An academy has recruited more Science teachers in a bid to raise students’ grades after the results of a recent GCSE test were “disappointing”.

Parents of students at The Bushey Academy, London Road, Bushey, received a letter from the Academy explaining that Year 11 students had “under-achieved” in an AQA Science Assessment paper for Biology, Chemistry and Physics they sat on September 26.

The letter stated: “It is recognised that in many cases this is the result of the negative impact of teacher retention in previous years which has resulted in significant gaps in students’ knowledge.”

However, Jon Hebblethwaite, who became principal in April this year, said there has now been a big focus on the Science department at the school, in order to “raise achievement”.

He added that in the past few months he has led a recruitment drive to hire more Science teachers who are now “working tirelessly” to make improvements to the grades of the Year 11 students.

Mr Hebblethwaite said: “As part of our plan to raise achievement at the school, there has been a big focus on Science. It is a well-known fact that teacher recruitment in Science is a national issue and many schools are struggling with this. In the past, this has been an issue at The Bushey Academy in Science, and this was reflected in the results last summer.

“We have taken fast and decisive action to develop our approach in science, which is already having a positive impact. Students are showing progress as a result.

“In my first few months in post I led a drive to recruit Science teachers and happily we are now fully staffed in this area. The team are working tirelessly to raise standards and this is bearing fruit.”

Some of the new ideas include: creating extra classes to give a “more personalised experience for students”, ensuring the curriculum focuses on the areas to improve and weekly knowledge tests so that both the teacher and student can track progress. 

There will also be weekly after school booster sessions and support one day a week from The Meller Educational Trust’s Science advisor.