Leadership Likes: Dr Purvis
Dr Purvis reflects on the end of the exam season and what to look ahead to.
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Find out what is happening at Croydon High this week.
Dr Purvis reflects on the end of the exam season and what to look ahead to.
Read MoreLast Friday saw the end of the public examination series for 2022 after sixty-three GCSE, and A level examinations were sat by our fantastic Year 11 and Upper Sixth pupils. These last six weeks have been especially remarkable as it is the first time since 2019 that we have been able to run an entire public examination series. Pupils reclaimed the agency their peers in the previous two years yearned for. Centre Assessed Grades (2020) and Teacher-Assessed Grades (2021) felt like a distant—if not forgotten—memory. We re-established the familiar rhythm of twice-daily paper distribution, read the endless official announcements, spend hours clock watching, and set off on the once well-trodden path of pacing up and down between rows of desks.
At the heart of this activity literally and metaphorically sat an inspirational group of pupils whose education was anything but normal thanks to the pandemic. And yet, you would not have known it as each one of them faced the examination behemoth with a gritty determination that is so characteristic of our Croydon High School pupils. I, for one, have been very impressed with how every one of our pupils has coped over the past few weeks; it has been a pleasure to witness first-hand.
With the exam season and its travails now behind us, public attention naturally turns to the results. You might have read stories like the one published in the Telegraph earlier this week about ‘thousands [of pupils] to miss out on university places at the top A level grades slashed’. Such sensationalist articles are unhelpful as they cause understandable anxiety to those waiting for their results. Simply put, the story behind the headline tells us what we already knew about the grade distribution of 2022. It will be at a midpoint between the national figures we saw in 2019 and 2021 to reflect the pandemic context and to begin a return to ‘normal levels’.
What the article neglects to tell its audience is that there is no quota of pupils that get a particular grade. This is a persistent and troubling myth about grading and comparable outcomes, which Jo Saxton, the Chief Regulator of Ofqual—the independent government-appointed examination body—describes as ‘simply untrue’. As in any other year, grade boundaries will be set at a national level only after pupils have taken their exams, and after their papers have been marked. Grade comparability seeks to ensure that a grade has the same meaning between subjects and between different examination boards.
Things do get a little more contentious is around the project of trying to return the national grade profile to pre-pandemic levels in search of a year-on-year comparability. Here, I think Ofqual’s staggered approach is sound given that the conditions of assessment in 2021—with shorter examinations on pre-announced content—could do nothing other than lead to higher final outcomes for pupils than the traditional longer and unseen approach of this and other years. We must take Ofqual at their word when they say that this years’ examinations will be the ‘most generous examinations ever graded’. We also must hope that university entrance processes are sensitive towards the difference in grade profiles of the 2021 and 2022 cohorts where candidates for those years are in competition for the same places.
As we wait for mid-August, I urge parents and pupils alike to do their best to avoid the inevitable ‘noise’ around results this year. Instead, when the time comes, let us focus on celebrating the many achievements of our pupils against the most turbulent of backdrops. I humbly suggest that the way they have navigated the public examination series shows them at their very best, and it is this which deserves all our attention and praise.
Dr Purvis
Deputy Head (Academic) |
This week in Sixth Form we held a tea party as a send off to the Upper Sixth students and a celebration to recognise all students.
Read MoreLast Friday was a momentous day for our Upper Sixth. Not only was it the last day of A level examinations but it marked the start of a series of celebratory events observing the end of their time here at Croydon High School. We kicked off the festivities with a Mad Hatter’s Themed Tea Party. Traditionally thrown by the Lower Sixth their peers, the leavers were treated a veritable feast of finger sandwiches filled with smoked salmon and egg and cress, mini scones and brownies, all washed down with, of course, tea and pink lemonade. The students had a fun time sitting at tables personalised in the style of playing cards by our new Head Girl Team.
