ARCHIVE PAGE: this website is gradually being updated from May 2022
Headmaster's reports were submitted to the Governing Body by Mr Gresswell: they were saved separately from minutes, and some survive. Additionally annual reports survive, which were written for presentation to the Annual PTA meeting, and first appeared in 1975.
Where staff departures and appointments are recorded, they have been added to the staff database. Exam summaries are given in more detail where data permits - in the exam summary pages. A selection of some of the more interesting items follows:
The first report to be printed on A4 paper - until now everything was foolscap
A significant drop in enrolment, as predicted and as was happening nationally, took the school to 648 students. This required a reduction of 2 staff. Latin was cut from the curriculum, though was offered through registration and lunchtime tuition (Mrs Shields), as was 16+ Geography (Mr Lucas). Closer liaison with primaries and with Norton and Ryedale was in operation.
A new computerised switchboard was finally installed, after many years of complaint. It allowed staff to phone out without going through the secretary, thus reducing interruptions to her work. A private study room separate from the Common Room was created (Room 2). The East Wing kitchens and dining room are to be converted to Art use in the coming year (1983-4), forced by the limited life expectancy of Art's current position in the "Airey" prefab. The old Girls' cloakroom in the East Wing quad was converted to a music practice room. The pottery room should convert to a TV lecture theatre and drama studio. A request to enclose the cycle racks (rear of West wing) for security purposes was not granted.
The 1981 Education act defined Special Needs more clearly. Malton abandoned the separate remedial class in Year One, and instead placed all pupils in 3 mixed ability groups, with special work being done through withdrawal. This will extend to Year two to five. Home Economics and CDT are now taught to boys and girls (removing and sex discrimination as required by law). "Design for Living" was introduced - a non-exam course for less academic students, leading to profiles or records of achievement. The first O level Computer Studies results were achieved by Mr Rowntree's group. A VELA control interface and a robot buggy were added to the RM 380z hardware. The 6th form foundation year introduced last year appeared successful.
Trips continued: skiing in the Cairngorms and Austria, Mrs Shields to Italy, Mr Joannidis to Greece, Mrs Smith to Switzerland. Camping at Langdale, climbers at Peak Scar, Brimham and Hetchell, Geographers to East Barnby, Biologists to Saltwick, RE to Leeds. Edinburgh, Whitby, Helmsley, Rievaulx, York, Lightwater Valley, Billingham, Newtondale, Hole of Horcum, Scarborough and London were all visited by groups.
Sport was as vigorous as ever. The Open Tennis Tournament has now become a popular fixture in the summer term. Mrs Roberts has donated trophies.
142 Fourth Years went on Work experience in an area extending from Newcastle to Stamford Bridge and from Scarborough to Leeds.
Exam results: "although some individual results disappointed overall we had reason to be satisfied by the overall picture." O and CSE were "probably our best so far." Ruth Hadfield achieved A grades in all 9 O level subjects, plus AO Maths. Comparisons with Grammar school days, and existing Grammar Schools, still concerns Mr Gresswell.