10th September 2021
We are now at the end of our first full week and it has been a very positive start to the term.
Welcome back!
We ran a series of welcome meetings this week and it was an opportunity to update new and existing parents on the procedures and arrangements we have in place for this year. We met with parents of over half of the school and for those parents who were not able to join us, you can see the slides in the welcome evenings news item.
It has been both exciting and odd to see so many students moving around the school site and they have coped very well with negotiating areas that are new and also behaving constructively and co-operatively in moving from one area of the school to another.
The increase in numbers of students is something that we have managed carefully and the procedures that we have in place have meant that students and staff are able to focus upon the two most important things at school - staying safe and effective learning.
Welcome to new staff
I am really pleased to welcome new staff to the school and we have added to the breadth of experience and skills in the school with a cohort of new and experienced staff, many with ideas which will develop and add to our provision.
| Ms Kaerber - teacher of languages | Ms Tipping - examinations officer |
| Mr Holmes - teacher of mathematics | Ms Harlow - data manager |
| Ms Durham - teacher of humanities | Ms Hickman - reprographics officer |
| Ms Holyoak - teacher of humanities | Ms Blower - apprentice teaching assistant |
| Ms Wright - teacher of science | Ms Millie Johnson - teaching assistant |
| Ms Stuettgen - teacher of science | Mr Heaphy - inclusion unit co-ordinator |
| Ms Tang - teacher of science |
It has also been good to start the new year with new members joining our governing body. We have two parents governors, Simon Hogg and Nikkie Ellis, and a new local authority governor, Fran McKay. Welcome to them. Information on our governing body can be found here.
Open evening
We have publicised our open evening for entry to the school for year seven students in 2022. Further information on the open evening (September 23rd) and the opportunity to come for guided tours of the school during the day can be found in our open evening news item.
Transport
The site is a very busy place both first thing in the morning and the end of the day. It is clear that we have far more cars arriving at both times and I remain concerned about the combination of pedestrians and vehicles at this time. Where possible, we would always want children to walk on to the site and if absolutely necessary, cars can come on site and pick up and drop off at the far end of the car park.