Perspective

Over the last few weeks have heard a number of shocking news stories relating to the city, the despair of a young mother, child abuse, radicalisation and terrorism. I am sure that we would all like to believe that these events belong to another area, another country. The truth is that we live in a complex city, in places divided and dangerous. It is easy to feel vulnerable and to be anxious losing our sense of perspective. The joy of working in education is in seeing and celebrating the good though ironically we spend most of our time working our way through the sort of issues and challenges that all schools face. most students achieve and behave well every day and it is worth remembering that 319 students at BCCS have not received any behaviour points this year. No missing homework, no low level disruption, good behaviour every day, all day! In addition 695 students have received less than 10 behaviour points. As a Principal it is important for me to celebrate this and ensure that I keep my sense of perspective.

Sport and Faith

I very much enjoyed watching the sports fixtures this weekend. The Under 16’s had a good victory away at BGS and maintained their discipline for the first time this season! The other teams lost marginally at Failand but again the heads didn’t drop. One of the students grinned as he said. “We lost but played really well sir!” The SIAMS inspection went very well last week. The inspector commented on the maturity and brilliance of the students. The report should be published over the next couple of weeks and we will make sure that it is available on the website. Well done to all the staff and students who were involved. The recent news about radicalisation in schools makes me even more convinced that a mixed community (all faiths and none) like BCCS is a good thing. Students gain a rounded view of the world understanding other views. Like all schools we have incidents of intolerance but in the main students accept and celebrate difference. We have undertaken a cultural diversity review recently with the support of SARI. We will of course publish the report for parents when it is complete.

Uniform

I was interested to read the headline last week about the Headteacher in Bradford, Elizabeth Churton who was criticized for sending 152 students home in a day for wearing incorrect uniform. She had of course been warning students and parents since July! I am amazed that this hit the national headlines. It was interesting to hear Michael Wilshire, Head of Ofsted, defending her actions in subsequent days. We have of course done similar things at BCCS though in smaller numbers and usually at the beginning of term when there really is no excuse. Uniform is on the agenda every day and I ask staff to check uniform standards in tutor time and at the end of each lesson. Anyone who walks round the school with me, will know that I consistently and routinely do the following: Confiscate hoodies Ask students to tuck shirts in Suggest that girls make their skirts a little longer Tell students to take coats and hats off indoors Ask students to buy alternative shoes Remind students that they must wear school issue skirts and trousers. The list is not exhaustive but today these seemed to be consistent themes. It is a constant and irritating battle, but I believe it is very worthwhile. I know that some parents disagree with the uniform policy and some feel that we still do not do enough. I make it very clear at all open events that we have high expectations on uniform. Of course the vast majority of students do look very smart and we need to celebrate that. Students clearly know what to expect from me, some tuck shirts in as I approach, others try to scurry past hoping I will not notice. I usually do!

It was wonderful to be in the Cathedral for the Remembrance Service on Tuesday. The students and staff leading the service delivered a moving tribute and thought provoking reflections. The last post was brilliantly played and the two minute silence was impeccably observed. Students and staff exited the Cathedral in absolute silence. A number of guests remarked about the outstanding community engagement, a moment for us all to be proud.

It was good to watch the rugby fixture at Wells this weekend. All three teams suffered competitive defeats but remained positive scoring tries even when all was lost. My thanks to the staff and parents who supported the fixtures. I mentioned in my speech at Prize Giving last term that we continue to value and deliver a rich provision of co-curricular activities competing with independent schools, despite doing so with far less resources and most importantly fewer staff. We are always looking for parent volunteers who can help and who can work with us for extended periods of time. We certainly recognise that students would like to do more sometimes but there is a limit to what staff are able to do.

Please do remember that this week we have our second sixth form open evening on Tuesday. On Wednesday we host another Parent Information Evening focusing on mental health and wellbeing. I do hope as many of you as possible will be able to join us, we have an outside speaker from CHAMS and as usual staff will be available to answer questions and engage in discussion on this important topic.

The weather seems to have turned to autumn and as the nights draw in, I sense that both staff and students are tired. It is a long half term at eight weeks and a lot has been achieved.