Following the Upper Sixth Afternoon Tea, all of Sixth Form headed to the Holt Hall for the Celebration of Sixth Form. Every student in Sixth Form crossed the stage to be congratulated on their progress over the last year. Several students in Lower Sixth were awarded Margaret Adams Awards for outstanding GCSE results or an Excellence in EPQ Award. The latter award recognises the top performers in the challenging Extended Project Qualification. This year the winners had titles as diverse as ‘At what point does organ donation become exploitation?’ and ‘To what extent does globalisation and the market economy increase the standard of living in emerging markets and economies?’
Several of our Upper Sixth received subject prizes, as well as traditional whole school awards, often named after alumnae. This year we were also able to award Sarena Yogendran, one of our outgoing Head Girls, the prestigious Minerva Award. This award is presented to a GDST Upper Sixth and the winner is chosen by a panel after an intensive interview. Well done Sarena, an impressive way to end our Celebration of Sixth Form.
Mrs Bradshaw
Deputy Head (Sixth Form and Operations) |
Mrs Gower
Director of Sixth Form Experience and Student Welfare |
We were delighted to host The Ivy Link, Summer Lunch, with classes of 1952, 1962, 1972 and 1982.
Read MoreAfter a three-year wait, we were delighted to welcome alumnae to the Ivy Link Summer Lunch 2022. We met groups from the classes of 1952, 1962, 1972 and 1982 celebrating notable anniversaries, including 14 ladies attending an Ivy Link event for the first time plus six former staff. Despite the rail strike, guests travelled from Scotland, Yorkshire, Lancashire, Devon and the Sussex coast.
Our visitors were greeted with a Pimm’s reception and an exhibition from the school’s archives. After a delicious lunch, Year 7 Lara entertained us beautifully by playing Bartok Rondo (no. 1 from Three Rondos on Folk Tunes). After Mrs Pattison’s speech, in which she talked about how much we value the relationship with our alumnae, some of our current prefects introduced themselves and shared their goals and ambitions for the years ahead. Their confidence and natural charm was remarked upon by many in the audience, and we greatly appreciate the girls who gave up their time and represented the school so impressively.
Sadly, this was Mrs Pattison’s last Ivy Link event, Verity Jones (Bates), Class of 1961, thanked her for the support and care she has given the Ivy Link community, and one of the youngest alumnae, Tasia-Jade Bogle, class of 2021, presented a beautiful bouquet on behalf of the network.
Then there was time for tours, and so many memories flooded back as alumnae walked through the corridors and classrooms!
What an amazing group of women; we should not be surprised by that, of course, as they are Croydon High girls and always will be.
We have received so many messages of thanks, including the following:
The event was simply perfect and made me remember all the things I love and miss about Croydon High. It was so lovely to see so many alumnae from different year groups who walked the same corridors as myself and 1000s of other girls.
Tasia-Jade 2021
Just to thank you very much for the super lunch and the whole well-managed event yesterday. The meal was delicious, the company very good, and the displays of great interest. The tour we had with Deveshi needs a special thank you – we seemed to be an unruly group – a mixture of 1972 and 1982 leavers, yet she managed us all very well, with lots of information, and all with very good grace.
Hazel 1972
Thank you so much for organising the splendid lunch. I had a wonderful time and thoroughly enjoyed the reunion with old school friends. The food was delicious and it was so nice to have Emma Pattison on our table. I am sure you will all miss her next year.
Daphne 1953
The summer lunch was an amazing event which allowed me to listen to the stories of what Croydon High used to be like in Wellesley Road and then in the current building. Once we started the tours, it was hilarious listening to the events that took part in certain areas and how the walls of our school are covered with many memories.
Yasmin, Head Girl
It was incredibly touching to see women from Croydon High reuniting with each other and how they managed to maintain their friendships that have lasted for over 70 years; this reinforced our school’s sense of community. It was also fascinating to talk to women with similar interests and to learn where their career paths took them.
Ciara, Prefect
Mrs Roe
Alumnae Relations Manager |
The Class of 2022 celebrates the end of their incredible journey at Croydon High.
