Principal's Message

Uniform

As we have had very hot and humid weather over the last few days, we have had a number of queries about school uniform and we would like here just to set out what our policy is this academic year.

• Students need to wear their uniform to school, except on days when they have PE when they can wear their PE kit to school. If COVID-19 restrictions have lifted further by September, then we'll return to our usual policy where pupils wear uniform every day and bring their PE kit to get changed into in the changing rooms.

• Teachers can always give permission for students to remove blazers in lesson. This is at a teacher's discretion, but teachers will nearly always give a student permission to remove their blazer in the lesson if they wish to do so.

• Students do not have to wear their blazer at break time or lunchtime.

• On very hot days, Mr Carter will make a decision as to whether students can have their blazers off when they are moving between lessons. Students will be told this during the day and so should always bring their blazer with them to school.

• Please note that we do not have a gender-specific uniform - there is no separate policy for boys or girls.

We know parents will be beginning to think about buying uniform for next academic year, and we would strongly encourage you to look at the uniform policy on our website. We strongly advise against you letting your children decide which shoes, skirts or trousers are appropriate as they often get this wrong, whether knowingly or not! If you are in any doubt as to whether something is appropriate uniform, then please contact your Parent Liaison Officer (PLO).

Instrumental Lessons, 2021-2022

We are very pleased to announce that we shall be returning to in-school instrumental lessons for Years 7, 8 and 9 from September 2021. Students in Years 10-13 will still receive lessons via the Thetford Music Project, but lower years will benefit from Inspiration Trust's new Visiting Music Teacher (VMT) programme.

We hope to have a number of places available in the following instruments:

• Singing

• Clarinet

• Flute

• Saxophone

• Violin

• Guitar

• Bass Guitar

• Piano / Keyboard

Lessons are heavily subsidised by Inspiration Trust and the cost will be £50 for one term of lessons. This will be a weekly lesson, and students will be taught in small groups or 1:1, depending on their level. We are very grateful to Inspiration Trust for this as the lessons are significantly cheaper than normal.

For more information about lessons, please contact our Head of Performing Arts, Laura Hodges (laurahodges@inspirationtrust.org).

To express an interest in instrumental lessons, please complete this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSely_LPhZhV2LqH_YxvHfBIjX7gGQtYcbkdNARXnEvjhClnEQ/viewform?usp=sf_link.

In addition, we would like to ensure that no student who wants to do instrumental lessons is unable to due to concerns about money. If your child would like to do instrumental lessons but you feel that you cannot afford them, then please contact ilonahaye@inspirationtrust.org who can advise on what further financial support we might be able to provide.

Community Courses for ESOL Learners

Please see below for a course for people who speak English as a second language. Also please note that any parents who are EU citizens need to apply to the EU Settlement scheme as soon as possible.

Fostering with Norfolk County Council

Supporting children with anxiety

Art Virtual Exhibition