RE: Spring Term Update

It has been great to have all students back in school and whilst I know many students would rather not be  wearing a facemask all day, their understanding and compliance makes it much easier for staff to focus on  their primary purpose. We are clear that our primary purpose is to ensure that all students are able to learn  and in the process catch up on lost learning. We are also clear that all students need to feel safe and  supported at all times. Whilst we should recognise the challenges that young people have faced throughout  the pandemic we cannot allow these circumstances to dictate how we want our school to run or use them  as an excuse to lower standards. Throughout the Autumn Term we worked hard to ensure students  re-engaged with their learning. We are pleased that the majority of students are working with their teachers  to better themselves and ultimately build successful futures.

However, there is a minority of students who continue to struggle, even with additional support provided.  We cannot allow the current situation to continue, both for these individuals and also for the wider school  community. Therefore, we have recruited three additional members of staff who make up our newly  formed Behaviour and Engagement Team. Working directly with Mr Hemsley, Deputy Headteacher, they  have a remit to ensure standards of behaviour across the school remain high and they will monitor and  support individual students who need to re-engage with their learning. The important work of this team  will benefit all students and I encourage parent/carers to work with the school if you are contacted by a  member of this team. In assemblies next week the Behaviour and Engagement Team will be introduced to  each year group along with some key expectations. Mr Hemsley will send out a further letter about this.

Adjustments to the Senior Leadership Team

We have made some adjustments to the Senior Team with the retirement of Ms Major as Deputy  Headteacher. Moving forward we have two Deputy Headteachers. Mr Hemsley is responsible for all  student matters and Ms Sangster is responsible for all staffing matters. Mr Sanghera, Assistant  Headteacher, has assumed responsibility for KS5, alongside KS4. Mr Roberts, Raising Standards Lead and I  are now leading on preparing Year 11s and Year 13s for their exams in the summer. Year 11 parent/carers  have received an update regarding the Pre Public Exams (PPEs) that start today and Year 13 parent/carers  will receive communication about their PPEs which start at the end of January.

New Staff to Welling School

In January the following staff joined Welling School:

David Mansell - Head of Department, Performing Arts

Ras Nagra – Teacher of Maths

Fitzroy McKie – Teacher of Music

Victoria Oluwafemi – Teacher of Science

Richard Gibbons – Behaviour and Engagement Intervention Officer

Dudley Murdock – Behaviour and Engagement Intervention Officer

Philip Ringshall - Academic Tutor