Newsletters

Thank you for your support this half term. Although a short one, it has been full of challenges which our students have met head on. Our new behaviour policy has been well received by the majority and students are really settling into their GCSE subjects now. Please also ensure that uniform is perfect upon return. 
 
There have been some fantastic successes with incredible achievements in sport, music and dance. We have received a massive amount of achievement points as a year group which I'm incredibly proud of. 
 
Please take care over half term. And remember our key value this year: RESPECT. Please respect each other, the wider community, and yourselves. I look forward to seeing you after half term. 

It is safe to say that this half term has gone by very quickly. It has been a jam packed with students receiving their mock results, Covid Vaccinations, parents evening, theatre company visits and has finished with students being given their Save the Dates for the Year 11 Prom!  

Looking forward to the next half term, I just wanted to take a moment to remind you that mock examinations will take place from 28th February – 11th March. Students should have a copy of their mock timetable on Edulink so please check to make sure it is there. If you haven't started revising, now would be a good time to take the first step!  

We hope you have a restful and enjoyable half term,  

The Year 11 Team 

Our Year 12s are past the deadline for submitting their work experience placement forms. If any student has still not secured a place, please can you encourage them to talk to their tutor initially, but also to speak with the school careers team. This team, are coordinating the work experience programme, and will have contacts that could be useful to our students.

We do have an opportunity in school, and there are places left. This will include a short activity working with our Year 10 students and engaging them in activities around Sixth Form at Samuel Whitbread. This will be a full week's placement at school, working with an external company Att10tive which works with young people in developing a range of skills and experience.

Att10tive have already been working with a small group of Year 12s for a Youth Ambassador programme, and we have been impressed by their commitment. These students are now working together to put on an employability fair for younger students at the school, with guests coming in. If this type of event planning is something that might interest other students, then the work experience option here could be right for them. Please tell them to speak with Mr Tonking before the final places are secured. 

At the time of writing Year 13 have had their reports and should be preparing for their upcoming IPEs (Internal Progression Exams) in March. We have completed target setting for each subject during form time this week, and students are reminded that they need to attend at least six mornings per fortnight in order to participate in form activities and access useful support such as apprenticeship applications.  

Summer exam timetables are available through the school website and the contingency day this year is the 29th June, up to and including this date must be kept available for exams. 

We are very happy to announce that the prom date is Friday 8th July at Amberleigh Gardens, and students should be able to pay their deposit via ParentMail. The non-refundable deposit (£5) is due by Friday 1st April and the £15 remaining balance due by 27th May. We are very much looking forward to this event, which should be a lovely celebration of all that they will have earned. 

We would like to remind parents and carers of the process when reporting a student absence from school or leaving during the day. 

Absence from morning registration (COVID19 related) should be reported using the Google form sent via Edulink or the following link -  https://forms.gle/VQCr3M9zdNzKmSEk6   

Please note that you may need to resubmit this form, for example, if a positive result is received having previously reported that your child has symptoms. If you have reported an absence via the Google form you do not need to leave a voicemail or email to report the absence. 

Absence from morning registration (non COVID19 related) - student absence should be reported by telephoning 01462 629900 (option 1) or 01462 628041 before 11am. If you have left a voicemail, you do not need to send an email. 

Appointments should, wherever possible, be arranged outside of academy hours. If this cannot be avoided and your child needs to leave for an appointment during the school day, please could you provide them with a note. This will need to be shown to their teacher if they need to leave whilst in a lesson and to reception staff when signing out. If they have a note, there is no additional need to contact us to make us aware. 

If you have medical appointment slips or letters that you are happy to share with us, students can hand these in at reception at the time of signing out or a copy can be sent via email: amartin@bestacademies.org.uk 

Term dates are published on our website and may differ from those published by Central Bedfordshire. 

If you need any further information or have any questions in regard to attendance, please contact the Attendance Office on 01462 628041 or via email: amartin@bestacademies.org.uk