Whole School Letter December 2008

Ref: DJH/MEE

15 December 2008

Dear Parent/Carer

We are approaching the end of an incredibly successful year, which has even surpassed last year's outcomes.

I would like to thank you all for your support and encouragement, without which no school can hope to continue to progress and succeed.

Timetables

New timetables for next term will be issued to all students on the last day of term.

Uniform

In response to requests from parents, we have added an optional plain black (no badge) fine-knit v-neck jumper to the College uniform. These are available from Uniform Direct and can be worn under blazers. Please note that jumpers are not to be worn instead of blazers; blazers must still be worn. Cardigans or other types of jumper are not acceptable. Parents should also be aware that hoodies or leather jackets/denim coats are not permitted at College. For further information, please see the College Dress Policy which is attached.

Purchasing Uniform

If you require replacement blazers, ties or scarves, we would prefer parents to go to Uniform Direct for these items. Please note that Uniform Direct will be closed for one week from 22 December and will re-open on 29 December 2008.

Student/Parent Questionnaire

We are always looking to improve our facilities and the quality of education we provide. As part of this continuing process, we will again be seeking the views of parents and students. We will therefore be randomly selecting parents and students to complete another questionnaire in the New Year.

Invigilators

The College is always looking for people to be employed as invigilators during the examinations in January, March and of course in the Summer. If you are interested in becoming an invigilator, please contact Reception at the College on 01472 500505 for further information.

College Year Pattern

Term Dates - January 2009 to July 2009

Monday 5 January - Friday 13 February
Monday 23 February - Wednesday 1 April
Monday 20 April - Friday 22 May
Bank Holidays - 4 May and 25 May
Monday 1 June - Wednesday 22 July

I enclose the College Year Pattern for 2009-2010 (previously sent) and 2010-2011. Please note these are always available for your reference on the College website.

Examinations

We would remind you of the following important examination dates.

Internal Examinations
Year 7 Exams Week beginning 29 June 2009 (1 week)
Year 8 Exams Week beginning 23 February 2009 and
Monday 2 March 2009
Year 9 Exams Week beginning 9 March 2009 and
Week beginning 16 March 2009
Year 10 Exams Week beginning 23 March 2009 and
Week beginning 30 March 2009

External Examinations
CATS Saturday 20 June 2009
CATS Catch-Up Friday 26 June 2009
GCSE November Examinations Results Day Thursday 15 January 2009
GCSE January Examinations Thursday 8 January 2009 - Friday 30 January 2009
GCSE January Examinations Results Day Thursday 26 March 2009
GCSE March Examinations Monday 2 March 2009 - Friday 6 March 2009
GCSE March Examinations Results Day Monday 20 April 2009
GCSE Summer Examinations Monday 11 May 2009 - Friday 26 June 2009
GCSE Summer Examinations Results Day Thursday 27 August 2009

Year 12 Examinations
AS/A2 Winter Examinations Thursday 8 January 2009 - Friday 30 January 2009
Year 12 Exams Week beginning 9 March 2009
AS/A2 Winter Results Day Thursday 26 March 2009
AS/A2 Summer Examinations Monday 11 May 2009 - Friday 26 June 2009
AS/A2 Summer Results Day Thursday 20 August 2009

International Baccalaureate

Year 12 students have made an exceptional start to the International Baccalaureate with 85 students enrolled on this exciting course and studying for an outstanding qualification. The response so far from students, teachers and parents has been very positive.

During a recent review of student progress, teachers felt the International Baccalaureate was a much stronger qualification and provided a better link for students going on to University. Year 12 students expressed delight that they had chosen the IB.

A compulsory element of the IB is CAS (Creativity, Action and Service) and this has been a real hit with the students, many of whom can now look forward to an exchange with a school in Sweden.

International Baccalaureate Open Evening

We shall be holding a further IB Open Evening for Year 11 students and their parents on Tuesday 20 January from 6:30 pm to 9 pm. We look forward to seeing you there.

Providing Information to Connexions

For students approaching or above age 13 the College is required to pass on information to the Connexions Service. This information includes the name and address of the student and parent, and any further information relevant to the Connexions Service's role, which is to support young people, helping them to achieve their potential and to realise benefits from education, learning and employment. However, parents or the students themselves if aged 16 or over can ask that no information beyond name and address (for student and parent) be passed on to Connexions. If as a parent, or as a student aged 16 or over, you do not want Connexions to receive from us information beyond name and address, please ensure that you return the reply slip on page 5.

Since for students aged 16 or over, the right to ask for information beyond name and address not to be passed to Connexions rests with the student rather than the parent, it is particularly important that you share this note with your child if they are of this age.

The Local Authority and DCSF may provide Connexions with information which they have about your child, but will not pass on any information they have received from us if you (or your child if aged 16 or over) have notified the school that Connexions should not receive information beyond name and address.

Please complete the reply slip below indicating a positive or negative response regarding us sharing information about your child with the Connexions Agency. If you want to find out more about how the Connexions Agency can help your child, there is a National Helpline - Connexions Direct 080 800 13219.

We would also like to assure you that we do not pass on personal information held about your child to any commercial organisation.

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

Finally may I wish all parents and carers a happy Christmas and a prosperous and healthy New Year.

Yours sincerely

Mr D J Hampson

Principal and Chief Executive

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