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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:
The year had been "dominated by the issues of the most prolonged and bitter industrial action our schools have experienced". until the signing of the Coventry agreement in July.
Falling rolls are still the key issue, with the consequent effect on staffing and finances, though the fall was slowing down. Staffing had to fall from 38.9 to 37 plus Head. Lois Shields had been on secondment, but did not return having won a sensational by-election and was returned to the House of Commons as Liberal MP for Ryedale - sensational given the strong Tory tradition in the area. Staff departures and arrivals are recorded in the staff list. One notable departure was the retirement of Molly McKie (Molly Skelton) who had taught at Malton Senior School prior to 1958, then Malton County Modern, then Malton School. Mrs Ann Bell arrived as a new clerical assistant.
English and Maths sets reduced from 5 to 4, Music and RE options from 2 to 1, Geography from 4 to 3 and History from 3 to 2. To some extent aided by the switch to GCSE. Other courses, particularly for less academic, were being trialled. A feasibility study for the introduction of Technology was underway with Mr Miller. It is noted that many of the government initiatives are given over to preparing pupils for employment. Mr Gresswell notes: "If we are to compete as a nation we must produce a generation of school leavers who can adapt to the changing needs of the economy in this twentieth century. ... But we must offer a balance"
Extra curricular activity was curtailed during the year. The Senior Citizens party did not take place for the first time in 13 years. Mr Gresswell was annoyed by critical press coverage of this fact - it "only served to impress on us how much extra-curricular offerings by members of staff had come to be taken for granted". Theatre trips were few, replaced to some extent by videos. Orchestral rehearsals recommenced after Easter. There were trips to Vindolanda, London, Dalby Forest and Pickering Castle. 51 pupils went to Pila, Italy, for the annual skiing trip.
Sport was also curtailed. Joanna Birks was chosen to compete in the Long Jump at the English Schools meeting in Portsmouth. The House system was suffering due to the present size of the school - four houses meant not too many to choose from in each year group. A fairly urgent need to re-examine the structure.
A level results seem not to have been affected by the strike action. Richard Hadfield went to Baliol College, Oxford, to read History. 31 out of 44 went to Higher education. O level however were "amongst the most disappointing we have had for a long time". A summary is in the exam results section.
The new AS exam (half an A level) was due for introduction next year. TVEI extension was coming. Records of Achievement are on their way. Staff appraisal is agreed in principle. Change to a four-term year is being actively discussed. The LEA continues its reappraisal of the structure of post-16 education in the County.