School has come alive this week as we welcome back our learners from the summer holiday break. Once again we have had record numbers applying and attending bg6. Being able to take many of our learners from 11 to 18 is a real privilege and we are delighted so many want to remain with our school community. Change is the watch word this half term and year as building work starts at last to remove the RAAC and develop our school facilities. This does mean some changes to movements around the school, but these short term challenges will be worth it. More updates and images to follow on this over the half term.

 

Attendance remains a key focus for us and has been perfectly illustrated with our GCSE exam results this year as illustrated in the table below: 

 

 

Please support your daughter by ensuring all appointments are made outside school time and encourage them to develop the resilience required to attend  school everyday. Everyday does really count when it comes to achievement and gaining the core qualifications to enable our learners to access the next steps in their educational careers.

 

Gary Kibble 

 

The points below summarise the information shared with learners this week. 

 

1. Safe Navigation & Building Work Adjustments

General Guidance: Due to ongoing site works, all learners must follow directional signs and strictly keep to the left in corridors.

• PE Lessons: Learners waiting for PE must gather in the dining hall until escorted by PE staff to the Sports Centre.
• One-Way System & Out of Bounds: The Glass Corridor is closed, making the Learning Resource Centre (LRC) part of the one-way route. The amphitheatre, area behind the glass corridor, and Science Learning Garden are strictly out of bounds.

 

2. Attendance & Safeguarding

• Attendance Target (98%+): High attendance directly correlates with academic success and future opportunities. Missing just 15 minutes per day equates to 8 full days of lost learning per year.
• Attendance Bands: 100% (Perfection), 98% (Impressive), 96% (Good), 95% (Nearly There), 94% (Needs Improvement), 90% (Concern), 85% (Serious Concern - support plans provided).
• Safeguarding Contacts: Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Jenny Fox (Y10/11 link), Deputy Headteacher Aejaz Laher, and Safeguarding Officers Kylie Hadaway (Y7–9), Salma Ilyas (Y11/BG6), and Saira Farooq (Attendance).

 

3. Behavior for Learning System & Rewards

A transparent 4-stage classroom system ensures clarity and fairness:

 

 

Positive Rewards: Points are earned on ClassCharts under three key areas: Respect Self (resilience/creative learning), Respect Environment (tidiness/care), and Respect Community (collaboration/positive citizenship).

 

4. Literacy, Opportunities & Extracurricular Activities

• Reading Rewards & Vending Machine: Learners demonstrating excellence in reading/vocabulary can earn 'Reading Awards'. Five winners weekly across Years 7–11 win a book from the vending machine!
• Word & Idiom of the Week: Word: Intricate (very complicated/detailed). Idiom: "To go down a rabbit hole". Learners are also challenged to use "All good things come to those who wait" for connection points.
• PE Extracurricular Clubs (Start Mon 14 Sept, 3pm–4pm):

• Mondays: Netball & Taekwondo (Sports Hall, All Years)
• Tuesdays: Mixed Sports & Football (Sports Hall, All Years)

• Learner Leadership Roles: Applications open for Mental Health Champions (letter to SEND office by Friday), Reading Culture Committee, and Year 11 Prom Committee.

 

5. Year Group Highlights

• Year 7: Praised for smart uniform and politeness. Mission: Learn class routes independently to avoid lateness logs. Top positive points form: 7MKS. 
• Year 8: Strong start; Rosalind Franklin house leading community positives.
• Year 9: Great start on uniform and mobile phone rules. Special trip opportunity: National Manufacturing Day visit to West Yorkshire Manufacturing Services on 24 Sept (email Miss Dunkley by Tuesday).
• Years 10 & 11: Encouraged to discuss half-termly reward preferences with form tutors. Year 11 Prom Committee applications launching soon.