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It has been another busy and positive week across the school, with much to celebrate.

Our Art exams have taken place this week, and I would like to commend all the students involved. They approached the exams with focus, creativity and maturity, and represented the school brilliantly.

On Monday, we held an exam stress workshop which was very well attended. We hope that those who took part found it helpful and are able to use the strategies shared as we move further into the exam period.

We are currently in the process of organising a programme of exam preparation sessions for each subject ahead of the upcoming examinations. These sessions are designed to support students in their final stages of revision, providing valuable guidance, clarification and practice opportunities. Details of these sessions will be added to Year 11 student timetables shortly, and we strongly encourage all students to attend wherever possible.

In addition, for those students sitting 9.00 am exams, we will be offering breakfast on the morning of the exam. This is to help ensure students are well-prepared and settled before they begin, and we hope it provides a positive and supportive start to the day.

Tuesday saw our HPV and teenage booster vaccination programme take place. Thank you to all parents and carers for your support in ensuring consent forms were completed promptly. This really helps the process run smoothly.

On Thursday, we were delighted to attend The Bay for a careers-based Construction Roadshow for girls. It was a fantastic opportunity to inspire  the students that attended.  Thank you to Mrs Perry for organising such a valuable event.

Also on Thursday, we welcomed a large number of parents and carers to our Year 7 Parents’ Evening. It was a great success, and we appreciate everyone who attended and engaged so positively with staff.

Looking ahead, the Year 8 Parents’ Evening will take place on Thursday 7 May. Appointments can now be booked via the Arbor App. If you experience any issues, please contact reception and the team will be happy to help.

Thank you to all parents and carers who took the time to complete our recent survey. I will write to you with the outcomes. 

Finally, we have been delighted to welcome our new Head of Year 10 – Ellen Suddell and also Debbie Murray into a new post I created, to support student engagement and positive behaviour in lessons and around the school. I’d like to thank you for bearing with us as we recruit on-board members of staff, which I know is a long process, and a challenge for all of us as we manage the time in-between.

Natalie Sheppard
Headteacher

Transferring to Secondary School – New Year 7’s from September

The deadline for transport applications to be submitted for students transferring to Secondary School is 1^st May 2026. To make an application please visit our website https://www.iow.gov.uk/article/2418/Apply-for-home-to-school-transport.

Transport for eligible children, whose applications were received on time in line with the dates above, will be allocated to transport by the end of August, and Parents/Carers will be notified about those arrangements via email. For a small number of cases who may require complex transport arrangements, these may not be able to start in September and parents/carers will be notified if this is the case.

Applications received after the deadline will be treated as ‘late applications’ and can only be reviewed after all on-time applications have been processed. For the families of eligible children who apply late, this means that transport may not be in place for the start of the school term in September and may not be available for the first school term. During this time transport arrangements including costs will be parents responsibility.

Students already receiving transport (excluding Post 16 students)

Students from Year 7 -11 who already receive school transport do not need to do anything unless their circumstances have changed, or if transport has been specifically agreed for a set period of time. For example, if you have moved home or school, you will need to reapply for transport by the relevant deadline. If your child is in year 11, their eligibility for free transport will cease at the end of the current academic year and you will need to explore alternative transport arrangements for your child’s post-16 education or training, even if your child will continue to attend the same setting.

On the first day of term, students who are travelling on a contracted bus service will be able to travel without a valid ticket providing they are in school uniform. Bus passes will be sent to the school to be distributed to students on their first day.

Post 16 Students with an EHCP

Post 16 learners are required to apply for transport each academic year and each academic year the local authority is required to consult on the arrangements for the next school year. The policy for the 2026/2027 academic year is now available online and any application received will be processed in line with this policy.

The application deadline is 1^st May and applications can be completed online at https://www.iow.gov.uk/article/2419/Travel-assistance-for-post-16-students

Transport for eligible learners, whose applications were received on time in line with the dates above, will be allocated to transport by the end of August, and Parent/Carers/Learners will be notified about those arrangements via email. For a small number of cases who may require complex transport arrangements, these may not be able to start in September and parents/carers will be notified if this is the case.

Applications received after the deadline will be treated as ‘late applications’ and can only be reviewed after all on-time applications have been processed. For the families of eligible learners who apply late, this means that transport may not be in place for the start of the school term in September and may not be available for the first school term. During this time transport arrangements including costs will be parents responsibility.

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