Not Worrying about the Establishment’s Blues

Over the last 4 weeks, I have been listening to the music of Sixto Rodriguez, after watching a brilliant documentary entitled, "Searching for Sugar Man". It is the story of the very talented Rodriguez, who produced two albums during the late sixties. Neither of these sold more than 100 copies in the States but unbeknown to him, these were huge hits amongst young people in South Africa who were campaigning against apartheid. The words are really poetic (even more so than Bobby Dylan) and his music is an amalgam of Dylan (with a better voice) and the music of Hendrix and the Rolling Stones. The documentary is about how they searched for Rodriguez and eventually found him as a shy man living in relative poverty in Detroit. He has subsequently performed to packed audiences in South Africa and the UK and has given his money away to friends and family.

What has this got to do with our College, I hear you ask?

Well, in "The Establishment Blues ……….." he sings,

"Woke up this morning with an ache in my head

I splashed on my clothes as I spilled out of bed

I open the windows to listen to the news

But all I heard was the Establishment’s Blues".

At the moment we hear a lot about the establishment's blues:

Higher prices for petrol, gas and electricity;

Ofsted concerns about underperforming schools and colleges;

The horrific execution of the British soldier in Woolwich;

Footballers biting fellow professionals;

The Coalition's troubles.

What I find difficult is reconciling the amazing things that I see around me:

Our wonderful students working hard and not worrying about the establishment’s blues;

The commitment and dedication of our wonderful staff – teaching and support (last week one of our senior team counted 19 separate revision sessions during a lunchtime);

The energy, enthusiasm, good manners and kindness of our students;

The humour of our students (and staff);

The success stories that I hear every day, whether it is sports; Mathematics Olympiad; Youth Speaks; performing arts; music…. but the biggest success is being a part of such a wonderful community. As I write this, I have just had a student who has popped into my office to say “thank you”. He has not been a ‘perfect’ student (who has?) but has matured, will be very successful and was quite reflective and emotional.

At lunchtime today, I witnessed one of our Learning Support Assistants sprinting from one end of the campus to the next, so that students would not be disadvantaged at the start of an examination. How brilliant is that?

At this time of the year, we are busy planning for the new academic year and dealing with some of the related issues. For those of you who are returning, you will find a number of changes:

• A new building being constructed next to the Wilson building;
• The appointment of 15 new teaching staff, some of whom will be Heads of Department as well as subject teachers and tutors;
• Two new science laboratories;
• New changing rooms;
• Auditions for all students to take part in two Cross-College productions;
• The abolition of January module examinations;
• A large screen, above the whole College photograph, where you will be able to see College events;
• Some new ICT equipment;
• An additional six/seven College minibuses to transport students to and from College.

There are also a number of new subjects and other curriculum changes.

Finally, good luck to all of our leavers. We wish you every success and all that you hope for in the future. We are extremely proud of you and hope that you will always have great memories of your time at Wyke.

A Key Factor in the Success of our College

As the examination period approaches, I cannot help but marvel at the tremendous work that is being done throughout the College.  At lunchtimes, in the evenings and before the start of the day, students and staff can be seen beavering away on revision sessions, techniques for learning and any "last-minute" explanations.  This is a critical period and a key factor in the success of our College.  I would urge you all to take the opportunity available and listen to the advice and guidance offered by the staff.

It has been a very successful year and one that continues right up to the last day of term (28^th June).  It is important that all first year students on BTEC and AS programmes of study realise this and refrain from assuming that the academic year finishes after the exams.  I have been a little disappointed by the number of requests for holidays during term time.  On each occasion I have stated that it is College policy that any holidays during term time will be unauthorised and could have an influence on the decision to allow students to progress on to the second year.

As always, apart from the preparation for examinations, this has been a busy term with music concerts at Holy Trinity Church in Hull and the Minster in Beverley; examination practicals in PE, Performing Arts, Music and Science, and the extended examinations in Art and Design.

These last few weeks are critical and can make all the difference between achieving one's potential and not; between getting into the first choice University and the first choice course; between securing a place on the Higher level apprenticeship at a prestigious company and not.  However, it is also the period when the weather improves, with extended daylight hours and the "draw of the outdoors".  With the onset of the “hay fever season” and the rising temperatures, I cannot help feeling that we have not got it quite right.  However, with the abolition of January examinations and the proposed move to terminal examinations at the end of 2 years, many other wholescale structural changes will be necessary to the academic calendar, including the start of the academic term in the school/college/university year.  I cannot but despair at the reports in the press about longer days and the reduction in the number of holidays.  I doubt if it will contribute to raising standards and will have a negative impact on the commitment of staff and students.

