Aspire, Achieve, Enjoy
Newsletter TRANSITION
VALUES l Perseverance l Dedication l Empathy l Integrity l Responsibility
2018
Imagine what we can achieve going forward Headteacher Assal Ruse explains why she thinks Twickenham School has made vast improvements...
‘
The school is currently in the best position it has ever been. The rate of improvement is quite remarkable and that is all down to the hard work of staff who are committed to making Twickenham School the best it can be. In our last inspection, our School Improvement Partner noted that: ‘Teaching, learning and assessment in the lessons visited aligned with a judgement of good’; ‘Behaviour is good and has the potential to become outstanding’; and ‘If the momentum of improvement is sustained, it is anticipated that during the spring term each of the key judgements, except for outcomes, will be judged to be securely good’. Our staff have achieved this in 18 months. Imagine what can be achieved in the next 18 months. Of course, none of these changes would be possible without our students. They are the ones that make me love coming to work each day and make me feel incredibly privileged to be a headteacher here. “They are the politest students I have come across and have proved to me that with regards to any new initiative we bring, they just need to be told once.
‘
Providing a safe, friendly environment for students School counsellor Katie Wetherell talks about her role supporting students at Twickenham School. forgotten to do homework, they won’t get in trouble. Having someone who will listen and not judge in a private and friendly environment can make a big difference.
The school counsellor programme is a student-led initiative. I am very proud to work here and very proud to have played a part in helping so many young people. I look forward to welcoming your son or daughter next year. Any families who have any questions can send an email to info@twickenhamschool. org.uk marked for Katie’s attention.
‘
‘
The first thing students notice when they come into my room is that it is not like most of the other rooms in the school. Firstly, I have comfy chairs, art material and games which you won’t find in the teachers’ rooms! There is good reason for that because I want them to feel secure and safe and, if they have done something wrong like
n Twickenham School Transition newsletter 2018
Initiative helps us ensure smooth transition Deputy Headteacher Sarah Bromly (right) explains our cross primary and secondary school academic initiative.
felt very confident to go back to Heathfield and recommend our school as being an excellent school for their students. Our Maths teacher Mr Ahluwalia also taught a top set Maths class at Heathfield to give them a taste of life at Twickenham School. There are also plans to set up visit, teach and observe sessions with teachers at other local primary schools.
‘
‘
The school is working with our feeder primary schools to ensure that our Year 7 make a smooth transition to Twickenham School. The cross primary and secondary initiative allows us teachers to share knowledge and gain a better understanding of the different assessment and moderation techniques used. This term the Year 6 Numeracy and Literacy Lead at Heathfield School Ms Ginman did a learning walk of Year 7 English. She was very impressed with the progression of learning in Year 7 and said she
Early interaction helps students settle quickly
‘
When pupils are dropped off at the gate on their very first day of school they are often really, really nervous. They are all very quiet. They have had six weeks to think about what life will be like at secondary school and they have so many questions. Our very first job as teachers is to make sure we help them feel comfortable, relaxed and safe at the school. There will be plenty
Welcome: Louisa Scott of time for learning and academic study but first we want them to get to know each other, make friends and feel at home here. We start with lots and lots of team-building activities and
games to get them interacting together. The size of the secondary school can be quite daunting, so we take them around the school so they know where their classes are. They also have the chance to ask their Form tutors all those questions they have had swimming around their heads all summer. By the end of the day, most are much more chatty and comfortable, while others take a little longer to settle. For those students we have the ‘buddy programme’. Our Year 8 buddies visit Year 7 Form groups
ENRICHMENT TIMETABLE: WHAT’S ON AND WHERE CAN I FIND IT? BEFORE SCHOOL LUNCHTIME
AFTER SCHOOL
MONDAY
MRS THACKERAY
HEAD OF PERFORMING ARTS
TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY
FRIDAY
Breakfast Club – Cucina restaurant
Breakfast Club – Cucina restaurant
Breakfast Club – Cucina restaurant
Breakfast Club – Cucina restaurant
Breakfast Club – Cucina restaurant
Band practice – E008 Year 7 Rock Climbing (invite only) Homework Club – E206
Year 9 Rock Climbing (invite only) Homework Club – E206
Textiles Club – E007 Boys’ Fitness – Fitness Suite Homework Club – E206
Choir – N222 GCSE Badminton (Year 11) – Sports Hall Homework Club – E206
Badminton – Sports Hall Chess Club – T1 KS3 Spanish Club – N134 Homework Club – E206
American Football – Elite coaching – 3G
Creative Writing – S215 Girls Basketball – Sports Hall/MUGA Girls’ Fitness – Fitness Suite Year 8 Rock Climbing (invite only) Homework Club – E206
Dance Club – Dance Studio Ensemble – E008 Boys’ Football – 3G Gymnastics – Sports Hall Homework Club – E206
Twickenham School Theatre Company (TSTC) – Drama Studio Future Scientists Club – S019 Art Club and Photography Club (alternating) –E007 Basketball – Richmond Knights – Sports Hall Girls’ Rugby – 3G Boys’ Rugby (Year 7) – 3G Girls’ Netball – MUGA Year 9 Football – Field / 3G Homework Club – E206
Twickenham School Dance Company (TSDC) – Drama Studio Year 11 Reward Football – 3G GCSE Trampolining – Sports hall Homework Club – E206
Homework Club – E206
Updates and changes can be found via the newsletter, website and displays
Page 2
to help pupils engage with their peers. We have around 20 buddies and they are often sought out in the playground by students needing extra help. There is also our inclusion club, which runs every break and lunchtime where students have the opportunity to make new friends, chat with staff, ask questions and socialise in a safe and welcoming space. Families who have questions about joining our school next summer are welcome to send an email to info@twickenhamschool. org.uk marked for Ms Scott’s attention
‘
Head of Year 7 Louisa Scott explains how the school helps students settle when joining from primary school.
