Issue 11

Highfields School Newsletter

2022-23 Issue11: 2December2022

Our newsletter aims to keep parents and carers up to date with school news, activities and key information throughout the year.

If you have any feedback on or suggestions for the newsletter, please send your comments via email to newsletter@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk

Don’t forget to visit our website (www.highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk) for more news and information.

Thank you for taking the time to read our news and for your support.

A Marsh Headteacher

Messagefromtheheadteacher

Please have a look at the following page of this newsletter headed ‘SOS’. We have been contacted by teachers at two schools in Kiev. They throw whatever problems we may face at Highfields into stark relief as they are currently teaching in basements to avoid air raids and have neither electricity nor heat nor running water. They have asked Highfields for some Christmas presents for their students … small gifts will do … can you help? We have from Monday to Friday next week ONLY.

Are you finding it hard to get people to do work on your house/car? For our part, getting site projects completed is proving very difficult at the moment. We seem to be encountering repeated claims from employers that their capacity has been limited by understaffing.

With this in mind I want to apologise to students and staff who rely normally on the lift at Starkholmes. For far too long it has been under repair and we have had to make repeated calls to Stannah to fix it. I attach a picture which was taken on one of my many visits to operatives working on the various problems the lift has presented. On one occasion

I asked the lead technician how things were going and he answered wearily, ‘up and down’…which puzzled me because the whole problem seemed to revolve around the lift refusing to do exactly that.

This is just one example of where Highfields’ site team and I are constantly working with contractors to ensure that our student and staff needs are seen to. In other words - we realise that there are issues but these are not for want of effort or action on our part.

Thank you to anyone who completed a survey over the last few weeks. In the same way as people responding to surveys are more likely to add comments if they are unhappy, we on senior team are always tempted to overlook all the positive feedback and go straight to the negatives. We read each comment individually (which is how I know that one parent feels that the senior team needs to smile more when on morning bus duty) and try to figure out how we should adapt practice to improve further. As regards bus duty I have taken a photo of myself to see how I appear (see evidence) and I could definitely be more smiley so please honk if you see me grimacing in the rain and I will remember to beam infectiously. On a serious note, thanks again for taking thetimeto feedback andsee theoutcomes of the survey later in this newsletter.

In lessons this week I strayed into a food lesson which focused on presentation. I just loved in this lesson the exuberance and the competition between students and teacher. I loved the focus on skill, execution and detail. There is something about food which draws out the best response in students who can occasionally struggle in other lessons.The examplepictured belonged toSophie and showed a range of techniques and skills (in addition, by the way, to dusting her plate with cocoa powder she had also dusted her worktop, sink, apron and face to the point where she looked like a miner just finishing a shift). The teacher had further raised the bar by offering her own example as the one to beat.

мужність українських вчителів дуже надихає мене і моїх колег. Якщо ви знаєте будь-яких вчителів, будь ласка, скажіть їм, що ми думаємо про них у цей жахливий час. Have a good weekend all - remember, if you go shopping, to perhaps pick something from the central aisle which may be suitable for one of the students in the Technical Lyceum School.

A Marsh Headteacher

SOS from Kiev: Technical Lyceum School and Gymnasium 178

Highfields has received an SOS call from two schools in Kiev - Technical Lyceum School (http://tlkpi.kiev.ua/) and Gymnasium 178 (https://178.com.ua/). They are still managing to teach although this is often in basements due to the air raids and without electricity, water or heating due to Russian attacks on power stations.

They have children in Y5-Y9 and some of our school community are hoping to send items they are not able to source due to the war, as well as some treats to help brighten their basement lessons and bring some festive cheer.

For one weekonly: 5-9December We will be collecting sweets, chocolate, candies, small toys, small torches or candles, batteries, stationery, note books, Christmas socks, small hot water bottles or empty shoeboxes. These will be taken to the children’s schools in Kiev. Please do not wrap presentsastheyneedtobechecked beforesendingon totheschools.

Students can drop off items at either school site:  Lumsdale – please leave items in the white storage container under the Christmas tree in the Wheeldon Hall

 Starkholmes - please take items to reception and we will store them in the meeting room until collection.

Contact: swalker@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk if you have any further questions.

Thank you for any support you are able to give.

Stakeholder survey outcomes

We were delighted to receive 297 responses to our recent parents/carers survey. These were supplemented by responses from students and colleagues to their respective surveys. More detail will follow once we’ve had a chance to work through all your feedback. For now here are some quick headlines:

Parents and carers are overwhelmingly appreciative of so much of what we do as a school, including pastoral care, the variety of opportunities on offer, instilling belief and confidence among young people, providing enjoyable and engaging lessons, and the dedication of school staff.

