By the time you read this newsletter, school will have been fully open for a whole 3 weeks! Of course, many students will have attended every day throughout lockdown and all students will have been studying, whether at home or at school. It has been a very strange time and I think we are all relieved to see the light at the end of the tunnel! All things considered, I find it remarkable that we have been able to change our ways of working so rapidly and so drastically. In the hope that we do emerge next term, we need to look back and reflect on how much we have achieved in such incredible circumstances. We have now undergone four consecutive school terms of disruption, meaning over half a school year of partial school closures! Two cohorts of year 11 students have had disrupted GCSEs and weeks of uncertainty. We need to move forward now and be kind to ourselves and others for all we have been through.

Governors have listened to feedback during this time and supported school leaders in amending ways of working where possible. We have ensured all statutory responsibilities are covered, have reviewed risk assessments and looked carefully at the ways in which the curriculum delivery has been amended to take into account the variety of methods in use. We know that students will not have worked at the same pace as each other and that many will have suffered through working on their own. It will take a while to overcome some of the issues but this term, we were keen to see all students settle into school routines again as effectively as possible. I have been proud to see how smoothly the return in June 2020, September 2020 and in March this year has gone and, on behalf of the governing board, would like to thank all the students, staff and volunteers who made the testing process run effectively also. To be used as an example of good practice more than once for the BBC, is praise indeed.

Next term, as lockdown eases and we hopefully emerge to a ‘new’ normal, governors will be looking forward to a term of ‘healing’ where staff and students start to address gaps in learning but also where we all take time to review our own mental health. The role of the governing board is to support and to challenge and we will continue to do both, but we should all – staff, parents, students and governors – remember what a challenging this year this has been and how much support we all need to move forward. Let’s look forward to a more settled summer term, a way out of lockdown and better weather, which will prepare us all for a more positive way ahead.

Ms L Russell-Hayes
Chair of Governors

After some challenging months, both in and out of school, it makes a lovely change when there are positive aspects of life to tell you about. The focus of the governing board since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak has been twofold – to promote as near normal learning and teaching, which in turn helps to maintain a stable and reassuring base, and to protect and promote mental health and wellbeing in these times of uncertainty and anxiety. Both priorities have focussed our minds, our discussions, and our decisions.

Of course, none of our deliberations would be possible without an outstanding staff body and we, as governors, wish to express our thanks for all the extra hard work on their part to go the extra mile. Parents and carers have been supportive of the staff efforts and we thank you for all your positive messages. The girls continue to be a credit to the school and this term’s BBC visits displayed all those positive aspects of the school. Thank you, everyone!

Governors, as mentioned, have looked at various aspects of wellbeing of staff and of students this term. We were happy to see that, despite all the issues faced, the Year 7 students settled in well. For this year and the previous three years, over 90% of Year 7 students feel they settled in well and over 95% said they made friends easily. Over 90% feel happy and well organised. 99% of students felt Covid safe in school, no doubt helped by 95% of the students feeling that staff are friendly and helpful. Throughout all the turmoil, school has remained a positive and happy learning space and the school overall has exceeded national attendance percentages during this time, which supports these results. It is unfortunate that some of their activities have had to be clipped but Year 7 students, as other year groups, have shown some amazing resilience this term.

Of course, a positive staff is key; staff have certainly been challenged this term, as last, but the headteacher and her leadership team have supported them throughout this time and the governing board has, in turn, supported the headteacher. Despite the year we are having, the staff voice is more positive than ever! 100% of staff agree or strongly agree that they are proud to be part of the school. 95% of staff believe leaders do all they can to ensure a motivated, respected, and effective staff. 97% of staff feel well supported and staff feel that leaders are considerate of their wellbeing. Their positive replies lay testament to this and include:

• ‘Particularly in these more turbulent times, it has felt that leaders of the school have their staff wellbeing and safety as a priority.’
• ‘The approach to Covid has been outstanding.’
• ‘I feel that senior leaders go above and beyond.’
• ‘Even during a pandemic, the expectations were clear and the atmosphere was calm.’
• ‘The leadership team is approachable, professional and caring.’
• ‘The school is very proactive; problems are often identified in advance and dealt with before they happen.’

We, as governors, draw our evidence from a variety of sources and listening to the voices of our staff, students, families, and community is just a part – but a very telling part. As I read this newsletter, as you will, we will have more evidence of what a successful, motivated, and outstanding school we have.

Stay safe over the break!

Ms L Russell-Hayes
Chair of Governors

Dear Staff, Students and Parents,

The governing board would like to extend a massive thank you to all of you for how you have worked hard to counter all the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and what it has meant to our school community. During this term, governors have continued to meet, albeit virtually, to continue our work in supporting the excellent standards that we have all fought hard to maintain. I do not believe it has been easy for any one of us! It has been evident to us though, that staff have worked tirelessly, often behind the scenes to provide as much continuity as possible; we have seen, through meetings and via the newsletter, how hard staff and students have worked during these past weeks in the most challenging of circumstances. We obviously cannot forget the efforts that parents and carers have put into the education of their daughters – a task they never expected to be theirs! Some students have been in school throughout and their efforts and dedication have been noted also. We must never forget, of course, the role of the key workers without whom we would not have got thus far and we send grateful thanks to you also.

