Go the Extra Mile

Welcome back to the new term.  I hope that you have had a good break, that you were well prepared for the mock examinations and that your results reflect your level of work.

During the last week before Christmas, we had our Leavers' Awards evening for students who have left the College but were returning to collect their subject prizes.  Most notable amongst the returning students was Calum Barnett, who is at University College, London.  Calum's academic achievements are astounding and he deservedly won the prize for outstanding academic achievement (Chemistry A*, French A*, Maths (Further) A*, Maths (Mechanics) A*, Physics A, General Studies A*, EPQ A*).  The reason why I am telling you this is because Calum was unsuccessful (undeservedly) in receiving an offer from Oxford or Cambridge University.  I believe that, on this occasion, Oxford and Cambridge got it wrong.  My message to any of you who have either applied or are thinking of applying to Oxbridge, is remember that it can be a bit of a lottery and that they sometimes fail to necessarily get the best students.  However, I am also delighted that for the first time in our College history, all seven of our students who were interviewed have been successful in receiving offers.  So very well done and I would encourage all AS students who are likely to achieve very high grades to consider applying.

Christmas was a welcome blur.  We returned in the New Year to mock examinations, marking, assessments and our beautiful “new” building, Elm.  I am delighted with it, in particular, the Performance and Fitness Studio.  Elm feels like a natural extension of our campus and I would like to thank everyone for being so patient and considerate during the busy and crowded first term.  I am pleased that we have already started using the Performance and Fitness Studio for lessons, staff meetings and the official opening and celebration of our 25^th anniversary last Friday.  The 25^th anniversary celebration was an excellent way to formally 'open' Elm and to meet former staff, some ex-students and to talk and listen to the two previous Principals: Martin Ward from 1988 – 2002; Dick Smith from 2002 – 2011.  We were also able to celebrate the service of staff who have worked at the College since the time when it was first opened.  All colleges need a combination of experience and youth, some staff who have been at the College for a large number of years and some new 'blood'.  If there is an imbalance of either then it can be very difficult.

Yesterday the post-16 performance league tables were published and I am delighted that, once again, our College is the highest (non-selective) performer in Hull, East Riding and the region.  Indeed, we were the 12^th out of all the Sixth Form Colleges nationally and our value-added score puts us in 6^th/7^th position nationally.  So very well done and I feel really proud of all our achievements.  However, remember that this is hard earned and all of you must be clearly focused and committed to replicate this in the future.

This term promises to be equally exciting and busy.  We have a number of trips planned: the trip to Washington organised by our Politics Department; the New York visit organised by the Media Department and the South African trip in April.  In addition to this, our netballers travel to Harrogate as County Champions tonight to take part in the Regional finals.  Good luck to our team – I am sure that they will give a good account of themselves.

We now have approximately 10 weeks left of teaching before the external examinations.  It is critical that all of you ensure that you get the maximum benefit from the staff and make the relevant sacrifices.  I do not want anyone to think, "If only I had worked harder…"  Every single one of you should endeavour to 'go the extra mile' to ensure that you fulfil your potential and can be successful.  That is more than I can say for my beloved Leeds United.

An Amazing Year

Isn’t it funny how young people educate you.  Our ‘boys’, they are 22 and 20 respectively, have been doing so for a number of years.  A few years ago, they introduced me to ‘Vampire Weekend’ and I love their music.  Whilst travelling in to work today, I heard a track titled, “Unbelievers”.  Words from this song resonated about our college:

“I’m not excited, but should I be?

Is this the fate that half the world has planned for me?”

In the last five weeks, I have been to a number of meetings in Yorkshire, Birmingham and London.  During each of these meetings, a range of people have come over to me to congratulate us on our excellent Ofsted report and all have said that we were very ‘unlucky’ not to receive a ‘straight’ outstanding judgement.  The comment from Tiger Woods, (I believe Gary Player first said it), when asked if he had got ‘lucky again’, made me smile.  He said, “Isn’t it funny but the more I practise, the ‘luckier’ I get”.

