Headmaster's Blog
- Published on 21/04/23 by Natalie Hunt
Happy memories
I hope that you and your families enjoyed some rest and sunshine (between April showers!) during the holiday. With Mr Jeffries, I am sorry that the return to school has been hampered by roadworks on London Road but understand that these will soon be cleared.Read More - Published on 24/03/23 by Natalie Hunt
Lifting our spirits
I am sure you will concur that the lambs and the daffodils alongside the drive into school lift our spirits as the world awakens to spring. We can, as we come to the end of term, reflect on the numerous opportunities that pupils have enjoyed at school, whilst also looking forward to residential trip...Read More - Published on 17/03/23 by Natalie Hunt
Adding value
You may be aware that yesterday was the fourth day of pay-related industrial action by teachers in the state sector, with many schools having to close or only able to teach certain year groups. The previous day, the Times Educational Supplement’s Schools Wellbeing survey of 5,858 staff reporte...Read More - Published on 10/03/23 by Natalie Hunt
Quality assured
We are sorry we have had to take the rare decision to close this morning, and I hope that it does not cause you too much inconvenience. As you know, lessons are being provided online, so children should be happily and productively occupied. The weather is due to improve, so we will make decisio...Read More - Published on 03/03/23 by Natalie Hunt
Making every second count
I imagine you have followed some of the current controversy over the ‘Lockdown Files’: leaked WhatsApp messages between Matt Hancock, former Health Secretary, and other ministers, including from December 2020 when they were debating whether to close schools for a second time. Whether...Read More - Published on 17/02/23 by Natalie Hunt
Safety First
Our Duke of Edinburgh ‘season’ began last weekend with a Gold award expedition to the Peak District – and our Bronze pupils will soon be shouldering their packs and enjoying some healthy exercise too. I love walking myself, and learning to read a map when we otherwise rely on sat n...Read More - Published on 10/02/23 by Natalie Hunt
Signposts
We were pleased last night to welcome Year 9 parents into school to talk about the ‘GCSE Years’ - with presentations on subject choices, careers guidance and choices in life. I genuinely believe that those ‘right’ choices or decisions in life have become more difficult for ou...Read More - Published on 03/02/23 by Natalie Hunt
I know you
I have enjoyed welcoming some of you into school for parents’ evenings in the last fortnight. I am naturally pleased when parents comment as they leave that the teachers know their child very well and have given frank, specific and encouraging advice. This is especially important for Years 11...Read More - Published on 27/01/23 by Natalie Hunt
Care and responsibility
It was great to be back together as a school in St Nicholas’ Hall for assembly on Monday, after Trial exams had meant a return to a blended version at the start of term. In assembly, we enjoy celebrating pupils’ many achievements, successes and contributions. It is also one of the ways i...Read More - Published on 20/01/23 by Natalie Hunt
Staying above the line
In one of the units of our Sixth Form Ivy House Award, we introduce students to the concept of ‘staying above the line’. They are asked to reflect on situations where they have reacted in a defensive, impulsive or aggressive manner during a discussion at home or in school, without listen...Read More - Published on 13/01/23 by Natalie Hunt
Inspiring a life-long love of learning
Our pupils in Years 11 and 13 are currently sitting Trial (mock) exams as preparation for national tests in the summer. They are approaching their Trials very sensibly, for they know that the outcome of their exams will be a prime determinant of their next step in education. Teachers will do their b...Read More - Published on 06/01/23 by Natalie Hunt
Happy New Year!
You will recall that two years ago we had needed to inform parents and pupils the night before term began that we were again having to revert to online learning as a result of a second national lockdown. Thankfully, we are in a far better position today! That said, we know that some find this tim...Read More