Reading

How quiet is the place where you are reading this? If there is music on or people talking, are you finding it hard to take in? If you are this would be entirely consistent with a recent piece of research that brought together the findings of sixty-five studies on auditory distraction during reading. They found that all background noise has a reliably detrimental effect on reading performance for both adults and children and that lyrical music and speech resulted in the biggest distraction. While this may not surprise us it is common to hear that learners prefer working with background music on. The message here, however, is clear: if your work involves reading (including re-reading what you have written) you will be more productive if you remove all distractions and noise.

Try to give yourself time to sit quietly and read. Reading a good book for pleasure, reading your notes or essay or indeed re-reading in preparation for a test will enhance your knowledge and vocabulary. Visit a bookshop and buy a book, make use of the book banks in your Form room or the Learning Hub. Just as good if you can’t make it to a bookshop would be to read a book or article on your tablet, kindle or pc. The message is clear: read widely as it will enhance your experience in school.

King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School has enjoyed an excellent set of GCSE results despite the national volatility and turmoil surrounding new courses and grading systems, with some outstanding individual results achieved by our hard working students. It is widely acknowledged that there has been much unpredictability this year (as last year!) in the light of major reforms and changes to the examination and assessment system. We are very pleased to report that the overall picture at HGS is again one of consistent and sustained progress overall as well as positive development. Approximately 50% of all entries were at 9-7 grades which is slightly lower than last year’s results although taking into account the change in the specifications it is not a valid comparison. The national figure is 20.6% for boys and girls and only 17.5% for boys, so our proportion of entries achieving the top grades is nearly 33% better for boys and is considerably higher than the national value. Overall 99% of all our entries were at 9-4 grades. National figures were 67% for boys and girls and 62.7% for boys, so our proportion of entries achieving a pass grade is 36.3% better for boys and is significantly higher than the national value.

Individually in Mathematics and English 99% of all entries were at 9 to 4 grade. This is an excellent achievement considering that the subject grades were no longer being proportionally matched to legacy pass rates. Our Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores are higher than last year’s figures demonstrating positive progress and development with both scores being well above the national averages.

This is a wonderful achievement overall bearing in mind the changes that have taken place.

45 students attained 8 or more 9 to 7 grades.

14 students attained 10 or more 9 to 7 grades.

7 students attained straight 9 to 7 grades – they were:

Niyaz Chowdhury who took 10 GCSE exams with an average grade of 8.1, Jay Keenan who took 10 GCSE exams with an average grade of 8.4, Anu Adeleye who took 11 GCSE exams with an average grade of 8.2, Ashrafkhan Akbari who took 11 GCSE exams with an average grade of 7.2, Harjap Bahra who took 11 GCSE exams with an average grade of 7.8, Muhammed Haseen Rehman who took 11 GCSE exams with an average grade of 8.3 and Jasbinderbir Singh who took 11 GCSE exams with an average grade of 8.9.

We congratulate all of our students for their hard work and dedication to their studies, and wish them every success as they embark upon their A Level courses. We also congratulate and thank our dedicated staff who have supported their students every step of the way.

Over 100 year 13 students attended the Year 13 Leavers Gala at Digbeth Hall in Birmingham on Friday 28th June.

It was a delight to see our year 13 students celebrate the end of their time at HGS, all of them looking wonderful in their finest attire. The event was organised by this year’s senior prefect team, with assistance from Rehaan Choudhury and Ms May and it really was a most enjoyable evening for all concerned.

Special mention must go to Luise Engel who spent year 12 with us at HGS, and who had travelled by train from her home in Germany to be with her HGS friends for the evening.

The evening culminated in a fantastic firework display to give everyone a fantastic send off.

Thanks to the Prom organising committee and to all staff and students who attended the evening and made it such a fine end to the year for the students.

CJC