In The Loop

Dear families,

It has been delightful to welcome all of our pupils over the course of this week and particularly our new Year 7 pupils and those joining us in Year 12 for the first time. They have settled in well and I know I speak for all staff when I say we wish them a successful time during their CCF journey. All pupils have made an impressive start to the academic year, both in terms of meeting our high standards of uniform and behaviour and with their excellent attitudes to learning.

Summer success

I spoke to all year groups this week in assembly about how Christ’s College is a school where we genuinely believe our pupils can accomplish anything: there is no lid to our ambitions for our pupils. Over the summer our pupils who sat external examinations attained exceptional results and I am thrilled that so many of our Year 13 pupils attained the grades required to secure their chosen post-18 destinations. Our Year 11 pupils also secured incredible outcomes and I am pleased to see so many former Year 11 pupils in Year 12. Please click here for more details on the results which are a testament to the hard work of pupils, supported by their families, and staff. 

Premises

The summer holidays provided the opportunity to continue the rolling programme of premises improvements works and particularly the start of the project to replace the roof over the reception area and DT classrooms. This work will continue until the end of next month. Over the summer we further upgraded our security measures including access doors being installed on all external exit doors. As I explained to pupils in assemblies this week, the doors to the East and West entrances and canteen are open for pupils before and after school and during social times but all other doors, which are fire doors, are only to be used in an emergency. Further works over the summer include the refurbishment of one of our Science laboratories and the installation of state-of-the-art smart boards in a number of classrooms. We have also appointed a new cleaning company who are busy ensuring our facilities are kept at their best. 

Communication 

I believe that education is most successful when there is partnership between school, pupils and parents and regular communication is a vital part of this. In The Loop is shared each Friday and I would encourage families to read the updates as they provide useful information and outline key events. There are a number of events throughout the year and these are all available on the calendar on the school website (click here). We are committed to ensuring that our pupils are supported and staff are always here to deal with concerns. Should you have a query, the usual first point of contact should be your child’s form tutor or class teacher and staff can be contacted via info@ccfplus.com. Staff aim to respond as soon as possible but please remember that teachers are likely to be teaching during the school day and may have meetings after school. Please call the school on the main number if there is an urgent issue. Should your child be too unwell to attend school, please email attendance@ccfplus.com before 8.30am on every day of your child’s absence. 

Safeguarding

Mr Hodges, Deputy Headteacher, is our Designated Safeguarding Lead. More information on safeguarding can be found on the school website (click here) and there are regular safeguarding updates given in the weekly ITL. 

In line with other local schools, we work closely with external agencies including the police and we do use preventative measures such as bag screening or drug detection dogs. I would like to reassure families that these are routine measures rather than a response to any specific concerns.

Cars on school site

A reminder that pupils should not be dropped off or picked up at school unless by prior agreement with a member of senior staff. The main entrance becomes very busy at the start and end of school and I trust parents and carers understand that cars should not be driven onto or off the school site at our peak times, particularly 3.05-3.20pm, to ensure our pupils are able to enter and leave school safely.

Open Evening - Tuesday 16th September and late start Wednesday 17th September

Our annual Open Evening will take place on Tuesday 16th September 2025 and pupils will be dismissed after period 4 to allow staff time to set up for the event. Pupils in Years 10-13 can leave at 1.30pm (or they can stay and have lunch and leave at 2.05pm) and pupils in Years 7-9 will leave at 2.05pm. I know there will be a number of pupils supporting the evening which runs from 5.30-8pm.

On Wednesday 17th September 2025 there will be a late start and pupils should arrive from 11am ready for period 3 at 11.30am. 

I look forward to another busy and successful year and to meeting you all at various events throughout the year. It has been a very positive first week and I hope you all enjoy a relaxing weekend.

Kind regards,

Dr Ruth Hill

Headteacher