Academic

Examinations And Assessments - Reminder

Key dates in the reporting and examinations cycle for this half term are shown below.

Calendar Lent First Half Term 2020

24 January - Year 11 and Upper Sixth Mock Reports

31 January - Year 9 Progress Reports

3 February - London Institute of Banking & Finance exam results

7 February - Year 10 Full Reports

The Summer 2020 exam timetable is now confirmed and can be viewed by clicking on the link below. Entries for these exams will be finalised in February 2020. Upper Sixth entries will be checked with students on Thursday 30 January.  Year 11 entries will be checked the week commencing 3 February. 

Individual exam timetables will be issued the week commencing 10 February.  These will also be available to view on My School Portal.

After half term we will be looking at exam clashes and will contact pupils to make arrangements.

Summer 2020

Shellagh Dodds
Examinations and Assessment Manager

Year 11 And Upper Sixth Mock Exam Reports - Reminder

Year 11 and Upper Sixth Mock Exam Reports will be published to the parent portals today, Friday 24 January 2020.  Once published, you will receive an email notification advising that the reports are available to view on My School Portal.

For Year 11 parents, there will be an opportunity to discuss your child’s report at the forthcoming Year 11 Parents’ Evening on Monday 27 January 2020.

We look forward to seeing you then.

Dr Michael Reddish
Deputy Head - Academic

Year 11 Parents' Evening - Reminder

Monday 27 January 2020 - 6.00pm to 8.30pm

The Year 11 Parents’ Evening takes place on Monday, 27 January from 6.00pm to 8.30pm in the Sports Hall.  Do please bring your Year 11 son or daughter with you if at all possible – it is most beneficial if parent, pupil and teacher can all be present and be part of the conversation.

We will also provide two supervised areas where siblings can wait whilst you meet with the teaching staff. There will be a film screening in one room and for those looking for a quieter environment, a second area will be provided where they can relax.

Please make sure to arrive by 7.30pm at the latest. Parents arriving later than that may not be able to see all the relevant teachers before the event closes at 8.30pm.  Please leave the building by the main entrance to The Limes and sign out at the exit as you leave.

Here is some additional information that you may find helpful:

• Parking will be available on the school playground
• Please enter the Limes building through the main entrance only
• Please ensure you sign in and collect your name badge from the reception desk before entering the Sports Hall
• There is no appointment system. You should allow approximately five minutes per teacher – a timer will sound every five minutes to assist with keeping discussions within this timeframe.

We look forward to seeing you.

Dr Liz Pyne
Assistant Head - Teaching and Learning

 

 

Years 9 Progress Reports

Progress Reports for Year 9 will be published on Friday 31 January 2020 and will be available to view on My School Portal.  

Dr Michael Reddish
Deputy Head - Academic 

Year 9 Parents' Evening - Reminder

The Year 9 Parents’ Evening takes place on Tuesday, 4 February 2020 from 6.00pm to 8.30pm in the Sports Hall. Do please bring your Year 9 son or daughter with you if at all possible – it is most beneficial if parent, child and teacher can all be present and be part of the conversation.

The evening will give you the most up-to-date insight into your child’s academic progress in readiness for the GCSE Options Evening on Thursday 13 February. Please take full advantange of the GCSE Options Evening to discuss possible GCSE options with departments so that you can spend time over half term finalising your choices. We will have an Academic Review Evening on Monday 2 March to give you a final opportunity to discuss your child’s GCSE option choices with your child’s tutor before submitting them online.

As you arrive at the Parents’ Evening you will be given the GCSE Options Booklet for 2020-21.  This will afford you the opportunity to digest the information and bring any queries you may have to the GCSE Options Evening on 13 February.  (Any copies not collected will be posted out on Wednesday 5 February).  A timeline for the process is outlined below:

4 February         Year 9 Parents’ Evening (at which you will receive a hard copy of the GCSE Options Booklet)

13 February       Year 9 GCSE Options Evening

14 February       You will receive an email with a link to the GCSE Options Survey

2 March              Year 9 Academic Review Evening

4 March              Deadline for completion of the GCSE Options Survey

Once the Option Blocks have been finalised we will contact you to let you know that your choices are successfully entered on to the system.

We will continue to offer the option of a two course supper to you and your family, at a cost of £2.00 per head and served across three sittings, 5.30pm to 6.00pm, 6.00pm to 6.30pm and 6.30pm to 7.00pm. Supper will be served in the Refectory.

We will also provide two supervised areas where siblings can wait whilst you meet with the teaching staff. There will be a film screening in one room and for those looking for a quieter environment, a second area will be provided where they can relax.

To help us with the smooth running of Parents’ Evening and so that we can cater efficiently we would be grateful if everyone who would like to book for supper could complete the RSVP form by here no later than 10.00am on Friday, 31 January.

Here is some additional information that you may find helpful:

• Parking will be available on the school playground
• Please enter the Limes building through the main entrance only
• Please ensure you sign in and collect your name badge from the reception desk before entering the Sports Hall
• There is no appointment system. You should allow approximately five minutes per teacher – a timer will sound every five minutes to assist with keeping discussions within this timeframe – please do organise a further meeting if you feel you need a longer discussion 
• Plan strategically – decide which teachers you really need or want to see and target them first. We suggest you have a list of your child’s teachers and subjects - can be found on MySchoolPortal
• On leaving the building please sign out at the reception desk

We look forward to seeing you.

Dr Liz Pyne
Assistant Head - Teaching & Learning

Year 10 Full Reports - Reminder

Reports for Year 10 will be posted out on Friday 7 February 2010. They will also be available to view on My School Portal.

Dr Michael Reddish
Deputy Head - Academic

Year 9 Parents’ Options Information Evening – Notes For Your Diaries - Reminder

Thursday 13 February 2020

On Thursday 13 February, the GCSE Options Information Evening is being held in the Sports Hall at 7.00pm. The evening comprises a series of short presentations on the options process followed by an opportunity for parents to meet with subject staff. Light refreshments will be available. The purpose of the GCSE Options Information Evening is to provide parents with sufficient information regarding the options process so that they can help their son or daughter decide their GCSE options.

Prior to this, the Year 9 Parents’ Evening will be held on Tuesday 4 February between 6.00pm and 8.30pm. The Parents’ Evening will enable you to discuss the progress of your son or daughter with subject staff.  This academic feedback can then prepare you to think about GCSE choices prior to the Information Evening taking place on 13 February.  

After half term, on Monday 2 March 2020, the Year 9 and 10 Academic Review Evening will then provide you the opportunity to meet with your child's tutor and discuss the next steps.

Dr Liz Pyne
Assistant Head - Teaching and Learning

 

FOSIL - Enabling Pupils To Learn By Finding Out For Themselves

Always on the lookout for finding innovative ways in which the Library can be integral to teaching and learning at the College, I recently came across FOSIL (Framework of Skills for Inquiry Learning). This has been partially developed by the Head of Library and Archives at Oakham School in Rutland, and focusses on pupils finding out information for themselves, in response to a relevant subject inquiry which is embedded within a curriculum subject.  For more information click here.

Celia Scott
Librarian