W/C Monday 16th January 2023
Dear Parents/Carers
Student Learning Conferences (SLCs) have continued to be a real focus for all students over the last week and there has been lots of hard work put into preparations for these. Students have been gathering their work together, organising books and portfolios, and planning how they present their learning. This work will be ongoing over the next two weeks and students will be supporting each other to ‘get to the top of the mountain’ working together both in and outside of Crew time to share their experiences and coach each other.
We are really looking forward to seeing our students shine in their SLCs and the feedback they receive from you. When you sign in for your SLC at reception, please remember to take an exit ticket for completion afterwards.
As a staff, we have enjoyed professional learning across our two staff days. Our focus has been around two key aspects of our school:
- Quality first, and inclusive, teaching
- How do we ensure that we limit cognitive load in the way that we present materials to students?
- How do we ensure that we maximise the impact and productivity of the first five minutes of sessions?
- How do we ensure that we sequence ideas and lessons in a way that makes the most of what we know about how learning happens?
- Developing crew to ensure a continued strong school culture
- How do we foster strong relationships with all of our students?
- How do we build and tend to Crew as we grow?
- How can we solve problems through restoration and relationships?
- Delivering a high quality RSHE curriculum.
- How can we optimise Crew Reads on Tranquil Tuesdays?
This week:
Extended Study and clubs are not running this week to allow for SLCs to take place. School will end at 3:15pm for all students apart from those with SLCs on that evening.
To allow students time to prepare for their SLCs, we have reduced the amount of extended study work set again this week and next. Reading for 20-30 minutes each day is still expected.
Looking ahead:
Strike Action
As you may be aware, the NEU teachers union have balloted and agreed strike action on the following dates: Wednesday 1st and Tuesday 28th February 2023.
The NEU are striking around the following reasons:
- Recruitment and retention of staff
- Underfunding of education by the current government
- Wage increase for staff which is below the rate of inflation
As leadership, we will do our best to minimise disruption to child’s education and we will update you in due course.
As usual, thank you for your ongoing support. Please get in touch with your child’s Crew Leader if you have any questions.
Julie Mosley
Co-Principal