88% of parents and carers said that their child is happy at Highfields, with 89% reporting that their child is kept safe, and 90% being pleased with the range of subjects we offer through our curriculum. We are also very grateful that 88% of parents and carers said they would recommend Highfields to others.

All surveys provide us with a range of pointers for improvement, which we'll consider carefully. Your priorities absolutely reflect our own. We are committed toproviding consistently high quality teaching and ensuring positive, calm, respectful behaviour amongst all of our students. One theme emerging from the parents and carers survey is the desire for more communication about what students learn and how they are progressing. We will consider this aspect carefully, and would like to point to the range of information in the Curriculum and Support section of our website (under ‘Our School’). This includes curriculum booklets outlining content at each Key Stage and curriculum benchmarks –statements of what we want students to know, understand and be able to do in each subject in Key Stage 3.

Thanks again for your responses – they all help us to get a view of how we are doing and to be the best we can.

Derbyshire County Council – Household Support Fund

As part of the Government’s Household Support Fund Scheme, Derbyshire County Council is distributing funding to household’s struggling to pay for food, energy and essential living costs.

As part of the scheme, the Council will again be distributing grocery vouchers. Information about who is eligible for the vouchers is available on the DCC website and distribution will start in January 2023. Derbyshire County Council’s website will be updated when all vouchers have been distributed along with details of what parents and carers should do if they haven’t received their voucher.

Full details about the scheme and the support available for those experiencing financial hardship is available through the County Council’s website at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/householdsupportfund

Online safety tips

Please see the 12 online safety tips of Christmas for children with new devices (overleaf).

The link below also provides additional information for parents/carers to support child(ren): https://www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/

School emergency closure procedure: Early notice regarding school strategy/risk assessment

We have now reached the time of year when we alert you to the steps we take if we are forced to close the school in an emergency, ie due to extreme weather conditions or equipment failures associated with the change in the weather. We should stress at the outset that this is something we only do with great reluctance, but our overriding concern is the health and safety of our students and sometimes such action is unavoidable.

Feedback from parents/carers, students and staff suggests that communication over snow closures needs to be clear and timely. The handling of snow closures will always create discussion within a school community. I hope that this at least explains our approach in advance of any snow closure.

Current challenges around making the school site and approaches clear after snow or heavyice:



Derbyshire County Council prioritises main routes and will not guarantee early clearance and gritting. 

A local business has agreed to clear both sites but cannot grit. Other companies will not grit because of a perceived fear of litigation. Clearing both sites takes longer than schools who have to clear only one site.  We have investigated the purchase of a mini tractor/snowplough/gritter but cannot justify a significant expense for equipment that is needed for only a few days a year. 

Ice is just as big a risk to opening as snow and is as hard to clear with current resources. There have been a number of accidents on our sites caused by ice and this has resulted in injury to staff and students with resultant absences from work/school.

Risksofopeningwhenheavysnow or iceisexpected/forecast: 

Snow and ice increases risk of road traffic accidents for student and staff.  Busservicesareoftencancelledwhichresultsinsomestudentsbeingstrandedwithparents/carers being forced to make arrangements. 

Student numbers will be high (many are local) but staff numbers may be very low (our staff travel in from locations such as Sheffield, Stoke and Buxton). This can result in students being unsupervised on site. Usually when school is open following heavy snow, lessons are adversely affected and staff can find themselves supervising very large numbers of students with a consequent impact on learning. 

The sites are surrounded by steep hills and this provides further risk to motorists and pedestrians following heavy snow/ice. 

Where late notice is given that school is opening (as leaders seek to assess the situation until the last possible moment), parents/carers have reported that pressure is put on them to revise childcare arrangements. 

Early clearance cannot be guaranteed. Accidents on school sites following snow or ice have resulted in injury, sustained absence and costly litigation in the recent past. 

Staff/student time which can be used for productive work from home can be wasted on long and hazardous journeys to the school sites only to find lessons being badly disrupted or cancelled due to staff and student absence.

Riskof NOTopeningwhenheavy snowor iceisexpected/forecast:

Parents/carers are caused inconvenience by having to adapt childcare arrangements 

Learning time is lost (although through Covid lockdowns we have very much improved our remote learning offer) 

The leadership of the school will incur criticism if forecast heavy snow does not arrive despite school being closed.

