Dear Parents and Carers,
As we reach the end of our first half term of the new academic year, I would like to take this opportunity to celebrate the many successes of our Sharples family since September and thank you for your continued support.
It has been a busy and rewarding start to the year, with pupils embracing new opportunities, staff working tirelessly to support their progress and our school community continuing to demonstrate the ambition, care and commitment that make Sharples such a special place to learn.
We began the academic year on a real high as we celebrated the record-breaking GCSE results of our Class of 2026. An outstanding 74% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in both English and mathematics, with 87% achieving Grade 4 or above.
These results represent an exceptional achievement for our pupils and reflect their hard work, resilience and determination, alongside the dedication of our staff and the support of families. They also provide an excellent foundation for our current Year 11 pupils as they work towards their own examinations next summer.
One of the highlights of September was welcoming our new Year 7 pupils into the Sharples family. Following their week-long Summer School, they returned for additional transition activities to familiarise themselves with our routines, expectations and the Sharples Way.
It has been wonderful to see them settling into secondary school, developing new friendships and growing in confidence. Moving from primary to secondary school is a significant milestone, and I would like to congratulate our Year 7 pupils on the positive start they have made. We look forward to seeing them flourish over the coming years, taking advantage of the opportunities available to them and discovering their individual talents and ambitions.
September also saw us welcome pupils and colleagues from our German partner school. Our visitors experienced lessons at Sharples and enjoyed activities with their friends in Years 9 and 10. This was followed by a visit from our Romanian partner school just last week. These international partnerships are an important part of our commitment to providing a rich and varied education. They enable pupils to develop cultural awareness, communication skills and an appreciation of different perspectives, while building friendships that extend beyond our school community.
Over the summer, we completed a full refurbishment of our school library, creating a welcoming and modern space with comfortable seating and areas where pupils can relax, read and enjoy books. We want our library to inspire a love of reading and provide pupils with a calm environment in which to explore new interests, broaden their knowledge and develop their imagination. Reading remains fundamental to success across the curriculum, and I hope our pupils make the most of this improved facility.
We have also brought our Sharples Radio Station fully into operation, with daily lunchtime broadcasts featuring music requests, shout-outs and contributions from pupils. Our student radio team has an exciting role to play in developing this provision further, including plans for online broadcasts during the year.
These developments demonstrate our commitment to creating opportunities for pupils to develop their creativity, confidence and communication skills beyond the classroom.
Our Open Evening in September was another important opportunity to showcase the very best of Sharples to prospective pupils and their families. I am grateful to the pupils and staff who helped demonstrate our curriculum, facilities, values and the opportunities available here. The pride our pupils take in their school is something we should never underestimate.
Alongside these achievements, we have continued to establish the high standards and positive routines that underpin successful learning. We expect pupils to work hard, treat others with respect, follow instructions and take responsibility for their actions.
High expectations go hand in hand with care and support. We want Sharples to be a school where every pupil feels safe, valued and encouraged to succeed, and where kindness, resilience and a willingness to learn from mistakes are recognised and celebrated.
As we return after the break, we will continue to focus on excellent teaching, strong learning habits, good attendance and punctuality. Attending school every day, arriving on time, completing home learning and approaching lessons with determination all make a real difference. For our Year 11 pupils, these habits will be especially important as preparations for their GCSE examinations continue with their Pre-Public Exams beginning on Monday 9th November.
Finally, I would like to thank our staff for their professionalism, enthusiasm and commitment throughout this first half term. Their willingness to go above and beyond for our pupils is central to the success of our school.
I would also like to thank our parents and carers for your continued support and our pupils for the energy, ambition and individuality they bring to Sharples each day.
I hope you and your families enjoy a restful and enjoyable half-term break. We look forward to welcoming pupils back, refreshed and ready for another successful half term, on Monday 2 November 2026 at 8.45am.
Thank you once again for your continued support.
Ms C. Molyneux
Headteacher
