TRUTH, integrity and spirit are the ideals that students at Fartown High School live by during their school day.

This busy community has taken on a new identity with the introduction of a house system, new uniforms, website and logo.

And headteacher Izabella Atraszkiewicz, now a year in post, is keen to build on these changes to ensure Fartown is a “School For Life” for each and every one of its pupils.

Her proudest moments so far include the school being the highest achiever in Kirklees for the Contextual Value Added score in the latest school performance league tables.

The score reflects the academic point which students arrive at Fartown with and the achievement they make during their five years at the schools.

“Our CVA score puts us among the top five per cent of schools in the country and the starting point students come to us with, and the distance we move them on to is better than any other school in Kirklees,” Izabella added.

An enthusiastic professional, she describes the current mood at the school as “exciting stuff.”

Latin house names – bonitas (integrity), veritas (truth) and animus (spirit) have helped to give students a good sense of belonging to the school and smart new uniforms give a new sense of identity.

The school achieved specialist status for science and humanties in September and the government funding which it brings will be used to bring the school’s science, ICT and humanties facilities into the 21st century providing excellent opportunities for students learning.

The school dining room has already undergone a major refurbishment providing a light, modern space for lunch and breaktimes.

And restructuring of the school leadreship team and introduction of new and experienced staff give good learning chances for students.

Fartown is a National Challenge school – a government initiative launched in June last year to secure higher standards in secondary schools so that, by 2011, at least 30 per cent of pupils in every school will gain five or more GCSEs at A* to C, including both English and mathematics.

To this end, year 11 students recently took part in a special day titled “Step Up to the Opportunity” organised by Andy Lewis and Greg Murphy.

It included development workshops to help students think about their learning styles, goals and their vision for the future.

Students’ comments from the day included:

It’s something I’ll take with me throughout my life

It’s fun and gets you involved and thinking

Best time of my school career

Nothing is impossible if you want to achieve

Izabella added: “Fartown High School has a dedicated and highly skilled staff who work very hard to push students above their expected targets. It is undoubtedly a school where all students achieve their potential, whether they require additional support to meet their needs, or whether they are gifted and talented. It is indeed a “School for Life.” Visit Fartown’s website at: www.fartownhs.co.uk