Parents/carers of current year 6 students

Welcome to Highfields School!

If you are reading this, then you must already be interested in our school and what we are doing.

All we wanted to say here is don't worry, we are working on how we can best help you smoothly make the move to being a Highfields student. We are thinking through all the issues and concerns you might have - what is the school like? How will I find my way around? How do I buy the uniform? What will happen with the buses?

We are planning ahead so that we can provide a transition process that is most likely to succeed in an academic year that may continue with year bubbles, limited contact and school cross-over opportunities.

To reassure you, the current year 7 have settled in very well, many coped better with our virtual transition than our normal one. We also want to keep you all as involved as possible to ensure you are fully informed across the whole process.

We are hopeful of inviting students and one parent/carer in to visit us on Friday 2 July for a short length of time at designated times during the day. However, this will be confirmed nearer the time when further announcements are made by the government.

We will keep updating everyone through the school website, but really specific messages will come from Mrs Green. She is the 'Year Manager' for year 7 and your first point of contact. Mrs Green has already emailed some information to parents/carers of our year 6 students via our WEDUC communication system.

If your family haven't received an email from Mrs Green, please email with your name and primary school so she can add you to our communication list (tgreen@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk).

September 2021 – Transport to school

The link below is to the Derbyshire County Council website that aims to answer any questions you may have on school transport in September 2021: https://derbyshire.gov.uk/education/schools/your-child-at-school/travel/school-transport.aspx

The site provides information on the options available for travelling between school and home, including details on free bus travel, timetables and DCC plans and policies for school transport.

Programme of events for year 6 students starting in September 2021

Year 6 parents/carers should all now be receiving information and activities for your child to complete, that will best help them make a smooth transition to Highfields School. Please make sure that you have download the Weduc app so that you receive all communications.

We will keep updating you on key information, but below are a few pieces of information and activities that you will expect to see before the start of term in September. Activity work and information forms must be returned by the deadline date to allow us to process the information to support your child.

From September, the transition programme will continue with some very focused ‘year 7’ time and activities. The first day of school is a dedicated to year 7 students only - this is Wednesday

1 September.

We will keep in touch to make sure students have the best possible transition experience in this climate. Our priority remains that students feel part of our community and to allay as many worries as possible whilst beginning to outline our expectations. In this way, together we will be able to ensure that every student begins their Highfields journey as smoothly as possible.

Date Received Document

For Student or Parent

March  Download Weduc app to receive all communication Parent April  Cashless catering form April  Student magazine Parent Student

May  Admission form/Allergy letter/Home school agreement

June Uniform information Parent

Parent and student

June Starkholmes virtual tour June Bus information June Pastoral Profiles June Geography on a plate June Pyramid ‘worries’ activity June Social medial/blanket consent/GDPR forms June Hand Activity June Form Room and Timetable Information Student Parent and student Parent and student Student Student Parent Student Student

2 July - to be confirmed

Current COVID regulations permitted

Visit to school for tour and to meet Year Manager and Head of Year - time slots allocated to ensure COVID regulations are adhered to School will email with details nearer the time as we need to ensure we are allowed additional students on site at this time

2 July Information Booklet

July Library/Accelerated Reader activity August ParentPay information to pay for locker, and load school dinner money account Parent

Student with one parent

Parent and student Student

Deadline date Deadline 12/3 Deadline 30/4

Deadline 15/5

Deadline 6/7 Deadline 2/7

Deadline 19/7

Reminder to return electronic forms

Thank you to the parents/carers of year 6 students who have returned the recent electronic forms issued by Mrs Green. We have a small number outstanding, so if you have not already done so, please can you complete these forms as a matter of urgency to ensure we can put everything in place to welcome your child in September. All information is sent through our parent communication system – Weduc, this includes emails and notifications.

The following forms have been issued:  Admissions forms – this is one of the most important documents for us as we need to ensure we have all the relevant contact details of each student.  Parent/carer agreement - peanut free site – we have a student starting in September with a severe peanut allergy and strict avoidance of peanut products is the only way to prevent a lifethreatening allergic reaction. We are asking your assistance in providing the student with a safe learning environment and require you to complete this form.  Home school agreement – we ask students, parents/carers and the school to work in partnership and would like you to sign to confirm your agreement to working together in the best interests of your child.  Cashless catering – please complete the consent for your child’s finger to be scanned. Please note the finger scan is only to enable your child to be recognised at the till point to purchase food and is not used for any other purpose. If students do not have consent for the scan they will need to input a six digit code to the pin machine at the till point.

Each form is short and should be easy to complete. If any parents/carers have difficulty in accessing the information, please contact Mrs Green via email (tgreen@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk)

Reminder of information previously issued

Y6 welcome magazine

Our current year 7 students collated information in PHSE lessons on how to welcome year 6 students to Highfields. Our students produced a magazine in their form classes and we have taken relevant sections from them all to pass to your child. Please access via the link below: https://www.highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk/parents/year-six-information/year-6-magazine/

We hope this will give your child a little insight into what it is like at Highfields, from a current year 7 perspective, in advance with them starting with us in September.

Year 6 induction sessions – Friday 2 July 2021

We would like to remind you to keep Friday 2 July free for our induction sessions – we will confirm full details as soon as possible in June after government guidance has been released.

We look forward to meeting your child soon, but if you have queries in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Green via email:

tgreen@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk

School vacancies

Teacher of Drama or Teacher of Drama and Dance

Location Highfields School, Matlock Reference JOB/21/01728 Salary details MPS/UPS Job term Full Time Appointment type Fixed Term - Covering for maternity leave Hours 1.00 FTE Closing Date 09 June 2021

For October 2021 we are looking for a Teacher of Drama or Teacher of Drama and Dance to join our successful department on a temporary basis to cover maternity leave.

You should be highly motivated, innovative with an infectious enthusiasm for promoting creativity and encouraging free thinking. You will be expected to inspire our students and nurture within them an understanding and appreciation for drama (and dance) through a range of curricular and extracurricular activities.

The students and staff at Highfields School make it a fantastic place to work. Our students are friendly and confident and we strive to ensure that they achieve the success that they deserve.

We are looking for someone who is willing to contribute fully to the life of the school and who is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

If you have any questions regarding the role please contact Emily our Head of Department for Drama and Dance by email: ebonsall@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk

Provisional Interview Date: Week commencing 14 June 2021.

Due to this post having access to children and/or vulnerable adults, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information provided.