Dear Parents & Carers
I hope you have had a great week.
As you might imagine, the OFSTED inspection has taken up a significant part of the week and I have sent out a letter to all parents and carers detailing a little more. I would like to thank you again for your amazing support, not just this week but throughout the time I have been Principal of the school. The inspection is rigorous and draws out all areas of the school, and the feedback received through the parent and carers questionnaires was extremely positive. As I said in the letter, our students shone. I also thank you for all the individual emails that we received in support both during and after the inspection.
In other news, we have been delighted with all the additions to our 'Remembrance Wall' as a follow on from the Remembrance assemblies last week. We are starting to gather some fantastic stories through this that will be visible in the reception area of the school.
This week we have had a series of events and resources to highlight Anti-Bullying Week, through assemblies, tutor time and through Odd Socks Day. It was brilliant to see so many of our students on Tuesday wearing all kinds of different socks, to represent that it's okay to be different and to stand up against bullying and discrimination. When we received our OFSTED call on Monday, I opened the offer to our inspectors and advised them they were welcome to take part. I am pleased to say this offer was taken up!
Today, we celebrate and support the important charity Children in Need, representing disadvantaged children and young people in the UK. We thank you for all the donations, and it has been great to give the students a non-uniform day to support this cause.
Finally, many thanks for all the responses regarding the two-week half-term review. The consultation is still open, and I will be in touch once we have analysed these thoroughly. I can pass on that these are exceptionally positive thus far and that the increased opportunity for family time, holidays or indeed rest for our children was well received. We have certainly noticed a positive impact in school with regard to energy and attendance in comparison to at similar times in previous years. We will review ways forward as soon as possible once the consultation has finished, and I will be in touch with parents and carers as soon as possible.
I hope you have a great weekend.
Best wishes,
Mr Harvey
This Week's Proud Awards
Children In Need 2024
Remembrance Wall
As Monday was Armistice Day we asked if you could pass on pictures and stories relating to relatives who have served over the years. Mr Burchett told the story of the service in his family through the years, including the tragic death of his great-grandfather, whom his grandmother never got to know.
We have now put together a remembrance display in reception (see pictures). We will be keeping this display live over the next year in the build up to the 80th Anniversary of VE Day. If you missed the initial request, please feel free to pass on any images or anecdotes. We would also be interested in getting in touch with former students who have served in the armed forces. 
DT Department
Year 10’s have moved onto Polymers and have been busy creating Acrylic icicles.
They did CAD work to add their personal touches then used the thermoforming oven to enable them to manipulate a helix shape.
They are now starting to create their packaging for their chocolate truffles. Using the vacuum former to heat HIPS round and mould.
Eco Update
We have some of the images captured by the wildlife camera to see who has been visiting our bird table!
Merry Christmas Festive Feast 2024 - 11th December 2024
The traditional Christmas lunch will return this year and will be available in the dining rooms on Wednesday 11th December 2024. The price of this 2 course roast turkey meal, or vegetarian alternative, will be £3.12.
There will also be hot roast meat baguettes, pizza and sandwiches available on this day.
Thank you,
Debbie Duckworth, School Business Manager
Creative Industries Film Series
Its creative industries week next week and Ms. Colborne will be showing some short films on creative industries in the LRC. The films include interviews with people working in these industries and how they got into these careers. Students can come straight to the LRC and bring their lunches with them. Open to all years!
iCan Careers Event
ICan is a careers event aimed at parents and carers of young people (aged 14 to 24) with additional needs (including SEN, SEND, Care Experienced, home educated, or at risk of becoming not in education or training, other support service users etc), to begin signing up to attend this FREE careers event. This event is suitable for all young people and their families who may have an additional needs or may require extra support in making decisions on their best next step.
Fully Funded (FREE) NCFE | CACHE Courses available in levels 1, 2 & 3 starting on 2nd December!
Sessions will be available with our employment engagement officers after course completion! We run ONLY in term time and not during half term/ end of term periods. This is a six-week intensive course, with online live webinars with Aspire Education's friendly tutors, starting at 9:30am and finishing at 2pm (with lunch break) from Monday to Friday. All you need is access to the internet and a laptop or tablet. These courses are fully funded by the ESFA (Education Skills Funding Agency). If you are earning less than £23,500 per year or claiming benefits (including Universal Credit, JSA, ESA, PIP, Income Support, Housing Benefits, carers allowance or any type of Tax Credit including Child Tax Credit) you are eligible for a funded place. Please see more details about our eligibility on our website.
Take advantage of this opportunity while it's still available. Please go to: www.studysmartuk.online for more information.
