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Friday 8th September - No blazers, no ties.

07th September 2023

𝗡𝗢 𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗭𝗘𝗥𝗦, 𝗡𝗢 𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗦, 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗕𝗢𝗧𝗧𝗟𝗘𝗦, 𝗪𝗘𝗔𝗥 𝗦𝗨𝗡 𝗟𝗢𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡

We saw lots of students today still wearing blazers and jumpers today, despite repeated messages from all our staff that they can remove them. We implore you to 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗹𝗮𝘇𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲.

Bring refillable water bottles, again lots of students without bottles this week. It is important to ʀᴇʜʏᴅʀᴀᴛᴇ!

𝗪𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗻 𝗹𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀/𝗰𝗮𝗽𝘀.

Please remind them to 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗱/𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 at break and lunchtimes.

Network issue

05th September 2023

This evening we were made aware of an issue with ParentPay. Our IT Servicedesk are working on this as we speak and we hope that it will be back up and running by tomorrow.

𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱, 𝗻𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗴𝗼 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗹𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵. Please ask your child to get their food as normal and our canteen team will take their name, what they have chosen to eat will be added to their ParentPay account. We will let you know when it is back up and running.

Thank you for bearing with us and for your understanding. 

𝗗𝗢𝗪𝗡𝗟𝗢𝗔𝗗 𝗚𝗢𝟰𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟𝗦 𝗔𝗣𝗣 𝗡𝗢𝗪!

05th September 2023

𝗗𝗢𝗪𝗡𝗟𝗢𝗔𝗗 𝗚𝗢𝟰𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟𝗦 𝗔𝗣𝗣 𝗡𝗢𝗪!

Android https://bit.ly/g4sapple

Apple https://bit.ly/Go4SApple

The G4S app enables parents/carers to view:

• Timetables
• Achievement points
• Behaviour points
• Progress data
• Home notes

Detentions that have been sanctioned

We have ‘How to’ guides on our website https://www.cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk/parent/go-4-schools.

At The Cottesloe School, we are continually working to further improve communication with parents/carers. We aim to work with families to support each student at The Cottesloe School, ensuring that parents/carers are kept fully informed about their child's attendance, progress, achievements and behaviour whilst at school.

To strengthen these communication pathways, the school has invested in the G4S App. You will be familiar with the Go For Schools (G4S) already as the platform is currently used to report progress at Assessment Points, accessed by parents/carers using a computer/laptop or other devices. Please see the guidance documents attached or contact your child's tutor if you require support in accessing G4S. Using the G4S app enables information to be shared and viewed easily via a mobile device.

The G4S app will notify parents/carers at the end of the week, providing a summary of achievement and behaviour points for the specific week. You will also receive an email notifying you when a new action has been logged on G4S.

During this academic year, more information and data such as live attendance marks will become available for parents to view. Having access to all of this information will facilitate informed conversations with your child, so you can celebrate successes and progress as well as discuss improvement strategies.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or need further guidance regarding any aspect of this process.

Yours sincerely

Mr R Henry

Assistant Headteacher – Student Character

No blazers this week

05th September 2023

Due to the hot weather, no blazers will be needed this week, if they spend lunchtime outside ensure they have sunscreen on.

𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝘂𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗣𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘀 if using the canteen, we had a lot of students with no money in their account, this is done via ParentPay and you can set a daily spend limit by emailing finance@cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk 

𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀 with this weather, please ensure your child comes to school with a 𝗡𝗔𝗠𝗘𝗗 bottle. We had lots of students without one today. 

Consultation on a proposal to expand The Cottesloe School

04th September 2023

Dear Parent / Carer / Local Resident, 

Over the last few years, the population of north Buckinghamshire has increased. This has increased the demand for secondary school places. 

We, in partnership with Buckinghamshire Council, are proposing to permanently expand the school to increase the number of places. 

Works to expand the school would include: 

• An extension to the current sixth form block, which would: 
  • include 4 new classrooms, a toilet block and a new dining facility for sixth  form pupils 
  • create more space within the main school for pupils aged 11 to 15
• Internal alterations within the existing science block to create an additional science laboratory and refurbishment of the toilet facilities 

The permanent expansion of the school would be available from October 2025. The larger school would provide benefits – including greater flexibility and efficiency for staff and resources. 

