START YOUR
JOURNEY
START YOUR
What a way to start the year! We had kept it quiet that we had been commended for the Independent School of the Year awards, but have just been informed that we are finalists in the Regional Independent School of the Year: North category. This is the sixth year in a row that we have made it to the finals for these awards and I am delighted that the school has been recognised in this way. This is also gives us a chance to be crowned Independent School of the Year.
It is always one of my favourite moments of the year: welcoming our pupils back to Scarborough College and seeing the smiling faces and to hear noise return to our corridors. After a busy summer, it has been a real pleasure to see our community together again and to begin what promises to be another exceptional year.
It was also a joy to see so many parents at our Parents’ Drinks Reception this evening. Thank you for taking the time to join us and, as always, for the support you give to our school. A strong partnership between school and home is such an important part of our pupils’ success.
The summer provided plenty to celebrate, beginning with an outstanding set of International Baccalaureate results and followed by record-breaking GCSE results, with the highest value-added score ever recorded by our school.
These achievements are a tremendous testament to the hard work, determination and talent of our pupils, as well as the dedication of our staff. Children excel academically here and I am not aware of a school with a larger value added in the North. Whilst we celebrate the students who achieved straight 8s and 9s, our school results reflect pupils who have passed Maths and English when they might have failed elsewhere. A culture of hard work, family support, excellent teaching, and strong pastoral support has led to this.
Read about our IB results and our record-breaking GCSE results.
There has been plenty happening behind the scenes across the campus. Over the summer, we have continued to invest in our facilities, with new carpets, painting and windows helping to refresh our learning environment. Whilst these do not feel exciting, these continue to be a huge investment in the fabric of our school.
However, most excitingly, Phase 1 of the redevelopment of Lisvane Hall is now well underway. New seating, flooring, a state-of-the-art lighting rig, and improved heating and cooling have already transformed the space. There is still more to come, with soundproofing and backstage facilities currently being completed, and we will keep parents updated as the project progresses.
I am particularly excited to see our pupils make the most of these new facilities. We will begin our programme of performances in November with an impressive musical concert showcasing talent from across the College and beyond. More details will follow shortly, with our Senior School musical and Year 7 production also set to benefit from the fantastic new facilities later in the academic year.
Our pupils continue to excel well beyond the classroom and stage. Huge congratulations to both our Boys’ U14 and Girls’ U13 cricket teams who both ran out impressive competition in the last 24 hours to become Yorkshire Champions at both levels! In addition, the girls’ hockey 1st XI team enjoyed a hugely impressive pre-season tour to Cardiff and both 1st XIs defeated university sides this week. Good luck to all teams this year. Wind, rain or shine the pupils throw themselves into everything.
With such a positive start to the academic year, there is an enormous amount to look forward to. I am excited to see what the coming months will bring and, most importantly, to see our pupils embrace every opportunity, challenge themselves and continue to thrive.
I look forward to sharing many more successes, events and memorable moments with you throughout the term.
Welcome back – and here’s to another brilliant year at Scarborough College.
Guy Emmett
Headmaster, Scarborough College