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Updates from NLS

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  • Sixth Form Update - Summer 2

    Published 12/07/24

    I hope this communication finds you well and you are looking forward to any summer holiday you may have.

    It has been another superb term in the NLS Sixth Form – with many events underscoring what a privilege it is to work with a great group of students.

    Year 12 Work Experience
    Thanks to the collaborative efforts of parents, staff and students, we are delighted that every student in Year 12 sourced a Work Experience placement. Nearly all of these were off-site and covered a range of areas such as:

    • Medicine at Warwick Hospital
    • Mechanics at a local garage
    • Animal Management at Hatton Country World
    • Marketing and Finance in local companies
    • Teaching – at NLS and also other settings in Coventry and Warwickshire - it will be great to see these terrific students as the next generation of educationalists!

    These experiences will prove vital for applications to future pathways given that UCAS, for example, cite the evidence base which shows quality work experience is in the top two areas admissions tutors point to in terms of determining offers – as you might expect, the key area is projected grades.

    Visits ‘in the field’ (both literal and metaphorical!) were a personal highlight but also, it would seem fair to suggest, for the students. Witnessing students thrive in a real-world setting, deploying the skills and knowledge they have developed is surely what it is all about: whether seeing students engaging so well with colleagues, children and animals (as illustrated in the image above) or hearing a student say such a mature and genuinely touching thing as “I wanted to work in a nursery in order to understand the practice of the child psychology theory I have been studying and to better-understand my younger sister”. Wonderful stuff!

    Well done again to all who have made this such a great opportunity.

    The Mock General Election

    We were really pleased that the Sixth Form Politics Team drove a very well-received Mock General Election in the week of the real thing. With students doing their democratic duty and representing the range of parties the main televised hustings gave a voice to, the Year 12 Politics students gave students all they needed to make an informed decision as to who they might vote for.

    In what proved to be an interesting reflection of the national picture on the Thursday, results, images and more detail can be found here

    Curriculum, Data and Rewards

    In terms of the tutor time curriculum, recent coverage has focused on Work Experience, follow-up on the Future Pathways Launch and preparation for the Progression Exams. Elsewhere, and with reference to the discrete P.S.H.E. lessons offered, students have continued exploring health and wellbeing.

    For efforts in tutor time, across lessons and in school in general, students are accruing many rewards points in Sixth Form – which is great to see. With their College affiliation noted, here are the Top 10 in year 12:

    Alex H

    Manor

    156

    Jamie C

    Croft

    145

    Freddie E

    Manor

    142

    Yash T

    Blackdown

    141

    Will H

    Croft

    139

    Ewan T                

    Binswood

    138

    Samuel N

    Croft

    133

    Paul G

    Manor

    133

    Sid H

    Park

    110

    Eve J

    Park

    109

    Well done to these students and to all of those who are so committed to their studies and to school life here at NLS.

    It was genuinely terrific to see so many of our Year 12 and outgoing Year 13 attend the recent whole-school Rewards Evening event. Some lovely photos can be seen here:

    Year 12

    Year 13

    Whole School

    Students were rewarded for their outstanding contributions on a subject and faculty basis but also on a wider level – including the Headteacher’s Award which went to Tayla.

    Well done all – a wonderful whole-school event with Sixth Form very well represented!

    Careers in Year 12 – Managing next steps.
    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 12. 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 12 are starting to make things happen as they forge their path into are taking the lead on managing their next steps into the world of careers through their Tutor Time and PHSE curriculum. Some of the careers based learning they have discovered are:

    • Managing the transition into post 16 learning (Manage career.)
    • The pros and cons of a gap year (Grow through life.)
    • Considering personality types (Grow through life.)
    • Considering potential future careers (See the bigger picture.)
    • The rights and responsibilities in different types of employment (Balance life and work.)

    Year 12 are managing their Post 18 options, and how they can lead to a range of different types of careers through:

    • Work experience.
    • A careers fair that included a range of twenty plus 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.

    Through their Tutor Time and PHSE curriculum, Year 13 have prepared for selection through their careers based learning which included:

    • How to prepare for Post 18 transition (Manage career.)
    • Exploring the apprenticeship route (Explore possibilities.)
    • Employment finance (Balance life and work.)
    • How to support a positive mental health for university or work (Manage career.)
    • Creating a personal statement (Grow through life.)

    Year 13 prepared for their Post 18 options through:

    • A careers fair that included a range of twenty plus 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.

    We very much value parent/carer feedback on our careers provision and would be grateful if you would complete a short survey  here as soon as possible. 
    This will help inform us of our provision and shape working towards National Quality in Careers Award  

    Sixth Form Sports Day

    On a slightly lighter note, our alternative Sports Day for Year 12 took place Wednesday 17 July. A range of ‘silly’, fun sports were on offer and – to satisfy the more competitive urge of some – these were interspersed with some more traditional, ‘serious’ events like the 100m sprint.