The proposal would allow us to admit a further 20 Year 7 pupils each year. This would mean an overall increase of 100 pupils across Years 7 to 11 by September 2027. 

Across all the year groups, we would be able to admit 210 pupils annually. As the increased number of Year 7 pupils move through the school, there would be an increase in Sixth Form pupils. 

The proposal to expand the school is fully supported by the Governing Board. 

Buckinghamshire Council has expanded several schools in the area to accommodate additional pupils. 

In September 2022, we accommodated 20 additional pupils in Year 7. This was possible within the school’s existing space.  

We will admit up to 20 more pupils in Year 7 from September 2023 by making minor changes to our existing school buildings.

Drop-in event to find out more 

We are holding a public drop-in event to share our ideas, hear your views and answer any questions. The event will be in the main school hall from 5pm to 7pm on Wednesday 13  September 2023. 

You will be able to ask questions about the proposed expansion of the school. Our governors, our headteacher, officers from Buckinghamshire Council and the architects will be at the event. 

In addition to the event, we are holding a public consultation on the proposals, and I would be grateful if you would complete the attached response form and return it by midnight on  Sunday 8 October 2023. 

Decision-making process 

Subject to the outcome of this consultation process, Buckinghamshire Council will review the feedback and a decision will be taken on whether to formally publish a statutory notice to take forward this proposal. 

The proposed timetable below, which may be subject to change, sets out the next steps: 

April 2024 Works commence on-site to expand the school 

We would work closely with Buckinghamshire Council and the contractor to make sure all expansion works are in line with health  and safety legislation and do not impact pupils’ learning 

Have your say  

We want to hear your views on this proposal. 

The views of parents, pupils and the wider community will be considered by our Governing  Board and Buckinghamshire Council – when determining whether to publish a Statutory  Notice to expand the school. 

You can respond to this consultation online at https://bit.ly/TCSconsultationForm

Printed feedback forms will be available at the meeting on 13 September 2023. 

All responses must be received by midnight on 8 October 2023. Any responses received after this date will not be considered. 

Yours sincerely
Mr S Jones
Headteacher

Headteacher Update

04th September 2023

As the beginning of term approaches, I wanted to clarify a couple of matters before our students return tomorrow.

ʀᴇɪɴꜰᴏʀᴄᴇᴅ ᴀᴜᴛᴏᴄʟᴀᴠᴇᴅ ᴀᴇʀᴀᴛᴇᴅ ᴄᴏɴᴄʀᴇᴛᴇ (ʀᴀᴀᴄ)

The matter of RAAC in school buildings is not new to the Department of Education (DfE) and schools. It has been a cause for concern for quite some time. We have, like all schools, received regular updates from the DfE. Some testing/surveying has already been carried out at the school. We are also awaiting further surveys in the coming weeks.

On Friday morning, I spoke directly with Buckinghamshire Council representatives to share my concerns, particularly in light of the naming of certain schools that have been named as having RAAC on site. 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗻𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀.

I will of course continue to review and monitor the situation extremely closely.

ᴡᴇᴀᴛʜᴇʀ

Typically, the sun has come out for a few days this week as we returned to school. The outlook for the weekend is for a return to more normal temperatures. Although it can be warm at this time of the year, temperatures do not rise as quickly and it can be very cool first thing in the morning.

Consequently, all students are expected to be in 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄. Staff will be advised to keep rooms cool by encouraging ventilation and keeping the sun out using their blinds. All students should bring a refillable bottle to keep themselves hydrated with water. Blazers can be removed in classrooms as per normal.

𝗠𝗿 𝗝𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀 | 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿

Welcome back

04th September 2023

First-day back reminders

𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝟳 students straight to PA3

𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝟴, 𝟵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟭𝟬 go to tutor time (for rooms see PDF)

𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝟭𝟭 straight to the hall

SHARE THIS INFO WITH YOUR FRIENDS

𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝘂𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗣𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘀 if using the canteen

𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀 

Arriva Student and child Travel 2023-24

11th July 2023

Arriva Student and child Travel 2023-24

Arriva would like to take this opportunity to remind you about the options we have available to support students travelling to school on our bus services. Arriva Student Saver tickets not only provide your child with reduced-priced bus travel on their journey to and from school, but they can also use their pass to travel in the evenings, at weekends and throughout all school term holidays.

