Challenges for south Bucks new school year

11:40am Friday 5th September 2008

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CHILDREN across south Bucks flocked back to school this week after the damp summer break finally came to an end.

This year has seen plenty of changes for secondary schools, with the introduction of new diploma qualifications and legislation meaning this year’s intake of pupils must remain in education or training until the age of 17.

Jane Wainwright, the headteacher of Wycombe High School, did not think the new measures would cause problems.

She said: “We’re starting new courses in every key stage. It’s something teachers have been preparing for many months.

“We have more change and innovation in the curriculum this term than in many years.

“I think it’s the nature of modern education that we have become used to.”

Cressex Community School last year found itself on the Government’s ‘National Challenge’ list which saw schools with fewer than 30 per cent of pupils achieving A* to C grades, including maths and English, under threat of closure.

But a successful batch of GCSE results saw the school out of danger and moving forward.

Highworth School in Hatters Lane, also under threat, was celebrating success. It finally got its full GCSE results after a technical hitch caused delays.

Sheena Moynihan, the headteacher, yesterday revealed that 52 per cent of pupils got five A* to C results, with 33 per cent including maths and English. She said: “It’s the best results ever for us – absolutely brilliant.”

Stephen Nokes, of John Hampden Grammar School said he didn’t expect the new measures to keep pupils in education would have an impact on the school much, as most stay for A Levels or go into further education.

Peter Rowe, the headteacher of Princes Risborough Upper School, in Merton Road, said that the issue was one that could affect workplaces more than schools. If pupils elected to leave at 16, he said it would fall to employers to provide training.

The school was following its record GCSE success with a Year 7 project called Opening Minds, which sees the school linking different subjects that influence one another, such as politics and economics.

Mr Rowe said: “We could teach each of these elements separately, but it must make more sense to explore these complexities together.”

Primary school pupils were also back in the thick of the school term.

Sue Woolgar, the headteacher of Hamilton School, said: “We have had a lovely day.

“It was a quiet start for all the children, and they were really eager to get back.

“It’s always nice to come back. Every- body’s ready after the summer – there were lots of smiling faces.”

It was business as usual for Great Kingshill Church of England School, which has a new parking area built on former grass verges near the school.

The improvement is a bid to improve road safety following the death of a five-year-old former pupil, Charlie Harris, who died after a road accident last September.