Weekly Information - Thursday 25th March 2021
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All - Hot Chocolate with the Head
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All - Lockdown 3 Community Challenges
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All- Staffordshire Connects- Mental Health Pathway
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Y7-11- JTMAT Attendance Information
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Y7-Y11 JT MAT Request for Term Time Holiday
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Y7 - Y11 - P.E. Extra-Curricular Activities Programme
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Y7-11 - Century Tech Spring Challenge
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Y9 - Spring 2 Maths test
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Y11 & Y12 - National Citizen Service
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Y12 - Change of Date for Internal Exams and Academic Reports
During Lockdown 3, we felt that we needed something to continue bringing us together as one community, and to cheer us up when things seemed tough. For that reason we ran three Lockdown challenges. Each one had a different theme that linked to our Vision and Values. All members of our school community were invited to submit photos that showed how they had demonstrated that value. It was a joy to compile and share the photos with everyone, and to see how we had been living our values, even when we were apart. These presentations are shared below - please enjoy!
Sally-Anne Bonnett
[email protected]
The attached document provides support for families with accessing Mental Health Services in Staffordshire.
For more information please visit www.staffordshireconnects.info/kb5/staffordshire/directory/advice.page?id=0rWBovMeR5E
Absence from School Due to Parental/Carer COVID Concerns (including pupils currently outside the UK)
Parents and carers are reassured that the health, safety and well-being of pupils, families and staff is always a priority for the JTMAT and our school. JTMAT and our school continue to work diligently within, and often above, the Government guidelines to implement stringent health and safety procedures. We believe in working in a collaborative and supportive manner with families to ensure excellent school attendance by all pupils.
We are mindful of the concerns and challenges families may face at this present time and parents and carers are urged to contact school if they have ongoing concerns or challenges.
Parents and carers are reminded that all pupils should have returned to school on 8th March 2021, and as from 1st April 2021 this will also include pupils who were deemed ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ and were shielding, unless further medical evidence has been obtained.
On 22nd February 2021 the Government made clear that all pupils should return to school on 8th March 2021, giving a period of two weeks for parents, carers and schools to make arrangements for the return of all pupils.
The Government was also very clear in regards to how safe it was for pupils to return and the importance of doing so on pupils’ education and their emotional well-being.
These points are outlined in Gavin Williamson’s (secretary of State for Education) - open letter to parents https://dfemedia.blog.gov.uk/2021/02/23/an-open-letter-from-education-secretary-gavin-williamson-to-parents-carers-and-guardians/
From 8th March 2021
The usual rules on school attendance applied, including:
- parents’ duty to secure their child’s regular attendance at school (where the child is a registered pupil at school and they are of compulsory school age)
- the ability to issue sanctions, including fixed penalty notices in line with local authorities’ codes of conduct’
Pupils who did not return to school on 8th March 2021, other than for authorised reasons, were and continue to be, recorded as unauthorised absence. Where a pupil is absent from school due to ‘parental concerns’ regarding COVID these absences are classed as unauthorised. Where families have decided to remain outside the UK these absences are recorded as unauthorised, unless following Government safe travel guidelines.
Parents and carers are reminded of the following
Extended periods of unauthorised absence may result in:-
- Involvement of School Attendance Manager
- Involvement of JTMAT Attendance Intervention Manager
- Attendance Review meeting with JTMAT Attendance Intervention Manager or School Attendance Manager to develop a ‘Parenting Contract’ to facilitate a pupil’s return to school.
- Issuing Fixed Penalty Notices (fine) or statutory (legal) action
- A safeguarding referral being made to Staffordshire Safeguarding Children’s Boar
- A pupil being reported to the Local Authority as ‘missing in education’
- After 10 days of unauthorised absence a pupil being removed from the school register, meaning they no longer have a place at the school
Parents and carers are also informed of the following:-
- School will no longer provide remote learning to pupils not in school (unless they are absent for authorised reasons)
- Schools are within their rights to ask parents and carers to provide professional evidence where medical reasons for not returning to school are given
- Schools may ask for evidence of planned return travel to the UK – such as flight confirmation
- School Leaders or Attendance Intervention Managers will carry out safeguarding and well-being checks on pupils who are not attending school, this may include home visits, telephone calls or virtual meetings, with pupils themselves
Pupils should not attend school if
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- They themselves has/had COVID symptoms or have tested positive for COVID
- A member of household has COVID symptoms or have tested positive for COVID
- A person in close contact with pupil has COVID symptoms
- The pupil is required to self-isolate due to travel outside the UK (check Government list for updates)
- They are following the Government’s safe travel guidance or are isolating upon return to the UK
Request for Term Time Holiday
The JTMAT and the school are incredibly mindful and appreciative of the incredible work and dedication of so many groups of workers during the COVID pandemic. We are empathetic to the challenges presented to many families during these times and the potential impact on individual well-being. Unfortunately, this does not mean that we are able to authorise leave of absence for holidays during term time. The Department for Education has been very clear in its guidance that as from 8th March 2021:-
The usual rules on school attendance apply, including:
- parents’ duty to secure their child’s regular attendance at school (where the child is a registered pupil at school and they are of compulsory school age)
- the ability to issue sanctions, including fixed penalty notices in line with local authorities’ codes of conduct’
‘What parents need to know about early years’ providers, schools and colleges during COVID-19’ 24th February 2021 reiterates that parents ‘should plan holidays within school and college holidays as usual and avoid seeking permission to take your children out of school or college during term time.’
