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!