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Progress Letter 2024 - End of year PR3 year 7 to 10

18th July 2024

Dear Parents/Carers,

Progress Review 3 - End of year Update - Years 7,8,9 and 10

I am writing to let you know that the progress data for years 7 to 10 has been released and is now available to view on Go4Schools.

This is the last of three progress points that we will release this academic year. Can I please encourage you to log in as a parent to view this report. The details of how to do this are in the weekly parent bulletin. If you have any problems doing so, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Years 7,8 and 9

A reminder about the changes that have taken place this year -

Targets

In Key stage 3 (years 7, 8 and 9) for English, maths, science, history and geography the students are assigned a target band from 10 (highest) to 1 (lowest). The students with the top 10% of SAT scores will be given target band 10, moving in 10% bands down to target band 1. Our targets now focus on age related expectations using KS2 data as a benchmark rather than setting a GCSE target based on a national target setting system.

Other subjects use a different model based on age related expectations. In this system, students are set an end of year target labelled as either ‘Developing’, ‘Competency’ and ‘Mastery’.

Grading Systems

For English, Maths, Science, History and Geography the current performance is given as a band that goes, like the target, from 1 to 10 with 10 being the highest performance band. All of the marks that are awarded for the assessments are split into 10% bands and students are assigned a performance band determined by their assessment score. You will now be able to easily see whether your child is performing at, below or above their target band. We have made this change as we felt that the previous system of trying to align progress with GCSE targets and grades was not accurate enough and was potentially confusing and potentially demotivating for our students. We hope that you will agree that this system is easier to understand and gives you a clear indication of progress against KS2 baseline data.

Example

Maths	Target	Current Performance	Student is performing 1 band above their target (based on KS2 data)
	Band 7	Band 8

For the practical subjects as well as French & German, we have been reporting on your child’s progress towards the Developing, Competency and Mastery targets using the terms ‘Working Towards’, ‘Working At’, or ‘Working Above’. As this is the final report of the year, your child’s report now states whether they are achieving Developing, Competency or Mastery descriptors for each subject.

Year 10

Students in year 10 sat full GCSE papers under public exam conditions in the sports hall. We felt that it was important for the students to have this experience before starting year 11 when they will sit two rounds of mock examinations before starting their final exams in the summer. Because the students were sitting full papers it is likely that they will have been examined on content that has not been taught yet and so please do not be alarmed if the PR3 result was lower than you were expecting. Staff are now working hard to address misconceptions and gaps in knowledge. They will also be providing work for the students to complete over the summer break. We would appreciate your support in making sure that this is completed - details will be posted on the relevant google classrooms.

Attitude to Learning (ATL)

As part of the report, you will also see an ATL grade for your child in each subject. The descriptors for each of these criteria can be found at the bottom of the report.

Attendance

Attendance is crucial to success. The information presented in the report will allow you to see your child’s attendance up to the point of the report being released. All students are expected to have an attendance of 95% or higher, and we will continue to support families where attendance falls below this figure. As per my previous letter, data from our summer exams showed that students whose attendance was 95% or above achieved one whole grade higher in their results when compared to those whose attendance was 80% or lower.

Behaviour

The final section on the report details your child’s behaviour information. Here you will see the total of Team Rushden Achievement Points (Positive Points), and the number of NN’s (Negative Points) they have received so far this year. We continue to celebrate and recognise the successes of all students, and we hope that you will continue to support your child to keep achieving at school.

All teaching staff are fully aware of the targets that are set and carry out focused intervention and support as necessary following progress review points. If you would like to discuss your child's progress, or if you have a concern then please do not hesitate to contact your child’s tutor.

Yours sincerely,

Mr P Bocking

Assistant Principal

Summer Activities from North Northamptonshire Healthy Schools

Have a look at the information attached below from North Northamptonshire Healthy Schools to see what is happening in our area over the summer holiday.

Summer_Activities.docx

Parent Letter 16.07.24 - Information for September

Dear Parent / Carer

Last day of term arrangements

Rushden Academy will be closing at 12:45 on Friday 19th July 2024 as this is the final day of term. A limited lunch will be available between 12:45 and 13:00. We will be encouraging students to make the most of the morning break time, when a fuller range of food items will be available.

