Back to School

6 August 2010

We look forward to welcoming all our pupils back on Thursday 2 September at 8.50am after the summer break and to opening our doors to prospective pupils and their parents on Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 September. All pupils will return to a brisk start, as even our new Year 7s followed their new timetables on their induction days. These were introduced in June, and our teachers will immediately be focusing on further building our pupils’ learning power. Their expertise and the challenges they provide our learners with were captured in our Ofsted report; ‘Amongst the strengths observed were secure subject knowledge, excellent questioning skills, a highly productive rapport with students, lively pace and the confident use of appropriate technology.’ Ofsted 2010

Our Open Mornings on Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 September (9.15-11.15am) and our Open Evening on Wednesday 29 September (6.30-8.30pm), provide opportunities for families considering a secondary school to have a look around Deer Park and talk to current pupils and staff about the learning that takes place and life in the school. Visitors frequently remark upon the energy and enthusiasm of our staff, and Peter Limm, our lead inspector, congratulated the pupils on their ‘mature and responsible attitudes’, the ‘excellent contribution they make to the life of the school’ and their ‘exemplary behaviour’.

On each Open Morning, our visitors will be met by our pupils and, after registering, families will be allocated a pupil guide. The school will be functioning as ‘normal’ and tours will last approximately 90 minutes. Visitors will be offered refreshments half way through! Even if you already feel familiar with the school, we would encourage you to come and have another look around!

Our Open Evening provides further opportunity for prospective pupils and their parents to look around the school before submitting their preferences to the Local Authority by 31 October. On this occasion, families will be able to roam freely and will be invited to participate in ‘family learning’ and to take part in a range of challenging practical activities before joining the Headteacher, Chiquita Henson, and her team in the main hall for a short presentation.

We appreciate the importance of making the right choice for your child and staff will be on hand to answer questions and describe our induction programme and the support available as our pupils move through the school.

‘As parents and students make clear, the quality and scope of care, guidance and support are outstanding. Students’ individual needs are very carefully assessed and, when appropriate, they are given extra support through specialist provision.’ Ofsted 2010

In the last three years, every child who has wanted to join the school has been allocated a place at Deer Park!

For more information about admissions to secondary school for September 2011 visit www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/schooladmissions or, if you are unable to make one of our open events, please contact Allison Boucher, our Admissions Secretary, on staboucher@deerparkschool.net who will be able to schedule an alternative tour for you.