Head's Newsletter 12 February 2021

Individual meetings with Year 11 students about their future have continued online this term and they submitted their A level choices this week. These 30 minutes meetings give each student time to put their heads together with me, to have an impartial discussion about their ideas for the future, covering whatever is useful and relevant to them at the time. It's a time for students to consider the things they've come across so far in careers lessons and activities and turn their attention to developing their own ideas and intentions. Over the course of 176 meetings, we've talked about their plans for the next two years, subject/course choices, career and university options, work experience and apprenticeships. I have really enjoyed these meetings - hearing about their interests (from film directing to astrophysics) and helping with their plans - and thank all of Year 11 for their openness in this process. (Helen Varley, Head of Careers) The School believes it is really important for parents/carers to have a clear understanding of the benefits and dangers of the Internet for their sons/ daughters. In order to support our parents in keeping their children safe online and to manage a healthy relationship with the Internet, we invited Peter Cowley, the Lead Advisor for Online Services and Safety, for Achieving for Children, to deliver presentations to parents on ‘Online Safeguarding’ in late January. The media regularly highlights issues around safeguarding children online and parents are understandably anxious about how best to keep their children safe and happy in this environment, especially while in the midst of a pandemic. The sessions looked at how they use it, how parents can best support them to avoid problems, and what to do if anything goes wrong. As well as covering topics that parents identified, Peter covered setting parental safeguards, sexualised behaviour, supporting safer social media use and over- sharing. The interactive presentation is available here along with a range of information and guidance from local and national organisations.