Issue 11

Newsletter 19April2024

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

Disclaimer: HighfieldsSchoolisnotresponsibleforthequalityofproductsororganisationspublicisedthrougharticlesor advertisementsintheschoolnewsletter.

Message from the Headteacher

“Never ask a question if you’re not prepared to listen to the answer,” is something that a very wise headteacher once said to me on the subject of surveys. With this in mind we recently put out a few surveys to different stakeholder groups including families. Here is some of the evidence that we have listened to, or at least heard, your answers.

345 families completed the survey

Encouraging:

 304/345 (88%) of families report that their child is happy at Highfields

 318/345 (92%) of families report that their child feels safe at Highfields

 296/345 (86%) of families report that Highfields makes sure its children behave properly

 303/345 (88%) of families report that their child does well at Highfields

 Only 99/345 families now have a child who is definitely not involved in the wider curriculum outside classroom (sports/ drama/ clubs etc)

Examples of where further consideration is required include:

 Feedback from some families of SEND children. Action: Deputy Headteacher Matt Hodkin

 115 (33%) families say that they are not made aware what their child is learning. This info is always accessible via website (Curriculum - Highfields School) so we just need to be clearer about this) Action: Deputy Headteacher Peter Cole

 55/345 (16%) say concerns raised are not dealt with appropriately. The 14 families who provided names were cases all known to the staff team. Action: Andrew Marsh The ‘action’ referred to above is a bit too specific to list in a newsletter but, I promise you, we continue to try and do everything we can to improve the way we look after our students. On ‘virtual’ versus ‘face to face’ parents’ evenings there is no overwhelming consensus and so we will possibly carry on with a mixed offer…

Fewer and fewer school staff are prepared now to take students on ambitious school trips. This is because of the HUGE amount of paperwork involved and the potentially life changing personal and professional consequences of something going wrong. It is great, therefore when parents take the time to thank staff who do decide to take on the work and risk associated with large scale visits… “A short email to say thank you to the staff who accompanied the students on the trip to New York, with extra special thanks to Miss Bonsall. The organisation of the experiences and the timing of the itinerary was brilliant. I can appreciate how much hard work went into the trip and taking care of the pupils. My son enjoyed himself so much and the trip has given him memories he will never forget and hopefully some new-found confidence.”

Have a wonderful weekend. We are (walkin’ here!) Highfields.

Coming up next week…

Remindersfortheweekahead

Monday 22nd April

Wednesday 24th April

Thursday 25th April

WeekB

Year 10 Mock Exams All week

Year 8 Careers day at Chatsworth

Junior Maths Challenge Sports Leaders Orienteering

Summer 2024 GCSE/A Level Timetables

Timetables for the summer external exams starting in May are now available on the school website on the Exams page. Final versions of the timetables, with afternoon start times added, will be published nearer to the start of the exams, and paper copies will be issued to students at this time. Please note when planning holidays after the end of exams for Year 11 and Year 13 students, that they must be available to sit exams up to and including the exam boards' contingency date of Wednesday26June.

GCSE timetable: https://www.highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Student-GCSETimetable-Summer-2024-v.1.pdf

A Level timetable: https://www.highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/A-Level-StudentTimetable-Summer-2024-v.1.pdf

Year 12/13 Vocational timetable: https://www.highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk/wpcontent/uploads/2024/01/Student-Vocational-Timetable-Summer-2024-v.1.xlsx.pdf

Did you know you can hire out our school facilities?  3G Pitch  Hardstanding Courts

 Large Sports Hall

 Small Sports Hall

Please visit www.schoolhire.co.uk for more information, to view availability and to book.

Sports Leaders

Wednesday 20th March

Year 12 level 3 Sports leaders went to Busy Bees nursey. They were amazing on a very wet afternoon. The young 2-4 year olds loved interacting with them and the activities.

Thursday 21st March

Thursday 21st March

Young Ambassador assembly at Darley Dale Primary. Well done to Xanthe and Brandon on their excellent delivery of the power point.

Primary schools Handball event at Starkholmes. The leaders did a fantastic job coaching the new skills of Handball to the Primary pupils in the first hour before going onto referee the tournament in the second hour. All primary pupils took home a handball certificate and a value certificate.

Results

1st Darley Dale Dragons

2nd Darley Dale Devils

3rd Wessington

4th Lea Leopards

5th Lea Lions

Friday 22nd March

Highfields

Voice of Sport group met Mrs Allen and updated the ambassadors about the YST Telford conference this week and the main points of interest.

Thursday 18 April

KS 2 Badminton and Table Tennis festival

Winster, Darley Dale and Tansley primary schools took part in this new event. The session was led by Max and his team of apprentices from Sheffield Hallam.

Tuesday 16th to Thursday 18th April

ST Kingswood Dearne Valley Sports leaders residential

First Gear Pre-Driver Training

First Gear Pre-Driver Training days are for young people who are 16 and either living in or in education in Derbyshire. They give young people their first experience behind the wheel of a car, in a safe, controlled environment with fully qualified driving instructors. First Gear also offers trainees valuable information to help them prepare for their theory, hazard perception and practical driving tests as well as getting them to consider how they will continue driving safely once they have passed their test.

Further information and the booking form can be found on the website.

https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/transport-roads/roadsafety/young-drivers/pre-driver-training/first-gear-pre-drivertraining.aspx

Opportunityfor14–25-year-oldsinDerbyand Derbyshireto joinanewYouth Scrutiny board& anewBlackYouth IndependentAdvisoryGroup(BYIAG)

The Derbyshire YouthScrutiny Board is aimed at young people aged 14-25 years from diverse backgrounds to work with Derbyshire Police to improve strategies and to address local priorities. We’re seeking a diverse group of young people with different life experiences to take part, including those who have personal experience with the Police and/or Criminal Justice system. They will challenge the police to inform their strategy and wider engagement with young people as victims, community members and individuals with experience of the criminal justice system. Members will be a part of a two-way dialogue with the police, which will help inform both parties of each other’s perspectives and build stronger mutual understanding. Those who join the SYB will play an important role as ‘Ambassadors’ for their peer groups to support the outreach strategies of the DerbyshirePolice.

Pleasecontact:Gabrielle@leaders-unlocked.orgformoreinformation/to applyfortheYSB

The Derbyshire BlackYouthIndependentAdvisoryGroup (BYIAG) is aimed at young people aged 1425 years from an African Caribbean background. The aim of the project is to develop relationships between Derbyshire Police and underrepresented young people. This group will ensure that young people most affected by crime and policing policy are able to act as a critical friend and sounding panel to Derbyshire Police. We’re seeking a range of African Caribbean young people with different life experiences to take part, including those who have personal experience with the Police and/or Criminal Justice system. Young people will attend 4 BYIAG meetings (April, June,August, October). Those who join the BYIAG will be involved in a final reflection meeting, young people and police will come together to reflect on personal journeys to help build stronger relationships. The young people will also produce an online article that will share their experience, and this will be published on the DerbyshirePolice website.

PleasecontactKelese@leadersunlocked.orgfor moreinformation/to apply for the BYIAG

The Youth ScrutinyBoard(YSB) and Black YouthIndependentAdvisoryGroup (BYIAG) is delivered by LeadersUnlocked and DerbyshirePolice Please visit: www.leaders-unlocked.org