Newsletter 05.12.2025 - Manor High School

Headteacher’s Update

Dear Families

Our week this week has seen some really excellent examples of Manor High students involving themselves in extra curricular activities.

Firstly, we have been participating in our Annual OAK trust Christmas Card competition. We had a number of entries, and were delighted that one of our Year 7s, Sameer was the runner-up, closely losing out to Clara from Year 4 at Overdale Juniors. You can see the cards for yourself below. We were very pleased to present Sameer with his £20 Amazon gift voucher.

I also spent some time with our Anti Bullying Ambassadors. We have done a lot of work this term in tutor time and assemblies around ‘Character’ and also around what it means to be a Bystander, and well as the use of the term Banter, which I have mentioned in weekly emails before. We are keen to involve our Ambassadors in this as well. Indeed next week Mr Croucher is leading our assemblies focussing on Protected Characteristics and Human Rights. You will have seen from our communication sent earlier in the week regarding the final day of term that we are hosting a non-uniform/Christmas jumper day and asking for a £1 donation to be paid for this- this will be split 50/50 for our Student Council and also for the Red Cross. This is the students’ idea- they wish to raise the profile regarding the various Humanitarian issues taking place across the world, for example in Sudan, Gaza, Syria, Yemen to name but a few. Of course we fully support their wishes to do so. It is another shining example of what we want for all students, to be empathetic, and ultimately to be Excellent People. Please make sure you support this and pay online. (Students are expected to either a) have paid/pay on the day, or b) wear school uniform if they do not wish to support this. Any other combination ie coming in non school uniform and not paying is not acceptable and will result in sanctions being applied as per our behaviour policy for uniform violations.)

To top off a wonderful week I went over to Devonshire Court to watch our Oadby Schools Joint Choir perform for the residents. It was a wonderfully uplifting experience. The students spent 2 hours together in the morning rehearsing and it was really impressive to see what they were able to produce after such a short time. If you want to be uplifted and energised for the Christmas period, do please come along and watch our Performing Arts Department’s Christmas Production of Matilda. Tickets are available on Arbor.

With best wishes

Mr S Greiff

Manor High Rewards

See the rewards below that you could win throughout the year! Our school is committed to celebrating the hard work and dedication of our students, and this year’s rewards program is designed to recognise those who consistently demonstrate our core values: Excellence, Inspiration, Resilience, and Respect.

Whether it’s striving for your personal best, lifting others up through positive actions, persevering through challenges, or showing kindness and consideration in everyday interactions, your efforts make our school community stronger. Throughout the year, staff will be looking for students who embody these values in the classroom, in extracurricular activities, and around the school grounds.

By working hard and living out our core values each day, you’ll not only grow as a learner and a leader—you’ll also earn chances to win exciting rewards and celebrate your achievements.

Keep aiming high, stay committed, and let our core values guide you. This could be your year to shine!

PPE Results Evening

As you are aware, Year 11 students have been working diligently on their post-16 applications and Pre-Public Examinations (PPE). We are delighted with their effort and determination in this crucial year at Manor High School.

To support their preparation for the summer GCSE exams, we aim to recreate the experience of receiving results in August. With this in mind, we are pleased to invite students and family members to the PPE Results Evening on Thursday, 11^th December, at the following times:

Start Time	End Time	Tutor Groups
5:30 PM	6:10 PM	11.1 (BP), 11.2 (CB), 11.3 (SG)
6:15 PM	6:55 PM	11.4 (ST), 11.5 (TS), 11.6 (SC)

The event will begin promptly at the stated times with a presentation in the main school hall, providing information to further support students in achieving success. Following the presentation, students and their families will meet with a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), who will share additional information and distribute the results envelopes. These envelopes will include:

PPE results
A copy of the summer exam timetable
A letter from the Headteacher

We anticipate the evening will last approximately 40 minutes.

We hope this event will help foster a sense of pride and confidence in our students as they continue to build strong independent study habits. Senior Leaders and pastoral staff will also be available throughout the evening to provide support, particularly with student wellbeing.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s tutor through the usual channels. Additionally, following the second round of PPEs in February, we will host a face-to-face Year 11 Parents’ Evening on Thursday, 26^th March.

