Principal's end of term letter March 2024

This letter can also be downloaded from the link at the bottom of this page.

22^nd March 2024

Dear Parent/Carer,

Spring has sprung! It is the season for new beginnings and warmer weather following the cold, dark months of winter. Students and staff have been happy to be back in school this term and have been working hard inside and outside the classroom, with some fantastic achievements—even as Year 11 and Year 13 work ever closer to their exams.

With the holiday coming, I thought we could take this opportunity to write to you with a few reminders from the Academy, the date of our next INSET (staff training day) and information around revision.

Arrangements for the End of Term

We will break up from school on Thursday 28^th March. It will be a half-day; students will still have periods 1 and 2 that day and will be dismissed during period 4 (12:10-13:10) after a Whole School Assembly.

Whole Day INSET – Monday 15^th April

On Monday 15^th April, the Academy will be closed to students for the whole day to allow for staff training to take place. All students should return to school at the usual time of 8.20am on Tuesday 16^th April 2024.

Revision Sessions over the Holiday – Year 11 and Sixth Form

The annual exam season is nearly upon us. Year 11 students and students in the Sixth Form have been working hard in school to prepare for them. To further assist them with their studies and preparation, teachers will be holding revision sessions over the Easter holiday. Students will be issued with a revision timetable. They should check this carefully to see when revision will be on offer for the subjects they are studying. Students should be punctual to these sessions to maximise their effectiveness. On the days that revision is not on offer, students are expected to revise at home.

Uniform

As ever, I would like to thank parents for your support in maintaining a high standard of school uniform and I am pleased to report that almost all of our students are coming to school properly dressed for the day. Please make sure that ties and blazers are worn when your child is leaving the house in the morning.

Following the Easter holiday, jumpers will be optional until the October half-term holiday in the next academic year. I would also like to take this opportunity to remind parents about the requirements of school trousers. School trousers must be plain black, tailored and loose fitting. No denim or leggings are allowed.  Students, male and female, are not permitted to wear ‘skinny’ trousers.

Each morning, we check students at the gate and any student not meeting the school’s expectations in terms of appropriate uniform will either have to wear a borrowed item of uniform from the school for the day or be sent home with a letter informing you of the reason. Following this, students are expected to return to school in the correct uniform.

Students are not permitted to wear trainers outside of P.E. lessons at school. If students do not have the correct footwear, we will send them home to get their school shoes. If for any reason your child cannot wear either their own school shoes or a pair of ours for medical reasons, please inform the school in the usual way.  Students who do not have medical reasons for not wearing shoes and do not have a suitable pair at home will be lent a pair of shoes for the day.

Finally, jewellery should be kept to a minimum – only one set of plain earring studs are allowed. No facial piercings are permitted. Clear studs are not acceptable. Students attempting to hide piercings behind surgical masks will also be challenged to remove them. Hairstyles should be appropriate for a school/work environment and only natural colour with no highlights, lowlights or any bright colours.

Teenagers will try to modify the school uniform. Please follow this guide and do not allow students to bend the uniform rules or sway your judgement about what school uniform actually is! In all cases, the school will determine whether your child meets the school’s expectations with regard to both uniform and appearance.

We hope that you and yours have a restful and rejuvenating Easter break. Please look after yourselves and each other, and we look forward to seeing you all in April!

Thank you for your support and cooperation.

Yours faithfully,

Mr P.V. Sutton OBE

Principal