Exam season is now in full flow and students are coping really well with the GCSE’s and AS Levels. This can be quite a stressful time for students and all additional support given from home is greatly appreciated. I would like to remind parents of Year 11 & 12 students that there are revision classes happening in school during half term in final preparation for the remaining AS/GCSE exams. We are very fortunate as a school community that our teachers are so committed to the success of our students that they are happy to continue to support our students during the holiday times. Our Year 11 have now left the school and are only back in for their examinations. I would like to take the opportunity to wish them all well and I hope to see many of them back in September to join our sixth form. There will be a Sixth Form Induction day on Tuesday the 5th July when they can experience AS level lessons in the subjects they would like to study and get a feel for life in our growing and successful sixth form, they can finally get in the common room! If you have a student in Year 10 please note that their exam week is the week beginning 20th June, just before their Work Experience begins. These results will help us plan any support or interventions required and we will be rewarding students for exceptional progress towards their GCSE targets. This week I have had the pleasure of awarding Progress Certificates in Year 7, 8 and 9 assemblies, these have been really positive occasions. Congratulations to your child if they received a certificate. If your child did not get one this time then reassure and encourage them to work towards one in the next assessment. School life continues and we are busily planning for the induction of our new Year 7’s, they will also be invited in for a practice day on the 24th June. It was a real pleasure to attend the Challenge and Enrichment Evening this week. Students in attendance have the potential to achieve incredibly high levels at GCSE. Given the new style curriculum, students will need to be able to evaluate, create, challenge themselves and work independently to achieve at the new ‘Grade 9’ - a higher grade than the current A*. Work from previous students was on display and the project was launched. Students and parents were encouraged to attend a museum during half term, to take inspiration from their visit and produce a project of high quality with an evaluation. The project could take the form of a written piece, art work or movement or anything that motivates them. The pieces will be judged by our governors and awards made. If you son/daughter was not involved but would like to take part then please contact Miss Musker our Challenge and Enrichment Coordinator who would be delighted to provide them with the details. Our students are generally to be commended on their impeccable uniform but following our uniform checks this week we have found isolated instances of incorrect footwear and skirts above the knee. Please can I ask for your support in using half term to replace shoes if needed, trainers are not permitted footwear and skirts are to be worn just below the knee. Most of the girls I spoke to regarding skirts have just grown taller, so if your daughter’s skirt is above the knee please can you ensure that you get them a new skirt for the new term. If this causes any financial hardship please do contact us directly. Finally, please enjoy a lovely half term break with your families.
Sharon Jenner, Deputy Headteacher on behalf of James Luck, Headteacher