School strategyregardingsnowclosure:

1. The school will seek to communicate clearly with parents/carers and local cluster primary schools when heavy snow or ice is forecast or expected.

2. To minimise the risk to students and staff, and to facilitate childcare adaptations for parents and carers, the school will aim to close as soon as heavy overnight snowfall is probable.

3. The school will seek to announce closure before midnight and definitely before 6.00am. The school accepts that this may result in widespread criticism if heavy snow does not fall or does but doesn’t settle.

School emergency closure procedure

Snow– during schoolhours:

If there is a heavy snowfall during the day while students are already in school, and it becomes clear that getting home at the normal time may be difficult or dangerous, we may decide to close early. If we do close, the following instructions are given to students before they are allowed to leave the premises:

• If students know for sure that they have a safe destination with someone to look after them (such as their own home or a relative, neighbour or friend’s home) and provided they are sure they can reach this destination, they may leave when asked to do so.

• If students are uncertain whether there is someone at home, they need to check before departure and should telephone to make sure of their arrangements. The school will make its telephones available free of charge to those who do not have a mobile phone, but obviously this may delay departure as we only have three external lines. Students should only leave once they are certain of their arrangements.

It would be helpful if you can discuss at home what you want your son/daughter to do in the event of school closing early so that they know of arrangements in advance.

If students cannot make arrangements and are not sure what to do and where to go, they must remain in school in the care of the staff of the school until suitable arrangements have been made. A member of staff will always remain in school with students until everyone has been collected.

Snow– overnight:

In the event of heavy snow overnight we would ask parents/carers to use their discretion in deciding if it is safe for their child to set off for school. Emergency closures happen perhaps once or twice a year.

The school will inform you of closure as soon as the decision is made to close the school, by various means: theschoolwebsite; BBCRadioDerby,bytext and/oremailandtheWeducapp. Oncestudents have been sent home, students and parents/carers should listen to local radio or check our website for further instructions about our plans for the following day. This information is usually posted on the school website by 7.30am each morning.

Breakdownofequipment:

If, as happens very occasionally, we suffer a complete breakdown of equipment, depriving the school of its basic services, such as electricity or water, we may be forced to send students home for their own safety. The same procedure will be followed as for a snow closure.

Reminder: Christmas dinner – 7 December

Christmas dinner will be served across both school sites on Wednesday 7 December.

If your child would like a Christmas dinner, please ensure that you have paid separately in advance via ParentPay. The cost of the Christmas meal is £2.60 and includes a hot Christmas lunch (turkey or vegetable bake), a pudding and Radnor Fruits drink.

If your child does not wish to have a Christmas dinner, please ensure they come to school with a packed lunch as only a hot Christmas lunch is being served on 7 December. There will be no morning break snacks served on 7 December to allow the preparation and cooking of Christmas lunch.

Forthcoming events:

December INSET days: Monday 5 December and Thursday 22 December are INSET days and no students will be in school.

Christmas concert:

Highfields Christmas concert will be held the evening of Wednesday 14 December in the Wheeldon Hall at Lumsdale (upper school site) – details will be published shortly.

School News

Fundraising for BBC Children in Need

We are pleased to announce that we raised a total of £1,056.91 for Children in Need from activities that students took part in across both school sites on Friday 18 November. Thank you to everyone who donated.

Manchester Bee Monument Miss Sellers

Art club students in years 7 and 8 have been taking part in creating bees in aid of the Manchester Bee Monument. The sculpture has been made out of seized knives and firearms is in collaboration with the GreaterManchester Police and aimsto highlight the city’s stance against all forms ofviolence.

Students have been getting crafty with local artist Sallie Tyson, who ran a workshop creating a variety of different bees with students. Sallie is a local beekeeper who thought students at Highfields would love to get involved in creating miniature bees. These bees will be handed out when people visit the sculpture.

The sculpture is making its grand tour around the Derbyshire area and will be in Hall Leys Park, Matlock on 21 December 2022. All locations for the bee’s tour can be found on the link below: Manchester Anti-Violence Bee Monument Tour - Discover Derby (visitderby.co.uk).

Schoolsportandsportsleadersnews

Mrs Allen, School Sports Co-ordinator

Year 12 Sports Leaders

Last Friday our year 12 level 3 sports leaders led football and basketball sessions for 60 students from St Joseph’s primary school.

Young Ambassador assemblies

Young ambassadors from year 9 led the year 9 assembly on Monday – Sophie and Sapphire were excellent!

