Dear parents/carers,
I wanted to write to you before the end of the academic year to update you on a number of areas. The last few months have presented us with the most unusual set of circumstances we are ever likely to encounter.
I hope the information that follows will help with preparations for next year and provide you with an overview of our plans. Given the speed at which things continue to change, we will confirm our exact plans to you on or around the 13th August. I appreciate this is frustrating, but we continue to be guided by government advice, particularly in light of the current local lockdown in Leicester.
Start of the Autumn Term
We are planning to welcome all students into school at the start of term. It is our intention to stagger the start by Year Group so we can ensure students have time to adapt to new processes and systems that will be in place.
We will confirm exact details nearer to the time, but we hope to welcome our students back in the following way.
| Monday 24th and Tuesday 25th August 2020 | Staff Training Days |
| Wednesday 26th August | School for Years 7 & 12 |
| Thursday 27th August | School for Years 7, 11, 12 & 13 |
| Friday 28th August | School for Years 7, 10, 11, 12 & 13 |
| Monday 31st August | Bank Holiday |
| Tuesday 1st September | School for all Year Groups |
Year groups who are not returning on Wednesday 26th August will be set work remotely on a daily basis until their return to school begins.
Please be assured that as soon as our detailed plans are confirmed we will share them with you. We want to be able to provide, as far as we can, a full curriculum experience for our students but this has to be balanced with the need to ensure our whole school community is safe.
To ensure the safety of staff and students, we are working on plans which will include: -
- Year group bubbles
- The use of multiple entry and exit points for students
- A one way system around the school
- Limited movement around the school
- Classrooms set up with all desks front facing
- Staggered break and lunch
- Zoning of dining spaces by year group
- Zoning of students social space by year group
- Staggered release from lessons
- A focus on hand hygiene
- Increased cleaning routines
Timings of the school day
From the start of the Autumn Term the timings of the school day will be:
| Years 7,8 and 10 | Years 9,11, 12&13 | ||
| Registration /Assembly | 08.45 | Registration/Assembly | 08.45 |
| P1 | 09.00 | P1 | 09.00 |
| P2 | 10.00 | Break | 10.00 |
| Break | 11.00 | P2 | 10.25 |
| P3 | 11.25 | P3 | 11.25 |
| P4 | 12.25 | Lunch | 12.25 |
| Lunch | 13.25 | P4 | 13.00 |
| P5 | 14.00 | P5 | 14.00 |
| End of day | 15.00 | End of day | 15.00 |
There may need to be slight changes to some of these timings for the first half term to adapt to the current situation.
A reminder that we will also be changing the name of the school from CLCC to Countesthorpe Academy. We have no plans to change our uniform. There will be a new logo for the school but we would only expect to see this on new items of uniform bought once the new logo is in place. Any uniform being bought for the start of term will continue to have the CLCC logo on.
Pastoral Structure
From the start of next term, pastoral care will be structured in Year Groups led by Year Team Leaders. We also have Heads of Year for each year group who provide vital pastoral support to students.
Year Team Leaders have specific responsibility for a year group. The Head of Year provides pastoral support for each year group. Mr N Williams (Head of Key Stage 3) will oversee Years 7,8 & 9 and Mrs Hunt (Head of Key Stage 4) will oversee Years 10 and 11.
| Year Group | Year Team Leader | Pastoral Head of Year |
| 7 | Mrs S Richardson | Mrs C Barker/Mrs B Wakefield |
| 8 | Mr J Hayes | Mrs J Salmon |
| 9 | Mr Z Fox | Ms A Howell |
| 10 | Mr M Page | Ms G Burley |
| 11 | Mrs A Rashleigh | Mrs McDonald-Brown |
| Sixth Form | Mrs A Howe | Mrs McDonald-Brown |
All our students also belong to a House and all our competitions and events that take place will be run through Houses.
We are committed to achieving excellence in all that we do. This requires dedication, determination, hard work and a relentless approach towards achieving the very highest standards. We have a team of staff who all want the very best for the students. With your support we will continue to improve.
As we move into next year we will be focussing on developing students through our core values of:-
Respect Resilience Success
I would ask that you please familiarise yourself with our school expectations which are detailed in the Parent Handbook. For ease of reference I have highlighted some of the most important points below.
Expectations relating to attendance and punctuality
We want all students to maximise the time they are with us, so it is vital your child arrives at school on time. School starts at 08.45. All students should arrive at school at least 5 minutes before this time.
Attendance at school is essential. We appreciate that children are unwell from time to time and that there can be exceptional circumstances for absences. Please think carefully about keeping your child out of school. Research shows that pupils who achieve the best results are also those children who have the highest school attendance. As a minimum all children should aim for 100% attendance.
Expectations relating to Uniform
Uniform requirements for next year have already been sent out. I would ask again that you read these carefully, so you are fully aware of what is expected for the next academic year. Whilst there are no significant changes to our uniform for next year, I would like to highlight the type of skirt that students must wear. Students who opt to wear a skirt must ensure it is a plain grey knee length box pleated skirt with the school logo on. This information is also available on our website.
I would also like to remind you that students should wear plain black shoes or trainers. Trainers should not have any other colour on them. Equally hoodies are not allowed to be worn. Students should ensure that they have a coat that is suitable for school.
