Charters School is a successful mixed 11-19 comprehensive of 1500 pupils with a constantly expanding sixth form. It is popular and oversubscribed, and this is mainly the result of the school’s strong reputation for academic achievement built up over several years.

In December 2006, the school was rated as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, achieving top grades in all 52 of the categories inspected. Only a small percentage of schools nationally achieve a 'Grade 1: Outstanding' from Ofsted and even fewer are outstanding across the board. It is a recognition of the school’s high academic standards and overall excellence.

When the school was redesignated as a Specialist Sports College in 2006, the DfES also identified Charters as one of the highest achieving specialist colleges in the country and, therefore, invited us to apply for a second specialism. As a result, in 2007, Charters was awarded specialist status for Science. Achieving these prestigious awards not only gives us access to substantial increased fundings but also acknowledges Charters’ proven track record of work with the local community. This has also further enhanced the range of opportunities for our students to achieve academically and personally.

In encouraging and maintaining an ethos of consistently achieving ‘personal best’ through full participation, the school has developed a motto which summarises what Charters stands for: ‘Unity, Respect, Excellence’. In terms of ‘Unity’, it is hoped that all associated with the school work together in common pursuit of the school’s aims. In terms of ‘Respect’, the school’s emphasis on standards and politeness is paramount in day-to-day dealings with others in the school, both staff and pupils. The emphasis on ‘Excellence’ stresses the importance of achieving personal best in all that is done and having a collective as well as a personal sense of pride in this achievement. Above all, this ethos reinforces the school’s central belief of ensuring the well being of the child.