Barton Court Grammar School

As a school we are celebrating the achievement of our Year 11 students who received their GCSE examination results in-school this morning.

We are delighted that the hard work students and staff have put in has seen the overwhelming majority of Year 11 experience great success. In short, the 2024 cohort secured a much-improved set of results compared to both pre-pandemic in 2019 and post-pandemic in 2023 outcomes.

• Overall, 46% of grades awarded were at 7-9 which was a 10% improvement compared to 2019 and 2023
• More students achieved the very highest grades, and a larger percentage of students were awarded grades 8-9 (26.9% in 2024 compared to 19.7% in 2023).
• 39 students achieved 8 or more grades at 7-9
• 78 students achieved 5 or more grades at 7-9

We wish students the very best as they progress in their studies or move into employment with training.”

Sixth Form Enrolment:

Thursday 22 August for internal students and Friday 23 August for external students

External students should email Mr White ([email protected]) to book an appointment

Year 13 Results

Our Headteacher would like to share that we are delighted that so many of our students have achieved grades that are enabling them to progress to university or secure high-quality employment opportunities. As a year group our Year 13 students were both talented and hard-working. We are pleased that yet again over half of the grades for this cohort were at A*-B at 58% - which reflects a very strong set of results. This is higher than the pre-pandemic average of 54% (2017-19). The overall pass rate was 99%.

Particular mention must be made of 23 students, out of our cohort of 129, who have been awarded three or more A/A* or D* grades in their subjects – this represents over 18% of the cohort. In addition, there are 47 students who have achieved at least three B grades or above. Significantly, 71 students got at least one A/A* or Distinction* grade and 99 students achieved at least one B/A/D* grade or above.

Clearly, so many students have much to be pleased with!

Free 11+ Familiarisation Materials for PP Parents at Key Stage 2

Barton Court Grammar School is proud to be open to pupils from all backgrounds.

To encourage even greater representation of children at Barton Court, we work in partnership with Atom Learning, the leading online Key Stage 2 learning and 11+ preparation platform, to provide students who are eligible for Pupil Premium with free online learning and 11+ exam preparation.

This programme is designed to help children get familiar with the type of questions they may see on the 11+, and build exam technique and confidence. They'll be able to access KS2 and 11+ practice questions, learning resources, and practice papers through their Atom Home account.

Please fill in the form which can be found at: 11+ Familiarisation Materials - Barton Court Grammar School. You will be given free access to Atom Home when their Pupil Premium status has been verified by their primary school.

During the last enrichment day, students took part in an exciting day of employer encounters. A large number of guest speakers came to school to talk to year 9 and 10 students about their careers, including vocaitonal training. We also had a visitor from the University of Hertfordshire.This gave everyone an opportunity to find out lots of different career pathways, and ask questions!

BCGS Sixth Formers Support Primary School's Sports Day

Barton Court were very happy to take a number of Year 12 Sport and Health and Social Care students to Whitfield Aspen Primary School to help run their sports day.

As always, our students were a credit to Barton Court and they helped run an excellent event.

It was particularly pleasing to hear that the experience has encouraged some students to consider teaching as a potential career!

Another Successful Year 5 Taster Morning

On the morning of Saturday 22 June, we opened our doors once again to Year 5 students to come and take part in a variety of fun activities, and talk to students who are already at Barton Court Grammar School.

We had over 200 children attend the event and experience a range of activities including Science, DT, Food Technology, Geography, RPE, Modern Foreign Languages, PE and Art.

From the feedback we received, both students and staff had a really enjoyable morning.

An Incredible Achievement at National Biology Awards

83 of our Year 10 Biology students took part in this year’s UKBC Biology Challenge and competed against 45,400 students across the country.

The UKBC (UK Biology Competitions) award the top 5% of scores the Gold award, the next 10% the Silver and the next 15% the Bronze.

5 of our students achieved the Gold award, 18 the Silver and 17 the Bronze which is an incredible achievement.

Well done to Rory, Oliver, Keiko, Greta, Maisie, Lydia, Freddie, Amy, Beth, Presiyanna, Megan and Zara!

Year 12 Sport Science Careers Talk – Sports Physio

Year 12 Sport students had a visit from Alistair Thrush from the University of Kent today. As well as lecturing in Sport Science and Injury Rehabilitation at the University, Alistair has worked as Lead Physiotherapist at Arsenal and Charlton Football Clubs.

Students enjoyed hearing about Alistair’s experiences working within elite sport and were given incredible insight into the ever-expanding range of jobs within Sport Science. They were also able to ask some good questions at the end.

