New Timetable

While pupils had an extra day’s holiday, staff at Deer Park returned to work after the May break, on Monday 7 June for in-service training. The focus for the day was on our new curriculum and getting everything ready for our ‘new’ school year which began on Tuesday 8 June. Pupils recently told the team of Ofsted Inspectors that ‘the skill and commitment of teachers’ was ‘a major factor in their success’.

Pupils in Year 7, just over a week ago, moved into Year 8 to make space for our new Year 7s who join us on their two induction days on Thursday 15 and Friday 16 July. Similarly those in Year 8 moved into Year 9 and, while there was little change for pupils in Year 10 as they made the smooth transition into Year 11, pupils who were in Year 9, rose to the challenge and stepped up to begin their new courses in the subjects they have chosen in Key Stage 4. The ‘breadth and flexibility’ of our curriculum, was judged ‘to meet the needs of all students extremely effectively’ (Ofsted May 2010).

The atmosphere around the school has been very purposeful and focused.

This term to help our pupils develop their independent study skills and time management we are piloting new termly diaries which are specific to each year group. Starting the new timetable now, rather than in September, ensures our learners remain fully focused and can make good progress across and between each Key Stage. Beginning GCSE courses a term early gives our pupils a head start and those moving into Year 11 are already on course to succeed. Ofsted reported that ‘the impact of recent strategies on students’ achievement and personal development has been excellent’ (May 2010).

This Thursday, 10 June, we will be marking the end of Key Stage 3 for pupils formerly in Year 9, in our annual Celebration of Achievement. We look forward to congratulating over 120 individual pupils on their achievements at Deer Park so far.

Chiquita Henson
Headteacher