Headteacher’s Update
Dear Families
We have reached the end of a successful term, and this week has been the week to recognise this. We have had rewards assemblies, as well as a cinema experience for our students who have done the right things every single day. It has been a busy but brilliant end to the term. Christmas lunch today has been a huge success with the most students ever purchasing a lunch and immersing themselves in the Christmas spirit.
Our Christmas performance of Matilda was truly magical and a wonderful way to end the term. The students involved were incredible and have worked so hard to put on a wonderful show that I hope becomes a tradition in the school for many years to come. As well as the students it is important to thank the staff- Mrs Woods, Miss Hutchinson, Miss Jennings, Mr English, Mrs Moseley and Mr Hings in particular worked hard after school and at weekends to put together a wonderful performance. My thanks also go to parents who have picked their children up late after school and brought them to school on Sundays to rehearse.
This newsletter is a ‘bumper’ version that highlights all of the opportunities and achievements of the long Autumn term. There have been many and over the next couple of weeks it would be nice for you to take moment and have a read about these. We will continue to work to provide a breadth of extra curricular offer over the coming term.
My final message to you is to wish all of our community a Merry Christmas and we look forward to seeing all students back with us on Tuesday January 6th at the usual time.
With best wishes
Mr S Greiff
Celebrating Achievement & Growth
MFL
European Day of Languages
In the Autumn term, Manor High School MFL department celebrated the European Day of Languages, an annual event which promotes cultural diversity and celebrates the variety of languages spoken in school, not only within Europe, but from all around the world. This year, we invited the whole of Year 7 to participate in a French breakfast in the hall and students enjoyed pains au chocolat and brioches whilst participating in a languages quiz. Whilst they were doing this, the rest of the school participated in a tutor time quiz, with prizes and house points awarded to the winning tutor groups. Later in the day, students across all years were able to enjoy a Mexican, Spanish and French-themed lunch courtesy of our new catering company, with dishes such as fajitas, albóndigas and ratatouille available for students to try.
Modern Languages lunchtime clubs
Throughout the Autumn term, the Modern Languages department has been hosting Polyglot Club and Portuguese Club in alternating weeks. In Polyglot Club, students have the opportunity to discover different cultures through music, film, food and games. In our Portuguese Club, students learn a new language with our resident Portuguese expert, Miss Patel, herself a native Portuguese speaker, and learn more about Portuguese culture and other Portuguese speaking countries.
Upcoming events in MFL
In January, Onatti Productions will be visiting Manor High School to perform a Spanish play for KS3 students, Un Ensayo Desastroso. The play will be performed by Spanish native speakers and is aimed at students of 13-16 years learning Spanish as a foreign language. There will be lots of audience participation with students performing live and spontaneously for their peers whilst showing off their languages skills! French students can look forward to a similar experience in March 2026!
Barcelona trip 2026
The Modern Languages department was thrilled to receive so much interest in its annual European visit; this year 40 students will be going to the beautiful city of Barcelona. Participating students should have all submitted their passport details to Mrs Muggleton (dmuggleton@manorhigh.leics.sch.uk) and more correspondence will follow in 2026 regarding the trip.
Maths
As we come to the end of another busy term, the Maths Department is delighted to share some of the highlights from the past few months. Our students have shown incredible enthusiasm, resilience, and creativity in their learning, and we are proud of their achievements.
Sparx Maths
Students continue to excel with Sparx Maths, earning reward points and certificates for their dedication. Each week we celebrate a Student of the Week and a Tutor Group of the Week, recognising the hard work and progress being made across the school.
Visit from OAK Primaries
We were pleased to welcome colleagues from OAK Trust primary schools into the department. They were impressed by the excellent attitude to learning displayed by Manor students, a testament to the positive culture of curiosity and perseverance in our classrooms.
Culture Day
In November, students explored Maths through the lens of different cultures. Lessons included Egyptian and Chinese multiplication methods, alongside artistic explorations of Islamic geometric patterns and Rangoli designs. This day highlighted the global nature of mathematics and its rich cultural heritage.
Parental Workshop
In October, selected Year 11 parents joined us for a workshop on supporting GCSE preparation. Together, we explored strategies for effective revision and consolidation at home. The feedback was very positive, and we look forward to running further workshops in the new year—please keep an eye out for invitations.
Maths Club
Our Maths Club continues to thrive as a supportive space for students to work on current learning, homework, and revision. It runs every Wednesday from 3.15pm to 4.00pm in Room 23, and all students are warmly welcome to attend.
Primary School Visits
Earlier this term, Mrs Patel visited Brookside Primary School and Overdale Junior School to lead Maths relay activities. Pupils enjoyed tackling challenging problems and expressed excitement about joining their siblings at Manor High School in the future.
Looking Ahead
We have lots more planned for the new year, including celebrations for National Number Day and participation in the UKMT Maths Challenges. These opportunities will allow students to showcase their problem-solving skills and creativity on a national stage, and we look forward to celebrating their achievements.
PE
A busy Autumn term has seen Manor students in all years compete in the South Leicestershire Football, Netball, Table Tennis and Basketball leagues, with the indoor Athletics fast approaching in the last week of term. Some notable successes along the way saw the free scoring Year 7 boys win their football league, remaining unbeaten throughout, and the Year 8 basketball team crowning their first tournament using the new sports hall with league winning performances. Both teams have now qualified for the knockout stages of the Leicestershire competitions taking place in the new year.
At Manor we are always keen to promote local sports clubs and this term we invited the Leicester Riders Basketball and Kids Ultimate Frisbee to deliver taster sessions. I am pleased to say that both the Basketball (Friday evenings) and the Ultimate Frisbee (Wednesday evenings) have now set up base in the Manor High School sports hall delivering weekly clubs. If you are interested in giving either a go, please use the flyers in the weekly newsletters to sign up.
Within lessons the students have been making excellent use of the new Sports Centre. Badminton and Futsal lessons in particular have proved incredibly popular and we look forward to continuing them into the new year with even more extra-curricular sessions.
In early November a group of our Year 9 girls received training to be new GAL’s ambassadors. On the day they enjoyed activities such as Rugby Union and Clubbersize, as well as developing important leadership skills that they will put to good use when delivering festivals and competitions for the trust in the new year.
Science
It has been a very busy term for Science, and we are incredibly proud of our Year 11 students for the resilience they have shown during their recent mock examinations. As we remind them, this is a marathon and not a sprint, so it is important that they take time to recharge over the break and return refreshed and ready for the penultimate term before their GCSEs.
Mrs Jenkin, our Assistant Curriculum Leader, has also been extremely busy organising a range of enriching trips for our students. This has included a Year 9–11 visit to Cambridge University, while Year 7 and 8 students had the exciting opportunity to attend a live science theatre show. In addition, Mr Loweth visited Overdale Primary School, where he delivered an engaging assembly on light and shadow.
There are limited spaces remaining for the ZooLab biomimicry workshop for students in Years 8 and 9. If you are interested, please purchase a ticket via Arbor.
Our Science Club continues to be very popular. Ms Morrant has led a number of exciting activities, including exploring optical illusions, taking part in an egg-drop challenge, flame testing, using chromatography to study chlorophyll pigments in plants, and creating a “dancing man” made from wire.
This term, we were also delighted to announce that Dr Kellett has secured additional funding to support Triple Physics students within the department. This exciting opportunity has been made possible as a result of one of our former students being awarded an externally funded Arkwright Engineering Scholarship.
Our Eco-Club and Eco-ambassadors have been carrying out an initial analysis of how Green and Eco-Friendly the school is. Whilst we are very green, there is always room for improvement.
We will focus on improving Biodiversity, Energy Consumption and Waste Management of our school site. Form Reps have been gathering ideas from tutor groups and bringing them together to create an ‘Eco-Code of Conduct’ for students, staff and parents to follow to be greener.
Between now and the summer our main pints of focus are improving these key areas.
