Last Thursday was our Open Evening. The event was designed to showcase the school to parents and their children. Especially children who are considering continuing their educational journey at Matravers from September 2016. The evening included a stunning performance by a school choir, engaging talks by our head students, a word from me, and an address delivered by our Headteacher, Dr. Riding. After that parents and children were conducted on a tour of the school where they were able to mingle with students and staff. If anyone missed the Open Evening, feel free to contact the school to arrange a personal tour.
The role of the Board of Governors is to set the vision for the school and agree the strategy for making that vision a reality. It's my job on such occasions to try and set out the board's vision for Matravers and what that means for those who opt to study with us. Below is an edited version of what I had to say:
"None of us would be here this
evening did we not believe that education has the power to change lives. Its
core purpose is to provide our young people with the knowledge, skills and
values that they need to get on in life.
The Board of Governors’ vision is
for ‘Matravers to be a world-class centre for teaching and learning at the
heart of the Westbury community.’ Making that vision a reality means ensuring
that every student from 11-18 exceeds their potential in all aspects of their
education.
Matravers offers a broad and enriching curriculum with a good mix of academic and vocational choices. We want to make sure that our students achieve the highest possible exam results and vocational qualifications. We want to fire their ambitions and help them reach their goals on leaving school, whether that’s work-based training, taking a college course, or attending a top flight university. We are passionate about ensuring that studying here will open up our students’ life chances in ways they never could have imagined.
Our commitment to excellence in
the arts has earned us three prestigious Artsmark Gold awards in a row. But we
also boast students who compete at the highest level in a wide variety of
sports. Our science results are top of the range year after year. Whatever our students’ gifts
and interests, we hope to support and inspire them in their quest to be the
best.
On a personal note I am grateful
to Matravers for what the school did for our children. My son is now studying
Chemical Engineering at the University of Nottingham and my daughter has just
started her Nutrition studies at Bournemouth University. They are just two of
the young people whose dreams Matravers helped to make a reality.
This is a good school. An
outstanding one in many respects. But
don’t take my word for it, as I may be just a little biased. When Ofsted came
to visit earlier this year they judged Matravers Good with many Outstanding
features. (See the report from February 2015). This summer our students achieved their highest ever exam results, with
a record breaking 63% getting 5A*-C GCSEs including best English and
Maths.
The Ofsted report recognised the outstanding leadership of our headteacher. We trust that with Dr. Riding at the helm the school will continue to go from strength to strength.
We certainly want our students to
be academically successful, but that’s not all. We also want them to feel
valued as individuals and assured that their views about this school matter. It
was the students who asked governors for the change to a blazer and tie-based
uniform. They told us, ‘We don’t want to look like the poor relations anymore’. In changing the uniform the board simply supported our students’ aspirations for themselves. Now Westbury young
people can hold their heads high when mixing with their peers from other
schools.
Education at its best is an
exercise in character formation. It involves instilling a set of positive values and virtues. Our values are defined on the school website. As far as key virtues are concerned, we expect Matravers students to be
considerate, courteous and conscientious at all times. Our staff are not afraid
to challenge behaviour that falls short of our high expectations.
Parents are, of course, the primary
educators of their children. With your involvement and support we aim to mould
our students into rounded and grounded individuals with a strong sense of moral
purpose; the kind of young people who will go on to make a difference in the
world.
Because at Matravers we believe
that education is not just for school, but for life."
The Board of Governors currently has two Parent Governor vacancies. See here for more info on what's involved and how to apply.