Read MoreWhat a wonderful evening and a perfect way to celebrate the end of our school journey – it was a great night enjoyed by all!
We also had a fun Award Ceremony! And the winners were…
Best shoes – Jessica
Best make up – Layla
Best dressed– Jasmine, Abi S and Sarena
Best hair – Devanshi
Prom queens– Abi K and Ivana
On Wednesday lunchtime our Creative Writing Club gathered for the last time this year to celebrate the first volume of their writing anthology The Ivy Locket. We were joined by some very distinguished guests who were all extremely impressed by the work showcased in our fantastic anthology. I could not be prouder of the commitment and enthusiasm all the writers have shown, many of whom have attended the club every Wednesday for the past academic year. Their dedication to their craft and their support of one another has been wonderful to share in. I have no doubt that you will be seeing their names on the shelves of your local bookshops in the not too distant future.
Ms Tapsfield
Learning Resource & Innovation Hub Manager |
Thank you so much to everyone who contributed to making our Open Evening such a resounding success!
A magnificent team effort that was much appreciated by all who attended.
Mrs Cook
Director of Philanthropy and External Relations |
Our Year 2 pupils enjoyed a trip to Gatton Park to learn about plants and woodland creatures.
Read MoreYear 2 visited the Gatton Park Education centre to consolidate their learning of plants in Science and problem solving in Maths. Their first activity involved rescuing woodland creatures from the Pleasure Gardens. Each group had to solve a series of mathematical clues to help them find their woodland animal.
In the afternoon the girls took part in a flower identification challenge and then learnt how plants are pollinated by bees. Finally, each girl made a natural paint pallet using colours from nature. They had lots of fun despite the wet weather at the start!
Mrs Nathanael
Year 2 Class Teacher |
Year 4 enjoyed an amazing experience discovering the home of Henry VIII.
Read MoreYear 4 had a fantastic time at Hampton Court exploring one of Henry VIII’s finest palaces. The girls started the day with a tour of the Tudor palace led by Mistress Harris, one of King Henry’s loyal servants. She explained that some rooms in the palace each had their own fireplaces and bathrooms whilst other rooms had to share toilets with 24 others. The girls found out where servants ate and slept in the Great Hall and learnt about the status of different servant roles, including Master Pastry Chef and the Groom of the Stool. Despite its good wages and high status, none of them wanted to do this latter job!
After lunch beside a beautiful wild-flower meadow, the girls explored the palace kitchens and visited the boiling house where meat for pies was prepared. In the kitchens, they saw plenty of interesting ingredients essential to Tudor recipes and huge fireplaces where meat was roasted on spits. Some of the menus on display included such Tudor delights as venison and swan.
All too soon, it was time to board the coach and return to the 21st Century. A great day was had by all. Thank you, Hampton Court.
Mrs Monaghan
Year 4 Class Teacher & English Subject Leader |
Aspiring writer and Lower Sixth student Shriya started Croydon Chronicles. Read issue #5.
Read MoreAspiring writer and Lower Sixth student Shriya started a journalistic initiative with a friend last year, which they have called the Croydon Chronicles. The articles they write cover a wide variety of topics that interest them and their peers and include articles written by friends and teaching staff.
Episode #22 – This episode Phil Armstrong joins us from Early Excellence, to suggest ways for parents to make the conversations they have at home with each other and with their children as rich, meaningful and enjoyable as possible.
Listen on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcast.
Our School Minibus service offers an efficient and flexible option designed to help families with journeys to and from school. Minibus travel is offered to pupils in Year 3 and up.
The service is managed on our behalf by Vectare, a specialist school transport management company. All bookings for our school bus routes are made via our online booking system, which can be accessed at croydonhigh.vectare.co.uk.
The website allows you to book travel 24/7 from anywhere, meaning that if you need to leave early for work one morning or are running late and you would like one of our students to travel on a school bus as a one off, you can make a booking right up until the route is due to depart. Payment for the school bus service is made at the time of booking, so there is no need for pupils to carry cash.