Examination Results
Our GCSE headline is that everyone (100%) of our students gained the league table 5A* to C GCSE's; well done everyone. As you can also see from the table on the right, most managed considerably more and the yeargroup as a whole have gained a higher point score from their examinations than any previous yeargroup. We are incredibly impressed and look forward to working with them over the next two years on their chosen A' level studies.
National "Top Mark" awards at GCSE in Food Techology (in top 10 of 3,381): M Foulkes, A Kirkpatrick, S Taromsari, B Smith. ICT (top 10 of 11,249): S Imtiaz. Business Studies (top 10 of 19,202): S Imtiaz. Statistics (top 10 of 44,566): S Imtiaz, M Foulkes. Amazing!!!!!
During the last 3 years, staff have regularly committed their time to a working group intent on raising standards at a' level. Their commitment as well as the hard work of our students has resulted in the biggest leap in results at advanced level in the history of the school.
The percentage of A and B grades has risen from 45.4% to 56.32% and our average point score per pupil has risen from 349 last year to 399 this year. We have also achieved a 100% pass rate.
Very well done everyone, we are extremely proud of you all!
Expo 2008: China
Our annual expo took on a Chinese flavour this year. Two spectacular days immersed in the culture of China offered us all an astonishing insight. Workshop upon workshop: origami, martial arts, calligraphy, Mandarin, Cooking, Opera, Circus, Fireworks, Medicine, Fan dancing, Lion dancing, Kung fu, Tai Chi and the list goes on. Two of the most memorable days in the history of the school!
Thanks are due to Mrs Wall, Mr Elston and Mrs Tancred for organising such an astonishing experience for everyone as well as to the Chinese community of Manchester for giving so freely of their time.
Click on any of the above images to see the full gallery of photographs from Expo 2008.
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
We congratulate the following students for completing the Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze Expedition on Friday June 20th and Saturday June 21st: Helen Brierley, Paige Brownlow, Gary Fenwick, Luke Lavelle, Chris Sharp, Charlotte Smith, Emma Spear, Olivia Ward, Leon Zhang, Kate Dawson, Beth Ellard, Kayleigh Penwill, Chad Brame, Rachel Garner, Faye Haughton, Eleanor Sutcliffe, Sophie Barton, Rachel Booth, Andrea Bruce-McArdle, Beatrice Cordingley, Rhianna Goble, Jess Magnall, Krisztina Rakoczy, Lucy Smith, Katie Howells, Katie Gilmour and Joseph Thorp.
All of the students successfully completed a gruelling 20 mile walk in heat and pouring rain. They navigated their own way across the Lancashire moors, cooked their own meals on trangia stoves, carried everything on their backs and never complained once… well maybe just once. Well done to them all.
Expedition photographs? Click on this paragraph.
Duke of Edinburgh Award
June 2008
This year’s Duke of Edinburgh practice expedition took place in the area around Delamere Forest on Friday May16th and Saturday 17th. Twenty-six year 10 students set out from the ‘middle of nowhere’ on Friday morning and navigated their way, very successfully, to a campsite near Delamere.
They pitched their tents, cooked a three course, ‘Ramsayesque’ meal and played Frisbee under the stars. Saturday morning saw rain but no diminution of the students’ smiles and by 3pm it was all over. They had tramped over 15 miles in two days and had spent a night under canvas. Well done to you all! The final expedition will take place over the weekend of June 20th-21st.
If you are in year 9 and are interested in taking part in next year’s award, go and discuss what it entails with either Dr Howe or Dr McPartland.
Web Logs (Blogs)
After the use of web logs to keep in touch with the Costa Rica team, the use of 'blogs' has grown considerably. Subject blogs provide links and support to students as well as coursework and materials for homework. Blogs have similarly been use to 'discuss' if that is the correct word, on such as homework, school facilities and this web site!
All UGS, blogs are monitored by staff who sometimes add their comments where they feel it appropriate. We do read them all too! Whilst we appreciate the sensible comments already logged, we look forward too to constructive school improvement discussion extending through the staff forum via School Council.
The Business Studies 'blog' is featured below.