n Twickenham School Transition newsletter 2018
Buddies ready to lend hand to new students OUR new Year 8 school buddies have been praised for helping Year 7 students settle at Twickenham School. Around 20 buddies were selected to support the transition of younger students joining from primary schools last September. They led tours of the school for Open Evening, showing prospective parents around the school, and helped with team-building activities for Year 7s on induction day and on the first day of term. Each Friday, they visit Year 7 Form groups to support children who are taking time to settle and also wear badges so they can be identified in the playground. It has been so successful, the school will be continuing the buddy programme for the next intake of Year 7 students this September. Buddy Jack Johnson said: “This was only introduced this year, so when we started we did not have anyone like this to help. “I think it makes a huge difference because when you start at secondary school everything seems so big. “Working in the Form groups is actually very enjoyable and it really gives you a good feeling when you know you have helped someone who is struggling a little bit. “Often Year 7s will come up to you on the playground. It helps because getting to know older students and not being scared of them helps you settle a lot easier. Fellow buddy Hannah Topping said: “Being a buddy not only helps the Year 7 students but it also helps you become more responsible.
Ready to help: Hannah Topping and Jack Johnson are among the Year 8 buddies We know that we have to take care of these students and make sure they feel okay coming to school. It really helps to develop leadership qualities.” Head of Year 7 Ms Scott said: “The Buddy programme has been a huge success. It is
hugely important as a school that we consider just how difficult it can be to make the leap to secondary school. “The Year 8s who have taken part in this project have represented the school extremely well and we are very proud of them.”
A place where parents can find answers
Page 3
Parent Ellie Sant explains why she set up a Facebook group for parents at the school and how it can help Year 6 parents joining the school.
families replicates the community we had at the primary school gates. If you are a parent whose son or daughter is joining a secondary school, there are lots of simple questions that in primary school you would ask your friend in the playground. How do you set up Squidcard? How do I check Show My Homework? Other
questions like where to get the PE kit, who the chemistry teacher is, what the school lunches are like, or whether lockers are still available. But in secondary school who do you ask? Well, you can ask us! There are more than 200 parents in the group with children from Years 7 to 11. Trust me, we have been where you now are and we have had the same questions. We hope this group and the support of parents will make a positive difference in our children’s achievement and school experience. We are very proud of the community we have built and we are eager to share it with others. To find out more, search Friends of Twickenham School on Facebook and click to join. After joining, we encourage you to share, post and like as much as possible, as we depend on your support and contribution.
‘
‘
When your child moves from primary school to secondary it can be a very daunting experience for them. They go from an environment that has become familiar and comfortable to the complete unknown, sometimes with friends but sometimes on their own. Even the parents make lots of friends at the primary gates that they can turn to if they need any support or advice. Children tend to adapt to their surroundings pretty quickly – they make new friends, join lots of enrichment clubs and they enjoy their newly-found independence. It is the parents who lose that little supportive community when their children reach secondary school. That was one of the main reasons why I started the “Friends of Twickenham School” on Facebook. Our virtual community of supportive
n Twickenham School Transition newsletter 2018
Efforts made to help students settle are great Mindy Burke has two daughters, one in Year 7 and the other in Year 8. Here she talks about her experience of being a parent at Twickenham School... success and student achievement at the school now. My daughters know if they work hard, they will be recognised through winning awards, representing the school and earning personal achievement certificates. I cannot say how pleased I am with how supportive and dedicated the teachers at Twickenham School are. The way the school is now run, there is a zero-tolerance approach to bad behaviour. My daughters can learn in a safe, happy and friendly environment. Your choice of secondary school is a very important one as your children will spend the next five years there. I am so glad that I chose Twickenham School.
‘
‘
Right from the moment when I first visited the school for transition evening, the staff and students have made me and my children feel very welcome at Twickenham School. Moving to secondary school was daunting not just for my daughters but for me as a mother. This year the school has really focused on helping the Year 7 students settle in and it has made a big difference. Despite my younger daughter being in Year 7, it feels like she has been at the school for years because she has been made to feel completely at home. The same can be said for my eldest daughter in Year 8. What really helps is the amount of enrichment opportunities my daughters have been able to take part in (far too many to mention). There really is a big focus on celebrating
Settled: Mindy’s two daughters
And a final word from our new students... Our Year 7 students have spent just over a term at Twickenham School. We spoke to four of them to find out about their time here so far. Here is what they had to say…
Freddie BonCEY was previously at Nelson Primary. He said: “I really enjoyed our ‘getting to know you’ camping trip at the beginning of the year. I made so many new friends. “I like English because the teachers really challenge you to improve your writing skills.”
Page 4
Sara Cherri joined us from Chase Bridge Primary. She said: “I really like the buddy programme here. I was a bit nervous coming to secondary school but having older students to talk to has really helped. My favourite subject is English because we do lots of creative writing, which I enjoy.”
Oscar Choinski came to us from Chatsworth Primary. He said: “This school is really, really friendly. They make sure no one feels left out in lessons or at break time. “I really like science because there are lots of fun experiments to do and new things to learn.”
Katy Goldsmith joined us from Heathfield Primary School. She said: “I really like the teachers at this school. If there is something I don’t understand, they take the time to explain it to me. “My favourite subject is design technology. We are making our own pendants.”
n Twickenham School Transition newsletter 2018