Dear Yr 12 students

As we are about to start our official period of ‘study leave’, please read the information below which gives details about the remainder of this term.

Study Leave
From Monday 21 May until Monday 25 June there will no longer be any registrations, Wednesday tutorials or Enrichment during the exam period. Students will just need to attend all subject lessons until the date of their last exam in that subject. Please sign in/out on the registers which will be on top of the lockers.

Returning textbooks
Please can I also remind you to ensure all textbooks and any borrowed teacher resources are returned to the Sixth Form by Friday 15 June (or on the day of your last exam). Some of you will have textbook deposits to receive.

Leavers
Any students intending to leave the Sixth Form after their exams must see Ms Jackson to complete an ‘Exit’ form and return any textbooks before their last exam.

Remainder of this term
Everyone who intends to go into Yr 13 should return to the Sixth Form on Monday 25 June for registration at 8.40 am. Subject lessons for A2 are timetabled at the same times as previously. Students should attend all their subject lessons unless they are absolutely certain they are dropping this subject. If this is the case a ‘subject dropping form’ must be completed. Any students who do not attend A2 lessons will not be allowed to enroll on that course in September.

The only change to your timetable will be the Wednesday tutorial which is moving from period 2 to period 3.

Good luck for the next few weeks and I look forwards to seeing you all again on 25 June.

Yours sincerely,

Hermione Jackson
Head of Sixth Form

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  Year 12 Study Leave Letter – May 2012

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Year 13

Dear Yr 13 students

As you are drawing towards the end of your time here in the Sixth Form I would like to take this opportunity to wish you success in your coming exams and thank you for your contribution to the Sixth Form over the past two years. I am delighted to have had the opportunity to work with everyone and I am very grateful for having your support and co-operation.

Below are some key pieces of information:

Study Leave
From Monday 21 May you only need to attend subject lessons until your last exam. Please sign in/out on the registers which will be on top of the lockers.

Results
Both AS and A2 results will be available for collection on Thursday 16 August 2012 from Nunthorpe Sixth Form. Year 13 students will be able to collect their results from the Sixth Form between 9.00am – 10.00am. If you need someone else to collect your results you must give written confirmation in advance to Alison Gardiner on reception.

Clearing
If you have applied to university it is important that you are aware of Clearing procedures in advance of results day. On the back of this letter is information which outlines the Clearing procedure. The tutors, myself and Mrs Kell will be around to offer support and guidance, but all contact with universities has to be done by students.

Returning textbooks
Please can I also remind you to ensure all textbooks and any borrowed teacher resources are returned to the Sixth Form by Friday 15 June (or on the day of your last exam). Some of you will have textbook deposits to receive.

Celebrations
I hope you will be joining us for the Celebration of Achievement Evening at the Town Hall on Thursday 28 June at 7.15pm, as well as the Y13 Leavers meal at Joe Rigatonis on Monday 2 July at 7pm.

Thank you for being part of our Sixth Form and I wish you all the best for your future.

Yours sincerely,

Hermione Jackson
Head of Sixth Form

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  Year 13 Study Leave Letter – May 2012

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  Year 13 Clearing Information – May 2012

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An increasing number of parents have approached us in recent months seeking information, help and support as they become more familiar with internet based social networking sites. These sites are an everyday feature of most adolescent lives in our technology rich 21st century world – made all the more possible by handheld portable devices (web-enabled smart phones etc.) so that sitting at a computer terminal to access the sites is no longer necessary.

It is perhaps obvious to state that a significant number of our parents are concerned about the potential dangers of social networking for their sons and daughters. Whilst they can see (as can our school) the potentially great benefits for young people of such technology, they also appreciate its possible risks – especially in the areas of ‘cyber bullying’ and ‘cyber grooming’.

With this in mind, Nunthorpe is to host its second evening workshop event for parents and carers. The event will take place on Thursday, 14 June 2012 at 6:00 p.m. in the Sixth Form Centre Pod (on the first floor) and should last for approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.

