The evening is also an opportunity to single out particular individuals for recognition of their outstanding achievement in a particular subject. There was Jenny Turton (pictured), last year’s Head Girl who won the Shakespeare Award for Outstanding Achievement at A Level. Jenny achieved two A Levels at Grade A, one at Grade B and one at Grade C. She is currently reading Earth Science & Geography at Lancaster University and we were thrilled that she was able to join us for the evening.

Jenny said, “It was really great to be able to catch up with all my old friends and to have a social chat to some of the staff. I really enjoyed my time at Great Barr. It’s a good School where the teachers care about you and what you achieve. They put you under the just right amount of pressure and they’re always there for you if you need help.”

Mrs Abbott, Headteacher, said, “We try to hold the evening as close to Christmas as possible so that the students who are currently away at university are able to attend. 79 of our students went to university this year and, remarkably, all were successful in obtaining a place at the university of their choice.”

“It was wonderful that so many families where able to join us for this celebration. They are, after all, the people who see their youngsters through one of the most stressful and challenging times of their lives as more than a decade of schooling culminates in a few short weeks of examinations. Without their support, the School and the students could not achieve their goals.”

“We’re are confident of achieving our target of 50% of Year 11 pupils achieving five or more A* to C grades at GCSE, including English and Maths, so we’re looking to break this year’s record.”

Our thanks go to Peter Allwood, Headmaster of the Lichfield Cathedral School, who gave a very engaging and thought provoking address, and who presented the certificates and trophies.

We would like to wish all of our current and former students and their families a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.