Thomas Webb – Success at London School Athletic Association Pentathlon

On Wednesday 22 May Year 9 student Thomas Webb represented Barton Court in the pentathlon at Lee Valley Sport Centre. Thomas finished 4th overall in the Kent Under 15 competition with a score that would have seen him win gold in both the London and Middlesex competitions.

As a result of his strong performance, Thomas has been selected for the Kent Schools Team at the Southeast Regional Combined Events competition on 22 June which is an achievement he should be very proud of.

Well done to Thomas on a fantastic achievement.

BCAT Finance Officer
BCAT 6.1 - 6.4 £25,127 - £26,383

Required for 20 June or as soon as possible, the Trustees are seeking to appoint a Finance Officer to provide financial support for the schools and Trust in terms of procurement, bursary and trip management. The successful candidate will be joining a team of highly experienced and well-qualified colleagues and will be supported with induction and training for career development.

The successful candidate must be diligent, work accurately and have attention to detail, be able to work under pressure and meet deadlines as well as excellent communication and customer service skills. Experience or working within a school environment is desirable but not essential. Support with professional qualifications is provided and the role would suit an experienced candidate or someone wishing to start a career in Finance.

Deadline: Monday 3 June at 9am. Early applications are encouraged and we retain the right to fill the vacancy before the deadline date.

How To Apply

Applications for this post should be made online only using the School’s application form. CVs will not be accepted. Visit the website and click on Recruitment for more information. Please email your application to [email protected].

If you wish to discuss the post or to arrange a visit, please contact the Personnel Department on [email protected].

BCAT Board of Trustees are seeking to recruit a non-executive Director to join our already established and experienced Board of Directors/Trustees to provide additional capacity as the Trust grows in size. We seek someone who can offer additional experience and expertise, from either inside or outside the educational setting, who can also provide additional challenge and support from a different perspective.

The role of Director/Trustee is a voluntary one, requiring a high degree of commitment and confidentiality. It is expected that Trustees will be able to participate fully in the work of the Trust Board and where possible in the life of each school in the Trust. It is envisaged that Trustee would need to set aside an average of 8 -10 hours a month in order to fulfil the following expectations:

Attending 6 Director meetings and 1 AGM per year which are held virtually via Microsoft Teams, which usually last 2 hrs. In addition, you will attend various sub-committees such as 3 Finance Meetings and 3 Audit and Risk Meetings which are also held virtually, usually back to back between 5pm – 7pm. There will be a number of documents to review prior to the meetings.
Participating in Director/Governor professional development events/training which includes, but not exclusive to: an induction programme run by the NGA, annual online training in Safeguarding, Prevent and GDPR in addition to other training events as required to fulfil the role and skill set requirements of the Board.
Directors/Trustees are appointed for a period of 4 years by the BCAT Trustees. For further information please download the additional information and contact the Clerk, Kirsty McLean via [email protected]

This position remains open until the position is filled.

How To Apply

Applications for this post should be made with a letter of application and your CV to [email protected]. Visit the website and click on Recruitment for more information.

If you wish to discuss the post or to arrange a visit, please contact the Clerk, Kirsty McLean via [email protected].

Last Day for the Class of 2024!

Last week saw the final teaching day for our Year 13 students. Whilst we were sad to see them leave, we had an excellent final day with the Leavers Assembly taking place before the ‘El Clásico’ and pizza on the top field.

We wish all of our students the best of luck with the remainder of the exam period, and we look forward to seeing them at the Year 13 Prom in July and then celebrating their successes with them on results day in August.

Culture and Diversity Non-Uniform Day

Last academic year, a group of Sixth Form students started a Culture and Diversity Society with an aim of recognising and celebrating the diverse range of cultures across our School community.

On our non-uniform day last week, students were encouraged to wear clothing associated with their culture, background or home nation, and the day really did positively showcase the diversity of our students across all year groups.

We look forward to future events which the Culture and Diversity Society have planned.

Barton Court Host UK Chess Challenge 2024

On Saturday 4 May 2024, Barton Court Grammar School (BCGS) hosted the East Kent Megafinal, the largest post-COVID chess tournament, adult or junior, in East Kent, eclipsing even last year’s renowned Thanet Congress. A record-breaking 106 boys and girls entered from across Kent and beyond, in age categories from Under-8 all the way up to Under-18, with 56 of them qualifying for the semi-national Gigafinals in July. Two BCGS students entered the tournament, and we hope to see many more at next year’s event once Mr Samuel has set up the new school Chess Club.