The workshop will take an ‘Open Forum’ format with a presentation (see below) and opportunities for questions – both in the public forum and in private if preferred. It is open to ALL parents and carers across the school.

The staff present will be the Headteacher, Tim Duffill (our Assistant Headteacher-lead on such work in our school), Richard Schofield (our Support, Inclusion and Guidance Officer) and Steve Farrow, (our Network Manager).

The workshop presentation will focus on:

• The global context of Social Networking – where it is now and where it will possibly go –Tim Duffill and some Nunthorpe students;
• Some of the downsides of Social Networking – case studies from our school – Richard Schofield;
• The work the school does in terms of students’ technical protection at school and what parents and carers can do to protect their sons and daughters – Steve Farrow.

We do expect demand for places at the workshop to be high. The Pod is able to seat up to 80; we will thus run the workshop more than once if we receive requests for more than 80 places.

In order to secure a place at the workshop either:

• Please ask your son/daughter to return the reply slip attached in the letter below to the collection box in Student Reception by Monday 28 May 2012. Please ensure that you include your contact Mobile phone number so that we can text you if necessary; OR
• E-mail Richard Schofield – rschofield@nunthorpe.co.uk – with all of the above information – also by Monday 28 May 2012.

You will only receive a text from us with an alternative date if you are NOT successful in gaining a place on this workshop. If you do NOT receive a text, please attend the workshop at 6.00 p.m. in the Sixth Form Pod on 14 June 2012.

If you are not successful in gaining a place on Thursday 14 June, we will text you with an alternative date during the week beginning Monday 18 June 2012.

Many thanks.

Our very best wishes to you and your families.

Debbie Clinton
Headteacher

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  Social Networking Workshop – May 2012

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As your final few weeks in Year 11 approach and your final GCSE examinations are on the horizon we write to you with some important information and key dates to remember:

Examination Timetables
We have attached your final examination timetable to the printed copy of this letter, you will note that the date, time, venue and your seat number for all examinations are identified. Please keep this timetable in a safe place. If you have any questions or queries regarding any of the information shown on your timetable please see Mrs Debbie Robson (Examinations Officer) in the first instance.

1 June 2012 – Final Day
This will be your final day of formal school in Year 11 as we break for the May/June half term. After the half-term break you will only be expected to attend school for your examinations, specific revision sessions and to complete vocational courses where necessary. Full details of all subject revision sessions, including those to be held during the half term break, will appear on the school website shortly. The Year 11 Final Assembly (a lovely, great fun Nunthorpe tradition) is scheduled to take place during the final week of this half-term.

Final GCSE Examinations
As you are aware from the Examinations Guide distributed in November 2011, you are expected to obey the following instructions for all examination sessions:

1. You MUST be in full school uniform for all examinations. This is crucial and you will not be allowed to sit any final examinations unless you are in full school uniform;
2. Should you not sit any examination without a good, valid reason, you will be charged the full fee of the examination session you missed. This includes any we do not allow you to sit because you are not in full school uniform. It also includes any examination session we ask you to leave or remove you from due to inappropriate behaviour;
3. You MUST arrive for each examination in school without mobile phones or any other electronic devices (iPod etc); serious consequences will apply if this is not adhered to (this is an examination board rule and one which we, legally, MUST apply);
4. Please be very aware of all of the Examination Board rules which are displayed outside the Main Hall, the Gym, the Sports Hall and in Student Reception. These are very firmly enforced because as a school we must adhere to all Examination Board rules.

26 June 2012 – Book Collection Day
Will take place between 1.00 – 3.00 pm in the Dining Room where you must return all of your books and additional materials for each subject. You will be issued with a Year 11 Clearing Form which must be fully completed before we will release your Record of Achievement and Examinations Results. Now is the time to track down all of your books and make sure you know where they are!
At this time we would also request that you return the combination locks provided by the school that you have used to secure your locker.