We have been conducting a review of teaching and progress in the sixth form and it has been a real privilege to be in lessons talking to staff and students. Over the past three weeks we have also been looking at student work and monitoring marking and books for students in year seven. You will be aware that we have introduced a new policy of RAR (Read And Respond) across the school. Teacher comments and requests are evident in books and files, often in green pen. Please do help us by monitoring books at home encouraging students to act on all requests. It is evident that students are working hard on their organisation and presentation but again, many need help at home. Please do encourage them to organise their work so that they can use it for revision later on. Half term is the perforce opportunity to catch up and get organised. You will often find lessons on the VLE if students have missed work.

We welcome parents of students in year 11 to an information evening tomorrow. I do hope parents will be able to join us for the inter house music concert on Wednesday and I know how much year 8 are looking forward to the disco on Friday!

Thank you for not driving into the square particularly at the end of the day. It is making a real difference. Students this week are writing to the local authority to request a closure of the square.

Open Day and Education Conference

It has been a long time since my last blog, apologies. It has been a busy time, the open events attracted nearly 500 groups of visitors approximately 2000 people. We also had a visit from the Archbishop of Canterbury last Sunday. The choristers performed brilliantly and after the main service  in the Cathedral we hosted an education conference in the Cresswell Centre where we debated the future of education in Bristol.

Over the last six years the education sector has been through challenging times though the outcomes for secondary schools are much improved. Examination outcomes are up by nearly 20% across the city and far less parents are sending their children to neighbouring authority schools. Headteachers and the Local Authority are beginning to work much more closely together. Bristol remains a somewhat divided city while BCCS is socially and culturally diverse; a happy and wonderful place to work!

We were delighted to finally take possession of the temporary primary primary accommodation yesterday. It has been named 'The Tree House'. The year one children were very excited to be in their new home. Sadly I was not around to see it as I left the school early on Wednesday feeling rather unwell. The whole family have now joined me in poor health but I am hoping to be recovered enough to be available for the open day on Saturday and the visit of the Archbishop of Canterbury on Sunday. Thank you to all those students who have volunteered to help with tours on Saturday it will no doubt be a busy day!

It was good to attend the service in the Cathedral on Sunday morning. Congratulations to students who became full choristers:

Mariam Alsop

Catherine Brooke

Lilah Culiford

Daniel Ghali

Oliver Harvey-Rich

Caitlin McAdam

Jacob Parker

Jacob Stevens

 

And most importantly to those awarded medals:

Dean's Chorister

Alice Boult

Head chorister:

Ben Davison

Jessica Ince

Maddy Lloyd

Jack Wilfan

Can I remind all new parents and students that we look forward to seeing you at the parent evensong at 5:15 on Monday 29^th September. The pastoral team will be on hand to meet you afterwards over tea in the Chapter House. Please do let us know if you are unable to attend.

 

It was wonderful to see students in year one year seven and thirteen arrive this morning. They were all very smart and the challenge will be to ensure that standards remain as high throughout the year. The primary school come back to two new rooms one of which is ready and the other should be available at the beginning of next week.

Teaching and support staff have been in school since the beginning of the week and training has been focussed as ever, on teaching and learning and pastoral care. The school development plan is a detailed document but in particular this year we will be focusing on:

Marking feedback and assessment

Student voice

Stretch and challenge for the most able

Differentiation

Consolidation of common approach for reading writing and communication

Ensuring all students are involved in enrichment opportunities

Staff in Cathedral Primary School joined us for a joint safeguarding training session and it was good to be able to welcome a total of 17 new staff to both schools.

I hope students and parents are looking forward to the start of term. We look forward to seeing some students Wednesday and all students on Thursday. We had an induction training session for all new staff today and I emphasised the high expectations we have for uniform and behaviour. Please could you ensure that all students arrive for the start of term in FULL uniform. Have a good weekend.

I hope everybody is enjoying the holidays. We have been busy over the last few weeks preparing for a planning permission submission for Cathedral Primary School. We will be holding a public consultation event this Tuesday 12th August. The architects and planning officer will be there with drawing and plans. All parents and students are very welcome and the event will be held in the sixth form centre between 10am and 8pm. If you are interested in the plans for College Square and the Library building please do come along.

