Issue 13

Highfields School Newsletter

2022-23

Issue13: 16December2022

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

I feel sorry for people who don’t work in education. I mean, each to their own and I understand that there are sectors which may be less stressful and better paid than education but really…there is no other job which can possibly give you as big a buzz as working with young people.

This week we’ve been up to the rafters and down in the basement. Some of the meetings I’ve been involved in have been intense and it’s been important to focus hard on the challenge of looking after the wellbeing of each student equally. In these meetings the adrenalin sometimes flows because feelings and tensions can run high. Sometimes I can actually feel my hair greying as I try to make (or lead others towards) half decent decisions.

And then, a few hours or even minutes later, you are up in the rafters, completely exhilarated as you watch young people spread their wings and do something astonishing.

For example, on Wednesday night the Christmas concert was bewitching and dazzling in equal measure. Michael H played a cornet piece so fiendishly difficult that at times during the performance I was on the verge of summoning a first aider, so sure was I that his physical collapse was imminent. The senior choir sang a piece of Ukrainian origin that was haunting and lyrical and couldn’t help but make youthink ofour Ukrainianstudents so far from homeat this time. And Maria T…People…wow. She made Streisand soundlikeasecond-ratebarsinger(wellalmost).Themood and the humour and the sheer joy of music making at this event was infectious and this is entirely down to their Maestro, Kris Rowley, who is a stunning pianist and an even better head of music.

To make the evening even more special we were joined by the Ernest Bailey Foundation members (left) who, after years of support for creative arts at Highfields, recently donated their remaining £20,000 to fund our wonderful Creative Media Suite

On Thursday night the Y8 disco was bangin’ and notable because at least 10 staff showed up to support the fabulous Y8 leadership team. These evenings bring students together to enjoy a communal experience. They are very much asimportant, along withclubs, sporting fixtures and educational visits, as our traditional lessons. A parent email read, “Myson saidhehadoneofthebestnightsofhislife!He’squitea reservedpersonandIoftenwishhecouldfeelmorefreeand hecamehomeabsolutelyfullofenergyandsoanimated!His facewastotallybeaming!”

In lessons this week I massively enjoyed covering Y11 drama when their teacher was unavailable. I always feel you can tell a lot about a teacher by the way their students behave when they are not around. In this case the students had been trained brilliantly by their teacher and were focused, disciplined, creative and thoughtful - everything you need from top drama students.

Finally, leaving my house on the way out to the Y8 disco I grabbed what I thought was a clean hanky from the laundry basket. It was only when I took it out to blow my nose during the event that I realised I was using a pair of my son’s white underpants. At least they were clean. It’s getting to that point in the term…

Я знаю, що ви святкуєте Різдво в різні дати, але я сподіваюся, що вам вдасться якось відсвяткувати різдвяний період. Мої найкращі побажання вам у цей важкий час.

So, as the term draws to a close, from all at Highfields we wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

A Marsh Headteacher

Parents/CarersUpdate

Y9 GCSE options update

We have started talking to year 9 students this week about options. This started with an assembly to introduce the process.

The deadline for making initial option choices is 6 February and we will be collecting students’ options electronically via Microsoft Forms. This form will be sent out to students by email the week before deadline week.

The options process is fully outlined in the first section of the Student Options Booklet which all students will be given after Christmas. Detailed information on individual option subjects in the can be found in the KS4 Curriculum Booklet on the school website: https://www.highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/KS4-Curriculum-Guide-202324-1.pdf

There is a virtual options evening taking place on 11 January, which will also be available for you to download to enable you to hear about the process if you are unable to attend.

All of our resources are online and copies of the KS4 Curriculum Guide and student booklet can be found on our website (https://www.highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk/students/year-9-gcse-options/).

We would like to wish all our students every success with their future studies.

If you require further information please contact Miss Esposito who will direct your enquiry to the appropriate member of staff aesposito@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk.

Reminder: Christmas jumper/non-uniform day

A reminder that the last day of term, Wednesday 21 December (22 December is a CPD day and no students are in school) will be non-uniform/Christmas jumper day.

Studentsand staff are encouraged to weara Christmasjumper/non-uniformand donate£1to support Save the Children. The donation can be made through Parent Pay or on the day to staff on the doors at both sites. The day will be a normal timetabled school day.

Forthcoming events: December/January

Thursday 22 December: CPD day, no students will be in school.

Wednesday 11 January: Y9 virtual options evening (information will follow in the New Year)

Tuesday 17 January: Y9 virtual parent consultation evening

Thursday 19 January: Y7, 8 & 9 flu vaccinations in school

Wednesday 25 January: Evening of Theatre (Bowler Hall, Starkholmes)

Thursday 26 January: Evening of Theatre (Bowler Hall, Starkholmes)

Tuesday 31 January: Y11 virtual parent consultation evening

Schoolsportandsportsleadersnews

Mrs Allen, School Sports Co-ordinator

Primary Boccia/Curling tournament

On Tuesday we held the Primary boccia/curling tournament at Starkholmes led by year 8 sports leaders.

The results were as follows:

1st Lea Lions with15pts

2nd Wessington Warriors with 13pts

3rd= Lea Leopards and Wessington Jaguars with 10pts

Our year 8 sports leaders did a fantastic job with Lola being the leader of the day. Well done to everyone involved!

Mini basketball officials training

Highfields Sports Leaders underwent officials training for mini basketball on Thursday morning led by England basketball coach, Ian Richards. Sports hall athletics training for officials then following in the afternoon led by England athletics coach, Adam Burgess.

The officials training was to prepare our leaders for the primary events in taking place in January 2023.