The year 7 assembly was led by a selection of Young Ambassadors from years 7 and 8 – well done to Reuben and Thea (Y7) and Xanthe (Y8).

Thursday’s year 8 assembly was led by a selection of Young Ambassadors from years 8 and 10 –well done to Brandon and Xanthe (Y8) and Jensen and Martha (Y10).

Move and Groove Project

Our year 10 dance leaders visited Darley Care Home on Tuesday for their last session before Christmas. The students and residents took part in skittles and throw and catch activities. Students sang songs and chatted to the residents about the games they played near Christmas in their childhood.

Schoollunchmenu

Week C menu: week commencing Monday 5 December 2022

Hot dish of the day Light bites Desserts

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

INSETday–nostudentsinschool

BeefLasagneG/M/MuCheesePanini Cheese/HamPanini JacketPotato LoveJoeWrap/Panini PastaBakePasta/Sauce

VeganChilliSoVe

CheesePanini Cheese/HamPanini JacketPotato LoveJoeWrap/Panini PastaBakePasta/Sauce

BaconCob KPGarlicBread CheesyWheels Toasties Toast/Jam Teacakes Crumpets FreshFruitYoghurt

School Christmas Dinner (hot food option only) Nofoodwillbeservedatbreak

ChickenKormaM withBrown/White RiceSeasonal Vegetables&NaanG

RedPepper&Chickpea KormaMBrown&White RiceSeasonalVeg& NaanG

CheesePaniniCheese &HamPaniniJacket Potato LoveJoeWrap/Panini PastaBakePasta/Sauce

ChocolateOrange RosalieGChocolate CracknelG/MFruitPie E/G

BaconCobSausage CobKPGarlicBread CheesyWheels Toast/JamTeacakes Crumpets FreshFruitYoghurt

BatteredFishF/G served withChipsPeas& BakedBean

CheesePanini Cheese/HamPanini JacketPotato LoveJoeWrap/Panini PastaBakePasta/Sauce

OatCookieG/Su ChocolateCrunchE/G ForestFruitMuffinE/G

BaconCobFlavoured NaimPizzaBaguette BBQ&CheeseWraps ToastTeacakes CrumpetsFreshFruit Yoghurt MargaritaPizzaG/MVe TortillaLayerG/M/So servedwithChipsPeas &CarrotsVe

Monday

Extra-curricularclubsandactivities

Students are encouraged to participate in a number of extra-curricular activities that take place either at lunch time or after school across both sites. The list of clubs is regularly updated and students are given the details during tutor time.

Starkholmes (lower school site)

Tuesday

CLUBS

Lunch Afterschool

Y7homeworkclubinroom4

Y8homeworkclubinroom7withMrsGreen

Y7/8‘actingforstageandscreen’inthe PerformingArtsmobilewithMissScattergood

Y7/8sportsleadersinthegymwithMissJudson

Warhammerclub(allyears)withMrsWeightman EdgeandMrBishtonatLumsdale(upperschool site)from3.30-4.40pminC5

Y7-11girls’footballontheallweatherpitchat LumsdalewithMrShirtcliffeandMissPaley

Y8Dungeonsanddragonsclubinroom1from 3.30pm-4.30pmwithMissPoundall

Y7-8 Artclub Week B 3.45-4.45inC6(Lumsdale) withMissSellars

Y7/8danceclubinthePerformingArtsmobile withMissScattergood

JuniorChoirintheMusicroomwithMrsMorris

Y8boys’footballontheallweatherpitchat LumsdalewithMrRobertsandMrSearson

Monday

Lumsdale (upper school site)

Lunch Afterschool

Y11GCSEfurthermathsinM3andM4

Homeworkclub(allyears)inC8

MusicLab(MusicTechnology)inD3withMr. Rowley

SeniorChoirinMU1withMrs.Morris/Mr. Rowley

CLUBS

Tuesday

Wednesday

MusicalTheatreclub(allyears)inP1withMiss Bonsall

Fitness(allyears)inthesportshallwithMr Shirtcliffe

Homeworkclub(allyears)inC8

Dramaclub(allyears)inP1withMissBonsall

Badminton‘smashup’(allyears)inthesports hallwithMrShirtcliffe

Y10/11ComputinghomeworksupportinIT1 withMrsHadfield

GCSEmathsrevisionwithMrMoss

Homeworkclub(allyears)inC8

GCSEGeographyrevisionandsupportinH2

Boysonlydramaclub(allyears)inP1with MissBonsall

Warhammerclub(allyears)withMrsWeightman EdgeandMrBishtonatLumsdale(upperschoolsite) from3.30-4.40pminC5

