Principal’s Statement – 4th March 2022

Dear parent/carer,

I hope this update finds you and your families well.  This week has been an incredibly positive week for our students who are firmly settled back following the half term break, we know that many challenges remain, not least the long tail of COVID but also concerns over the desperately sad Ukraine-Russia conflict.  We have this week looked at ways we can support our students to discuss the events and their concerns as they unfold and are happy to do so.  In spite of this our students remain at their resilient best and continue to impress with their work ethic after all it was not long ago that Ofsted visited and stated:

“This is a vibrant place to learn. Pupils value the opportunities they get. Leaders and teachers are always looking for ways to improve the school and go the extra mile. As one parent wrote: ‘It gets better every year.’”                                                                                             OFSTED Nov 2021

And Challenge Partners just before:

“Students behave impeccably in classrooms and when moving around the school.  In lessons, their level of focus is impressive. They are committed to their learning and want to do their very best. They work well together and show the highest level of respect towards each other and towards members of staff.”                                                                                              Challenge Partners July 2021

It is wonderful to be able to say that, nothing has changed, they still are doing incredibly well.

Parent Survey

Many thanks to those of you who completed the Trust parent survey, an overwhelming majority, just like in November for OFSTED continue to show incredible support and provide hugely positive feedback.  We read every comment and look to investigate, change or support wherever we identify concerns from this very statement to support for mental health we seek to continue improving, always.  Over the last few weeks we have been in talks with Place 2 Be to further improve our provision for our students, not only as a result of parental feedback but in response to the needs of our students.  Our provision toward the summer is likely to move to a full time service available all day and every day in the academy offering counselling, online support and many other benefits to ensure that the care and support we provide is the best it can possibly be.  This is a very exciting development for the academy and will ultimately provide an incredibly valuable resource on site for all students who need it.

Lockers

The role of Principal is a hugely varied one, when we originally rolled out Chromebooks little did we know that international trade wars over the availability of microchips would affect our leafy, semi-rural academy in Kent, but it did.  Now with lockers, from production delays in China and relocation to the UK, to logistical delays in Panama and Portugal we have finally been able to secure lockers for our students.  We need a little more information however from parents and carers before we can install.  Naturally, to install up to 1300 lockers is a large role, our lockers will be available to rent for £36 per year which equates to approximately 12p per day and we now need an indication from parents, an expression of interest, to ensure we do not over commit during installation. Please note £36 is for a full academic year and we know that this year would not be a full academic year following installation. Please take a moment to fill out this form to express your interest, lockers expression of interest.

After school clubs, SOCS

SOCS is an exciting new opportunity that will allow you as a parent/carer to view the entire academy co-curricular (after school) clubs programmes, fixtures, view academic interventions, allow you to sign up to attend on your son/daughter’s behalf alongside an instant communication in the event that there are changes to the programme.  Please take the time to register as a parent/carer following the instructions below.

SOCS Log in Page for Parents: SOCS Login (socscms.com) you will need to activate your account using the parent email that you have already shared with the academy, please see image.

Extra-curricular activities boost young people’s confidence to interact socially with others; extend their social networks; and provide them with new skills and abilities. Above all, they offer an important space to have fun and relax away from the pressures of school work.  Please encourage your son/daughter to take part in as much as possible whether a new interest or pursuing an existing one.  We aim to constantly continue developing our after school offer to both enhance the curriculum support and provide new opportunities for all of our young people, do log in regularly as more will be added.

SOCS help

Finally, as always, I would like to express my gratitude for those who continue to support our academy – all that we have done and all that we continue to do.  The result of your support is always seen through the students from their attitude to learning to their outcomes academically and socially.  We are incredibly proud of them and for your support we remain grateful.

Yours sincerely

Mr W Monk
Principal