22nd November 2019
We ended this week with the first of our Discovery Days of the year. Year ten students visited the Skills show, students in key stage three undertook a range of workshops and our year elevens and sixth form considered their next stages.
It is an important time for our year eleven and year thirteen students at present. In a few weeks both year groups will be sitting their mock exams which will give some clear guidance as to what to focus on over the next few months. Today our year eleven students went on a visit to colleges and universities as a part of the journey in planning their next steps. Our year thirteen students are busy with applications for university and already a number are receiving offers and planning for next year.
Schools are busy places, but it is always important to keep our eyes on the next steps we are going to take. I met with our primary partners this week to discuss with them the curriculum at key stage two and how that prepares students for the next stage.
Our faculties are spending this year reviewing the curriculum in all subject areas to ensure that knowledge and skills are built up in a systematic way. The key assessment points, such as the year eleven and thirteen mock examinations are important in helping us to evaluate what students need to develop and where they need to refocus.
Parents play a key role in helping students prepare for examinations. Please ensure there is a quiet place for them to study and that you talk to them about what they need to do and whether they need to seek additional support from teachers.