7th June 2024
Dear Parent Carers,
Weekly Update: 07/06/24
I hope this update finds you well. The first week back has been busy as we make plans for the half term ahead and for events such as our visit to Spring Lakes on Tuesday 18th June. We are incredibly fortunate to be able to take students across the whole school in this way, so we hope that they all get the most out of this unique opportunity. Thank you for your prompt communication/ responses with school as we make sure that we have everything in place to make this event a success
End of Year Reports
Today, Year 11 and Year 13 students took home their End of Year Reports. The report is presented in a straightforward format this year to update you on your young person’s progress towards their attitude to learning and attainment for each subject. We have maintained the pastoral comment for your young person as families have fed back in previous years how much this is valued. As we move forwards, we plan to use this as a working document to report back to families on a termly basis throughout the year to better demonstrate the progress your young person is making. This will hopefully address feedback from parent surveys regarding how we can further improve in this area.
Our staff team have worked hard to create this new format which is more streamlined and informative for our families and young people, whilst also supporting staff with workload so we may continue to prioritise delivering quality education to our young people. If you have any feedback, please let us know.
I hope that you are able to attend the Year 11 and 13 Parent Carer Evening on Tuesday 11th June where you are able to discuss this report and the last school year with your pastoral team. Students in Years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12 will receive their reports on Friday 5th July.
Leave of Absence Applications
School receives a large number of applications for student leave of absence for events such as holidays every year. In 2013, the Department for Education announced that schools can no longer grant leave of absence during term-time unless there are explicit exceptional circumstances. As a school, we understand that going on holiday during busy times can be stressful for students with additional needs, and we are happy to support families to take students out of school where appropriate.
The authorisation of leave of absence applications is at the Headteacher’s discretion, and as such, we will no longer authorise more than one leave of absence request for holiday per year where previously it has been deemed appropriate to approve. Parent Carers may still choose to take their young person out of school,
Sabrina Hobbs Executive HeadteacherSt Martins School, The Derwent Campus, Bracknell Drive, Alvaston, Derby, DE24 0BT Tel: 01332 571151 Email: admin@stmartins.set.org Online: www.stmartinsschoolderby.co.uk
but this would not be authorised. Parent Carers may also be issued with a Penalty Notice via the Local Authority Education Welfare Officer if their holiday is not authorised.
To apply for a leave of absence, please collect a form from the school office. Whilst your form is being processed, you may receive a telephone call asking for further information. After the form has been processed, you will receive a letter confirming whether or not the application has been authorised. Please get in touch if you would like to discuss this further.
As a school, we aspire for all students to have at least 95% attendance and we encourage students to be in school as much as possible to maximise their learning opportunities. We also understand that due to medical reasons, some students cannot be in school as much as they would like, and of course, this is accepted. Our Family Support Team are here to support you if you would like any help or advice on attendance.
Dates for your diaries:
Date Event Information
Tuesday 11th June Year 11 and Year 13 Parent Carer Evening Letter has been sent home.
Monday 17th June Project Search Celebration Event Story to follow.
Tuesday 18th June Whole School Trip to Spring Lakes Letter has been sent home.
Friday 28th June Year 11 Leavers’ Day Letter has been sent home.
Friday 28th June Prom for Year 11 and Year 13 Students More information to follow.
Monday 1st July INSET Day School closed to all students.
2nd, 3rd and 4th July Transition Days and Moving Up. New Year 7 students visit, and students join their new classes over the 3 days.
Information to follow.
Tuesday 9th July Years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12 Parent Carer Evening Letter to follow.
Friday 12th July Summer Fayre Information to follow.
Tuesday 16th July Sports Day Information to follow.
Wednesday17th July Prize Day Invites to follow.
Tuesday 23rd July School finishes for summer.
With best wishes,
Sabrina Hobbs Executive Headteacher
Sabrina Hobbs Executive Headteacher
St Martins School, The Derwent Campus, Bracknell Drive, Alvaston, Derby, DE24 0BT Tel: 01332 571151 Email: admin@stmartins.set.org Online: www.stmartinsschoolderby.co.uk
Term Dates for Academic Year 2023/2024
Summer Term
School Breaks up for Half Term - Friday 24th May
School Starts Back – Monday 3rd June
INSET Day – Monday 1st July
School Breaks up for Summer – Tuesday 23rd July
Term Dates for Academic Year 2024/2025
Autumn Term 2024
INSET Day – Wednesday 4th September
School Starts for the new Academic Year – Thursday 5th September
School Breaks up for Half Term – Friday 25th October
INSET Day – Monday 4th November
School Starts Back – Tuesday 5th November
School Breaks up for Christmas – Friday 20th December
Spring Term 2025
School Starts Back – Monday 6th January 2025
School Breaks up for Half Term – Thursday 13th February
INSET Day – Friday 14th February
School Starts Back – Monday 24th February
School Breaks up for Easter – Friday 4th April
Summer Term 2025
Bank Holiday – Monday 21st April
INSET Day – Tuesday 22nd April
School Starts Back – Wednesday 23rd April
Bank Holiday – Monday 5th May
School Breaks up for Half Term – Friday 23rd May
School Starts Back – Monday 2nd June
School Breaks up for Summer – Wednesday 23rd July
INSET Day – Thursday 24th July
St Martins follows Derby City Council’s term dates. Dates for next year can be found on their website – please follow the link for these - https://derby.gov.uk/educationand-learning/schools-and-colleges/term-holiday-dates/#
Sabrina Hobbs Executive HeadteacherSt Martins School, The Derwent Campus, Bracknell Drive, Alvaston, Derby, DE24 0BT Tel: 01332 571151 Email: admin@stmartins.set.org Online: www.stmartinsschoolderby.co.uk