Denmark Road High School has been named the Sunday Times Southwest State Secondary School of the Year in their Schools Guide, Parent Power.   The 2020 edition of Parent Power, widely regarded as the most authoritative survey of the country’s best schools, is published on the 24^th November 2019.   The award recognises the outstanding achievements of Denmark Road High School’s students in their GCSE and A Level examinations this summer.   

Claire Giblin, headteacher, said: “This award is a fantastic accomplishment.  Our results this summer were record breaking across GCSE and A Level and this is testament to that achievement.  I’m proud that it acknowledges the fantastic contribution our committed teaching and support staff have on those outcomes.”  

Denmark Road High School’s shared goal is ‘Nothing Less than Positive Progress and Wellbeing for all’.  The school’s ethos is underpinned by developing resilient lifelong learners and future leaders.  Claire Giblin, said: “Our rapid improvement in results has reflected our shift in teaching philosophy to focus on metacognition and thinking hard approaches. Denmark Road students are in charge of their learning, resilient to set backs and are sophisticated critical thinkers.  This gives them the platform for success inside, outside and beyond the classroom”. 

The school takes a holistic approach to education.  Claire Giblin, said: “Our outstanding academic results are complemented by a varied and exciting curriculum.  We are really proud of the vibrant and diverse range of opportunities open to our students.”   The most visible aspect of this is the extra-curricular opportunities offered to the students through the school’s ‘Invest’ package.  Claire Giblin said “This is the area of the school that gives me, and our whole school community, the most pride.  We are DenmarkRoad365.  To pick from too many, in computing for example, in the last year we’ve had a student travel to the USA to represent us as a UK Microsoft Champion and our amazing girls team qualified for the UK finals of CyberFirst.  In sport we continue to punch above our weight, including leading the way in girls’ cricket with our team making the national finals at Lords this year.” 

The school launched their ‘Future Proof’ initiative last year.  Embedded throughout all seven years of the curriculum it focusses on developing learners for their next steps at university, apprenticeships and the world of work.  It includes bespoke programmes tailored to supporting those considering careers in medicine or law.  “The success of those students aspiring to those careers is hardly a surprise” Claire Giblin noted “when you see the hard work, support and opportunities that are put in place by our committed team.”

Denmark Road High School has recently launched a fundraising campaign called Help Us Grow.  The ambitious target is to raise £125,000 by the Summer of 2020.  Claire Giblin said “We are extremely proud of the opportunities and curriculum we provide.  However, challenging financial times for schools have put pressure on being able to offer that extra experience, one that is very much part of our DNA, beyond the classroom.”  Further details on the fundraising can be found at denmarkroad.org/helpusgrow.