The last full week of term is complete.

I have written to parents this week about some important changes regarding attendance. There will also be another letter with further information sent early next week. This letter has been written in conjunction with the LA and is being sent out by all schools across the county.

We are ending the year with an attendance rate very similar to that achieved last year and it is too low. We know that the impact of that low attendance will lead to some students not being able to realise their potential. We all want to avoid that. We want to work with parents and carers so that we can support every student to be in school as often as possible. Thank you in advance for your support with this.

The week started with a Health and Social Care and Child Development Trip to London for Year 9 and 10 students. This saw the students visit the Science Museum which enabled them to delve into the fascinating world of medicine, with a special focus on the history of vaccines, childbirth, and health promotion campaigns. The exhibits provided an immersive learning experience, allowing students to see first-hand how medical advancements have evolved over the centuries. From the pioneering work of Edward Jenner on vaccines to the latest developments in health promotion, the museum offered invaluable insights that are directly relevant to their studies.

On Wednesday we held our Summer Concert. This saw an eclectic range of performances ranging from a brass rendition of The Man from Ipanema to Metallica’s Enter the Sandman, with lots in between. It was great to see so many new performers, with Year 7 being particularly well represented, alongside some more established performers. It was a joyful evening enjoyed by all who attended. A huge thanks to the Music department for their work in supporting the students and to the performers for their sterling efforts

Our GCSE Geographers went to Minehead on Thursday and Friday to complete fieldwork, a required element for their course. The weather was superb for a day at the beach!! The fieldwork saw amongst other things, students carry out data collection to see the impacts that coastal management has on beach morphology and sediment characteristics. This work will give the students an excellent foundation for further work to be carried out in Year 11.

In sporting news, our Flow group continued their success in a recent Kwik Cricket tournament held in Cheltenham. The team demonstrated amazing skills, attitude and sportsmanship on their way to a well-deserved overall victory. Batter of the game went to Archie N, fielder of the game went to Lillie S.  Well done to all who took part, you did your coaches, the school and yourselves proud!

I include my weekly reminder about Free School Meals eligibility. If your financial circumstances have changed, your child may be eligible for Free School Meals. If you click on this link you will find guidance on the eligibility criteria and the application process. It's a quick process and we are notified of all FSM entitlements by Gloucestershire County Council each Monday. I would urge you to take a look if you think you may benefit from financial assistance. 

I do hope you enjoy a great weekend.

Regards

Richard Johnson  
Headteacher