27 June 2012 – Year 11 Ball
Takes place at Gisborough Hall, formally starting at 7.00 pm with the meal served at 7.30 pm. You are welcome to arrive in style from 6.30 pm onwards but we all must be offsite by midnight so don’t forget to book your transport home!

28 June 2012 – Celebration of Achievement Evening
At Middlesbrough Town Hall, doors open from 6.45 pm, beginning at 7.15 pm lasting till approximately 9.30 pm. This will be the chance to recognise your achievements publically and collect your Record of Achievement in person from our guest speaker.

9-10 July – TSFE Induction days
Again these are transition days for current Year 11 students intending to enrol at TSFE, the primary focus is to ensure smooth progression from Key Stage 4 into Key Stage 5. Please see Mrs Kate Kell or Ms Hermione Jackson for further information.

19 July 2012 – Last day of the Summer term
School breaks for the annual summer holiday.

23 August – GCSE Examinations Results Day
These will be available for collection from our Sixth Form Centre between 10.00 am – 11.00 am. If you wish your results to be posted, you must hand in a stamped addressed envelope to Student Reception before 1 June 2012. If someone else is to collect your results on your behalf you must supply permission in writing, signed by yourself and your parents/carers.

23 August 2012 – Sixth Form Enrolment:

• 11.00 pm – 1.00 pm at the Nunthorpe site.

4 September 2012 – Sixth Form Enrolment:

• 10.00 am – 12.00 noon at the Nunthorpe site.

5 September 2012 – TSFE Start of term

We hope that all of the above is clear.

The very best of luck to all of you – you deserve every success. We have been very pleased indeed with your attitude towards your examinations in the last few weeks. Keep it up and it will bring you massive rewards!

If you have any questions or concerns, please do see Mr Yates in the first instance.

Good Luck and Best Wishes.

Debbie Clinton
Headteacher

Danny Yates
Assistant Headteacher KS4 – Raising Achievement

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  Final Arrangements – May 2012

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As your final few weeks in Year 10 and GCSE examinations approach we write to you with some important information and key dates to remember:

Examination Timetables
We have attached your final examination timetable to the printed copy of this letter you will note that the date, time, venue and your seat number for all examinations are identified. Please keep this timetable in a safe place. If you have any questions or queries regarding any of the information shown on your timetable please see Mrs Debbie Robson (Examinations Officer) in the first instance.

Final GCSE Examinations
As you are aware from the Examinations Guide distributed in November 2011, you are expected to obey the following instructions for all examination sessions:

1. You MUST be in full school uniform for all examinations. This is crucial and you will not be allowed to sit any final examinations unless you are in full school uniform;
2. Should you not sit any examination without a good, valid reason, you will be charged the full fee of the examination session you missed. This includes any we do not allow you to sit because you are not in full school uniform. It also includes any examination session we ask you to leave or remove you from due to inappropriate behaviour;
3. You MUST arrive for each examination in school without mobile phones or any other electronic devices (iPod etc); serious consequences will apply if this is not adhered to (this is an examination board rule and one which we, legally, MUST apply);
4. Please be very aware of all of the Examination Board rules which are displayed outside the Main Hall, the Gym, the Sports Hall and in Student Reception. These are very firmly enforced because as a school we must adhere to all Examination Board rules.

25 June 2012 – First Day of the ‘new’ Academic Year
Year 10 students will begin to study for Year 11 programmes with effect from 25 June 2012. We intend to distribute new timetables to all students by 15 June 2012.

26 June 2012 – Book Collection Day
Will take place between 1.00 – 3.00 pm in the Dining Room where you must return all of your books and additional materials for subjects you are not continuing to study in Year 11. Please note that some faculty areas will collect in course text books and other materials prior to this date.

