Firmly established over many years, Sheldon's excellent reputation is well-deserved. Examination performance is very strong. At A level, students reach exceptional levels in a thriving Sixth Form of nearly 400 students. In 2017, four students progressed to Oxford and Cambridge to study Mathematics, Archaeology, Classics and English, and Music – reflecting excellent success across the subject spectrum. These have been added to with a number of students progressing to university courses in medicine, veterinary science and law, as well as to some highly competitive apprenticeships. In 2017, 7% of A level grades were A*, one quarter A*/A and over half grade B, with value-added measures for a truly comprehensive cohort indicating outstanding progress. At GCSE, there has been an improving trend over the last four years. Students benefit from a broad and balanced GCSE curriculum, with strong outcomes in English and maths supported by excellent results in the options subjects. The government’s new Progress 8 figure is extremely positive, which confirms that students of all abilities do very well, something that is hugely important to us. Expectations and aspirations are high here and we are committed to developing the young people in our care, whatever their talents. Children of all abilities succeed at this school and are encouraged to develop academically, physically and spiritually, fulfilling their potential in a happy, caring environment. Ofsted recently visited the school and commented: “The all-pervading caring ethos ensures that pupils are happy and able to thrive from the moment they arrive at school. Pupils are very keen to share their pleasure of being at school and went out of their way to let inspectors know.”
They added that we “have established a school that holds the academic success and emotional well-being of each pupil at its heart.” As a parent of four children myself, I am acutely aware of the increasing importance of education in today’s world and the role that we, as teachers, have to play in developing our children so that they are fully equipped to make positive contributions to society. The staff at Sheldon School are extremely committed and dedicated to ensure that this is the case and I am personally determined to see all children flourish here. I also value enormously the links between school and home, success being built on strong partnerships with parents and ourselves. My door is always open and prospective or existing parents are very welcome to visit the school; I look forward to meeting you.
