GCSE and Progression Exams – Rising to the Challenge

This term saw students sit their first full GCSE exam in Religious Education alongside their Progression Exams in all other subjects. The pressure was high, and rightly so, but our Year 10s approached these with focus, dedication, and a genuine desire to do well.

From the moment revision plans were introduced to the last paper handed in, their attitude was exemplary. Students used their time wisely, asked thoughtful questions, attended revision sessions, and supported each other through the more demanding moments. They truly saw this as an opportunity to demonstrate what they know and what they’ve learned, and this mindset is exactly what will carry them through the year ahead.

Staff across the school have commented on how mature and reflective our students were. These exams have given teachers invaluable insight into each student’s strengths and any gaps in understanding, which we will now use to guide targeted interventions and support in Year 11. This means your child’s journey is already tailored to maximise their progress, and their potential.

Year 10 GCSE Results Day

A reminder GCSE Results day for Year 10 is on Thursday 21 August.

Students are welcome to collect their results in person, they can do this at 9.30am from school. Results can only be collected by the student themselves.  Any results not collected we will posted home that day.

Sports Day – A Final Lap to Remember

This term marked Year 10's final Sports Day and it could not have been a better way to celebrate their school spirit. The atmosphere on the day was electric, a perfect mix of competition, encouragement, and pride. Students gave it their all, whether sprinting on the track, battling it out in team events, tug-of-war battles or cheering loudly from the sidelines their attitude was nothing short of inspiring

What struck me most was the level of participation. Every student found a way to get involved, showing that Sports Day isn’t just about winning races,  it’s about teamwork, determination, and celebrating the strengths of others.  It was a brilliant way to round off their sporting journey and one they will remember, especially with the rain!

  

Celebration Evening – Honouring Excellence

Our Celebration Evening this term was a phenomenal success. It was so heartening to see a packed hall filled with proud students, families and staff, all coming together to recognise and reward the hard work, progress and outstanding attitudes of our students.

So many of our Year 10s were recognised for demonstrating our school’s CORE Values – Commitment, Opportunity, Respect and Excellence, across a wide range of subjects and contexts. Awards were given not only for outstanding contribution and academic excellence, but also for resilience, contribution to school life, and consistent effort.

Listening to teachers describe their admiration for the students they were awarding, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride. These aren’t just students who achieve well, they are kind, hardworking, respectful young people who contribute positively to our school community.

Summer Music Concert and Drama Production

This term has seen a wonderful Summer Music Concert and our Drama production of A Midsummer's Night Dream. Huge congratulations to all the students that took part and it was lovely to see so many Year 10 students involved in both events.

Work Experience – Real-World Preparation

This term, Year 10 took a big step into the world of work. Work Experience Week gave students a chance to explore different industries, develop their communication skills, and experience life beyond the classroom.

They took on placements in a broad range of settings, including solicitors' offices, primary schools, cafes, retail, charities, sports centres, and even corporate businesses. The feedback we received from employers was overwhelmingly positive. Many remarked on how impressed they were with our students’ punctuality, attitude, and willingness to learn.

It’s clear that our students gained far more than just work experience, they came back with boosted confidence, a clearer sense of future pathways, and in many cases, inspiration for what they want to pursue post-16.

DofE Silver – They Smashed It Despite the HOT, HOT SUN!

A huge congratulations to our Year 10 students who completed their Duke of Edinburgh Silver expedition last weekend. Despite walking in challenging conditions under the hot summer sun, every single participant showed remarkable resilience, teamwork, and perseverance.

From navigating routes and setting up camp, to supporting each other when tiredness kicked in, our students demonstrated the very best of what the DofE Award is all about. Their positive attitude and commitment were inspiring to see – not a single complaint, only encouragement and determination.

They did a fantastic job, and we are incredibly proud of them for rising to the challenge. This experience will no doubt stay with them for years to come, a true testament to their character and spirit.