Biodiversity will involve improving our school garden and turning it into a diverse area for students, plants and animals to enjoy. Waste management will introduce new recycling bins round the school to reduce our landfill based waste. Energy consumption will involve improving energy usage within the school such as only having essential lights turned on.
These are just a few ideas for how we will be making our school Greener. Watch this space.
Design Technology
Two of our GCSE Art and Design groups were able to take part in a bespoke workshop on landscape perspective design. We had the privilege of hosting local artist from DMU who specialises in Game Concept & Comic Art.
Some of our GCSE students took advantage of a sunny day this term and experimented with creating natural structures made only out of found natural resources. These sculptures were then photographed and developed into paintings in response to British artist Any Goldsworthy.
Year 10 Art & Design students have been researching and responding to their first artist as part of their Natural Form project. Students have started working from their photographs of flowers and leaves they collected at the Botanical Gardens visit using Gouache in response to painter Georgia O’Keeffe.
Year 10 Art & Design students enjoyed a trip to a local dairy farm in Hungarton. After a tour of the land, students took part in on site sketches of landscapes and photographing the animals for their first project. They rounded the visit off with freshly made milkshakes of various flavours.
Year 11 Explore Their Futures at De Montfort University
Our Year 11 students took part in an exciting and inspiring trip to De Montfort University for the annual Futures Fair. The event brought together schools across the county with the universities many different courses and career specialists, giving students a valuable opportunity to explore a wide range of post-16 and post-18 pathways.
Throughout the day, students engaged in interactive workshops, spoke directly with industry professionals, and gathered practical advice on A-Level choices, vocational courses, and university life. Many enjoyed exploring the university campus itself, gaining a first-hand sense of what higher education can offer.
The Futures Fair encouraged students to think more deeply about their ambitions and helped many begin shaping their future plans with greater confidence. Staff were extremely proud of how our students represented the school, showing curiosity, maturity, and enthusiasm throughout the event.
We look forward to continuing to support our Year 11s as they prepare for this next exciting stage in their education and career journeys.
SEND
As we come to the end of a busy and exciting term, we would like to thank you for your continued support and share some of the fantastic activities that have taken place in the SEND department this term, with stories of creativity, teamwork, and lots of learning.
We would like to start our news with a warm welcome to Ms Jussab who has taken on the role of our new HLTA in charge of SEMH. Ms Jussab has already been hard at work preparing a range of carefully thought-out interventions to support some of our students in their overall wellbeing and development. With a focus on friendships, self-esteem and resilience, Ms Jussab aims to set our students up effectively for their year ahead. We have already received a lot of positive feedback from students and parents and are confident that the impact of these interventions will be felt by our student body.
Festive Activities
We have decorated the department for Christmas, helping to create a warm and welcoming environment for our students. The festive atmosphere has been enhanced by our very own large inflatable Santa filling our Hive space through to a selection of hanging snowflakes and a tinsel-adorned festive tree! The beautiful colours have been enjoyed by everyone and filled our last few weeks with festive fun!
Art Competition
Students from all year groups have enthusiastically taken part in our art competition, showcasing an incredible range of creativity and talent. It’s truly inspiring to see the unique perspectives and artistic skills reflected in their work. Each piece tells its own story, and the effort and imagination behind them highlight the passion our students have for the arts. This event not only celebrates their artistic abilities but also fosters a sense of community and appreciation for creativity across the school.
Movember Madness
As part of our Movember Madness fundraiser, Mr Hings and Mr Martin grew moustaches to raise money for charity. Students who were unable to grow their own moustaches joined in by wearing fake ones during interventions and taking photos for our charity board. Thanks to everyone’s enthusiasm, we managed to raise £47 within the department.
Interventions Highlights
Our interventions this term have been engaging and interactive, including:
- A murder mystery maths intervention, where students used algebra and collecting like terms to find the killer.
- Cowboy times tables, complete with cowboy music and fast-paced questioning
- A human number line, where students wore numbers on post it notes and worked together to arrange themselves in ascending order
- A courtroom role-play, where students debated whether Scrooge was guilty or innocent using quotes from A Christmas Carol
Raffle
Raffle tickets are handed out to students during interventions, giving them the chance to be drawn at the end of each month. With a coveted plush pumpkin being won just in time for a spooktacular time of year, all eyes were on who would be the next winner! Well, the news is out and we would like to say well done to Logan who chose the gumball machine as his prize. Congratulations Logan!
One of our fabulous students spent a week at the Radmoor Centre in Loughborough, immersing himself in what it is really like to work as a chef. With a clear ambition to pursue a career in catering and hospitality, he embraced the opportunity to learn professional kitchen routines, develop his practical skills, and experience the standards and pace of a real restaurant environment—culminating in a fantastic final dinner service. We are proud of the maturity, focus, and enthusiasm he showed throughout the week, and we are confident that with hard work and determination, he has every chance of turning this aspiration into a successful future career.
Wellbeing Ambassadors
We are proud to say that some of our students have been selected to represent the school as Wellbeing Ambassadors. These students have attended external training sessions to equip themselves with the necessary skills and experience to share valuable practice with their peers. Our students came up with some brilliant ideas of ways in which we could all look after our bodies and minds and shared alternatives to time spent on screens confidently. Perhaps over the festive break, you could find time to have a lovely winter walk, snuggle up with a book or take on a craft project to create some lovely memories.
Once again, thank you for your continued support. We hope you have a wonderful seasonal break and look forward to welcoming students back next term.
Pastoral Update
At Manor High School, our vision is clear: to work pro-actively and as a team to foster a sense of community and belonging, helping students become the best version of themselves — achieving excellent people, excellent results.
This term, our pastoral work has been firmly rooted in that aim, and we are delighted to share some highlights with you.
Key Achievements This Term
- Our Student Leadership Team is now up and running — and already making a difference.
We now have two Student Leaders, a Deputy Student Leader, and a set of student-led committees focusing on enrichment, careers, wellbeing, literacy and sport.
Alongside them, our team of Form Representatives have been actively gathering feedback from their peers. As a result:- We have updated our rewards, incentives and events for the year. Next week we run our first big rewards event with 45 students being taken off timetable for a cinema afternoon, munching on popcorn.
- Students have launched new eco-initiatives that will develop further in the spring term.
Embedding our Character Curriculum
This term we have continued to explicitly teach and celebrate the positive behaviours and values that shape excellent young people.
Our focus has been gratitude — a value strongly linked to wellbeing and belonging.
To mark the end of term, students from across the school contributed to a wonderful Gratitude Wall, showcasing the many people, moments and opportunities they appreciate.
This work matters: research shows that practising gratitude can significantly reduce feelings of loneliness and low mood over time. A study by psychologist Martin Seligman found that participants who wrote three things they were grateful for each day showed improved wellbeing even months later. We are excited to bring this evidence-based approach into school life.
(Please insert photo attached of Aisha’s gratitude wall – Even better a photo of her with some students next to the wall would be great)
Celebration Friday continues to grow in impact
Every Friday, our aim is simple — for students to leave school feeling positive and proud.
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- Double reward points are available.
- Students take part in competitions such as our weekly attendance draw, where anyone with 100% attendance that week is entered to win a voucher.
This initiative is building momentum and has become a highlight of the week for many students.
- Improving behaviour — a clear and encouraging trend
We are proud to share that our behaviour data shows real movement towards our vision.- Year 11 students have accumulated half the number of behaviour points compared with the same point last year.
This is just one example of the many indicators that show students are making strong choices and that our pastoral strategies are having a meaningful impact.
- Year 11 students have accumulated half the number of behaviour points compared with the same point last year.
We are incredibly proud of how our students have embraced the opportunities, values and expectations of this term. Thank you for your continued support — it makes a genuine difference.