You can spread the cost of our student-saver tickets over affordable monthly payments with our easy-to-use direct debit scheme. It is simple to apply and there is no setup fee or minimum contract, which means you can cancel your direct debit and stop your ticket at any time should your circumstances change.

This makes it the ideal way to get reduced-price bus travel without paying upfront.

To arrange your Direct Debit and for further information please follow the link or scan the QR.

www.arrivabus.co.uk/monthlytickets

Child Saver tickets are valid for pupils up to and including year 11.

Student Saver tickets are available for anyone aged 16+ in full-time education. To ensure you get your ticket in time for the start of the new academic year, you can register now but set your payments to commence later in August. Once we have received your first payment, your ticket will be sent to you, so you won’t need to worry about paying on the bus

every time.

You can choose to receive your pass by post or if you download the Arriva UK bus app onto your child’s phone, we can them an m-ticket. For travel information including local maps and timetables please visit:

www.arrivabus.co.uk

For further info, please email: Studenttickets.ams@arriva.co.uk

Change to Lunch

29th June 2023

From Monday 3rd July all year groups will be on late lunch.

This is due to a reduced number of Year Groups being on-site, Year 10 will be on Work Experience from 10th July and Year 11 and 13 finishing.

Strike Action

28th June 2023

You are no doubt aware that the NEU have announced another round of industrial action that will impact schools in the coming weeks.

As with previous strike days, my role is to assess the levels of likely staffing for each year group across the days, review the risks to students and make a judgement regarding which students can be safely educated on site. It's an almost impossible balancing act and I recognise the inconvenience of strike action for families and students.

The nuances of our timetable, potentially increased numbers of staff striking and the added complication of the second Year 6 Transition Day have had a greater impact this time. When we consider the staffing impact on schools across the strike days we have to take a number of issues into account.

For example:
• Staff do not have to inform us in advance if they are striking or not.
• We cannot ask striking staff to set cover work for the time they are out of school for industrial action.
• Non-striking members of staff should not be expected to cover the lessons of a striking colleague, or to set work for these lessons. If asked, they can refuse.
• Non-striking staff cannot be directed to cover the supervisory duties of staff that are striking.
• Many teachers are also parents and they may be facing issues with provision for their own children caused by the strike.

I believe the following to be the best way to manage these strike days and maximise the face to face learning that can occur.

Wednesday 5th July 2023
• In School - Year 6 Transition students and Year 12
• Remote Learning: Year 7, 8, 9 and 10

Friday 7th July 2023
• In School: Year 7 and 12
• Remote Learning: Year 8, 9 and 10

Vulnerable students

Students who are deemed to be vulnerable or have SEND will be contacted directly by these departments/teams to ascertain if they wish to attend.

Critical workers

All parents should keep their children at home if they can. We will try to maximise the provision for those children with at least one parent who is a critical worker, as defined by the Department for Education. We have limited places available that we can offer to parents and we are prioritising those that work in the Health and Social Care, Education and Childcare or Emergency Services.

Parents need to complete an expression of interest form by Monday 3rd July 2023 to aid with planning. https://forms.gle/5gu3iuXfAKTzHkXp8

In the meantime, please make alternative arrangements where you can and respect the DfE recommendations about keeping children at home where possible.

Completion of the form does not guarantee you a place. You will be contacted separately to confirm if you have been offered a place.

Remote learning

Students should access their normal Google Classroom where work will be set by their teacher, unless they are taking strike action. Students should log in to each lesson at the normal time and complete any work during the scheduled lesson time. Work will be scheduled to appear in Google Classroom just before the timetabled lesson.

We do face a challenge in producing remote learning at this time, unlike during the pandemic, we will not have each class teacher available nor are they obliged to set online learning tasks for students on strike days. This will I am sure be a frustration, but it is a natural by-product of industrial action and the withdrawal of labour.

Yours sincerely
Mr S Jones
Headteacher

Alternatives to A Levels and University: What you need to know

28th June 2023

Alternatives to A Levels and University: What you need to know

Thinking about what’s next after you leave school? Gaining a university degree is just one option and there are many different paths you could take, from apprenticeships to higher technical qualifications.