19 July 2012 – Last day of the Summer term
School breaks for the annual summer holiday.

23 August 2012 – GCSE Examinations Results Day
These will be available for collection from our Sixth Form Centre between 11.00 am – 12.00 noon. If you wish your results to be posted, you must hand in a stamped addressed envelope to Student Reception before 1 June 2012. If someone else is to collect your results on your behalf you must supply permission in writing, signed by yourself and your parents/carers.

We hope that all of the above is clear.

The very best of luck to all of you – you deserve every success. We have been very pleased indeed with your attitude towards your examinations in the last few weeks. Keep it up and it will bring you massive rewards!

If you have any questions or concerns, please do see Mr Yates in the first instance.

Good Luck and Best Wishes.

Debbie Clinton
Headteacher

Danny Yates
Assistant Headteacher KS4 – Raising Achievement

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  Year 10 Final Arrangements – May 2012

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I would like to invite you to attend our ‘Higher Education Evening’, on Wednesday 2 May, 6.00 – 7.00pm at TSFE Nunthorpe Site.

A large number of our Yr 12 students hope to go on to University and will shortly be completing their application process through UCAS.

The students will address all of these stages through their Wednesday tutorial programme in the coming months which includes guidance from the Sixth Form Pastoral team and also admissions tutors at local Universities.

However, they will undoubtedly need the support of parents/carers, therefore we hope you will see the importance of attending this event.

The evening is designed to inform parents/carers of the whole UCAS process, including the online application form, writing of the personal statement, references, student finance and key deadlines to meet. We are pleased to have a representative from Teesside University (University of the Year 2009) to explain student finance issues such as student maintenance grants and students loans.

I look forward to seeing you at the HE evening. Please contact me if you have any further queries (hjackson@nunthorpe.co.uk).

Yours sincerely,

Hermione Jackson
Head of Sixth Form

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  TSFE Higher Education Evening – April 2012

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There is currently a vacancy for a parent governor on the governing body of our school and a second vacancy will arise in May 2012 following the expiry of the term of office for an existing parent governor. Parents or guardians of students attending the school (including the sixth form) are invited to apply. This includes any person who is not a parent of a child but who has parental responsibility for him/her or who has care of the child.

It should be noted, however, that the Governing Body is aiming for the school to become an academy from 1st September 2012. When a school becomes an academy a new governing body will automatically be established and there will be no guarantee that all current governors or any governor appointed through this parent governor election will continue on the new governing body. It is, therefore, possible that these appointments may just be for one term.

What do School Governors do?

Governors play an important part, in conjunction with the Headteacher and staff in the running of the school. Becoming a Parent Governor would allow you to have input into the work of the school and bring a parent’s view to the discussions. The Governing Body:-

• Is accountable for the performance of the school.
• Appoints the Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher.
• Is involved in deciding on the aims, ethos and future directions of the school.
• Makes decisions on the school’s budget and staffing.
• Is responsible for ensuring that the National Curriculum is taught.
• Determines policies on many, many matters – including such areas as behaviour and discipline, sex and relationship education and religious education.

Do I need to be an expert?

No, you don’t need to be an expert or have any special qualifications to become a School Governor, although you do need to be aged 18 or over. More importantly, we are looking for people who are enthusiastic, interested in the education of our students, willing to learn and prepared to commit some time to the important, interesting and hugely rewarding task of governing a school. The important thing to remember is that you would not be making decisions in isolation, but would always be working as part of a team.

Would there be any training available?

There is an expectation that new governors will attend induction training and that they should also have an ongoing commitment to attend other development courses during their term of office. All training is paid for by the school. There will be no charge to individual governors. New governors are also provided with a welcome pack, including useful information and resources to assist them in their role.

How much time would I be expected to give?

Nunthorpe’s full governing body meets six times a year. There may sometimes be additional special meetings of the governing body and you will also be expected to be a member of at least one or two smaller committees that meet regularly. Governors are also encouraged to get to know the school in more informal ways and to occasionally visit during the school day. The average monthly commitment for a governor is estimated as 6-8 hours.

