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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:
This was the year of the major teacher's strike action: unpleasant and unwelcome on all sides. The NASUWT instructed teachers to withdraw their services for one hour at a time, and chose the hours to cause maximum effect. Also they limited paperwork. Lunchtime supervision was withdrawn. Lightning strikes as well. The other unions - AMMA and NUT joined in.
The school roll continued to fall, this year to 574, with 98 in the Sixth.
Mr Gresswell had a six week secondment to the Regional Headship Unit at Woolley Hall, looking at 14-18 curriculum and preparation of young people for the world of work. City & Guilds and BTEC courses (Business and Technician Education Council) looked promising, as did the CPVE (Certificate for Pre-Vocational Education) for 6th form. These were for discussion, but a national change was scheduled for introduction in 1986 by Keith Joseph- the change to GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education). All subjects will include an element of school based assessment - 20%-50% of total marks. More emphasis on investigation and evaluation and less on acquisition of facts. The government decided no additional resources were necessary for training in respect of this new style. It was aimed at the top 60% of the school population.
Drama was introduced into the curriculum for 2-2 2-3 3-2 and 3-3. Careers lessons moved into Year Three. Word Processing was offered for the first time using the BBC computers, as was Keyboard Skills and Computer Appreciation. Lifeskills (AEB) was introduced - taught by Mr Peters.
A Sixth Form council was re-established. Mr Mason became Exams Officer, taking over the role from Mr Ewing.
The school no longer possessed its own groundstaff. Standards had fallen as a result.
Commercial Studies transferred to Room 20. Heating continues its annual appearance as a source of cost and annoyance. Leaks finally compelled county to do some maintenance. Self-help under Mr Wild's direction converted a cloakroom to an office in West Wing - the Building Studies class.
Trips and activities did go ahead, though curtailed by the strike action. London, Rome, Normandy, Paris, Switzerland all received visits. Theatre trips to Ripon, Newcastle, York. A new venture was a water-sports strip to Farinette in the South of France for senior pupils, and two ski trips to Pila, Italy, and the Cairngorms took place. Rock climbing continued, and became part of Upper School Games. The Computer Club flourished under Mr Hilton. Field trips to East Barnby, and the combined residential Sixth Form course took place at Wydale Hall near Brompton; seven Malton Sixth Formers took part.
A level results were " the most satisfactory for at least three years." Ruth Hadfield achieved passes in 5 subjects. 75% moved on to Higher Education. "O level and CSE were certainly among our best ever." City & Guilds Numeracy had been taken by 5D and 5E Maths with considerable success (6 distinctions and 11 credits), and RSA typing was being entered - "this year saw the first male candidate sit the exam and pass with distinction.".
Mr Gresswell admits something which appears in most of his reports: "Even after fourteen years of comprehensive education in Malton we are still haunted by the spectre of comparison with the Grammar School." Mr Gresswell apparently had been told by an Old Maltonian that standards did not compare with the Grammar School, but he points out that " 25 to 30% of intake are regularly achieving 5 O level passes - more than the percentage of a year group even admitted to the Grammar School." In the last 5 years of the Grammar School 25.4% achieved 3 or more passes - with the best year 40%. "Over the last five years of this school the average was 54%, with a high of 68%". "We cannot be said to be failing the area in comparison."