By Miss R jordan15th September 2017

On the 14th September, we saw an unprecedented amount of people come to our school to find out what we do, how we do it and how it will benefit their children.

Parents, carers and families were invited to join us for tours of the school, interactive subject based activities, fun in the labs, the gym, art studio, music rooms and a tour of the school, led by our own pupil tour guides.

They could then enjoy refreshments and hear from our headteacher, former pupils and current pupils who had only just joined us this September.

The event, set to start at 6.15, saw people arriving much earlier, leaving our car park full by 6.30pm!

As people arrived, they were greeted by our pupil leadership team and handed a bag of goodies and information. The hall was packed out, with standing room at a premium at the back and a queue of people waiting to enter in reception.

Feedback from those who attended, already indicates that people were impressed with what they saw, the enthusiasm shown by our staff and pupils and the potential for their child or children:

Just to let you know that we attended the evening session.

The school was excellently presented and everyone involved should be very proud of the work they put in.

We were guided round by one your pupils who was well spoken and knowledgeable and this combined with the variety of interactive events around the school meant our daughter and son both loved the visit.

And this email received the following day:

Dear staff, I just wanted to convey our thanks for the wonderful tour and open evening we had last night at your school. The 2 Year 11 girls who showed us around couldn’t have done any better job of making us feel welcome and answering all of our questions (and there were many). As soon as we entered the foyer we could tell that the students were proud to be members of the Studley high school community and all staff we interacted with were so positive about all aspects of curriculum, pastoral care and the leadership of the school; there was a real sense of collaboration between staff and students.

As a deputy head myself I would hope that parents left my school feeling as my wife and I did last night. And we are sure that if our daughter is successful in gaining a place at Studley she would be well cared for and extremely happy.

Former pupils Michael Parry and Beth Wigham came back to Studley High to talk to our visitors about their time at school.

Michael said:

From the day I started at Studley High, I couldn’t have imagine standing here in front of a future cohort. I’m so proud to have spent the best time of my life so far in this very building and be able to encourage the future of Studley High to take every opportunity given to you as I have tried to over my 4 years. Beth and I had the honour of holding the positions of deputy head boy and girl in year 10 and 11, and, in doing so received so many opportunities to help the Studley community, and uphold Studley values.

I must admit that my greatest achievement here has been my results amongst the class of 2017. On results day, I was proud to get 5A*s, 3As and 2Bs, including my 9 in maths, putting me in the top 3% in the country. I have now moved to St Benedict’s Sixth Form to complete my International Baccalaureate Diploma studying English Literature and Language, Maths, Biology, Spanish, Business Management and an online course in economics…

So, why should your child come to Studley High School? Three words, opportunity, community and care.

Beth Wigham said:

Studley High School has shaped my very perspective on life from the first day I stepped on the school grounds on the 24th of February 2015. On my first day I was increasingly aware that at this stage of the school year friendship groups were firmly in place and i truly dreaded that I would not make many, if any friends. But now, just over two years later I’m so proud to be apart of a cohort that have collectively achieved the best GCSE grades in the school’s history, whilst making so many amazing memories here. Together.

Not only am I overwhelmingly delighted with my year groups achievements, but i am also ridiculously pleased with my own results. This year I was one of only 2000 students across the UK to attain the new grade nine, equivalent to an A** in my favourite subject English Literature. But there’s no way I could have done that on my own; not only do i owe a tremendous deal of thanks to the english department, but also every member of staff who organised revision sessions, resources and even more help than I could have imagined possible previously. Thanks to all of OUR hard work I’m now an Alcester Grammar sixth form student, studying History, Theatre Studies, Psychology and of course English Literature.

Behind the numbers and statistics, behind the policies and leaderboards in an increasingly competitive world, Studley High School teaches the values that many institutions cannot; compassion, appreciation, commitment, integrity and optimism. Values that we all, in this day and age could benefit from adhering to, which is why I couldn’t possibly imagine a better school to recommend to each apprehensive parent in this room tonight….

you will leave here having made relationships that last you a lifetime, and surprisingly, it’s not always with your peers.

Current Year 7 pupils, Elizabeth Foxall and Freddie Hunter said:

We came to two separate induction days where we got to know the school, teachers and where some of the classes were.  We also got to know some of the older pupils who were showing us around and helping us with anything we needed. We had ‘taster’ lessons where we found out more about different subjects and got a feel for how lessons would be when we moved up. We baked cupcakes, made rockets and had a competition to see whose rocket would fly the highest.  It was great fun and helped us all to feel comfortable about changing schools.

If you were unable to attend the open event, you can call or contact us to book a personal tour at any time: [email protected] 01527 852 478