Hugo Palmer and Erwan Ferrieux

The thoughts of the Sackville community are with these young men and their families at this very difficult time. Further comment from the school would not be appropriate at this point.

Please note school is closed for half-term until Monday 25th February

Back to the 80s surpasses all expectations

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The evening of Friday 15th January was one of those times when working at Sackville seems like the best job in the world. Our school shows are always very special, and our full-house audiences have become accustomed to high-standard production values, but Friday’s exceptional performance of ‘Back to the 8os‘ was almost too brilliant to describe. We already knew the show was a skilful blend of impeccably timed comedy, high quality singing, superb acting and choreography and awe-inspiring special effects. But on the final evening the whole cast and crew elevated the show to a new pitch. Several veterans of many Sackville shows declared ‘Back to the 80s’ was our ‘best show ever‘. 

Well done to the scores of people who have made this production happen – well over 100 students and staff. This was a true team performance, an embodiment of ‘Together We Achieve’. Special mention must be given to Ethan Chapman, knocked off this motorbike on Thursday morning, but completing two superb evening performances in a sling. As Headteacher Julian Grant said, Ethan was an ‘inspiration to us all‘.

Huge congratulations to the cast and crew of @Sackville_EG production of Back to the 80's. It was a superb, joyous and uplifting performance. So lucky to have such wonderfully talented people at the school. Well done to all involved. #EastGrinstead

— Steve Ody (@SteveOdy) 16 February 2019

You can read a review by local journalist Geraldine Durrant here.

Sackville students are ‘Top of the Bench’!

Congratulations to our four ‘Top of the Bench‘ competitors this year. Luke Waddell, Sophie Larkin, Scarlett Green and Charlie Snashfold competed against ten other schools in a regional heat at Lewes Priory School. After a gruelling day spent completing practical tasks and multiple choice assessments, they finished a very creditable sixth overall, with a score that would have earned them second place in other regional competitions.

All of the four team members represented the school with enthusiasm and commitment, working very hard throughout. They displayed excellent practical skills, worked safely, and accurately analysed their results. Very well done and congratulations!

Sackville success at the English Speaking Union Mace debate competition

Aminah Rahman and Isabelle Goddard smoothly progressed to the regional final of the English Speaking Union Mace Debate Competition on Tuesday 29th February. They proposed the motion This house believes that no essential service should be provided on a for-profit basis.

Aminah and Isabelle spoke with confidence and passion against a challenging Brighton College team. Of the three teams in this round, Sackville and Brighton College progressed to the regional finals – to be held in February. Judges commented on the clarity of expression and quality of reasoning that the team demonstrated. Many congratulations to the whole debate team , including those behind the pair who have helped research and hone the arguments for this debate: Imogen Gaines and Kezia Augustine. Many other students are involved in debating club, so it has been a real Sackville team effort.

If you are interested in joining the debate club then see Mrs Stuart. Year 11-13, if you want to develop your presentation, argument and general speaking skills (valuable for job interviews, future careers and organising your ideas and arguments in writing) you are welcome to get involved too!

Ofsted publish extremely positive report about Sackville

We are delighted to be able to share the letter published by Ofsted today following our short inspection on January 10th.

The letter, addressed to Mr Grant, is not a report. It summarises the inspectors’ findings from the one day ‘health check’ visit and therefore cannot change the current judgement of being a ‘good’ school. However, it is a very positive read which does capture the essence of Sackville well.

Highlights include powerful statements such as:-

• “Students make strong progress across all subjects”
• “Students are well mannered, good humoured and very welcoming, They are loyal to, and proud of, their school.”
• “There is a tangible sense of purpose and commitment to every student having a successful and happy experience of education”
• “(The school has) continued to develop and strengthen senior and middle leadership”
•  “Teachers go above and beyond on a regular basis”
•  “(The school has) created an ethos that allows every child to be valued”

These are just a few examples of a multitude of strongly positive comments throughout the letter.

Once again, thank you so much for your positive feedback during the inspection which meant a huge amount to us.

Sackville sports leaders sacrifice day off to lead primary basketball day

Thank you to Joe Astley, Joe Sheridan, Hannah Plumb, Jack Sands, Isobel Carrick, Anika Raymond, Archie Mabey and Luke Peel for giving up their INSET day off in order to run the primary basketball day in our sports hall on Tuesday 22 January. That is truly going the extra mile!

It’s only a matter of weeks until Sackville Ski Trip 2019

The slopes of New England await – time to get into training! 26 students spent an appropriately cold evening on the not-so-dry slope at Bowles on January 22nd honing their skills. Not long to wait now!

Sackville chefs cook up a storm

Congratulations to Bella Collins and Hannah Plumb from year 10 who secured first and second place at the latest round of the Rotary Young Chef competition on Saturday 19 January. Both girls go forward to the next round of the competition in March.

99% of parents would recommend Sackville to another family

Thank you to the more than 200 parents who completed the Ofsted ‘Parentview’ questionnaire in advance of the inspection on January 10th. We are delighted to share some of the outcomes, all of which we find very positive. Perhaps the most heartening is that 99% of respondents would recommend us to another parent. Equally encouraging for us is that at least 97% of respondents strongly agree or agree that their child is happy, safe, well looked-after and makes good progress at Sackville. Every respondent viewed the school as well led and managed.

We would like to add that the success we achieve is based on a three-way partnership between us, the students and most importantly our parent and carer community. Thank you for everything you do to support us.