We look forward to building on this success in the new year
Sporting Success for our Year 10’s
Congratulations to Quaresma in Year 10 who is playing football at an extremely high standard with Notts County in their Academy. He has recently returned from representing his club in a youth tournament in Alicante, Spain. We are all jealous of the time spent in warmer climes, but congratulate Quaresma for the dedication shown that has enabled him to reach such a high standard of football. He manages to train, tour and complete all of his school work also, this is true excellence!
Please see the photos below from a recent national swimming competition in which Arthur from Year 10 competed. As one of the youngest athletes in the field, Arthur raced against university-aged competitors and delivered an outstanding performance.
Throughout the competition, Arthur achieved personal best times and even won one of his heats—an exceptional result at this level of competition. Competing on a national stage against older and more experienced swimmers makes this achievement even more impressive.
Congratulations to Arthur on his dedication, determination, and remarkable success. This is a fantastic achievement and a testament to his hard work and commitment to the sport.
Magical Matilda Musical
Our school production of Matilda took place this week and was a huge success. There were four performances of the show across the two days – two in the evenings with almost 500 audience members joining us, and two daytime performances to almost 500 students from our feeder primary schools Brookside, Woodland Grange and Overdale. Thank you to everyone who came to support the performances – the show really brought our whole community together. The talent and professionalism of our staff and students really shone through in the performances and we are so proud of everyone involved. They have worked tirelessly since the summer rehearsing, and the levels of enthusiasm, commitment and resilience have been incredible. Special thanks go to the production team – Mrs Woods, Miss Jennings and Miss Hutchinson and also to Mr English for overseeing the sound and lighting, Mrs Moseley for props and stage management and Mr Hings for displays and stage decoration.
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 Elliott of 7.3 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!
According to Humphrey Book Series
We have been made aware that several titles in the ‘According to Humphrey’ series contain a weblink at the back of the book that no longer directs people to information about the books. Instead, the link has been compromised and now leads to inappropriate and unsafe material that should not be accessed by children at any age.
Below are images of some of the front covers in the series to help you identify the books should you have any at home. The link can be found on the back cover or may be also included on a page inside.
For clarity and reassurance, we are not aware of any children who have accessed this link at Manor High School. If you have any of these books at home, we advise you to remove them immediately. Be extra-vigilant with all children’s books that contain links and ensure that they are checked by an adult.
Club Timetable Week Beginning 5th January 2026
Thank You for Your Food Donations
We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who generously donated food items. Your kindness and willingness to help have made a real difference to those in need within our local community.
We are pleased to confirm that Oadby Food Bank has collected all of the donated items. Thanks to your support, these essential supplies will now go directly to individuals and families who rely on the food bank’s services.
Acts of generosity like this highlight the strength and compassion of our community. Your donations, no matter how big or small, are truly appreciated and help provide vital support to those facing difficult times.
Thank you once again for your continued kindness and support.
Safeguarding Update
Please see attached letter regarding online safety, which is especially important over the break.
In case of any concerns over the break please alert First Response at Children’s Social Care on 0116 3050005 or Leicester City on 0116 454 1004.
Many thanks and have a great break.
In order to continue to support student and family mental health over the break, please see the link below for how to support mental health during the break and at this time of year.
Other useful links:
SEND Dept
T: 0116 2729791 (or 0116 2714941 ext. 791)
E: SEND@manorhigh.leics.sch.uk
Lead Operational DSL & Senior Mental Health Lead Ashma Ghani
T: 0116 2729760 (or 0116 2714941 ext. 760)
E: AGhani@manorhigh.leics.sch.uk
Headteacher’s Update
Dear Families
Firstly, a big thank you to all Year 11 parents that came to support their children last night whilst we gave out our Pre Public Examination results. We were really pleased with the turn-out and it just shows how committed we all are to ensuring students achieve the best possible outcomes at the end of this year. The Christmas break is approaching and there is now an opportunity for everyone to reflect upon the efforts made this term, and how we can approach the final 16 weeks before the final exams begin.
| Event | Date |
| Study Skills Workshop | Monday 19th January |
| Year 11 PPEs - Round 2 | 9th February - 6th March |
| GCSE Exams Begin | 8th May - 17th June |
| Prom | Thursday 18th June |
| Leavers Assenbly | Monday 22nd June |
We have focussed our assemblies this week on Human Rights, particularly looking at key elements of the Human Rights Act that was established after WW2. These points are still relevant today, but unfortunately not always adhered to by some. Mr Croucher led these assemblies, focussing on the right to be free from discrimination and the right to an education. Students reflected well upon what this means for us today, and the reasons this is important. Respect is core to our values at Manor High and we believe very strongly that students, staff and families have a right to be respected and free from discrimination. That is why Respect is one of our core values.
In addition this week we practised our procedures for ‘sheltering in place’ with the students. This is something that we hope we never have to do, but it is important that students are aware of the procedures and how they operate. We emailed you yesterday as soon as we completed the drill and made sure that every student knew that it was a practise when I, or Mrs Newbery visited classrooms at the end of the drill. The students were superb and took this very seriously. It was also an opportunity for me to test out our new CCTV system that has been installed recently which is a significant upgrade on our old system! Students were responsible and showed that they are indeed Excellent People.
I remind you that school closes early next Friday. All students will continue to learn on the final day, with Session 1 being normal lessons before we begin our Christmas celebrations at 11am, concluding at 2pm. Buses will depart at 2.15pm. Detentions will run earlier on this day if there are any students that are in detention.
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!
GCSE Art and Design Students Take Part in Bespoke Landscape Perspective Workshop
Last week, two of our GCSE Art and Design groups had the exciting opportunity to participate in a bespoke workshop focused on landscape perspective design. We were delighted to welcome a local artist from De Montfort University, who specialises in Game Concept and Comic Art, to lead the session.
Students gained valuable insight into professional creative techniques, exploring how perspective is used within game and comic environments to build immersive worlds. The workshop was highly engaging and provided learners with a fresh, industry-informed approach to developing their own landscape artwork.
We are incredibly grateful to our guest artist for inspiring our students and helping them broaden their artistic skills and ambitions.
Year 10 Football Competition
10.6 emerged as the triumphant winners of the first-ever Year 10 interform boys’ football competition. The game began as a tight, hard-fought contest, with both sides showing real determination, but as the match wore on, the quality of 10.6 shone through. Their composure in front of goal ultimately saw them pull away as comfortable winners, thanks in large part to a stellar performance from goalkeeper Akal, who was simply unbeatable between the posts.
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 15th December 2025
Gratitude for Your Support in the Hurricane Aid Appeal
The Form 7.1 community would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who generously contributed to our recent Hurricane Aid Appeal. Your donations, encouragement, and willingness to help made a tremendous difference to families and communities working to rebuild their lives after the storm.
As part of our continued effort to support long-term recovery, Form 7.1 has also been working on a special project. You can explore the details by scanning the QR code included below. We encourage you to take a moment to learn more about the initiative.
Thank you once again for standing with us. Your support has made—and continues to make—a meaningful impact.
Safeguarding Update
This time of year can often see our mental health suffer due to the long dark nights. Please see the link below that signs posts parents for help to support their child with their mental health.
Parents’ A-Z Mental Health Guide | Mental Health Advice | YoungMinds
Other useful links:
SEND Dept
T: 0116 2729791 (or 0116 2714941 ext. 791)
E: SEND@manorhigh.leics.sch.uk
Lead Operational DSL & Senior Mental Health Lead Ashma Ghani
T: 0116 2729760 (or 0116 2714941 ext. 760)
E: AGhani@manorhigh.leics.sch.uk
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, 11th 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, 26th 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 11th 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 12th 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 8th December, they do not need to send their applications until 7th 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!