Yes, we know that there are many things that we can do to make us even better but it has been an amazing year so far:

·         the best set of results achieved at Wyke and the resultant points scores which will be published in the performance league table in January;

·         an excellent enrolment;

·         a very, very good Ofsted inspection;

·         buoyant applications for 2014-2015;

·         a brand new building with a Performance and Fitness Studio which will be available for use on the 6^th January.

So we should be excited and the words of the Lead Inspector in October come back to me:

“Don’t be content with being in the top 10% of colleges nationally, Jay.  Wyke SFC could become one of the top colleges in the country.”

Clearly, the last week of term and the build-up to Christmas is always hectic.  I would like to thank you for the tremendous work that has been done this term and for being so understanding during the ‘new building’ process.

Next term promises to be equally exciting.  Have a brilliant Christmas and New Year, come back safely and be prepared for the critical Mock examinations in January.  It will be an excellent indication how you are likely to do in June 2014.

Best Wishes.

Jay

High Levels of Student Enjoyment, Participation and Intellectual Curiosity

"Come writers and critics

Who prophesize with your pen

And keep your eyes wide open………

For the times they are a-changin’”.

Bobby Dylan, “The Times They Are A-Changin'.”

As I sit and reflect on the term so far, it has been a real rollercoaster: with our outstanding results in August; a record enrolment, so that for the first time in our 25 year history, we were full; a really successful induction programme which was planned and delivered by our own staff, and the numerous accolades that we have received about our success as well as our new building beginning to take shape and be ready by the end of this term. 

Well, if this wasn’t enough, we were informed that we would be inspected during the first week in October and we had our first Awards and Open Evenings of the year. I guess the adage about waiting for buses comes to mind.

The Inspection has been completed and I am delighted to inform you that in all of the subject specialist areas that were selected by Ofsted for examination, we were judged to be Outstanding.

“Provision is outstanding in science and mathematics, languages and literature. These areas are characterised by high levels of student enjoyment, participation and intellectual curiosity”.

What is really interesting is that there are at least 18 subjects that the Inspectors looked at and were deemed to be outstanding. Wow!

The Inspectors were also highly positive about our students and the academic culture of success that exists at our College.

"The College provides a harmonious environment in which high aspirations, positive community values and the growth and care of the individual are nurtured and promoted. Intellectual and spiritual enquiry are encouraged and embraced by many. Inspectors were highly impressed with the students' maturity, personal development and high levels of confidence. Students have a very positive attitude to learning".

I believe that what was even more interesting were the "off-the-record" comments that were made to all of us in the Senior Team. Comments such as:

"… It is unusual for Inspectors to be "excited" about being here".

"You should not be content with being in the top 10% of all colleges; you could become one of the best in the country".

"We have never experienced a library where there is such a work ethic".

"The culture of success and achievement is incredible".

"Your students are amazing".

On that last note, I have to agree to feeling so proud of all of you, the way that you conduct yourself and your attitude to learning.

Clearly, as in any Inspection, there are some things that we need to do to become even better and we will be doing so with urgency because we owe it to you to become one of the best colleges in the country.

Our first Awards Evening of the year was extremely enjoyable and amusing, not least because Manjeet Kler (despite being reminded that the Principal’s trophy was made out of glass), proceeded to drop it in the ensuing excitement. Only Manjeet could have done this! It was amazing, however, to be a part of so much success and celebration. Our Guest of Honour, Neal Hodgkinson, the Editor of the Hull Daily Mail, was equally impressed and proceeded to give an amusing and inspiring speech on 'being young' and 'aspiring for greatness'. It was lovely to be a part of this and to have so many parents and students thanking me on behalf of our College. I likened it to 'being the best man at a wedding' when you are actually a 'part' player but everyone is on your side and willing you to do well.

Our Open Evening a week later was also incredible. If only I could measure the ’positivity’, it would be off the scale. The largest number of students and parents that we have ever had, our wonderful 'Student Crew' and student helpers and the general vibe as one walked into the building was amazing. It confirms that whilst our accommodation is really good, what happens inside is truly beautiful!