The Bank Holiday weekend was much-needed, not least for the beautiful weather but also my football team's 'small' contribution to the success of Hull City.  I think that it will have a big impact on the reputation of the city and all who are associated with Hull.  Staying with the football metaphor, my team has a new manager with a different style and philosophy, a manager that will certainly be 'strengthening' the team and squad for the challenges ahead.  We have certainly been doing that and I would like to thank all the students who have contributed to the selection process by participating in the lessons and offering views.  As always, I am delighted and proud of the insight, perception and kindness shown by all of you in ensuring that Wyke Sixth Form College continues to improve and is ready for the challenges ahead.

As my 'friend' Bob sings:

            "…….. May your wishes all come true

                        May you always do for others

                        And let others do for you

                        May you build a ladder to the stars

                        And climb on every rung

                        May you stay forever young."                   

Good luck to all of you in the forthcoming examinations.

The "Best" in the City

At the onset of Spring, with 5 weeks before the end of term, there is a lot that is happening on the 'world stage’: the horsemeat food crisis; the trial of Oscar Pistorius in South Africa; the gunfight in Las Vegas; the launch of the new PS4; the 4G Auction and of course, the reform of A levels.  I am particularly saddened by the latter and cannot help feeling that returning to an examination system that was flawed will not help our students to succeed.  The madness of it all reminds me of Bobby Dylan's "Subterranean Homesick Blues":

            “…Ah get born, keep warm

            Short pants, romance, learn to dance

            Get dressed, get blessed

            Try to be a success ....

            Don't wear sandals

            Try to avoid scandals

            Don’t wannabe a bum

            You better chew gum

            The pump don't work

            ‘Cause the vandals took the handles".

Since I last wrote, the Performance League tables have been published and once again, our College, as the largest A level provider, is near the top and the 'best' in the City.  This is contrary to what one would imagine after reading the advertisement headlines in the local papers, where some post-16 providers have decided to interpret the tables to put themselves at the top and Wyke Sixth Form College at the bottom.  Ah, there are “..lies, damned lies and statistics..“.

The success of our students continues to amaze me.  This year, for the first time, we have had nine students being interviewed by Oxford and Cambridge universities with three being made offers for Veterinary Science, Natural Science and English.  Five students have already had offers from Medical Schools, prestigious Dance courses, the Northern School of Music and the fabulous success of our Art Students in Cambridge.  It made me smile when I heard that during the interview, the interviewer of one of our outstanding art students went to fetch his colleagues because he wanted other staff to see the quality of our student’s portfolio.  This, combined with the highest number of Higher Education applications and our best set of results, makes me laugh out loud, when I see some of our competitors claiming that their points per entry is the best.  We might not have the best point score per entry but it is more important to be at the top of the Department of Education’s Performance League tables.  Using the football metaphor, it is more important to win the league rather than have the best goal difference.

I am thrilled about the success of our students.  You continue to be our best ambassadors.  Parents and prospective students never fail to comment on your enthusiasm, positivity and outstanding success.  I know that this reflects the tremendous hard work and support from all of you and the staff (teaching and non-teaching) at Wyke.  Long may that continue.

I am delighted that the staff and students who went to New York have returned safely and have been sufficiently stimulated by their experience (despite the inclement weather).  I hope that the Spanish students travelling to Seville and those Religious Studies/Classical Civilisation students travelling to Rome will also return similarly enthused and stimulated.

We have introduced a Parent Newsletter from this term through which we hope we can share some of our successes and highlights of the term.  Any feedback in relation to this would be most appreciated.  We have the elections for our Student Executive coming up.  I hope that as many of you as possible will get involved, either as candidates or to listen to the candidates during the hustings.  The modular results will be available on 7^th March and I hope that all of you achieve the grades that reflect your commitment and dedication.

Finally, I understand that the theme for the fancy dress during Rag Week on 18^th  March is Pop Culture.  I have already sorted out my costume.  Have you?  All I can say is that I have appeared on many "hit" movies.  As for my beloved Leeds, I'll save that for another day.

Welcome Back

Welcome back and a very Happy New Year to you all.  I hope that you have all had a wonderful break and are sufficiently rested and prepared for the forthcoming examinations.

As I reflect on the autumn term, I cannot remember a term that has been so busy,  frenetic and long.  As the term came to an end, we were all shattered and ready for a welcome rest.  However, the last few weeks in December were also full of positive rewards, fun and celebration.  This began with some wonderful comments from parents at the Consultation Evenings on the questionnaires and in person.  Clearly, I am delighted that so many of you have settled in well and are thriving in the Wyke environment.  For so many of you, it is almost as if you have always been here and that you are being inspired to reach your potential.

Our Leavers' Awards Evening on the last week of term was a wonderful event.  So many of the subject prize winners returned from their universities to collect their awards and met up with the staff who taught them as well as their peers.  To see such outstanding ambassadors for our College, to witness their confidence and humility, was a humbling experience.  Our guest speaker, Layla Guscoth, the Captain of the Under 21 England Netball Team and a third year medic at Oxford, was inspirational.  This is particularly because her message was so aspirational from one so young.  It proves that there is not necessarily a direct link between age and wisdom.

