Friday 4 April 2014

The New School Day

I am delighted to announce that the Governing Body voted in favour of the proposed New School Day on Wednesday 26th March.
I first introduced the concept of developing a new school day in my letter dated 11th October 2013, stating that it was highly likely that the day would finish later from September 2014.  The Governors were clear, on my appointment, that this was an area that needed to be addressed.  A working party of staff were provided with the brief to:
‘Improve teaching and learning through the structure of the school day’
The original proposal has been modified following a consultation period but remains true to the initial requirements of introducing a break, having a later lunch period and incorporating travel time between lessons, into the day.  The school has received a huge amount of support for the initiative from Surrey County Council, local councillors and governors.  Parents from the local primary schools have also welcomed the change.  The debate has been about the quality of teaching and learning and the experience of both our students and our staff.
I would like to thank everyone who participated in the consultation process. Feedback about the proposals was very positive. Where feedback was neutral or negative, it was detailed, thoughtful, and led to a lengthy discussion by Governors.
Some reservations about some aspects of the proposal were received through the consultation process and we put these to one of the consultants who comes into school to look at the quality of learning and student behaviour in lessons. In response to her advice, we have decided to amend the original proposal by reducing the movement of students around the building for an afternoon tutor period.
I will write to you again shortly with additional information confirming any new bus pick up times. However, I was keen to give parents as much notice as possible to help plan for the changes.
 

08.20am                       Initial bell sounds
08.25 - 8.50                 AM Registration Period / Assembly
08.50 - 8.55                 Movement time
08.55 - 9.55                 Period 1
09.55 - 10.00               Movement time
10.00 - 11.00               Period 2
11.00 - 11.20               Morning Break
11.20 - 12.20               Period 3
12.20 - 13.50               Period 4 / Lunch (same pattern as now)
Registration is taken in period 4
13.50 - 13.55               Movement Time
13.55 - 14.55               Period 5
14.55                             End of school day

 

Yours faithfully
Mrs Johnson-Walker
Headteacher