“My daughter and I visited Upper Shirley High and we feel this is a school where she will be very happy and thrive.”
Prospective parent
“You drive improvements successfully.”
Ofsted 2016
“We are just writing to say how very impressed myself and my husband were at the Open Morning on Saturday. As a result of this, our daughter can't wait to come to Upper Shirley next September - her words were "Why can't I start now?"
”
Year 6 parent
“The academy benefits from being part of a local multi-academy trust. You particularly value the close links this gives the academy with its community.”
Ofsted 2016
“I feel that the close-knit community at USH has helped me develop and flourish as an individual and reach my potential.”
Year 11 leaver
“The Endeavour Centre offers a wide range of good support for pupils with particular learning needs.”
Ofsted 2016
“Thank you for helping me to gain confidence in myself and motivating me to keep going and stay happy.”
Year 11 leaver
“My teacher gave me the confidence to do things that I would never have dreamt of doing.”
Year 11 leaver
“Particular strengths include the quality of feedback offered to pupils on their work and good questioning which probes understanding and ensures its security.”
Ofsted 2016
“To my tutor: "Thank you for being so supportive to me during exam time and making tutor time enjoyable."”
Year 11 leaver
“Learning is promoted strongly.”
Ofsted 2016
“.... best school production we have ever seen.”
Parent
“Your school production of Cats was utterly amazing, on a par with, or much better than some so-called professional productions.”
Year 8 parent
“I would really like to congratulate you and the team on the year 7 transition, which worked wonderfully. My son has flourished since arriving at USH and is really happy.”
Year 7 parent
“Warmest congratulations for an outstanding school performance of Cats. The hard work of staff and students was most evident and their professionalism was second to none.”
Year 8 parent
“My daughter is extremely lucky to have such dedicated teachers to help her on her way.”
Year 10 parent
“It is clear you have tremendous enthusiasm and passion, not just for the school but more importantly, for the students.”
Year 9 parent
“i would like to pass on my appreciation for the excellent Awards Evening held at St Mary's Hall.”
Parent
“USH has transformed my daughter.”
Year 8 parent
“The whole DofE experience has pushed both my sons so far out of their comfort zone and I have really seen them grow in confidence as a result. It is opportunities like this that make USH such a great school.”
Parent
“You demonstrate great ambition for this academy and for the quality of its work for pupils and their families.”
Ofsted 2016
“The quality of learning in English is particularly good. Pupils also learn well in mathematics and their progress is improving.”
Ofsted 2016
“What a lovely gesture by two of your students and how refreshing in this day and age to find such honesty.”
Member of public
“Since my son has attended Upper Shirley High, he has gone from strength to strength.”
Year 8 parent
“The governance of the academy is strong.”
Ofsted 2016
“Pupils with additional learning, or welfare needs are looked after well and their learning is supported effectively.”
Ofsted 2016
“Pupils are making better progress in the academy.”
Ofsted 2016
“What a wonderful atmosphere there was and how impressed I was with the school and its pupils.”
Grandparent, following Grandparents Morning on Remembrance Day
“I wish to congratulate the school for inviting grandparents to your Poppy Service this morning. Being greeted so warmly on such an awful day was great. Having four grandaughters, this is the first time my husband and I have ever been invited to a senior school. The refreshments were fantastic. Many thanks. ”
'A very happy grandparent'
“My teachers went above and beyond their work, pushed us and supported us, no matter what challenges we faced.”
Year 11 leaver
“To my PE teacher: "Thank you for being such a great tutor/PE teacher and helping me through my five years at this school."”
“Good teaching continues to support pupils’ good progress.”
Ofsted 2016
“Pupils feel challenged and stretched and say that many of their teachers are ambitious for them. This inculcates positive attitudes to learning and to examination success.”
Ofsted 2016
“Governance is strong.”
Ofsted 2016
“Please congratulate the staff and students that took part in Rock Challenge last night. I thought USH's piece was excellent and deserved a top slot! Our son is already up for next year's show.”
