From next week we move to home testing and pupils who have had their three school based tests will have a home testing kit issued to them on Monday.

Home testing

Any students who have missed their third test will have a test at school on Monday so that they can also receive a home testing kit. It is essential that these tests are undertaken twice a week. You need to set aside 30 minutes for them to be taken, but the procedure is straightforward. Pupils are now very familiar with swabbing so we ask parents to read the guidance and ensure they are familiar with the processing and recording. All instructions will be sent home with the testing kits, but we will also be hosting a help meeting on Monday 15th at 7.00pm where Ms Williams and I will be able to assist with any questions about home testing. The meeting will be on zoom and the link will be sent out via WeDuc on Monday.

Summer grading

We will also be hosting an evening for parents on Monday 15th at 6.00pm to give an update to parents on our approaches to grading for students in years eleven and thirteen. Students will be getting a similar presentation in school and it will be an opportunity for all parents to be clear on the bigger picture before we have the year eleven parents' evening on Thursday 25th March and the sixth form parents' evening on Thursday 1st April. The meeting will be held on zoom and the link will be issued via WeDuc on Monday.

The guidance for booking appointments to the year eleven and sixth form parents' evenings will be sent out next week.

Chromebooks

We have been pleased to support home learning through the issue of Chromebooks to students who needed them. We are aware that students may still require these to complete further work and review work undertaken over the Easter break and so we plan to collect these in from our return to school on Monday 19th April. These will need to be returned to reception.

Neurodiversity week

We are delighted to be working in partnership with neurodiverse organisations to be celebrating National Neurodiversity week. We will be sharing presentations and resources with students to celebrate our students, staff and families who are neurodiverse. Please see here for more information.

Our new generation of teachers

We have been pleased to welcome another cohort of trainee teachers this term. Chilwell continues to provide an excellent training facility for teachers coming into the profession and we value our strong links with the university. Students teachers have already been contributing to lessons in virtual classrooms and now will have the opportunity to make a contribution and observe strong teaching now that we are back in real classrooms. Welcome to them.

Chilwell school - setting the national agenda

You will be aware of the growing reputation of the school on the national scene, with the initiatives in which the school has taken a leading role. I am delighted that this is being further recognised with the school being asked to give a presentation to school leaders across the country at the Association of School and College Leaders national conference next week on how we approached remote learning and our advice to other schools.

Furthermore I am pleased to be chairing the presentation given by Ian Bauckham CBE, the interim chair of Ofqual, the office that regulates all examinations and qualifications. It will continue the involvement of our school in setting the national agenda.

Brave the Shave

I want to thank Kate Cook, our science technician, who in the midst of all of our organisation, testing and return to school, has also raised hundreds of pounds for Macmillan, the cancer charity, by shaving her hair. Congratulations and well done!

Thank you

Finally, another thank you to all of our staff, students and parents for the positive return to school. It has been a joy to see everyone face to face again and I feel our community is already rekindling the warm glow of security and optimism.