Year 9

Mr J Andrews, Mr R. Chambers/Ms L Bonin-Casey, Mrs S Collings, Mr J Daugherty, Mrs J Denmar, Miss C Harness/Mrs K Painter, Ms C Jones, Mrs M Land, Mrs E Menzies and Mrs D Squires.

Parents/carers, this will be a year of challenge for your sons and daughters. We look forward to supporting and encouraging all of our students as they prepare for the end of Key Stage 3 and make their choices for their GCSE courses.

The tutorial programme will include Personal Learning Plans, a project developed by the Connexions (Careers Guidance) to help young people identify educational, vocational and social goals and draw up plans through which their goals can be realised. Also through tutorial work, pupils will be encouraged to see themselves and school as part of the wider community and environment and will be given an opportunity to contribute to projects and fundraising events for local or national charities.

As part of the preparation for GCSE choices, pupils will have lessons in decision-making. A Curriculum Evening will be held for parents/carers to share information about the GCSE courses. There will be a day for parents/carers and pupils to consult with Year 9 form tutors and the Senior Management Team to discuss and finalise option choices in March 2008.

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. Later in the year, students will have the opportunity to volunteer and train for The Listening Service, a befriending service offered to younger pupils. There will be representatives on the Year and School Councils providing an opportunity for pupils to contribute towards some decisions about how the school is run.

We will be working with you to make Year 9 a valuable and worthwhile experience for your child. We look forward to meeting you at parents’/carers’ evenings and other events during the year. If you have any concerns about the welfare or progress of your child, do please contact us at school and we shall be happy to help.

English, mathematics, science, a modern foreign language, technology, history, geography, art, ICT, PE, music, RE and personal, social and health education. Some pupils will also study a second language.

Homework is an integral and important part of all subjects. Getting into the habit of taking homework seriously and handing it in on time, is a valuable preparation for examination and coursework requirements at GCSE. Parents have a vital role in supporting and contributing to their child’s learning. We ask you to continue to show interest in the homework which is set and monitor that it is being completed. To this end, all pupils will be given a planner in which to record homework tasks, coursework details and deadlines. There will also be space for teachers to comment on pupil attendance and behaviour and for you to note and respond to comments made. Pupils will be expected to carry their planners with them at all times. Please ask to see the planner regularly and sign it each week.

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.

Friday 2nd to Monday 19th April: Easter holiday (Professional Day on Monday 19th April).

Wednesday 21st July: last day of term (Professional Day Thursday 22nd July).

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.