Headteacher's Newsletter - 2nd October 2023

From the Headteacher At Tiffin we believe that co-curricular opportunities are vital for student wellbeing, academic outcomes, resilience, skills and lifelong interests and friendships, which is why we value them so highly - and I know parents do too. However our co-curricular activities are very expensive! Costs from coaches to Grists to Music and Drama are far in excess of what the government gives state schools through their annual grant; and that’s the reason that Income Generation is one or our three development priorities for the year and the one I would like to focus on in this parent newsletter. Since there is this large gap between the government grant (our income) and our co-curricular costs, we rely on parents’ voluntary contributions to the Tiffin Education Fund (TEF) in order to give students these opportunities. I would like to express my huge thanks to all the parent TEF partners who are already giving regularly - your generosity brings so much benefit to your own children and the whole school community. We are committed to continuing to provide an exciting range of co-curricular opportunities for students; and we would love to be able to offer even more. In order to achieve this, especially at a time of rising costs, it would make such a difference if many more parents were able to partner us in this way; and regular giving is so helpful in helping us budget. To give an example: if 80% of Tiffin households gave an average of £70 per month, that would mean we would receive approx. £1M of TEF income per year (or £40 = c.£500K; or £55 = c.£750K) ; all of which would enable a huge enhancement in our co-curricular provision. All contributions are completely voluntary; and at the Parent Welcome Evenings I said that some parents might be able to give the cost of an ‘iphone 5’ monthly contract or more; and others a ‘SIM only contract’ - any amount is gratefully received! Thank you so much to our current TEF partners. To parents who do not yet give to the TEF - could I invite you to partner with us and make an investment which will bring lifelong benefit to your children and the whole Tiffin student community? Will you support me in reaching my goal of 80% of parents becoming TEF partners? Many more parents than are currently TEF partners have indicated that this is an intention; and I hope that this letter, and the ‘Donate Here’ link on page 4 , act as a helpful reminder to set up regular payments and make this difference. Thank you for your consideration.

Important Notices

School Closure - 5th and 6th October

Important Notices

A reminder that there is no school for all students on Thursday 5th and Friday 6th October due to the 11+ exams taking place. Sixth Form Open Afternoon Sixth Form Open Afternoon for our current Year 11 students will take place on Tuesday 17th October. The afternoon will run from 1430-1630 and parents are encouraged to come with their son and explore the A Level subjects on offer. Compressed Day - 17th October Please note that, due to the Sixth Form Open Afternoon and Open Evening events, lessons will be compressed on Tuesday 17th October. Years 7-9 students will be dismissed from school at 1250 and Years 10-13 at 1300. Free School Meals and Pupil Premium Students who come from lower income families may be eligible for free school meals (FSM). Additionally, if you apply and are awarded FSM by the Kingston Local Authority, the school will receive Pupil Premium Funding to help pay for additional support at school that can help to overcome barriers to learning. You can find more information in our Pupil Premium Policy on our school website here. Some examples of financial support you would receive are: • Subsidised school trips e.g. all day trips and one residential trip per academic year. • Subsidised Music lessons from Year 7 • Prioritised careers guidance • Subsidised initial Chromebook cost and some future Chromebook repairs

Parent Communication

School Development

Sixth Form Production

Classics Trip

Art Trip

Sports Roundup

Debating

Comedy Night

SEND Board

If you think that you might qualify for Free School Meals and Pupil Premium, we would strongly encourage you to apply to Kingston through this link.

Parent Communication

Contact Us Queen Elizabeth Road Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey KT2 6RL

‘Tell us at Tiffin’ is a new platform for parents to feed back positive comments and helpful suggestions across all areas of school life. Feedback will be reviewed regularly by the Senior Leadership Team and a collective response will be given via the Parent Newsletter. To submit your comments, please click the link below and log into Insight. You will find the ‘Tell us at Tiffin’ page under the ‘General’ tab.

020 8546 4638

office@tiffin.kingston.sch.uk

Garth Williams Headteacher

Submit Your Feedback Here

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