Gender assembly

Mrs Cox led a very powerful assembly this week on the theme of sexism and appropriate language. In part, the assembly was arranged because we have had a number of reports of inappropriate language being used around school, particularly from students in the older year groups. I am aware that students often use slang and they are increasingly unable to distinguish when it’s appropriate to use it. In addition they can use professionally and socially unacceptable words without considering venue and occasion! Specifically, the assembly focused on gender related vocabulary and some students seemed surprised that we have warned them that these words, descriptions or phrases are not acceptable in school. The student equalites group have been raising the profile of this and other themes of the last few months and they have already taken a whole school assembly, appointing ambassadors and speaking to the governing body. I will ask Mrs Cox to circulate the pp slides Please do take the time to discuss this with your children at home.

CPS

This week is an important one for Cathedral Primary School. The planning committee meets on Wednesday 18th at 6pm at the Colston Hall to make as decision about the permanent site within the basement of the library. The arguments have been in the public domain for some time now and I will not repeat them here. However, there is no doubt that the development of the campus, the sharing of staff, resources and knowledge will benefit both BCCS and CPS. Please do feel free to attend and show your support, the meeting is open to the public.

Sixth Form and school day

Please be reminded that there will be another opportunity to discuss the sixth from project on Monday 9th March. 7pm in the Cresswell Centre. We will also organise an open event to discuss the proposed changes to the timing of the school day before the holidays. I have begun discussing both subjects with students and have really enjoyed listening to their questions and comments.

More politics. A broad and balanced curriculum.

Thank you to all those parents who came along to the consultation 6th form evening last Wednesday. I understand that the debate has continued this week and I have spoken to a number of parents since the evening. I will take the time to discuss the issue with students over the coming days and will let you know about further planned events. Thursday was eventful. As well as the astonishing concert in the Cathedral (congratulations again to all involved) we welcomed Tristram Hunt, Shadow Education Minister to the Cresswell centre. It was interesting to hear about a possible direction for education after the election in May. It is the first time that I have hear a figure quoted in relation to budgets, a 7% cut over the span of the next parliament was suggested as realistic. That will be a challenge for all schools! He was also asked about the findings of the Warwick Commission report, the future of cultural values. Over the last decade there has been a 50% drop in GCSE entries for DT and 23% for Drama. The other arts are equally in decline. This may be to do, in part with the English Baccalaureate and the introduction of progress 8. Schools are being encouraged to ensure that all students take History, Geography and a Language. Mr Hunt mentioned History as being an important subject, I agree but no more so than RE or Music (not on the list!) “There are major concerns that the educational system is not focusing on the future needs of the cultural and creative industries and the broader needs for inn ovation and growth,” the commission said. For me a broad and balanced curriculum must include the subjects that help us to understand the world and its people. We should also be providing a curriculum relevant to the needs of the students we teach. No two schools are the same.