The Octagon
It was on April 22nd that The Octagon was officially opened by one of the world’s most successful film and television composers, George Fenton. A quick look at his entry in ‘who’s who’ shows what a vast repertoire he has produced: Ghandi, Groundhog Day, The Madness of King George to name some of the tens of films he has written for but perhaps more familiarly music for The Blue Planet (for which he received a BAFTA award), Planet Earth, Bergerac, Shoestring, The Nine O’clock News, Newsnight....the list goes on. George spent a morning at school where he listened to the Orchestra play the inaugural concert in the Auditorium followed by the unveiling of a plaque in the entrance to the Music Studio. George was generous with his time and advice as he spent over an hour chatting to students working on their original music. Before leaving for London he expressed a wish to keep in touch with the school and visit us again the next time he was in Manchester.
The Octagon comprises three floors: on the ground, a hi-tech Music Studio including high specification music computers and individual electronic keyboards, enough for 32 students. In addition there are two Practice Studios each containing a piano, and a digital, 16 track recording facility. Floor one houses the unique feature of an octagonal performance area – The Auditorium. There is enough space to comfortably seen 100 people and it has already been used for several musical performances by students. Floor two is a comfortable and spacious Conference Suite which is used for training session, seminars and other formal and informal group meetings and discussions.
Young and enterprising!
Congratulations to the year 10 Young Enterprise Company, "Litrix", who were successful in winning the Laing O'Rourke Innovation Award at the 2008 Trafford Area Board Young Enterprise Finals. The company developed an idea for producing a set of tradeable playing cards, similar to Top Trumps, based around the teachers in the school. A set of cards could then be provided to year 6 pupils who will be joining the school in the following September. This would enable the children to familiarise themselves with the staff at the school before they arrive. Once the production process is in place, the idea could be extended to all schools in Trafford and beyond.
The awards ceremony took place on Thursday 17th April at Manchester United Football Club, Old Trafford in the presence of The Worshipful the Mayor of the Borough of Trafford, Councillor Bernard Sharp. This is the second year running that a team from Urmston Grammar School has won this prestigious award.
Costa Rica
What a truly amazing experience the Costa Rica Expedition turned out to be. After what seemed to be the worst start possible it became for many the holiday of a lifetime. It was so packed with wonderful experiences that when you ask someone what their favourite thing was they really have to think before they can answer. Was it the 3km zip wire ride? Or the geothermal pool? Perhaps the night walk in the jungle? The day relaxing in the sunshine next to the Pacific Ocean was good. Kayaking on Lake Arenal? The crocodile safari was awesome. And the Fiesta night was brilliant too.
Easter
We wish you all a very pleasant Easter break, particularly those families who are having a "child free" holiday! It would appear that just over 10% of the school population will be engaged in one school trip or the other. Costa Rica or the Ski slopes, whichever its is, we hope that those lucky parents will behave themselves whilst not under the supervision of their children.
Admissions
January 2008
We received interesting news from the Marie Curie professor of education at the University of
Sussex who, in conducting research for the Marie Curie Foundation and the
European Union has consulted the national database, looking in particular
at A-level participation. She was delighted to discover that Urmston Grammar school is in
the top 20 schools in the country - for science participation at A-
level - which is a fantastic achievement for us as a leading Science College. We are in the top 5 for girls.
Lakeside 2008
All are having a fantastic time!
Click on the photo below to see the pictures so far!
SATs Results
Go4SET Programme - Year 9
Congratulations to the Year 9 team who recently presented their project H2O4ART at the first Celebration Day for the Go4SET programme in the North West.
The team were thrilled to be awarded the ‘Pupils’ Choice’ prize, following a vote by the pupils in the 13 teams taking part. The team, working with their mentor from United Utilities, were set the project brief of investigating where in school they could harvest rainwater to replace some of the mains water we use. Having decided to look at collecting water in tanks on the Cloister roof, and using it in the art and design technology rooms, they presented their proposal with the aid of a display, a professional written report, and an amazing working model (complete with simulated rain!). They are planning to use the prize money towards a rainwater saving scheme within school.
A Level Geography Field Study
Plas Y Nant, Snowdonia
June 30 to July 4, 2008
32 A Level Geography students took part in the UGS residential Geography field study this year, staying at Plas Y Nant in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park. 
