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Recent News
MUNA
A group of Yr 10 and 11 pupils from Deer Park recently participated in Model United Nations Alfrink (MUNA), an annual simulation of the United Nations, for the 6th time.
Save South Cerney Outdoor Education Centre
Did you know that South Cerney Outdoor Education Centre is facing closure at the end of this school year?
We understand that the council needs to save money but this invaluable local resource is beneficial to all local people, especially children and young people.
Siddington Bridge Road Closure
SOUTH CERNEY ROAD SIDDINGTON
ROAD CLOSURE
TUESDAY 22nd FEBRUARY to TUESDAY 14th JUNE 2011
ParentPay Launch
We’re pleased to announce that we will shortly be accepting online payments, initially for canteen Smart Card top-ups, but eventually for school trips and music tuition. Using a secure website called ParentPay you will be able to pay online using your credit or debit card. ParentPay is easy to use and will offer you the freedom to make online payments whenever and wherever you like, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - safe in the knowledge that the technology used is the highest internet security available and that funds will reach school safely.
Feedback & Consultation
On Tuesday 25 January, Chair of Governors, Philip Beckerlegge, welcomed over 50 parents to our Feedback and Consultation Evening. Deputy Headteachers Chris Francis and Tim Connole opened the discussions and reported back on the outcomes of our recent Kirkland Rowell survey, the outcomes of which are helpfully compared to those of other schools that participate in the surveys.
Parents, pupils and staff perceptions of the school are generally very positive. There was an excellent response rate with returns received from 443 parents, 949 pupils and 101 members of staff. Our overall performance and the quality of our provision and care, guidance and support were identified as definite strengths by parents and there was a strong consensus about the school’s capacity for improvement. The data from the Kirkland Rowell surveys is very detailed and will form an important part of our rigorous and on-going self-evaluation and will consequently be used to inform the key priorities in our strategic plan.
Y9 Key Stage 4 Options
Pupils in Year 9 will be entering one of the most important phases of their education so far over the next few weeks. Most will already have been thinking about which subjects they would like to study in Key Stage 4.
On Thursday 27th January our Key Stage 4 Curriculum Evening takes place. During the evening there will be a presentation on the options process and the chance to talk to subject teachers about the courses they are offering, as well as to representatives from Cirencester College and the Connexions service. Over the following two weeks there will be presentations in lessons and taster sessions for subjects not taught in Key Stage 3. Following the Year 9 Parents’ Evening on Thursday 10th February options forms will be given out, to be returned by Tuesday 17 February.
Accelerate Your Learning
As a school we are taking part in the CQS (Classroom Quality Standards) to ensure that we are providing opportunities for pupils in our lessons to be challenged and to access higher level thinking. potential + opportunities/support + personal drive = high achievement. Teachers often use probing and Socratic questioning to encourage pupils to think more deeply.
Academy Status Parents Meeting - 25 January
As you are aware in November 2010 we invited you to respond to our detailed questionnaire and to take part in our consultation, following the opportunity, offered to all ‘outstanding’ schools, to become an Academy. I advise you that we have now taken the decision to ‘proceed towards conversion’ and, to give you an opportunity to find out more about what this means, I invite you to a special Parents’ Consultation and Feedback Meeting on Tuesday 25 January 2011 at 7.00pm in the Main Hall. At this meeting we will summarise the key issues arising from the questionnaire and our response and share our strategic objectives and outline how we feel the move to Academy Status will benefit the School and our pupils’ learning. You will have the opportunity to talk to senior members of staff, meet members of the governing body and ask any questions you may have.
Teacher Taster Day
Teacher Taster Day,Monday 14th February 2011, at Cirencester Deer Park School. Are you interested in teaching and educated to degree level? How can I train? Where can I train? What qualifications do I need? What funding is available? Is teacher training difficult? Am I the right kind of person to be a teacher? Do I want to teach in a secondary school? Join us at our Teacher Taster Day on Monday 14th February 2011 to find out more about teaching as a career. There will be an opportunity to meet pupils, teachers, trainee teachers and teacher trainers, to observe lessons and get the answers to your questions. To register your interest contact Heather Gill on 01285 653447 or email sthgill@deerparkschool.net and receive further details about the Teacher Taster Day.
Performance Cricket
Congratulations to the players who have been selected to join the Deer Park Performance Cricket Programme being run in school in readiness for the 2011 season. The 10 week programme will refine the players’ technique and increase their skill level to a new level. By selecting the best young talent in the school it is intended the programme will enhance experience and push them forward to achieve even more for the school, their club and possibly break into the District youth squads.
