The John Of Gaunt School Parent Portal

Paul Skipp, Headteacher Dear all,

I am not sure about you but it seems to me that the weeks are flying by at the moment. In this second lockdown I am really pleased that we can still provide a high quality education for our young people and still manage to offer such a broad range of subjects with both practical and theoretical aspects. As a school we will continue to look at creative methods to ensure as many of our traditional aspects continue.

Unfortunately this year we will not be able to run our usual carol service but I am delighted to let you know that the Expressive Arts team have already started work on the virtual production.

Amongst other aspects this week the staff have been compiling information for our new Year 7, 8 and 9 assessment system. Staff have spent the last year creating a much more qualitative based assessment system that provides really informative and useful information to both you as parents and out students. Each cycle of learning (topic) that the students cover has Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s). These are broad headings of the knowledge and skills that students are taught. Instead of simply receiving numbers in your child’s report, Year 7, 8 and 9 parents will now receive much more substantial information about your child's understanding of their KPI’s. During the subsequent lessons, children will be provided with a range of work to ensure any gaps they have are met. This is a really innovative piece of work that complements our internal feedback system, knowledge organisers, cycles of learning and homework. It ensure all these aspect are closely linked and aligned in order to ensure all our students have the best possible chance of success.

Once again thank you for all support and I hope you are able to have a nice weekend.

Paul Skipp

Headteacher

If you are collecting or dropping off a student, please note that you must do so outside the school gates, unless you are using Wingfield gate to enter the sports hall car park. Please do not drive through Gloucester gate at any time of day.

Library News

Autumn is always the best time for reading! It’s getting colder and darker so what could be nicer than curling up in a warm sofa to read a good book. Now more than ever, books can provide you with escape when you can’t go anywhere. There are loads of new books in the library, make sure you have a peek when you come in next time.

Over the first two terms, all Y7s and Y8s haven been doing the Reading Game in the library. This is designed to help students explore new genres and new books, but also to show them how they should pick their next book. It has been just fantastic listening to them all discuss covers and blurbs, sharing their favourite reads with their friends and seeing them get excited about books!

In these strange times, it is just lovely to have all the students visit the library!

Some get into the spirit of things and wear funny headbands, some come in and read. Loads of students make good use of the library to complete their homework. Keep it up!

Mrs Bruton

Applying for Sixth Form

All Year 11 students will have now received an invitation to apply on line for our Sixth Form. If you have any questions, please do get in touch with us at sixthform@jogschool.org Please visit our website for more information.

We would like your applications submitted by 14th December.

Just a reminder - you need to pick 3 main subjects, 1 reserve choice and 1 option from the Personal Enhanced Offer.

We look forward to working with you.

On Monday six of our Year 8 students entered the Royal Town Planning Institute’s secondary school competition in celebration of World Town Planning Day.

This year’s competition asked students to take a closer look their local and wider environment and the many decisions that impact it. Our students chose to look at the disused Bowyer’s site.

Congratulations to Isla Wiffen, Grace Spiers, Kerrie Barton, Lani Dawkins, Ayden Strawson and Joseph Coles on their wonderful projects!

Mrs Tuckey and Miss Wood

Wiltshire Council calls on year 12s for campaign

Wiltshire Council got in touch with the Media Dept here at JOG to ask if some of our older pupils would be willing to be filmed talking about COVID-19, how they are living through lockdown, and any advice and tips on how we can all keep to the rules.

They would like to collect some video clips which can then be shared on the council social media channels including Twitter/Facebook and Instagram as well as with media outlets to help raise awareness of how we can all work together to stay safe during lockdown and in the coming months.

A member of the council's multi-media team will be visiting the school on Friday 20th November to film a few students. Look out for the footage/recordings on the Wiltshire Council social media platforms. Many thanks to the students taking part in this important project.

Charlie Bray

Head of Media

Newsletters

NEWSLETTER 9