24th August 2023

AVONBOURNE BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ ACADEMIES EXCEL IN GCSES

~ First exam results since pre-pandemic cement transformational improvements since 2019 ~

Celebrations are underway again this year at Avonbourne Boys’ and Girls’ Academies as students collect their GCSE results today.

With this year’s examinations the first to return to pre-pandemic arrangements, the results for both academies confirm the significant improvements achieved in the last few years – having transformed since 2019 levels.

At Avonbourne Boys’ Academy, over three quarters (77%) of students achieved at least a grade four in both English and maths, with 60% achieving grade 5 or above in the two core subjects.

Avonbourne Girls’ Academy saw equally successful results across the board. In both English and maths, 76% of students achieved grade four or above, while 57% achieved grade 5 or above.

For the highest grades, both academies had strong achievement rates in both English and maths – with 20% and 19% at the Boys’ and Girls’ Academies respectively awarded either a grade 7 or higher.

Beyond the impressive headline measures, individuals celebrating particular successes include:

· Sharam Rasoll, who achieved nine grade 9s;

· Toni Ferreira Velosa, who achieved six grade 9s, two grade 8s and one grade 7 as well as a Distinction;

· Beatrice Petrus, who achieved five grade 9s and four grade 8s;

· Jennifer Reis, who achieved four grade 9s, five grade 8s and one grade 7;

· Sara Bexheti who achieved two grade 9s, two grade 8s and six grade 7s.

Sharam said:

“'You can tell from the smiles on people's faces that this school is amazing - the teachers have given us a great experience.”

Toni added:

“'All of my teachers have helped me overcome challenges, be the best I can be and get the best possible grades.”

Michelle Dyer, Principal at Avonbourne Boys’ and Girls’ Academies, said of the day’s celebrations:

“I am thrilled with what students at both our Boys’ and Girls’ Academies have managed to achieve this year, and I would like to congratulate all our Year 11s on their success. These excellent results cement the strides we’ve made at the academies in recent years and reflect the complete transformation in culture and ethos that the whole school community has helped to deliver on.

“At Avonbourne, we are ambitious for each and every student to fulfil their potential, regardless of background or starting point. Today’s results are a credit not only to the students themselves but to our staff team who have worked tirelessly to ensure our young people have the support and encouragement they need to thrive and excel.

“We look forward to welcoming many of this Year 11 group back to our Sixth Form, where I am sure they will take the same energy and determination through to their A Level studies.”

 

17th August 2023

STUDENTS AT UNITED SIXTH FORM CELEBRATE A LEVEL RESULTS

Sixth Formers secure first-choice university destinations

There is much excitement today at United Sixth Form at Avonbourne Girls’ Academy as students receive their A Level results and will now successfully take up their places at their universities of choice.

Amongst those celebrating today are:

  • Cheng Xiang Chen who will be studying Sociology at the University of Surrey.
  • Ariana Thaneja who will be studying Accounting and Business at the University of Reading.
  • Ida Altbacker who will be studying Zoology at the University of Bristol.
  • Oliwier Staszewski who will be studying Geography at the University of Southampton.

Commenting on her success, Ariana said:

“I'm really happy with my results and I am so glad I had so much support to get me into my first-choice university.”

Oliwier added:

“I'm delighted with how results day has turned out. The last 7 years has seen lots of positive changes at Avonbourne, and without the help of the dedicated staff at the school I wouldn't have achieved my place at the University of Southampton.”

Michelle Dyer, Principal at Avonbourne Girls’ Academy, said:

“Our A Level students have worked hard over the past couple of years and it is wonderful to see their efforts pay off. From Accounting to Zoology, they will be embarking on an exciting variety of courses at university and all have bright futures ahead of them. Thank you to our Sixth Form team for the ongoing support they have provided. I wish our Year 13s all the very best for their next steps.”

27th June 2023

PUPILS AT AVONBOURNE ACADEMIES HAVE ONCE AGAIN BEEN AWARDED A COVETED ECO-SCHOOLS GREEN FLAG

 

 

The Eco-Schools Green Flag is an international accreditation that recognises efforts to raise environmental awareness amongst young people, whilst taking action to make their school more sustainable. Avonbourne Academies has now retained its status as an accredited Eco-School, following their achievement last year.

The Eco-Schools programme was established in 1994 and is now delivered in more than 70 countries across the globe. The programme prompts young people to explore a variety of environmental issues, including climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Pupils are then empowered to plan and deliver environmental actions in their school, local community, and beyond.

