I am very grateful to everyone who filled in our survey on communication. It was clear from your responses that this is an area which we need to simplify. So, from now on:

• Email will be used for most letters home
• Text messages will continue to be used for detention alerts and other quick reminders
• Social media will be used for sharing photo highlights.

To ensure you receive all important information, it is essential that we have an up to date email address for you. Please click here to register your email address with us: Online Form

We are also phasing out a number of redundant IT systems: 

• We are no longer using Show My Homework. Our homework schedule has been simplified, and can be found on our website.
• We are no longer using Class Charts. You will receive texts to alert you to any detentions or OSP referrals.  
• We are no longer using SCOPay for lunch payments. If you haven’t received a letter about activating your ParentPay account yet, please contact the office. Please note that, from Wednesday 18^th, the default spending limit for students will be £5 per day; if you would like to raise or lower this, please contact us.
• We will be phasing out BLTZ over the course of the year.
• While we will continue to use social media to share photos and highlights, we will not be monitoring or responding to messages on these accounts

Finally, please can I draw your attention to the [email protected] email address. This is often the best way to contact the school, especially out of school hours.

Moving on, it has been a very busy and successful week. The Year 9 boys were on top form, recording a 45-12 victory against Newent. We hosted two Open Mornings, and this morning I welcomed Richard Graham, MP for Gloucester, to the school. But, our biggest highlight has been the launch of our new homework programme. It has been amazing to see how our students have stepped up to the challenge and thrown themselves into their self-quizzing, Heggarty Maths and Tassomai. It will have a massive impact on their progress. 

While the canteen has been closed again for the past two days, the food pods have remained open. We are working with ABM catering to resolve this, and I’m pleased to tell you that Greenshaw will be taking on the contract at half term, which I’m confident will result in an improved service. In the meantime, my thanks for your patience and understanding.

I hope you and your children have a wonderful weekend – and if you have a child in Year 6 please remember our Open Evening on Monday 16^th September, from 18:30-20:30!

Patrick Farmbrough

Headteacher