Safeguarding Update
SEND Dept
T: 0116 2729791 (or 0116 2714941 ext. 791)
E: SEND@manorhigh.leics.sch.uk
Lead Operational DSL & Senior Mental Health Lead Ashma Ghani
T: 0116 2729760 (or 0116 2714941 ext. 760)
E: AGhani@manorhigh.leics.sch.uk
Headteacher’s Update
Dear Families
There has been a real buzz around the school over the last couple of weeks. We have had two trips run this week- one to De Montfort University to raise aspirations for some students and to give them a taste of what university life might be like. There are more trips planned to different places for different groups of students. In addition our well being ambassadors were off to their conference at South Wigston High School in order to learn about how to support well being in school and to give them the tools to be able to talk about well being with their peers. We look forward to seeing them have a higher profile in school over the coming weeks.
We have worked on our student leadership model over the last week and now have a student leadership committee in place. We have met with the students this morning, and will share the structure more widely with our student body over the coming days. There is a copy of what this looks like within the update below. It was a true pleasure to listen to students talk about how they want to support the school and lead on various areas. We have put together a well thought out student leadership model which we hope will see more benefit that we have seen previously. This is an exciting area of our development, we want students to have a voice and this will support positively.
Our assemblies have focussed this week on the British Value of Tolerance and Respect. One of the themes of the assembly has been that actually, this is not necessarily a British value. It is a value that everyone should have, regardless of where they are residing in the world, or where they were born. Indeed if there was more thought, tolerance and respect in our world, many of the problems of the past and present would not exist/ have existed.
Our assemblies next week move to a related topic- “Excellent People, Excellent Results” which know is our school vision.
Although it is not yet December, we are finalising our plans for the end of term! Parent feedback has stated that you wanted to know in advance of any changes to timings etc. Wherever possible we will try to make sure we do this. You will receive details about the final day of term and Christmas Lunches very soon, but the key takeaway is that we will finish a little earlier at 2pm on the final day of term. Do look out for the separate communication regarding this that will come to you next week.
With best wishes
Mr S Greiff
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, 11th 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, 26th 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 11th 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 12th 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 also ensure this is on the system 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 student 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 8th December, they do not need to send their applications until 7th January.
GCSE Students Explore Natural Sculpture Inspired by Andy Goldsworthy
Taking advantage of one of the rare sunny days this week, our GCSE Art students stepped outside to experiment with creating temporary sculptures using only natural, found materials. Working collaboratively, they gathered leaves, branches, stones, and other organic resources to construct site-specific structures in the spirit of environmental art.
Once completed, the sculptures were carefully photographed from a range of perspectives. Back in the studio, students used these images as the foundation for a series of expressive paintings inspired by the work of British artist Andy Goldsworthy, whose practice focuses on the beauty and impermanence of nature.
The project offered a fantastic opportunity for students to explore creativity outdoors, develop their observational skills, and engage with contemporary artistic influences.
Zoolab Biomimicry Workshop
The Science Department excited to announce that ZooLab will be visiting our school to run a hands-on Biomimicry Workshop for Year 8 and Year 9 students.
Perfect for aspiring engineers, biologists, vets or anyone with an interest in nature, this interactive session will explore how engineers and designers take inspiration from the natural world to solve real-world problems. We’ll meet live animals, discover amazing survival adaptations, and learn how nature influences modern technology.
Workshops last approximately 1 hour and include:
- Close-up encounters with ZooLab’s animal team
- Real examples of biomimicry in action
- Fun, practical activities
- A chance to ask questions and investigate animal design
Date: 22 January 2026
Cost: £9 per student
Location: MHS Science Base
Places are limited. Students who would like to take part should sign up via Arbor from 6pm on Monday 1st December.
Year 10 Media Studies: Autumn Photography Competition Results
Year 10 students were asked to capture the beauty, mood, and colours of autumn through their own unique perspectives. Their challenge was to take photographs that represent what autumn means to them — it could be nature, people, activities, or even small details that captured the essence of the season. They were asked to ensure that their photos told a story: the golden leaves, misty mornings, spooky season, cosy moments, or autumn celebrations like Halloween and Diwali! Please find our students’ wonderful photographs, winners and results attached! We had some really impressive entries and are so proud to celebrate our students’ work.
PE Club Timetable
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 Harry of 7.3 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!
Oadby Food Bank
We’re pleased to share that we’ll be collecting donations again this year in support of the Oadby Food Bank.
Thanks to your generosity last year, our contributions helped provide 180 bags filled with tins, cereal, pasta, and other essentials to around 100 households (with larger families receiving two bags). In addition, the food bank was able to distribute 100 Christmas bags and 100 fresh produce bags, ensuring every household received extra support during the festive season.
Your kindness made a real difference — and we’re hoping to do even more this year.
Safeguarding Update
Please see the message below from Jo Keogh at Leicester College.
An event for Year 10 & 11 students and parents with an EHCP/SEN need can book onto an event on 15th December or 7th January. Please see links below:
Domestic Abuse Support App – Bright Sky by Hestia
Domestic abuse, whether towards a female or male partner, can significantly affect the children who live in that environment. Exposure to violence, coercion or ongoing emotional manipulation disrupts a child’s sense of safety and can influence their behaviour, relationships and engagement in learning.
These situations are often hard to spot. Many victims work to hide what is happening, particularly from official agencies, due to fear of consequences for the abusive partner or worries about major upheaval for the family.
Hestia is a London-based charity that supports adults and children in crisis, delivering frontline services and campaigning nationally on issues such as domestic abuse, modern slavery and mental health. They have created the Bright Sky app, a free and discreet tool that helps people recognise signs of abuse, access specialist support and record concerns safely.
The Bright Sky app provides:
- A simple tool to help someone recognise signs of abuse and understand whether a relationship feels unsafe.
- A secure, optional journal for recording incidents or concerns that can later be shared with a trusted person or agency.
- A directory of national and local support services, making it easier to find the right help quickly.
To find out more, please follow the link: https://www.hestia.org/brightsky
Headteacher’s Update
Dear Families
Students have been working hard this week. We are drawing to the end of our Year 11 assessments and Year 10 are now preparing for their first round of mock examinations which will occur before the Christmas break. We are supporting and preparing students for this period at the moment and will be publishing details for our Year 10 students soon.
In addition, we are having a whole school production of Matilda in December and the Performing Arts Department are busily working away preparing students for this performance. This is very exciting, and I enjoy hearing the students practising after school and we hope to see as many of you there as possible on Monday 15th or Tuesday 16th December.
Our assemblies this week have focussed on Resilience and next week we will be talking to students about the important British Value of tolerance and mutual respect. One of our core values is Respect and it is an opportunity to celebrate the diversity there is amongst us. We are all different and that is to be celebrated. Diversity is about celebrating each others’ uniqueness.
This morning (Friday) I have just spent time talking with prospective Student Leaders in Year 10. It was an absolute pleasure to listen to their ideas and their passion for their school. They had some wonderful ideas that we can develop further over the next term or so. Now that Year 11 are through their PPE exams we will be talking to prospective Year 11 leaders next week. It is always great to hear how much students care about their school and each other. They truly were exceptional. We will be finalising our student leadership team over the next couple of weeks. This will feed into our form representative system. We are keen to ensure that students have a voice, and every form has a form representative that students can talk to about anything they feel could be bothering them. This is in addition, of course, to their Trusted Adult in school.
With best wishes
Mr S Greiff
Hurricane Relief Effort
This week, Form 7.1 have been visiting tutor rooms to collect essential items for our Hurricane Relief Effort. Please see the poster below which highlights the items most needed for donation.
In keeping with our commitment to helping pupils grow into excellent people, we believe that acts of generosity and community care begin with us. We therefore encourage all staff to lead by example and take part in this collection alongside the students.
Your support will make a meaningful difference to those affected. Thank you in advance for your kindness and participation.
Please Complete Our Catering Survey
We are keen to gather the views of both parents and students about our new catering provision. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and will help us continue to improve the quality, variety, and overall experience of the meals we provide.
We kindly ask all families to take a few minutes to complete our catering survey. By sharing your thoughts, you will play an important role in shaping future menus, identifying areas for enhancement, and ensuring that our catering service meets the needs and preferences of our school community.
Thank you in advance for your time and support.
