Hello everyone,

Please find below, update letter as above.

If you would prefer to read in a pdf format, please CLICK HERE

7 May 2021

Dear Parent/ Carer

Travelling to and from school

Please can families remind their child of the dangers when travelling to and from school when near busy roads. We have received reports from members of our community witnessing students walking on the roads, playing with footballs on the pavement and generally being unsafe. We have revisited road safety with students in school and we would like this to be reflected at all times.

End of the day – Car parking

We are becoming increasingly concerned by the lack of respect parents are showing towards each other at the end of the school day when waiting to collect children. Feedback has been received regarding cars being blocked in on the car park and also obstructing the flow of traffic. Whilst we understand that the site becomes congested at the end of the school day due to the sheer volume of cars, this is only for a short time. We request that you time your arrival for pick up to prevent unnecessarily waiting around.

Reading competition

On Tuesday 4th May, four students from Years 7 and 8 took part in the regional heats of the National Reading Champions Quiz, which was organised by the National Literacy Trust. Answering 100 questions on topics ranging from books to authors to word puzzles for over two-and-a-half hours, our pupils were competing against 31 other teams from all across the West Midlands. We are delighted to announce that, of all the state schools involved, Team Birches came third on the leader-board – a truly astounding achievement. We are very proud of George, Lewis, Cody and Daniel and we can’t wait for next year!

Y8 Politics meeting with local MP

This week, a part of the politics aspect of the ‘Aspire curriculum,’ 8A2 enjoyed the opportunity to meet our local MP for Stoke-on-Trent North, Jonathan Gullis. They asked lots of questions about issues such as education and children’s mental health. Jonathan has offered our pupils who are members of the BHA debating society the opportunity to visit the houses of parliament and has promised to treat them to afternoon tea!

Y10 – Student Prefect Applications

Year 10 students have this week been invited by Mrs Rooney and Miss Mottershaw to apply to be part of our new senior leadership team. Every student in the year group has been given an application form and there is an electronic version available to them on their year group teams page with a deadline of Monday 17th May. They are looking forward to reading their applications and interviews will take place during w/c Monday 24th May.

REMINDER – Y10 Parents Evening

Next week we will be hosting year 10 parents’ evening virtually and parents of Year 10 students will have received a letter and guide. If you have not yet visited the school cloud to make appointments, please do so as soon as possible and contact the office if you have any problems.

REMINDER – Monday 7 June – Virtual learning day

The Governors and Trustees have agreed that on Monday 7 June, we will have an INSET day to enable staff training to take place. On this day we will be setting work for students to complete remotely. Further details will follow.

Weekly Questionnaire

Each week we are conducting a short survey so that we can better support your needs. This week the focus is on PSHE – Sex and Relationships. Please use this link to submit your responses and thank you in advance for taking the time. https://forms.office.com/r/dT4EUMQDKd

Please contact us if you need this information in any other language or format if you have any questions. You can contact the office by email on info@bircheshead.org.uk.

Thank you for your continued support.

Yours Sincerely

Ms K Dixon

Principal