Visitors to School

On Wednesday we welcomed 12 senior leaders from Hampshire who visited with the National Education Trust. Alongside some leadership training courtesy of Mr Steward we asked the delegates to visit lessons, talk to students, look through books and observe teaching. We also asked them to observe a break and lunchtime. Roy Blatchford who heads up the NET calls it a BLINK inspection and we value the fresh pairs of eyes within the school.  

During the afternoon colleagues reflected on what they had seen. They were overwhelmingly positive about the school commenting in particular on:

·      The calmness and courtesy of the students, core values displayed on the walls and in the behaviour

·      Absolute engagement in learning during lessons

·      Pride in the school including smart uniform

·      Excellent progress noted during lessons

·      The display around the school including the feature of A* work

Inevitably we asked them to consider what we could do to improve. As a result we are trying to make sure staff wear hi-visibility jackets on College Square and we are going to look to put a one-way system in place in the canteen.  A helpful day for all!

Curriculum Changes

Thank you to teachers and parents for what seemed to be a very useful year 8 parents evening this week.  We also had another very successful sixth form open evening.  

A number of parents asked me questions about the curriculum, in particular if it would be possible to introduce or reinstate various subjects. As an academy we do have some flexibility as long as our curriculum is broad and balanced. As a faith school we have a statutory obligation to offer RS at KS4 and as a music specialist school I am of course keen to encourage music. In selecting the subject offer we have to make sure that:

1.    We have the staff with the subject expertise to teach them

2.    We can afford it

This affordability issue is becoming increasingly important as schools work out what to do in the face of significant cuts to budgets. In all schools the average class size decreases from KS3-5. State schools of course have to ensure that class sizes remain high and have to be careful not to offer too many subjects, bringing the average class size down.

You may have heard about the introduction of the EB with a consultation launched earlier this month.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/473455/Consultation_on_implementing_the_English_Baccalaureate.pdf

This will place greater pressure on all schools, academies or otherwise to ensure that as many students as possible take history, geography and a language. Additionally the changes in league tables to include progress 8 measures make it inevitable that schools will make alterations to their curriculum, not necessarily in the best interests of their students!

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/456438/Progress_8_school_performance_measure_2015_updated_August_2015.pdf

I will be happy to discuss these challenges at the parent consultation evening tomorrow evening.

Staff Training

I hope parents and students have had a good half term. Teachers return on Monday for our third training day of the year.

We will be focusing on some of the Action Research outcomes that teachers have been involved with this term. In particular we will be looking at how we can encourage students to be curious and ask good questions.  In departments staff will also consider how we can improve our provision for AIM students (Able Interested and Motivated)

During the afternoon subject teams will get a chance to prepare for the new examination specifications at A level and GCSE. Change is inevitable in education but politicians seem intent to make life difficult! We will also give staff the opportunity to get some more training on the VLE and interactive whiteboards. Technology being one of those other things that constantly changes.  We look forward to seeing students again on Tuesday.

Uniform update School Trends

I had a meeting with School Trends today. We have agreed to make a decision about whether we continue to work with them by Christmas. Please do continue to let me know your thoughts and share your experiences so that our decision takes into account your experiences and, no doubt, frustrations! The company reassure me that they have put the following in place: - Improved ICT systems including regular e mail updates about the progress of orders - Increased phone line capacity - A new operations manager

Apologies and parent evening dates

I am sorry that it has been some time since my last post. It was a mistake to decorate, remove various wires and forget passwords! 

I understand from the PTA meeting this week that the list of parent evenings and other events is not yet on the VLE. I am anxious to arrange a parent consultation evening to discuss the sixth form project and I will try to publish some dates for after half term. In the meantime:

12/10/2015 Monday 4.00 Year 11 ACBOs Concerns 

  4.00 Year 11 Subject Parents Evening 

 13/10/2015 Tuesday 4.00 Year 11 ACBOs Concerns 

  4.00 Year 11 ACBOs Concerns 

 21/10/2015 Wednesday 7.30pm Prize Giving, Bristol Cathedral (all pupils Year 8 - 13)

  9.00pm Term ends for pupils

HALF TERM 

  

03/11/2015 Tuesday Term restarts for pupils

12/11/2015 Thursday 4.00 - 6.30 Year 8 Subject Parents Evening

25/11/2015 Wednesday 4.00 - 6.30 Year 13 Subject Parents Evening

02/12/2015 Wednesday 4.00 - 6.30 Year 12 Subject Parents Evening

16/12/2015 Wednesday 2.30pm Christmas service, Bristol Cathedral 3.30pm Term ends

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS 

   

LENT TERM 2016  

 04/01/2016 Monday Term starts for pupils 0850am service (clergy TBC)

07/01/2015 Thursday Year 11 Mock Grade Handout

Year 11 Academic tutorials

12/01/2015 Tuesday Year 10 & 11 Study Skills Day
Years 7, 8 & 9 Academic Tutorial Collapsed Day 21/01/2015 Thursday 4.00 - 6.30 Year 9 Options Evening

28/01/2016 Thursday 4.00 - 6.30 Year 9 Subject Parents Evening

05/02/2016 Friday 4.00 Term ends for pupils