Voice of Sport

Today we held the last meeting before Christmas for the Voice of Sport representatives. Thanks to everyone for their input this term.

Advance Notice

Year 5/6 sports hall athletics event will take place on Tuesday 10 January 2023 from 9am-12noon

Derbyshire Dales activities: Active Dales update

Derbyshire Dales have the following holiday activity events taking place over the coming weeks:

Christmas Party (4-11 years with games and visit from Santa)

23December from 10am – 12noon at the Arc Leisure Centre, Matlock

Holiday activities:

3 January from 10am-2pm at Hurst Farm, Farm View, Matlock

4January from 10am-2pm at Ashbourne Leisure Centre.

5 January from 10am-2pm at Wirksworth Leisure Centre

There are also four 3k fun runs scheduled to be held in the Derbyshire Dales (see poster below).

Full details available on the Active Dales Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/activedales

Please contact Derbyshire Dales District Council tel: 01629 761380, if you are interested.

Monday

Schoollunchmenu

Week B menu: week commencing Monday 9 January 2023

Hot

Tuesday

dish of the day Light bites Desserts

OrganicBeefBurgerG inabunGserved withminiherb potatoes,baked beans&coleslaw E/Mu

VegetableBurger G/MuVeinabunG servedwithminiherb potatoesbakedbeans &coleslawE/Mu

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

Rosalie Biscuit G ChocolateCrunchG/M Apple&Cinnamon CobblerE/G/M

BaconCobs Croissants Toasties Toast Teacakes Crumpets FreshFruit Yoghurt

Shepherd'sPieMCheesePanini

VeganShepherd'sPie SoVe

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

ShortbreadSliceG BerryMuffinE/G ChocolateOrange SpongeE/G

Bacon Cob KPGarlicBread BreadRolls CheeseBagels ToastandJam Teacakes Crumpets FreshFruit Yoghurt

Wednesday

RoastPork&Stuffing Gwithcreamed potatoesandapple sauce.Mseasonal vegetables&gravy

VeganSausage CasseroleGVe

CheesePanini Cheese/HamPanini JacketPotato LoveJoeWrap/Panini PastaBakePasta/Sauce

ChocolateOrange RosalieG ChocolateCracknel G/MFruitCrumbleG

BaconCob PizzaBaguette KPGarlicBread Toasties Teacakes Toast Crumpets FreshFruit Yoghurt

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.

Theprogrammeisbrokendownintosectionson‘worldofwork’withajobsearchaccordingtosubject, 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,workpreparationincludingCVwriting,coveringlettersandinterviewpreparation. 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 duringthe year tobe able toaccess 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

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

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.

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/

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 Covidlockdowns 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.

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 Sportboth 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) Mr G Roberts / 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 Drama&Dance – Miss Bonsall Psychology – Miss H Ould English – Mrs H Key PRS – Mr R Platts

Film Studies – Mr C Warrington SENCO – Mr M Hodkin Geography – Mrs M Barker Science – Mr R Atkins History – Mr P Copeland Sociology – Mrs A Llewellyn

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  holdingtheheadteachertoaccountfortheeducationalperformanceoftheschoolanditsstudents, 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/

Y11parentsevening(4-7pm)

Y8parentsevening(4-7pm)

Y10parentsevening(4-7pm)

Tuesday31January2023,4-7pm(viaSchoolCloud/Weduc)

Tuesday14February2023,4-7pm(viaSchoolCloud/Weduc)

Tuesday7March2023,4-7pm(viaSchoolCloud/Weduc)

Tuesday13September2022,7pmWheeldonHall,Lumsdale PTFAnewparentsocial

SuccessintheSixthFormevening

Wednesday14September2022,6.30pmDesignate,Matlock Y6openevening

Wednesday21September2022,6pmWheeldonHall,Lumsdale

ApprenticeshipseveningforY12/13 Tuesday11October2022,7pmWheeldonHall,Lumsdale

PTFAAGM

HalloweenMovieNightforY7/8

Sixthformopenevening

Wednesday19October2022,6pmLumsdale

Monday31October2022,4-6pmBowlerHall,Starkholmes

Thursday10November2022,7pmWheeldonHall,Lumsdale

Monday21November–Friday2December2022(sportshall) Y13mockexams(1) Monday28November–Friday9December2022(sportshall) ChristmasConcert Wednesday14December2022,7-10pm,WheeldonHall, Lumsdale

Y11mockexams(1)

ChristmasdiscoforY7/8

Thursday15December2022,7-9pmBowlerHall,Starkholmes

ALevelcertificatesevening Wednesday21December2022,7pmWheeldonHall,Lumsdale Y9virtualoptionsevening Wednesday11January2022– twosessions6pm/7pm(virtual) Y7,8&9Fluimmunisationsessions(NHSteam) Thursday19January2022(bothsitesduringtheschoolday) EveningofTheatre(7-10pm) Wednesday25JanuaryandThursday26January2023,7pm BowlerHall,Starkholmes

2022-23provisionalschoolevents (cont/…)

Y6visitStarkholmes

Wednesday5July2023,Starkholmes

Y7sponsoredwalk Wednesday5July2023

Y8visitLumsdale

Wednesday5July2023,Lumsdale

Y9enterpriseday Wednesday5July2023,Lumsdale

Y6parents'evening

Wednesday5July2023,6pmBowlerHall,Starkholmes

Wholeschoolsportsday Friday7July2023

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 CPD days:

Monday 4 September 2023

Friday 27 October 2023

Monday 4 December 2023

Friday 22 December 2023

Friday 5 July 2024