Dear Parents and Carers,
I do hope you all enjoyed the Summer this year, particularly the lovely weather. I have to say, we normally expect poor weather during the Summer break and beautiful sunshine from the 1st of September.
I am writing to you to share more fantastic news following Summer GCSE and Post 16 results. If you recall, I wrote about the outstanding outcomes across the Trust Primary Schools in the Summer Term. The Primary, First and Middle Schools really did achieve astounding results this year - our best ever! 73% of children in Year 6 achieved Age Related Expectation or better in maths, reading and writing combined - that is more than 10% above the national rate. I also reported that 90% of pupils in Year 1 passed the phonics screening test - a tremendous achievement and nearly 10% above national averages. So for the primary phase, 2024-5 was an incredible year and I am deeply proud of the children and staff for all that they have achieved.
I am pleased to report yet more excellent outcomes across our secondary schools. In 2025 there is no progress measure, because pupils did not take SATs in Year 6 as a result of the pandemic. Therefore, we only have attainment data to measure the success of children. Once again, all children have performed extremely well, with the Trust above national rates for the number of children achieving a 4 or better in both maths and English and grade 5 or better in both maths and English. Our children with a learning need also exceeded national figures, as did those children that the Government classifies as ‘disadvantaged’. I am particularly proud that as a Trust, we do well by all groups of pupils, not just high flyers.
Across our Sixth Forms in the Trust, we have nearly 1500 students. Pupils this year performed even better than in 2024. Over 80% of grades were A*-C and almost without exception, pupils secured the university place they had applied for, or went on to apprenticeships. What was particularly pleasing were the progress grades achieved. As a Trust, we had a value-added score +0.35. This means all pupils secured a grade that was approximately ⅓ higher in every examination sat, in every subject, compared to ‘similar’ pupils nationally. Norton Hill, Somervale, Frome College, Hayesfield and Beechen Cliff had deeply impressive results post 16 in particular, with value-added scores in excess of the Trust averages.
As many of you will know, we have a number of Special Schools now in the Trust. We also have an Alternative Provision School. These provisions support pupils who have found mainstream schooling more challenging and I am delighted to report that GCSE and Post 16 pupils have all made good progress this year. Many pupils have passed GCSEs and almost all pupils have left with 5 recognised qualifications. This means that every pupil has been able to move to college, an apprenticeship, or even into MNSP sixth forms. This is fabulous progress and means these pupils have a real chance to go on and have successful careers and lives. Well done to all GCSE and A level pupils and their teachers on what has been another excellent year.
Over the course of the previous year, I have kept you up to date with Ofsted judgments across our schools. As a Trust, we have still never seen a school drop an Ofsted grade, but have seen plenty of schools improve. In particular, St Mary’s in Timsbury was graded ‘Outstanding’ in all areas last year, up from ‘Inadequate’ before it joined the Trust. High Littleton maintained an ‘Outstanding’ judgement in all areas. This is excellent evidence that strong schools that join MNSP Trust, continue to maintain high standards and that those who join the Trust with room for improvement, are supported to become more successful. Some of you will be aware that the Ofsted framework is again changing. This new framework is quite different with 6 judgement areas and 5 different grading terms, not seen before in inspection. Schools will no longer have an overall judgment either, but instead will have a report card detailing key outcomes relating to the work of the school.
Over the course of last year, there has been a strong push on improving attendance. The vast majority of our pupils attend school well. Many have improved their attendance which will mean they have an even better chance of success in school. Our primary schools are considerably better than national rates and persistent absence (the number of pupils with attendance below 90%) is less than half that seen nationally. Secondary schools are also above national rates and Norton Hill, Beechen Cliff and Somervale are particularly strong, being some 3% above national. Hayesfield, Buckler’s Mead and Preston have improved considerably last year, a trend continued into the academic year 2025-6. There are a few schools however, where children do appear to be absent more frequently. Please can I ask that all parents continue to support schools, so that children are attending well. This means at least more than 95% of the time. We know that when pupil attendance falls, children do less well in school examinations. Achieving as well as you can in school is more important than ever, as it gives children choices about their next steps after school.
As a very successful Trust, we are of course continuing to grow. We are likely to take in a secondary school in Taunton and Selwood Academy in Frome has been given permission to join the Trust. We are also working with a group of schools in challenging circumstances in the Minehead area. We know that by working together, we make all schools better for all children - the founding principle on which all our work as an organisation is built. Naturally, I will update you as the academic year unfolds.
Thank you again to all Parents and Carers for your support across our schools.
Best Wishes
Alun Williams - CEO