Latest News

Determined young people have continued to study, despite completing their examination courses months ago.

Year 10 and 11 students at Forest Hall School saw their GCSE exams cancelled this summer due to the Coronavirus outbreak.

As a result, their grades were estimated by their teachers, based on their previous achievements and effort before the crisis.

But, some students have been so keen to continue learning, they have not only asked their teachers to set tasks, but signed up for extra qualifications.

Kayleigh Trainor, assistant head, said: “Lots of our students, despite being awarded grades, are continuing to work so hard.

“Our head girl Ellie Godfrey, who wants to study sociology at A-level, has still been asking for more work and essays to write, even though she has finished school. Owen Richards in Year 10 was due to sit Spanish and history GCSEs this summer, but has continued on with those courses. When I have spoken with his mum, she has said he is still working hard for exams he no longer has to sit. He is doing it because he wants to prove he is hardworking and he wants to continue with that mindset. They are just a couple of examples.

“It shows we do not just teach our students in preparation for exams; we teach them to be lifelong learners. We have developed students who are so passionate about learning and their futures.

“Teachers continue to set work, mark it and give feedback. It will help students long-term as they will have limited the amount of gaps they have in their knowledge as there was still some teaching time planned before the exams. It will have improved their knowledge around topics, improved their literacy and reading which we are passionate about at Forest Hall.”

Year 10 student Faye Andrews, who studied child development at school, has completed two additional online courses to gain extra qualifications during lockdown.

She is keen to become a social worker and hopes the extra work will make her a desirable candidate for future roles.

She has completed 150 hours of online learning for a Level 3 diploma during lockdown, earning a distinction alongside the English, maths and science work the school has set her. She has now started an online sociology course before studying it at school next year.

Mum Jo said: “Faye would have been sitting her child development exam this summer. She really enjoyed the subject and wanted to keep going. It has definitely kept her brain active.

“She has worked so hard. The school has been so encouraging and that has spurred Faye on, especially during this time. The online learning and everything else from Forest Hall have been amazing and kept the children engaged.”

Head of school Hannah Jones said: “I am thrilled to see our students continuing their learning throughout this period of partial closure. It shows exceptional initiative, commitment and dedication to their studies. A big well done to them all.”