Dear Parents,
As we draw to the close of the first week of the new school year I would like to say how well the week has gone and look forward to the term ahead. Particular thanks to our students for the smooth and efficient manner in which the Covid tests have been conducted. Thank you to all the staff who have organised the temporary testing centre.
Achievement this summer
This year we have seen another year of very strong achievement at GCSE and A level, despite the many challenges faced by students. Consistent with our well established track record of superb results, this year we are celebrating 87.4% grades A*-C and 100% pass rate at A Level.
Congratulations go to each and every student, and thanks to their teachers and to families for the tremendous support.
Our Year 13 leavers have chosen a great variety of university destinations and courses, and some are taking up modern apprenticeships. This is a flavour of some of their choices:
Aerospace Engineering - Nottingham University; Animation - Bournemouth University; Biomedical Science - Leicester University; Chemistry - Bristol University; Economics - Liverpool University; Economics - Nottingham University; Engineering - King's College London; Engineering - Leeds University; Electrical Engineering - Nottingham University; English Literature & History - Leicester University; French - Swansea University; History - Warwick University; Law - Sheffield University; Medicine - Imperial College London; Medicine - King's College London; Medicine - Leicester University; Medicine - Newcastle University; Medicine - Nottingham University; Medicine - Plymouth University; Music - Birmingham Conservatoire; Neuroscience - Leicester University; Pharmacy - Nottingham University; Psychology - Manchester University; Sociology and Media - Sheffield University.
We wish our students happiness and fulfillment as they commence the next stage in their academic careers and thank them for all they contributed to the English Martyrs community.
A c c e l e r a t e !
This year as a school we are renewing our work and opportunities through embracing our A c c e l e r a t e programme. You will be hearing more about this from your child as we journey through the year.
The programme values are:
Ambition, Challenge, Community responsibility, Enthusiasm, Leadership, Empathy, Rigour, Achievement, Team spirit and Endeavour.
Alongside our strong academic curriculum and high achievement for all, we will focus on developing:
Arithmetical skills; Careers and workplace learning; Character building activities, including Retreats; Extra-curricular programme; Literacy skills; Enterprise education; Retrieval practice: ‘make it stick’; Arts and music; Technology as a learning tool; Enrichment.
Every morning, beginning from Monday 6th September, there will be a special A c c e l e r a t e time which will embody some key learning, focusing in our younger year groups on retrieval practice in Literacy and Numeracy. We have already begun to have our new timetable with the longer school day, finishing at 2.50pm.
Welcome
We welcome the following new members of staff:
Ms S Bhakta, Teacher of English, Mr P Carr, Teacher of Science, Mr C Naran, Teacher of Science, Mr H Bryan-Dooher, Teaching Assistant, Miss E Cross, Student Academic Mentor.
Additionally, the following staff have new responsibilities:
Mrs O’Hagan, Director of Sixth Form becomes an Assistant Principal, Mr I Sadler, Acting Head of Science Faculty, Dr N Joshi, Acting Head of KS4 Science, Ms J Baines, Student Academic Mentor.
Student Planners
Each student has been issued with a new planner for the year. Each family should read the various agreements at the front of the planners and sign these. The Planner is specially created for our school and it is a very useful tool for learning. It is also expensive and should be looked after carefully. Graffiti is not permitted in planners. Should a student lose their planner it must be replaced. Planners are reissued at the cost price £5 from the School Shop.
Uniform and standards
You will appreciate that at the beginning of the year it is important to set the standards for our community. The behaviour, uniform and dress codes including “How we wear our uniform” are all set out in the student planners.
May I draw everyone’s attention to several aspects which we need to return to in full.
Hair. Our rules are that hair may not be dyed a colour which is not a natural colour. This also applies to any extensions.
The only permitted ear jewellery is a pair of studs, one in each ear in the bottom lobe. Tattoos and body piercing are not permitted.
Hoodies are not part of uniform and should not be worn.
Reminder that phones may not be used during the school day or at break or lunchtime. Phones should not be taken out on the school drive or in the vicinity of the school in Anstey Lane.
Catering cards
Students must use only their own card for purchases. Cards cannot be exchanged or swopped. If a student loses a card a new one can be issued at the admin centre by the Chapel for a charge of £1. Credit may be placed on the card using the cash loaders throughout the school and additionally parents can put credit on their child’s account using the online payment system. Should you have lost your access code please contact the school office.
Cars on site
Parents are asked not to bring cars onto the site and to be considerate to neighbours and other road users on Anstey Lane.
Bikes
Students are encouraged to bring bikes to school but they must be locked up. Students who cycle to school should use a cycle helmet.
Parents Information meetings this term
Year 7 Information Evenings:
X Band Campion, Clitheroe, Fisher; Tuesday 31st August 5.00 – 6.00pm
Y Band More, Sherwin, Ward; Tuesday 31st August 6.30 – 7.30pm
Year 8 Information Evening
Wednesday 1st September 5.00 – 6.00pm
Year 9 Information Evening
Thursday 2nd September 5.00 – 6.00pm
Year 10 Information Evenings
X Band Campion, Clitheroe, Fisher; Tuesday 7th September 5.00 – 6.00pm
Y Band More, Sherwin, Ward; Wednesday 8th September 5.00 – 6.00pm
Year 11 Information Evening
Thursday 16th September 5.00 – 6.00pm
Open Evening
Open Evening for admission to Year 7, 2022 (for students in Year 6) will be on Thursday 7th October 2021, 5.00- 6.45pm.
Open Evening for Sixth Form (for students in Year 11) will be on Thursday 14th October 2021, 5.00 – 6.45pm.
With all good wishes to our students for a very successful year ahead.
Yours sincerely
Marius Carney
Principal