March 2015

Dear Parent/Carer

Comic Relief Day – Friday 13th March 2015

To support Comic Relief this year we shall be having a non-uniform day with the theme of ‘Wear something red’, students will be asked to make a £1 contribution for Comic Relief to wear non-uniform on the day. In addition, our Prefects shall be organising a ‘Best Selfie’ competition and Comic Relief quiz for Key Stage 3 students.

Proposal to change the timings of the school day 2015/16

I write to inform you of the proposal to move the start of the school day from 8.20am to 8.25am and change arrangements for break time as outlined in the table below:

Year 7 / Years 8 and 9 / Years 10 and 11
8.25 – 9.25 / Lesson 1 / 8.25 – 9.25 / Lesson 1 / 8.25 – 9.25 / Lesson 1
9.25 – 10.25 / Lesson 2 / 9.25 – 10.25 / Lesson 2 / 9.25 – 10.25 / Lesson 2
10.25 – 10.40 / Break / 10.25 – 10.40 / Break / 10.25 – 10.45 / Tutorial
10.40 – 11.00 / Tutorial / 10.40 – 11.00 / Tutorial / 10.45 – 11.00 / Break
11.00 – 12.00 / Lesson 3 / 11.00 – 12.00 / Lesson 3 / 11.00 – 12.00 / Lesson 3
12.00 – 12.30 / Lesson 4 / 12.00 – 12.30 / Lunch / 12.00 – 1.00 / Lesson 4
12.30 – 1.00 / Lunch / 1.00 – 1.30 / Lesson 4 / 1.00 – 1.30 / Lunch
1.00 – 1.30 / Lesson 4 / 1.30 – 2.30 / Lesson 5 / 1.30 – 2.30 / Lesson 5
1.30 – 2.30 / Lesson 5

By changing the structure of the school day we expect to bring about the following improvements:

  • Beginning with Lesson 1 will provide a clear, sharp learning focus for the start of the day and improve punctuality to school.
  • Tutorial periods can be used much more as periods of learning for students.
  • Providing a split break for KS3 and KS4 students will reduce queuing times, congestion and litter around the school.

We shall be trialling the new arrangements for break for one week during the second half of the summer term.

ParentPay

We are now into our second term of using ParentPay and it has proved to be a successful transition overall. However, please note that from Easter 2015 the ‘overdraft’ limit on student accounts will be reduced from £10 to £5 and discontinued for all Year 11 students.

Car Parking

The school has been working closely with the Barnsley Council (BMBC) to improve sustainable travel to and from Netherwood. As part of this work, BMBC will be conducting parking enforcement on the school driveway over the coming weeks and months to ensure that access is not blocked and to improve traffic flow upon drop off and collection.

We anticipate the arrival of BMBC Parking Services any time from this point on an ad-hoc basis. Please ensure that correct parking bays are utilised and arrivals on site reflect school start and finish times for a swift drop off and collection. Please can I encourage as many of you to use the Pitt Street drop off zone – it is much easier and quicker for your child’s access to and from school.

Please be aware that BMBC Parking Services may ticket cars parked illegally and the school has no control over this matter.

I would welcome your feedback on the proposal to change the timings of the school day via e-mail using the address by Friday 20th March 2015.

Yours faithfully,


Mr T Eastaugh

Principal