The second part of the Autumn Term is likely to be equally busy: on Thursday we have 16 visitors from Thailand (from the world of business and education); a planned visit by the Shadow Further Education Minister; next Tuesday evening we have our first ever poetry and piano recital, "Manifesto dream", which is a part of the Humbermouth Hull Literature Festival as well as our second Open Evening.

Life at our College continues to be busy and I am also aware of your successes in the National sports trials and championships: we had 7 of our netballers taking part in the England trials as well the successes for our footballers, badminton players, cross-country runners and for the first time (again), we have a member of the Great Britain Sailing Squad at our College. Auditions have also taken place for our first cross-College production of "Little Shop of Horrors", and I suspect that rehearsals have already started.

Of course, academic life and focus on academic work continues. I am pleased that we have had at least 10 students who have applied to Oxford or Cambridge University and a similar number for medical, veterinary or dentistry courses. I am delighted that many of you are already receiving offers and invitations for interviews. I must urge all second-year students to get their UCAS forms submitted and of course, all of you need to focus on the forthcoming mock examinations in January. These will certainly be as demanding as any module examination that you may have taken in the past.

My problem is that when I start, I cannot stop. I feel guilty that I have not referred to any of the national and international developments: the budgetary stalemate in America; the phone tapping of the French, German and our own, leaders; the price ‘hike’ by the energy companies; schools only being allowed to enter students once for their GCSEs and the (slow but sure) ascendancy of my beloved Leeds United.

Remember, work very hard, play hard and you are really amazing.

Do not be worried about "standing out"

“And what is good, Phaedrus,

            And what is not good _____

            Need we ask anyone to tell us these things”.

            Robert M Pirsig, “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance”.

Yesterday at around 4.00 p.m. (Monday), I found out that I had lost a very close friend of mine after a short but serious illness.  I felt very upset and numbed by the experience and I could not help reflecting on our friendship as I cycled home.  To compound my reflective state, I had a puncture (another) outside the same farm as the previous week.  I thought about our conversation, 10 days ago, when I visited him at his home in Stafford.  As he sat in a wheelchair, he quizzed me about our results, enrolment and successes in his beautiful Irish accent.  The two of us have worked together for almost 15 years and he has certainly been a source of inspiration to hundreds of students and myself.  I told him about our outstanding results at A2, AS and on our BTEC courses, the high increase in the number of top grades at A* and the success of our Oxbridge and medics.  As I informed him about the growth of our College, the new building that is being constructed and some of the superb staff that we have appointed, he smiled in that knowing way, which was his style.  It is interesting that our fortunes are followed in different parts of Yorkshire, the rest of the country and even in Europe and the States.
 

            John Maynard Keynes once said,

            "When I see objective data I change my views.  What do you do?" 

This is poignant because one of our "partner organisations" in Hull has been advertising in the local press and claims to be the best sixth form college in Hull.  Apart from the fact that it is not even a proper sixth form college but an 11-18 school, the data would not support the fact that it is anywhere near the best.  That combined with offering mini iPads to entice students in the sixth form would appear to be a little desperate.  But enough about that, what about us and what can we offer? 

            Just plain "outstanding teaching".

            Brilliant student outcomes:           

            Excellent results at A2 (99.6%); AS (94%); A* - B grades at 49%+;

            Superb support;

            An abundance of trips and visits;

            Exceptional facilities.

Questions about the outcomes of students are always poignant and worth seeking answers to through the plethora of (sometimes deceptive) marketing and publicity material.  So many new students - it is wonderful to see you all coming in in the morning, getting used to greeting me with a wonderful smile on your faces.  I have been particularly impressed by your willingness to come up with solutions at lunch and break times, finding nooks and crannies for shelter and comfort.  The new building will be ready later this term and should provide more space and additional facilities.  My advice is to be patient because the new provision will certainly be worth waiting for.