And while it’s compulsory for young people to be in education or training until the age of 18, it doesn’t mean you have to stay in school and take A Levels if it’s not the right fit for you.

The best choice for you will depend on your situation and the career or job you have in mind. Here we look at some of the alternative options to A Levels and university routes for those who are aged 16 and older.

https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2023/06/27/alternatives-to-a-levels-and-university-what-you-need-to-know/

What is Clearing and when does it open in 2023?

28th June 2023

What is Clearing and when does it open in 2023?

Clearing is a term you might have heard in the context of university applications, but do you know what it means?

Some people might think that you can only apply through Clearing if you haven’t met the grade requirements of a conditional offer from a university. While it's true that many people who don’t receive the grades they expect secure an alternative place through Clearing, it can be a good option for those in different situations too.

Here we tell you everything you need to know about Clearing and how it could benefit you.

What is Clearing?

Clearing is when UCAS provides students with the opportunity to apply for university places which haven’t yet been filled, outside of the normal application window.

It’s a good option if:

• you’ve changed your mind about what course you want to do.

• you missed the application deadline of 30 June.

• you haven’t met the entry requirements for the offer you’ve accepted.

• you’ve done better than expected and would like to change to a different course or university.

When does Clearing open in 2023?

Clearing is open from 5 July to 17 October 2023.

How does Clearing work?

Log in to your UCAS account, or set one up https://accounts.ucas.com/Account/Login

https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2023/06/26/what-is-clearing-and-when-does-it-open-in-2023/

GCSE Results Day | Important Information

26th June 2023

For this year’s GCSE results day, which is to be held on Thursday 24th August 2023 for your child to collect their results in person.

Following previous positive feedback, we will structure the day in order to ensure that this can be delivered in a calm environment, where staff can be on hand to share in the successes and to be able to answer any queries that you may have. Each Year 11 tutor group has a dedicated time and place to collect their exam results. Please refer to the table attached for the details.

So that we can ensure the smooth running of the day, please can I ask Anna to complete the following form in order that we know who will be attending the school and who would prefer to receive their results electronically.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe25s5xvRGq7sWjpUR5nTJYwWKXK-Ody1apM1F_WmLLsaCQrA/viewform

The deadline for doing this is Wednesday 19th July 2023. If your child would like their results posting please provide the school with a self addressed envelope.

Anyone who has opted to receive their results electronically, will receive an email detailing their results to their school email account at 9am on Thursday 24th August 2023. Please can you ensure that your child can access their school email account prior to the school closing for summer and make us aware if they have any problems logging in to their account in order that this can be rectified.

When collecting their results, all Year 11 pupils will be asked to complete a ‘Destinations and Declarations’ form, which records statutory information that the school must collect on behalf of the Department for Education (DfE). This form needs to be completed at the time of collecting the results. Any individual who opts to receive their results electronically will be sent an electronic version of the form at the same time as their results.

All Year 11 pupils who have applied to The Cottesloe School 6th Form will receive further information in their results envelope. They may be asked to go to C Block to speak to a member of staff to discuss their 6th Form choices.

Attached to this letter is information regarding post-results services and access to scripts, for example: how to go about requesting a review of marking and how to access student’s papers following the results being issued. Members of staff will be present on the day should you have further questions regarding this.

I hope that this letter provides all of the information needed, but if you do have any further questions or concerns in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact the school by email via officeadministrator@cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk.

Yours sincerely
Mr A Passaro
Assistant Headteacher - School Improvement

Apply for a spare seat on a council-run school bus

23rd June 2023

 Spare seat scheme will open on 26th June. 

This is for any family where a child doesn't receive free transport to school but would like to use one of the school buses. This is particularly relevant for families of Year 11 students intending to come to our Sixth Form.

https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/schools-index/school-transport/paid-school-transport/spare-seats-on-school-transport-buses/apply-for-a-spare-seat-on-a-school-transport-bus-offstate/

You can apply for a spare seat on one of the council-run school buses we run for children who get free school transport. You will have to pay for your child's place.

Spaces are limited, so you should also research other school transport options, in case your application is not successful.

https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/schools-index/school-transport/school-transport-options/