Awards evening for high school students

He told the audience that it had been a difficult first year since moving Bexhill High from Down Road to its new £40 million premises in Gunters Lane.

“However, from this September, there has been a marked change in the atmosphere and a clear determination on the part of students and staff to succeed. I can really see the difference and levels of progress are steadily rising,” he said.

“The first year has had its challenges in terms of adjusting to the new building, with the inevitable glitches; introducing the new school day, again with the expected as well as unexpected difficulties; the changes in the curriculum and classroom design.

“All these have caused a degree of stress and concern but have also led to the rewards we are now enjoying.

“There can be no doubt that last year’s Year 11 students had to make significant adjustments in their final year and these proved extremely challenging not least of all on the first day when, in pouring rain, they also had to take GCSE exams.”

Mr Conn reflected on last year’s examination results when 66 per cent of students gained five A*-C grades with 50 per cent gaining five with English and Mathematics.

Guest speaker was local businessman and councillor Stuart Earl.