Who else is on the Governing Body?

There are currently 19 governors in total at Nunthorpe, made up as detailed below, but it is possible that the size of the governing body may change on conversion to an academy:-

• 6 parent governors
• 3 governors appointed by the Local Authority.
• 3 staff governors (including the Head Teacher).
• 5 community governors (appointed by the governing body)
• 2 partnership governors (appointed by the governing body)

How long would my appointment last?

Your appointment would normally be for a period of four years, but in this case will last until the school becomes an academy (anticipated date 1st September 2012).

So how do I become a Parent Governor?

If you want to become a Parent Governor, you should contact Laura Buckell (Headteacher’s PA) at the school on 01642 310561 (Extension 105), who will send you a nomination form. Your nomination needs the backing of two other parents/guardians from different families.

YOUR SIGNED FORM SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE SCHOOL IN A SEALED ENVELOPE MARKED “NOMINATION OF PARENT GOVERNOR” – FOR THE ATTENTION OF LAURA BUCKELL” NO LATER THAN FRIDAY 27 APRIL 2012.

If there are more applicants than places available a ballot will be organised and all parents will be sent a ballot paper. If the required number of parents apply, they will automatically be elected.

Disqualifications and Checks

There are certain circumstances, which would disqualify a person from becoming a governor. These are given in detail on the back of the nomination form and you should read these and sign the declaration. The successful candidate will also be asked to complete an application form for an enhanced disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau.

Further details

If you have further queries, which have not been answered, please contact either Laura Buckell at the school or the Redcar and Cleveland School Governor Support Service on 01642 444333.

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  Parent Governor Vacancy – April 2012

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You are invited to attend the Year 8 Parents’ Consultation Evening on Tuesday 24 April 2012, from 4.30 – 7.00 pm in our Sixth Form Centre.

The evening will consist of a 15 to 20 minute appointment with your child’s tutor. During this appointment, you can discuss any issues or concerns you have over your child’s academic progress and/or pastoral development. Your son/daughter should attend with you and be in full school uniform.

It is important to note that your son/daughter’s full school report will be available for you to collect during the evening. With this in mind, we ask that you arrive 15 minutes before your appointment to allow sufficient time to read the report prior to meeting your child’s tutor. Throughout the evening, staff will be available to discuss subject specific concerns should you have any.

Please complete and return the reply slip below to your child’s tutor, indicating your preferred appointment time slot. Tutors will allocate an appointment time, which will be written in your son/daughter’s planner. There will be space for you to sign and we ask that you sign this to confirm your attendance. Although we will make every effort to allocate you an appointment in your preferred time slot, it may not be possible if too many requests are made for the same time.

Attendance at the Consultation Evening will be recorded and you will be contacted you if you are unable to attend to make alternative arrangements to discuss your son/daughter’s progress.

We look forward to seeing you.

Yours sincerely,

Rachel Smith
Assistant Headteacher Learning & Standards

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  Year 8 Parents Evening – April 2012

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Many of you will be aware of the exceptional standards of student behaviour in our school.

We are incredibly proud of everyone in our school community (students, parents and staff) since we all know it is this ‘precious triangle’ which enables our students to behave so well and to thus achieve so highly year on year.

After almost 4 years of working with our current Behaviour and Rewards Policy, we have undertaken a review to ensure we are still working as well as we might on behalf of our students and to support increasingly good learning in every classroom. We know you will agree that it is essential for students to be able to make as much progress as possible in each and every lesson.

It is, with this in mind, that we have introduced some changes to our Behaviour and Rewards Policy in order for us to ensure that the vast majority of students have as productive and positive an experience of each lesson as possible.

Currently we have a system called Behaviour for Learning (‘BFL’) whereby a senior member of staff may be called upon by any member of staff requiring support within their lesson. Students may, as a result, be removed from the lesson.

