Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• Parent Council Invite

  Fri 30 Sep 2016

  Some time ago, we suggested establishing a ‘Parent Council’ to act as a forum to share ideas, suggestions and comments about school life. 

   

  Governors agreed that this would be a good way to bridge the management gap between strategic and day-to-day matters. 

   

  The Parent Council would allow increased parent voice across the school, but without having to take the lead or responsibility that governors must maintain. It would also complement some of the other groups across the school, including governors, school council and parents support programmes.  In essence, the council would have the ear of the Chair and Headteacher.

   

  Mrs E Prentice (Chair of Governors) and I are offering to have an informal meeting and drinks with parents to get a feel for take up and role of such a council and establish how it will work.  If you think you could make a valued contribution to such a meeting, please join us on Thursday 13^th October at 2:30pm – meeting in the reception of school.

• Accelerated Reader Success to Date

  Wed 28 Sep 2016 Mrs Kummerfeld

  Accelerated Reader in Key Stage 2

  In the last 2 weeks we have read...
  423 books and over 2 million words! (2,358,837 words).

  
  We are aiming for 20 million words by the end of the Autumn term!

  
  No word millionaires yet –but we have some children who are working hard to achieve this target!

   

  2 children have already read over 100,000 words in the last 2 weeks!

  Averaging 69% correct answers on quizzes – lets try to make this to 85% by the end of the autumn term!

   

  FANTASTIC! KEEP IT UP Key Stage 2! 

   

  Thank you to all the parents who have been supporting their children at home by encouraging them to read their AR book and talking with them about what they are reading - it is making a real difference. 

• School Bronze Sports Mark Awarded

  Tue 27 Sep 2016 Mr Seargent.

  I am delighted to announce that the school has been awarded a 'School Games Bronze Mark' award for its achievements and commitment to sports over the last year.

   

  I would like to congratulate all the children, staff and parents who have contributed to the fast developing sport programme we run.  A special mention goes to Mrs Haines, who, as Sports Coordinator, has worked closely with the School Sports Partnership to ensure provision is improved and that the School Sports Grant is used effectively.

• Nationality data: Update

  Tue 27 Sep 2016 Mr Seargent.

  Late last term, the school issued a form to parents to ascertain information about nationality and immigration status.  This was in line with new census requests issued to schools by the DfE.

   

  Several parents questioned me as to how this information was to be used.

   

  I include a link to a BBC article which some parents may find useful.  It gives information about the purpose and use of data we collated and may set minds at ease.

   

  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-37474705

   

  The article is written independent of the school and expresses the viewpoints of the author and the BBCs research and interpretation of it.

   

  I reiterate that the data collected was at the request of the DfE and not instigated by the school governors or other school leadership.

• Year 7 Admissions (Important)

  Mon 26 Sep 2016 Mr Seargent.

   

  Year 7 Secondary School Admissions Application (Current Year 6)

   

  We have been contacted to ask when application forms for secondary schools will be ‘sent out’, or why some have received packs and others have not. 

   

  Primary schools do not generate application forms for secondary schools and do not organise/administrate admissions.  This is done via the Derby City Council (DCC) Admissions Team.  We cannot advise you or administrate an application on your behalf.

   

  All packs forwarded to us were sent home at the start of September.

   

  If you have not received a pack, you must contact the Admissions Team at DCC directly to get one sent to you. 

   

  Alternatively, applications can be made online, by telephone, or via post.

   

  I include a link below to the Admissions Team website, where further advise and guidance can be gained.

   

  http://www.derby.gov.uk/education-and-learning/schools-and-colleges/secondary-school-admissions/

   

  YOU CAN:

  • apply online - this quick and easy and lets you track your application process
  • apply by phone on 01332 642726 - this takes around 10 minutes and you will need to know the name of the school you are applying to.
  • apply using a paper form - telephone 01332 642726 to ask DCC to send you one.

   

  The closing date for applications is 31 October 2016.

   

  If you make your application online you will be able to access your decision on 1st March 2017 – National Offer Day. If you apply by phone or on a paper form your offer letter will be posted on 1st March 2017, second class. No decision will be given over the telephone.

   

  PLEASE NOTE: The admission process for children and young people with a Statement or Education, Health and Care Plan is different. More information can be found on our website. 

   

  Please contact Derby City Council on 01332 642726 if you have further questions.

   

  Mr Seargent 

• Accelerated Reader Parent Handbook

  Wed 21 Sep 2016 Mr Seargent.
  The Accelerated Reader Parent Handbook issued in September is also available on the website.  Visit Key:  Key Information > Curriculum> Accelerated Reader

• INSET Days and programme - 2016/17

  Fri 09 Sep 2016 Mr Seargent

  INSET Days 2016/17 – Advanced Notice

   

  INSET days (In Service Training Days) are a government requirement for all schools and are used to provide training and development for staff that supports school improvement.  Staff attend the days (or allocated hours when training is provided over the evenings) in order to meet the school’s development needs, however children are not on school site during INSET days.

   

   

  Common practice is to provide at least 6 weeks notice of INSET, but as a parent myself, I understand how frustrating it can be when little notice is given.

   

  Therefore, I have arranged the INSET days for all 2016/17 well in advance, giving parents the entire year’s allocation. I also include an outline plan of what is currently anticipated as the development areas, so that parents can see how the time is used to support children.

   

  INSET days are planned as follows:

   

  September 7^th (Wednesday)

  CHILDREN RETURN TO SCHOOL THURSDAY 8th  

  • Safeguarding Policies and protocols
  • Behaviour Policy and the ‘RESPECT Agenda’ Rewards changes
  • Curriculum/Assessment and outcomes management
  • Change in school reading scheme – training for staff
  • Learning environments practice and expectations

   

  January 4^th (Wednesday) 2016

  • Training for staff on curriculum and learning management of pupils with English as an Additional Language (EAL) and direct entrants from overseas.

   

  May 2^nd (Tuesday)

  • Pupil Assessment and transition reviews and actions
  • Review of curriculum/assessment changes and the impact on progress

   

  July 3rd and 4th (Monday and Tuesday)

  Pupil transition / information sharing and benchmarking

   

  It is not anticipated that any of these dates will change, however if there are any changes due to unforeseen circumstances you will be informed as soon as possible.