Dear parents and carers,                                                                                                                               29^th August 2024

School Year 2024/2025

Welcome back to the new school year and what promises to be an exciting year with developments to our site and new colleagues joining us. These will contribute to our central purpose – to prepare every student for success. Success in academic qualifications, success in a wide range of extra-curricular and leadership activities and success in every individual’s personal and social development.

This letter contains information and reminders to support our young people to make a confident and successful start to their next step in their academic journey. Please take the time to read and share the information with your child.

First Day

A reminder that school opens to pupils on Wednesday 4^th September. All pupils are expected to be in their form rooms by 8.30am so should be on the school site punctually to ensure a prompt and positive start to the day.

Year 7s should enter through the science gates (the same gates they used for their induction days) where they will be met by tutors and escorted to their form bases.

All other pupils should enter through the usual main gates. VI pupils will follow their usual arrangements.

Form Rooms, Room Names and Staff Initials

There have been a number of renovations over the summer, including a new food room, and re-allocating of rooms which has led to a review of room names. Some forms will also have a different form base to last year. Additionally, how staff initials are configured have also been reviewed so these will look different to previous years.

Below is the list of forms accompanied by the form base last year and the new form base and tutor initials for this year. Please click here for a copy of the new map which shows the new room codes.

Year Groups

Sixth Form

Capital Projects

Following some successful bids and grant awards, work has been starter over the summer on a number of capital projects, two of which will affect the day to day running of the school.

• Extension and refurbishment of the Performing Arts Facilities.

This is due to be completed (fingers crossed) by October half-term. This will affect the space in the courtyard area outside of Performing Arts and between the sixth form and DT areas. It will also impact entry to the Performing Arts block with pupils being required to use the doors at the end nearest to the new English block. Additionally, there will be an impact on parking in the sixth form car park. Information around parking will be shared with sixth form students.

• FA Funding.

Over the summer we have had confirmation of a successful bid for FA funding for a new 3G all weather football pitch and pavilion. This is a £2 million project that will provide an exciting new facility for the school and local community.

Uniform and equipment

A reminder that all pupils are required to adhere to the uniform code which is available at all times on the school website and is also attached to this letter.

Particular reminders:

• trainers/leisure shoes are not permitted footwear
• skirts must be an appropriate length
• all pupils in years 7-11 must wear the appropriate house tie
• all pupils in years 7-11 should have a school jumper with them
• sixth form students must adhere to the requirements of smart office attire
• all pupils should be equipped for learning with the appropriate stationery (this information is available in the uniform and equipment guide attached)

Communication

There are times when pupils or parents need to contact school to seek additional support or information or raise concerns.

An email to the form tutor or class teacher will often enable parents to access the information they require. However, for more urgent support or concerns please email the head of year who will contact you at their earliest opportunity.

Heads of year:                 Year 7                  Mr Matthew Jackson

Year 8                    Mr Matthew Rees

Year 9                    Mrs Janelle Caddle-Amoah

Year 10                 Mr Harry Atherton

Year 11                 Mr James Logan

Communication can also be made using the email [email protected]

Please be aware the teachers may be teaching for 5 or 6 periods a day and therefore for non-urgent concerns the expectation is that teachers will reply within 3 working days.

Staffing Changes

There have been changes to staff responsibilities this year and these are detailed below.

Pastoral:              Lee Towers                         Deputy Headteacher Inclusion

Tony Mills                            Assistant Headteacher Safeguarding and Attendance (DSL)

Anita Walker                      Assistant Headteacher Behaviour and Personal Development (DDSL)

Academic:           Keith Matthews Deputy Headteacher (Teaching and Learning / KS4)

Jon Litt                                  Assistant Headteacher (KS3)

Edd Stevenson                  Assistant Headteacher (KS5)

If you have any questions, please contact our reception team on [email protected] or 01933 663501.

Yours sincerely

Simon Anderson

Head of School