Headteacher’s Update
Dear Families
We were delighted to welcome back our students after an Easter break. Typically, having had an Easter break of relatively unsettled weather, we returned to very warm weather. Students have coped well given the unseasonable climes. However, as the temperature returns to normal over the Bank Holiday weekend, we will expect full school uniform from Tuesday- without exception.
We managed to finally open our school field at lunchtime, much to the delight of students. We have seen responsible use of that space today. This is pleasing as our assemblies this week have focussed upon respecting each other as well as our surroundings. Students have listened and it was great to see students sat talking with friends, or playing sport on the lovely green spaces we have. We are extremely fortunate to have the fields we have and this really makes our PE department come into its own over the summer months. In addition to this, we have taken ownership of our Sports Hall and will begin to use it with some year groups after half term, once the ‘snagging list’ has been completed. Some professional photos have been taken this week and once I receive copies we will send some out to you.
Our year 11 examinations have started this week with the Language Speaking Exams, and next week sees the first written exams- Drama and Business get underway. Year 11s have been furnished with their exam timetables some time ago, and I hope that these are on fridges in kitchens across Oadby and the surrounding areas! If not, please contact exams@manorhigh.leics.sch.uk
I urge you to read a separate correspondence sent out to you earlier today that contains important information about the next academic year.
Wishing you a lovely Bank Holiday and we will see students back at school on Tuesday next week.
With best wishes
Mr S Greiff
YEAR 11 PROM 2025
Arbor Communications
In January we changed our main database for pupil and parent data. The new system is called ‘Arbor’.
From 28th April 2025, we will be switching over our communications from School Gateway to Arbor. This will allow us as a school to communicate with you more efficiently
Between now and 28th April 2025 please download the Arbor Parent App and register. It can be found in the app store or google play store. The logo you require is:
Please follow this link to help you get started –
Parent Portal and App – Getting started and logging in – Arbor Help Centre
If you experience any issues, please let us know via admin@manorhigh.leics.sch.uk If you have a child at another school and you currently use Arbor, Manor High School should appear automatically.
At the start of the next academic year we will also be moving from School Gateway to Arbor payments, which will allow you to use one app rather than 2 different apps. This will prevent you having to remember multiple log ins and passwords. During the summer term we will send out communications to support this transfer, but for now you should continue to use School Gateway to pay for services such as meals and trips.
College Applications & PS16
Year 11 – Positive Steps 16 site (PS16)
Please can all Year 11 be aware of these key next steps regarding Post 16 applications. Thank you.
Next steps:
- Regularly log into PS16 to see if you have had any offers or messages from schools or colleges. Be patient as different schools/colleges work with different time frames. You should hear back by the end of March latest.
- Regularly check your emails (the email address you gave on your PS16 profile e.g. school or personal email) as schools / colleges may email you here
- Do not worry if your friends have already heard from a school / college and you have not. This is totally normal.
- Accept all offers that are made to you. You can hold multiple offers. Do not ignore an offer whilst waiting for your favourite school/college. Accept any offers you are given. On results day you will choose where you go to (after you have seen the grades you get).
- If you wanted to make changes to any of your applications you need to call the school/college and speak to them. If you have any issues come and find Mr Croucher / Mrs Mahomed.
Pathways at Post 16 (all years)
It is always good to plan ahead. As a result we have started talking to our Year 9 and 10 students about different options available to them in Post 16 education after Manor High School.
On Tuesday our Year 9 students had an additional assembly that was led by Gateway College. The assembly highlighted the different routes available to students in Post 16 education (including A Levels, BTECs and T Levels all available at Gateway). On Thursday our students in Year 10 heard from Leicester College about the pathways they offer (including Apprenticeships and T Levels)
It is important for all students to be aware of pathways available to them. We have attached a presentation from Gateway and the following links take you to various areas they showed:
A video of their facilities – https://www.youtube.com/@GatewayCollegeLeics
Their home page for open events – https://gateway.ac.uk/
For all students and parents/carers it is never too late to start looking at the different schools/colleges available and thinking about possible routes after Manor High School.