Five classrooms were converted into tournament halls for the day, with a digital chess clock at every board and experienced arbiters in every room, while the school canteen served as the ideal waiting zone for parents, thanks to a wonderful all-day food service courtesy of the School’s catering team. Fortunately for us, the sun shone all day, letting everyone enjoy the beautiful green space outside as well. Huge thanks are due to BCGS for hosting the event. Parents and players alike said that they thought the venue and playing conditions were ideal, and we will be delighted to return to BCGS for the 2025 Megafinal.

The event was organised for the third year running by Sandwich Chess Club, and the Club would particularly like to thank the volunteers and other support for the event.

The full results of the 2024 East Kent Megafinal can be accessed via the Sandwich Chess Club website at: Megafinal — Sandwich Chess Club (sandwichess.uk)

Don't Miss Out on the Spanish Exchange 2024/25!

Hola!

The deadline to join the new Spanish Exchange 2024-25 is fast approaching... Friday 24 May 2024.

It is available to all students who are studying Spanish in Years 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. We only have 30 places!

Our plan is to visit Spain from Thursday 19 September to Wednesday 25 September 2024 and the Spanish families will host our students. Spanish students will then head to Canterbury in March/April 2025.

For more information, please get in touch with contact the School.

Barton Courts Bluebells are looking beautiful.

Lead Teacher of RPE (Religious Education, Philosophy & Sociology)

Required for 1 September 2024, the Trustees are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and qualified Lead Teacher for RPE (Religious Studies, Philosophy & Sociology) to teach across KS3-KS5. The successful candidate will be a joining a team of highly skilled RPE teachers at Barton Court Grammar School. Religious Studies is taught to examination level at KS4; Sociology is taught at A Level in KS5. RPE is also taught to examination level in KS5.

The successful candidate should be able to deliver excellence in the classroom, providing innovative and inspirational teaching and learning. This is an excellent opportunity for a suitably qualified and experienced candidate to work with colleagues to build a vibrant and outstanding department. This post is suitable for an experienced professional looking to further their career.

The RPE department possesses high-quality teachers and all convey a love for their subject. Three subjects are taught at BCGS up to and including KS5 and RPE is popular amongst students.

Deadline: 10 May 2024 at 9am. Early applications are encouraged and we retain the right to fill the vacancy before the deadline date.

How To Apply

Applications for this post should be made online only using the School’s application form. CVs will not be accepted. Visit the website and click on Recruitment for more information. Please email your application to [email protected].

If you wish to discuss the post or to arrange a visit, please contact Kirsty Wharton on [email protected].

Spanish Exchange Visit April 2024

On Thursday 18 April, 30 students ranging from Year 9 to Year 13 travelled to Canterbury from Madrid, as part of a Spanish Exchange. This was the ninth time this successful partnership between Barton Court Grammar School and Institute Las Rozas has occurred.

During the trip, each Spanish student stayed with an English family which enabled them to experience our lifestyle and obviously practice their English. The weather was mostly kind and the Spanish students loved the programme created for them.

It is fantastic to be able to share some of the experiences from your own life with an exchange partner who has had little exposure to English culture and it was a lot of fun!

Another Successful Careers Fair at Barton Court

Late in March, students enjoyed our latest careers fair.

Barton Court Grammar School welcomed local businesses, as well as vocational and academic course providers, so that students could discuss employability skills and future career options.

Students from both Barton Court Grammar and Barton Manor Schools were in attendance, and embraced the chance to talk about their potential future opportunities.

Cover Supervisor/Learning Mentor - t/t only + 1 SDD (0.85 FTE)
BCAT 6.1-6.4 - £25,127 - £26,383 (pro rata to £21,357 -£22,424)

Required for an immediate start, the Trustees are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and qualified Cover Supervisor/Learning Mentor.

This post involves a blend of supervising lessons for absent teachers, acting as a Learning Mentor to individuals identified by pastoral staff and running the Learning Resource Centre outside of the school day.

Candidates should be committed to the value and purpose of education and the role may suit an individual with an interest in teaching as a long term career.

Deadline: Thursday 2 May 2024 @ 9am. Early applications are encouraged and we retain the right to fill the vacancy before the deadline date.

How To Apply

Applications for this post should be made online only via the School’s website. CVs alone will not be accepted. Please email your application to [email protected]

If you wish to discuss this post further please contact Mrs Smith, Assistant Headteacher, by telephone.

Exam Invigilators - 2 roles available
£12.10 per hour

Examination Invigilators are required for an immediate start. Experience is preferred but not essential as training will be given. Candidates should be trustworthy, highly reliable and diligent. Hours of work are Monday-Friday 8.00am-4:30pm.

Deadline for applications is Tuesday 30 April 2024 @ 9am.

