Dear Parents and Carers
I hope you had a good break over Christmas; already that feels a long time ago!
I thought you might appreciate a quick update about the start of term, especially in terms of how the Omicron variant has been affecting us.
- It is true to say that ‘early doors’ every morning we review staff and pupil attendance and at the moment covering colleagues remains a pre-occupation. So far we are managing to do this but invariably every day some children’s lessons are covered by supply colleagues as well as Leadership Team and fellow teachers. Covering teaching is one challenge, but equally Support Staff colleagues have been hit by absence and this too provides further issues for us both operationally but also in terms of developments. For instance, we were about to review our Key Stage 3 provision in the café but are struggling with staffing at the moment. That said, we have a contingency plan in place for such eventuality as our cafes having to close – essentially asking for parents to provide a packed lunch as we provide food for our children on free school meals – meaning that whenever we can we continue to do our utmost to remain open.
- Speaking of remaining open, please do remind yourself of the protocol for school closure in the event of poor weather. We only ever do this as a last resort – I think I can count on the fingers of one hand when we have done this, Storm Desmond being one of them, but it is worth reminding yourself of this process and ensuring the younger pupils in particular are aware: Enforced School Closure – QES
- thank you in your support with the need for sensible winter clothing – base layers and coats over the fleeces – especially as we need to have windows open for ventilation. Mask compliance is also very strong, and whilst that is another frustration for pupils they have been superb with it. Thank you also for your continued support of the testing at home regime – it is really helpful in our endeavours to limit transmission and therefore stay open for all our students.
- I’m delighted that tickets for ‘Annie’ have gone on sale – please do get your tickets booked!
- In terms of our Development Plan, we have completed a January Review and a few areas to update you with are:
- understandably we are focusing on our recovery plan for Year 11 and 13 and working carefully with individuals to support them in this important year after so much disruption
- We have moved on with our Behaviour Policy Review and are looking at how we can match effort grades with classroom logging, something which could lead to real time communication with parents about behaviour for learning. We are now looking at staff training, input from pupils and establishing a timeline for the launch of a new policy
- We are collating all the activities and events that have happened as part of our Renaissance of extra-curricular activities and will put a summary of these on our website and share it with pupils later this half term
- We are reviewing our curriculum in terms of developments for 2022 and longer term 2023 and will share these developments in consultation with you as we move to proposals later in the academic year, especially those that involve a longer lead in for September 2023.
- we are moving on with our Instructional Coaching Program in developing teaching and learning across the Trust and looking at the next stages of this as a wider rolling programme
- we have been reviewing our feedback policy and will update this in readiness for the summer term
- Finally, you may have noticed that we are currently recruiting. Pete Rushton is retiring from his position of Head of Sixth Form after leading this area of school for many years and we are advertising the position as a Leadership Team role to start in September. Vacancies – QES
Despite the length of this email please believe that I am trying to limit this as a brief update – as you know there is plenty more going on in our busy and vibrant community!
As always, thank you for your ongoing support and should you ever need any support or clarification about any aspect of your child’s education with us, do not hesitate to contact us.
With best wishes
Cathy O’Neill
Executive Headteacher
