4th April 2025

Welcome to our weekly bulletin,

Preparing for the future has been a theme this week, from visits to university to work experience preparation, we have been very busy...

Discussing...

This week our new build meeting focused on carpets and interior design. We have been considering classroom layout and final finishes that will stand the test of time.

Visiting Teesside University

Our KS3 students went to Teesside University to immerse themselves in a hands-on science masterclass.

They used laboratory-grade equipment to explore the world of microbiology. They conducted experiments to identify different types of bacteria and used a popular method known as Gram staining which is used in hospitals and in research laboratories.

The sessions at Teesside university provided a practical, in-depth experience, fostering a love for learning in STEM and understanding how the field of STEM is significant in medical diagnostics.

Getting invited to the House of Lords

Well done to our Year 11 students Joshua and Linda for winning the Generating genius' Business Enterprise Challenge.

Students had to use their knowledge gained from Generating genius employability and careers workshops to design a plan to integrate AI into a major fashion brand retail store to help increase sales. Both students have won £50 amazon vouchers and invitation to House of Lords, Houses of Parliament, London to celebrate their achievements.

We are so proud of you!

Planning rewards for next week

School Council and Mr Potter have been very busy planning rewards this week. Following consultation with all students, we have a whole host of brilliant experiences planned for next Friday.

All students who are eligible should have now purchased their chosen reward via the classcharts points reward shop. All rewards are free of charge to parents and have been planned and organised by staff. From FIFA to Dungeons & Dragons, our students are going to have an amazing day and it just goes to show that being a STAR student certainly does pay off.

Preparing our Year 11 Study Conference

We now only have three full school weeks and two Easter holiday weeks before Year 11 exams start. Every lesson has been specifically planned to close any gaps in knowledge and practice possible answers.

Next Friday is crucial. Year 11 Geographers will be completing part of the pre-release paper (which will tested in Paper 3 of Geography and can secure a great grade if prepared for properly) and all non geographers will have a morning or short sharp sessions focused on English, Maths Science, Stress Management, Revision Techniques and Timetabling revision.

Please ensure that your child attends. They will be given their study plans for the remaining weeks, Easter revision timetable and their actual timetable for exams.

There will also be some rather exciting lunch to reward them for their dedication and hard work.

Continuing to improve attendance

Year 11 have the best attendance in school this week. Year 10 continue to have the best attendance across the year and will receive extra rewards next week if this continues.

If your child has been poorly during the autumn or spring term, they can still make a difference to their attendance and avoid intervention by attending every day in the Summer Term.

It is also vital that they are on time to school and to lessons and any student who is repeatedly late to lessons will receive a consequence. Any student who is late to school and does not have a valid reason will have to make the time up after school as every minute matters to learning.

Reminding people about our behaviour policy

Some students have needed a reminder this week that detentions are scheduled as a last resort when they have failed to improve their behaviour after several chances to do so.

If your child has been issued with an after school detention (which very few students receive) it means that they have either had three warnings and a lunchtime detention that they have failed to attend or they have seriously disrupted the learning of a whole class despite having three chances to improve or they have failed to do their homework and failed to attend a lunchtime detention to catch it up.

If your child has failed to improve their behaviour despite being given these chances to avoid an after school detention, they will be issued with one. This is a non-negotiable element of our school policy and can not be done within the school day. Detentions within the school day are for less serious breaches. Our policy is based on the very simple system that all actions (good and bad) have consequences and to be a good citizen and successful adult in the world, you have to take responsibility for your actions.

The Department for Education has a clear policy on after school detentions which we follow. We do however recognise that some students would have difficulty getting home if the detention was after school on the same day as the behaviour issue and so we give one day warning to allow you to organise alternative transport.

If a child does not want to attend an after school detention, they should use the three warnings before this is issued to ensure they avoid it. If they have been issued an after school detention and do not attend (without a valid reason e.g. illness), they will receive a further consequence which we urge them to avoid by doing the right thing.

Saving the planet

One of our School Council focuses this year is on sustainability and recycling is a key priority.

Students have been introduced to new bins in school as we are legally required to separate waste.

We would like to recognise all students who have stepped up to make this change and say well done for being so respectful of the rules.

You can also help at home by giving your child a reusable water bottle instead of allowing them to purchase single use plastic on a daily basis. We have cold water fountains in school so bottles can be refilled and this is cheaper in the long run too.