24th October 2023

Ltr from HT Y11 231023

Dear Parents/Carers,

As mentioned in my weekly letter, we are launching a new programme for Y11 which we know will help ensure that their attainment is as high as possible. With grades improving across the country, places in college, Sixth Forms and on apprenticeships are becoming more competitive than ever. When we have children we set our sights on them being happy and healthy in the first instance, but it is also important that as they go in to adulthood, we have given them every opportunity possible to be successful so that they can continue to live a comfortable and happy life.

We are grateful for your support so far with their education and are now asking that you support us over the next 204 days (that is the number of days left in total until the first exam!), to ensure they come along to results day and are super proud to open their envelopes.

What is changing?

The mornings:

We are moving away from having tutor time in its normal form and instead will now have ‘forum’ every morning in the canteen. This will be a session which will focus on either revision skills, English, Maths or Science. This is a great opportunity for students to be given a supportive space to develop their revision skills.

During lessons:

We have streamlined our behaviour system for Y11 and they now will be either issued with an ‘On Track’ or ‘Off Track’ for each lesson. This will allow us to keep you as parents/carers updated with how they are getting on in all of their lessons.

Revision:

Each student has been given a revision book today that they will bring home. Every night they should be attempting a piece of revision (however small!), just to get in to the habit of doing little and often as this is what makes the biggest difference in the long term.

How will they be rewarded?

Each week we will be setting the Year group a target. If they manage to achieve it, we will be letting them have a non-uniform day on a Friday. We will let you know if this will go ahead on a Thursday night via text.

Students who finish above zero on Kickboard each week will be issue with a ticket to claim a prize each week.

Students who get 100% attendance each week will a prize delivered to them during forum.

What happens if they don’t get it right?

If a student is late to lesson in the day, they will stay for a 15-minute revision session in B0.03 after school to pay back the time.

If a student falls below zero in a week on Kickboard, they will initially be issued with a one-hour detention on a Thursday. For every week that this happens, the sanction will increase and could eventually result in us placing a student on a timetable which is conducted in isolation from their year group as it is unfair for anyone to have that level of distraction.

What do I need to do?

Speak to your child about their lessons and about their kickboard points. Check in with how they are getting on.

Prompt your child to complete their small chunk of revision if they need it. Completing a little bit each day will really benefit them in the long term and will reduce your need to nag closer to the exams if you feel they are not working hard enough.

I will write to your regularly with any updates so that, together, we can ensure your child is as successful as possible.

Yours faithfully

Emma Howard

Headteacher