This week has seen the Year 11s engaged in the Pre-Public Examinations. These form a crucial part of their preparations for the GCSEs in the summer term as we ensure that conditions are as close as possible to what they will experience in May and June. The guidance and support that the students have received with regard to revision has been put into practise, and I have been impressed with the positive attitudes that the students have shown. It is critical that students get used to preparing for lengthy exams and use the wide variety of revision techniques that staff have supported them with. Every individual has to find the strategies that work best for them so this type of dry run is an opportunity to hone their programme of revision while there is still time. With the changes to examinations that the Government has brought in, it is imperative that students in the Lower School are also given the chance to develop their revision skills as well. Now that Controlled Assessments and Coursework are being phased out in the vast majority of subjects, it is increasingly important that we help students from Year 7 onwards to learn to prepare for examinations. All year groups will sit school exams in the Hall at some point during the course of the year to get them used to the experience of being in this position. It would be foolish in my opinion to leave it until later in their school career as it could lead to greater levels of anxiety and potentially poorer outcomes. We fully understand that exam periods are a stressful time for students but this is why we wish to ensure that they are given every support to cope with these rigours. I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to the Parents' Forum on Monday 1st February. The topics to be discussed relate to the work that is being undertaken in the English Faculty to develop "Active Reading" among the students. This is a strategy designed to support our students to accelerate their rate of progress not only in English but also across the range of subjects. This will be coupled with a presentation focusing on the Numeracy project that is underway to develop the students' use of Numeracy throughout the school. Clearly these two areas are absolutely crucial for all of our students and it would be great to see as many of you as possible on Monday evening so that you will be able to support the work that is being conducted in these areas. The Forum will take place in the Media Suite starting at 6pm. Please arrive via the Brook Road entrance and you will be accompanied to the room. Finally could I extend a very big well done to the two Year 8 students who won first and second place in the RIBI Young Chef Cooking Competition. There was stiff competition at the Area finals but I am delighted to say that Ella Margetts secured first place but was pushed all the way by Ellie Blundy who came second. The next round will be the District Finals to be held on the 6th February and we wish the two girls every success going forward. Very well done to the Food Technology department for their support and encouragement of the girls.
J Luck Headteacher
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