Weekly information - Wednesday 6th November 2019
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All - Leave of Absence
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All - NEW Parking Restrictions in Palmer Close
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All - PTA meeting
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All - ChatHealth - messaging advice service for Young People and Parents
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All - Issues on Midland Classic Bus Services
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Y13 - University Applications
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Y12 - Parents Evening is Wednesday 13th November
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Year 12 - Target grades
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Y12 - Reminder to reply to GCSE Certificate Presentation Evening invitation
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Y12 - Young Professionals Trip
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Y11 and 12 - A career in medicine?
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Y11 - GCSE Food Prep & Nutrition deadlines
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Y11 - A Level and BTEC Taster Lessons
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Y11- Offsite girls' PE - payment due
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Y11 - Apprenticeship opportunities Toyota Manufacturing UK currently have open for 2020.
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Y11 - Geography GCSE - Lunchtime Revision Sessions
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Y11 - Religious Studies revision guides
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Year 10 - GCSE Target grades
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Y9 - World Skills Live 2019 Trip
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Y8 -PGL trip
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Y7 - Outward Bound, Aberdovey
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Year 7 BASE assessment
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Y7 - Disco on 8th November
We politely remind parents and carers to read the JT MAT and JTHS Attendance Information relating to leave of absence. This will only be authorised in Exceptional Circumstances. All requests for Leave of Absence should be sent to the Attendance Officer.
We would like to inform parents that we have been made aware that single yellow lines have been painted along Palmer Close. This means parking is restricted between the hours of 8 am to 6pm. We understand signs will be displayed in due course.
We would appreciate parents and students refraining from parking along here in respect of our neighbours.
With regards
Mrs K Cochrane, Head of School
The next meeting of the PTA is on Tuesday 12th November, starting at 7pm.
All parents are welcome to attend.
ChatHealth is an award-winning messaging service for young people (age 11-19) and parents to get advice and support about health related issues.
Click on the link below for full details.
Please could I ask that all parents of pupils travelling to and from school on bus services, but especially the Midland Classic Services, read the attached letter. Mr Twynham.
Students have been supported with their applications to University during tutor time and our internal deadline for completed applications was October 31st. Congratulations to those students who have met this deadline, as we know that many have received all of their offers and are now in a position to concentrate on preparing for their A level exams. If your son/daughter has not submitted their application yet, please can you encourage them to see their tutor for additional support and to submit their form as soon as possible.
There will be a Parents Evening on Wednesday 13th November from 4.30-7.30pm. This will be an opportunity for parents and Y12 students to meet with subject teachers. Please ask your son/daughter to start making appointments on your behalf directly with their subject teachers. Students have been issued with cards for recording their appointment times.
From Monday 11th November you will be able to see Year 12 Target grades in Go4Schools for your child. This will appear alongside a 'Current grade' which is a combination of assessments completed so far and a 'Projected grade' which is the grade that the class teacher believes the student could achieve at the end of the course. These grades will appear once teachers have completed suitable assessments and certainly by this term's parents evening which is on Wednesday 13th November. The 'Projected grade' is based on their current 'live' grade as well as the progress they could make given their current work and attitude to learning.
Target Grades
At John Taylor we use 'ALPS' (external organisation) to create minimum expected grades for each student. ALPS compare each student with all other students nationally who achieved the same GCSE average point score and the average A level or BTEC grade they achieved for their subjects. We then cross-reference this with last year’s national results. Teachers are able to moderate those grades to ensure that they are appropriate and the resulting grade becomes the initial target grade.
As detailed in an earlier weekly email, we have altered our reporting system this year, this article can be viewed on this link:
Pupils who are currently in Y12 and who sat their GCSEs here at John Taylor in the summer, will have received a letter, via their form tutor, with details of our GCSE Presentation Evening.
This will take place on WEDNESDAY 20TH NOVEMBER at 7pm.
Parents are also invited to attend to help celebrate the achievements of the year group which was particularly successful at GCSE.
Please encourage your son/daughter to reply to the invitation promptly either by handing in their reply slip or by email [email protected]
There will be a seating plan for pupils, who will then be called up in groups to collect their certificates. Therefore, it's important that we know whether or not they are attending. Seating for parents/guests is unallocated.
On Tuesday 19th November, Year 12 students will attend a ‘Young Professionals’ day at Pride Park, Derby. This event will provide an opportunity for students to engage with a range of businesses. Previous events have included support from employers such as Rolls-Royce, Barclays, Derby County, IBM, Experian and the NHS. Throughout the morning, students will listen to a number of keynote speeches from top business professionals and will have the opportunity to take part in some practical workshops that are industry-led. The whole aim of the day is to get students prepared for the world of work and give them the links into businesses at an early stage. It is also designed to help them in becoming Young Professionals themselves. To support the organisation of this event, please ensure that payment is made via ParentPay before 8th November. Thank you.
Are you interested in a career in medicine?
As some of our students start to think about their Post 18 options many rule out Medicine as they don’t think they will achieve the entry requirements. Applications for medicine are changing. There are far more universities offering courses into medicine. Please read the attached guide from the Medical Schools Council to explore the varied routes into medicine and the different universities selection criteria. Other sources of information include www.medschools.ac.uk and www.themedicportal.com. If you have any further questions, please see Mrs Spencer in the Sixth Form office.
***GCSE FOOD PREPARATION & NUTRITION****
NEA 2: British Cuisines
35% of your GCSE
Deadlines
Section A: 15.11.2019
Section B: 13.12.2019
Section C: 17.01.2019
Section D: 24.01.2020
Section E: 14.02.2020
Thank you to all those students who have booked onto an A level/BTEC Taster lesson. Attached is the schedule to remind students when and where the sessions will take place. Although some lessons are fully booked, there is still spare capacity in some, therefore, if you would like to book onto a session, please e-mail [email protected].