On Monday lunchtime, I went out to see the large number of students and staff participating in team trials: 60-70 boys and 50 girls playing football; 40+ girls playing netball; 40 boys playing rugby and over 30 students practising basketball.  What an amazing turnout – no wonder that PE is so successful at our College.  It got even better; as I went searching for one of our music staff, I found myself in the Theatre where nearly 30 students were rehearsing a song in preparation for their auditions for Little Shop of Horrors. 

This is only the first full week and I know that other enrichment sessions: choir; jazz band; debating; Law Society; medical careers; the Maths Olympiad, will begin later in the week.  I cannot help feeling that this reinforces our message about our College,

            "The more you put in the more that you will get out". 

I can only reinforce this message and urge all of you to get involved in things, be enthusiastic, do not be worried about "standing out" and continue to smile.

Seeing all of you and witnessing the efforts of our magnificent staff certainly makes me so happy and able to escape from the sadness of losing my wonderful friend.  I know that he would have been so proud of you.  This blog is dedicated to Sean Hayes - Rest in Peace dear friend.

            "It's not time to make a change….

            Just relax, take it easy.

            You're still young (but)

            I know (you) have to go away".

            Cat Stevens, "Father and Son".

Wyke - Top 10% of Colleges and School Sixth Forms

As the new academic year approaches, I have thought long and hard about how I should begin my first blog of the year: perhaps a quote from Bobby D, Sixto Rodriguez or even mention of my beloved Leeds United. No! There is only one place to begin.

Congratulations and a heartfelt Well Done to all of our students, parents and staff for the amazing success that has been achieved by their hard work, sacrifice, support and commitment.

Our results are exceptional: 99.5% pass rate at A2 level; 93.6% pass rate at AS level; a fourfold increase in the number of A*s at A2 level to 85; 49% of our students achieving A* - B grades at A2 level; the largest number of Distinctions and Distinction*s on our BTEC courses. This also means that there has been a substantial increase in our average points score per candidate and per entry. National data indicates that our College is now amongst the top 10% of Colleges and School Sixth Forms, nationally. Wow, how brilliant is that? It confirms that provided that students who come to Wyke are prepared to work hard, listen to the advice and guidance offered and to get involved in all that our College has to offer, there is no limit to what can be achieved. I genuinely believe that we have some of the best teaching staff in their subjects and that combined with the other support that students receive and our superb facilities, we have the recipe for outstanding success. Behind the statistics, there are so many individual success stories: all of our Oxbridge students have been successful; so too in all of our medics and vets: some of our students are the highest achievers in comparison to any National successes. Our “partner” organisations that have previously “re-interpreted” the official performance league tables and may have spread misinformation about Wyke, BEWARE. There is no hiding place now.

Clearly, we are proud of all of our students and every student’s success has a ‘story’. I would like to mention just some of our highest achievers. Calum Barnett and Lydia Edwards (previously Kelvin Hall); Lydia Bloomfield to read Veterinary Science at Cambridge (ex-Longcroft School); Conor Fowler to read natural Sciences at Cambridge (ex-Kingswood High School); Louise Smith (ex-Malet Lambert); Harriet Hobday (ex-Beverley High School); Alex Worrell to read English at Oxford (ex-Hull Collegiate); Millie Bardsley (ex- Hull Collegiate); James Clark (ex-Hymers); Riley Wong (ex-Newland School for Girls); Alice Fairless (ex-Hessle High School); Sol Yi Nam (ex-Hull College); Jacob Phillipson (ex-Cottingham High School); Jennifer Railton (ex-Kelvin Hall); Ian Parr (ex-Winifred Holtby); Ashleigh Davidson (ex-Driffield School); Leanne Burton (ex-South Hunsley School); Christina Tarbotton (ex-South Hunsley School)Hollie Dearing (ex-St Marys); Harry Jarvis (ex-Beverley Grammar); Birgul Onay (ex-Sydney Smith); Katazyna Vaikovska (ex-Endeavour); Amandeep Kaur (ex-Malet Lambert); Rebecca Howman (ex-Malet Lambert); James Ireland (Sirius); Ruth Hill(home educated); Charlotte Green (ex-Hessle High School). We are so proud of all of our students.

