Headteacher's Foreword
I am privileged to be the Head of such an outstanding school and to work with such wonderful students and staff. The Chase's record is exceptional indeed:
- a fourth, consecutive, highly-successful Inspection in March 2009, despite the raising of OFSTED standards since the previous inspection in 2006;
- a third extension of the school's First Specialism, in Technology, in Summer 2009, in recognition of the continuing and improving quality of its Maths, Science, Information Technology and Design Technology programmes;
- the award of a Second Specialism, in Languages, in April 2006, following an invitation to apply from DCSF (Department for Children, Schools, and Families) resulting from the school's longstanding record of success;
- the award of a Third Specialism, in Science, in April 2008, following a similar invitation from DCSF;
- a third Sportsmark Gold Award gained in Spring 2006 in recognition of the school's excellent programme of PE and Sport, followed by the award of the revised Sportsmark in 2007 and 2008;
- a third Artsmark Gold Award gained in Summer 2007 for the continued quality of the school's Arts provision: Art and Design, Dance, Drama, Music, musical and dramatic productions, poetry, creative writing and public speaking;
- Leading Aspect Awards for ‘Creativity Across the Curriculum' (2004), ‘Outdoor Learning' (2008) and Modern Languages (2009);
- consistently improving SATS and GCSE results, exceeding County and National averages;
- A Level results which annually place The Chase amongst the best schools in the country, state or private.
- achievement of the Healthy School Award in July 2006.
- Eco-Schools Award in Spring 2007.
- Approval of the school's Travel Plan in Summer 2007.
- Designation by the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust as a High Performing Specialist School in 2008.
The latest OFSTED Report's main findings (available via the Internet) confirm that ‘The Chase is a good school with some significant features of outstanding strength'. The most recent set of Inspectors concluded that:
- the school is a vibrant learning community and there are very good relationships;
- exemplary pastoral care and good leadership and management ensure that the spiritual, moral, social and emotional aspects of students' learning are outstanding;
- Sixth Form provision, support, leadership, management and progress are all ‘excellent' and/or ‘outstanding';
- The school's learners are very well motivated and enthusiastic and results are significantly above average and outstanding in the Sixth Form;
- large numbers of students participate in the extensive range of enrichment and extra-curricular opportunities;
- the school is determined to provide the very best for its students and has a good capacity to improve further.
OFSTED's judgements serve to confirm The Chase's national reputation. The quality of Sixth Form results at The Chase has placed it in the top échelon of the country's comprehensives for eighteen years running, confirmed by its prominent appearance in the various tables compiled in the press. By and large, Chase students go to the University of their choice; this includes a proven track record of Oxford and Cambridge success, reflecting the high degree of commitment and the hard work of students and staff. In 2009, two students secured Oxbridge places, joining the three who were successful in their applications the previous year. Students who choose to go straight into employment after A Levels are helped to obtain worthwhile jobs with training and good prospects.