Headteacher Update

February 2024

As this half term draws to a close it is a good moment to reflect on the experiences and achievements of our pupils over the past 6 weeks. Firstly, a huge well done to Year 11 who have approached their mock exams in such a conscientious and determined manner. It has been really impressive to see how well they have prepared and how seriously they have taken the two weeks and I know that their Head of Year, Mrs Brown, is really proud of their achievements.

As mentioned last term, Year 10 students Maisie and Lily were successful in their applications to be student ambassadors and they will be travelling to China on 22nd March to share their experiences of being a pupil at John Spence as well as explaining what life is like being a teenager growing up in the UK to hundreds of Chinese students over 5 days. They successfully applied for their Visas after a day at the Chinese Embassy in Edinburgh and are now in the process of preparing their presentations with Mrs Winder. What an amazing and well deserved opportunity.

Our PE staff continue to provide amazing opportunities for pupils to participate and engage in competitions. Our teams continue to compete well, show resilience (particularly in the wind and the rain!) and get results. Let Girls Play is back and is promoting girls’ football in association with the Youth Sport Trust and England Football. This was a huge success last year and girls can sign up now on Google Classroom. It is also fantastic to see so many Year 7 students engaging with all the activities that are available for them.

A big thank you to Mr Black who hosted parents of Year 10 students in a Science Practical session this week to help them understand some of the core content that will then help them support their child. Feedback has been fantastic and Mr Black is already looking at putting on another hands on session for parents later in the year.

Finally, the Duke of Edinburgh expeditions are back underway with the first 20 recruits heading out in the wilds of Northumberland to practice in readiness for their assessment later in the term, luckily it was blustery winds and drizzle rather than the full on downpours we have had in recent weeks. Thanks to Sam Fullard and the team for running these fantastic opportunities for our Year 9 students.

On a very different note, we have recently updated our lockdown procedures in school and whilst we hope never to have to implement them, we do need to practise to understand how well the procedures work in a similar way to a fire drill. We intend to run a lockdown drill at 2.45pm this Thursday and will inform students of this on Thursday morning. This will be an internal run through of our systems and you will therefore not receive the messages that we would be sending out in the event of an actual lockdown. Please note, that in the event of a lockdown students will not be allowed to use their mobile phones, this is to ensure that all communication comes from the school and emergency services. A message will be sent to parents if a lockdown occurs and whilst we understand that this may cause anxiety and worry, it is important that parents follow any instructions that we may send out so that we are able to concentrate on keeping everyone safe and resolving the issue alongside the emergency services and Local Authority. In the event of a lockdown, we would endeavour to keep you up to date and have a designated member of staff whose job it is to do this. Let’s hope we only ever have to practice this.

It is a very important period ahead for our Year 9 students as they start the process of deciding their option choices for Year 10.  Year 9 SLT review day meetings will be available for booking in the next couple of days; appointments will be available throughout the day on 29th February with a nominated member of the senior team.  The main reason for the meeting will be options and this will be an opportunity for you and your child to sit with a senior member of staff to discuss the choices that are available, taking into account their ability and their future aspirations as well as the subjects they enjoy. Students have already received lots of information and more will be forthcoming, but please do get in touch with Mr Crowe or Mrs Clay if you have any questions.

Finally a huge well done to Hayley Michael, our receptionist, and Adam Greener, our Acting SENCO, for receiving the Pele Trust Star of the Month Awards for February, very well deserved!.

I hope you all have a relaxing weekend, when it arrives, and we look forward to welcoming students back on Monday 26th February.

Best wishes
Jonathan