Principals update
It is a huge honour and privilege to be leading Firth Park Academy. In December when we announced this to the community, I explained the decision to step-up to become Acting Principal was an easy one; simply because I am committed and driven to serve this community.
As many of you will already be aware, I have been at the academy since 2016. I joined as the Vice Principal responsible for inclusion and safeguarding.
In addition to my knowledge of the school, our leadership team is being supported by our nation-wide trust; Academies Enterprise Trust, however, knowing the community (students, parents/ carers and of course staff) is something I feel is critical at this time.
As parents and carers, I wanted to personally thank you for all your support with the recent changes as we work hard to improve standards in both behaviour and progress as our main school improvement priorities. I have been really humbled to speak to many of you who are completely in support of the school.
I am incredibly proud of our students and the ambition they show. I will be working more closely to hear the views of the students through more student voice and the academy council parent/ carer members are working alongside me to ensure communication is strengthened with you as parents/carers. We are all here to ensure each child at school achieves the best in life and really does ‘find their remarkable’ through a fantastic education.
The changes to the school day starting 19.2.24 (after ½ term) will help to drive the standards we need to reach.
I am working hard to review the progress of year 10 and 11 sharply to ensure they are achieving the best GCSE results. It is also important to review the year 7-9 student’s, please know we are thoroughly committed to raising standards. We have work to do but together we can look to a stronger, more successful school.
I am a firm believer that ‘it takes a village/ community to raise a child ’ and it is with this ethos I believe Firth Park Academy will begin an exciting journey of improvement.
Yours faithfully,
Liz Cartledge
Behaviour Policy Changes
We have moved towards using a C1, C2, C3 and C4 consequence system in classrooms. If a student receives a C4, they will be removed from the lesson and placed in another classroom to work. Parents should receive a call home from the staff member to explain the reason they were removed.
If a student receives multiple C4’s in a day they will be taken out of circulation and educated separately.
We have Proud to Praise Thursday’s where students can bring work signed off by staff for demonstrating outstanding ability. They will receive a prize for each piece of work they submit.
We continue to apply our uniform policy. We would like to thank parents for supporting the school in ensuring students do not have false nails, wear correct footwear, attend in full uniform and remove all jewellery except for a ring, a bracelet, a pair of stud earrings and if they wish a nose stud. All jewellery must be removed ready to participate in PE lessons.
We continue to award stamps, so please check student planners to see how they are doing on a daily basis. You can also monitor your child’s behaviour using the Arbor App. If you have any concerns, please contact their Head of Year.
Finally, we will celebrate our Gold and Silver learners in the Golden Ticket event at the end of the half term. Please look out for announcements regarding the activities.
Every Moment Matters: Firth Park Academy Champions Attendance!
Here at Firth Park Academy, we know that every moment in school counts. That's why we're excited to announce three fantastic initiatives designed to support our students and parents in prioritizing attendance and punctuality.
1. #MomentsMatter: Attendance Champions!
The Department for Education has launched the #MomentsMatter campaign, reminding us of the immense impact regular attendance has on a child's learning, development, and future success. As part of this movement, Firth Park Academy is doubling down on its commitment to ensuring all students get the most out of their education.
2. Recognizing and Rewarding Attendance Excellence!
We're thrilled to introduce a new recognition and rewards program celebrating students who demonstrate outstanding attendance and positive improvements. Every term, we'll showcase students who go the extra mile to be present and punctual, acknowledging their dedication and commitment. Stay tuned for exciting prize announcements and school-wide celebrations!
3. Every Minute Counts: Punctuality Matters Too!
While consistent attendance is crucial, being on time for classes is equally important. We've noticed that even a few minutes missed due to late arrivals or early departures can add up quickly, impacting valuable learning time. Remember, colleges, workplaces, and future employers value good attendance habits, which start right here, right now.
Being late by more than 30-minutes to Period 1 or Tutor can result in losing valuable attendance marks. So, even if your child is at school everyday, they may not have 100% attendance.
Working Together for Success!
We believe in open communication and collaboration. Please reach out to your child's teacher, Head of Year, or our dedicated Attendance team if you need any support or have any questions regarding attendance or punctuality. We're here to help ensure every student at Firth Park Academy thrives and reaches their full potential!
Let's make every moment count!
Together, we can build a strong foundation for success, one present and punctual student at a time!
#FirthParkAcademy #MomentsMatter #AttendanceMatters #PunctualityMatters
P.S. Don't forget to check out the Department for Education's blog for more information and resources on the importance of attendance: https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2024/01/03/improving-school-attendance/