All Set 2 girls are going to Dan Berry's Gym. Payment for this off-site activity needs to be made by Thursday 7th November, please. Thank you.
There are 2 Apprenticeship schemes that Toyota offer of which details are below:
Automotive Production Apprenticeship
Ø The Apprenticeship lasts for 12 months and consists of 3 parts:-
- Off-the-job training at Burnaston in the Manufacturing Skills Academy.
- On-the-job placements in the Manufacturing shops at Burnaston working on the production line, whilst undertaking their qualification.
- Advanced development in areas such as FMDS job standards, TPS principles, behavioural development and functional skills.
Ø They will be employed by Toyota Manufacturing UK and will start in September 2020.
Ø No minimum requirements to apply.
Ø On successful completion of the programme, trainees will attain a Lean Manufacturing Operative Apprenticeship which includes a Level 2 Diploma in Manufacturing Technology and become a production team member.
Open evening available: Wednesday 20th November 2019, 16.30 – 19.00 (drop in) at the manufacturing skills development training centre.
Maintenance Engineering Apprenticeship
Ø The training will last for 44 months and consists of 2 parts:-
- 22 months Technical training in the Toyota Academy and on the job secondment at Burnaston.
- 22 months on the job training in home maintenance department at Burnaston.
Ø On successful completion of the programme, trainees will receive a level 3 NVQ qualification in engineering maintenance and become maintenance team members.
Ø Applicants must possess or be anticipating a minimum of 4 GCSE passes at grade 4/C or above including Maths, English and Science.
Open evening available: Thursday 14th November 2019, 16.30 – 19.00 (drop in) at the Toyota Academy.
Further details are available on our website below. Candidates can apply via this website and complete a short application. Open day bookings can also be made here.
Year 11 Geography lunchtime revision sessions will commence this week. These sessions will provide the opportunity for pupils to supplement their revision for their upcoming mock examinations in December by covering some elements of the topics that they will be examined upon. The sessions will run for 4 weeks on a Thursday lunchtime in U4, from 1.15pm to 1.45pm. The sessions will be as follows:
Thursday 7th November - Tectonics.
Thursday 14th November - Coasts
Thursday 21st November - Fieldwork
Thursday 28th November - Urban Issues and Challenges in Lagos and Birmingham
Some students/parents have been asking which revision guide we recommend to help support materials given in class. The link below takes you to the revision guide we consider to be the best for the two religions we study and the ethical themes.
It is by no means essential that students have a copy of this – we provide enough revision material and have produced our own department revision booklets for each topic that will be completed by students in class nearer to the actual GCSE exams time.
If you have any further questions please get in touch with your RS teacher or Mrs Walker (CAL RS)
By the end of next week you will be able to see Year 10 GCSE Target grades in Go4Schools for your child. This will appear alongside a 'Current grade' which is a combination of assessments completed so far and a 'Projected grade' which is the grade that the class teacher believes the student could achieve at the end of the course. These grades will appear once teachers have completed suitable assessments and certainly by this term's parents evening which is on December 3rd. The 'Projected grade' is based on their current 'live' grade as well as the progress they could make given their current work and attitude to learning.
Target Grades
At John Taylor we use Fischer Family Trust (external organisation) to create minimum expected grades for each student. FFT compare each student with all other students nationally who achieved the same KS2 average point score and the average GCSE grade they achieved for their subjects. We then cross-reference this with last year’s national results. Teachers are able to moderate those grades to ensure that they are appropriate and the resulting grade becomes the initial target grade.
As detailed in an earlier weekly email, we have altered our reporting system this year, this article can be viewed on this link:
To further support Year 9 students in choosing their GCSE subjects and future pathways, we will be taking students to the the UK’s largest skills, apprenticeships and careers event which will be held on Thursday 21st November, at the NEC Birmingham. Students will be provided with information and advice on all routes into jobs, from apprenticeships to university. You will have already received information about the World Skills Live event via a letter. To support the organisation of this event, please ensure payment in made before the 8th November on ParentPay. Thank you.
Would Y8s please hand in their medical forms asap if they have not already done so. This was sent with your letter when you were accepted on to the trip. Parents can also email it to me if that is easier ([email protected]). If pupils are still unsure whether they have a place on the trip, they should see Miss Sears.
Year 7 Outward Bound Aberdovey – 28th February – 1st March
Please note we have scheduled a parent’s information evening for the Outward Bound trip for Tuesday 19th November 2019 at 6pm in the school hall. You will be asked to fill out an enrolment form, sign a code of conduct and note a dormitory request during the meeting so please do bring a pen and medical details for the child’s GP.
I look forward to meeting you all.
Many thanks, Mr Simmons
BASE targets
In Key Srage 3, John Taylor uses an assessment system based on performance in Key Stage 2 SATs results. This is also cross-referenced against CAT4 test results. Targets are created for each subject and are the outcome that will be expected for each assessment that is completed. Students are not expected to move through the grades.
A: Should be Approaching the age related level of knowledge and understanding
S: Should be Secure in the age related level of knowledge and understanding
E: Should be Exceeding the age related level of knowledge and understanding
Students may also be assessed as ‘Beginning to show the age related level of knowledge and understanding’ (B). A small number of students may demonstrate exceptional performance and may be graded as Outstanding (O).
You will now see this information in Go4Schools. This will also include a 'current grade' which is a live grade created from a combination of assessments completed so far this academic year. This grade is colour coded to indicate current progress and will appear once a suitable number of assessments have been completed.
As detailed in an earlier weekly email, we have altered our reporting system this year, this article can be viewed on this link: