Headteacher's Bulletin - Friday, February 16th 2024
As an incredibly busy term comes to a close, excitement is very much afoot for large swathes of students who are looking forward to going out on a school residential. We have three trips going out over the holiday week- a Ski trip to Italy, a USA Music Tour and a trip to Thailand - all three promise to be memorable experiences for those involved!
The final DfE performance tables for GCSE and A Level 2023 performance were released this week and I'm delighted to report that NSB was ranked number one in the Northamptonshire State School A Level League Tables and in the 95th percentile of all schools nationally (state and private), recording an Average Points Score per exam entry of above a B grade - one of only two state schools in the county to achieve this very high threshold. GCSE results were also outstanding with progress for the NSB Year 11s ranked at the top DfE grading of 'Well Above Average' for the fourth consecutive (non-covid) year.
A packed student audience were riveted on Thursday Lunchtime as they enjoyed the various entries to the House Arts Competition in the Cripps Theatre. The event is one of the highlights in the House Competition Calendar as students from completely different year groups unite to create and perform their House entry. Chief Judge, Mrs Greenaway, reports:
The four Houses all rose to the challenge of creating really entertaining, informative pieces based on past eras; 1910s, 1930s, 1950s and 1970s, demonstrating professionalism throughout. There were some fantastic individual efforts but the overwhelming sense was of team spirit, working together and having a lot of fun. There was lots to smile about, with heaps of comic moments with Gogglebox 1950s style from Washington and lots to think about with the tragedies of the First World War and the sinking of the Titanic from Brightwell on Day 1. On Day 2 we had fantastic music and food for thought on equality rights with Manley and lots of fun with Grease, Saturday Night Fever and Rocky from Chipsey plus an amazing Beatles rendition. It was heartwarming to see so many students on stage giving their all and lovely to hear how many of the students had organised aspects of the pieces themselves. The audience had a fabulous time and supported all the students regardless of what House they were in - such a brilliant community feel on stage and off. The winner to be announced as the judging is so close and needs further thought (!)but they are all winners and should be very proud of themselves as it was a great two days. Thank you to all the students involved and the House Directors.
The U18 football team had a long road trip to Southend High School for Boys on Monday, but every motorway mile was worth it after the squad returned victorious, the right side of a titanic 8-7 penalty shoot out. That puts our most Senior Squad into the National Cup Semi-Finals, which is a phenomenal achievement given there were 364 teams in the competition from the outset. This National Semi-Final is the first of many next term, with four National football Semi-Finals, 3 Quarter-Finals and 2 National Cup rugby Semi-Finals to look forward to and that's without even mentioning the school's Basketball and Water Polo teams who are all approaching the latter stages of their relevant national competitions.
Finally, Year 11 & 13 parents are reminded that the results of the Trial GCSE / A Level examinations are available through the secure platform on AIM.
I hope all connected with the school have a great holiday week and we look forward to the safe return of students on Monday, February 26th .
Richard Bernard
Headteacher
