“At the going down of the sun, and in the morning; 

We will remember them” 

The words of Keiron S, one of our Year 10 students, who volunteered to read those famous lines from the poem “For the Fallen” last Monday.  Kieron was standing in the middle of our school library surrounded by the entire school population of students and staff – over 1400 people – dressed proudly in his cadets’ uniform to represent our nation’s uniformed services.  Keiron’s words were followed by a two-minute silence – impeccably observed – and the Last Post played by Jamie O’Brien, one of our Trust Shared Services colleagues. 

It was a hugely touching few moments and a rightful recognition of the sacrifices made by a generation long ago, and by many others since.  As I stood, I watched the faces of our students and tried to wonder what it meant for them but also reflected upon the importance of continuing to mark the remembrance event in a solemn and collective way.  In the week since we returned from half term, many students have volunteered to sell poppies and even more have gone out of their way to buy them.  Whether they feel a close connection to the fallen or not, there is no doubt that our students recognise when they truly need to pay respect to something that is greater than they, and they never let us down.  I was extremely proud on Monday morning and really moved by it all. 

***  

It continues to be a very busy term for educational trips and for guest speakers in school.  In recent, or coming, weeks, students will experience the following: 

• Year 13 Geography trip to Hull University 

• Year 12 Physics trip to The Royal Institute, London  

• Year 9 Art trip to the Tate Liverpool (with a Beatles tour thrown in) 

• Year 10 trip to Motorcycle Live at the NEC, Birmingham 

• Year 9 trip to the National Video Gaming Museum in Leeds 

• Year 11 visit to see Othello at the RSC in Stratford 

• Year 11 careers visits to Bishop Burton, Calvert Lane Fire Station and Hull University 

• Year 10 Photography trip to Hornsea 

• Year 11 trip to Barcelona, Spain 

• Year 10 Art trip to the Hockney Gallery in Salts Mill 

Across the year, our aim is for all our students to have at least one educational visit opportunity and, across their time in school, for all students to have the opportunity for an overnight visit and possibly an overseas trip. 

This takes a huge commitment from our staff to organise these events as well as the colleagues who then cover for them whilst the trips take place.  I know that you appreciate these experiences for your child because you get in touch to thank my staff for offering them.  I am also conscious that – for financial reasons – you may not be able to support all the experiences we are offering and would always urge you to contact us where this is the case.  We do try to offer a wide breadth of experiences and aim to keep the cost as low as possible.  Your feedback is always welcome. 

*** 

We continue to focus on raising attendance and we are pleased that this continues to improve but one of the biggest obstacles we face, aside from illness, is term time holidays.  

I fully appreciate the financial difference in the cost of holidays in term time but, as your child’s Headteacher, I see the impact of broken attendance on student progress and personal development every day. 

In Year 10 and 11, students with attendance below 90% (that is the equivalent of two weeks holiday, plus just one day off per month with illness) achieve an average Grade 3 – not enough to access the next stage of education. 

Those Year 10 and 11 students with attendance above 95% achieved an average Grade 5 and those with 98% or above (just 4 days off all year) averaged Grade 6.   

In the younger years, the impact is more developmental.  Students that miss periods of learning often return to school showing greater anxiety and reluctance to attend.  The impact of a week’s holiday is huge; 25 missed lessons means that every subsequent lesson becomes more difficult to manage and deal with. 

It also means a disconnect with friends.  The daily stories, laughs and gossip is a key part of growing up.  Missing out on this can cause students to find it difficult to reconnect friendships.  

For all these reasons, I urge all families not to take term time holidays.  My discretion to authorise these is extremely limited and is only ever applied in a very small number of cases.  

***  

This week has been notable for the change in temperature and the nights drawing in.  As I write this on Friday afternoon, it is already getting dark at 3.30.  From Monday, we will also be closing the field to students at break and lunchtime and asking them to share their social space more closely with each other.  The next ten school weeks (until around February half term) are usually the most difficult in school and we will be setting out our expectations around behaviour and conduct in assemblies with the students next week.  As ever, your support in maintaining our high standards of behaviour and uniform are greatly appreciated. 

***  

After last week’s trip to Surrey, I am looking forward to quieter few days at home this weekend.  Time to relax, spend time with the kids and then plan for the week ahead.  Except for Sunday afternoon, when we are going to the cinema to see the new Paddington movie.   

Enjoy your weekend, whatever you have in store, and thanks again for your support.    

Mr Groak

Headteacher