| Here are some explanations of key terms that may help when looking at Post 16 course – it is never too early to start looking 😊
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| Level 3
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The next stage of qualification after GCSEs. A levels are a Level 3 course. BTECs and T Levels run Level 3 courses too. |
| Level 2 | GCSE passes (grades 4 and above) are Level 2 qualifications. At post 16 a Level 2 qualification holds the same weighting as a GCSE pass. These courses may be suitable for students who need to retake a GCSE (E.G. English or Maths) and they then open the doorway to Level 3 qualifications. There are BTECs run at Level 2 and some colleges also offer Foundation T Levels which are Level 2 |
| Level 1 | A qualification that is equivalent to a GCSE grade of 1-4. These qualifications are suitable for students who may need a more accessible course to help them move towards higher levels. There are a range of vocational subjects that are at Level 1. |
| T Levels | A vocational qualification that is linked directly to a career. They are 80% coursework and 20% work in experience in the career area. T Levels are a Level 3 course that are equivalent in weighting to 3 A Levels. Some colleges do offer Level 2 foundation T Levels that bridge the gap into the Level 3 courses. |
| BTEC | A vocational course that is linked to an employment sector or area. BTECs are split into units and these are completed as coursework. There is usually an examined unit too but the majority of a student’s grade comes from the coursework. BTECs do run from Level 1. Some BTECs are worth more in terms of weighting than others e.g. L3 EXTENDED/ADVANCED Diploma – 3 ‘A’ levels, L3 Diploma (National/Technical) = 2 ‘A’ levels, L3 Extended Certificate = 1 ‘A’ Level. |
| Apprenticeships | These are courses that involve a large placement for paid work within an employment sector. The student then also attends college in order to learn more about the sector and gain qualifications. Apprenticeships run from Level 2 all the way to Degree Level. |
| A Level | An academic course. These are set up in the same way as GCSEs but are clearly harder (being Level 3). They are assessed at the end of a two year course via an exam. Some A Levels do have smaller elements of coursework too such as PE, Music etc. They are offered for the same subject areas as GCSE subjects as well as some more additional subjects too. |
Alumni
We are really keen for former Manor High School students to share their experiences of the world of work with our students.
If you, a family member or even friend who was a Manor High School student and could possibly help us with this please email us via the Admin email (FAO Mr Croucher).
Many thanks.
Safeguarding Update
Guide to Emojis
People of all ages use emojis in their digital communications. In addition to adding humour or emphasis to messages, for some communities and peer groups, these symbols can form a language of their own. This is particularly true of young people and teenagers, who sometimes use emojis as a code to disguise their true intentions from adults.
While hidden meanings behind emojis used by young people can be harmless, some may indicate risks including extremism, drugs, sexual interactions and bullying. This was recently brought to life on the Netflix limited series, Adolescence, which depicted the devastating consequences of harmful online interactions, and the warning signs (in the form of emojis) that are easily missed by adults.
To help schools and parents decode potentially harmful messages, we’ve compiled a list of emojis commonly used in dangerous contexts. This includes specific emojis used on the show, and others highlighted by the work of Olivia Brown, Associate Professor in Digital Futures at the University of Bath. Please see attached guide – Guide To Emojis
Understanding the Intimate Behaviour of Teens – Lucy Faithfull Foundation
Every child will develop in their own way. During their teenage years most children will go through puberty, start to have sexual feelings, form different types of relationships and look for sexual experiences. As a parent or a teacher charged with their education, it can feel uncomfortable to think about this and to know how to help for them. Teens get information and ideas about sex and relationships from the media, social media and friends. Needless to say, this is not a particularly conducive to a good knowledge transfer. Indeed, learning in this manner can expose them to unnecessary risks. The Lucy Faithfull Foundation has published an article on these issues over on their website, if you’re interested please follow the link below: https://www.lucyfaithfull.org.uk/advice/concerned-about-a-child-or-young-persons-sexual-behaviour/helping-parents-and-carers-understand-the-sexual-behaviour-of-teenagers/
Other useful links
Many thanks for supporting your children this week in making safe choices. We have had assemblies all week around making good decisions and what to do in situations that might escalate. Students have been great in their response to this and will have some consolidation work in PSHE over the forth coming weeks.
A great website for you to look at with your children is below:https://livesafe.org.uk/
Loneliness is a difficult feeling for anyone, so its not surprising that children can really struggle when they feel lonely. By learning more about loneliness, you can work with your child to help them. https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/how-help-child-feels-lonely