progress for their GCSE results.
Our sixth formers also did themselves proud, especially those who had applied through the UCAS process for university places, with all of those students securing a place at either their first or second choice university. And, as with every year, we examine our successes and areas in which we could do better, and work with all pupils to ensure that they experience even more success than those in previous years.
We also wanted to make sure that life in our school is not solely about exams. It was a fantastic year for pupils who have taken part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s award scheme. At the end of the summer term over 45 students successfully completed their Bronze or Silver expeditions and over 60 new students have signed up to complete their award over the next year. As well as completing the expedition, students volunteered over 370 hours of their time, helping out in the local community.
On the performing arts front, the school’s production of ‘Disco Inferno’ proved a huge success. Seeing more than 50 pupils, from all years, dancing, singing and acting their way through a raft of 70s’ disco classics was wonderful for parents and staff. It is events and productions such as this which showcase the superb range of talent that we have amongst our pupils and gives them opportunities to be a part of a new and different experience that they will remember for many years to come.
We also experienced great success on the sports fields, athletics tracks and indoor arenas. Amongst our pupils we have area, county, regional and even national champions in sports as wide-ranging as football, athletics, cross country and taekwan-do.
It is wonderful to see the achievements of our pupils extending far beyond the classroom. Our ethos has always been, and will continue to be so, one of working hard to provide opportunities for all of our young people to be successful in whichever area they can.
These highlights demonstrate that we are continuing to drive towards our aim of being a great school for Melksham and its community.
Owen Vince,
Deputy Headteacher