Tutor Curriculum Mental Health

This term in PSHE, Year 10 have been engaging thoughtfully and maturely with a wide-ranging curriculum focused on mental health and emotional wellbeing. We've explored vital topics such as managing stress and anxiety, recognising the signs of poor mental health, understanding how to seek help, and learning how to support both ourselves and others. The students have also reflected on the impact of social media, peer pressure, and the importance of self-care and emotional literacy.

Throughout the term, it has been heartening to see so many students engaging in open, respectful conversations, breaking down stigmas and showing real compassion for one another. Their willingness to reflect, listen, and share their views has been truly impressive. By developing both knowledge and empathy, they are building the tools not just to manage their own wellbeing, but to help foster a positive and supportive community.

The PSHE sessions have laid a strong foundation for promoting resilience, emotional intelligence, and healthy coping strategies for our Year 10s. Essential skills for life during and beyond school.

Farewell to Year 10 Tutors – A Heartfelt Thank You

As we look ahead to Year 11, it is with a mix of gratitude and sadness that we say goodbye to our current team of Year 10 tutors. These individuals have played a crucial role in the academic and personal development of your children over the last four years, and I cannot thank them enough for their dedication, compassion, and unwavering support.

Our tutors have been the first point of contact for your children each day, providing a safe and stable environment, structure, encouragement and guidance. But their role goes far beyond this.

They have:

• Supported your child through friendship issues, academic pressures, and personal struggles
• Celebrated birthdays, achievements and big moments, no matter how small they may seem
• Delivered key messages and PSHE content that help shape character and values
• Worked closely with me and other staff to ensure every child was known, understood and supported

For many of our students, their tutor has been a trusted adult. Someone they could go to for advice, reassurance, or simply a friendly chat. These relationships have been built over years of shared experience, and they have made a huge impact on your child’s school journey.

While it’s always difficult to say goodbye, we’re excited about the next step. Year 11 brings a new chapter, and with that, new tutors who will walk with your child through the most important stage of their school career. The two introductory sessions they’ve already had with their new tutors have been a brilliant opportunity to start building those essential relationships ahead of September.

Please join me in thanking the Year 10 Tutor Team for their incredible care, guidance and commitment. Their legacy will live on in the success and confidence of the students they’ve helped shape.

Meeting New Year 11 Tutors – Building New Connections

This term, your child met their new Year 11 tutor, who will support them through the final year of their school journey. They had two structured sessions with their new tutor to begin forming those important relationships.

In Year 11, students will have two pastoral sessions per week with their tutor, focusing on wellbeing, goal-setting, and readiness for the demands of exam year. On the remaining three days, they will attend DTTR (Directed Time to Revise), a targeted revision programme led by subject specialists. DTTR is designed to support students in filling any knowledge gaps, boosting their confidence, and helping them gain traction in subjects they may find challenging.

We believe this support model will play a key role in helping all students feel equipped, determined, and motivated to achieve their very best next year.

The year 11 tutors for next year are as follows:

• BD1 – Mrs Jones
• BD2 – Miss Taylor
• BW1 – Mrs Keane
• BW2 – Mrs Wilson
• CT1 – Mrs Williams
• CT2 – Mrs Ashton
• MR1 – Ms Broomes and Mrs Reeves
• MR2 - Mr Sigmundsson
• PK1 – Mr Dhesi
• PK2 – Mr Rae

Attendance 

We’ve seen a modest but promising improvement in attendance this term and  we would like to thank you for your support with this.  As we move into Year 11, attendance becomes more important than ever. Missed days mean missed learning, and in an exam year, that adds unnecessary stress and pressure.

Let’s work together to build a culture of excellent attendance in Year 11. My goal is for our year group to lead the school with the highest attendance figures, and I believe we can do it. If there are any barriers preventing your child from attending, please do reach out. We are here to support and can put provisions in place quickly.

Let’s aim for 96% and above. Together, we can make it happen.

Rewards – Celebrating Every Success

One of the best parts of my role as Head of Year is getting to celebrate success, and this term, Year 10 gave us so much to celebrate. From academic progress and outstanding contributions in lessons to excellent behaviour, leadership, and community involvement, our students have demonstrated what it means to strive for excellence every single day.