Other highlights during the last few weeks in December included the Christmas Concert at Holy Trinity Church in Hull; the Winter Showcase when so many of you performed for two nights in front of a packed theatre, (next year we will have at least two cross-College productions); the Wyke/Kelvin staff football tournament (which we won on penalties); the carol singing at lunchtime; numerous trips, visits and sporting successes in football, netball and badminton, and Wyke Gangnam Style!  I cannot remember much of this except that I was incredibly nervous and would not have been able to "perform" without the sheer enthusiasm of so many of you and Sol’s encouragement.  My wife is convinced that the reason why this site has had so many hits is because I have logged on so many times to laugh out loud.  Thank you to all of you.  The success of our College is a function of your enthusiasm, sense of fun, commitment and energy.  Long may that continue.

As I write this, I am delighted to receive news of the success of our Oxbridge and medical applicants; Macauley Davy's progression to the next round of the British Olympiad (one of only 200 students in the country), the selection of Duka Ombeni to represent England Under 18 Schoolboys and Sophie Haywood to represent British Colleges in football.  Well done and more on this later.

So what of the New Year?  The spring term is quite short and the focus must be on examination preparation and success.

Bob Dylan sang:

            "The line it is drawn

            The curse it is cast

            The slow one now will later be fast….

            For the times they are a-changin."  

Alas, my beloved Leeds were "thrashed" by the Tigers and the New Year will be challenging if we are to achieve success, but as ever, I am hopeful.

Good luck to you all and I hope that 2013 is even better for you.

Pleasure, Disappointment and a Sense of Trepidation

As I sit and write this before our second Open Evening, I have mixed feelings about a range of things: pleasure, disappointment and a sense of trepidation.

Our students continue to amaze me with their enthusiasm, sense of responsibility and effervescence.  Yesterday, I was delighted to learn that once again our netball team have been crowned County Champions (against the odds, on this occasion, with injuries to two key players).  I feel incredibly proud and want to congratulate the girls on achieving this outstanding feat.  I am absolutely delighted and know how hard they have worked in training and as a team.  Very well done.

Last night Mike Rogerson and I were present at the Vice-Chancellor's Celebration Event at the University of Hull.  We saw two of our former students receiving the Vice- Chancellor's Scholarship of £27,000 each.  I am certain that this will have a transformational effect on the students concerned and I am so pleased for them as they are both so deserving.

Positive comments about our students, which are unsolicited and unexpected, always make my day.  Whilst at the University, the Dean of the Health Faculty and the Pro-Vice Chancellor came over to me to tell me how brilliant our students and staff had been the previous night, when they attended an evening talk by a renowned geneticist.  I was thrilled to learn that the students and staff had been so "engaging, enthusiastic and enquiring".  Why am I not surprised?

On Monday, after the "Last Post" to commemorate Remembrance Day, once again the response of the whole College community was excellent.  I could have heard a "pin drop" as a mark of respect during the silence and I was particularly delighted with a round of applause for our student who played the cornet.

My pleasure in popping into lessons this morning and witnessing the outstanding learning taking place knows no bounds.  This is what Wyke Sixth Form College is about and I am so thrilled to be a part of this community.

Some of our PE students and staff returned from their week in Wales earlier in the term.  I believe that this was hugely successful and has had a huge influence on how they learn, work and support each other in achieving their goals.

Last week, like many of you, I too watched in amazement at President Obama's victory for the second term in the USA through the "mobilisation of the young and disadvantaged" as well as women.  I stayed up until 3.00 a.m. and was feeling quite smug until our Head of Social Science Faculty and 'political Guru' informed me that he had been up all night.  Wow!

So what am I disappointed with?  I guess the dismal performance of my beloved Leeds United, and the recent announcement that the Government had made the decision, "after consultation", that January exams for AS and A2 level will be scrapped.  Isn't it interesting that almost all of my colleagues and teacher friends had predicted that this would happen, almost a year ago, despite responding to the "consultation"?  As Bob Dylan would say in Ballad of a Thin Man,

            "Because something is happening here

            But you don't know what it is

            Do you, Mister Jones?"

So, what about trepidation?  I guess, without any doubt, being "asked" (press-ganged) to take part in the Gangnam Style promotional video next week.  I am really not sure whether it will be promotional or a humiliation.

I hope the Open Evening is a success and have a great month.

A Brilliant Start to the Year

The new academic year is well underway and already planning has begun for the new Open Evenings, Parents' Evenings, Flyers' Evenings….Staff are incredibly busy ensuring that students are settled, have begun to work hard and are enjoying their experience at Wyke Sixth Form College.

