From the Principal

OFSTED Inspection
OFSTED arrived at HCC on Wednesday of this week to conduct their triennial
inspection. In line with the new OFSTED framework, staff and students had less
than two days’ notice of this inspection but I am pleased to report that we were
more than ready! Our students acquitted themselves extremely well, in focus
groups, in lessons and around the corridors, and the Lead Inspector praised them
for their positive attitudes to learning and to their college. I would like to pay
formal tribute to all my staff for their outstanding contribution to the success of
the inspection which involved a great deal of hard work and overtime. I would
also like to thank publicly my Chair and Vice Chair of Governors, Diane Chidzey
and Bob Edmonds, for their support both in the lead-up and during the
inspection. Thank you also to all parents who returned the OFSTED questionnaire
at such short notice.

The OFSTED inspection report will be published on our website as soon as it is

finalised, and schools are not permitted to release details ahead of this. However
I can assure parents that the outcome will be positive and will include significant
improvements since the previous inspection in January 2005.

Staffing News
We welcome our three new teaching colleagues, Ms Alexy in Languages; Ms.
Stanbridge in English, and Mr. Geach in Humanities, who are covering the
maternity leaves of Ms. Watts, Ms. Glendenning and Ms. Eggett respectively. We
also welcome Mrs. Titchener who joins Mrs. Duane the library.

Unfortunately, Ms. Sartor (Languages) remains unable to return to work due to ill
health, but we are pleased to have German specialist Mr. Ovendon contintuing to
teach her classes.

We are also pleased to announce that Ms. Forrester has begun her new role as an
Advanced Skills Teacher in English, working with Ms. O’Brien on whole college
teaching and learning as well as continuing to teach her English classes. Ms. May
will be Acting head of English for the next half term and a new colleague, Mr.
Scruby, will take over as Head of English from January.

Year 11 Football Team

I have, somewhat belatedly, received a full apology and detailed expression of
regret from the Headteacher of Magna Carta School following the appalling injury
inflicted on one of our year 11 students in a Surrey Cup Game before half term. I
am advised that the boy who inflicted the injury through a deliberate foul has
been banned from all school and Surrey games for the remainder of his school
career.

In the meantime it is good to report that our HCC Year 11 Team have bounced
back from this incident to win stunning victories two days in succession, firstly
the Richmond Borough Under 16s’ Football Tournament and the next day against
Whitton School. Well done to Chaz Goodchild, Billy Witham, Jack Taylor, Ross
Tomassi, Jamie Warburton, Luke Chidzey, Jordan Baylie and Alex Deevey. Your
sportsmanship and team spirit continue to be a credit to your coaches, your
college and yourselves.

Dr. Demont