How to Apply

Applications for this post should be made online only using the School's application form. CVs will not be accepted. On the website visit the information page and click on Recruitment. Please email your application to [email protected]. If you wish to discuss this post or arrange a visit, please contact Kirsty West, Examinations Manager at the school on 01227 464600.

Fantastic Achievement for Students in Art Competition

This year, The Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours (RI) held the inaugural RI Coronation Award – a new national, annual schools’ art competition created in celebration of the Coronation of our Honorary Member, His Majesty King Charles III.

With the aim of championing excellence in the use of water-based media, and to promote the work of young artists, the panel of judges for this year’s competition was made up of three prominent members of the RI: Claire Sparkes, Ian Sidaway and the RI President Chris Myers.

Only 40 entrants made it to the finalists’ exhibition.

Barton Court Grammar School had seven entries accepted which is a fantastic achievement!

Certificates of merit were awarded to only nine entrants, and two of them were Maia (image was named: Alice in Wonderland) and Francesca (main image entitled: Tropical Fish Diptych) from our school.

Success at Piano Competition Final

Barton Court Grammar School had the pleasure of taking two students to the East Kent Final of the Kent Grammar School Association Piano Competition on Monday 18 March.

Congratulations to Charles (3rd place, grade 6/7 class) and Rio (2nd place, grade 8+ class) who played superbly, amongst some very stiff competition!

Charles was the only student performing not from Year 12 or Year 13, which is a huge achievement in itself (and he is definitely one to watch!).

Art Workshop for Year 5 Students

Year 5 students from various surrounding primary schools visited the Art Department at Barton Court Grammar School for a taster lesson – another one of our ‘Enriching Workshops’.

Students observed real insects and drew them on a larger scale, considering their shapes, proportions and tonal values. They did a great job!

More workshops are running throughout the year when we look forward to welcoming more Y5 students.

Celebrating Art at Barton Court

One of our Year 8 students has created an artist fact file on Grayson Perry, investigating the theme of identity, as part of a project.

This is outstanding work for a Year 8 student, with a superb portrait of Grayson Perry.

Another student Eloise has entered the ‘Japan Society’s World Children’s Haiku’ contest. For this, she had to write a haiku poem about ‘family’ and present it with illustrations.

She has done a brilliant job – good luck to Eloise!

Enrichment Day - Design & Technology Taster Sessions

For Enrichment Day Year 8 students participated in a taster session to see if Design and Technology was the right option for them to take at GCSE. They started by analysing what makes a good boat and how it is structured. They then went on to learn the science behind how a boat floats. Finally in teams they constructed a cardboard boat which had to hold a weight of 2.2kgs. The competition was tough, but two groups managed to sail their boat with more than the required weight.

Year 11 students also participated in a taster session looking to choose their A level subjects. They started by learning about hydraulics and the science behind it. They then went on to construct a scissor lift using syringes and a rubber tube.

On 13 December 2023, we held our ‘Awards Evening’. At this event we celebrated the achievements of students from the academic year 2022-23. Students were awarded subject prizes for showing excellence in their particular fields, as well as overall achievement and progress prizes being awarded to students in each year group.

This year, we were truly humbled and inspired by our keynote speaker Mr Hari Budha Magar. During his speech he gave details of his life’s achievements, notably being the first above the knee, double-amputee to climb Mount Everest.

We already look forward to next year’s event, when we will celebrate achievements from this academic year.

On Wednesday 17 January we welcomed a number of Year 5 primary school students to Barton Court to participate in one of our ‘Enriching Workshops’. These workshops offer a taste of lessons in a couple of subject areas. They aim to stretch and challenge students whilst offering them an insight into a grammar school environment.

This time it was the turn of Philosophy and Music.

More workshops are running throughout the year when we look forward to welcoming more Y5 students.

Good news! Congratulations to the Art department for winning the ‘overall best school’ for the second year running, at the annual John Downton Awards.

The John Downton Awards Ceremony was held in December at County Hall in Maidstone. It is a highly prestigious regional art competition, open to all secondary schools across Kent. This competition is to commemorate the late artist, poet and philosopher.

We are proud to announce that we won the ‘overall best school prize’ for the second year running! They commented specifically that this was; ‘because of the diverse subject matters and themes represented in the work submitted from Barton Court Grammar School, as well as the broad variety of materials, processes and techniques demonstrated within the students’ work.’

A special well done to Daniel who also won the mixed media prize for his GCSE architectural exam piece and to Erica who won a highly commended award for her GCSE portrait.

Images show Lex and Milly standing next to their paintings, Daniel and Erica’s winning pieces, and Iris, Sara and Maya collecting the whole school prize.