Dear Parents and Carers
HALF TERM UPDATE
I thought you would appreciate feedback on some of our findings during the first half of this term.
The year started well with many of the students attending lessons, following the expected programme and living up to the expectations in place. However, one difficult area has been the use of mobile phones.
Mobile Phones
I understand why children like to have a mobile phone and I also understand why parents want them to have a mobile phone. In a school, however, it is a ‘double-edged sword.’
There are times when students use mobile phones in school (which they do not need to as we have alternative equipment) but there are some students who do not have a phone in school and others that have a basic phone to text and call parents if required. Phones, therefore, are becoming a status symbol which frustrates some children. It would be helpful if mobile phones were the basic type of phone for several reasons.
Some students refuse to put their phone away when asked and some contact and are contacted by others (including parents) during lessons.
Some students have made videos and taken photographs of staff and students without permission which causes concern. To take a photograph without permission goes against human rights, data protection laws, Safeguarding and Child Protection. We also need to remember that some of our students are vulnerable because of their family situation and that images streamed on Facebook, Instagram or posted on other social media sites could cause distress and harm to that student as well as members of staff.
For this reason, on our return on 31 October 2016, we would prefer all children with a phone to be provided with a basic pay as you go phone for calls and text. Such a phone, used only for school, would safeguard children from inappropriate photographs and videos. It also means no photographs can be placed on Instagram, Facebook or other social media sites. If you feel you child could cope without a phone, please do not let them bring one to school. Any child who wishes to phone home can use the school’s landline.
Should you wish to contact your child, please only do so at break times (10:40-11:10 and 12:30-13:00. If your child contacts you outside these times (10:40-11:10 and 12:30-13:00) please let them leave a message do not respond directly. Please contact the school so that we can resolve the issue together.
If students do not put phones away on request they will be placed on a phone ban, a strategy we already have in place.
Please note that the school will not take responsibility for any lost or damaged phones from this point onwards. Phones are brought in on parental advice and student responsibility.
Teacher Observations
It is that time again where we observe lessons. This year we decided to invite a Schools’ Partnership Adviser, the head of another school and a National Leader of Education to come and observe our staff teaching your children. They confirmed to us what we already knew – that our teaching is GOOD and, to make it outstanding, we need to work on:
  • More focused summaries of what has been learnt in the lesson;
  • More challenge within the lesson to engage the children in more thinking and learning.
  • More specific marking. Our marking is sound and accurate but we need to explain how the children can get a higher grade – linked to GCSE.
This will be an emphasis over the next half term.
Just a reminder that Year 11 students can attend GCSE enhancement lessons after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week from now until their exams. They just need to tell their teacher that they are staying behind to do the work. All children need to gain a ‘C’ grade (the new GCSE 4 grade) in Maths and English and, if they do not do it now, they will have to attend extra lessons in college. Enhancement lessons include all subjects.
Advance Warning of Training Dates
Please make note that, after Christmas, we will be starting back at school on Tuesday 3January 2017. The inset training day has been moved to 30 January 2017 to bring us in line with all other schools in Brighton and Hove.
Yours faithfully

MARK HELSTRIP
Interim Headteacher, Homewood College
21 October 2016

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