Headteacher's Weekly Update 9 - Friday 7th November 2025

Dear Parents and Carers

I hope this letter finds you and your families well; a Friday update for you as always.

Welcome back, I hope you all had a restful half term and enjoyed some quality time together.  It has been a great start to this next half of term, with students returning focused and ready to learn.  The first few days have been full of purposeful energy and good learning across the school.  Our assemblies this week have reflected on Armistice Day and the significance of the battlefields; a particularly important theme given the conflicts and divisions we see in the world today.

As part of this focus, we are also sharing an initiative called “Letter to Our Sons”.  This project, led by Stephen Graham (in collaboration with psychologist Orly Klein), invites fathers and men to write letters to the boys in their lives about what it means to be a positive male in society.  With 60% of our students being boys, this is a vital conversation for us as a school community.  You can find more information and ways to get involved here: https://www.letterstooursons.co.uk  The Guardian+2Man and Boy+2

I do want to touch on attendance now.  The final week of the last half term was disappointing, our lowest since the first week of the academic year, at 93%.  Overall, attendance for the first half term stood at 94%, which is almost identical to the same period last year.  I can not hide my disappointment given the effort and focus we have placed on improving this area, but it does highlight the ongoing work we have ahead.  As you know, my goal of 98% attendance is a very lofty one, but it remains our target.  That said, it is important to note that we have just received confirmation that our school sits within the top 25% of similar schools nationally for attendance.  While that is encouraging, I am not satisfied, I want us in the top 20%, then the top 15% and beyond. Every day in school matters and every student’s attendance contributes to our collective success.

I am delighted to share that our recent non-uniform day raised a fantastic £1,686 in donations.  Thank you for your generosity, the total will be split evenly between our two chosen charities.  A brilliant effort from everyone involved.

The Pantry has released its new seasonal menu, offering a delicious variety of options for students and staff to enjoy.  The new menus are attached for your reference.  Please note that next week will be Week 2. 

The Local Authority is hosting a free webinar for all caregivers, not just parents, focused on helping you better understand the challenges young people face in today’s social media world.  The session will offer practical tips and guidance to support them in staying safe and resilient online.

📅 Date: 19th November

🕕 Time: 6:00–7:00pm

🎤 Speaker: Ellysia Georgiou, Certified Youth Resilience and Neuroplasticity Coach

This is a timely and valuable opportunity to gain expert insights and practical advice on supporting your child online.  👉 [Register for the webinar here]

Looking ahead, a reminder that our Tutor–Parent Day takes place next Thursday 13th November, with appointments offered from 8:30am until 4:20pm.  This is a key event in our school calendar, providing the chance for you to meet with your child’s form tutor alongside your child. Together, you will review attendance, punctuality, rewards and consequence points, co-curricular engagement and overall progress. Feedback from families each year highlights how valuable these conversations are in supporting your child’s development and success.

Finally, well done to all our reward points winners from each year group for the week Monday 20th – Friday 24th October 2025, your hard work and positive attitudes make a real difference. 

A special congratulations to Shajaniya Gokulavannan, with an outstanding 40 points. Let's keep this positive progress going.

➪ Year 7, Mercedes Loreta Samuh in 7T with with 38 points

➪ Year 8, Elizabeth Cantrell in 8K with 25 points

➪ Year 9, a hat trick for 9L with Leo Webb, Sonita Tokhi and Amina Yusaf with 19 points each

➪ Year 10, Shajaniya Gokulavannan in 10L with 40 points

➪ Year 11, Mariam Jabeen in 11E with 29 points.

Wishing you all a restful weekend.

Mr Sam Jones 

Headteacher