DukeofEdinburgh(weekA)withMrsWildgoose,Mr ArcherandMissPaley

Y7-11girls’footballontheallweatherpitchwith MissPaleyandMrShirtcliffe

Y9-13rugbyonthefieldwithMrsBowenandsixth form

Y12/13netballoncourtswithMrsCruise

Sixthformfootballontheallweatherpitchwith SheffieldFC

Y9-13 Artclub WeekA 3.45-4.45inC6withMiss Sellars

Sixthformfootball,SheffieldFC

Year11dramainterventionfrom3.30-4.30pmwith MissBonsall

Year11danceinterventionatlowersite,Performing Artsmobile,from3.30-4.40pmwithMrsHollinrake

Y9-11boys’footballontheallweatherpitchwithMr Searson,MrWallerandMrMoss

Photography/artGCSEclub3:20-4:30pmC5with MissSellars

Y9-11DanceClubintheWheeldonHall

Thursday

Careers,College&ApprenticeshipNews

Careers Information Resources

Careers information, apprenticeship vacancies and higher education information can be found on the webpage under Students-Work Experience and Careers. http://www.highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk/students/work-experience-careers/

Careers inspiration and advice from BBC Bitesize

Explore BBC Bitesize’s brand new collection of free, online careers resources offering a wealth of inspiration and advice for students.

This new resources offer a rich collection of case studies across a wide range of sectors, linking curriculum subjects and the world of work: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/careers

Unifrog Careers programme

The careers programme ‘Unifrog’ offers students careers advice, support and guidance and students. Students in years 10 and 11 will be given log on details during the year to access Unifrog. www.unifrog.org

Online careers programme for 11-18 year olds

START is an online careers programme designed to connect 11-18 year olds with their future career potential.

Theprogrammeisbrokendowninto sectionson‘world ofwork’withajobsearchaccording tosubject, skill or interest; ‘what to study’ about pathways and qualifications; ‘where to learn’ which views all colleges, universities, sixth forms, training providers and UTC; and ‘employability’ which has sections onwork experience,workpreparationincluding CVwriting,covering lettersand interviewpreparation. There is also the facility for students to upload their personal statement and CV, so they can start to build their own careers profile.

Students will be given their student code during the year to be able to access the programme at home via the website (www.startprofile.com).

Sixth form career opportunities

Please visit our website to find the latest sixth form careers opportunities: https://www.highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk/sixth-form/sixth-form-opportunities/

My Future app and website

My Future is a virtual gateway to support students with their next steps.

• Meet local employers and explore apprenticeship opportunities

• Work with training providers to learn about and access courses that are available

• Virtually visit post 16 institutions including colleges and universities

• Learn about the employment opportunities in your town

To access My Future click on the link below: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/about-chesterfield/learning/myfuture/

Speakers for Schools - Youth Card for students

Speakers for Schools has a free mobile app that provides a one-stop shop for 11-25-year-olds for selfled discovery of educational, career and personal development opportunities in a safe environment. Youth Card is uniquely placed to help students by offering: 

Free access to UK-wide work experience placements and workshops with leading employers, including: Spotify, Bentley Motors, bp, Google, NHS, Virgin Atlantic, The Financial Times, Santander and the BBC. 

Free access to UK-wide financial and enterprise programmes. 

Free access to a UK-wide network of 7,000 youth organisations. 

Freeaccessto inspiring podcasts,broadcastsandshortfilms byheadsofindustryandhigh-profile speakers



Free access to a wide range of youth-friendly discounted services in the UK and Europe.

To find out more about Youth Card, visit www.youthcard.org

NAW Apprenticeships Introduction Event 2023

Buxton & Leek College are Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week 2023 (6-12 February) by inviting students in years 9 to 11 from schools in the local area to an Apprenticeships Introduction Event at the Devonshire Dome and Leek Campus.

During this event, each apprenticeship area that is offered by Buxton & Leek College will have their own stall where they will give an overview of what each apprenticeship standard is about and what career path could be followed for each subject.

There will be tours of the facilities at each site and a main presentation on Apprenticeships, highlighting what they are, which subjects can be studied, and any entry requirements involved. Staff from the college will also be on hand to answer any questions throughout.