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 12th 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 8th December, they do not need to send their applications until 7th January.
Year 10 work experience
- Please remember that work experience forms need to be returned by Wednesday 26th November
- A payment will then be set up for you on Arbor
- Please ensure you have paid for the application by 28th November (if you get the form in sooner we can set up the payment sooner)
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 24th November 2025
Year 10 Art & Design: Exploring Natural Forms Through Gouache
This week, our Year 10 Art & Design students have been delving into their first artist study as part of the Natural Form project. Following their recent visit to the Botanical Gardens, students began working from the photographs they captured of flowers and leaves, using these as inspiration for their own creative responses.
Drawing on the work of celebrated painter Georgia O’Keeffe, students explored how gouache can be used to highlight the rich colours, forms, and textures found in nature.
It has been wonderful to see their confidence grow!
Safeguarding Update
The NHS Mental Health Service Team are now accepting self-referrals. Previously, referrals could only be made by school staff.
Please have a look at the information below that has been sent through by the team, regarding support for your child and the referral process.
Please see the attached document produced by the NHS Mental Health Service Team. Here, you will find some useful resources and signposting – Self Help Resources & Mental Health Support
SEND Dept
T: 0116 2729791 (or 0116 2714941 ext. 791)
E: SEND@manorhigh.leics.sch.uk
Lead Operational DSL & Senior Mental Health Lead Ashma Ghani
T: 0116 2729760 (or 0116 2714941 ext. 760)
E: AGhani@manorhigh.leics.sch.uk
Headteacher’s Update
Dear Families
The autumnal weather has presented significant challenge for us this week. The amount of rain that has fallen has resulted in us having to call some wet weather breaks and lunches, which means students have to stay inside in order to remain safe and dry. We have been very impressed with how students have responded to this and the changes to the normal processes. We have our fingers crossed that the weather improves next week!
Our assemblies this week have focussed around Anti Bullying and particularly around the use of what is termed ‘banter’. We would appreciate your support with this. ‘Banter’ is sometimes used as a excuse for dismissing behaviours that have caused upset. Making jokes and laughing with friends is all part of a positive healthy relationship.
However, sometimes we can get this wrong and it’s important to understand that we don’t joke about certain topics as they are likely to cause offense. For example, making fun of religious beliefs, sexuality or gender is not ‘banter’. These are clear messages that we discuss with students to ensure that they understand there are boundaries to be respected at all times.
Our Year 11s are currently doing their Pre Public Exams or ‘Mocks’ and we have also been really pleased with how they have approached these as well. They are using the Sports Centre at the moment to do their examinations, for the very first time. We have done this so that they are familiar with the surroundings and are used to the space before they do the real exams in May. Please encourage your child to revise and prepare for these exams properly so that we can identify the gaps in their learning and ‘fix’ these gaps before May.
With best wishes
Mr S Greiff
Culture Day Celebration Writing
On Culture Day, 7xS/En wrote about a meaningful celebration to them. Take a
look at their work below!
Lunchtime Clubs
After School Clubs
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 Mansehaj of 8.5 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 17th November 2025
Design Our Official Christmas Card!
We’re inviting all children across the OAK Multi Academy Trust to take part in a fun and festive competition — design our official Christmas card!
The winning design will become the official OAK Multi Academy Trust Christmas card for 2025 and will also earn the talented artist a special prize!
✨ How to take part:
-
Create your best Christmas card design
-
Submit your entry by 19th November – Entry Form here
-
The winner will be announced on 30th November
We can’t wait to see your creativity shine this festive season — good luck to everyone taking part!
Safeguarding Update
The NHS Mental Health Service Team are now accepting self-referrals. Previously, referrals could only be made by school staff.
Please have a look at the information below that has been sent through by the team, regarding support for your child and the referral process.
Please see the attached document produced by the NHS Mental Health Service Team. Here, you will find some useful resources and signposting – Self Help Resources & Mental Health Support
SEND Dept
T: 0116 2729791 (or 0116 2714941 ext. 791)
E: SEND@manorhigh.leics.sch.uk
Lead Operational DSL & Senior Mental Health Lead Ashma Ghani
T: 0116 2729760 (or 0116 2714941 ext. 760)
E: AGhani@manorhigh.leics.sch.uk
Headteacher’s Update
Dear Families
We have had a wonderful end to our week this week with our Culture Day. There have been so many interesting activities that have taken place over the course of the day and it has been great to see our students representing their cultures so well with some wonderful traditional dress and a vast array of flags on display from all over the world. The reason we do this cultural day has a foundation in education. Culture Day brings together students and staff to celebrate their unique heritages, promoting an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and represented. It helps students to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the diversity there is in school and in society. It enables people to share and be proud of their heritage. I have seen students today standing in front of their peers discussing where their families originate from and the links they have with the rest of the world. It has been a great day! There is some information in this update about what has been happening in lessons today, as well as some images of the day. We have had Henna and Mehndi Design competitions in our Study Centre and well as a Fashion Show this afternoon!
The week has been positive, we have had another Tutor Evening in school last night with Year 10 parents meeting their child’s new tutor. The next evening is on November 20th and is for Year 9 Parents. Your child’s tutor is an important part of their life in school and we encourage you to come into school to meet them and discuss the progress that is being made.
Our assemblies this week have focussed on the Theme of Remembrance. Our Humanities Department led these assemblies this week.
It was a time to reflect and remember those that have lost their lives in conflicts all across the world. As part of this assembly we read a poem to the students that we hope made them understand the difficulty of those that are involved in conflict and the impact it can have on so many peoples’ lives.
Poem ‘For the Fallen’ by Laurence Binyon
With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.
Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England’s foam.
But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;
As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.
Culture Day
Below is a summary of what students have been doing in school today.
| Subject | Culture in Curriculum |
| English | KS3: Speech writing lessons on ‘Why I Am Proud To Be Me’- exploring ideas about culture, identity and pride.
Year 10: Creative writing on celebratory feasts from different cultures, inspired by the Christmas feasts described in A Christmas Carol. Students will be asked to focus on their own cultures and celebratory food that they look forward to throughout the year for special occasions. |
| MFL | French: La Toussaint, celebrated on Saturday 1st November
Spanish: Día de los Muertos, celebrated on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd November As these festivals are celebrated at the appropriate time of year to coincide with Culture Day, we have decided that students will explore these festivals in lessons. In Spanish lessons, students will learn about: Ofrendas Calaveras The significance of marigolds Celebratory activities such as the sharing of pan de muerto. In French lessons, students will learn about: The Toussaint tradition of Chrysanthemums Typical Toussaint foods Celebratory activities to honour La Toussaint |
| Computer Science and Business Studies | CS: we will be linking OCR J277 topics 1.2 (Data Representation) and 1.3 (Networks) to a global theme by exploring how computing connects cultures worldwide. Beginning with a quick discussion on how different countries use technology and how Unicode allows computers to represent global languages and emojis.
Students will also take part in a short “Computing Around the World” quiz covering ASCII vs Unicode, internet access, and global innovators in computing. Lastly, groups will design a simple concept for an app that promotes cultural exchange, explaining how data would be represented and transmitted across networks. BS: explore business leaders from different cultures and social impact |
| DTA | Art
KS4 Students will be researching and responding to the work of South West Artist Georgia O’Keeffe and Native American artist John Niato. Highlighting Inuit culture, connections to animals and the natural world in their vivid paintings. Resistant Materials Students will take part in a culture and buildings styles and then complete a quiz about building designs in different cultures. The quiz will form a guess on what culture the buildings are from and a class discussion on why certain building are designed the way they are through culture and religion. Food 7 Sausage rolls Students will complete an activity around spices and herbs from around the world They will complete a sensory test to see if they can detect the herb or spice just from a sense of smell Students will have a sausage roll practical and will be able to give their sausage rolls a cultural twist by using a selection of herbs/spices from around the world within the meat or pastry element of their sausage rolls |
| Maths | In Maths, students will be completing various tasks including:
|
| Science | Year 7 and 8- who am I?
