“I have been working at Jarrow School now for the past 18 months. I feel incredibly privileged to have been part of the amazing success over recent times and feel that the school continues to go from strength to strength on a daily basis.

In May 2010, the school was given the thumbs up by Ofsted when the inspectors concluded that we were “making good progress in addressing the issues for improvement and in raising the students’ achievement.”

In August 2010, we received our best ever GCSE results, with 86% of our students gaining 5+ A* to C grades, 50.4% with English and Mathematics included – a fantastic rise from the 34% achieved the previous year.

In November 2010, Ofsted returned and were glowing in their praise for the turnaround in the school’s fortunes. They concluded that “Virtually all outcomes for students and aspects of the school's work have improved significantly since the inspection a year ago. As one parent so eloquently commented, 'This school has fantastically improved over the last year.'”

In addition, they said “Students' behaviour is also good; they work and talk together harmoniously in class or as they move around the school. Their mature behaviour at break times and at lunchtimes in the 'Recharge' eating area is exemplary.

“Partnerships are successfully harnessed to promote students' learning and well-being. Partnerships with leaders and staff from Harton Technology College are outstanding because they have been pivotal in helping to rapidly improve all aspects of the school's work. Senior and middle managers, staff and governors have successfully built a strong vision for improvement. Energised by the executive headteacher and head of school, leaders and managers share a collective and increasingly successful determination to transform the lives of all students.

So, it has been another very successful year for Jarrow School. Exclusions are down to almost zero, attendance has hit an all time high, the percentage of PA (persistent absentees) has fallen to around a quarter of the 2009 figure, and we are optimistic of record examination results once again this summer.

As we approach the summer vacation, the whole school should be enormously proud of what has been achieved. I would like to thank the marvellous staff and students, along with the very supportive and perceptive parents and Governors.

I look forward to reporting the examination results in due course and would like to wish every single one of our year eleven leavers a happy and successful life after school. They have been an exceptional year group and absolutely full of characters!

Best wishes,

Ken Gibson (Executive Headteacher) – July 2011