“I was nervous about being new to the school but the school arranged for me to meet my form tutor before I joined in September. I was able to ask any questions and find out lots of information which helped me with the move into secondary school. The wellbeing sessions run by Miss John also help us to think about how we are feeling and what support we need. I’ve made lots of friends since joining the school and am so pleased I came here!

“My favourite subject is P.E and I love that there are so many after school clubs to choose from so I can try out new sports and improve my skills. I can get involved in loads of clubs such as basketball, judo, or even weightlifting! I also try my best in my lessons and I’m competitive so it helps me be successful with everything I do!”

“We are always challenged by our teachers and supported to get the best possible grades at every stage of our learning. It’s crucial to not rely on a textbook all the time; my teachers encourage me to use my initiative and do wider research on topics. I’m always impressed by the passion our teachers have. Alongside learning new content we’re also taught how to revise and recap the knowledge we’ve learned. This has helped me to get really good grades and feel more prepared for my GCSE exams.”

“I joined Cardinal Pole in Year 10 so it was scary being a new student so late into my secondary school journey. Regardless, I can’t thank my teachers and friends for being so welcoming and supportive! As Head Girl, I’m now a role model for younger students which has given me a newfound confidence in my leadership skills. It’s an honour to be able to give back to the school and be a reassurance for students who may feel how I felt when I joined!”

“The transition from GCSE to A-Levels was the most challenging for me. It’s known for being such a big learning curve and I was worried I wouldn’t do as well as I wanted to. Luckily, I developed close bonds with my teachers, who make sure I’m always on track and I am constantly building my knowledge and exam technique. They’ve allowed me to feel confident in my own abilities!”

“The job market these days is so saturated and our future careers can be a worry for students my age as it can feel like it’ll be impossible to progress and stand out. But at Cardinal Pole our Sixth Form Team and careers advisor gives us endless opportunities to apply our strengths and interests through taster sessions and work experience with a range of companies. We also get lots of support and advice when it comes to applying for universities or apprenticeships. It’s essential to have lots of options available to you and Cardinal Pole has easily given me that reassurance!”