After the news of this summer's GCSE results and their analysis, I was very privileged to be able to attend the presentation evening at Settlebeck High School at Sedbergh to see them all rewarded for their efforts over the last five years and to hear a little bit of their ongoing education this year.

There was a fascinating pictorial history of their school lives from year 7 onwards which may have embarrassed some of them!

The school exceeded the top 25 per cent target set for schools nationally. Perhaps most impressively, the proportion of students making four or more levels progress, that is exceeding the progress they were expected to make in both English and Maths GCSEs, made Settlebeck, for these measures, the top school in Cumbria.

It is my favourite event of the year that I am privileged to attend as Chair of Governors as it celebrates so much that is special about Settlebeck, with awards being given not just for top performers but for those who have excelled by effort, achievement and personal values.

I was given the opportunity to tour the school and talk to pupils when Tim Farron MP visited the school recently. Not only was he very concerned about the lack of provision for transport of sixth formers to Kendal for their post 16 education but how this same transport provision affects their out of school activities, which has led to their involvement in the planning of a new skate park in town.

He was very keen to hear from the students about their experiences of Settlebeck and Sedbergh. He fascinated them with his personal history of education and then his progress toward his current position as leader of the party.

M.P. Ripley

Chair of Governors

Settlebeck High School, Sedbergh