Exploring how characteristics are determined by our environment and inheritance
Y9 and 10- Exploring how women have contributed to scientific discoveries over time |
| Humanities | Humanities will build on the theme of ‘Your humanities’.
Exploring diverse family links from across the world. Session then will get students to look at Family tree and connections to different places, mapping their links across the world. |
| Media Studies | Year 10: Exploring stereotypes and representation in sports journalism (particularly international football tournaments- World Cup, Euros etc). Students will then use Canva to create an inspirational marketing poster for a national team of their choice to encourage cultural pride and support for a team for the 2026 World Cup.
Year 11: Starter activities focussing on stereotypes and counter-stereotypes in media advertising (inspired by World Cup coverage from 2022 and the upcoming one in 2026). |
| Performing Arts | Year 9 Drama – Students will consider how the play “DNA” reflects contemporary British culture, societal anxieties, and moral questions. This helps us to reflect on the world as it is and question how it could be better.
Year 8 Drama – Students will explore silent comedy as an example of drama as a universal culture. Silent Comedy relies on physical expression (mime, gesture, body language) rather than spoken words, making it accessible across different linguistic cultures. Year 10 Drama – Students will investigate the big question: How did the play Macbeth reflect the culture of the people who watched it? Macbeth is a Jacobean cultural artefact because it taps into the specific fears, beliefs, and political climate of 1606 England. They will explore key aspects of Jacobean culture and consider how audiences would have reacted to these at the time. |
With best wishes
Mr S Greiff
Join Our Eco Club!
Mondays | 3:15–4:00 PM | Lab 3
Are you passionate about protecting the planet? Do you want to make a real difference in our school community? Then come join the Eco Club, meeting every Monday after school in Lab 3 from 3:15 to 4:00 PM!
Our Eco Club is all about taking action to help the environment—both at school and beyond. Members work together on exciting projects like recycling initiatives, energy-saving campaigns, and creating green spaces around school. It’s a great way to share ideas, learn new ways to care for the Earth, and meet other students who care about sustainability.
No experience is needed—just bring your enthusiasm and creativity! Together, we can make our school a greener, cleaner place for everyone.
🌱 Let’s go green, one Monday at a time!
Science Club Continues Every Monday!
Don’t forget — Science Club is still running every Monday! It’s a great opportunity discover new ideas and have fun with fellow science enthusiasts. We’re always looking for new students to join the group, so if you’re curious and creative, come along — we’d love to see some new faces!
Year 11 – Post 16 and careers
Please continue to ensure your that students have updated their PS16 profile. Students should also have completed a personal statement and this should be on PS16 (they can edit this going forwards). Please note that Mr Croucher sent an announcement via class charts on Friday 31st October that expands on all of this.
The Year 11 pastoral team will continue share appointments with tutors for Year 11 students’ 1-1 careers advice session during school time. This will be with a fully qualified careers guide. Some students will have these in October and others will have them in November and December. This appointment will help you think more about your future and of course your Post 16 options too
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 Raheem of 10.5 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!
Preloved School Uniform Sale
We’re delighted to offer preloved school uniform items for sale — a great way to save money and support sustainability!
A price list is below for your reference. If you’d like to purchase any items, please email us at
📧 Preloveduniform@manorhigh.leics.sch.uk with the items and sizes you require.
We also gladly accept donations of clean, gently used uniform. Donations can be dropped off at school reception at any time.
Please follow this link to view the school uniform requirments Uniform – Manor High School – Oadby
Thank you for helping us make school life more affordable and eco-friendly!
Safeguarding Update
Next week is Anti-Bullying Week and to celebrate we will be holding assemblies for each year group and running follow up tutor activities on Wellbeing Wednesday. We will also be running a house competition for students to design an Anti-Bullying poster, so please encourage your child to enter!
The link below is a support pack for parents who may have questions about bullying and how to support their child. As always if you have any questions, please contact your child’s form tutor.
Parent and Carer Pack – Anti-Bullying Week 2025 – A4
The NHS Mental Health Service Team are now accepting self-referrals. Previously, referrals could only be made by school staff.
Please have a look at the information below that has been sent through by the team, regarding support for your child and the referral process.
Please see the attached document produced by the NHS Mental Health Service Team. Here, you will find some useful resources and signposting – Self Help Resources & Mental Health Support
SEND Dept
T: 0116 2729791 (or 0116 2714941 ext. 791)
E: SEND@manorhigh.leics.sch.uk
Lead Operational DSL & Senior Mental Health Lead Ashma Ghani
T: 0116 2729760 (or 0116 2714941 ext. 760)
E: AGhani@manorhigh.leics.sch.uk
Headteacher’s Update
Dear Families
This first week back has gone very quickly. The clocks have changed and the weather is typically autumnal as well! In school we have been busy. Assemblies this week focussed on Resilience and also Black History Month. We are real mixed community here at Manor High, and we celebrate all cultures. The theme of Black History Month this year has been around ‘Standing Firm in Power and Pride’. This is to celebrate strength, identity and unity. Our key messages in assembly this week have been around how throughout British History people have shown power and pride through knowing their worth and challenging inequalities. We celebrate and are proud of the diversity there is here at Manor High, it is one of the many things that makes us who we are. We will be having a Culture Day on 7th November for students to celebrate their heritage and we very much look forward to this day. Next weeks assembly theme is Remembrance.
We have also had some students from Year 9 take part in a workshop about Progressive Masculinity. The aim of these sessions have been to challenge the old, traditional interpretations of what being a man is about, it isn’t about being dominant or displaying outdated values. It is more about promoting qualities such as empathy, compassion and equality. We hope to run more of these workshops over the coming academic year for other year groups. More information about this can be found here- Home – Progressive Masculinity Their strapline is “enabling us to become the kind of men, friends, partners and fathers this world needs.” This is something that we cannot argue about being so important to society and we were really pleased by how the students received this workshop.
I would like to thank those parents that completed our recent parent survey. It was wonderful to read some positive comments about the work we are doing every day here at school. It was also helpful to read that some comments around things we can do better. We have amended our newsletter to include the themes for our assemblies over the coming weeks, at parental request. It was really encouraging to see how much support there was from parents wanting to discuss the assembly themes at home to support. Thank you for your support. We also include a list of all of the parents’ evenings over the course of the academic year. These are on our website, but the full list is below.
With best wishes
Mr S Greiff
Additional Funding Secured to Support Triple Physicists
We are delighted to announce that Dr. Kellett has secured additional funding to support Triple Physics students within our department. This exciting opportunity comes as a result of one of our previous students being awarded an externally funded Arkwright Engineering Scholarship.
As the nominating school that supported the successful scholarship application, our school will also receive a financial award. This funding is separate from the scholar’s individual scholarship and is specifically intended to support STEM-related initiatives that further benefit our students and enhance our science provision.
A big thank you goes to Dr. Kellett for her continuous hard work in science. The department look forward to using this funding to continue inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Year 11 – Post 16 and careers
Please continue to ensure your that students have updated their PS16 profile. Students should also have completed a personal statement and this should be on PS16 (they can edit this going forwards). Please note that Mr Croucher sent an announcement via class charts on Friday 31st October that expands on all of this.
The Year 11 pastoral team will continue share appointments with tutors for Year 11 students’ 1-1 careers advice session during school time. This will be with a fully qualified careers guide. Some students will have these in October and others will have them in November and December. This appointment will help you think more about your future and of course your Post 16 options too
Ministry of Science
We had a brilliant time at the Ministry of Science show! There were fire tornadoes, smoke cannons, electric shocks, mind boggling facts and more explosions than we could count!
To top off a wonderful trip, the theatre manager commended our students on their exceptional conduct throughout!
Bike Safety Reminder
We would like to remind all students and parents that riding bikes onto the school site is not permitted. This is to ensure the safety of everyone on our grounds. Please make sure that bikes are walked onto the site at the beginning of the day and walked off at the end of the day.
