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
