HIGH PRAISE FOR ST. MICHAEL’S FROM THE NATIONAL COMMISSION ON EDUCATION

St. Michael’s School is one of only six British secondary schools to be included in the National Commission on Education’s book, ‘Success Against the Odds – Five Years On’, the launch of which took place in London in the last week of June.

In the mid 1980s, smaller numbers of pupils nationally caused pressure for many schools to close and St. Michael's was one of the schools almost affected. Five years ago, the National Commission’s inspection of the school concluded that not only had St. Michael's survived, but it had become an outstandingly successful school. This resulted in our school being included in ‘Success Against the Odds’ – its story and those of the other schools being hailed by David Blunkett and leading academics as examples for others to follow.

Following another extensive inspection and review, the school has been highly commended for being able to further build on that success. A complete chapter in this 365 pages book is devoted to St. Michael's achievements and the editor, Professor Margaret Maden, makes extensive reference to our school in her concluding chapter. The National Commission says that St. Michael’s has:

• ‘sustained academic results above local and national averages’;
• has implemented a Peer Mentoring Programme that ‘has not only academic, but personal and social value’;
• not achieved academic success at the expense of ‘other educational, religious and social outcomes of the school’;
• become an important educational resource for the whole community through, for example, adult use of its ICT and sports facilities.

Praise is also given to the school for its Student Councils, involvement in citizenship education and its appointment of lay chaplains to promote spiritual and moral welfare. Professor Gerald Grace of the University of London carried out an intensive week-long inspection of the school, interviewing teachers, pupils, governors and support staff. He finds that St. Michael’s achievements challenge the current premise in some educational circles that ‘the constant pressure for improvement in the academic results of UK secondary schools will inevitably lead to the abandonment of a comprehensive, liberal and humane education in pursuit of a narrow, results productivity ethos.’ Mr. Maxwell represented the school at the London launch of the book and he is very pleased and proud to read the conclusions drawn about the effectiveness of St. Michael's. He says, “It is wonderful to receive this kind of praise at national level. Standards are very high in St. Michael’s and the whole school community has contributed to the successes that have brought about this recognition from the Commission.”

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