02/10/2020

Wow, what a busy week!

Where to start?

Masks

Congratulations to all staff and students who have adopted the wearing of masks. As usual, almost everyone adapted to this recent change in response to the latest guidance from government and the local authority and took it in their stride (or should I say ‘on the chin’). We continue to react to the most recent advice but masks will need to be worn in communal areas around the school until we are advised otherwise. Well done to all students for their help here. Some might say, the staff have never looked so good.

Good news – good news – good news!

Following a lengthy delay because of lockdown, we have finally appointed our Student Leadership Team. This year, to reflect our recent ‘gender-neutral’ policy, we are having Head Students and Deputy Head Students, Leaders of the Student Parliament, Head Prefect and a team of Prefects.

Well done to Head Students: Jay Ghomo and Sienna Highfield

Deputy Head Students; Conah Ward-O’Neill and Leticia Rowlands

Leaders of the Student Parliament: Rayson Saith and Layla Rodrigues

Head Prefect: Mia Woodworth

Prefects: Alex Parker; Dylan Chard; Chloe Spencer; Lyla Holland; Jess Beavan; Kelcie Tushingham and Abi Tyrrell pictured below.

After hearing the good news, their very first responsibility was to help select some additional covered areas for our outdoor space, which we are hoping to have in place in the next few weeks.

We had a lovely visit from Ofsted on Thursday. The visit was not an inspection, rather we were one of approximately 1200 schools nationally who were selected to feed into what will become the National Recovery of Education strategy that will inform the new Ofsted Framework. Keep an eye on the website under ‘Headteacher’s Updates’ for a formal response.

Below is a photo of one of our very talented Year 11 students, Connor Backstrom, receiving the Grade 3 Certificate from his ABRSM Cornet exam that he passed just before lockdown; what a great achievement. Some of you will remember that Connor performed a solo of 'The Last Post' for us at our Remembrance Day assembly last year; it was spine tingling!

It was National Poetry day on Thursday and the English department made sure that it was the focus of their lessons. Students listened to, analysed, wrote, and in some cases, performed their poems. Well done all.

Our commitment to providing bespoke educational opportunities continues as a group of students find themselves on an outing to Peckforton Caves.

This is a massively challenging environment and students needed to illustrate responsibility and maturity. It was a real test of their confidence and resilience, while teamwork and developing listening skills was massively important to guarantee everyone’s health and safety. Well  done!