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Extraordinary Outcomes

Extraordinary Outcomes

Year 6 recently took their SATs tests in May and we are very pleased with the results:

These results are exceptional. As you can see 100% of pupils achieved ‘expected’ level in all subjects.
The figure of 53% of children exceeding the expected level in reading, writing and maths is also remarkable when compared to 2017 national percentage of 9%.

It is important to note that the children were congratulated long before their results were published – for doing their very best.

In practice, it is extremely difficult for schools to ensure that every child leaves Year 6 having achieved the ‘expected’ standard in reading, writing and maths. In fact, this is the first time it has been achieved by any school in Southwark since the tests started assessing the content of the 2014 curriculum. Which makes this achievement all the more remarkable.

Also, it is worth noting, if you were to compare assessment results from different years, that all year groups are unique in every school – with different children and varied challenges, but, in smaller schools, percentages can vary significantly year-on-year despite receiving exactly the same quality of curriculum and teaching. Each child represents a bigger ‘percentage’ in small schools like ours.

Needless to say, we are hugely proud of the outcomes and thanks and congratulations go to everyone involved – all the teaching and support staff who have taught this class throughout their time here and the parents who have been hugely supportive of their children’s learning.

Reading to – and with – your child each evening, practising spellings and multiplication tables (from Y2) are all things every parent can do to give their children the best start in school and in life.
Particular thanks go to Mr Morrell and Brenda for making the children’s Year 6 so successful.

Sports Day

Sports Day

Last week at Cathedral School we ended a super Sports Week with a splendid Sports Day! In their classes, pupils were divided into colour teams: Red, Yellow and Blue. Over at the Marlborough, the colour teams went head to head to compete in a number of fun sports activities and races (as you can see from the photos below). It was a fabulous, fun-filled day with lots of excitement and cheering. Thank you to everyone who came and support the children, and Cathedral School.

Y6 Leavers’ Service

Y6 Leavers’ Service

This week, Class 6 reflected on their time at Cathedral School during their Leavers’ Service at Southwark Cathedral. It was a wonderful service and they had thoughtfully written and prepared their memories, thanks and prayers and the readings were read beautifully. It was wonderful to hear their memories and thanks about their time spent at school and we are all extremely proud of how well they have done over the years.

As they transition into secondary school, they can leave Cathedral School feeling confident and ready for the next stage of their education and we wish them all the best. Their recent SATs results were brilliant and they all leave equipped with the skills and knowledge to have the best start to their secondary education.

Nonesuch Orchestra

Recently, Key Stage 1 & 2 were lucky enough to take part in an interactive concert with the Nonesuch Orchestra, conducted by Dan Shilladay. First, the pupils were introduced to the different instruments of the string orchestra. Some children even got some conducting experience, leading the violin, viola, cello and double bass in an improvisation.

We were then treated to several pieces of classical music, two songs for the whole school to sing along with, and a jazzy piece for which our own violinists and cellists joined the orchestra. The children played their parts very well and followed the conductor with care.

Here are some pupil responses to the concert:

“I thought the orchestra was great. The people playing the instruments were really talented.” – Suriya
“I really like the way the orchestra were playing the instruments whilst we were singing, it was amazing.” – Joel
“I really liked the way that some children were able to go to the front and conduct the orchestra.” – James
“It was a fabulous experience working with professionals and I think myself and the others did pretty well and I am grateful that I had this opportunity.” – Tito
“It was really fun conducting the orchestra because we got a chance to do something that other children in other schools might not have the opportunity to do.” – Harriet
“It was nice that the orchestra played for the hymns that we sang.” – Orlando
“I enjoyed seeing my own instrument (cello) being played really nicely.” Catherine
“I really enjoyed listening to it because it was for free, and usually I wouldn’t be able to do this.” – Blubelle
“I really enjoyed listening to different instruments that I play.” – Sasha
“I thought that it was very imaginative because they made different characters come alive.’ – Ava
“It was very enjoyable because we also learnt facts about myths and instruments.’ – Victory

DT Week

DT Week

Last week we had DT Week at Cathedral School and the theme was ‘Transport’. Children produced some excellent pieces of work, from sailing boats and cars, to horse and carriages.

All classes carefully designed their vehicles, thinking about how it would move and what materials would be appropriate for them to use and then completed evaluations at the end of DT Week.

Children were so proud of their work and it was lovely to see the high quality displays in the hall during the exhibition. Please look on the class blogs to see more photos of your child’s DT work and the steps they took to make their chosen transport.

Artsmark 2017

Artsmark 2017

Today we are delighted to announce that the school has been awarded the Artsmark Gold. It is a very difficult award to achieve and is a testament to the school’s continued commitment to a creative and broad curriculum. 

We thank Mr Morrell for his steerage of the process and all the pupils, staff and governors who have contributed to this commendation.

This is what the award panel had to say:

The panel commended the inclusive and engaging approaches that have been taken to developing arts across the school, providing a focus and opportunity for pupils, teachers, the senior management team, governors and parents to work together.

For future development, the panel looks forward to you developing your leadership and advocacy role in the Arts.

As a Gold Artsmark school Arts Council England celebrates your commitment to arts and cultural education at a leadership level and the opportunities embedded across your provision. Your children and young people have equal opportunity to plan, experience, participate in, and evaluate a diverse range of high-quality arts and cultural activities and you recognise the importance of development opportunities delivered by specialists for your staff in these areas. You engage with a range of arts and cultural organisations and can evidence the positive impact of these partnerships. Your children and young people have an opportunity to further develop their knowledge, skills and understanding of arts and culture and you are working to share the expertise you have established.