The Flagpole

We wanted to write to you early in the year to give you some key messages and information as your child embarks on this important year.

Year 10 marks the start of the formal GCSE cycle and, as such, is a critical stage in your child's school career. Last week, we delivered an assembly to Year 10 on the importance of getting into the right work habits and behaviours to make the best start and strike a healthy balance. The message was very much that the GCSE years are a marathon and not a sprint; pacing is vital. A recording of this assembly can be found by following this link.

Assembly Video

We hope that, in comparison to the last two academic years, Year 10 will enjoy a more stable and settled GCSE experience. However, if the last two years have taught us anything it is that we must be prepared for all eventualities. Please rest assured that no matter how the national Covid situation evolves we will ensure that the Year 10s are very well cared for and fully supported in their learning.

To this end, we thought it would be helpful for you to see some of the key events ahead at this stage so you can note them in your diaries and get a sense of how the bigger picture is likely to unfold, please see the attachment here. We went through these with the pupils in their assembly last week – do please talk to your children over the weekend about the year ahead and any concerns they have.

More detailed information regarding specific events such as the 360 Evening with tutors and the Year 10 Parents’ Evening will be emailed out in due course.

We hope you find this information useful and thank you in advance for your support for the year ahead.

 Ed Hester                              
 Headmaster                         

The Year 8 Parents’ Evenings takes place on Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 October. These will be hosted virtually through a series of Microsoft Teams meetings with your child's teachers. Meetings will be booked online in five-minute slots and parents will have received details this week of how to book.

It is hoped that all parents will be successful gaining an appointment, however if this is not possible teachers may contact you via email to update you about your child’s progress.

You can find a list of your child's teachers under Teacher Contacts on My School Portal.

Dr Liz Pyne
Assistant Head (Teaching and Learning)

Progress Reports for Year 11 and Upper Sixth will be published on Friday 8 October 2021, and will be available to view on My School Portal.  

Deputy Head (Academic) 

Some degree courses require students to take an admissions test as part of their application. It will be stated in the entry requirements for the course and Upper Sixth students can check with their tutor or member of the Sixth Form Leadership Team.

These tests take place in school on either Wednesday 3 November or Thursday 4 November depending on the subject.

To be entered for a course please complete the attached form here and return to the examinations office before the deadline.

Shellagh Dodds
Examination and Assessment Manager