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Parent Digest, Half Term Five

It is with great pride that I am able to share the outcome of our recent Ofsted inspection. It has just been published and is the loveliest of ways with which to end this half-term. It is linked here and really is worth reading. It highlights so many aspects of our school, such as how good our curriculum, wider development and culture are. I hope you feel the same sense of pride I did when I read it. 

It's always important for parents and carers to be reassured that Ofsted found our safeguarding to be effective. However - this is just their standard sentence. Inspectors also told us we have a 'strong safeguarding culture' and that pupils feel safe and trust us.
Highlights from the report are:

Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), benefit from a broad and ambitious curriculum

Pupils are very clear about how the school expects them to behave. They are respectful  towards staff. In lessons, pupils are attentive and behave well.

Pupils behave well and there is a calm atmosphere in the school

Pupils are happy. They are committed to the school and to serving the community.

The school has designed an ambitious and well-defined curriculum

Reading is top priority in this school

It's just a really proud moment, and we are so pleased and proud of our pupils and staff and wanted to share with you as our biggest supporters - day in, day out, we work together so it is a real privilege to share this great news with you all - we hope you have a lovely break, and we look forward to a very happy and successful final half-term from Monday 3rd June.
 

We're changing the way we communicate with you! 

Expectations

Our pupils wear our uniform with pride, and it is one important way they show their sense of belonging and respect.

Every half-term, we send reminders home so that it is clear what is expected as our pupils return to school after a break.

Pupils are responsible for wearing their full uniform:

  • Black blazer with Academy logo
  • Black trousers or skirt
  • White shirt
  • Year group tie
  • Plain black leather/faux leather shoes
  • Black socks or black tights

Jumpers are optional but must be plain v-necked black. Blazers may be worn without a jumper, but jumpers cannot be worn without a blazer.

In warm weather, pupils do not need to wear their blazers, but they should have them with them at all times.

Black tights can be worn but no other socks etc. over the top.

Pupils must bring:

  • Their full PE kit on days they have PE
  • A school bag large enough to carry their books and equipment
  • Pencil case with pens, pencil, ruler
  • Their planner

You can purchase new items via our ParentMail app.

Pupils know they are not allowed to:

  • Wear jewellery other than a watch 
  • Have their mobile phone - these should be switched off and in bags throughout the school day. If your child needs to contact home for any reason, this must be done through their pastoral team.

The academy offers a uniform exchange program accessible to all pupils. We maintain a selection of pre-owned academy blazers and unbranded items for pupils to choose from.  Pupils should speak to Mr Cooper if they need to access the uniform exchange.

Support

Pupils are greeted every morning by their pastoral team. Here pupils can be helped with any issues regarding uniform, and it is also a daily opportunity to report any concerns pupils may have. Pastoral teams are at each of the pupil entrances

  • Year 7 Y7 yard
  • Years 8 & 9 Purple Winter Garden
  • Years 10 & 11 Yellow Winter Garden

Pupils should not arrive late, but if they are later, after 09:35, then they should go to the front reception.  

Out of Lesson Passes

Passes for the final half-term will remain on BLUE cards. Pupils need to carry their pass with them at all times if they are out of lessons as they will be challenged without it.

Finally - two lovely pieces of news - firstly, we welcome Ms Groves, who will be joining us in the Pastoral team, and secondly, we are so proud of our recent Ofsted report especially the following:

“Pupils behave well and there is a calm atmosphere in the school”

“Pupils are happy. They are committed to the school and to serving the community”

Have a happy and successful half-term break, and we look forward to welcoming your child back on Monday 3rd June 2024.

End of Year Assessments

As half-term 5 comes to an end, Year 7 and 8 have completed their end-of-year assessments. Next term, it will be Year 9 and 10s turn to complete theirs.

Why do we have end-of-year assessments?

  • For Teachers: To see what pupils have learned this year.
  • For Pupils: To know what they did well and what needs improvement.
  • For Planning: To help teachers plan future lessons.
  • For Moving Up: To ensure pupils have the knowledge needed for the next year.

Pupils have received an assessment booklet to help them prepare. The booklet explains the types of assessments for each subject, lists the topics covered, and includes links to revision resources. Pupils will also revise during lessons to ensure they are well-prepared and confident.

  • Year 7 to 9: Assessments will be in their classrooms.
  • Year 10: Assessments will be in the sports hall to prepare for GCSE exams.

It's normal for pupils to feel anxious about assessments. The booklets include tips and strategies for revision. For more help, visit this link: BBC Bitesize - How to Deal with Exam Stress.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email Mr. Lane at nicholas.lane@coopacademies.co.uk

Year 11 GCSE Revision Sessions

As we move towards the final exams, the next couple of weeks will play a vital part in pupils' preparation for their GCSE Exams.  As part of our ongoing commitment to our pupils' success, academy staff have voluntarily scheduled revision sessions over the half-term break. We’ve shared the timetables with pupils and sent copies via ParentMail. Details of the sessions are also available on our website

Year 10 Work Experience Placements 

At the start of July, pupils in Year 10 will complete their work experience placements. We are incredibly proud of the year group as this year a large proportion of them were successful in securing their own placements in their chosen industries. This achievement demonstrates their dedication and proactive approach to exploring future opportunities.

The work experience program, a long-standing tradition at the academy, provides pupils with real-world exposure to potential career pathways. Pupils will be immersed in professional environments and will gain valuable insights into the daily operations and responsibilities of different professions.

We look forward to learning about their experiences when they return. 

Parents and carers can continue to use the usual methods to contact the academy below:

 

Key Dates 

Table Heading Table Heading

Monday 3rd June 2024

Pupils return from half-term break 

Monday 3rd June 2024

Year 9 exams begin 

Monday 10th June 2024

Year 10 mock Interviews 10am - 1.30pm

Monday 17th June 2024

Year 10 mock exams begin 

Thursday 20th June 2024

Year 7 Progress Evening 4pm - 6.30pm

Thursday 27th June 2024

Open Evening 4pm - 7pm 

Monday 1st July 2024

Transition Week 

Monday 1st July 2024

Year 10 Work Experience Week 

Wednesday 17th July 2024 Year 9 & 10 Rewards Trip to Alton Towers
Thursday 18th July 2024 Year 7 & 8 Rewards Trip to Chester Zoo

Wednesday 24th July 2024

Pupils finish for the Summer break 

Community News and Events

The University of Manchester invite you and their families to their annual Community Fair - taking place as part of Universally Manchester  - a festival celebrating 200 years of The University of Manchester.

The free, family-friendly Community Fair is running Saturday 8 June 2024, 10am – 4:30pm, and promises to be a great day of fun for all ages. This jam-packed day of interactive science experiments, creative sessions, sporting challenges, poetry and music performances, extraordinary stories, face-painting, tasty treats and much more!

Whether you’re interested in science, arts, engineering or history, there’s plenty of hands-on fun and opportunities for inspiration, from engaging events with Professor Brian Cox, to circus skills or the explosive Flash Bang Chemistry Show.

The Community Fair is just one of the 150+ amazing events taking place over four remarkable days on their Oxford Road campus.

The Community Fair is free and open to everyone. Discover more of their family friendly activities at: https://universallymanchester.com/