Dear Parents and Guardians,

We have reached the end of our first module of the academic year and have had a very busy, but incredibly positive start.  As I have said in previous updates, our Year 7s and 12s have made a fantastic start and have progressed hugely throughout the course of this first part of the year.  Year 10s have made a great start to their KS4, with evidence of them really stepping up to the additional level of challenge that GCSEs bring through the high level of independent work being completed and their articulation of knowledge in lessons.  Year 11s have been attending the P6 sessions far earlier on in the academic year than ever before in the preparation for their upcoming mock exams.  

Over the course of the module, we have awarded more than 12,500 MYP reward points to recognize students who demonstrate outstanding qualities aligned with the IB MYP Learner Profile traits.

The top 5 traits celebrated across the school were:

1. Knowledgeable – Students are engaging deeply with the curriculum, showing a strong commitment to acquiring and applying knowledge across various subjects.

2. Thinker – Many students have been recognized for their critical and creative thinking skills, helping them approach problems with insight and reflection.

3. Communicator – Our learners have excelled in expressing their ideas confidently and collaborating effectively with peers, showing that they value both speaking and listening.

4. Principled – Integrity and responsibility have shone through, with students acting honestly and standing by their values while respecting others.

5. Risk-taker – Students have demonstrated the courage to take on new challenges, push beyond their comfort zones, and explore innovative approaches to their learning.

We are proud of the way our students continue to embody these key traits and look forward to their continued growth in the coming year.

We also want to take a moment to express our gratitude for the excellent attendance so far. Your child's consistent presence in class has is a significant factor in their academic success. Good attendance is essential for students to fully engage with their learning and build strong relationships with their peers and teachers. Thank you for your continued support in ensuring your child is in school regularly. 

It is a very busy start to the year, especially for our Year 7 students where everything has been so new to them.  I hope all our wonderful students have a restful and happy half term break and we look forward to welcoming them back on the 5th November following our staff Inset day on the 4th.  

Thank you for your continued support

Mrs Brooks 

Year 7 Parents Maths Update 

Over the past eight weeks, our Year 7 students have made a successful and seamless transition from primary to secondary mathematics.   We have been so impressed with their enthusiastic participation in lessons and how they have embraced challenge in the classroom. 

During this period, the mathematics department has carefully assessed each student’s abilities through a blend of engaging lesson activities and formal assessments.  These combined initiatives have enabled us to effectively place students in classes tailored to their current abilities and future potential, ensuring they learn at a pace that allows them to thrive.

As we embark on the new module, all Year 7 students will be assigned to their new classes. We are excited to support every pupil in reaching their full potential within a learning environment that is best suited to their individual needs. Together, we look forward to fostering a rich educational experience that encourages growth and success in mathematics.

Mr Harper - KS3 Lead Maths 

Media and Film Department Update 

In year 10 media and film studies ,the students have wasted no time in getting stuck into their option subjects with a fantastic attitude towards learning new things.  

In film, students have been getting to grips with a whole new film language consisting of terms such as 'mise-en-scene' (a collective term for setting, costume, props, positioning and performance); cinematography (the relationship between lighting and camera); editing techniques (making sense of how stories are told) and some terms to describe soundtracks that they never knew existed! They have spent time analysing these component parts and their relationship to each other in helping create meaning for, and responses from, different audiences.  

Notable mentions in film go to Keira for her outstanding application of film terminology and her ability to extract a variety of interpretations from a film sequence, and Jude for the sheer range of films he has watched! This provides him with an excellent bank of knowledge to draw from particularly in relation to genre conventions and directorial style. 

In media studies we have begun by taking a whistlestop tour through the historical and patriarchal advertising of the 1950s into more contemporary marketing campaigns such as This Girl Can, that have been hugely successful in breaking down barriers between women and sport through inclusive representations of women in their advertising.  The students have been learning to analyse how media products communicate meanings to specific target audiences whilst also paying close attention to the relevant contexts of the time in which they were made and we end module 1 firmly in the James Bond franchise where we continue to explore the representation of gender over time.  There have been some insightful discussions and sophisticated written responses around the changing role of the 'bond girl' and how the franchise both conforms to and challenges feminist theoretical perspectives.  

Notable mentions in media go to Emily for her excellent extended writing that incorporates ambitious vocabulary and media theory and Reggie, whose enthusiasm and inquisitiveness from the outset has encouraged others in the class to feel confident enough to get involved in discussions. 

Miss Entacott - Head of Media and Film Department 

Art and Design Update 

Dates to remember:

Module 2 - Monday 4th November - Inset Day

    Tuesday 5th November - Students return on a week 2 timetable

    Thursday 7th November - Sixth Form Open Evening - 5-7pm

    Monday 11th November - Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award Information Evening - 5.45-6.30pm

                     Wednesday 4th and Thursday 5th December - Flu Vaccines for Years 7-11, please ensure that you have completed the consent from.

                     Thursday 12th, Friday 13th and Saturday 14th - Mascalls Academy Dance Show - 7pm