For the second year running we hosted the superb ‘Prison-Me No Way!’ programme as part of our Year 10 Drop Down Day. The day is designed to give students information about the criminal justice system and had a number of engaging activities and speakers. The feedback from the students and staff involved was exceptionally positive and hopefully the students will have a better understanding of how this aspect of the justice system works. Congratulations to our Year 7 football team who became District Champions following a 5-3 victory over West Hatch this week. The team have played superbly all season and fully deserved the title of ‘Champions’- Well done boys! All parents should have received a letter regarding the industrial action taking place next Wednesday (26th March 2014) by members of the National Union of Teachers. This is a national strike in protest at pay and conditions and I have looked at a number of alternatives at trying to keep the school open, however with the large number of staff involved it has proved impossible. It is with great regret, therefore, that I have taken the decision to close the school to students next Wednesday as I do not have enough teachers in school to supervise classes and, just as importantly, maintain effective supervision at break, lunch and around the site during the day. The time period for the ‘Statutory Notices’ regarding to our 6th Form provision has now closed and, as a result, the Governing Body have taken the formal decision to approve the expansion in age range at the school from 11-16 to 11-18. This has now passed to Essex County Council where the cabinet member with responsibility will formalise this decision. As we are a Local Authority School and not an academy this decision can only be taken by the LA. Once this is done, and we hope that this will be imminent, the decision on the 6th Form is passed to the School’s Minister at the Department of Education. As a consortium we have been working in the last few months on the practical elements of the consortium (timetable, options, curriculum etc) and we are ready to go for September 2015—we just need to wait for the approval now! This is a final call for support for the PTA Quiz Night next Friday (28th March 2014). The PTA Quiz is a very enjoyable and popular evening and I would encourage all parents to attend. Details of how to purchase tickets can be found later on in the bulletin and please remember that all monies raised goes back into the school to support the learning of every child in the school. As an advanced notice, please remember that the end of term is Friday 4th April 2014. This is a normal school day and there is no early closure on this day so we will finish at the usual time of 3.05pm. School resumes after Easter on Tuesday 22nd April (Monday 21st is a Bank HolidayEaster Monday). I wish you all a good weekend. Paul Banks Headteacher
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