Head of School Letter 30th Septemeber 202430/09/2024

Dear Parents/Carers,

It was a very wet and rainy week at school but despite the challenges that the Autumn weather presented us as a school with separate buildings, our students were fabulous, flexible and sensible. We were luckier than some other local schools who had to close early on several days due to onsite flooding. It was great to see many more students wearing coats in the latter part of the week - thank you for your support from home with this. 

As a reminder, and for families new to the school, here’s clarification on what happens should the school need to close: Any decision to close is not taken lightly but is based on the latest weather forecasts, road conditions, and the overall safety of the school site. The decision will be made as early as possible and always no later than just after 7am.  The quickest way to find out if the school is closed is to check the Buckinghamshire Council website school closures page that is updated regularly: https://closures.buckscc.gov.uk/Search.aspx?st=az&q=c. We will also email parents directly, post details of the closure on our social media and the school website. Should a closure occur, students will receive information regarding remote learning from their teachers via Google Classroom.

Department for Education Curriculum and Assessment Review: Call for Evidence A national Curriculum and Assessment Review has been set up by the DfE to review the national curriculum and statutory assessment system in England, including qualification pathways. It will consider children and young people’s education and experiences from ages 5 to 19.  

Professor Becky Francis CBE, Chair of the Review says: For a quarter of a century, young people in England have benefitted from a determined commitment to high standards for all within our state education system. This inspirational commitment to excellence for all has been maintained through successive administrations, resulting in a stronger position in the international league tables. The UK has maintained its place alongside Canada and Scandinavian countries as a rare international exemplar of comprehensive provision for all to age 16, ensuring that all children and young people have access to a broad and balanced curriculum for as long as feasible, thereby enhancing their options and life chances. This hard-earned success reflects the dedicated work of teachers and leaders across the education profession. 

Nevertheless, there is much to be done to ensure that all children and young people gain the foundational and advanced learning that sets them up to achieve, thrive, and foster a lifelong love of learning. Through this review we’ll focus on the most significant areas for improvement, with particular concern for supporting children and young people who are from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, those with a special educational need or disability (SEND) and those who are otherwise vulnerable. 

In addition to the urgent need for a sufficient supply of high-quality teachers that make the most difference to young people’s successful educational outcomes, there is a need to review and refresh our curriculum and assessment frameworks. This Review will address existing problems and ensure that these frameworks are fit for the future. 

The review is seeking the opinions of all stakeholders - teachers, students, parents and other staff involved in the education system - to understand what is working, what doesn’t work or isn’t helpful and suggested improvements. I would encourage you to undertake the review so as many voices as possible can contribute to the decisions that will ensure existing curriculum and assessment frameworks are fit for purpose for the next quarter of a century.  Click on the link to provide your evidence: Curriculum and Assessment Review - Department for Education - Citizen Space 

Year 6 into 7 Open Events  We’re looking forward to welcoming families to school this week for three separate sessions in place of last week’s cancelled Open Evening. The amount of rain received over the week would have caused serious damage to the school field where visitor cars were due to park and, whilst we were really disappointed to have to change the event, it was the right decision given the circumstances. Families and students in Year 6 will be touring the school on Thursday and Friday mornings and Thursday after school. 

Online Safety Information Evening A reminder that we’re hosting an online safety information session on Thursday 3rd October between 18:00-19:00, face to face in the main school hall. At The Cottesloe School, we take our responsibilities for safeguarding and child protection very seriously. We instil a strong culture of vigilance amongst all members of the school community and believe it is our shared responsibility to safeguard each other. This event is for parents and carers ONLY and is not suitable for children to attend.

As part of our commitment to our safeguarding procedures, we are hosting an information evening for parents and carers to help support you and understand what to look for and how you can support your child. The evening will cover how young people are using social media and the internet and to help guide you as parents/carers on how to approach a key part of modern society. There will be the opportunity to ask any questions, seek support from the staff available and share ideas on how to keep your children safe online.To book a place please click on the link below: Eventbrite Online Safety Evening 

Webinar for students/parents: Degree Apprenticeships My Great First Job is a non-profit organisation, helping young people navigate their way from education to employment. It is running a free webinar on degree apprenticeships, taking place on Tuesday 1st October from 18:30-19:30. This is aimed at Sixth Form students and parents but younger students (and their parents) are welcome too. Please click on the link to book a space: Degree Apprenticeships - So What Are They All About? 

The session will cover

• How Degree Apprenticeships work
• Where you can find the opportunities
• When you should be applying
• What can an application process look like?

Sport Fixtures and Results Rain unfortunately stopped play this week!

Assembly Theme: This week’s assemblies entitled Reclaiming Narratives, reflects the theme of Black History Month and will be taken by Mr Powell, History teacher. 

Year 12 Year 12 Transition Evening will be face to face in the main school hall on Wednesday 2nd October between 18:00-19:00. Mr Youngs and Mrs Smith are looking forward to meeting parents/carers of Year 12 students to guide them through the key points of sixth form life and how they can best support their child.

Year 11 The first round of KS4 mock exams begin on Monday 7th October. I will be taking a special assembly with the year group to explain the key points of exam room etiquette to ensure everyone knows what’s expected of them prior to the exams beginning. More information about exams can be found here: Examinations 

The second group of Year 11 Silver D of E students returned from their expedition in the Forest of Dean. The weather was not so kind to them but it was a great trip nonetheless. Thank you to Mr Curtis and Mrs Hankin for supporting them!  

Have a super week, and if you’re attending one of our open events this week with your Year 6 child, I look forward to meeting you - you are very welcome. Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support.

Best wishes, 

Louise Baldwin

Head of School