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Three schools awarded for success
Good exam results, an outstanding Ofsted report and improved
teaching standards are among the reasons the council has
recognised three Croydon schools with awards for their achievements
over the past year.
Quest Academy, in Selsdon; Chipstead Valley Primary School,
Coulsdon; and Beckmead School, in Spring Park, were named as the
top secondary, primary and special schools in the borough for
2012/13.
Quest’s academic success was central to its receiving the
accolade of top secondary school. Under the strong leadership of its
principal, Andy Crofts, the school’s examination results have improved
dramatically since it converted to academy status three years ago.
With 63% of all pupils now achieving good GCSE grades, the
school is well above the national average despite many students
starting with relatively low attainment levels. Earlier this year, the
government placed Quest in the top 100 schools in the country for this
record of achievement.
Chipstead Valley took the honours for a mixture of pupils’ test
results, an outstanding Ofsted score and the school’s drive for
continual improvement under the leadership of head teacher Mark
Rosewell. Children enjoy a broad and rich curriculum and parents are
very happy with the quality of care and education provided for their
children.
Beckmead caters for children with social, emotional and
behavioural difficulties. Since the appointment of Jonty Clark as the
school’s new head teacher it has transformed from being rated as
inadequate by Ofsted to being rated as good by the council, with
many outstanding features.
Improvements in teaching and support for children have been
made across the school following a staff restructure and an intensive
training programme. Other changes include a big investment in new
facilities and the strengthening of partnerships outside the school
which not only helps pupils learn, but also assists with their transition to
adulthood.
Councillor Tim Pollard, cabinet member for children, families
and learning, said: “It’s always difficult to choose among the
contenders in awards such as these, as we have numerous schools
across the borough which excel in a range of areas. However, I
believe that these three winners provide exemplary models for
leadership, vision and academic achievement.”
‘…these three
winners
provide
exemplary
models for
leadership,
vision and
academic
achievement.’