We were disappointed to have to cancel sports day today. As it turned out it was the right decision with heavy rain from 11am. Failand is a difficult area with no shelter and grass is very slippery when wet! We usually have a reserve date but this term the calendar has been very full with concerts, trips and visits. I was very much looking forward to the staff relay. Grateful perhaps that the rain may have saved me from serious injury.

We have had a wonderful week in school and out. I was pleased to visit the year seven camp on Wednesday and enjoyed the talent show football and rounders. I also enjoyed seeing the students achieving beyond their expectations. It was wonderful, as was the weather. My thanks again to all the staff who make it all happen.

 
Tonight is a special evening with year 11 the class of 14 arriving in their finery for the end of year prom. The Cresswell looked fantastic and this year we have a live band. My thanks to the PTA for all their work and for making this such a memorable event. The students were fantastic a wonderful year group who I am sure will have a terrific summer now that the examinations are over. Mr Bailey and Gospel Choir are performing at the Primary School prom at the Colston Hall again this evening but it will be a challenge without year 11. Many students are also on the D of E bronze expedition as well!

 
At assembly this morning we celebrated my money week and I spoke about the importance of appropriate language at all times on the school site.


In school today we interviewed for the senior prefects and Head Student positions. The students were remarkable and it really does demonstrate what a remarkable year group this is. I very much look forward to working with them next year. Decisions will be announced early next week.

 

This week we have held open events for new parents and students in year seven and in reception. Student ambassadors and sixth formers were on hand to help and talk to the new arrivals. They were all brilliant and a large number of parents came to speak to me to congratulate them. I gave my thanks on the evening and in assembly this morning.

We have e mailed parents this week about avoiding high caffeine drinks. We have asked that staff in local Tesco stores refuse to serve our students specific drinks not suitable for children. Please do support us with this.

I continue to enjoy cycling in to work and occasionally running from the park and ride in Long Ashton. Sustrans are promoting an alternative travel promotion beginning on the 16th June called "The Big Commute" I am encouraging staff and students to explore other ways of getting into school over the remaining three weeks of term and beyond.

Staff are beginning to prepare resources for students to access over the holidays. It will be important that all students engage in wider reading over the holidays. Please do look at the VLE for updates.

Teaching and Learning Forum

Over the half term teachers have been contributing to an online forum discussing the future of teaching and how as a school we should respond. Increasingly we are using the VLE to communicate and I am anxious to involve students as much as possible. Mrs Cox has asked interested students to become involved and we will look to see how they can contribute to debating a number of issues online in the new term.

Thank you to all of those parents who joined us for the year 13 leaver service on Friday. It is a great way of marking an end to compulsory education and for many, seven years here at BCCS. Mrs Boyland made a wonderful speech and the Dean added some real words of wisdom, some reflections of his experience in the higher education. (Dean at a Cambridge College)

For year 13 the A level examinations are just beginning but for many in year 11 the end is almost in sight with many already complete. Maths is one of the last and I know that teachers will be running revision sessions right up to the end. Please do remind your children to take the most of all these opportunities. I hope that everyone has a good half term it looks like the weather will be suitable for revision!

I attended two wonderful music performances last week. The Parent Evensong on Tuesday and the Next Generation Concert on Wednesday. My thanks to all staff who organise the fantastic events and of course, congratulations to the students who performed so wonderfully.

The GCSE and A1 examinations continue this week. Good luck everyone.

Thank you to parents and students who came to the parent evensong tonight. I am sorry that we did not remind parents or publicise enough. Clearly the timing, at the beginning of the examination season and before the next music concert tomorrow evening was not ideal!  It was a very uplifting event nonetheless and we must not forget that do have a world class choir who perform brilliantly every week, please do make a point of coming to hear them whenever you can. Evensong begins at 5:15 and last for approximately 45 minutes.

