What a year it has been
As we come to the end of another academic year, I have been reflecting on just how much has changed at Carisbrooke College. This has been a year of ambition, challenge and, above all, improvement. None of this would be possible without the support of our families, the commitment of our staff and the resilience shown by our students every day. Our social media posts this week sharing Activities Week are testament to everything we have achieved together.
A great moment this week
One of the most encouraging moments this week was reading the feedback from our first year of introducing the Ark English curriculum.
When we made the decision to redesign Key Stage 3 English, we knew it would require courage from our staff and patience from our students. We also knew that if we wanted every child to access a rich literary education, we needed to invest in a curriculum built around ambitious texts, explicit teaching and high expectations.
The feedback tells us we made the right decision.
Teachers praised the quality of the texts, the structured approach to teaching reading and writing, and the way the curriculum has strengthened students' vocabulary, reading stamina and understanding of literature.
Students agreed. 86% rated their English lessons three stars or higher, almost half said English was better than last year, and many highlighted the clear routines, varied texts and supportive teaching that had helped them succeed. Importantly, both staff and students gave us thoughtful feedback about how we can make Year Two even stronger, particularly through greater use of visual resources and adapting materials for some learners.
This is exactly what successful school improvement looks like. We introduce change thoughtfully, we listen carefully, we evaluate honestly, and then we make it even better.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Cathy Jones, who leaves us after fourteen years of dedicated service. Cathy played a pivotal role in leading the introduction of Ark English this year and has helped leave the department in an exceptionally strong position for the future. On behalf of the whole Carisbrooke community, I thank her for her courage, professionalism and unwavering commitment to our young people. We wish her every success in her new role on the mainland.
A thought from the Head
Nationally, education continues to evolve. A new Prime Minister and a new Secretary of State for Education may be in place, but the ambition set out in the White Paper Every Child Achieving and Thriving remains clear: every young person deserves an education that prepares them not just for examinations, but for life.
The world our children will enter is changing faster than ever. Artificial intelligence and technology are reshaping how we work, communicate and solve problems. Knowledge remains essential, but knowledge alone is no longer enough. We must also develop young people who think critically, question confidently, collaborate effectively and apply what they know in unfamiliar situations.
That is why our Trust's Teaching and Learning Model places engagement, thinking and purposeful challenge at the heart of every lesson. It is also why, from September, we will launch StepLab, our new professional development programme for teachers, leaders and learning support staff. Investing in our staff means investing directly in the quality of education every child receives.
Keeping children safe
One of the boldest changes we introduced this term was the introduction of QuietCases. As with any significant change, we promised that we would evaluate its impact carefully and listen to the views of students, staff and parents.
The results have been overwhelmingly positive.
Students reported fewer distractions in lessons, better interactions with one another and noticeable improvements around social spaces, including the toilets. Staff described calmer classrooms, fewer interruptions to learning and a significant reduction in issues arising from mobile phone use during the school day. Perhaps most encouraging of all was how quickly students embraced the new routine.
Parents have also recognised the difference. Almost 90% felt our communication about the change was helpful, while many commented that QuietCases provide the right balance between allowing students to carry their phones safely to and from school while protecting learning during the day. The proportion of parents who said they were not at all concerned about mobile phones affecting learning increased by more than twenty percentage points following implementation.
Of course, improvement never stands still. We have already identified ways to strengthen the system further for September and will continue working with QuietCase to ensure the experience is even better next year.
As we finish the year, I feel immensely proud. We have not stood still. We have embraced change, measured its impact and seen the benefits for our young people. That gives me great confidence for what lies ahead.
Looking ahead
Although this academic year has come to an end, preparations for September are already well underway. Student timetables have now been loaded into Arbor and will be available to families from 1 September. Alongside this, we will shortly be releasing our revised curriculum information for every year group. The curriculum journeys and subject intents celebrate the breadth and ambition of our curriculum, outlining what students will study in each subject. We believe parents are key partners in learning, and these curriculum guides will help you support conversations at home, celebrate your child's achievements and understand the journey they will take across the year.
When our students return on Thursday 3 September at 8.40am, they will find a school that has continued to evolve over the summer.
Thank you once again for your continued support throughout the year. I wish you and your family a restful, enjoyable summer break, and I look forward to welcoming everyone back in September, ready for another year of learning, achievement and living our values.
Natalie Sheppard
Headteacher
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