Enjoy the remaining holiday to our prospective students, and remember, don’t be put off by what you may hear second hand. Come and judge for yourself. As ever, just as I am very optimistic at the start of each football season for my beloved Leeds United, I am extremely confident about our College success.  

Outstanding Results at Wyke Sixth Form College

A Level pass rate 99.5%

100% pass rate in 38 subjects

AS Level pass rate 93.6%

100% pass rate in 18 subjects

Yet again, students at Wyke Sixth Form College have shown a combination of talent and hard work to achieve outstanding success.  This, combined with superb teaching and the best possible facilities, has meant that 99.5% of students have achieved a pass grade at A Level with 38 subjects achieving a 100% pass rate.  There has been a three-fold increase in students achieving the much coveted A* grade and 48% of students achieving A*-B grades.

At AS level the pass rate is 93.6% with 18 subjects achieving 100%.

No fewer than 70 students achieved at least three grades at A* or A and particular congratulations go to:

            Calum Barnett 5 A*

            Harriet Hobday 3 A*
            Morgan Mills 3 A*

            Lydia Edwards 3 A*    

            Connor Fowler 2 A*                

            Lydia Bloomfield 2 A*

            Leanne Burton 2 A*

            James Clark 2 A*

            Emily Craddock 2 A*

            Charlotte Failey 2 A*

            Aiden O’Connell 2 A*

            Jennifer Railton 2 A*

            Jessica Whitfield 2 A*

            Alex Worrell 2 A*

The BTEC results at our College were outstanding with the following students achieving the top grades of at least 2 A* or equivalent:

            Alexander Holliday
            Thomas Bottomley

            James Ireland

            Jonathan Jackson

            Sharma Jorgensen

            Saul Kirk

            Tom McAlindon

            Luke Parker

            James Stephenson

Principal, Jay Trivedy, said:

“These are another outstanding set of results and reflect the tremendous work that is done at our College by all the staff and students.  The age range of 16 – 19 is, in my opinion, the most exciting period when young people are fully exploring their own lasting potential.  It is a pleasure to be able to work with them and a privilege to be able to lead such a wonderful College.

The staff at Wyke show year on year their expertise in bringing the best out of each and every student.  Post-16 students are our sole focus and the students at Wyke show what can be achieved when the right teaching, support and facilities are there for them.

I am absolutely delighted particularly with the large number of students achieving the top grades and I know that our College will continue to provide the best possible education for the widest range of young people.  We have consistently shown what can be done in the city.  It is an engine of confidence and achievement for the future.

I am especially pleased that all three of our Oxbridge applicants and all of our medical applicants have been successful.  However, I am delighted for all of the students and their achievements.  I would like to thank the families and staff (teaching and non-teaching) who have been so supportive of our students.”

Mr John Wilson, Chair of the Wyke Sixth Form College Corporation, added:

“Once again our students have achieved a fantastic set of results.  I congratulate them for their hard work and wish them well for the future.  Thanks must go to all the College staff for their hard work and dedication.”

Jay Trivedy

Principal

14^th August 2013

One of the Best in the Country

We believe our College will provide all that you need to be successful for the next stage in your career.

You will be taught and supported by outstanding staff in a superb learning environment.  The quality of relationships within the College will ensure that you work to your full potential and achieve at the highest level. Our vision is “Inspire and support all students to achieve exceptional success.”

As the largest A level provider in Hull and East Riding, the statistics are straightforward: students do very well at Wyke.  The percentage pass rate at A level in 2011-2012 was 99.9%. At AS Level, the pass rate was just under 95%, which is also one of the best in the country. This means that out of 1250 entries, only one student in one subject was unsuccessful.  Our points score and progression data according to any national measures places Wyke at the top end of performance criteria.

Wyke is the perfect place for meeting new people and learning to handle and enjoy new situations.  You will be joining students from all over Hull and East Yorkshire.

Please visit the College and see for yourself.  Talk to our students, staff and find out about the range of experiences on offer.

In short, come and find out how you can maximise your achievement and have fun at the same time.