14th October 2016

On Thursday we hosted our first PSHE collapsed day which involved all year groups receiving a wide range of guidance from bullying, career opportunities, to how to survive when leaving home!  There was a great deal of buzz and positive feedback from the students whom I encountered.  Taking time to learn valuable life skills is such an integral part of our curriculum and learning at the school.  I am indebted to the staff and the many external visitors that contributed to the very successful day.

It may appear a long time away, but with only 25 week until the first public examinations we are starting to provide increased opportunities for our Year 11 and 13 students to begin considering their next phase of education or working life. Year 13 students are already drafting their UCAS and apprenticeship applications, with four students taking pre entrance tests for Cambridge University. 

A group of Year 11 students attended a Construction Skills & Careers Event at Stamford College last Thursday. The students were tasting a range of specialist vocational courses linked to what they hope to pursue in September and beyond. 

Next week, there will be Year 11 House based assemblies during tutor time which will have a focus on Post 16 Opportunities, both within our Post 16 Centre and elsewhere.  Your son/daughter will be introduced to the draft Post 16 curriculum and have the process of applying to sixth form centres/colleges explained to them by Mr Walls, Raising Standards Leader for Post 16.

Following feedback from the last Parents’ Forum I have decided to introduce an additional Year 11 subject evening next half term.  The evening will take place on Tuesday 6 December from 4 -7pm.

There will be a Tutor Consultation afternoon on Wednesday 7 December 3.30 -5pm just for the parents of Year 7 students.

Finally, I have received a number of comments from members of the public voicing their concerns over the safety of our students when cycling or walking down Church Street, Foxcovert Road and Hall Lane.  I would be grateful if you could check with your son/daughter that they understand the risks of walking in front of cars and riding their bikes on the wrong side of the road.  We do not want an accident to happen and unfortunately it will if they do not heed our joint advice.

Best wishes

Bryan Erwin
Acting Principal

Years 7-9 Interhouse Sportshall Athletics 19 October

On Wednesday 19 October KS3 will be participating in interhouse sportshall athletics

Unit 1-2 will be all Year 7s

Unit 3-4 will be all Year 8s

Unit 5-6 will be all Year 9s

All students in Year 7,8 and 9  - regardless of whether they have PE or not that Wednesday  - need to bring their indoor kit to participate in running, throwing and jumping.

Can anyone stop Success from winning again?

Mr Hughes
Head of Faculty: PE

The Law students have been invited to enter the Mooting competition which will give them a chance to present a mock case in the Crown Courts. If the Magistrates who try the case are sufficiently impressed with the students advocacy skills they could go on to represent the school in Regional and National Finals. This takes place from March next year and I am hoping to develop a mooting team to represent the school.

The students behaved impeccably and were a credit to the school.

Allison Mayfield
Teacher of Social Studies

Next week sees a series of Year 11 House based assemblies that will be focused what is on offer next year at Ken Stimpson and how to research all opportunities available.

This is the start of an important time and provides a very real goal for students to focus upon. I would particularly like to draw attention to the Post 16 Opportunities evening on Wednesday 23 November. This is a vital evening for students and parents to meet with teachers to discuss the courses available at Ken Stimpson as well as the suitability of the student to the course.

There will also be representatives from New College Stamford, Wildcats Academy and Peterborough Regional College to offer advice for students thinking beyond Ken Stimpson. The deadline for applications to us is Friday 10 February so it is important to start this process now and ensure all students are focused on the correct courses for them. If there are any questions about this process please do not hesitate to contact me at school.

• Week Beginning Monday 17 October - House Based Assemblies for Post 16 introduction, View DRAFT Curriculum
• Wednesday 23 November – Post 16 Opportunities Evening, 6pm-8pm
• Week Beginning Monday 5 December  – Pre Public Exams
• Monday 5 December – Year 11 PPE week
• Tuesday 6 December – Year 11 Parents Evening
• Friday 6 January – Post 16 taster day
• Week Beginning Monday 9 January – individual interviews with senior members of staff
• Wednesday 8 February – Second Year 11 subject evening
• Friday 10 February – Application Deadline
• Friday 17 February – offers made to students
• Wednesday 3 May – Careers Fair
• Thursday 25 and Friday 26 June- Induction days
• Thursday 29 June & Friday 30 June – Post 16 Induction
• Thursday 24 August – GCSE Results Day, confirm choices.

Mr Walls
Raising Standards Leader Post 16

I am a very inquisitive person and always asked questions at school. I loved Geography at school. Finding out about different places and the people who live there. Not to mention finding out about volcanoes and glaciers. I liked school and all the subjects I did, except French. I was generally good at school and became Head Girl. I have visited many places and still have a long list of places to visit. My favourite places I have visited are Australia and the Maldives.