Head Teacher’s Update - April 2025

Dear Parents & carers,

As we come to the end of the spring term which has flown by so quickly. I’ve reflected on the many achievements our school has achieved recently. Our values have certainly been put to the test this term. We’ve shown resilience in mock exams, external reviews and DofE expeditions! Ensuring everyone achieves success is key and we’ve seen students excel in drama workshops at the RSC and in the speaking exams. I’ve seen so much empathy and support for each other, particularly with the care needed for the team with this week’s incident. I also witnessed directly, the integrity of students who responded so quickly to seek support and did the right thing when no-one was looking. We’re truly a great team who can rise to the challenge!

Challenge Partners Review

At the beginning of March, we welcomed a team of five reviewers from a diverse range of schools for a comprehensive three-day quality assurance review. This team, comprising headteachers, deputy headteachers, and assistant headteachers, was led by a Lead Reviewer and Ofsted inspector. Their objective was to evaluate the quality of leadership and educational provision within our school.

This is the third year that we’ve now put these annual reviews in place and whilst they are really hard work for the staff at the school, it really helps gauge where we are against other schools and ensure we are outward facing to improve our offer for all students. We were really pleased with the outcome and the amazing things they said about the students. Challenge Partners is not Ofsted and has a different set of criteria but we came out of the review with effective leadership and effective provision in place. We will continue to take part in our annual reviews to ensure we welcome external verification to grow and develop the school.

School Production - Oliver!

One of the highlights of the term was our fantastic school production of Oliver!, which showcased the incredible talent and dedication of our students. The performances were outstanding, with the cast bringing the much-loved musical to life with energy, enthusiasm, and professionalism. A huge thank you to the students, staff, and families who supported the production—whether on stage, behind the scenes, or in the audience. It was a truly memorable event that demonstrated the creativity and teamwork that make our school community so special.

Duke of Edinburgh Bronze and Silver Expeditions

Students working towards their Bronze or Silver Duke of Edinburhg Award completed their trial expeditions, working with the Action4Youth team in Milton Keynes. They were supported by Mr Richardson and Mrs Duckmanton, and Mrs Shaw popped in to visit to give them some words of encouragement. Over the two weekends, the Action4Youth team were extremely impressed by the conduct of our students and how well they completed the expedition. Good luck for the qualifying expedition later in the year!

Royal Shakespeare Company Workshop

Year 8 students traveled to Stratford-Upon-Avon to engage in a workshop with professional actors, deepening their understanding of Twelfth Night. The experience, organised by Mrs. Spence, provided students with invaluable insights into Shakespearean performance and interpretation.

Year 9 Vaping Assembly

We welcomed Performance In Education who delivered a performance addressing the risks of vaping, peer pressure and substance additction. The performance was well received by students, prompting insightful questions in the Q&A follow up. We will continue to tackle vaping in school and continue to educate the students to ensure they are making informed choices about their health.

Year 10 Geography Residential

Led by Mrs Lear and a dedicated team of teachers, our Year 10 Geography students embarked on a field trip to the Dorset coastline as part of their GCSE studies. They conducted studies on coastal erosion during the day and participated in activities such as archery, axe throwing, climbing, and experiencing a giant swing when not engaged in field studies. This blend of academic and extracurricular activities provided a holistic and memorable learning experience.

Year 9 Options Evening

We were impressed with the numbers of families attending our Options Evening with the launch of our third pathway. Starting September 2025, we will offer three distinct pathways for Key Stage 4. Mrs Shaw shared the school's ambition: regardless of starting points, we aspire for every student to succeed in a curriculum they enjoy and in which they can thrive.

Year 10 English Speaking Endorsements

Over the past few weeks, Year 10 students have undertaken their Speaking Endorsements, delivering presentations on topics of their choice to assess their oracy and spoken language skills. The outcomes of these assessments will be officially recorded on their results sheets in August 2026, reflecting their proficiency in this vital area.

Year 11 Revision

Y11 will have received a letter about study preparation for the summer exams, including links to the revision booklet for all subjects. It’s really important Y11 keep the revision going over the Easter break blended with rest and time to switch off. It’s also really important that they attend all classes and use their teachers’ expertise to understand exam skills, study techniques, revision themes to give themselves the best possible chance of success.

Year 11 GCSE Paris Trip

Earlier this term, a group of our Year 11 GCSE students had the fantastic opportunity to visit Paris as part of their studies. The trip provided an immersive experience, allowing students to develop their language skills while exploring the French capital. Highlights included visiting the Notre Dame, Centre Pompidou and the Palace of Versailles, with students practising their French in local cafés, the fully embracing the experience. Their behaviour was exemplary throughout, and it was wonderful to see their confidence in speaking French grow over the course of the trip. A huge thank you to Mrs Togneri for organising and leading the trip and to all the staff who accompanied them, ensuring such a successful and memorable visit.

New Catering Pod

Over the Easter break, we will be installing a new catering pod to help relieve pressure on the canteen. Located outside near the lockers, the pod will offer students the convenience of purchasing items from our grab-and-go menu. With the summer term just around the corner, there couldn’t be a better time to introduce this additional catering option.

Summer Uniform

We will continue to uphold our high standards of uniform throughout the summer term. However, should the weather become particularly warm, students will be permitted to remove their blazers and ties on a day-by-day basis. We will communicate any such changes to students and their families accordingly.

Thank you

In closing, I extend my gratitude to our dedicated staff, supportive parents, and, most importantly, our exceptional students for their contributions throughout this term. I have been especially touched by the empathy and support shown within our school community following the incident earlier this week. I would like to offer my sincere thanks for the kind words and messages of support we have received - it has meant a great deal to us all. I am pleased to share that the student involved is recovering well, and we look forward to welcoming him back to school after the Easter holidays.

Wishing you all a restful and enjoyable Easter holiday. I hope you have a wonderful break, however you choose to spend it.

Warm regards,

Francis Murphy
Headteacher