For those who cycle to and from school, we strongly recommend wearing a helmet, using bike lights, and wearing a high-visibility vest or jacket over your coat. These simple steps help keep everyone safe, especially during the darker mornings and evenings.
Thank you for supporting us in promoting safe and responsible cycling.
Club Timetable Week Beginning 3rd November 2025
Building Belonging Through Gratitude at Manor High School
We believe at Manor High School that fostering a sense of belonging is important now, more than ever because of:
- Increased social isolation – The Covid-19 pandemic led to some students feeling disconnected to their peers, school and community. This has been further exacerbated by the increased usage of mobile phones and social media. This has led to feelings of loneliness and sadness for some students.
- Decline in attention and persistence – Linked to the above, the constant digital distractions have led to shorter attention spans. Studies suggest an average teenager’s attention span is just 8 seconds.
- Erosion of trust and belonging – Across society there is less trust in institutions like the government, police, hospitals and schools.
To try and support our students, parents and community we are doing some form time work with students around gratitude. Studies demonstrate that gratitude practice, leads to pupils who notice more good in the world. However, we would like your support. Please talk to your children about what they are learning regarding gratitude. Try praising and rewarding your children for showing gratitude. Let your child’s form tutor know when they have done something outside of school that has exemplified this value. Lastly, if you would be interested in joining a parents action group to look at some of the ways, we as a school, can install values that you would like to see in your children then please email across@manorhigh.leics.sch.uk
Safeguarding Update
The NHS Mental Health Service Team are now accepting self-referrals. Previously, referrals could only be made by school staff.
Please have a look at the information below that has been sent through by the team, regarding support for your child and the referral process.
Please see the attached document produced by the NHS Mental Health Service Team. Here, you will find some useful resources and signposting – Self Help Resources & Mental Health Support
Please follow the attached link for more information on how to keep children safe this Halloween – How to keep children safe this Halloween | 12 top tips
SEND Dept
T: 0116 2729791 (or 0116 2714941 ext. 791)
E: SEND@manorhigh.leics.sch.uk
Lead Operational DSL & Senior Mental Health Lead Ashma Ghani
T: 0116 2729760 (or 0116 2714941 ext. 760)
E: AGhani@manorhigh.leics.sch.uk
Headteacher’s Update
Dear Families
We reach the end of the first half term of the academic year. It seems so long now since we returned after the summer break on Weds 27th August! Our Year 7s are now fully settled into school and are enjoying life in secondary school. We have established new pastoral systems with a move to a year group structure. Feedback about this has been positive and I enjoyed seeing rewards assemblies in full this week organised by the Year Group Standards and Progress Leaders. We have also seen more relevant tutor period sessions and been able to focus these on more age appropriate activities. We will relaunch elements of the House System over the next term to ensure the elements of competition and belonging remain.
The term has seen many trips, visits and opportunities for students to engage beyond the classroom. I am pleased to see so many students engaging with activities beyond the classroom. We are entering a run of Parents’ Evenings over the next term or so, and we begin with our Year 11 Parents’ Evening, tonight (Thursday) as well as our Post 16 evening at the same time to enable you to speak with colleges and to discuss what the next steps for your child maybe. This is an important step for families and we are here to lend support. Parents in other years, look out for the emails about booking parents’ evening appointments over the next half term and beyond.
30th October 2025 is Year 7 tutor evening.
6th November 2025 is Year 10 tutor evening.
Both events are face to face events and we look forward to seeing you all soon after half term.
I would like to take the opportunity to wish a Happy Diwali to all that are celebrating and I wish all of you a wonderful half term and look forward to seeing all students back at the usual time on Monday 27th October.
With best wishes
Mr S Greiff
Year 10 Art & Design Students Visit Hungarton Dairy Farm
Our Year 10 Art & Design students recently enjoyed an inspiring trip to a local dairy farm in Hungarton. After a tour of the farm and surrounding landscape, students spent time creating on-site sketches and capturing photographs of the animals and scenery for their first art project of the year.
To round off a creative and enjoyable day, everyone was treated to freshly made milkshakes in a variety of delicious flavours.
Budding Scientists at Manor High School
It’s been a busy and inspiring few weeks for our budding scientists at Manor High School!
Students recently enjoyed an incredible visit to the Cavendish Laboratory at Cambridge University for Physics at Work 2025, gaining a fascinating insight into real-world physics and cutting-edge research. It was the toilet of the future that sparked most discussion between our students!
In school, our weekly Science Club continues to buzz with energy while our Eco Ambassadors have recently launched their project to help make Manor High a greener place.
We’re also looking forward to two exciting events on the horizon — the Ministry of Science Live! trip straight after half-term, and a special visit from ZooLab before Christmas (more information to follow!).
After School Clubs
Barcelona Trip June 2026
The Modern Languages team is excited to announce that uptake for the Barcelona trip in June 2026 has been excellent and we thank all students for their interest. Students will be notified before half term if they have secured a place. Students who have not been able to go at this time will have their deposits returned to them and will remain on a reserve list in the event that another student does not want the place that they have been offered.
Club Timetable Week Beginning 27th October 2025
Design Our Official Christmas Card!
We’re inviting all children across the OAK Multi Academy Trust to take part in a fun and festive competition — design our official Christmas card!
The winning design will become the official OAK Multi Academy Trust Christmas card for 2025 and will also earn the talented artist a special prize!
✨ How to take part:
-
Create your best Christmas card design
-
Submit your entry by Tuesday, 19th November – Entry Form here
-
The winner will be announced on 30th November
We can’t wait to see your creativity shine this festive season — good luck to everyone taking part!
Safeguarding Update
Please follow the attached link for more information on how to keep children safe this Halloween – How to keep children safe this Halloween | 12 top tips
SEND Dept
T: 0116 2729791 (or 0116 2714941 ext. 791)
E: SEND@manorhigh.leics.sch.uk
Lead Operational DSL & Senior Mental Health Lead Ashma Ghani
T: 0116 2729760 (or 0116 2714941 ext. 760)
E: AGhani@manorhigh.leics.sch.uk
Headteacher’s Update
Dear Families
We have been pleased to see students participating in our extra curricular offers this week. Our football and netball teams have represented us well in the local Leicestershire Leagues. We are proud of all of the teams that have played well and shown great character and resilience. There are some final fixtures left next week and I am sure the boys and girls will continue to represent their school with pride.
A special mention goes to our Year 7 footballers- they have won their league this week with a game to spare! Whilst we are proud of all of our teams and it is great to see our students enjoying playing sport and working together as a team, but it makes it even sweeter when they are so successful!
We also sent a group of students to enter a Chess Tournament at The Market Bosworth School and we are grateful for their hospitality. Our students enjoyed the experience thoroughly and again did us proud- more information is in the newsletter below.
In school we have welcomed visitors from our Trust to review progress of school and again we are pleased with the outcome of this. We always strive to do the very best for our students and will continue to work to improve even further, every day, every lesson. We are pleased that our Trust Education team recognised the high levels of engagement from our learners and the quality of education provided for our students. We do not get some of the strongest results nationally by chance, we get it by hard work, resilience and meticulous attention to standards. All of this along with support from home makes us successful. We are grateful for this and your positive comments about the school and the work that we do. Partnership is central to our success.
Note- I remind you that school is closed to students next Friday 17th October, it is a school staff training day, therefore the last day students will be in school before the half term break is Thursday 16th October.
With best wishes
Mr S Greiff
Chess Competition
The Battle of Bosworth was a fiercely fought contest as opponents lined up, face to face and eager to be the winner. This battle was the Chess Competition of 8.10.2025 which took place at Market Bosworth School. There were similarities to the Battle of Bosworth of 22.8.1485 in that the aim of both contests, with the aid of knights and castles, was to capture and surround kings, ensuring no further advance of the king was possible.
