Issue 12

Highfields School Newsletter

2022-23 Issue12: 9December2022

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

The great thing about knowing how to wait on tables is that you can pick up a job in pretty much any city in the world. The other thing it allows you to do is help serve Christmas lunch to hundreds of hungry students. On Wednesday I joined sixth form students and reported for aserviceshiftunderthewatchfuleyeofrestaurantmanagerMrsCruise.

One of the students looked mildly impressed at my ability to carry two plates in one hand but I was quickly brought back down to earth by another who works weekend shifts in a pub and seems to serve 300 covers an hour whilst simultaneously completing a Philosophy A level essays to a very high standard. Before heading off to teach I set a world record by inhaling a child sized portion of Christmas lunch in under 3.8 seconds only panicking when I briefly felt that I may have got a sausage stuck in an artery.

On Monday we were training hard (forgot to take pictures). An interesting segment of the morning came from Dr Atkins who explained the importance in his classroom of silent independent study, especially for older students. This activity involves students trying, for a fixed period of time, to answer a question without the additional stimulus of a text book, resource or other students. Usually this activity requires that students develop an ability to focus hard and reach back into their own learning to bring to mind the knowledge needed to answer the question. And in lessons this week I saw a brilliant example of teacher and students co-constructing a response to a question in history as the teacher typed up the model answer in real time.

We managed to collect a number of goodies for children in the two Kiev schools who appealed for our help last Friday so I would like to thank everyone who contributed. In addition to responding to the appeal for help in Kiev, we have also provided support to families in our local community in a variety of ways, for example Highfields School commits around £310,000 peryeartoensuringthatourmostsocio-economicallydisadvantagedlearners are supported in their education. The children of these families receive free school meals and a number of other benefits such as free music lessons and free uniform. We have ensured that second hand uniform is sold in Matlock and have worked closely with Friends of Hurst Farm to spread the word about their work, including reduced price pantry food packages. During the pandemic we distributed food packages, but also promoted links to local foodbanks which are still in operation. We also provide access to free feminine hygiene products. We are willing to support further projects within the community but do not have the capacity ourselves to target and deliver food, gifts and toiletries to families who need them. Please contact us if you are running such a scheme and would like us to contribute.

Finally, may I just thank the gentleman (I’m assuming he’s a parent) who saw me freezing to death early this morning on Starkholmes Road, rolled down his window and shouted, ‘Thank you, Mr Marsh!’ with a big smile. It was very much appreciated.

A Marsh Headteacher

Parents/CarersUpdate

Streptococcus A (Strep A)

Following the recent cases of school aged children catching Strep A, East Midlands Education Trust (EMET) have asked all of its schools to forward the following link to the BBC News highlighting the symptoms for parents/carers to be aware of https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-63836093. Informationhasalso beenemailed out to parents/carersfromtheUK Health Security Agency outlining the signs, symptoms and actions to take if parents/carers think their child may have scarlet fever.

January 2023 BTEC exams

Students sitting Y11 travel & tourism, Y12/13 business and Y13 sport BTEC exams in January have been made aware of their exam timetables. Links are given below and are also on our website:

Year 12/13 BTEC Level 3 External Exam Timetable January 2023 Jan-2023-Y12-Y13-BTEC-Timetable.pdf (highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk)

Year 11 BTEC Level 1/2 External Exam Timetable January 2023 Jan-2023-Y11-BTEC-Timetable.pdf (highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk)

Christmas jumper/non-uniform day

Our next charity fundraising event is a non-uniform/Christmas jumper day on the last day of term, Wednesday 21 December (22 December is a CPD day and no students are in school). The last day of term will be a normal timetabled school day, but students and staff will be encouraged to wear a Christmas jumper/non-uniform and donate £1 to support Save the Children. The donation can be made through Parent Pay or on the day to staff on the doors at both sites.

Dig out your favourite Christmas jumper – fairy lights, baubles, snowmen and Christmas trees are all allowed! Donations can help pay for blankets and hats to keep a child warm, provide a hot meal, bring essential healthcare, education and protection to millions of children around the world and help save lives.

Derbyshire County Council Winter Holiday Clubs

It’s About Me! is running FREE activity clubs in Derbyshire for those aged 4-16 who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals. There are a smaller number of clubs that will run provision during the week Monday 19 to Friday 23 December and a majority number of clubs will run between Wednesday 28 to Friday 30 December 2022 and Tuesday 3 January to Friday 6 January.

Each child is eligible to attend a maximum of 4 sessions during the winter school holidays. Activities include sports and games, arts and crafts, cookery, dance and music. Programmes will vary depending on the type and location of each local club, but every day there will be a nutritious meal served up for free!

You are now able to book winter holiday clubs at: https://itsaboutmederbyshire.co.uk/ The website will be updated regularly as new providers are confirmed so if you can’t find a suitable holiday club straight away, check back regularly.

Bookedbutcan’tattend?

During our summer programme, we had a large number of non-attendees. If you book an activity for your child/ren and can no longer attend please contact the provider to cancel, so the space can be given to another child.

We hope you will take advantage of this great opportunity so your child/ren can have a winter of fun with their friends - and be fit and ready to return to school in the new year.

Reminder: 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 behigh (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.

Forthcoming events:

December INSET day:

The next INSET day is Thursday 22 December - no students will be in school.

Christmas concert – an evening of music:

Highfields Christmas concert will be held the evening of Wednesday 14 December in the Wheeldon Hall at Lumsdale (upper school site) from 7pm. Tickets are available on the door.

Schoolsportandsportsleadersnews

Mrs Allen, School Sports Co-ordinator

Move and Groove project update

Highfields met up with the 2021-22 pilot schools to review experiences of theproject. Our year 10girls that have been going to Darley Hall Care Home have seized this opportunity. They have visited the care home every week and developed brilliant relationships with the residents.

