Dear Parents/Carers,
I hope this update finds you and your families well. I would like to firstly thank parents and carers for their support in testing and following national guidelines meaning that once again the transmission of COVID, like it has been through the pandemic, is incredibly low. We currently have one case within the academy that requires isolation for other students. The confidence you have shown in us and our measures, ventilation, face coverings, regular cleaning of high contact areas and daily sanitisation of the site has been immense and we are eternally grateful. Our attendance figures are now in line with the pre-pandemic attendance figures and have been for a number of weeks which is truly exceptional. Our students will only benefit from that show of support from the parent/carer community.
This week we welcomed Challenge Partners into our academy. Challenge Partners is a nationwide education charity, led by practitioners, through which schools collaborate to improve each other and the education system as a whole, so all children benefit. They work with schools across the country, and focus on school improvement, leadership development and knowledge exchange. The schools in the Challenge Partners network get great results: boosting exam and progress scores, improving Ofsted grades – and, most importantly, transforming children’s life chances. Throughout the three day review Challenge Partners found our academy provision to be highly effective. We are also incredibly proud to announce that they also accredited the academy with a National Area of Excellence for Creative Arts. This prestigious designation recognises the exceptional work across our Performing Arts and Art departments and means that we are leading the way nationally, not just in what we achieve within our lessons and examination courses but also from our co-curriculum and through professional performances and exhibitions. We are immensely proud of the work that has gone in from staff and students alike, the student artwork and performances are certainly enough to bring a tear to the eye.
Reviewers also noted that the “behaviour around the academy is impeccable in lessons and around the site” and that relationships between staff and students are incredibly strong underpinned by a relentless drive to pursue excellence, one student even commented that Mascalls “allows you to be yourself and supports you to succeed”. As the final written report arrives, we will ensure it is made available because it is truly something to be proud of.
Mock Examinations result and reports
On Tuesday next week we are holding a mock results day for the Year 12 students to replicate the experience they will feel in about a year’s time when they receive their final results. Year 10 will have the same experience on Wednesday. It certainly is a timely reminder that in less than fifty two weeks’ time both year groups will be finished. The hard work goes on, be it remotely or face to face, and we are with them every step of the way. For all other year groups reports will be available midweek showing the culmination of efforts and outcomes following one of the most educationally challenging years since the two World Wars.
Sports Day
Next week we are also holding our ‘Covid risk assessed’ sports day where students in all year groups will have the opportunity to compete for their colleges to win the much desired College Sports day Champions Shield. This will be the first sports day since 2019 and whilst we are unable to have parents/carers with us, we will keep you all updated as we await the results.
Free School Meals Vouchers
For those eligible for free school meals vouchers have been issued to us for the summer holidays. We will be sending these out in the last week of term.
Finally, as always, my gratitude for your ongoing support. The academy is clearly growing from strength to strength and that is not by accident. It is through the intentional actions of our entire community committing to a common cause. The very best for our students.
Have a fantastic weekend, enjoy the football. We can absolutely dare to dream, and why shouldn’t we!
Yours sincerely
Mr W Monk | Principal