Details of the sessions are below:



The Devonshire Dome at Buxton (1 Devonshire Road, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 6RY) on Monday 6 February – 1:45pm to 3:30pm. Facilities explored on the tour will be the Hair & Beauty Salon and the Catering Kitchens. 

Leek Campus (Stockwell Street, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 6DP) on Tuesday 7 February -10am to12pm.FacilitiesexploredonthetourwillbetheEngineeringSuiteandtheCarpentryandJoinery workshops.

Economist Degree Apprenticeship

Applications open Monday 19 December 2022

Over 60 vacancies available with the Government Economic Service

The Government Economic Service will beopeningapplicationsthisyear fortheir EconomistDegree Apprenticeshipprogramme for 2023.

Starting in September 2023, applications are open from Monday 19 December for over 60 vacancies nationwide, with departments such as the HM Treasury and the Department for Work and Pensions.

This is a brilliant opportunity to work in a central government department or agency on some of the most important social, environmental and economic issues our country faces.

Joinourwebinarto findoutmore

Join a webinar with the Government Economic Service on Wednesday 7 December between 3.30pm - 4.30pm to find out more about the apprenticeship programme and how to prepare for the application process. Suitable for students, teachers/careers advisers and parents/carers, sign up below to learn more

To register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_U3_9RtY8T262xlnJNBRSgA

Download the Candidate Pack

This pack contains useful guidance around the role of an Economist, what the degree apprenticeship involves, how the application process will work and answers key FAQs from applicants. To download the pack, click here.

GES- Amazing Employersprofile

For a deeper look into the scheme and to begin preparing for the application process, your students can also visit the GES Amazing Employers profile here.

Support for students for medical school interviews

i-medics are offering free monthly webinars for students who wish to study Medicine at University to help students following the COVID-19 pandemic, considering the lockdowns and disruption to studies that have occurred.

The next Online talk is on 4December2022 and two UK doctors will talk about how to prepare for Medical School interviews.

Students will hear from doctors and understand the requirements to get through the Medical School interview. Any students interested in taking part can join through either of the two links below (one is an Eventbrite link and the other is a direct Zoom registration link):

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jv3RRCY6Q5SA0tzFw6SlkA?mc_cid=dc7311b057&m c_eid=UNIQID

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/get-into-medicine-interview-tips-from-nhs-doctors-tickets423169680907?aff=odeimcmailchimp&mc_cid=dc7311b057&mc_eid=UNIQID

Studentinformation

School to home communication

All students have a school email account and should check this regularly as well as Show My Homework (checking Monday to Friday during the school term) for the latest updates and homework.

School Website / VLE

Resources are available on the school website www.highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk

Students can access ‘all users’ from home from the Highfields School website:  Go to Highfields School homepage  Click on ‘portals’  Click on ‘student portal’  Enter school IT username (not email address) and password  Find ‘all users Starkholmes’ or ‘all users Lumsdale’ on the right hand side  Select the appropriate department/folder required.

If students have forgotten their password please email reset@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk specifying your username and tutor group to request a new password.

Show My Homework online homework submission guidance

Students should be submitting work through the SMHW platform.

The link below is from SMHW and explains how to do this or you can follow the steps below: https://help.teamsatchel.com/en/articles/2912000-submitting-my-work-online

Free Microsoft Office for Students

Students at Highfields School can download Microsoft Office for free on up to five devices, for the duration of their time as a student at the school.

Microsoft Office can be installed on compatible desktop computers, tablets, and mobile phones: https://www.highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk/students/office-for-students/

Communitynews

Matlock multi-sports youth session

Supportandresourcesavailable

Autism Information & Advice Service – Autism Awareness for parents/carers

HighfieldsSchooluniform

A strict uniform code is implemented at Highfields School. Our school uniform is easy to source and practical, it helps to promote a community identity, encourages pride in appearance, makes life fair for all students when the same rules apply and reflects the high standards and expectations we have atHighfieldsSchool. Staffperformavarietyofuniformchecksandweaskthatparents/carerssupport our uniform code.

The uniform code is designed to be clear and can be accessed on the following link: https://www.highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk/our-school/uniform/.

Parents/carers are encouraged to check with the school on 01629 581888 where they are unsure on any item of school uniform.

Trutex Direct andKick Off Sport both stock Highfields uniform. Kick Off Sport also stockthe Highfields PE kit. Orders can be placed on line both with Trutex Direct (https://www.trutex.com/) and Kick Off Sport (https://www.kickoffsport.co.uk/) if you know the size and items required without the need to visit a store directly. To assist with purchasing the right sizes Kick Off Sport have produced a size guide (see links below).