They studied aspects of tourism in Rhyl and Llandudno, the heritage industry in Conwy and Llanberis, conservation of sand dunes at Morfa Harlech, rivers at Pen Y Pas and Glacial Geomorphology at Cwm Idwal. The weather was mixed, but the group was brilliant and I am sure they think that the teachers were too!
(rare discovery of calcified pre-historic 'dog fish' lat. bonio bonio)
We did get sunshine at times. We were treated to some wonderful and rare cloud formations. The connoisseurs certainly appreciated the displays of cap clouds and lenticularis on Tuesday. We also got hail and a storm of Old Testament proportions on Thursday. But the favourite for a lot of the party was ice cream at Porth Madog.
Visit of Michael Gove, Shadow Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families
Michael Gove and Graham Brady MP spent an exciting lunch hour debating everything from Education and the Environment to Europe with our School Council and the Year 12 Politics A' level group. After observing the formal "Press Conference", the students had an extended opportunity to ask the MP's questions. A rare opportunity to hear honest and quite thought provoking answers too!
Grammar schools should be "absolutely defended" where they already exist and other secondaries can learn from top-performing schools, Michael Gove, the shadow children's secretary said. He also added that, "he was visiting Urmston Grammar simply because he was determined to spend as much time as possible in schools that are successful".
Year 8 Geography Field Study
Langdale, Cumbria
On June 3 8M and 8S and June 5 8U and 8R took part in the Geography field study visit to Langdale in Cumbria. Here they studied patterns of farming, the impact of tourism and evidence of the effects of the ice age on the landscape. The weather, in spite of what had been forecast, turned out to be very good indeed on both occasions.
The coach journey can be a bit of an ordeal for some. It is over two hours long with a very narrow winding road for the last twenty minutes. However, all four classes were careful about what they ate and drank before traveling and this year not one student was ill on the journey. They walked a total distance of about 8 Km, a lot of it on rough ground, but surrounded by wonderful landforms and staggeringly interesting aspects of Human Geography.
The 2008 UGS Ski Trip
This year the UGS ski party traveled to Chamonix in the French Alps. The snow started to fall on day 1 and by the middle of the week the pistes were well and truly powdered. The sun came out on the Thursday to offer us all two glorious days of skiing under blue skies.
Next year UGS students are heading to Saalbach in Austria and there are one or two places left on the trip for anyone interested. Please see Mr McPartland for a letter. To all those already signed up please keep your eyes on the UGS Saalbach blog for all communications regarding the trip.
Enjoy the photos, click on the one below to go to the "photo album" and if you would like a digital copy of any of them see Mr McPartland or download from the album.
Expo 2008 with a Chinese Flavour!
Languages College status
Official notice has been received; we are now, not only a Science College, not only a High Performing Specialist College, but as of April 1st 2008 we are also a Languages College too!
The DCSF have congratulated us on this significant achievement and have wished us well for success in the years ahead.
My thanks go to Mr. Elston, our AST and Head of Languages who will join our SMT; Mr. Parker and Mrs Wall for their work in ensuring that our bid was successful at the first try and of course the Languages Faculty for having such a solid platform of experience and expertise on which to build.
A tremendous Christmas gift to the school, WELL DONE to all involved.
Preparations Underway!
The new Urmston ski resort, "Chill Factor" has been the venue for some much needed preparatory work of late. Skiing is a serious business for those pupils and staff heading to Chamonix for an Easter 2008 break.... oops, wrong word.
Costa Rica too is on the horizon, setting off at the same time, it would suggest that there will be very few UGS Teachers or Pupils in the country during the next Easter holiday!
Sponsored Walk 2007
What a way to spend a day! Brisk exercise, fresh air, great fun and an astonishing £7,000 raised for Action Aid.
Well done to all who helped organise this event, to all who gave towards the £7,000 - you, our sponsors.
Well done!
A huge well done and thank you to staff and students wh0 recently returned from Belgium.
The remembrance service was as ever poignant and the behaviour of all who took part in this History trip was exemplary!
2007 GCSE Results hit new all time High
99.2% gained 5 A*to C grades. 60% of all grades awarded being A*or A grades!