This week, our top 30 point scorers were treated to a fantastically fun rewards afternoon featuring giant inflatables, including a gladiator-style duel, a sumo suit showdown, and an obstacle course (because you’re never too old for a bouncy castle!). The sun shone, the laughter echoed across the field, and it was a joy to see our students relaxing, bonding, and enjoying the reward they had truly earned.

We are also incredibly proud of the fact that Year 10 students have collectively earned over 117,477 reward points this year. This phenomenal number reflects not just isolated moments of achievement, but a sustained culture of hard work, engagement and positive choices.

These points aren't handed out lightly, they represent students who demonstrate our CORE values. The reward system is not just a celebration of achievement, it’s a celebration of attitude, integrity, and character. It has been wonderful to see so many of our Year 10s recognised for just that.

We will continue to offer exciting rewards next year, including the return of the inflatables, enrichment trips, and the exclusive Year 11 PROM! As always, rewards are there not only to acknowledge success, but to motivate and inspire students to be their very best selves every day.

Top 10 Year 10 with the highest Reward Points this term:

Top Two students in each College

Attainment – Reaching for the Stars!

As we come to the end of the academic year, it's a great opportunity to reflect on the progress and attainment of our Year 10 students. Attainment refers to the level of academic achievement a student reaches, often measured through assessments, coursework, and teacher judgement. It shows not just how much effort has been put in, but also how well students have understood and applied their learning.

We are incredibly proud of the dedication and determination Year 10 have shown throughout the year, from classwork, GCSEs and progression exams. Many students have demonstrated real growth and maturity as they move closer to year 11.

Congratulations to all Year 10 students for their hard work and continued commitment.

Careers in Year 10 – Exploring

Our careers team are excited to share with you the career-focused activities that have been a part of our school's career education program for Year 10. Our vision is to support students in making informed choices about their futures and to provide them with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the world of work.

Year 10 continue to develop their awareness of the world of careers through their Tutor Time and PHSE curriculum. Some of the careers based learning they have discovered are:

• The influence of role models and how to become a positive role model to peers (Create opportunities.)
• How to maintain a good mental health (Balance life and work.)
• How the recruitment process works through securing a work experience placement.
• The different levels of apprenticeships and the qualifications they can lead to.

Year 10 have explored Post 16, as well as some Post 18 options, and how they can lead to a range of different types of careers through:

• A careers fair that included a range of forty education, employer and training providers.
• Their subject curricula where subject teachers have shared information and real-life stories of a range of careers and routes to those careers that link to their subject.
• Work Experience where students were able to gain a real insight into life in the work place.

We very much value parent/carer feedback on our careers provision and would be grateful if you would complete a short survey here Careers Provision Form  as soon as possible.  Following our successful achievement of the Quality in Careers award, and the positive feedback from Ofsted, your feedback will help us in evaluating and continuing to improve our provision.

Looking Ahead – The Final Year Awaits

While official dates are still to be confirmed, next year is already shaping up to be exciting and packed with opportunities. Here are just a few things on the horizon:

• Year 11 Prom
• Passport to Prom programme
• Mock and final GCSE exams
• Specialist revision sessions
• Parents/Carers’ Evenings - (January and March)
• Year 11 Yearbook preparation.
• Celebration Assemblies
• Celebration Events

We are committed to making Year 11 a year of hard work, personal growth, celebration and unforgettable memories.  

A Final Thank You

To all parents and carers — THANK YOU. Your ongoing support, communication, and encouragement have made a world of difference this year.  We truly appreciate everything you do behind the scenes to support both me and the school.

We have built something special over the last four years, and while this marks our final newsletter together as Head of Year 10, I am excited to continue working with you as we head into Year 11.

Let’s keep the momentum going, remain focused, and make next year the most successful and fulfilling one yet.

Wishing you all a restful, safe and joyful summer.

Warmest regards,

Mr Royle
Year 10 Lead