Dear parents and carers,
We have now completed our first full week back at school. I have to say I am very impressed! All year groups have settled well into their new classes, and I am inundated with pupils visiting me to show off their in class achievements. Our radio station continues to impress students, staff and visitors alike whilst our building works continue to progress. However, there are some important issues I must raise.
Attendance and punctuality
Just like me, I am sure you all have a favourite TV series you have enjoyed. Maybe you enjoy watching a film on a Saturday night or a trip to the cinema. Whilst not impossible, it can be frustrating to work out what is happening, who is who and what's the plot if you miss the start. Similarly, be it Eastenders, The Apprentice, The Traitors, Love Island or any other TV series, it is difficult to work out at times what is happening if you have missed some of the episodes.
It is the same for your child with their learning.
Our lessons are sequential. This means they build upon each other. If a child has missed a previous lesson, or perhaps missed the main teaching segment through being late, it is challenging, albeit not impossible, for them to catch up. Some pupils find this more challenging than others which can manifest itself in a range of ways from temper tantrums to low self-esteem. What's more, it is the law that children attend education and are on time. Please ensure your child is sat in class by 8:45am. Our gates open at 8:35 to support this. If they arrive at the gate at 8:46am they will be marked late. Regular lateness will result in meetings being called with parents and the local authority becoming involved. It also does not set up pupils well for secondary school and the world of work if children think that punctuality is not important.
Similarly, we are already getting concerned at some of the reasons provided for absence. Pupils benefit most from being in school. Of course, if they are ill they should stay at home but return as soon as they are better. Holidays must not be booked for term time. I understand completely that flights and hotels are much cheaper during the school year, but research has consistently shown that pupils who achieve the best results have the best attendance. Occasionally there are family/medical reasons requiring a trip abroad, but it appears some of these emergency trips are being extended to include a holiday that cannot be authorised. Please ensure your child is attending schools asap again, where absence becomes problematic we will haver to meet with parents and involve the local authority, issuing fines where necessary.
Pupils MUST NOT come to school in their PE kits
Before COVID, this was unheard of and the majority of schools have now returned to children changing in class for PE. But why? There are several reasons:
- It teaches independence - children learn to change themselves
- It's hygenic - with levels of obesity high in this school compared to the UK average (NHS figures), our sports coaches are told to work the children hard in PE lessons. This results in them getting sweaty. Nobody enjoys sitting in sweaty clothes, and nobody enjoys sitting next to someone in sweaty clothes
- It can protect against bullying - sweaty clothes smell. Some can be unkind when they notice a child is smelling (not that this is acceptable)
- It teaches the importance of changing for sport and exercise. Unless you work in the leisure industry, I am sure you do not undertake sport or exercise in your work attire.
- Confidence - some parents report that because they have never had to change in school before, they are nervous to do this. Whilst we are sympathetic to this and will work to support children, this can cause immense problems in the future with situations like school residentials and swimming or as adults where they may need to use public changing rooms or are in a situation where they may wear less clothing than usual - swimming pool, beach etc.
- Secondary school/puberty - ALL secondary schools require pupils to change for PE. It is much better that pupils get used to this whilst they are young rather than have to adapt to this new routine whilst experiencing puberty which can also make pupils self-conscious.
Believe me, life would be much easier for our teachers and sports coaches if children did come to school in PE kits, but we recognise this is not beneficial for them in the long run. Please do speak to our inclusion team, especially if your child is in Year Three, and they are struggling to transition to changing in school.
I pray you all have a wonderful weekend.
Mr. David Huntingford
Headteacher