Students can remain in school but must register in the library at 13:00 where they can be supervised until the end of the normal school day. Whilst in the library students can choose to complete independent work, have access to computers and the wide variety of books available.

If you wish your child to remain in school until 3:00pm on the 19th July, please contact our main reception on 01933 350391 or email info@rushden-academy.net.

First day back arrangements - Years 7-11.

School reopens to all pupils on Tuesday 3rd September, with the following staggered start times:

Year 7: Arrival for 8:30am start.

Years 8-11: Arrival from 11:00am for 11:25am start.

As per the full timetable in our newsletter, our students will have a Student Induction Day. This programme will allow us to prepare the students for the academic year ahead by sharing key information and messages. They will then be ready to start their timetable lessons on Wednesday 4th September.

Please note that our 6th Form students in Year 12 and 13 will already be aware of their start times.

Student Behaviour

So far this year the vast majority of our pupils have demonstrated impeccable behaviour and have fully embodied our values and culture. We will continue to support and reward those pupils who endeavour each and every day to be the very best versions of themselves. We have updated our rewards this term and many pupils have taken advantage of trading in their Team Rushden Points for items ranging from pens to footballs or entry to the Rewards Room. Equally we will continue to support and challenge those that choose not to demonstrate the values we believe are vital for success. As a Team we will continue to work together on ensuring that the climate for learning within classrooms is one which supports accelerated learning and ensures that students’ progress is not hampered by elements of low level disruption.

It is also important to reflect on the positive reputation of the school which we have been able to build within the community of Rushden. This reputation is underpinned by the conduct of our students on the way to and from school. We will always deal with and address concerns that are reported to us through our Behaviour and Exclusion Policy. Action will be taken should any of our students bring the name of our Academy into disrepute within our community.

Student attendance and punctuality

It has been extremely pleasing to see so many pupils showing a real commitment to attending school. This commitment needs to be embraced by all our pupils to ensure that there are as few gaps as possible within their personal learning journey and that as an academy, together, we continue to aim to achieve an overall attendance above 95%. To achieve this, we will continue to challenge persistent absence along with punctuality to school. Pupils need to have good routines to ensure they are on time and equipped with all they need for school.

Student uniform

One of our key Team Rushden Values is about being smart and wearing our uniform with pride. This means that our uniform emphasises strongly the school culture we have and the values we hold. Our students represent the school within the community and it is important that they uphold our expectations as previously mentioned. For the majority of students this basic expectation presents no issues for them at all, and has been wholeheartedly accepted as being central to our culture and values. There is still a minority of students who are not meeting our high standards of uniform which needs addressing prior to January, so please support your child by ensuring they have all items of correct uniform ready to start positively on their return in the New Year.

Students should not be wearing black jeans or jean-like material as school wear trousers. Leggings and jeggings are also not part of the school uniform. If the fabric is stretchy then you can safely assume that this is not acceptable.

In terms of footwear our line is that if ‘it is black, leather or leather like and can be polished’ and is sensible for everyday wear it can be worn to school.

Please remember that the school blazer is an essential part of the school uniform and that hoodies and non school uniform jumpers and sweaters will be confiscated if worn in school.

Students are allowed a stud piercing in their nose but will still not be allowed rings, bars or hoops. All piercings MUST be removed for all PE lessons and Food Technology lessons, in line with Health and Safety guidance.

We politely ask that any student looking to have a new piercing over the holiday has this done at the start so it is healed and removed prior to returning to school in September.

Mobile phones

Our policy of ‘See it, hear it, lose it’ continues to have a really positive impact. Our pupils have responded extremely well since its introduction nearly two years ago, and very few incidents occur whereby learning is interrupted whilst a mobile phone issue is dealt with. We have also seen a major reduction in social media incidents requiring school pastoral intervention. It has been noted that pupils continue to engage in social talk and play which is extremely positive for their personal development.

The tools for school

The holiday provides the opportunity for checking that pencil cases and all the tools for school have had a reboot and are refuelled ready for the new year. Equipment will continue to be available for purchase from the school library and through the rewards room. Not only is this equipment needed for lessons but is also essential for all exams.

Black pens Pencils Colouring pencils Rubber Highlighter Ruler

Protractor Set square Compass Scientific Calculator

We hope that you all have a wonderful summer break, and we look forward to welcoming all students back to school In September.

Regards

Mr T Billam

Vice Principal