Page 28 - Bellfort Magazine 2025

I also want to thank the Building Supervisors, Mr Devenney and Mr Bonnar ably led by Mr Blair,
and cleaning staff, for the high standard of their work. They, together with canteen staff, led by

Mrs Turtle, and my supervisory staff, play an important role in making the College a healthy and
secure environment for all the young people. As a combined staff, we are a team – and it is the

increased teamwork which drives the potential, secures the success and celebrates achievement.

2023-24 was a peculiar year in the sense that schools had to deliver and work in parallel with
ongoing Union Action which was province wide. Pay parity was vital to secure a levelling up with

the mainland, ensuring we that we hold experienced personnel within the profession whilst also
retaining and attracting new and home-grown talent. Not to be hindered by constraints, but

rather through open communication and joined up thinking, College Staff continued to deliver
success both inside and outside the classroom.

This afternoon truly is a celebration for you…. the young people, for those pupils who worked for

their best and worked for their achievement. Today is an opportunity for us all to join collectively
and celebrate all that is good. I remind everyone that success is not final…. It is the courage to

continue that counts…

We welcome back pupils who have left to take up studies elsewhere or moved into employment.
It is important that we remember our past pupils because they… you… have contributed to our

future!

Turning now to Grades and Pupil Performance

I am glad to report there was continued success both at GCSE and Post 16!

Year 12 pupils, their teachers and parents can be justly proud of their GCSE achievements this
summer. 73% of students a minimum of 5 grades in the A* - C range with 43% achieving a

minimum of 7 grades A* - C with over half of the cohort achieving a minimum of 5 grades A* - C
including both English and Maths. There were outstanding successes in subjects such as Art,

Agriculture, Construction, OCN Sport, BTEC Sport, Food and Nutrition, Prince’s Trust, Music,
Drama, Technology and across a range of Occupational Studies. This success was reflected in

more traditional subjects such as Double Award Science, History and Religious Education. Results
were achieved in a full range of general and applied courses providing pupils with a wide range of

options for their future pathways.