Due to limited capacity, we humbly request for students to be accompanied by one family member. Your support is greatly appreciated in helping us make this event meaningful and an authentic experience. This evening marks an important milestone in our shared goal of ensuring GCSE success for every student.

Lastly, the PPE Results Evening provides an opportunity to support the Oadby Food Bank. If possible, please consider bringing donation items such as non-perishable foods or toiletries. A list of needed items can be found below and your contributions will be deeply appreciated.

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you on 11^th December.

Year 11 Post 16 Applications

We just wanted to remind parents/carers that our Year 11 students should be creating applications for schools/colleges. Students need to send their applications before the 12^th December.* Just a reminder that we will be uploading students predicted grades onto PS16. If students have already obtained a GCSE qualification (for example in an additional language to one they are learning at school), they can email this to Mr Croucher and we will ensure this is on the system too as an awarded qualification.

We expect students to make at least two applications but we would advise more. Students can hold as many offers as they receive. It is better to keep options open and to apply to a range of providers. If a students is unsure if they will achieve the grades they need for their preferred course, one of their back up options must include a different type of course option or a school/college with lower entry requirements to help ensure they will have their options open.

*Note – for students who are having their 1-1 careers interview either on or after Monday 8^th December, they do not need to send their applications until 7^th January.

Christmas Celebrations

Non-uniform/Christmas Jumpers

The last day of term will be a non-uniform day, Christmas jumpers encouraged! Students (and staff) will be asked to make a £1 donation on Arbor which will be split between the British Red Cross to support Humanitarian causes across the world, such as those being experienced in Sudan, Yemen, Gaza, Myanmar and Afghanistan and the School to fund our Student Leadership Team’s approved initiatives.

Christmas Lunch

Our traditional Christmas Lunch will take place on this day and all students will eat with the rest of their tutor group and House in the School Hall. We would encourage all students to sign up for the lunch as it is always excellent and very sociable, if they do not wish to have a Christmas Lunch then they must bring a packed lunch to eat with their tutor group in the School Hall.

Tickets for the two-course Christmas meal can be purchased from Arbor for £2.80 per person. The cost is covered for students eligible for Free School Meals.

Please select either the vegetarian, Halal turkey or turkey option on Arbor.
Deadline for ordering meals is Wednesday 9th December. Tickets will be issued to students on the morning of the last day of term.
Due to the scale of preparing Christmas Lunch, the kitchen staff will not be able to provide a break service or any other food on this day.
Anyone not purchasing a Christmas meal will need to bring a packed lunch – please remember, we are a nut free school.

Early Finishing Time

We teach our students right up to the end of term, including Session 1 on the last day, which will be normal lessons. After break, all students will spend time together in their tutor groups, as well as enjoying their Christmas dinner. The school day will finish a little earlier than usual: students will be dismissed from 2pm.

There will be no after-school study facility on this day. This is because we have to prepare the close-down for the break.
The Manor High buses and free school transport will depart at the earlier time of 2:15pm.
It is our intention that all students are safely dismissed and off site by 2:15pm. UNLESS they are required to serve a school detention, which will take place from 1.30pm for the duration of the detention.

School returns after the break on Tuesday 6th January 2026.

Sparx Maths Student of the Week

We’re delighted to celebrate this week’s Sparx Maths Student of the Week! This recognition is awarded to Muhammad of 7.7 who has shown outstanding effort, determination, and commitment to their independent learning on Sparx. Their hard work not only strengthens their mathematical skills but also sets a fantastic example for their peers. Well done – we are very proud of their achievement!

Club Timetable Week Beginning 8th December 2025

Trust Christmas Card Competition Winners

We are delighted to announce the winners of this year’s Trust Christmas Card Competition.

First place has been awarded to Clara, a talented Year 4 pupil from Overdale Junior School. Her design impressed the judges with its originality and festive warmth. Clara’s artwork will now feature as the Trust’s official Christmas card for 2025.

Taking second place is Sameer, a Year 7 student from Manor High School, whose imaginative and vibrant design also stood out among a strong field of entries.

We extend a huge congratulations to Clara and Sameer, and a heartfelt thank-you to all pupils who took part. The standard of entries this year was exceptionally high, making the judging both challenging and inspiring.

We are proud of the artistic talent across our Trust and look forward to seeing more brilliant work in future competitions. Well done to everyone involved, and happy holidays!