Dear Parents and Carers
On Thursday, the Government published the national GCSE results from the summer, and I wanted to share some incredible news with you.
Of the 708 schools nationally where more than half of pupils are eligible for Free School Meals, Ark Soane achieved the highest (90%) GCSE pass rate in English and Maths (grades 9–4).
This is an achievement of which we are immensely proud.
Nationally, the disadvantage gap at age 16 remains around 19 months. When we started Ark Soane, we set out to build a school where a child’s family background or family income would not determine their academic outcomes. We believed then, and continue to believe now, that every child can be successful with the right structure and support at home and at school, together with excellent teaching.
We are hugely grateful to all of you for your continued support in making this possible. Thank you.
I am also enormously grateful to our wonderful teachers and staff, who routinely go above and beyond for our pupils. This achievement is a wonderful reflection of their hard work, expertise and commitment.
This is the final week before half-term and school will finish at the normal time on Fridy 23rd October. As Monday 2nd November is INSET pupils will return from half-term on Tuesday 3rd November. I look forward to seeing them then.
I hope you enjoy your half-term break.
Kind regards,
Mr Neuberger
This Week's Highlights
It has been a big week for sport at Soane! Three of our football teams went out this week and brought back wins for the school.
Our Year 9/10 boys football team played brilliantly to bag an excellent 5-2 win against West London Free School to start the season with a bang. Goal scorers were Adam T with two and and a stunning hat-trick from Micah to see us through!
The Year 8 Boys are also off to a winning start this season, with a hard earned 4-3 win against Ealing Fields with goals from; Adrian, Abubakar, Amir and Ilyas.
And the girls are winning too, the Year 7 and 8 girl's started their season strong against Acton. Shout out to Madina, Hanin and Sorine for scoring and especially to Nadia for her hat-trick! A special shoutout to Eabha in Y12 for the great coaching!
Our Year 8s have had a hands on week, cooking things up in the kitchen and in the lab. 8 Ramesses and 8 Augustus were loving their lives building their practical skills! A bunch of great chefs and scientists in the making - just don't mix up your creations...
An update from the Sixth Form
The Y12 art exhibition, where Natalie, Ola, and Ksawery showed off their recent creations inspired by their favourite artists, career ambitions, and deepest fears. All staff attended after school, and were guided through the thought process and meaning behind the work by the artists themselves.
Cooking: The Y12s tried their hand at making veggie burritos and guacamole in food tech last week, to a surprising degree of success! After sampling several, Mr MacKenzie says many are well on their way to impress at their first dinner parties at uni!
Our first Friday Lecture: Last Friday, the Y12s were treated to a lecture from Emily Mayhew, historian in residence at Imperial. She specialises in the history of medicine, and gave an interesting talk on stretcher bearers in WWI. This was followed by a Q&A in the library, where particularly excellent questions were asked by Fred, Julia K, and Nabiil.
What a start to the year!
Notices
Cold weather clothing
As the weather becomes colder, please ensure that your child’s outer clothing meets the academy uniform policy.
- Coats: Must be plain navy or black. No slogans or wording. No logo larger than a pocket pack of tissues.
- Accessories: If worn, scarves, hats, gloves and other cold weather accessories must be plain navy or black.