End of Term Arrangements

December 2011

Dear Parents/Carers

I would like to inform you of the arrangements for the end of term on Friday 16^th December. School will close at 2.30 pm and re-open at the normal time on Tuesday 3^rd January 2012.

I would also like to draw your attention to our policy on requests for students to be taken out of school for holidays during term time. For some time now we have been concerned at the increasing numbers of students missing important learning time due to being taken away on holiday during term time. This concern was highlighted during our recent Ofsted inspection when the Lead Inspector pointed out that while our attendance rate is generally good it is being pulled down by an unusually high rate of absence due to holidays during term time. He urged us to review our approach to this issue. To highlight the impact of taking a two week holiday in term time consider that a student who would otherwise have a 100% attendance would dip to a record of 95% which would only be regarded as an acceptable attendance rate – dipping below 90% would be a cause for concern and any student with an attendance rate below 86% is officially regarded as a persistent absentee at which point legal action would be considered.

From the beginning of next term as a rule no absence for holidays will be authorised. Exceptional circumstances can always arise and such situations will be taken into consideration if a letter outlining such a request is submitted to me as Headteacher.

I hope you appreciate that while we are aware of factors such as the significant cost differences imposed by travel agencies on holidays during term time and school holiday time, our first consideration has to be the learning and progress of our students.

After a long and busy term I wish you all an enjoyable and peaceful Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Yours sincerely

Mr C Rogers

Headteacher

Industrial Action - Wednesday 30th November

25^th November 2011

INDUSTRIAL ACTION

WEDNESDAY 30 NOVEMBER 2011

Dear Parent/Carer

As you may have seen in the media, trade unions representing staff employed in the public sector, including schools, have called for industrial action on Wednesday, 30 November 2011.

This industrial action is being taken over the issue of proposed changes to public sector pension schemes. As such, the dispute is with the Government, not with the school or local authority. Neither the local authority nor the National Governors’ Association support the action; however, as it results from ballots conducted in accordance with current employment legislation, it is regarded as a legitimate trade dispute.

In such circumstances, responsibility for responding to the strike as it affects this school falls upon the governing body.

Following an assessment of the likely number of staff who intend to take strike action and the implications of the action for pupils, it has been decided that the school will be closed on Wednesday 30 November, 2011. Any staff not involved in the industrial action will be working in school or attending previously arranged courses.

The governing body apologises for any disruption caused by this industrial action and wish to assure you that everything possible will be done to maintain the continuity of educational provision for your children.

Yours sincerely

Dr A Clymo

Chair of Governors

Children in Need

16^th November 2011

Dear Parents/Carers

Children In Need Friday 18^th November

As you will be aware Friday 18^th November is Children In Need Day. We are keen to mark this day by raising funds for this cause. We are aware that we held a ‘non uniform day’ only recently on October 21st and will therefore want to do something a bit different this time.

Since the theme of Children in Need this year is spots we would ask that students wear school uniform but replace one item with something with spots, such as their tie or jumper. The fund raising part would be to donate a pound to Children In Need.

There will also be a cake sale in the Physics Lab at break time on Friday. Members of staff are entering a ‘bake off’ competition and it is their baking that will be sold. Students will be asked to vote for the best staff cake.

In the evening of Friday 18^th the Edgecliff School Association are running a quiz night in school from which a proportion of the proceeds will be donated to Children In Need. Please see the School Website for details.

We look forward to a successful day of fundraising.

Yours sincerely

Mr C Rogers

Headteacher

Winter Uniform

20^th October 2011

Dear Parents/Carers

As we reach the end of this half term I would like to remind you of school uniform arrangements for our return to school on Monday 31^st October. From this date students should wear Winter Uniform. Can I also ask that you support us in ensuring that students adhere to the dress code. In particular I would point out the following:

• Shoes should be plain black without any coloured patterns or logos on them.
• Trainers should not be worn instead of shoes.
• Girls choosing to wear skirts are reminded that they should not be short skirts; also girls should not wear ‘over the knee socks’ with their skirts.
• Finally can I point out that school jumpers should not be replaced with cardigans.

As you will be aware we were visited by Ofsted on October 12^th and 13^th. You will be fully informed of the outcomes of the inspection as soon as the Report is published. In short we were pleased with the process and I would like to pay tribute to our students who behaved impeccably and represented the School very well. I would also like to thank all parents and carers who completed the Ofsted questionnaire.

Tomorrow, the last day of this half term, will be a non uniform day organised by the Sixth Form to raise money for Mary Stevens Hospice and Hayden’s fund. I am grateful to our Sixth Formers for their commitment.

I would like to close by highlighting that our Sixth Form Open Evening is on Thursday November 10^th. Obviously this is an important event for Year 11 students who need to look ahead to making their Post 16 choices but I would also suggest it is a useful evening for Year 10 students to attend as part of their thinking about their next steps Post 16.

Yours sincerely

Mr C Rogers

Headteacher

Year 8 Activities Week

18th-26th July 2011 

‘Me, and My Community’

Dear Y8 Parent/ Carer

Importantly this year, the Summer Term does not end until TUESDAY 26th JULY (this is very late compared to other years.) ALL students are expected to be in school up to and including this date.

Last year during activities week, students participated in ‘Where in the World’ activities, a similar format is planned for Y8 Activities Week: ‘Me, and My Community.’ Students will be involved in a planned timetable of activities in and around Kinver. The aim of this week is for students to gain experience in working alongside members of the community, learn about community life and how to be an effective citizen.

Activities week this year runs from Monday 19th– Monday 25th July inclusive. Tuesday 26th will be spent in school and students will be engaged in activities with their tutor group.

 The planned programme includes:

Monday 18th– Friday 22nd July:

Guest Speaker Presentations/interviews

Teambuilding Workshop

A police workshop

Rescue Owl Box Project and Display

Library Workshop

Community Art Project

Photography Trail

Tourism video/ Tourism 

Kinver Edge Conservation

Gardening and Environmental Project

Treasure Hunt

Community Crafts

Badge making

Safari Park Trip: Monday 25th July

Tutor Group Day: Tuesday 26th July 

The activities will be delivered by visitors and school staff.

Monday 18th– Friday 22nd July:

During the week students will be walking to different sites around Kinver in supervised groups. They need to wear school uniform and sensible school shoes, as they will be representing the school during this week. They need to bring a packed lunch, snacks and drinks every day, as on some days they will be off site all day. Toilet facilities have been organised. Students also need outdoor clothing/ sunscreen weather dependent.

Safari Park Trip: Monday 25th July:

The total cost for the week of activities is £20 per student. This covers the Safari Park entry fee and coach transport, £10 of this is a non-returnable deposit as coaches have to be paid for in advance. Students will be departing school at 8.50 and returning for the school coaches by 3.30. They can wear their own clothes for this trip.

Tutor Group Day: Tuesday 26th July 

This is a normal school day.

Click here to see the Year 8 Activity booklet.

If you require further information at this point please do not hesitate to contact me at the school.

Yours sincerely,

Miss Wright

Extended Schools Coordinator