Dear Parents and Carers,

I am writing to congratulate Year 8 on their recent progress assessments.

Throughout the assessment period, Year 8 demonstrated commendable effort, mature behaviour and a focused, consistent approach to their work. Their positive attitude and willingness to apply themselves was clear to see.

For any students who were absent, we are going to follow the timetable again next week from Monday-Wednesday. Assessments will be scheduled during the same periods, starting with Science on Monday. Your son will be removed from lessons in order to complete any missed assessments.

Thank you for the support you provide at home—it makes a significant difference. If you have any questions, please do get in touch.

Yours sincerely,

Mr Gallagher

Year Leader

Dear Parents / Guardians,

Your son has an upcoming Progress Assessments from 1st – 3rd December. Progress Assessments take place not only to monitor the progress of our students and to identify their strengths and areas for development, but also to help prepare them for their studies in Key Stage 4. These mid-year assessments are not something that students or parents should worry about, but they are an important opportunity for students to demonstrate their learning so far this year and they should prepare accordingly.

Helping the boys develop positive study habits across Key Stage 3 will undoubtedly make the transition into Key Stage 4 much smoother. Having the opportunity early on in their school life to design and carry out a Study Schedule and then see its impact on their learning will demonstrate its importance.

We have and will always stress the need for balance and ensuring that their revision fits around their already busy lives. We understand that teenage boys should be playing with friends, exercising and engaging in other recreational activities. In recognition of this, teachers have been asked where possible that homework in the lead up to the Progress Assessments will be shifted towards revision activities, rather than expecting revision to be done on top of other homework tasks.

Your son’s study schedule will be completed ahead of Monday 17th of November, giving students two weeks to prepare for their Progress Assessments. We are suggesting that boys cover a minimum of three blocks of revision for Maths, English, Science and two blocks of History, Geography, Modern Foreign Languages and Religious Education across a single week. It is important that the boys take regular breaks whilst studying and we would suggest they do not study more than four blocks in an evening.

What can you do as a parent to help your son?

• Ensure they have a work-area/ somewhere they can sit comfortably to revise

• Help your son complete their weekly and daily Study Schedules

• Ask to see some examples of the revision they complete. Try to engage them in a discussion not just about what they are revising, but also how they are revising it.

• Make testing fun! Use their Revision Cards to quiz them - this is a great way to strengthen memory!

• Reward your son for sticking to his Study Schedule

We hope this information is helpful and will help in supporting your son throughout this process.

Yours sincerely,

Mr Gallagher

Year Leader

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I hope your son has enjoyed the first half term of this academic year. I am writing to reinforce the critical role that a positive Attitude to Learning (ATL) plays in determining a pupil’s academic progress and overall development at our school. This term’s judgements are now available via Bromcom (MCAS).

ATL is not simply about grades; it is about the effort, the commitment, and the maturity that your child brings to every lesson and interaction. I firmly believe that behaviours demonstrated daily are the strongest predictors of long-term success, both in school and beyond.

This year we have adapted the judgement descriptors to hopefully be more informative to parents, easier for teachers to use and more impactful for students.

Teachers have been asked to make a ‘best fit’ judgement regarding each pupil’s attitude for every subject, not every example needs to be met for a specific judgement to be made.

Examples of the types of behaviour/attitudes could include -

Above and Beyond (ABO)

• Anyone going above and beyond the criteria for Expected.

• Someone who completes extension work or independent activities over and above what their teacher has asked them to do.

• Contribution in class is exceptional

Expected (EXP)

• Arrive at lessons fully equipped and prepared to learn.

• Complete all CW to the best of their ability.

• Respond to advice on how to improve their work.

• Participate in lessons and work well with their peers.

• To be polite and punctual, participative and cooperative, learning from mistakes, taking pride in what they do.

Just Below Expected (JB)

• Does not always have the correct equipment to complete their work.

• Could participate more fully.

• Does not always respond to advice and feedback.

• Punctuality may be a problem.

Some Concern (SC)

• There could be issues with equipment on a regular basis.

• They could have failed to complete classwork on a number of occasions.

• There could be persistent behavioural issues that affect their or other students’ learning.

• Picking and choosing when they are prepared to work and when they aren’t.

Teachers have also been asked to make judgements regarding homework. Judgements regarding completion and/or quality have been recorded. We have also highlighted where some student’s homework has exceeded the expected standard.

Homework Key:

Exceed Homework often exceeds the expected standard

None No Concerns about Homework

Comp There are concerns about completing work on time

Qual There are concerns about the quality of homework

Comp Qual There are concerns about both quality and completing work on time

When a pupil receives an ‘Above and Beyond’ judgement, it signifies that their daily habits are setting them up for success, and we celebrate that commitment.

However, if your child receives a judgement of ‘Just Below’ or ‘Some Concern’ in a subject, it is a crucial signal that their learning habits are hindering their potential. We urge you to take these judgements seriously and use the reports as a basis for conversation at home. Teachers will be making a second ATL judgement at the end of the Autumn term.

The report also includes attendance and punctuality statistics and a numerical count of positive and negatives recorded on Bromcom (MCAS). Please do have a conversation regarding these measures, the report itself has some graphics and information regarding attendance.

We ask that you focus on the following with your child:

• Review the Report: Discuss their ATL grades with them, the judgements shouldn't be surprising

• Create a Plan: Help them establish a routine for packing their bag the night before, setting aside dedicated time for homework, and encouraging them to use teacher feedback constructively.