    A great deal of fun was had but we also got to experience the lightening quick capabilities of some of our uber-sporty types.

    1. In tutor groups for ‘serious’ sports
    2. In college groups for ‘silly’ sports

    The ‘serious’ included: 100m, shot put and 4 x 100m & the ‘silly’ involved: a Plank Race, Egg & Spoon, The Wheelbarrow

         

    While scores were calculated, College participants engaged in Tug-o-War with the Mighty Manor winning.

    Well Done to our College winners - Blackdown

     

     

     

     

    and to our winning Tutor Group 12-3                                       

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    New Year 12 Induction Event

    Thursday 11 July saw our Induction Day event for those students who hope to form our new Year 12 cohort in September. Following an introductory assembly and some team building tasks – designed in particular to integrate those students ‘New to NLS’ – students engaged in three subject taster sessions plus a library-based task. Linked for the day to the Colleges they are likely to be linked to, the students also experienced an example of a Year 12 Tutor Time - where they explored the curriculum map outlining their planned experiences. A closing assembly reminded them of some key messages ready for enrolment in August and the start to their Sixth Form life in September.  We look forward to welcoming them.

        

    Senior Student Leader Appointments

    After an exhaustive process and some very high calibre applications to the Senior Student Leader Posts we are delighted to announce that Will and Millie have been duly appointed.

    They have big shoes to fill to live up to the standard our outgoing post-holders set but we are sure that with collaborative support they will be every bit as high performing and skilled in representing the Student Voice.

    Year 13 Prom

    We were delighted to celebrate with our wonderful Y13 at their prom on Tuesday 2 July. It was lovely to reminisce about the past few years and to look forward to all the terrific things which await them in the future. After a (mercifully) brief set of speeches, students and staff alike enjoyed some great food in a plush setting – with so many staff as well as students there, the mood was a perfect blend of relaxed yet vibrant. Following food, it was time to hit the dance floor or to talk the evening away. It was a real privilege to be part of such a terrific send-off.

     Other images can be found here: here

     

     

     

     

     

     

    The Year13 Prom was a fantastic end to the year and the Sixth Form journey. As we bid goodbye to those outgoing Year 13 we wish Year 12 all the best as they transition in to being the most senior students at NLS.

    We wish all our students and their families a wonderful summer break and thank you all for making the Sixth Form at NLS such a great place to be.

    Mr Taylor
    Senior Assistant-Head-teacher (inc. Head of Sixth Form).

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  • Year 11 Update - Summer 2

    Published 12/07/24

    As we reach the end of this academic year, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the journey our Year 11 students have been on and to share some final thoughts and updates with you. This year has been extraordinary in many ways, filled with challenges, growth, and remarkable achievements. Your parental support and partnership have been invaluable, and I am deeply grateful for your continued dedication to your child’s education.

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  • Year 10 Update - Summer 2

    Published 12/07/24

    As we approach the end of an incredibly full and demanding year, it is a great opportunity to reflect and celebrate the accomplishments of Year 10 students. This year students have been provided a number of opportunities to enrich their school studies with a number of subject-specific trips, music and dance performances as well taking part in their final Sports Day here at NLS. The experience students have gained preparing for, and sitting, their RE GCSE, and Progression Exams will stand them in good stead as they prepare for the terminal exams next academic year. It has been a pleasure to observe and hear how students have displayed superb levels of maturity, determination and perseverance throughout this year, which has allowed them to progress not just academically but personally too.

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  • Year 9 Update - Summer 2

    Published 12/07/24

    And just like that Year 9 will be in Year 10 - How are we three years into their secondary education journey? It only feels like yesterday I was meeting the students on transition day. I want to start by saying a huge thank you to all parents / carers who have supported myself, tutors and other members of the school community. Our triangulated approach has enabled your child to flourish. Parental engagement for Year 9 students has been incredible from the start, it is appreciated and applaud your commitment. This level of engagement has enabled our Year 9s to have more confidence and greater self-esteem, improved attendance rates, more enthusiasm about learning and therefore better outcomes.

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  • Year 8 Update - Summer 2

    Published 12/07/24

    As we conclude another academic year, I want to take this opportunity to reflect on the outstanding achievements of our Year 8 students. This year has been filled with growth, learning, and memorable experiences. Our students have shown remarkable resilience and adaptability, and their progress has been extremely commendable.

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  • Year 7 Update - Summer 2

    Published 12/07/24

    As their first year at North Leamington School comes to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey our Year 7 students have embarked upon. It has been a year filled with growth, learning, and memorable experiences. I am immensely proud of each and every student for their hard work, resilience, and enthusiasm.

