8th November 2017 KESPRESS Ofsted feedback On Wednesday 11th October there was a one-day Ofsted inspection at school which confirmed that King Edward VI School retains its status as a Good school under the Ofsted framework. This new format of inspection is quite different to a full inspection; following up on any previous recommendations, checking that safeguarding is effective and that leadership across the school demonstrates the capacity for effective self-evaluation and development. Most importantly, it reflects progress over time and during the three years since the last inspection. Our students and staff should be proud of their achievements and the incredibly 2017 Autumn Term positive feedback from our visitors. It was noted that there is ‘a school culture which is Diary Dates underpinned by high expectations and a climate of mutual respect. As a result, pupils are keen to learn and work hard’. ‘Pupils try their best and show high levels of resilience and determination to succeed. Relationships between pupils and their Training day for staff teachers are respectful and many pupils regularly behave in an exemplary manner’. Fri 1 Dec This was observed through learning walks to lessons, between lessons and at social Term ends times. Inspectors also spoke to a wide range of students and read their responses to the pupil questionnaires. Tues 19 Dec at 1pm We work hard to ensure that all members of the school community are valued, so Return to school recognition of ‘a school ethos where every pupil is treated as an individual’ and the Wed 3 Jan extent to which we ‘are succeeding in personalising learning for pupils’ is very important for everyone. The ‘strong culture of safeguarding’ and the fact that ‘pupils feel safe at school’ provides the best conditions for learning and supporting Other key dates students’ wellbeing. Presentation evenings The full Ofsted letter is available via the school website or the Ofsted website and has Fri 10 Nov (former Y13) been emailed to parents. We hope that you will take the time to read it in full and join Wed 22 Nov (former Y11) us in celebrating the hard work of staff and students. If you require a paper copy then please ask via the school office. Staff in school work incredibly hard, often working with hundreds of students every Parents’ evenings day. Even with significant pressure on staffing and learning resources, the Thurs 30 Nov—Y11 evening opportunities for students both in and beyond the classroom have grown over time. We know that our students are highly capable and we will continue to support them in striving to reach their full potential. The positive impression our students gave of their PTA meetings and events school and themselves is built on everyday experiences in school and the strength of Fri 24 Nov - Christmas Fayre relationships throughout the school community. 6.00-8.00pm This is very positive external validation for the school which clearly identifies the significant progress made in the areas highlighted by the last inspection. The next Tues 12 Dec - Carol Service at steps identified form part of our school priorities as we strive to give each of our Lichfield Cathedral at 7pm students the best possible grounding for their post-school future. Thank you to staff, students, parents and governors for the continued support. Mr C.R. Cartwright, Chair of Governors Ms J. Rutherford, Headteacher School updates PTA Senior 5 The Christmas Fayre is on Friday 24th November at 6pm to I think I speak on behalf of the rest of the senior 5 and 8pm. Please do come along and help us raise money for the teaching staff when I say the first half term of this academic school! The Author Laura Wood, who attended King Edward year couldn't have started any better! VI school, will be at the Fayre signing her new book Poppy Pym and the Beastly Blizzard! Bring the family and have We welcomed the year 12 students to sixth form life with dinner at school provided by the Catering team. There will many of them finding their feet and we wish them all the best be various Stalls including St Giles, Secret Garden, Art beyond for the next 2 years. candles, Made by Leah, Organic skincare, Marvellous mixes (baking), Izzies Ideas, JuZi Creations together with Senior 5 The Teachers Got Talent event held on Friday 13th of October Raffle (fantastic prizes including £100 Salloways Voucher) was a success with many more numbers than anticipated and many more!! The music department will be providing turning up to watch the spectacular performances carried out festive music and year 7 will be running the usual stalls in the by the teaching staff, helping us raise £256. Many thanks for gym. all of your support to all those who came to watch, performed, and all prefects who helped out setting up. If you are able to help at the Fayre even for an hour to set up or clear away, please contact Bader reception or email us at Next half term will be the final term our year 13 perfects will [email protected] be carrying out their roles full time. We'd like to take a The next full meeting of the PTA is on Wednesday 10th moment to thank you all for your help and support over the January at 7 pm in Bader Bistro; all welcome. last year, whether it be fulfilling your duties or going the extra mile to cover tours and aid us on open evenings and the summer festival. Your help is much appreciated by both the This term we have been able to fund the purchase of 28 current senior 5 and very much by last year's senior 5. We footballs for use at lunch time and are pleased that these look forward to hearing off current year 12s who aspire to are already in use! become perfects as of this Christmas, we are looking forward to working with you up until next summer. For any of you who are starting your Christmas shopping, please do If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to contact consider registering with us on [email protected] Easyfundraising when shopping online; this raises money for the We hope you have all kicked off the year with a bang and we school with no cost to wish you the best of luck with your studies. yourself. www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/ kingedwardlichfield Billy Green, Head Boy The new school lottery launch has been delayed until 2018 as Many thanks, Senior Five we are dedicating our time at the moment to the Christmas Fayre. More information will be given on this in the new year ........ New parent governor Following the recent election, we are pleased to inform you Remembrance Day that Sarah Young has been elected as the new parent governor for King Edward VI School. Poppies are for sale in both Bader and Johnson Reception. With two children in the school and a background in the education sector, we look forward to working with Sarah as A remembrance service for Year 11 and 13 will be held on part of our Governing Body to continue to develop the school. Friday 9th November. Other year groups have had a remembrance assembly this week. School updates Building Fund Update the leasing of our two minibuses costs over £11,000 a year. They are used across year groups and departments to engage In February 2017, we set ourselves the ambitious target of in sport, and extracurricular opportunities. raising £100,000 by 2018 to start to address the aging condition of school buildings and facilities under the current financial Please consider supporting the school by one or more of the crisis in schools. following: The school currently has a licensed deficit budget, agreed by Make a monthly contribution or a one-off donation to our the governors. With rising student numbers over the next few Trust Fund. If you Gift Aid your donation we can boost your years we will be able to meet our obligations to reduce this contribution by 25%. time but money for anything in school is scarce at present. Continue to support our non-uniform days for school To date, your generous support has provided £14,486 which projects and charities. We generally run a non-uniform day has enabled us to address the following needs: on the last day of each half-term. Over the summer we redecorated the Drama Studio, Consider whether your business or company could provide provided new chairs and tables for the Drama classroom any support to the school. Whether it is resources, next door, decorated Room 10 and provided new chairs sponsorship or services, please get in touch if this may be and tables. A gradual replacement programme will make something that you could offer. Materials which we can all the difference. Total cost £4,500. use in school or skills which might support projects or activities in school; we would very much like to hear from Blinds in 2 Physics classrooms to ensure that experiments you. In return there may be ways in which we can can be successfully carried out. Total cost £1,100 recognise your support; we are happy to celebrate all Urgent repairs to guttering in H Block: the cast iron community contributions and we are well aware that our guttering has been leaking in some places and coming students may be your future employees or colleagues. loose in other areas. This is not only potentially dangerous Help us to ensure our students are well prepared for the but damages the building itself where leaks permeate the wider world.