After the Easter break, we will be continuing with this system; however, any students causing 4 disruptions to learning in any lesson (and therefore requiring BFL to be called) will automatically be removed from the lesson. We have included the revised classroom rules sheet at the end of this letter for you to see our expectations. In our school, this is referred to as the Full Value Contract (‘FVC’).

In instances where the FVC has been broken 4 times the following will happen:

1. Students will always be removed to Isolation;
2. Students will be required to make a formal written apology for the behaviours which resulted in them needing to be removed from the lesson;
3. All electrical equipment belonging to the student(s) (e.g. mobile phones etc) will be automatically confiscated before being admitted to isolation and locked away safely;
4. Students will be placed immediately into SLT Detention the same afternoon until 4:00 pm that day (4:20 pm on a Wednesday);
5. At the end of isolation the confiscated electrical equipment will be returned to the student(s) to take home with them;
6. The member of staff running isolation will make every reasonable effort to contact home on all numbers made available to the school by parents to inform them of the incident and the detention.

You may be aware that very recent changes in government legislation have removed the need for 24 hours notice before detentions can be implemented. Therefore we intend to make use of this by detaining any students on the same night when they have caused significant disruption to their lessons and the learning of others.

We know the vast majority of students have NEVER had a BFL callout, and that parents want their children to make the most of the huge number of learning opportunities in our school. We also believe parents will support us in our endeavour to correct the behaviours of the minority of students who cause disruption.

Having listened closely to our students regarding their frustrations with occasional disruptive behaviour in lessons, we intend to adopt this clearer “zero tolerance” stance on any lesson disruption.

We intend to run this system initially for the 6 weeks immediately after the Easter break (Monday 16 April 2012 to Friday 25 May 2012) and then invite feedback from staff, students, parents and BFL/isolation Managers before formally changing our current Behaviour and Rewards Policy in readiness for September 2012.

Should you have any comments on any of the above proposals we would be more than pleased to receive them – they will play an invaluable part in our evaluation of the changes. Please click on the link to the Behaviour and Rewards Policy questionnaire on our website which will be live and in place for the last 2 weeks of next half term from 21 May 2012.

We will, similarly, be inviting feedback from students and staff also.

We will write to you again with the final changes to our Behaviour and Rewards Policy (as approved by our Governors) at the end of June 2012.

Yours sincerely,

Debbie Clinton
Headteacher

Rachel Smith
Assistant Headteacher – Raising Achievements (Inclusion)

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  Behaviour and Rewards Letter – March 2012

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The New ParentPay is now live.

ParentPay have recently re-designed their website to make it easier for parents to pay online. If you haven’t already activated your account please do so as this is now our preferred method of payment. To activate your account please visit www.parentpay.com.

If you have not received or have lost your login details please contact Liz Gibson (Senior Finance Assistant) at lgibson@nunthorpe.co.uk to request your unique username and password.

For ‘The New ParentPay for Parents’ guide see the attached document below.

Yours sincerely

Liz Gibson
Senior Finance Assistant

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  The New ParentPay for Parents Guide – March 2012

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Following our letter to you all of 24 February 2012, I wanted to briefly write back with much good news.

As we suspected would be the case, our current focus on having the right equipment in school has been a resounding success. Your sons and daughters have responded perfectly to our increased attention to this vital area of school life and they are to be hugely congratulated. In our community of almost 1600 students, we are now dealing with less than 20 students who have yet to meet our expectations in full. At present, and as indicated in our letter of 24 February 2012 those students will now be spending a day in isolation in the immediate future.

Nunthorpe students have always been very special and this most recent example has further confirmed this for us all.

THANK YOU as parents and carers for your support too. We know we can look forward to a continued daily focus on high expectations as we march on towards our vision to be outstanding in all that we do (rather than in much of what we do which is the case at present).

Many thanks to you all in this super school community! Best Wishes

Debbie Clinton
Headteacher

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  Equipment Update – March 2012

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