I would like to outline our successes:

• 99.9% pass rate at A2 level (only one student in one subject) out of nearly 1200 entries.
• 94.7% pass rate at AS level with over 2500 entries.
• At BTEC, out of 284 entries there were 152 distinctions or distinction*.
• In the EPQ, 28 out of 45 students achieved an A*or A.

More recently, we have learned that two of our students from Wyke have received the Hull University Vice Chancellor's Award (worth £27,000 each); one student has been selected for the Helena Kennedy Award, and one of our existing A2 students has received the Student Award for International Understanding.

What a brilliant start to the year!  Our best set of results and with a record enrolment we have every reason to be very optimistic.

The following lyrics from Bobby Dylan come to mind:

"How many times must a man look up

Before he can see the sky?

Yes, 'n' how many ears must one man have

Before he can hear people cry?

Yes, ‘n’ how many times can a man turn his head

Pretending he just doesn't see?

The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind,

The answer is blowing in the wind."

With so many outstanding students at our College, our task is to ensure that you do reach for the sky, that we listen to you and we support and observe you going on to greater things.

            *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *

This is also the time when students in Year 11 begin to think about their options for the next stage in their academic career.  I would urge all prospective students and parents to be mindful of the following:

• Schools that refer to themselves as a School and Sixth Form College.  There are only two Sixth Form Colleges in Hull and only 92 in the United Kingdom.  All of the sixth form colleges are members of the Sixth Form Colleges' Forum.
• Research from the University of Southampton found that a sixth form college student was 7.2% more likely to gain an A or an A* at A level than a teenager of similar ability at a school.  This supports the findings of a report by the National Audit Office which concluded that sixth form colleges outperform school sixth forms in most areas.
• Be aware of Year 11 events that are planned which "accidentally" clash with our Open Evenings, interviews and Wyke Start activities.  Clashes on such important events require "purposeful planning".
• Negative advice about other post-16 providers needs to be treated with suspicion unless the other provider has the "right to reply".
• Ask about the AS achievement rates on every occasion.

            *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *

Finally, I am delighted about how you, our new students, have settled in and the enthusiasm and interest with which our students and parents have embraced the "Wyke" culture.  It is even better than the wonderful start made by my beloved Leeds.

Tremendous Effort and Commitment

The highlight of the summer must be the Olympic Games and the performance of team GB; their success; the way they conducted themselves, their humility and capacity to under-play their achievement.  I believe that they serve as outstanding role models and if we can only replicate their success to a small extent, we will have done well.

It is the end of my first year and the start of a new year.  I cannot help reflecting on many of the changes that have taken place at our college – some that are visible and others, behind the scenes.

The undoubted highlight has been the recent student success in the examinations which reflect their tremendous effort and the commitment of the staff.

Our college is an exceptional place to study, to develop intellectually, socially and to progress onto the next stage in our students’ careers.  We have had our best set of results:

·         99.9% pass rate at A2 level with 1082 entries

·         42%of our student achieving A*- B grades at A2

·         37 subjects with a 100% pass rate at A2 level

·         94.7% pass rate at AS level with 38% achieving grades A-B

·         At BTEC 152 students achieved at least one distinction or distinction star

·         On the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), 68% (28/41) of students achieved an A*-A

These are an absolutely superb set of results and as the largest A level provider in Hull and East Riding, I am delighted by them.

At this time of year, most schools and colleges celebrate the success of their students and statistics abound.  Rightly, all of the organisations wish to portray their statistics in a way which shows them in the best light.  However, beware of being ‘duped’.  As Harold Wilson said, “…you have lies, damned lies and statistics,” or as my friend Bobby D said “ …you can fool some people all of the time and all of the people some of the time.  But you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.”

When these statistics are presented, ask yourself about the size of the cohort.  A 100% pass rate for a small number of students (50-60), becomes less impressive when compared to a large cohort like ours.  Furthermore, please look for the percentage of students achieving the top (A*-B) grades, the average points per candidate and the average points per entry.

A number of friends  and external colleagues have asked me why the results have improved and the only thing I can say is that they reflect the hard work of every one at the college, teaching and non-teaching; the focus in lessons; the tremendous support provided for the students; the revision classes at lunchtimes, evenings and during the holidays; the breakfast clubs; the extra-curricular provision; the outstanding facilities but most importantly, having the time to guide and talk to students as young adults and always having the highest expectations of them.  I believe that students rarely let you down.

I cannot help feeling a sense of excitement in anticipation of a new academic year and seeing enthusiastic, vibrant and conscientious students.  This must be what football teams and managers feel in anticipation of a new season.  Alas my beloved Leeds have had a mixed start but will have to strengthen the squad.  At Wyke SFC, we have a full and much stronger squad for 2012 – 2013.

Good Luck for the New Year.