Dear Parents / Carers and Students

I hope you remain safe and healthy and are enjoying the lovely weather – I was reflecting over the weekend that Lockdown has been tough on everyone but it would have been so much worse if the weather had been poor – we have had one of the sunniest Springs on record which means that at least our vitamin D levels will be good!

Last week, we invited all Year 10 students into school with their parents for a 1:1 meeting – these were highly useful with 80% attendance and we were able to maintain social distancing by having the meetings in the Sports Hall and School Hall. From these meetings, we learnt that most students were coping well with on-line learning but would benefit from some further 1:1 coaching support from subject teachers. We are reflecting on this and will look to put some 1:1 coaching sessions on 25/26th June (English / Maths / Science) and 2nd/3rd July for Option subjects – further details to follow.

This week, we are repeating the exercise with Year 12 students and again we will see what is working and what needs to be improved. This incremental way of working is ensuring that we are meeting student needs whilst at the same time respecting health and safety regulations.

We have also been focussing on increasing the amount of on-line teaching through Microsoft Teams for all year groups to complement the more traditional work being set on SMHW. Teachers have also prioritised student assessment over the last month to ensure that they receive diagnostic feedback to help them progress and improve.

Last week, we completed a student survey which yielded over 600 responses – thank you very much for taking the time to fill this in. What we learnt was:

  • 91% of students say they are coping OK with not being at school
  • 81% of students say that they are doing nearly all or all of the work they’ve been set.
  • Only 1% said they don’t have enough work to do. 34% said there is too much to do and 50% said it was just right
  • 74% said they have ready access to technology (23% say they have to share or there are connection problems. 2% have limited access to technology).
  • 76% are spending more than 2 hours a day on schoolwork. 20% are spending more than 4 hours a day on it.
  • 90% of students completing their work in the morning and afternoon rather than evening.
  • 58% have had communicated directly with their teachers (this is an area we are looking to improve upon)
  • Where progress in subjects has been good, students identify the speed of teacher response and the quality of explanations as the main reasons.
  • Where progress has been less good, students identify the excessive quantity of work and lack of feedback as being the main reasons why.
  • 59% say their progress has been as good or better.
  • 37% say they have made less progress whilst in lockdown.
  • 71% have used parental help often or occasionally
  • 53% have used the help from other students often or occasionally
  • 62% of students feel ready to come back to school.

We will reflect on this feedback and respond accordingly. On the last point, I totally understand why over 60% would like to come back to school – school is more than just learning facts and figures. It is about social interaction, after school clubs and routine. I can speak on the behalf every member of staff by saying that we miss our 1400 students and would far rather be our usual busy and vibrant selves.

It is difficult to know what September will bring. I would imagine that it is one of three scenarios:

  1. A return to normal, with a full school and no social distancing
  2. A percentage of the school returns on a rotation basis with work being set on-line as well
  3. A continuation of the current arrangements

I do hope that option 1 is where we are but we are preparing for option 2 and 3 if required. As soon as the government has decided, we will let you know how we wish to proceed.

As a quick reminder of current provision:

  • Year 7-9 Work will continue to be set on-line and students are not expected to come into school other than for Key Worker / SEND and Vulnerable students. We are exploring the potential to offer 1:1 meetings with parents and students in July.
  • Year 10 1:1 Meetings have taken place on 9th and 10th June – 80% parents already signed up for this. Teachers will continue to set work on SMHW and we are looking to extend our virtual lesson platform on Microsoft Teams. We are also looking to run 1:1 coaching sessions over the next two weeks
  • Year 11 1:1 Phone Calls have been completed and Sixth Form Induction is being planned. GCSE levels are being submitted to the exam boards this week and exam results will be published on 20th August.
  • Year 12 1:1 Meetings have been set up for 17th June alongside work set on SMHW. On-line lesson delivery is being extended and we are looking to plan lessons or 1:1 meetings where socially distancing can be applied.
  • Year 13 1:1 phone calls have been completed. GCE and BTEC grades are being sent to exam boards this week are exam results are published on 13th August
  • Furthermore, with our 240 Year 6 students enrolling in September, we are currently liaising with Primary Schools and will look to organise individual meetings with families in July.

I hope you understand that our main priority has to be the health and safety of students and staff. Whilst Covid-19 is still in the community, we have taken cautious measures to ensure that your child’s education can continue as much as possible from home or in socially distanced environments.

Thank you for your continued support during this difficult time.

Dr Chris Ingate

Principal