24th July 2024

End of Summer Term Newsletter

24th July 2024

Dear parent/carer,

As we finish term tomorrow, I am just writing to give you a few reminders ready for the end of this academic year, and for September.  Thank you for all of your support this academic year, it is massively appreciated!

 

Last day of term:

The last day of term for students is Thursday 25th July 2024 – they will be leaving at 12pm (noon). All students should arrive in full school uniform as usual.

 

Staff leavers:

For information, the following staff are leaving at the end of term:

Miss Agar (DT), Mrs Riley (English), Mr Adam (RE), Miss Piper (Maths), Mr Welbourne (History), Mrs Scott (Science), Mrs Laing (Science), Mrs Bingley (Science), Mrs McConnell (SEND) and Mrs Mather (Exams) – we wish them all the best with their new ventures!

 

Return to school, September:

Below is the plan for students returning in September:

 

Tues 3rd September year 7 & 12 - Start at 8:40am

Weds 4th September years 8, 9, 10, 11 & 13 - Start at 8:40am

 

A reminder that from September students will be no longer permitted to wear bracelets (except for religious observance) or rings, and only allowed a single stud earring.

 

Free School Meals over summer:

Nottingham City are sending to us a voucher of £50 for each student, that is currently eligible for free school meals. This will cover the whole summer break 2024.

For all of those that received free school meal vouchers for May half term 2024, you will receive another voucher for Huggg, to cover the break and will be sent to the same email address, you do not need to do anything else. Completing the form again where you have received vouchers during May half term 2024, will cause a delay in receiving vouchers, as it impacts the vouchers being processed. So please refrain from doing this.

For those that are eligible, that did not receive vouchers, have had additional children join our school since the last vouchers were sent, or that have questions, please read the below.

 

My child is not entitled to free school meals – should I complete the form anyway?

No – the data is checked against that received from the local authority and your response will be deleted and reported.

 

I received vouchers for May half term 2024, from NUSA – should I still complete the form?

No, please do not apply again where you received vouchers for May half term 2024, you will automatically receive them for Summer 2024. Reapplying will cause a delay in receiving your voucher(s). Rest assured, where you received them for May, you will be included automatically for Summer. Unless you have a child now at NUSA, that has joined year 7 for example. In this scenario you should complete the form, but just for the child you need to add.

 

My child is eligible for Free School Meals, but I did not receive them from NUSA over May half term 2024, how do I receive them for Summer 2024?

Please click here and complete the form. Ensure you input all of your information carefully.

 

If I need to complete the form, when must I do this by?

Midnight on Wednesday 24th July 2024.  We know that there is a short turnaround on this, as we have only recently received this information ourselves – if you have any issues meeting this deadline then please do contact us.

 

What is the value of the vouchers?

£50, per eligible child.

 

I did not receive a voucher previously; can I receive my other vouchers now?

No, vouchers that were available for previous holidays have now expired. We only have vouchers relating to the upcoming break.

 

When will I receive the vouchers?

Vouchers will be issued before 4pm on Thursday 25th July 2024.

 

National changes to attendance:

The importance of regular school attendance cannot be stressed enough.  We are aiming next year for pupils to have an attendance target of 95% and above which equates to a pupil missing no more than 9 days of education throughout the school year.  If your child has any barriers preventing them from attending or you have any questions please contact your child’s Head of Year, Pastoral Support Manager or Attendance Team for support.

 

From the start of term, the new Department for Education “Working Together to Improve School Attendance” framework comes into effect.  These changes affect all schools and Local Authorities nationally.  A summary of key points for “penalty notices” are in the graphic below.

I wish you and your families a fantastic summer.  See you on the other side!

Mr Matthew Turton

Headteacher

 

Penalty Notice Fines for School Attendance are Changing!

With the introduction of The National Framework for Penalty Notices, the following changes will come into force for Penalty Notice fines issued after 19th August 2024

 

Per Parent/Carer, Per Child

Penalty Notice fines will now be issued to each parent, for each child that was absent.

For example: 3 siblings absent for term time leave, would result in each parent/carer receiving 3 separate fines.

First Offence

The first time a Penalty Notice is issued for Term Time leave of irregular attendance the amount will be:

£160 per parent/carer, per child if paid within 28 days

Reduced to £80 per parent/carer, per child if paid within 21 days

5 consecutive days of term time leave

Penalty Notice Fines will be issued for Term Time leave of 5 or more consecutive days, inset training days are school days and can be included in the 5 or more consecutive days where there was intent to be absent for term time leave.

10 sessions of unauthorised absence in a 10-week period

Penalty Notice fines will be considered when there have been 10 sessions of unauthorised absence in a 10-week period

Second Offence

(Within 3 years)

The second time a Penalty Notice is issued for Term Time leave or irregular attendance the amount will be £160 per parent/carer, per child paid within 28 days

Third Offence and Any Further Offences (within 3 years)

The third time an offence is committed for Term Time leave or irregular attendance a Penalty Notice will not be issued, and the case will be presented straight to the Magistrates’ Court.  Magistrates’ fines can be up to £2500 per parent/carer, per child