A Letter from the Head [October 2004]

"Another year has flown by in the life of Crossley Heath and everyone associated with the School would probably confirm that we have experienced a mix of emotions during the past twelve months. These have included euphoria, arising from excellent examination results (the best ever!) and outstanding successes achieved once again by Crossley Heath students and staff, and concern resulting from the impact the new Calderdale Coordinated Admissions Scheme has had on parents who might have been considering a grammar school education for their child. The governing body of Crossley Heath School lodged an objection with the Schools Adjudicator, in the interests of these parents. The Chief Adjudicator (Dr Philip Hunter) determined, on 15 October, that he would not uphold this objection. However, his decision was for this year only and he has urged Calderdale Education Authority to consult all parents in advance of next year's round of admissions.

In terms of 14-19 Education, Calderdale's overall Advanced level results and the number of students going on to Higher Education are the lowest across all of the authorities in West Yorkshire. Funding for Post 16 education comes directly from the Learning and Skills Council who are monitoring Calderdale's Post 16 statistics closely. Over the next three years, they will be looking at the cumulative achievement and aspirations of 16-19 year olds across Calderdale to determine whether any improvement is being made. Therefore, we must remain committed to collaborative ways of working with other Post 16 providers in order to raise standards and to demonstrate that, within Calderdale, cost effective education is provided. It is already acknowledged by the authority that the results of Crossley Heath School students make a very real and positive contribution to overall Post 16 standards in Calderdale. However, the Learning and Skills Council will not be looking at individual schools and we recognise, as a lifelong learning environment, that in working collaboratively we can learn from our colleagues in other schools as well as increasing the range of academic and enrichment courses available to our own students.

Reports from parents and other spectators have indicated that the profile of music has been raised during the past twelve months. There are now over eighty members in the choir and new clubs, including ladies and mens' barber shop groups are adding to the already popular string, guitar and folk music groups. The choir have enjoyed a number of successes including being placed in the top 4 in the Yorkshire Schools Christmas Choir of the Year Competition. They sang like angels when they performed in the centre of Leeds last December. The choir and the windband also participated in the Mrs Sutherland and the Music for Youth Regional Festivals.

In sports, the girls' U14 football team were unbeaten in the West Yorkshire League; in Netball, the U15's and the U19's both won the Calderdale league and in Hockey, the U14's and the U19's won their Calderdale leagues. In the English Schools' Cross Country Championships, Katie Empsall was selected to represent West Yorkshire and in the Calderdale Schools Swimming Gala, the School's U16 relay team won the 3 by 50m Relay Shield for the 4th consecutive year, setting a new record in the process.

The Rugby Union season ended on a high with a unique triple. The U14's were selected to represent Yorkshire in the North of England State School Championships in March, which they won convincingly. They also played extremely well in what was a very exciting final of the County Cup, drawing with Bradford Grammar School. The U16's defeated St Wilfred's College in their final, thereby helping to make us the only school ever to win two County finals in the same season. Twenty-eight Year 10 and Year 11 students and five staff went on a highly successful tour to Australia in July. They played fixtures in Perth, the Gold Coast, Sydney and Cairns and the boys won 5 out of 6 matches. Highlights of the trip were victories against Cranbrook School in Sydney, one of the strongest in Australia, and Hale School in Perth who look likely to become the Champions of Western Australia. Crossley Heath boys certainly reinforced the message that British rugby players are to be taken seriously.

Students of all ages, led by the Charity Committee, worked hard to raise funds for a variety of charities. The total for 2003/4 was in excess of £8,500 and various events included Non-Uniform days, Comic Relief, a Mile Run for Sport Relief and Stars in Their Eyes.

The entire school celebrated one year as a Language College on our International Day in July when the normal school timetable was suspended giving our students, and students in our partner schools, an opportunity to take part in several activities including language taster sessions, art, calligraphy, music, dance and sport. There was a demonstration of martial arts including kendo, organised by Post 16 student Laura Mallard, who spent six months living in Japan and who now runs a very successful lunchtime club focusing on various aspects of Japanese culture.

Outside of the classroom students have been developing international awareness and increasing their global citizenship skills. They have visited different parts of the country as well as Austria, France, Germany, Ireland, China and Australia and have represented the school admirably on these occasions. Several members of staff have undertaken Teachers' International Professional Development Opportunities to Helsinki, Italy, Paris and China and we hosted a delegation of 12 teachers from China in July.

We are pleased with the extension to the Languages wing, which was completed in August and is an area of the school that is used daily between 7.30am and 9.30pm by the school and for after school classes. Our skilled team of site staff also completed a great many internal improvements to the school building, including the complete redecoration of the main hall. We are grateful to the various bodies that work hard to raise funds for the school, not least of all Heath Old Boys' Association. Without their contributions, some of the work carried out this summer would not have been possible.

Having commuted to work for three years, from the "wrong" side of the Pennines, I am glad to say that I am now making a much shorter journey to and from school each day and, as a result am enjoying developing new friendships in the area. The new term in September got off to a really good start. Staff and students have again worked hard and the atmosphere in school is one of optimism. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very enjoyable Christmas and a happy and successful 2005."

Helen Gaunt

[Added 15.12.04]

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