I am delighted to introduce myself as the new Deputy Headteacher at Welling School. I am leading Key Stage 4 and as a result working very closely with Year 11. As you will now, Year 11 is a pivotal time for your son/daughter and we want to keep you updated with the support and opportunities to ensure they are successful.

The week commencing Monday 28 September, students will take part in classroom based assessments that will allow their teachers to assess elements of their home learning alongside the content delivered so far this term. We will not be providing students with a GCSE grade but instead a raw score.

The week commencing Monday 9th November, students will complete their first mock exams. The exams will be staggered over a three week period and a GCSE grade will be reported once the mock papers have been through a rigorous moderation process. This is to ensure the process is robust, fair and accurate. Securing a strong evidence base of progress and attainment will be essential in case the school is asked to enter Centre Assessment Grades in the Summer.

After school intervention will commence once the in class assessments have been finalised. Through our Academic Tutorial Programme teachers will be working with small groups of students to build their confidence, close gaps in learning and consolidate new learning. Intervention will be focused and there will be an expectation for students to attend the right tutorial at the right time. Students invited to tutorials will be set a piece of work to complete before attending. This is to ensure that the impact of the session can be maximised.

When the government funded National Tutoring Programme begins we will be accessing opportunities for external tuition to support key groups of students in English, Maths and Science. When I have more details about this programme I will update you further.

You will be aware that home learning is of paramount importance if your son/daughter is potentially self isolating or if we do have to partially close the school. Your son/daughter must join their Google Classroom for every subject. Classwork and homework will be set using Google Classroom, so even if your son/daughter is absent with a non Covid related illness they can still access work from home.
We are partners with GCSEpod and all students have a login for this online resource which uses videos to support learning.

We will be working closely with PixL this year and as a result there will be additional resources available to Year 11 students to support core subjects.

On Monday 28 September we have an Inset Day. Teachers will be using Google Classroom to upload work to be completed on Monday. Students have used tutor time this week to make sure they can log into their Google Classrooms. If students are at home because they need to self isolate, and are well enough, they will be able to access their school work in this way.

As you are aware, students have been attending school in PE kit on the days they have core PE. Students must ensure they are wearing the following to enable this to continue:

 

•  Red Welling PE t-shirt (this is a change from the original letter sent home).
•  Black tracksuit bottoms or shorts (if girls wish to wear leggings for PE they should wear these under tracksuit bottoms).
•  School blazer.

These updated expectations will be reinforced in school and are a condition of Year 11 continuing with practical PE lessons. If you child has any issues with their PE kit please write a note in their planner.

The Year 11 team can be contacted via the email addresses below:

• Mr Collins (Head of Year) rory.collins@wellingschool-tkat.org
• Ms Borley (Care and Guidance) lesley.borley@wellingschool-tkat.org and
• Mr Sanghera (Year 11 SLT Link) jasminder.sanghera@wellingschool-tkat.org
• Miss Joanne Sangster (Deputy Headteacher) joanne.sangster@wellingschool-tkat.org

Please do not hesitate to contact one of us if you require further information about any of the above. We look forward to working with your son/daughter and home during their time in Year 11.
Yours faithfully,

Joanne Sangster

DEPUTY HEADTEACHER: KEY STAGE 4