Whole School Letter September 2008

Ref: DJH/MEE

15 September 2008

Dear Parent/Carer

We would like to welcome all students back for a new term and I am pleased to see how well our new Year 7 students have settled in.

Examination Results 2008

The students' results for 2008 were once again exceptional. It was a pleasure to see so many happy students collecting their results. A-Level results were outstanding with 73% A-C Grades and, as a consequence, most students gaining places at their chosen university.

GCSE results this year were phenomenal and were the best in the Local Authority for the third year running. 98% of our students gained 5 or more GCSE passes at Grade C or above but, more importantly, 81.5% of our students achieved 5 or more passes including English and Maths. This figure, I believe, means Tollbar was the educational establishment with the largest number of students (299) achieving 5 or more A*-C including English and Maths in the country. Sometimes it is easy to forget what a life-changing opportunity educational outcomes like the above are for our young people.

These results, the best in the College's history, are a testament to the hard work and commitment of students and staff and the support of their parents.

International Baccalaureate

We are delighted to welcome our first cohort of students onto the IB programme. This large group of Year 12 students have made an excellent start to the course, which will provide them with a Gold Standard Qualification acceptable in universities across the world.

School Building/Maintenance

One of our key priorities is to provide a safe and welcoming environment for our students. During the Summer holidays we have made considerable improvements across the site, for example, new windows in Block 2, block paving in the main playground and we are in the process of building 2 new Science labs. In order to keep the environment to a high standard, I have imposed a chewing gum ban on the site.

College Events Calendar

I enclose a copy of the College Events Calendar.

College Homework Timetable

For your information, a copy of the College Homework Timetable is enclosed.

College Homework Policy

To assist you, a copy of the College Homework Policy is enclosed.

Student Uniform

Shirts: We expect students wearing a tie to have the top button on their shirt fastened. A few students are deliberately removing their top buttons. If a student is seen without a top button, we will replace the button using a buttoneer machine.

Trousers/Skirts: Girls' trousers with large buckles/studs on an integral belt are not acceptable for College wear. Very short skirts, skirts with splits up on the side or rah-rah skirts are also not acceptable for College. Skirts should be no more than 5cm above the knee.

Shoes: All students must wear black shoes. Sports shoes in the style of trainers are not acceptable even if they are black. Canvas shoes, open toe sandals or boots are also not acceptable.

Purchase of College Uniform

The College is now open every Tuesday from 3:15 pm to 4 pm for the purchase of College uniform during term time and during holidays. Blazers, ties and scarves can also be purchased from Uniform Direct.

Labelling of College Uniform

Would parents ensure that all items of clothing and footwear are clearly labelled with your son's/daughter's name. This helps students find lost items and significantly reduces unclaimed clothing in lost property.

External Examinations

Students on GCSE courses will be required to sit external examinations at varying times throughout the year, culminating in the main examinations session in May/June of Year 11.

If a student is medically unfit to attend one of these examinations, a medical note from a doctor must be provided to cover this absence.

Any student missing an external examination without just reason will be required to pay the cost for that examination. Personal re-sits must be paid for within two weeks of entry, otherwise entries will be withdrawn.

Key Stage 3 SAT Examinations

As you will no doubt be aware, there have been considerable problems with the marking of these exams nationally. At this point in time the College is unable to report to parents the results of this year's Key Stage 3 examinations as there are still some missing marks for some students. As soon as the College receives these, we will of course report to parents the outcomes of their child's SAT examinations.

External Examinations Invigilators

We are seeking to employ more external examination invigilators. If you wish to apply for one of these posts and are not on our casual employment list, please contact the College. The current rate of pay is £6.94.

Work Experience

Year 10 students would normally have the opportunity to spend one week of work experience. Unfortunately, the date for this is set by Connexions and, as it falls during the week when most of Year 10 students have external GCSE exams, therefore regrettably we must withdraw from the work experience programme. However, there will be other opportunities throughout the year for Year 10 students to work on activities with employers.

College Year Pattern

Please find enclosed the College year pattern for 2008-2009 and 2009-2010.

Student Holidays

All applications for leave of absence (for any reason) should be made in advance by the parent/carer to the Principal. All requests for absence will be treated on a case by case basis, giving us the flexibility to respond to difficult specific circumstances. Whilst the Governors will not ban all term-time holidays, we are advised that parents should understand they have no legal right to time off school for family holidays.

With regard to holidays during term time, the DCSF guidelines that permit up to 10 days 'holiday leave' include the following special circumstances:

  • Service personnel and other employees prevented from taking holidays outside term-time if the holiday will have minimal disruption to the pupil's education.
  • When a family need time together during or after a 'crisis'.

The DCSF guidelines specifically state that holidays taken for the following reasons should not be authorised:

  • availability of cheap holidays;
  • availability of desired accommodation;
  • poor weather in school holidays;
  • overlap with beginning or end of term.

If you are requesting a Leave of Absence due to parents' work allocations, you must provide documentary evidence of a shift pattern or a letter from the personnel department of the company.

The aim of the Senior Management Team and the Governing Body is to work with you to enhance the outstanding achievements that the College is renowned for, and to build upon the success of recent years. We would, therefore, ask for your support in improving College attendance by ensuring that requests for holidays in term time are made only in exceptional circumstances.

Heads of House

The following is a list of Heads of House, if you wish to contact them with any concerns you may have:

Cygnus Mrs M Toyne Orion Mr D Mitchell

Indus Mrs C Yates Perseus Mr M Birtwhistle

Lyra Mr R Colbert Vela Mrs T Webb

Please sign your child's planner on the College/Home Communications page (page 46) to indicate that you have received this letter.

Yours sincerely

Mr D J Hampson

Principal and Chief Executive

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