Year 7 Parent
“We feel USH is committed to providing stimulating environments in which children can develop and learn.”
Prospective parent
“The way the school has dealt with my child's transition in Year 7 has been fantastic - my child is making great progress in their learning, thanks to some inspiring teaching.”
Year 7 Parent
“Both my boys have grown through the opportunity to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Programme; it is one of the many things that makes USH such a very special school.”
Parent
“The academy means business on literacy.”
Ofsted 2016
“Reward badges that pupils wear with such pride are successful. The Library is used well.”
Ofsted 2016
“This is a good school for the creative variety of subjects.”
Year 6 parent
“We share the high aspirations that the school has and this would suit our daughter.”
Prospective parent
“Thank you so much for your hard work in getting my son through his DofE final expedition and for giving him this opportunity.”
Year 10 parent
“…significant strengths in Film Studies, Performing and Visual Arts subjects, Physical Education, Geography and Catering…”
Ofsted 2016
“Thank you for being here for us. You have taught me so much and made me improve my grades.”
Year 11 leaver
“Our school celebrates everything and everyone, which makes the community bond even stronger; no one is ignored.
”
Year 11 student
“Visit of Chris Lubbe: "All of my children seemed to be profoundly affected - in a good way - by this visit. They were spellbound and it sounds as if everyone else was too."”
Parent
“Cats was outstanding - what a fantastic achievement. Congratulations to everyone involved.”
Year 10 and 9 parent
“You can see the sense of pride felt by the students about their uniform and this enables them to live up to the ethos/values of the school.”
Year 6 parent
“All pupils are aware of their target grades and use this information to steer their learning.”
Ofsted 2016
“I would like to thank you for being such an inspiration to both my sons.”
Year 10 and 9 parent
“I just wanted to say how impressed I have been this last week, having attended both Cats at the Nuffield and the Awards Evening.”
Year 8 parent
“You and your staff place an appropriately very high emphasis on pupil’s safety and welfare.”
Ofsted 2016
“Please pass on our thanks to all concerned and the teachers for their hard work and commitment to USH over the years - very much appreciated.
”
Parent
“You and your senior team regard the management of the quality of teaching as central to your work.”
Ofsted 2016
“I want to thank you and your team for the compelling vision of the future of USH.”
Year 9 parent
“Thank you for arranging the excellent Parent Workshops on "The Adolescent Brain" - they were brilliant! My husband and I both found it very useful...we will be back for more!”
Year 7 Parent after attending an USH Parent Workshop
“Thank you to every teacher that helped me when I needed them: I don't have one teacher to pick from - there are lots.”
Year 11 leaver
“Having seen the school and spoken to pupils and staff, we believe USH would offer our daughter the best opportunity of developing her academic and creative potential.”
Prospective parent
“The academy has a very good level of awareness about the ‘Prevent’ programme.”
Ofsted 2016
“I am absolutely delighted by the very high levels of pride my daughter shows in her work.”
Year 11 parent
“Pupils are welcoming and friendly and many are proud of their academy. ”
Ofsted 2016
“You are very ambitious for the success of pupils and staff here and you drive improvement strongly and securely. You are supported in this by a strong senior team and effective middle leaders. ‘Learning without Limits’ is the clear message, and the expectation of all.”
Ofsted 2016
“Strong systems are in place to keep you and other leaders closely informed about the quality of all aspects of the academy’s work.”
Ofsted 2016
“Once again, thank you so much to you and your intrepid team for giving up your weekend to spend a very wet 2 days in the New Forest, guiding the youngsters through their final DofE expeditions. ”
Parent
“The teachers have been an absolute inspiration to me from the start and have supported me during my time at USH.”
Year 11 leaver
“I think the new uniform looks really great. I'm just filling in the form for my daughter to join next September!”
Year 10 parent
“Your students who helped at our infant school sports day were polite and helpful and an absolute credit to the school.”
Infant School parent
“Thank you so much to your staff who gave up their weekends to provide an amazing experience for the young people doing DofE.”
Year 10 parent
