Newsletters

GHS Connect #7 Monday 2nd November

Mia's notes

I hope everyone has had a really great half term and a chance for some rest and relaxation.

A reminder that we start this half term with an INSET day. We will begin the first session in the main hall at 9am prompt. All staff should attend the first session, both support and teaching staff, as we will be covering important information about the changes due to be brought about by the SEND White Paper. The day will finish at 3pm.

We will not have briefing on Wednesday as we are meeting as a staff on Monday.

Have a great first week back.

Mia

The week ahead

Monday
Inset Day. Staff meeting 9am.

Tuesday
Department Meetings - 3.15pm - 4.30pm

Wednesday
Normal Day

Thursday
Normal Day

Friday
Normal Day

Notes
Yr 7 Interim 1 (A2L)
Yr 9 Interim 1
StepLab drop ins

Learning and Teaching Tips and Strategies

This term, we will be exploring another stage of our learning cycle: Explanation.

What makes a good explanation?

Week 1: The Framework

A good explanation makes complex ideas easier to understand, not simply easier to hear. Our framework helps us make deliberate choices about what to explain and how to explain it.

Top Tips:

• Use the framework before creating your slides to shape the explanation, not as a checklist afterwards.
• Make brief notes against each question before deciding exactly what you will say or show.
• Return to the framework when an explanation isn’t working to identify what needs changing.
• Use the six questions flexibly rather than giving each equal attention every time.
• Use the framework to co-plan explanations, challenging the choices behind what you teach and how you teach it.

Delve deeper: AERO on Teach Explicitly. Read here.

NEW THIS TERM: Series 3 of the Learning and Teaching Podcast has landed! This series focuses on the learning cycle.

Listen to the first episode here: Do Now: What do you do if the Do Now reveals a knowledge gap?

Learning Walks

Why are learning walks important?

With the removal of formalised lesson observations we are doing more routine learning walks. Learning walks are our temperature gauge. A key question we are asking is to what extent is the GHS Learning Cycle embedded in our routines?  

 Here are some more key benefits:

• They shine a light on what teaching looks like day to day.
• They encourage purposeful conversations around what really matters—supporting pupils in meaningful learning.
• They reveal clear opportunities for professional development.
• They allow us to celebrate great practice.

SLT, LPs, HoDs and TLRs have completed nearly 170 learning walks already this term and there is so much great learning happening in the classroom. I’ve used a word cloud to summarise what we’ve seen. 

What does the Learning Cycle look like in our classrooms?

What can you expect this half-term?

• More learning walks so keep your doors open as much as possible.
• CPD in departments that is informed by learning walks.
• Whole School CPD (Action Research 2) informed by learning walks.

Thank you again for all your hard work so far this year and as always, my door is open if you want to discuss anything learning and teaching!

Andrea

Inclusion Messages

Safeguarding Updates

Child Financial Exploitation - Fearless

When we talk about child exploitation, we usually focus on the making and sharing of illegal images and videos of children or we talk about children being forced into moving drugs, as in County Lines. Child Financial Exploitation, or CFE, gets far less attention.

It can seem odd at first. Many parents and teachers assume their pupils have no money to be exploited. Although many children have little income, that does not stop them being drawn into schemes that use their bank accounts to move dirty money into clean ones. A child’s or young person’s account makes the transfers look legitimate. The same transfers sent to an adult’s account may well be flagged as suspicious by the bank.

Fearless, part of Crimestoppers, has produced a resource pack on this topic.

You can download it here

Inclusion Updates following on from the last briefing

Hope you all had a lovely half term.

Gurvinder

Bright Spots

This week Gurvinder has nominated Mark Harvey, Suzanne, Ben, Jo, Steve & Mitie for their incredible teamwork, quick thinking, and composure recently following an incident:

Their calm handling, professionalism, and dedication were truly exemplary and demonstrated the very best of our team. We are extremely fortunate to have such a supportive, skilled, and reliable group working together. Thank you all for your hard work and outstanding response!

Next, Umair has nominated Waris Ahmed, saying:

He consistently supports parent communication, follows up on behaviour matters, and issues sanctions when required. His ability to communicate with and translate for parents with limited English helping to bridge the gap between home and school and ensuring families remain informed and engaged.

Richard Lewis has given a shout out to Barbara Radomska, saying:

Barbara Radomska is a force of nature! She does the work of about five people - and always manages to do so with a beaming smile and endless energy and enthusiasm. 

Thank you so much, Barbara, for: being an integral part of the induction of our Y12 students; supporting with the progression meetings for our Y11; driving attendance at our Y13 Parents Evening; and just being all-round awesome. P16 would be lost without you! 

Finally, Amandeep Phull has nominated Rita Coulson, saying:

Rita's assembly on Black History month was brilliant. I learnt a lot and it really made me think. She has also been a pleasure to work with and always had a ‘can-do’ attitude. She is always full of joy and positivity.

If there are any concerns about Equality and Diversity (staff)  at GHS please contact A Johal (DHT)