    The transition from primary to secondary school is a significant milestone. Our Year 7 students have adapted remarkably well, quickly acclimatising to new routines, subjects, and teachers. Their ability to navigate this change with confidence and curiosity has been commendable.

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  • Sixth Form Update - Summer 1

    Published 17/05/24

    I hope this update finds you well and you are looking forward to the May half-term break…

    Enrichment – including Duke of Edinburgh
    Thanks to Mr Barrett and the staff team who, following on from the practice event in March, recently led an daring team of Sixth Form students on their D.of.E Gold Expedition in Bannau Brycheiniog National Park (formerly known as the Brecon Beacons). Learning all sorts of outdoor skills in a beautiful environment, the students also engaged in team-building and the spiritual enrichment opportunity available to them.

          

    What has been especially laudable is that some of our Sixth Form DoE-ers have now also served as volunteers on the main school Bronze and Silver expeditions – a real sense of community spririt, continuity and progress in evidence.

    Our wider Enrichment Programme continues to provide excellent opportunities and we will look to reinvigorate this even more in 2024-25.

    Elsewhere, we were delighted to hear that many of our terrific Sixth Form boys were involved in the team which won the county championship in Rugby!

    On a final, enrichment-based note, it was wonderful to have Sam from Year 13 involved in this year’s Ski Trip. 

    Sam was a great role-model for younger students and effectively functioned as a volunteer, such was his enthusiasm to support others.

    Well done, Sam – a great example of Sixth Form students being part of the wider community.

     

     

     

     

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  • Year 11 Update - Summer 1

    Published 17/05/24

    It has been fantastic to see how Year 11 students have begun the GCSE summer exam season, where they have conducted themselves with great maturity during this demanding period. I continue to wish students all the very best with the remainder of their exams, and look forward to celebrating with them on our Celebration Day in July and on GCSE results day in August.

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  • Year 10 Update - Summer 1

    Published 17/05/24

    As we come to the end of the penultimate term, I would like to take the opportunity to reflect on the activities and events of the past few weeks within Year 10.

    Year 10 students have conducted themselves in a fantastic manner during their first two GCSE RE examinations. I have been really impressed with how punctual and organised students were, along with their uniform and equipment, resulting in complete focus on the exam ahead. These good habits will undoubtedly stand students in good stead for future exams.

    A reminder of the support available with two remaining revision sessions before their final RE exam, Paper 3.

     

    Half term

    All students will be set a 1 hour Islam past paper to complete over half term 

    Wednesday  4 June

    H107

    Islam (Beliefs and Practices)

    CV/TB

    Thursday 5 June

    H118

    Islam (Beliefs and Practices)

    JJM/KP/EJM

    GCSE RE Exam Paper 3

    • Friday 7 June (am) – Component 3 – Islam (1 hour)

    A reminder for students in all exams, when completing the front page of the exam:

    • Use your full name e.g Benjamin –Do not use a shortened version of your name e.g Ben
    • Use your Legal Name - Do not use a preferred first or surname 
    • Use both parts of a legal double barrelled name-
    • Ensure you are getting your surname and first name the right way round

    GCSE Results Day Year 10

    GCSE results day is on Thursday 22 August 2024. We will post home RE GCSE results that day however, if any students would prefer to collect their result in person they can do this at 9:15am from school. Results can only be collected by the student themselves.

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  • Year 9 Update - Summer 1

    Published 17/05/24

    This half term has flown by! Year 9 students have really matured this half term, they are focused on the future and excited about starting their GCSEs in Year 10. They have continued to promote the school ethos through the tutor curriculum as well as during lessons. On average, their attitude to learning is improving across the majority of subject areas. There are a plethora of events that have occurred this term that have, again, made me incredibly proud to be the Year 9 Lead.

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  • Year 8 Update - Summer 1

    Published 17/05/24

    This half-term has again flown by in the blink of an eye!  There have been enormous amounts of progress, efforts and achievements from our Year 8 students since we returned to school on 8 April.  Over the course of the last few months of the school year, Year 8 will begin preparations for the end of year assessments and also for life in Year 9.

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  • Year 7 Update - Summer 1

    Published 17/05/24

    Year 7 continue to have a great year so far. They really are proving to be a lovely year group, who are full of potential as we prepare for them to transition to Year 8. 

    This term started with a fantastic weekend away to Whitemoor Lakes. This first residential opportunity for year 7 students was a great experience enjoyed by all.  There is an article all about the weekend with photographs in the latest news section on our website and if you haven't had an opportunity as yet to read about you it is linked in the News Section in this Parent Bulletin.

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