Principal's Letter, 2 October 2020

Virtual Year 11 Information Evening – Thursday 8th October, 6pm
We look forward to meeting with the parents and carers of current Year 11 students next Thursday. To join the meeting, please click Year 11 Information Evening. The link will also be available on the website. We will begin admitting attendees to the meeting at 5.50pm to ensure a prompt start. Please mute your sound and switch your cameras off as you join the meeting.
This very important meeting will include:

• Mock exam preparation
• An introduction to GCSE Exams
• How to support your child’s revision
• Specific foci on English, Maths and Science
• Careers (progression to 16+)

In view of last summer’s experience due to Covid 19, we strongly recommend that parents develop an understanding of Teacher Assessed Grades and look forward to providing further information on Thursday.

Bridging the Gap Booklets

To support children with bridging gaps that may have been created during lockdown, Mrs Marks and Mr McConville have been working hard to create numeracy and literacy bridging booklets that your child uses at specific points during the school day.

The booklets are used for a week and reviewed in their English and Maths lessons the following week. Please talk to your child about this.

Year 11 Intervention
A huge thank you to Year 11 parents for enabling the success of the extended day of Year 11 students. Without a doubt, they will reap the benefits of the additional teaching hours they are receiving each week in the Summer 2021 examinations. Following on from the provision already in place, we are introducing support for the November public exam classes in Business Studies and Health & Fitness. I know you will join me in thanking our dedicated team of staff who are giving of their free time to support your children.

Year 7-10 Intervention
Following an analysis of our students’ engagement with the recovery curriculum, the first carousel of additional teaching in a range of subjects has been successfully launched this week. This is targeted support for students who are significantly behind due to the Covid 19 school closure last academic year. Parents and Carers will be contacted throughout the year to confirm attendance at sessions as required.

Burnett News Club
This exciting club begins next week for Year 8 students and is an opportunity for students to discuss current affairs, develop their oracy and enhance their critical thinking skills. Mr Rondel is optimistic that we will be able to start this club for Year 9 students also in the near future.

Well-Being
To highlight the profile of well-being, we have allocated time within the PSHE curriculum to focus on our students being emotionally settled and feeling secure. Thank you to those of you who have highlighted concerns to us regarding your children’s well-being. If you feel that your child needs further support, please contact your child’s Director of Learning.

Parking
We understand, in the current climate, that more parents are collecting children by car currently. However, please be mindful that there is no facility for parent parking on site at the front of the academy. It is vital that the lay-bys are used solely by the buses and that our students use the pavements at all times. Our bus drivers have expressed concern that some students are running across to waiting cars in the car park which is unsafe.

Parents are welcome to use the car park at the rear of the academy or you may wish to make arrangements to pick up your child a short walk away from the academy.

Please be considerate of the local residents in Lime Avenue should you park there at any time.

Satchel One
If your child is having any difficulty uploading and submitting work via satchel 1 please refer to
https://help.satchelone.com/en/articles/2912000-submitting-my-work-online for guidance.

Covid Symptoms
We are aware that some students are presenting with ailment symptoms typical of the time of year and it is leaving parents with a dilemma as to whether or not it could be a Covid 19 symptom. Therefore, you may find the tables below issued by Public Health England useful.

If you are in doubt as to whether or not your child needs to stay off school, please contact the academy for advice. It is vital that students are only absent if absolutely necessary

Mr P Slaughter, Principal