Letter to New Year 7 Parents and Carers

Dear New Year 7 Parents and Carers,

Our Step Up to Secondary days took place last week and I am really pleased to say they were a huge success. The Year 6 students were fantastic and we are eagerly awaiting them joining us in August. We managed to interview 150 students about their experience and they were overwhelmingly positive.

  • 100% of students questioned are looking forward to attending next year as a result of the Step Up to Secondary Days
  • 100% of students feel they understand how the college works as a result of the days
  • Students found a mixture of things exciting from Science lessons, to assemblies and making new friends.

The feedback was lovely to hear and means that when they return in August, they will be excited about what lies ahead. Your support in the process has also been very much appreciated and we value your attendance both at the evening in May and again last week.

I was recently appointed as Principal of the college and I see the role as a huge privilege. Students at CLCC have great potential and I am looking forward to ensuring that during the time your child spends with us, they are able to maximise their potential in all areas of college life.

As this academic year draws to a close and planning is well underway for next term, I would like to share with you our priorities, expectations and plans for the coming year so you are familiar with them.

Our Year 11 and 13 students have now completed their GCSE and A Level exams and can enjoy a long summer holiday whilst awaiting results.  The commitment and dedication shown by students in the run up to the exams was great to see and our newly introduced Exam Preparation Programme helped to thoroughly prepare them for the exam period.  This is something that we will be again building on next year and have already started to plan our programme of support.

In all year groups, students have thrown themselves into the House System and have taken part in competitions and charity events. We will continue to develop our House system next year and will be encouraging students to take part in as many events as possible and apply for leadership positions within their house.

We are really excited about the start of next year when we will continue to build on the good that has already been started. 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:-

  1. Developing the character of all our students
  2. Putting in place strategies to support our students becoming independent and resilient learners

I will write to you at the start of the Autumn Term with more information about how you can help to support your child and the college in developing these skills. In the meantime, please familiarise yourself with our college expectations which are detailed in the Parent Handbook. For ease of reference I have highlighted some of the most important points below.

Important information for the start of the academic year 2019-2020

All relevant information about the College is detailed in the Parent Handbook which can be found https://www.clcc.college/parents/parent-handbook/

At the start of each year I would encourage you to read it so you can remind yourself of key information about the college. Below are some of the sections which I would like to highlightto you.

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 college on time. College starts at 08.30. The main gate closes at 08.25. All students should arrive at college before this time.

Attendance at college 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. 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 college logo on. This information is also available on our website.

Can I please reiterate that facial piercings or clear retainers for piercings are NOT allowed.

Also, all students are required to wear their college lanyard and ID card at all times

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 College 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 college site.

Smart watches are NOT allowed to be worn in College.

I would strongly advise that students do not even bring mobile devices and electrical equipment into College. 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.  Our recently updated Behaviour Policy can be found on our website.

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 Homework

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:-

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 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 college

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 College, 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 college is polite and courteous. Please see the Parent Handbook for further details on contacting the college.

The commitment you have made in choosing to send your child to this College 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.

Return to College dates

All year groups will return to College on Tuesday 27thAugust 2019

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 college.  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 college. Most of these take place on a Tuesday and Thursday when we run a late bus which leave college 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 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 sessions for parents to find out more about how you can support your child in all aspects of their college 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 dates are listed below and there will be more details will follow at the start of the year:-

  • 5th September 2019, Year 7 Tutor Meetings (4pm-6pm) and Power to Perform Presentations with Mr Thurston (Vice Principal)
  • 12thMarch Year 7 Subject Parents’ Evening

I would also like to remind you of our College Website.  This is available to view at www.clcc.college

There is a great deal of information available about the college and the courses we offer.

Finally, data collection and permission forms will be sent out in August. Please return completed forms to tutors on 27/08/2019.

Thank you in anticipation of your support and we look forward to a successful year next year. May I take this opportunity to wish both parents and students a most enjoyable summer; we look forward to working with you all next term.

Yours sincerely

Mrs C Aitcheson

Principal

This page was last updated: 11th July 2019