Dear all,

Welcome back to our colleagues who have given generously of their time to plan, organise and run successful trips last week. The initial feedback has been extremely positive. I have included a few pictures from the S3 Yorkshire Dales Trip and the S2 Mediterranean adventure in the photos below.

It is great to be able to start our new timetable this week.  I am confident that this will maximise the time we have this term with our young people as they embark on new courses - particularly those who have recently made choices.  Thanks again to David and the PTs who have worked hard to ensure we are ready to go on Monday.

Let's start as we mean to go on with high expectations.  Gordon has already shared the slides that we should all use to send a consistently message about positive behaviour, organisation and learning.  As influential role models, please ensure that you are modelling the high expectations that we have of our learners.

I have sent an email inviting one person from each team to join me in a short life Celebrating Success working group.  The first meeting is period 7 on Tuesday 27th May.  Here is a link to the recent survey conducted collating the range of ways that teams currently recognise and celebrate success.

I have asked PTs to consider how each team will contribute to providing activities for our Form Classes.  They are currently led inconsistently as we do not have a formal programme.  We understand the need to ensure that our pupils use this time (equivalent to two periods) consistently and with a rich focus on learning. The aim is to have this completely filled for August covering a wide range of activities that reflects the subjects across the school.   Here is a link to the current calendar of Form Class Themes.  If you can provide activities, perhaps something that you have done previously, please add to the calendar.

BGE assessment meetings are taking place with PTs and Phil and me.  The purpose is to discuss approaches to assessing in the BGE and how judgements can best be shared with learners, parents and staff to improve attainment.  We are looking specifically at each subject in relation to the Progress software.

I am keen to collect data on participation rates (in and out of school activities) across the school.  I will send out a google form for young people to complete this term.  This will give us a baseline.  I am planning to scrutinise this against our target groups so that we can check that our most vulnerable pupils are included and taking part in the opportunities that best suits them. I will share the form on each year group Google Classroom and ask that Form Class Leaders protect some time to ensure that everyone in their class complete the form.  I hope that this will give us evidence of what is working well and highlight any gaps that might exist.

Open Doors starts this week.  Sheena and I are looking forward to our visit on Wednesday to Social Subjects.  Michelle will join me in a visit to maths on Thursday.  Thanks to everyone in advance for your welcome and sharing your practice.  Here is a link to the May/June 2025 schedule.

Another important part of our school strategy to ensure great learning and teaching across the school is Tri-Learning.  Our final important group meeting to discuss our finding during tri-learning is scheduled for Thursday 29 May.  Please ensure that you have completed your observations, and, if you do not work on a Thursday, please ensure that you share them with Sheena in advance.  Just a reminder... you should have:

1. Arranged observation periods.

2. Completed e-cover, even if you are using a non-contact period.

3. Bring blank copy of observation sheet (link below) to each lesson you are observing.

4. Bring these, filled in, to meeting of nine on May 29. 

• groups 

• observation notes

As always, thanks for your hard work and professionalism. 

Have a great week.  #buildingfuturestogether

Elaine