Time is something that’s been brought into focus this week.
We welcomed everyone to the Academy after the half term break and the clocks going back.
That switch brings with it darkness and cold – I am not a big fan – and is one of the reasons the second part of this half term is loaded with positive events.
We were very mindful the change in time created a potential issue for a significant proportion of our Muslim students who wished to pray due to Jumnah. They normally do so at 1.15pm in the Mosque.
We wanted to accommodate those committed to prayer and are able to do so as soon as the Academy day finishes on a Friday in the dance studio.
I am indebted to Mr Hassan for ensuring the end of British Summer Time does not mean students cannot fulfil their responsibilities to pray. It is really important to them and that makes it important to us.
They are welcome to bring their own prayer mat.
We are proud of these efforts and the time invested in diversity.
Data from the summer’s exams was published by the Department for Education last week and can be found here.
Of course, it is difficult to compare past years because of the pandemic but, while there is always room for improvement, our results stand up well to scrutiny and we are pleased with the progress.
Year 11 parents know interventions are already underway to help and support their children achieve the best outcomes possible, with additional time spent with them by staff during the week.
Their widely advertised, two-week exam period starts on Monday. Students are working really hard to prepare for them. Keep it up.
Monday saw time run out for parents to choose secondary destinations for their Year 6 children.
We appear to have had a really good response from those in the community wanting their child to come here next September. Thank you for that.
It will soon be time for our Combined Cadet Force (CCF) to launch. This will happen in January when we become the only school to be running the programme in the area.
There will be an opportunity for 90 young people to be its first recruits.
The CCF has nothing to do with a student thinking about a career in the Armed Forces.
What it will offer is for them to experience a real sense of belonging, to understand collective responsibility, to improve their resilience, give a chance of further qualifications, and provide a structure that can help them become even better people than they are now.
Fully funded by the Ministry of Defence, cadets will be able to take advantage of free trips and experiences. A display board in school highlights some of what is in store.
Staff are really excited about the opportunities the programme will offer and a number are in training in their own time to deliver it.
The process – it has taken a year to get to this stage – has been driven by Head of English Donna McDonald – who has had years of experience in a CCF at a previous school – and Laurence Fox, who’s in his second year of teaching having been in the Military Police.
We could not have two more skilled nor committed individuals leading the programme and I’m grateful to them and other members of the staff team undertaking the training.
There is so much coming up on the horizon, including national campaigns such as Anti Bullying Week, Inter Faith Week, Odd Socks Day and BBC Children in Need.
Various parents’ evenings will take place when reports will be issued, with children assessed on their progress in class.
Time might have altered, and the clocks gone backwards – but we are looking forwards with great anticipation.