Various information has been prepared on our school uniform and can be accessed on the links below or from the school website:

FAQs:

Uniform size guide: https://www.highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/UniformSizeGuide.pdf

Please also refer to guidance for footwear for our new all-weather pitch: https://www.highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk/wpcontent/uploads/2021/08/FootballFoundationFootwear.pdf

The National Hereditary Breast Cancer Helpline shop of Firs Parade in Matlock take donations of Highfields School uniform.

Communicationwithschool–contactdetails

Generalenquiries

The first point of contact for parents/carers for general enquiries is reception. Reception staff will ask you what the issue is in order for them to help with queries or refer you to a member of staff who can. Please be understanding with your expectations as, unless your call is urgent or considered a safeguarding matter, the majority of staff will not be able to respond to you immediately due to their teaching commitments and a return call may not be until the end of the school day or following day depending on the situation.

Subjectspecificenquiry(subject teacher)

If you have subject specific enquiries, we ask that you contact the relevant subject teacher. If you feel enquiries have not been adequately addressed by the class teacher, this can be followed-up by the relevant head of department.

Pastoral enquiries&sicknessabsence

If you have any concerns about a student, please contact the form tutor in the first instance either by email or telephone. If you feel enquiries have not been adequately addressed by the form tutor or year manager, this can be followed-up with the relevant head of year.

If parents/carers wish to contact the school regarding attendance, please contact the relevant year manager. Each year group has their own year manager to deal with any enquiries or concerns:

Lowerschoolsite (Starkholmes)- to contact year managers for years 7 or 8:

Mr Allsobrook Year Manager (year 7)

Email: callsobrook@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk

Mrs Green – Year Manager (year 8)

Email: tgreen@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk

Direct line: 01629 832314 or ext 244

Direct line: 01629 832313 or ext 235

Upperschoolsite (Lumsdale)- to contact year managers for years 9 to 13:

Miss Esposito – Year Manager (year 9)

Email: aesposito@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk

Mr Tidmarsh - Year Manager (year 10) Email: dtidmarsh@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk

Mrs Weightman Edge Year Manager (year 11) Email: hweightman-edge@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk

Mrs Sargeant - Year Manager (sixth form)

Email: rsargeant@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk

Generalemailcontacts

Direct line: 01629 832348 or ext 364

Direct line: 01629 832329 or ext 111

Direct line: 01629 832345 or ext 159

Direct line: 01629 832389 or ext 165

General email: info@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk

Admissions: admissions@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk

Chair of Governors: chair@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk

SENCO: mhodkin@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk

Careers information: careers@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk

Yourcontactdetails

Please ensure you notify us of any changes of address, telephone and email details to ensure our records are up to date in case of emergency.

KeyStafffor2022-23

Headteacher: Mr A Marsh

Deputy Headteacher: Mr P R Cole

Assistant Headteachers: Mrs C Rifkin Mr M Hodkin

Directors of Catch-up Mrs C Morgan (Curriculum) Mrs S Biggs (Engagement)

Heads of Year: Year 7 Mrs A Ruston Year 8 Miss J Hughes Year 9 Mrs A Hollinrake / Mrs L Redhead Year 10 Mr K Rodgers Year 11 Mr A Bishton Sixth form Mr M Flett

Year Managers: Year 7 Mr Allsobrook Year 8 Mrs Green Year 9 Miss Esposito Year 10 Mr Tidmarsh Year 11 Mrs Weightman Edge Sixth form Mrs R Sargeant

Ifyouwishtoreportstudentabsences,pleasecontacttherelevantpastoralstafftoyour son/daughter’syeargroupasindicatedabove.

Department Contacts:

Art – Mrs K Fairbank

Maths – Mrs R Brown Business – Mr I Lovatt ModernForeignLanguages – Mrs M Bowen

Computing Mr C Davies Music Mr K Rowley

D&T – Mrs C Hakin

PE – Mr C Shirtcliffe

Psychology – Miss H Ould English Mrs H Key

Drama&Dance – Miss Bonsall

Film Studies – Mr C Warrington

Geography Mrs M Barker

History – Mr P Copeland

PRS Mr R Platts

SENCO – Mr M Hodkin

Science Mr R Atkins

Sociology – Mrs A Llewellyn

HighfieldsSchoolGoverningBoard2022-23

Highfields School is fortunate in the kinds of people who have volunteered to become governors, each bringing a variety of skills and experience to support the school.