I am pleased that students in year 11 had a good day today. My thanks to the pastoral staff for making it a memorable event. The day began with a rousing rendition of Jerusalem in assembly and a wonderful speech by Mr Davies. Mr Moreton was asked to eat 20 mammoth sweets while he did so! After a year group lunch we all met in the Cresswell Centre for speeches and prizes. It is a wonderful year group and we wish them all good luck in the GCSE examinations which begin on Monday.  

Choir School Conference

I am currently at the Choir School Association annual conference in Norwich. Headteachers of the 43 Choir Schools meet at this time each year and there are a number of themes under discussion. One in particular struck a chord with me, led by one of my colleagues Marcus Culverwell from Reigate St Mary's School. The session raised the question of social responsibility and climate change. Students at BCCS respond very positively to charitable activities and I know that many are aware and concerned about global issues surrounding the challenges of energy, water, poverty etc. As a city centre school I would like to encourage staff and students to become even more aware of how we travel into school each day. As the fine weather (hopefully) approaches I hope that we can be encouraged to find some alternatives to car journeys over the summer months. I have begun to cycle into work, though not every day and often one way only! I hope that staff are aware that we do run a cycle to work scheme and I am looking forward to the delivery of my new bike and car rack over the next few weeks.

Many Congratulations to Alec Sims who was named Gabbler of the year last night. The competition was held at the Bristol Hotel and 20 schools competed. The students had prepare and deliver speeches over a number of weeks culminating in the final last night. Alec was outstanding and a worthy winner. His speech was funny, thought provoking and brilliantly delivered. I was joined at the dinner by a number of staff and of course Mrs Cox who has worked so hard to prepare students for the competition over the last four years. My thanks to her for providing such a wonderful opportunity for them. It was lovely to share an evening with Alec’s family who were understandably very proud.

A reminder that we have an outside speaker in tomorrow Fri 25^th to deliver a session on revision and memory techniques to all students in year 11,12 and 13. It is a very useful session and well timed!
 
Good luck to Alec Sims who competes in the Bristol Gabblers competition (public speaking) next week at the Bristol Hotel. Alec has won a number of the previous rounds and is a superb speaker. I know that a number of staff and family are going to the dinner to support him.

It is good to see a large number of students in school today working in the library and with teachers. My thanks to all staff who have been so generous with their time over the holidays. School starts in full tomorrow and we look forward to seeing everyone again. It is a very short term with much to pack in so there will be no start of term service or assembly on Thursday. We will have an assembly on Friday in the Cathedral where we will spend some time celebrating the sporting achievements from last term.

It was good to be at the Easter service at the Cathedral today. The Choir were magnificent and the service was very well attended. I am sure they will be tired after a very busy Easter week and they now have a very well earned weeks break.

A reminder that the library is open again next on Monday and Tuesday for those who find it difficult to study at home. School starts back on Thursday though there are a number of revision sessions taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday. Please do check the revision timetable and attend if you are studying Biology, Art, History, Geography, Music Tech or DT. I look forward to seeing everyone again soon.

Today is the day when all families receive their offer of a place at a primary school, the first coordinated national offer day. I am in school this morning to do interviews with ITV west, ITN and Radio Bristol. We are delighted to again be the most oversubscribed secondary school in Bristol with 6.2 applications for every place, hopwever Cathedral Primary is now officially even more oversubscribed at 6.7:1. It seems likely that this will be the highest proportion of applications in the city. Of course this is a privilege and a great challenge and my thoughts are with families this morning who are disappointed.  I know there is a good deal of emotional investment in school places and this can be a difficult time for families. We will of course be able to provide double the amount of places next year.

Holiday Revision

It was good to see so many students in school today and on Monday. Art, English and the library were particularly busy today. I have delivered chocolate and sweets to all I could find!

Revision Packs

 

Year 11 have just had the final assembly of the year. Packs have been given out to help with revision and I am seeing Y12+13 later this morning.

My New Blog

We have today launched a new system for easy blogging! I am now hoping to do this more regularly. It was great to watch the first 11 take on the staff football team last night at Failand. A terrific match keenly contested. The students won 2:1 with a late winner from Luke Garratt. The staff team did miss a penalty in the first half and there are one or two staff moving with difficulty this morning. I also went to the music concert last night which was superb and deeply moving. Many congratulations to all involved!

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