Can I please reiterate that facial piercings or clear retainers for piercings are NOT allowed.
All students are required to wear their school lanyard and ID card at all times. Current students should return to School wearing their lanyard and ID Card.
We will continue to reinforce our uniform requirements as part of our core expectations of students. Your support in ensuring your child adheres to our uniform requirements is appreciated. If your child does not arrive at School in the correct uniform they can expect to be sent home.
Expectations in relation to mobile phones, earphones and smart watches
Mobile phones and earphones are NOT allowed to be seen anywhere on the school site.
Smart watches are NOT allowed to be worn in School.
I would strongly advise that students do not even bring mobile devices and electrical equipment into School. We will not accept any responsibility for loss or damage to personal belongings.
Expectations relating to Behaviour
At CLCC we want to ensure students achieve their potential and take advantage of every opportunity that is on offer. We want all our students to ensure they are in the ‘right place at the right time doing the right thing’ and that they conduct themselves in an appropriate way which we are referring to as having a ‘mind to be kind’. Our aim is to reward all students who do the right thing in the form of merits and invitations to reward events. We will encourage our students to make the right choices, so they are able to stay in lessons and learn. Our recently updated Behaviour Policy can be found on our website.
Some adjustments to our behaviour policy are required as a result of the way we have to work due to COVID 19. It is even more important that young people do as they are asked for the health and safety of other students as well as staff and anyone who fails to do so will have to be collected from site by a parent/carer. For further details relating to this there will be an updated COVID19 addendum to the Behaviour Policy. As a school we pride ourselves on the range of rewards available to students who do the right thing. There are of course detentions for those who do not meet our expectations and attendance at detention is compulsory.
Please discuss our expectations with your child at home and help us to reinforce our key values of Respect, Resilience and Success.
Expectations in relation to Learning at home
Completing work at home is essential to support the learning that takes place in class and also helps to develop good study habits. Students can expect to receive the following in relation to homework and home learning:-
Year 7 up to 20 minutes per subject per week or fortnight
Year 8 up to 20 minutes per subject per week or fortnight
Year 9 up to 30 minutes per subject per week or fortnight
Year 10 up to 40 minutes per subject per week
Year 11 up to 40-60 minutes per subject per week
Year 12 7 hours per subject per week
Year 13 7 hours per subject per week
We use Show My Homework (now called satchel:one) to set homework. Parents have their own login and can view what has been set. We expect students to complete homework and to hand it in on the date set by the teacher.
Contacting the school
All staff are happy to speak to parents about any concerns or questions you may have. Can I please remind you that when you contact the School, staff will endeavor to get back to you within 2 working days. Teachers are in the classroom for the biggest part of the day delivering lessons with no access or ability to be able to return calls or respond to emails. Please be patient and ensure that contact with the school is polite and courteous. Please see the Parent Handbook for further details on contacting the school.
The commitment you have made in choosing to send your child to this school means that you support our expectations. By working together and ensuring students get a consistent message about these expectations, we can ensure that students reach their potential.
Checking on Progress
Can I please encourage you to use the MyEd App to track your child’s progress. We will be running a session for parents on the use of this app should you feel you need some help on how to use it. Details on times and dates will follow at the start of the academic year.
Lunchtime Arrangements
The lunch break is 35 minutes duration and students are not allowed off site at lunchtime. Students are not allowed off site to go to the shops or wander the streets.
We operate a cashless catering system. Parents can top up students accounts using ParentPay. This system also allows you to see what your child has eaten. Any parent who does not have a username and password should contact the school. You can also use ParentPay to top up accounts for printing, trips, revision guides, calculators etc.
End of Day Arrangements and After School Activities
Lessons will finish at 3pm. There are a range of extra curricular activities and support sessions that run after school. Most of these take place on a Tuesday and Wednesday when we run a late bus which leave school at 4.15pm.
Printer Credits
Parents and students can purchase additional printer credits using ParentPay.
Site Security
All students will be required to wear the school lanyard and ID card at all times. The first one will be provided free of charge. Lost lanyards will cost £3.50 to replace. The ID card will allow students to book out resources in the library, allow them to use the photo copiers and pay for school meals.
Power to Perform
It is important we get the year off to the right start and as such we have a number of sessions for parents to find out more about how you can support your child in all aspects of their school life. We want you to be as involved as you can in making a difference to your child’s progress. I would strongly urge you all to attend these.
The first session will take place virtually on Wednesday 9th September at 6pm for Years 10&11 and 7pm for Years 12&13. You will receive further details about this at the start of the academic year.
I would also like to remind you of our School Website. This is available to view at www.clcc.college There is a great deal of information available about the school and the courses we offer.
School Transport
Information about transport to school can be found on www.confidencebus.co.uk or by contacting 0116 2762171.
Thank you for all your support during this year and especially over the last few months. The many messages of thanks we have received have been very much appreciated and we look forward to a successful year next year. Whilst we don’t yet know exactly what the start of the year will look like we are excited and privileged to be welcoming your child back into school.
I would like to wish you all an enjoyable and restful summer and I look forward to writing to you again in mid-August with the detailed plans for the start of term.
Yours sincerely
Mrs C. Aitcheson
Principal