It has been a strange time for all of us and we, the governing board, are in awe of what has been achieved by the school and its community. Whilst we realise that things will not exactly be ‘back to normal’ in September, they will be moving, hopefully, in that direction. There are some elements that have been lost, which is sad, such as the way Year 11 students have not experienced the usual fulfilment of their time at school but we hope they feel their results are a true reflection of what they would have achieved through the examination process and their planned ‘end of term’ will take place in some form in the autumn.

Looking ahead, we have as a governing board, said a big thank you and good bye to two governors: Mr J Roy and Mrs S Midjek-Conway who have both served nearly two terms of office (a term of office is 4 years) with the school and we have now welcomed two new parent governors and a new community governor who start with us in September. Although the role of governor is not often evident, the work governors do both to support and challenge the school is a key one and I thank all of my governors for their efforts this year.

I wish all of you, staff, students, governors, and parents & carers, a restful and safe summer and hope we are able to start next year on a more even keel!

Ms Lorimer Russell-Hayes, Chair of Governors

This term has been, as usual, busy and long! Governors have met for training, as well as three times in committee meetings.

We have jointly reviewed the summer’s exam results which we were extremely pleased with; they show continued outstanding progress for all groups of students. They are testament to the positive working relationship between staff, parents and students; when all work together, the sky’s the limit! The Awards Evening in November was, therefore, a very enjoyable and successful evening. We also held another very successful Open Evening and met many girls eager to join our community!

As a governing board, we have made some changes; we have increased our number to 17 and reorganised our meeting structure to focus on changing national and local priorities. This means we now have vacancies for two parent governors. As it is so difficult to convey what is involved, we will make time available to speak with interested parents before they decide whether to put their names forward.

Look out for mailings early in January! We are excited to include new members from a variety of backgrounds.

As I mentioned last term, governors focussed on parent voice and I gave an overview of the positive results in the summer term newsletter. This term, I chose to focus on staff voice, including staff wellbeing and staff workload. There was too much information to include in the newsletter so I hope you read the additional news item I sent out. As part of our role as governors, we need to reassure ourselves that, as well as being an outstanding school on paper, our staff, parents and students are happy with our provision. I was extremely proud to publish such positive results and I trust you were happy to read them also.

As our term comes to a close, on behalf of the governing board, I would like to wish
all our friends and families, staff and students a very restful holiday period!

Ms Lorimer Russell-Hayes, Chair of Governors

There is an air of change in the governing board this term – an excitement to look forward to the new school year!

Sometimes, a change in Ofsted’s focus brings an air of doom but the new framework that starts in September 2019 has made us all review current practice. Of course, with our current outstanding status, we are still exempt from routine inspections but that does not stop us from taking on board some of Ofsted’s recommendations which are rooted in much research. We are never complacent and we never want to stand still. As a governing board, we have each had a chance to air our views on how we currently manage our meetings and how we organise our work. We will begin the new year with a newly organised meeting structure and revised focus areas.

We have this term undertaken a group training session, as well as the training each of us undertakes each year. We are keen to welcome new governors who will start with us in September but will also thank those who are leaving us this term; one member of staff we, as a governing board, wish to thank especially, is our clerk Catherine Arrowsmith who has kept us organised and prepared in all elements of our work for a number of years now – we will miss you Catherine and we wish you well in your future working life.

Each year, each of us focuses on an aspect of school improvement. We try to become experts in our own areas and to meet with relevant members of staff as required. One area I have been reviewing this term is that of Parent Voice. You will be aware that we ask your views via Parent Forum and the Kirkland Rowell Parental Survey on a regular basis but we also employ internal short questionnaires to gauge your views when you attend parents’ evenings.

Obviously, we have parent governors who sit on the governing board but these questionnaires give us more information to add to student views and staff views that we also collect and analyse.

Our internal questionnaires appear very positive. Over 5 parents’ evenings this academic year, we asked you for your views on the eight statements below.

Our externally validated and analysed report appears to confirm much of the same but gives greater detail. Some notable findings of the most recent report, which is based on the year September 2018 to March 2019, are outlined below:

• 93% of Year 7 parents said they would recommend this school to other parents. The overall rating in this area has remained high for the last 4 years.
• 84% of parents would rate the school as good or very good at ensuring new students settle in well.
• Over 70% of all parents who responded said that this school develops potential in students, that teachers are caring and that parents’ evenings give valuable information.
• 75% of parents said that the school gives the right amount of homework, 73% said this includes the right amount of challenge and 77% said the marking of work is regular and effective.
• In terms of what the school does well, parents rated most highly the discipline and security, the development of moral values, the control of bullying, school facilities and social health education.
• In terms of what parents felt the school needed to develop, was the area of the celebration and achievement of rewards; you will be aware that this is an area the school – and particularly Mr Ward and Mr Ramsdale – have been developing this year and have improved further for September.

Obviously, these questionnaires are only reliable if they contain findings from most parents; as a school, we are lucky to have involved and engaged parents so please continue to give your views in this way. During the course of next year, as many governors as possible will continue to attend events at which you are present so that we can continue to hear your views informally also.

As we near the end of this academic year, can I thank you, on behalf of the governing board, for your continued support and challenge and wish you an enjoyable summer break.
Lorimer Russell-Hayes (Chair of Governors)