The composition of the governing board is made up of community, parent and staff governors each serving a four year term of office.

Name Governor Type LinkGovernor Area

Mr Rob Atkinson ChairofGovernors Community Leadership and strategy

Mr Paul Steeples Vice ChairofGovernors Community -

Mrs Allison Beesley Community -

Miss Joanne Coe Parent

Safeguarding (H&S, wellbeing)

Ms Tina Fisher Community -

Mrs Amanda Goodall Community

Miss Emma Hill Community

Inclusion (SEND, behaviour, attendance)

Mr Dennis Holmes Parent Finance, resources and personnel Eco School committee link

Mr Andrew Marsh Headteacher -

Ms Deborah O’Donovan Community -

Mrs Selina Rodgers Parent Curriculum and standards

Dr Ewen Ross Parent -

Mr Duncan Whittam Community

Mr Mark Webb Staff -

Highfields governing board has a strong focus on three core strategic functions:  ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction  holdingtheheadteacherto accountfortheeducationalperformanceoftheschoolanditsstudents, and the performance management of staff, and  overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

All governors are required to:  undertake appropriate induction training  prepare for and attend all meetings regularly  undertake further training to develop their skills

Full details of Highfields Governing Board can be accessed on the school website: http://www.highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk/our-school/governors/

Y13parentsevening(4-7pm)

Tuesday15November2022,4-7pm(sixthformarea)

Y12parentsevening(4-7pm) Tuesday29November2022,4-7pm(sixthformarea)

Y11parentsevening(4-7pm)

Y8parentsevening(4-7pm)

Y10parentsevening(4-7pm) virtual Tuesday7March2023,4-7pm(viaSchoolCloud/Weduc)

Y7parentsevening(4-7pm) virtual Tuesday21March2023,4-7pm(viaSchoolCloud/Weduc)

Tuesday11October2022,7pmWheeldonHall,Lumsdale PTFAAGM

HalloweenMovieNightforY7/8

Sixthformopenevening

Wednesday19October2022,6pmLumsdale

Monday31October2022,4-6pmBowlerHall,Starkholmes

Thursday10November2022,7pmWheeldonHall,Lumsdale

Y11mockexams(1)

ChristmasConcert

ChristmasdiscoforY7/8

ALevelCertificatesEvening

EveningofTheatre(7-10pm)

Monday28November–Friday9December2022(sportshall)

Monday21November–Friday2December2022(sportshall) Y13mockexams(1)

Wednesday14December2022,7-10pm,WheeldonHall, Lumsdale

Thursday15December2022,7-9pmBowlerHall,Starkholmes

Wednesday21December2022,7pmWheeldonHall,Lumsdale

Wednesday25JanuaryandThursday26January2023,7pm BowlerHall,Starkholmes

Tuesday7February2023,Lumsdale Y11mockinterviews Thursday16February2023(duringschoolday) Y11mockexams(2)

Y9immunisations-TDP&MenACWY

2022-23provisionalschoolevents (cont/…)

Y8visitLumsdale

Y9enterpriseday

Wednesday5July2023,Lumsdale

Wednesday5July2023,Lumsdale

Wednesday5July2023,6pmBowlerHall,Starkholmes Wholeschoolsportsday Friday7July2023

Y6parents'evening

SchoolMusical(7.30-10pm)

2023 exam resultsdays (provisional tbc):

A Level exam results: 17August2023tbc

School day:

Wednesday12July-Saturday15July2023,WheeldonHall, Lumsdale

GCSE examresults: 24August2023tbc

Start Finish Start Finish Start Finish

FormTime 08:45 09:05 Period3 11:10 12:00 Period5 13:40 14:30

Period1 09:05 09:55 Period4 12:00 12:50 Period6 14:30 15:20 Period2 09:55 10:45 Lunch 12:50 13:40 TutorialY11-13 15:20 15:30 Break 10:45 11:10

2023-24 academic year and CPD days:

The term dates for the next academic year are:

4 September 2023 to 27 October 2023

6 November 2023 to 22 December 2023

8 January 2024 to 16 February 2024

26 February 2024 to 28 March 2024

15 April 2024 to 24 May 2024

3 June 2024 to 23 July 2024

School is closed to students on the following INSET days:

Monday 4 September 2023

Friday 27 October 2023

Monday 4 December 2023

Friday 22 December 2023 (disaggregated)

Friday 5 July 2024