Since Avonbourne began working towards an Eco-Schools Green Flag during 2021, achievements have included planting 60 hedges, 15 saplings and introducing a recycling scheme across the site.

And this year, pupils at Avonbourne Academies have built on these strong foundations, collaborating with Shayla Donnelly to work on three Eco-Schools topics: school grounds, waste and biodiversity. They then planned a variety of projects including litter picks throughout the year on school grounds and in our surrounding community areas; the implementation of a recycled car tyre garden that is still rolling into place; the continued upkeep of school-wide classroom recycling with a community feeling during student-led Wednesday morning recycling bin emptying; pen recycling in nearly every classroom – that’s almost 90; charity partnership to track our school’s avian biodiversity; and planting copious local flora seeds throughout the Spring and Summer.

Assistant Principal, Laura Tsabet, said, ‘We are incredibly proud to be awarded Distinction two years in a row. The school’s Eco Committee is made up of a wonderfully committed group of students, and their efforts this year to make the school more sustainable exemplify many of our school’s REACH values’.

Eco-Schools England Manager, Adam Flint, said: “The Eco-Schools Green Flag award is an internationally recognised symbol of high environmental standards. The pupils and school

staff that earn the award deserve immense credit for their hard work, determination, and creativity. Their passion for protecting our planet is an inspiration to us all. ”

To learn more about Eco-Schools head to https://www.eco-schools.org.uk/

AVONBOURNE ACADEMIES AMONGST THE BEST SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTRY FOR PROGRESS

~ Validated league tables from the Department for Education confirm Avonbourne students performing well above national average on key measures ~

~ Avonbourne Girls’ Academy placed in top 20 schools nationally ~

Avonbourne Boys’ and Girls’ Academies in Bournemouth have had their high academic standards validated today as the Department for Education publishes its Performance Tables for Summer 2022.  Today’s validated tables, which are the first for two years, show that both Avonbourne Boys’ and Girls’ Academies received excellent Progress 8 scores placing them amongst the best schools in the country.

Progress 8 is a national measure which calculates the average progress students make by GCSE, compared with other similar schools.  A progress score that meets the national average is set at 0 each year, with anything higher reflecting value added to a student’s achievements during their time at school.

In 2022, Avonbourne Girls’ achieved a Progress 8 score of +1.16 whilst the Boys’ Academy achieved a score of +0.44.  The Girls’ Academy’s score places it second in Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch and 19th in the country as a whole.  

Michelle Dyer, Principal at Avonbourne Girls’ and Boys’ Academies, said:

“It is fantastic to see our academies performing so well and I want to congratulate our students once again on their achievements last summer.  Across our academies, we seek to give our students the right combination of challenge and support so that they can make excellent progress and achieve the qualifications they need to pursue their career of choice.  Despite the challenges of the previous two years, our students – ably supported by our dedicated staff – worked incredibly hard to achieve such impressive results.

“We are determined to build on these results next summer and are giving our current Year 11 students all the support and encouragement they need to secure the grades we know they are capable of achieving.”

For more information, please contact press@unitedlearning.org.uk.

 

21st November 2022

UNITED SIXTH FORM STUDENTS TAKE TO THE STAGE AT COP27 SIMULATION EVENT

On Wednesday, some of our Eco-Committee leadership from United Sixth Form, joined together with their peers from 13 other United Learning secondary schools to take part in an exciting COP27 Climate Simulation Negotiation.

The event, hosted by the British Council at their UK headquarters in Stratford, was inspired by the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) taking place in Egypt this month. The event gave our students the opportunity to strengthen their communication, negotiation and presentation skills, whilst encouraging them to consider potential solutions to the challenges our planet faces. 

Playing the part of world leaders, Non-Governmental Bodies (NGOs) or Media, students were tasked with taking part in a real-life climate negotiation simulation, producing a global agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. During the negotiations, their proposals were fed into a computer programme, which used real-life data to model what the consequences of their proposals would be on the climate. 

Y12 student, Andre Rojnik, said:

“This has been a really unique experience which has allowed me to grow both personally and professionally. What we have discussed and debated today also feeds into the wider work we are doing at United Sixth Form as part of our Eco-Committee.”

Associate Assistant Principal, Laura Tsabet commented:

“I was incredibly proud to take these four sixth form students to London for this event. They engaged in climate negotiations with other schools with passion, respect and a true commitment to the environment. It was enjoyable to see them playing the part of the European Union and committing to an immediate change in our carbon emissions!”