• Reinforce Resilience: Remind them that true learning involves struggle and that effort, not just innate ability, is key.

By reinforcing these expectations at home, we can create a powerful and consistent message that effort and attitude are non-negotiable foundations for achievement.

If you have any questions about your child's recent ATL judgements or would like to discuss strategies for supporting them at home, please do not hesitate to contact their Year Leader.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support in ensuring our pupils thrive.

Yours sincerely,

Mr. M A Cox.

Assistant Headteacher 

Dear Parent/Guardian,

Would your son like to start learning the clarinet or trombone?

We are keen to support more pupils in learning an instrument, particularly woodwind or brass. Year 7 and 8 pupils have the opportunity to borrow a clarinet or trombone from the school at just £50 for the academic year. We currently have one clarinet and four trombones available on a first come first served basis (and warmly welcome any additional donations).

To take advantage of this offer, pupils must sign up and receive clarinet or trombone lessons with Kingston Music Service or the Saturday Morning Music Service here at Richard Challoner School for the academic year. The £50 fee helps to cover maintenance costs, and instruments must be returned by the end of the current Summer Term.

To find out more or to register your interest, please write to Mr Leach at mrleach@challoner.kingston.sch.uk.

Outside of this offer, please be aware that music lessons happen Monday to Saturday at Richard Challoner on a range of instruments and singing. Find out more on the following websites:

Kingston Music Service - https://ukkingston.speedadmin.dk/registration#/

Saturday Morning Music Service - https://www.richardchalloner.com/smms

Kind regards and I look forward to more pupils having music lessons this year,

Mr A Leach
Subject Leader for Music
Richard Challoner School

Dear Parent/Guardian

During this academic year your son will be involved in several projects, in both Design Technology and Food and Nutrition, requiring certain materials which, when used in large quantities, are a significant drain on the limited resources available to the school. As you are no doubt aware, school budgets are under severe pressure as costs continue to rise and Government funding lags behind.

It is therefore common practice to charge for finished products which are then taken home. In order to streamline the collection of such money I am proposing a one off payment of £13.50 for the year, which will allow students to take home any finished products without further charge and provide all the required ingredients for Food and Nutrition lessons.

I hope that you agree this represents tremendous value for money, as well as providing your son with a varied and stimulating curriculum.

I would stress that although this donation is entirely voluntary, in times of financial strain in education, resources are limited. Your donation will ensure the best possible range of resources being available for your son when he works in these areas. We have pushed this payment back until the spring term knowing the considerable financial demands that the start of each new academic year makes. Payments should be made through Bromcom in the usual way and we would ask that your contribution is made before the end of Spring half term. 

If anyone requires financial assistance please contact the school bursar using the email below stephanie.harvey@challoner.kingston.sch.uk

Thank you in anticipation of your support in this matter.

Dear Parents/Carers of Year 8,

Richard Challoner School is committed to ensuring students have the best resources available to plan ahead for their future and as part of that students are provided with impartial Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance.

This can be in lessons, through school events, the careers library and also through the Careers Lead and CEIAG Advisor, Mrs Stansbridge.

Throughout the year Mrs Stansbridge will focus on seeing students either in small groups or individually beginning with students in year 11 to help them think about important choices for post 16 education. Students in years 7-13 will also be offered opportunities as the year progresses and at key points in their decision making.

For year 8,

• Careers appointments will be in the spring and summer term if a student or tutor requests one. Please join us in encouraging students to think ahead about any questions they may have, or areas to explore.

• If, as a parent, you have questions or would like to speak to me please make contact through the email address below.

• Year 8 will also complete their careers unit in the spring term. This will be about preparing them for year 9 and thinking about what skills and qualities they have gained since year 7. Students complete a booklet which is on their ipad with information on showbie.

• Students will also take part in Take Your Sons to Work day provisionally booked in for Tuesday 10th June 2026. More information on this to follow. This is a great opportunity to show students the reality of workplaces and insight in to careers they may not have encountered before.

• National Apprenticeship Week in February and National Careers Week in March are celebrated in school with activities taking place during tutorial time and materials are placed on the website in advance.

Please also visit the careers pages on the school website https://www.richardchalloner.com/careers where there will regularly be information regarding events or opportunities as well as some useful information for parents around career planning. I will write to you again with an update later in the academic year.

I am also excited to introduce a weekly newsletter in association with The Careers People, which will be published on the careers pages of the school website and circulated to students which will give information on national and local events as well as spotlights on varying careers.

This year we are continuing to use our careers platform called Xello. More information is available on the careers pages linked above, and we hope to roll out a parent side later in the academic year to allow you to see your sons progress and career ideas. Students have access to this platform via their ipads and can use independently and during guided time in careers units.

Introducing the concept of careers and future planning at an early stage does allow students to explore their strengths and help to make informed choices. Each year group will also have time in their pastoral programme to explore these themes in more detail. Students are also welcome to drop into the Careers Office.

There will also be support for school activities and arranging for professionals from varying careers backgrounds to come in and work with students to inspire and bring the working world further into education.

If you are able to support in these activities through giving a talk, representing your company or industry or sharing stories with students please complete the following short google form- https://forms.gle/5NQCtPLRzyEhPUiu5

Please take this opportunity to talk at home about future plans and if you have any queries, questions or would like to support these activities in anyway please contact the school or email careersiag@challoner.kingston.sch.uk

Yours sincerely

Mrs LJ Stansbridge

CEIAG Lead (Careers Education and Information Advice and Guidance)