Dear Parents and Carers

A short but very busy term now comes to an end. For our year 11s and 13s, the next nine days are hugely important and they will need to be working hard and getting ready for the very busy weeks straight after half term. Mr Trainer (deputy headteacher) and Mrs Gannon (head of key stage four) have written to parents and carers of year 11s today and set out the arrangement for term 6; including praise for how focussed they have been.

Platinum Jubilee Celebrations

Throughout this week, Mrs De Bruyn’s assembly and tutor time activities focused on the life of Queen Elizabeth II. As you would expect, students were invited to think deeply about her life, background, role and significance. We know that streets and villages are celebrating the Jubilee in different ways and hope that it is an opportunity for us all to re-establish that togetherness that was so striking during that first lockdown, NHS pot banging evenings and the VE Day celebrations.

Like most schools, given that the additional bank holiday falls in the half term week, our Jubilee Day will be held on Thursday 21 July – meaning that the final day of term will be Wednesday 20 July.

Trustee Vacancy at the River Learning Trust

The RLT are looking for a new trustee to join eleven other board members.  The advert provides more detailed information but they seek someone, “…with extensive experience of governance and developing strategy, and of chairing a governing board in an educational setting.” If this is something that interests you, or you know someone who might be interested, then please follow the link and consider finding out more.

Late Bus Survey

Many thanks for those who have already completed the 30-second survey. So far, it is clear that its return would be greatly valued by some but not yet in sufficient numbers to make this viable. In order to gauge the true level of interest please do follow this link if this is something that would be of value to you and your children next year.

I hope you have some great plans for the half term and enjoy that four-day bank holiday!

Yours faithfully
Barry Doherty, Headteacher