Views of the new "Octagon".
The building is complete and we are now on the final stages of fitting out the ground floor. We hope to have the Music facility in use at the start of 2008
About the Cafe Scientifique
December 2007
As our terms draws to a close, we wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
As you can see from some of the items on our page, we have enjoyed yet another challenging and successful year.
Our Festival of Christmas reminded us all, were it necessary, that Christmas is upon us. The readings, the playing of instruments and of course the Choirs in full voice, always serve to kick start the Christmas season for us in a way that celebrates that simple Christmas message. A timely reminder that consumer frenzy is not what the season is about.
Our Sixth Form excelled themselves too. Fund raising for Christmas parties for our Senior Citizens, Delamere School and of course, the Creche. As well as raising the money, they supported and entertained our many guests showing them the spirit of Christmas as well as enjoying themselves too. As enthralled as the Delamere children by our guest Magician I wondered how many of our Sixth Form would like a Magic set for Christmas... one of those unanswered questions I'm afraid.
My thanks go to all who gave up so much time and energy again this year. Well done Mr Dickson for coordinating it too.
November 2007
HMI Visit!
We have just received notice after our English Department's subject inspection that they are officially classed as "Outstanding".
Leadership and management are outstanding; Achievement and standards are outstanding. As ever HMI identify one issues for improvement which is pupil achievement at Key Stage 3 and given our SATs score fell slightly this year from our being the top school at KS3 in the NorthWest of England, we do have an agenda to follow. Mr Parker and his team will address this as soon as they feet return firmly back on the ground!
Congratulation to all of the English Staff.
The end of a tremendous year
As we bow out for the summer holiday, we do so with mixed feelings. In addition to the many events reported in this newsletter, we have some farewells to make too.
Mrs Cooper, my Senior Deputy, is also retiring after 32 years of service to the school. She has worked with me for my 9 years here at UGS and has never once given less than her all. Her enthusiasm and passion for the school are well known and typically, only last week she was rewriting lesson resources for her 6th form classes. Her commitment to the professions has been astonishing; new entrants to the profession, initial teacher trainees, new staff have all been supported and guided by Mrs Cooper.
I wish her well in her retirement and look forward to those times when she has promised to return to school to restructure the school archives and say hello!.
Mr Thompson retires too. After a lifetime of service to the school as Head of RE, Teacher Governor and NUT representative. He will be sorely missed as will his cycle, panniers and helmet. His charity marathon runs as well as popping off to Blackpool and back as part of a sponsored cycle race will remain in our memories as will his humour and passion for the school.
Mrs Brown is leaving the English team and moving to New Zealand. Mr Walker is also leaving our Physics department and retiring.
Letters to Parents
Summer School
We are delighted that four Y12 students have gained places at various Sutton Trust Summer Schools (an educational charity). These offer, all expenses paid, a 5 day university taster combining lectures and seminars with recreation, such as a visit to an open air theatre. The aim is to encourage very able students, from non-university backgrounds, to aim for the top universities.
The new Lecture Lab is Completed
Results of the ballot for 4 Parent representatives on the UGS Governing Body
The votes cast were as follows: S Horridge: 72 votes. S Jones: 69 votes. L Foulkes and T Booth 68 votes. Y Bissett 64 votes. S Taromsari and M Conlon: 57 votes. J Podesta 52 Votes
Mrs Horridge, Ms Jones, Mrs Foulkes and Mrs Booth are therefore elected to serve as Parent Governors for the next 4 years.
My congratulations to them on your behalf.
New VLE to be launched by Christmas
Trafford Local Authority have recently chosen "Fronter" as the preferred VLE (Virtual Learning Environment") for its schools. Access from the front page of our web site is ready, CAPITA are transferring basic students data to create login accounts and staff are beginning to prepare themselves for what promises to be a long haul.
On-line homework and revision is planned. Access to Web Logs, chat and support are also planned.
Watch this space....
New Independent Study Centre opens.
Our new independent study and research centre is suited with our Library. principally designed for our Sixth Form, the centre is open for all in Years 7 to 13 at lunch and after school, extended day and independent learning is there for the taking.
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