Latest news

Due to some technical problems, I have not been able to blog recently, but, thanks to our skilled ICT Systems Manager, these are now resolved - as you see.

We have had a lot of meetings and discussions about the impending Academy. Students have been selecting the new uniform, staff have been consulted about their hopes for the new school and there have been several business-type meetings to discuss the myriad issues relating to the transition between Shene School and the Academy. The staff consultation was interesting: staff were asked some questions and used 'zing' technology to register their answers. I was delighted when the facilitator told us that they had done this exercise in many schools - not just future academies - but found our staff answers about what they wanted the students to look like to be the most inspiring and positive they had ever encountered. This is very telling, they said, because this is a staff who truly care about the student body:

The funding agreement was not signed off before the election so we are still waiting for this to happen. Therefore, we are still unable to provide as much information or to plan in more detail, although we are hoping the signing will take place very soon, now that the election is over.

Despite all the above, we have been working extremely hard with the students to prepare them for their GCSEs and their end of year exams. So far, Years 7, 8 and 9 have all sat "summative tests" this term. For Year 9s, this ensures they can embark on the pathway of their choice for their Year 10 options. Year 11 GCSEs have also begun: students have already taken Languages orals, Dance and Music practicals and their ICT course is now finished and marked (results are extremely high: over 85% pass rate). The core exams begin in earnest in a couple of weeks, and we are all working flat out to support the students and ensure they achieve their best. We do not have 'study leave', preferring that our students stay and work with us up until the very last moment, so that they cannot slack off at all.

Linked to the above, our Technology and Art promises to be the best ever, and the ever-popular and always excellent Creative Arts Showcase takes place next Thursday evening in the Hertford Building. There will be a chance to look at the Art and Technology exhibition and watch the Dance, Drama and Music practical pieces that Year 11s have presented for their exams. Please do come along if you can from 6.30pm. The Exhibition will then go to the Art Block on the 14th for visitors unable to make the evening event and our Primary School partners. We are then hoping that we will again be displaying the work at a public venue such as we did last year in Sheen Library.