There were 8 excellent students representing Manor High School, along with teams from a number of other schools from all over Leicestershire. All teams played against each other and the results were recorded. Our pupils won a number of rounds and showed nerves of steel. Standards were very high and many students showed their skills in tactics and diplomacy. There were 19 teams present and one of our teams took a very creditable 6th place. A special congratulations went to Nicholas who made a great start for Manor by winning the first match and was awarded Manor’s player of the tournament medal. Our pupils conducted themselves professionally and personably and were a real credit to the school. Well done to all our students – Isaac, Ollie, Affaan, Hashir, Muhammad, Nicholas, Leon & Mustafa – who should be very proud of their achievements.
World Mental Health Day
It is World Mental Health Day on the 10th October every year and this year we would really like to promote awareness and help for young people to ensure that they never feel alone. Young Minds Charity calls the initiative Hello Yellow and in tutor times, students will be making peer support pledge cards in yellow that will share advice/tips on how to support each other.
We would also like any parent/carer to get involved by sending in any useful advice or tips that they can offer when supporting their child’s mental health. Parents/carers have a world of knowledge and strategies to support young people and we would love to hear from you. We will then share these in the weekly parent newsletter. Please send your tips to schudasama@manorhigh.leics.sch.uk.
Miss Chudasama
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 Imogen of 9.4 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!
Year 11 Science Intervention – Update
There will be no Year 11 Science Intervention after school on Thursday this week (w/c 13 October) due to Parents’ Evening.
Sessions will resume as normal after half term.
Parents of students invited to attend the intervention sessions have already been notified.
Thank you for your understanding.
Year 7
Thank you to all of our students for making a great start to the term. Let’s continue to be in school and make good efforts whilst we are here – you are doing brilliantly.
We have decided to change our adapted Year 7 timings to further support Year 7 in their transition. Our aim is for Year 7 to be fully in line with the whole school timings after half term (we are monitoring this).
The timings for Year 7 next week will be as below. After half term Year 7 timings will then be in line with the rest of the school.
- Year 7 break time will no longer be early. Break time is now 10:40am as with the rest of the school.
- Year 7 lunchtime will continue to start at 12:30pm (10 minutes earlier than everyone else)
- Year 7 will finish the school day at the same time as everyone else 3:05pm
At all points teaching staff will walk out with Year 7 and stay with them until duty staff arrive for break / lunch. At the end of the school day, teaching staff will walk Year 7 to the front of school.
Post 16 events
We have emailed the attached document – P16 Open Events – to our Year 11 students and parents via class charts. However, it is useful for all our students. Please encourage students (especially in Years 10 and 11) to look at schools / colleges from a Post 16 point of view as visiting them will help to make informed choices. We always encourage our students to make at least 2 applications for their post 16 education but you can make as many as you want. It is always good to have a range of options including back up options.
Lastly, please find attached a letter from the Loughborough Grammar School (STW letter) regarding a scholarship offer for Sixth Form education.
Post 16 evening at MHS
Please note that we have a number of schools/colleges visiting Manor High School on the evening of the 16th October alongside our Year 11 parents evening. This will allow Year 11 students and parents a chance to interact with a range of different post 16 providers. Local providers will be located in rooms 3, 3a and the study centre between 4:00pm and 6:30pm on the Year 11 parents evening. Please do take time to drop in and talk to these providers before, in between or after your parent evening appointments.
Mandarin Club
We are pleased to let you know that we continue to work with Leicester’s De Montfort University (Confucius Institute) and will be offering Mandarin classes on a Tuesday after school from 3:05pm to 4:15pm. If you would like your child to attend these please email Mr Croucher. The classes will start on Tuesday 28th October (the first Tuesday after half term).
Lunch queues
Our students have queued really well this week. Please keep it up. Can parents continue to remind our students that they need their QR codes ready before they get to the till as this will help to speed up our queues.
Please also reinforce that students must queue in the following way:
- Queue calmly and respectfully
- Queue in pairs (no more than two across)
- Ensure we are not pushing up to the pair in front of us
- Ensure we do not push and ensure we do not try to pass someone who is in front of us
- Listen to staff instructions
- Step into the serving area only when a member of staff asks us to do so
Students should only queue once – they should not queue, buy some food and then return later to get something else. Please get everything in one go – this will help others get their food more quickly. Please also note that the queues are only for people purchasing food or drink. Please do not wait in the queue just to stand with a friend who is buying food.
Leicester Riders Basketball Introduction
We are excited to announce that the Leicester Riders will be hosting a basketball introduction session here at Manor High School in the Sports Centre on Tuesday 14th October, from 3:15 pm to 4:20 pm.
This session is open to all students in Years 7, 8, and 9 who would like to come along, learn new skills, and enjoy an introduction to basketball with professional coaches from the Leicester Riders team.
No prior experience is required—just bring your PE kit, plenty of energy, and enthusiasm!
We look forward to seeing lots of you there for what promises to be a fun and engaging session.
Book of the Week
This is a book about empathy, friendship and learning English. The novel is a 9-year-old refugee who has fled war and his classmates welcome him – breaking barriers of fear and prejudice. His friends offer him kindness, inclusion and hope.
Themes:
- Empathy and kindness: The children show genuine compassion toward Ahmet despite not fully understanding his situation.
- Prejudice and acceptance: The book highlights how adults and children can react differently to people who seem “different.”
- Friendship and courage: The friends’ loyalty to Ahmet drives the story and shows how small acts of bravery can make a big difference.
- Refugee experience and loss: It sensitively portrays the trauma of war and displacement through a child’s eyes, making it accessible to young readers.
The book is available to borrow from the Study Centre
Year 11 Parents’ Evening
We look forward to welcoming you to Parents’ Evening on Thursday, 16 October.
Please remember to book appointments with your child’s subject teachers in advance.
This evening provides a valuable opportunity to:
• Review your child’s progress
• Discuss performance and effective revision strategies
• Learn about available resources and support for final exam preparation
Year 11 Study Skills and Revision
On Monday 6th October, we hosted study skills workshops for Year 11 students. The workshops were designed to help students prepare for their upcoming Pre-Public Examinations (PPEs) starting on Monday 10th November.
Please find attached resource – Maximise Your Potential – that was provided to students to help them with tips about good revision habits and techniques.
Interventions
Many subject teachers are running lunchtime and after-school intervention sessions. These are targeted for students who need extra support. Teachers will contact parents directly if a student is invited. Please encourage your child to attend if they are invited, as these sessions offer tailored help beyond normal lessons.
| Day | Week A and B | ||
| Morning | Lunch | Afterschool | |
| Monday | English [SG: R9, CL: R11, SD: R9a, MJ: R12, AH: R10, EW: R3a]
Music [EJ: MR2] |
P.E. [OK: R4]
Drama [BW: DS] Geography [TS: R1, AM: R3, CB: R6] History [CP: R8, HJ: R5] |
|
| Tuesday | Food [MH: DTA1]
History [CP: R8] |
History [SC: R7]
French [AP: R13, SRM: R14] Spanish [PRD: R15, MRO: R17, KWE: RM 16] |
|
| Wednesday | Hospitality [MH: DTA1]
Media [MMJ: R12] |
Maths [BP: R22, CB: 22, JL: R20, FP: R21, UG: R21] | |
| Thursday | Business [AM: R27, CB: R26]
ART [BWa: DTA4] Drama [BW: DS] Computer Science [BA: R4] |
Science [ST: L5, KJ: L3, SK: L1, AL: L2]
D&T [RP: DTA3] |
|
| Friday | History
[CP: R8] |
Computer Science [BA: R4] | Creative iMedia [CB: R26] |
SEND Dept
T: 0116 2729791 (or 0116 2714941 ext. 791)
E: SEND@manorhigh.leics.sch.uk
Lead Operational DSL Ashma Ghani
T: 0116 2729760 (or 0116 2714941 ext. 760)
E: AGhani@manorhigh.leics.sch.uk