Therefore, it remains that, holidays will not be authorised during term time, will be recorded as unauthorised and maybe subject to the issuing of a fixed penalty notice.
We would like to emphasise that it is the ethos of the JTMAT and the school to work with our pupils and their families in a supportive manner. Please do not hesitate to contact the school if you wish to discuss this matter further.
Following the Easter holidays, the PE department will be offering extra-curricular sports clubs to students in KS3 and KS4. These will largely take place after school and will be subject to reduced numbers in order to safely comply with current Covid guidance. The exception will be Y11 who will have their activities on a Friday lunchtime.
We will run a ‘sign-up’ system via form tutors who have been sent both the timetable and the process for this. In order to give a wide range of students an ongoing opportunity to attend, this will happen on a week-by-week basis. The after school clubs will take place from 3.40pm – 4.30pm and only students who have signed up will be able to attend; they will be asked to wear their PE kit to school on those days as they do on the days that they have PE. A full timetable to start as soon as we return after Easter can be found on the following link:
Dear Parents,
At John Taylor Students in Years 7-11 have access to the online learning platform, Century Tech, which they may have used in some of their core subjects, Maths, English and Science. Students may be more familiar with the Maths side of Century but in the coming months it is hoped more will access the English and Science content too.
Century Tech is used either under the instruction of teachers through targeted set tasks during lessons or for homework, or pupils can work independently at home if they want additional practice. Once on they can work independently on their "nugget" timeline and Century Tech's AI will analyse their work and provide further support and stretch or challenge as they progress.
During the month of March Century Tech is running a "Spring Challenge" to see which schools use the platform the most. It would be great if pupils want to practice anything independently that they login and have a go at any of the learning nuggets on their timeline.
Pupils can access Century Tech by going to the website www.century.tech and then selecting the "login with office 365 option" and using their normal JTHS school email and password to access the programme. Attached is a poster promoting the Spring Challenge and also giving some suggestions on what to do.
We will be promoting this in school and we hope students enjoy rising to the Century Spring Challenge!
Kind regards,
Simon Curzon
Director of Numeracy/Senior Leadership Team
SImon Curzon
[email protected]
Next week will see Year 9 do an all encompassing, general ability Maths test. It will take place in their last lesson of the term, either Wednesday 31st March 2021 or Thursday 1st April 2021, depending on their usual timetable. The test will consist of questions relating to topics taught during the academic year, but no revision list will be provided. They can consult their Maths books to see the work they have done in order to practice further, and all students have been emailed links to Mymaths and Century.tech from which they can revise. If you have any questions, please contact your childs regular Maths teacher.
Tony Eagles - JTHS
[email protected]
All students in Year 11 & 12 have the opportunity to take part in the 'National Citizen Service' programme this summer. All students have watched the video below and have had a Q & A session during a registration period.
Details of the programme and further contact points were given in this session and are also on the flyer below.
What is NCS?
Designed specially for 16 and 17 year olds, the NCS experience will give you a clearer idea of what you want from your future turning all those ‘No You Cant’s’ into No We Can.
We exist to engage, unite and empower young people, building your confidence so you can go out there and achieve your dreams, no matter where you’re from or what your background is.
You’ll spend a few weeks in the summer or autumn mixing with a new crowd, and taking on fresh challenges together. Before you know it, you’ll be rooting for each other, as you all tackle your own little hurdles.
Along the way, you’ll also get a taste for independence and pick up skills that’ll help you smash your future goals. And if that’s not enough for you, you’ll also be given a platform to get your voice heard and pursue a passion project to create a positive, lasting impact in your local community.
How can I get involved?
NCS is designed for 16 and 17 year olds. However, you can go on programme as a 15-year-old, as long as you turn 16 on or by 31 August of the year you apply for. If you have already turned 18 by this date, you unfortunately won’t be eligible.
Find out more and sign up today at the NCS site.
Dear Parents or Carers
Year 12 internal exams were due to take place on the 19th April until 30th April. Due to the disruption caused by the school closure, we have decided to move these exams to the 7th-18th June. This is the first week back after June half term. Students will be granted study leave and will only attend school for their exams. The exam timetable will be shared by the Exams department in the near future and a copy will also be uploaded to the exams section of our website (https://jths.co.uk/exam-timetables)
As BTEC students will not be taking any external exams this year, they will be expected to attend lessons as normal to continue with their coursework. If they are following a mixed programme, they will need to communicate with subject staff and Miss Spurrier which BTEC lessons they won’t be attending due to revising or sitting their A level assessment.
Exams will be taking place in either the hall, gym or L1a/b. These rooms will have a maximum of 30 seats set up in a socially distanced space. The exams will be invigilated by our exams team.
Results of these exams will be published, alongside the students reference predicted grade and academic report, on the 13th July.
The school calendar has been updated to reflect these changes for your future reference.
Kind regards.
Mrs Spencer
Assistant Head of School: Director of Post 16