Year 10

Mr J Andrews, Mrs H Bird/Dr N Eaton, Mrs V Carse-Jones, Mr R. Chambers/Mrs C Ellinor, Mr J Daugherty, Mrs J Denmar, Miss C Harness/Mrs K Painter, Ms C Jones, Mrs M Land and Mrs E Menzies.

Having completed a very successful Key Stage 3, our year group now moves into their challenging and exciting Key Stage 4. This is where pupils start their GCSE courses, following the choices that they made during last year.

In Year 10 we encourage pupils to take increasing responsibility for their own learning. In order to help, we will monitor how they use their planner and advise them on issues concerning personal organisation and study skills. In October, we will be holding a ‘Parents/Carers as Tutors’ evening, designed to identify how you can assist and support your son/daughter through their new courses. I hope that many of you will be able to attend this evening on Wednesday 10th October.

The PSHE programme, taught by a specialist team in Year 10, covers RE, health issues and a ‘Law day’ where pupils will take part in a mock criminal trial. Year 10 will also participate in a Holocaust Day. The work related learning carries on in year 10 with pupils working on their Individual Learning Plans, thinking about their strengths and achievements and setting themselves targets for post GCSE courses. This culminates in a two-week work experience in July.

Sport and social opportunities will continue to play an important part in your child’s school life. There will be trips, visits, dance and drama productions, clubs and societies. Pupils will also have the opportunity to volunteer and train for The Listening Service, a befriending service offered to younger pupils. Our very successful year council will continue and our year representatives will, no doubt continue to be a moving force on the School Council.

This is a demanding and challenging year. As a school we work to set a climate in which standards are high and pupils and their achievements are celebrated. We continue to value your support throughout the coming year and are looking forward to this new challenge. If you have any concerns or points you would like to discuss, please contact us and we will do our best to help wherever possible.

All pupils follow the National Curriculum at Key Stage 4. Grades for GCSE are generally awarded for a combination of coursework and final written examination. Some subjects have a written examination only. Full details of the Key Stage 4 curriculum and individual subject outlines are in the Curriculum Booklet issued to pupils when they made their subject choices in Year 9. Details of coursework projects and deadlines are published at intervals during the two years.

Homework continues to be set in Year 10 and is an integral and valuable part of courses. Coursework projects and assignments will take longer. Students should also start to read around their subjects to enable them to develop ideas beyond formal text books and lessons. Students will need to take responsibility for keeping up to date with their work and should contact teachers immediately if problems arise. To help them with this, they will be given a planner for recording homework and coursework, forward planning and target setting. Parents/carers, please ask to see the planner regularly and sign it each week. There will also be a full programme of support in PSHE and in the individual subject areas to enable students to keep up to date with their work.

Please note that details of school trips, and copies of letters sent home to parents/carers regarding these, can be found on the secure IvoOnline website. Parents/carers need to sign up to access the website.

For the most up to date information for the current week, please visit the "Events of the Week" page.

Wednesday 10th November: Rotary Club Young Chef of the Year competition 6pm - 9pm.

Thursday 2nd December: Music Department Winter Concert starts at 7pm in the Dining Hall.

Tuesday 14th - Thursday 16th December: School Pantomime starts at 7.30pm in the School Hall.

Thursday 3rd February: Work Experience launch assembly period 1 and parents'/carers' evening 6 - 7pm in the Hall.

Thursday 10th March: Music Department Spring Concert (rehearsals during the day, performance at 7pm in the Hall).

Thursday 24th March: Evening of Dance (rehearsals during the day, performance in the evening).

Monday 11th - Tuesday 26th April: Easter holiday (professional day on 26th April).

Wednesday 29th June: Geography visit to Iceland information evening; Drama performance in the evening.

Thursday 30th June: Drama visit; Music Department Summer Concert (rehearsals during the day, performance starts at 7pm in the Hall).

Uniform We would ask for support from parents/carers to ensure that the high standard of uniform is maintained.	Lockers These are available for all pupils, although some pupils may be asked to share. Pupils must provide their own lock and keys.	Bicycles Pupils may leave bicycles in the cycle sheds or on the balcony outside the art rooms. A very strong lock should be provided.
Absence and Punctuality Please visit the Attendance section of the Essential Information page for details.
Security For reasons of security, pupils are asked not to bring valuable items or large sums of money into school. If, for any reason, such items need to be brought in, they should be given to the pupil's form tutor or head of year for safe keeping. All personal possessions should be clearly marked with the pupil's name and form. Personal stereos and mobile phones are not allowed in school and are liable to be confiscated. Please note that the school cannot accept liability for any items lost, stolen or damaged on school premises.