Moving forward, we will continue to visit Darley Hall for this academic year and our next sessions are planned for March/April 2023. We would like to take this opportunity to thankallinvolved intheproject and thecarehomeresidents and staff.

Advance Notice Sports Leaders

Tuesday 13 December

12-3pm - Primary boccia/curling event at Starkholmes

Thursday 15 December

9am-12noon - Officials training day for mini basketball with England coach, Ian Richards 1-3.15pm – Sports hall athletics officials training with England Athletics coach, Adam Burgess

Friday 16 December 1pm - Voice of Sport meeting in the meeting room – all reps

Wednesday: Y10 assembly

Christmas Concert rehearsals (all day) 7pm Christmas Concert, Wheeldon Hall (Lumsdale)

Monday

Schoollunchmenu

Week A menu: week commencing Monday 12 December 2022

Hot dish of the day Light bites Desserts

BigBreakfastE/G/SU Servedwithhash brownsBaked tomatoesandbaked beans

VeganBreakfastG Servedwithhash browns,baked tomatoesand bakedbeansVe

Tuesday

Chicken& VegetableHotpot Withpotato toppingG

Quorn&Vegetable HotpotE/G VeganChilliS/OVe

Wednesday

RoastBeef/Yorkshire PuddingE/G/M CreamedpotatoesM SeasonalVegetables &Gravy

Cheese&PotatoPie G/MV

Cheese Panini Cheese/Ham Panini JacketPotato LoveJoeWrap/Panini PastaBake Pasta/Sauce

ShortbreadSliceG ChocolateCracknelG/M FruitCrumbleG

Thursday

ButterChickenM servedwith Brown/WhiteRice SeasonVeg&Naan G

Spinach&Chickpea Curryservedwith Brown/WhiteRice SeasonalVeg& NaanG/MVe

BatteredFishF/G servedwithChips Peas&BakedBeans

Cheese Panini Cheese/Ham Panini JacketPotato LoveJoeWrap/Panini PastaBake Pasta/Sauce

ChocolateOrange RosalieGFlapjackG StickyChocolate PuddingE/G

BaconCobs Croissants Toasties CheeseBagel Toast Teacakes Crumpets FreshFruit Yoghurt

Bacon Cob KPGarlicBread CheesyWheels Toast Teacakes Crumpets FreshFruit Yoghurt

Cheese Panini Cheese/Ham PaniniJacket Potato LoveJoeWrap/Panini PastaBakePasta/Sauce

CheesePanini Cheese&Ham PaniniJacket Potato LoveJoeWrap/Panini PastaBakePasta/Sauce

OatCookieG/SU ChocolateBrownieE/G CornflakeTartG

Friday

QuornDippersG servedwithChips Peas&CarrotsVe

CheesePanini Cheese/HamPanini JacketPotato LoveJoeWrap/Panini PastaBakePasta/Sauce

Cherry&Coconut CookieG/SU ChocolateCrunchE/G BerrySpongeE/G

BaconCob Pizza Baguette Cheese/Bean Wrap Teacakes ToastCrumpetsFresh FruitYoghurt

BaconCob Sausage CobKP Garlic Bread Cheesy Wheels Toast TeacakesCrumpets FreshFruitYoghurt

RosalieBiscuitG LemonMuffinE/GParis SandwichE/G/M

BaconCob FlavouredNaanPizza BaguetteCheeseBagels Toast TeacakesCrumpets FreshFruitYoghurt

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 begiven 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 Schoolshasa free mobileapp 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

Economist Degree Apprenticeship

Applications open Monday 19 December 2022

Over 60 vacancies available with the Government Economic Service

TheGovernment Economic Servicewill 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.

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

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

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/

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 stocktheHighfields 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.

HighfieldsSchoolGoverningBoard2022-23

Highfields School is fortunate in thekindsofpeople who havevolunteered 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 CommunityMr 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)

Y9parentsevening(4-7pm)

Y11parentsevening(4-7pm)

Y8parentsevening(4-7pm)

Y10parentsevening(4-7pm)

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

ApprenticeshipseveningforY12/13

Tuesday11October2022,7pmWheeldonHall,Lumsdale

PTFAAGM Wednesday19October2022,6pmLumsdale

HalloweenMovieNightforY7/8

Sixthformopenevening

Monday31October2022,4-6pmBowlerHall,Starkholmes

Thursday10November2022,7pmWheeldonHall,Lumsdale

Y11mockexams(1)

ChristmasConcert

ChristmasdiscoforY7/8

ALevelcertificatesevening

Monday28November–Friday9December2022(sportshall)

Monday21November–Friday2December2022(sportshall) Y13mockexams(1)

Wednesday14December2022,7-10pm,WheeldonHall, Lumsdale

Thursday15December2022,7-9pmBowlerHall,Starkholmes

Wednesday21December2022,7pmWheeldonHall,Lumsdale

Wednesday11January2022– twosessions6pm/7pm(virtual) Y7,8&9Fluimmunisationsessions(NHSteam) Thursday19January2022(bothsitesduringtheschoolday) EveningofTheatre(7-10pm)

Y9virtualoptionsevening

Wednesday25JanuaryandThursday26January2023,7pm BowlerHall,Starkholmes Y9immunisations-TDP&MenACWY

Monday27February–Friday10March2023,SportsHall Y13mockexams(2) Monday27February–Friday10March2023,SportsHall

Tuesday27June–Wednesday28June2023

Wednesday5July2023,Starkholmes

2022-23provisional schoolevents (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

Wednesday12July-Saturday15July2023,WheeldonHall, Lumsdale

GCSE examresults: 24August2023tbc

School day: 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

Friday 5 July 2024