Academic

Year 11 And Upper Sixth Final Internal Assessments (FIA) - Update

Year 11 and Upper Sixth pupils are both now deep into their Final Internal Assessments. We have been very impressed by their dedication and their determination to really take advantage of this opportunity to shine. I sincerely hope that the FIA have gone well for them all so far and continue to be successful.

Year 11 and Upper Sixth teachers will soon begin the arduous process of determining the Teacher Assessed Grades (TAG) following the extensive guidance that has been provided by the exam boards’ collective body, the JCQ. They will draw from the full range of evidence at their disposal, from in-class tests, mocks, NEA and of course the FIA amongst other things to be able to give the pupils the grades they deserve. Ofqual have produced a guide for pupils and their families explaining the process in overview.

The process of external quality assurance has already begun and soon the internal processes will get underway before the TAG are finally submitted by Friday 18 June. The pupils will have finished long before then, of course and will have enjoyed a very well-deserved break over an extended half-term before embarking on the bridging courses designed to help them with their next steps.

We wish the pupils all the very best of luck and I hope they take full advantage of the half-term to rest, recharge and support their families who have supported them so well throughout this most challenging of years. We very much look forward to seeing Year 11 at their Prom and Upper Sixth at their Leavers’ Ball.

Dr Michael Reddish
Deputy Head - Academic 

Year 11 Text Book And Locker Key Return Summer 2021 - Reminder

Pupils and parents are reminded that text books and locker keys are to be returned to school on Thursday 20 May 2021.  They should be brought into school in a bag together with the Return Form and taken to Marquee 2 after the last Final Internal Aassessment (Mathematics).

For those pupils not taking the Mathematics exam, text books and locker keys should be returned to Reception during the period Wednesday 19 May to Friday 21 May 2021.

If a text book has been lost, please enter ‘LOST’ in the staff signature column on the Return Form and a charge will be made for this book.

Please ensure that lockers have been emptied prior to returning keys. If locker keys are not returned or lockers are left damaged or unclean then charges will be applied to the pupil account.

Any queries please contact Heather Aston in Reception.

Dr Michael Reddish 
Deputy Head - Academic 

 

Internal Assessments – Week Commencing 24 May 2021

As you will be aware pupils from Years 7, 8, 9, 10 and Lower Sixth will be sitting end of year assessments during the week beginning 24 May 2021. To support understanding of these assessments, please see the guidance here. This should allow you to support your child during that week.

Year 11 Bridging Courses - Reminder

To further support our Year 11 pupils with their transition to post-16 studies, we are delighted to be able to offer a Bridging Course programme which will run from Monday 7 June until Tuesday 29 June. This will involve pupils being in school every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for the above period (normal school hours).

A major component of this programme is that the pupils will attend lessons in their chosen A-level and BTEC courses. Our experience from last year showed that these sessions supported the transition to A-level studies very successfully and that the pupils felt more prepared for their start in the Sixth Form. In addition, the programme will also include career guidance - including individual interviews, EPQ lessons, games afternoons and other fun activities with their Houses.

On the Thursday and Friday of each week, pupils will be expected to engage in independent learning tasks set by their teachers and will be able to access study skills materials and activities on-line. These two days can also be usefully used to further any opportunities with regards work experience using any contacts you may have.

Those pupils who are not continuing into our Sixth Form may wish to access bridging courses at their new schools or colleges. Alternatively, they can attend our bridging courses when lessons are appropriate and we can provide supervised independent study during the day. They are of course welcome to join in with all the other activities offered during the time of the bridging courses and we will try to accommodate any additional needs.

Pupils will be given a full timetable for the bridging courses nearer the time. We hope the above information will help with your planning of the Trinity Term.

As you will be aware, following the bridging courses we will celebrate the end of the year with the Headmaster’s Thanksgiving Service and Buffet Lunch on Thursday 1 July. This will be followed by the Year 11 Prom on Monday 5 July at Coombe Abbey.

Year 8 Science Textbook Return Summer 2021 - Reminder

Pupils and parents in Year 8 are reminded that the following textbook needs to be returned to their science teacher by Friday, 11 June 2021:

Year 8 - 'Smart Science' textbook.

If a textbook has been lost a charge will be made for this book.   

Faye Roberts
Acting Head of Science