Whole Child Achievement at Goldwyn School
ASPIRE EMPOWER ACHIEVE
At Goldwyn School, we are ambitious for every young person. We believe that success should never be measured solely by examination results. Whilst qualifications are an important outcome, they represent only one part of a much bigger picture.
As a specialist school for students with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, our mission is to transform lives through our Whole Child Curriculum. We are proud advocates of a more inclusive accountability system—one that recognises the importance of academic achievement alongside wellbeing, personal development, attendance, engagement, independence and successful preparation for adulthood.
We therefore measure Whole Child Achievement, holding ourselves accountable for the outcomes that matter most to our students and their futures.
We are proud to announce that August 2026 transpired in our best outcomes ever for children and young people at Goldwyn.
90%+ met end of Key stage EHCP Outcomes
98% have a meaningful destination for Post 16
100 % of students accessing the Engagement Curriculum increased school attendance and engagement
Academic Excellence
Whilst recognising our unique context, we remain unapologetically ambitious academically.
Over the past three years Goldwyn has seen a significant increase in higher-level qualifications, demonstrating the impact of our curriculum and teaching.
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cohort | 47 | 41 | 44 |
| Students achieving GCSE Grades 4–9 | 60% | 66% | 30% |
| Students achieving GCSE Grades 1–9 | 98% | 100% | 84% |
| Number of Level 2 Qualifications (Grades 4–9) | 97 | 69 | 35 |
| Students achieving 4 or more Level 2 Qualifications Average Total Qualifications achieved | 21% 8 | 15% 7 | 7% 6 |
The three-year trend demonstrates a substantial increase in students achieving higher-level qualifications despite the increasing complexity of need within our cohorts.
Vocational Excellence
Preparing students for adulthood is central to our curriculum.
Our vocational pathways develop practical skills, industry-recognised qualifications and confidence for future employment.
2026 Highlights
Music (Level 2 Equivalent)
100% achieved a Grade 9–4 equivalent
50% achieved Distinction* (equivalent to approximately GCSE Grade 8.5)
English Language (Goldwyn Ashford & Goldwyn Folkestone)
100% students entered achieved a GCSE pass (Grades 1–9).
SPORT
100% pass rate
Photography
100% achieved Grades 9–4
These outcomes reflect our belief that vocational education should be every bit as ambitious as academic learning, preparing students with the knowledge, skills and confidence required for successful adult lives.
Understanding Our Students – Context
Every student at Goldwyn has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), with Social, Emotional and Mental Health identified as their primary area of need.
Many of our students join Goldwyn having experienced significant barriers to learning, including:
Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA)
Persistent or severe absence
Multiple school placements
Exclusion
Trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
Interrupted education
Low confidence and engagement
Our Goldwyn pathways address the barriers to the most vulnerable students. Goldwyn Plus pathway provides to students typically join us in Years 10 and 11, often after prolonged periods away from education. It is common for students entering this pathway to arrive with attendance between 0% and 30%, having disengaged from learning for many months. The Whole Child aspirational offer is planned for every student in Goldwyn school.
National research demonstrates that young people who experience multiple Adverse Childhood Experiences are significantly more likely to experience poor educational outcomes, lower attendance, poorer mental health and reduced life opportunities. Similarly, persistent absence is one of the strongest predictors of lower GCSE attainment.
At Goldwyn, we refuse to let these experiences define a young person’s future.
Through evidence-informed practice, trauma-informed relationships and an ambitious curriculum, we rebuild confidence, restore engagement and create pathways to success. Our focus is not simply on helping students pass examinations—it is on enabling them to thrive in adulthood.
Beyond Qualifications
Some of our proudest achievements cannot be measured by examinations alone.
Every year students benefit from more than 500 enrichment experiences, including:
The Globe Theatre
Residential visits
Forest School
Duke of Edinburgh Award
Outdoor Education
Art galleries
Museums
Sporting events
Community projects
Leadership opportunities
Careers education
Work experience
These experiences develop resilience, confidence, independence, teamwork and cultural capital – qualities that remain with our students long after they leave Goldwyn.
Our ambition is that every young person leaves us:
Academically successful.
Emotionally resilient.
Socially confident.
Ready for adulthood.
Equipped for employment or further education.
Proud of who they are.
Ready to make a positive contribution to their community.
That is what Whole Child Achievement means at Goldwyn School.
Aspire • Empower • Achieve
“We do not simply measure the grades our students achieve; we measure the futures they create.”
