...to our first newsletter of 2020-2021 academic year.
A marathon achievement
A massive congratulations to Mr Cross, our Curriculum Leader for Humanities, who has spent that last twelve weeks running a marathon a week. After clocking up over 314 miles he is well on the way to reaching his fundraising target of £5,000. But he still has a way to go...
He is raising funds for British Heart Foundation and Leicester Hospitals Charity, causes that are close to him, after he nearly lost his dad to heart failure. Details of his story can be found in the article below. If you would like to make a difference and help him reach his target, please donate at:
As well as online lessons, Manor High is embracing technology in order to select our Head Girl and Head Boy for 2020-2021. Through video presentations and online canvassing, our candidates put forward their vision to the school.
“I am going to help improve my school any way I can.” Early on in his presentation Riese was very clear in his goals. He has one sibling at Manor High, and has two more that will be joining in the future. As he stated in his presentation, he wants them to get the best experience that they can, which means he wants everyone to get the best experience.
Niamh is confident she will be a supportive Head Girl, “I would make sure everyone can feel comfortable and safe on a daily basis.” She has plans to create a post box system to be able to communicate with other years, a great solution to be able to support others and meet the needs of her peers while remaining 'COVID safe'.
Well done to each and every one of the candidates for presenting so well. They are all exceptional students. Congratulations to Niamh and Riese for winning the vote.
They will begin their roles in the Student Leadership Team after half term.
Charity Heroes
Our 'Heroes' non-uniform day proved very popular, with a great mix of key workers and superheroes on display.
Our Humanities team showed support of their leader by all coming dressed as Mr Cross. Mr Sloneczny had him so well pegged, he wore the same colour trousers and jumper, and even the same make of polo shirt!
We raised just over £500, which will be shared between house charities and the charities selected by Mr Cross. Thank you to everyone who took part and donated.
Update from the Languages Department
In languages, full day lessons are enabling students to develop the ability to transfer their knowledge of French and Spanish grammar across multiple topics, leading to more consistent application of past, present and future tenses in students’ writing.
French and Spanish teachers have ensured that engagement remains high by incorporating imaginative ways to practise and reinforce different aspects of grammar, such as games of battleships and tarsia puzzles.
In order to aid retention of vocabulary and support knowledge acquisition between lessons, KS4 students have already received passwords for Pearson Active Learn, an online learning platform that enables students to practise GCSE style reading and listening questions. Y7, 8 and 9 students will also be receiving passwords for the KS3 platform in the next 3 weeks.
The Online Learning and full-day lessons are proving to be a massive success within Design, Technology & Art.
Staff have adapted their learning schedules and learning journeys to enable students to have measurable progress by the end of the day.
In the morning we set out the menu of learning for the day, which includes a wide variety of activities. Students have engaged very well and are able to explore key concepts in depth and apply these in their work.
We have adopted a project-based approach by breaking the day down into five clear phases or parts:
Introduction and launch of new learning concepts
Research into the set topic
Generating a series of ideas to solve the problem
Modelling of concepts and trials
Final realisation and evaluation
For example, in Food & Nutrition a product can be demonstrated by the teaching staff, applied by the students, modifications made prior to evaluating the final outcome.
In the past, during a two-hour lesson, students may not have had the opportunity to modify or improve their product; the all-day lesson allows this time. What would usually be covered over two-weeks is now completed within one-day.
Opportunities for students to share ideas and thoughts has been further enhanced by the introduction of safety screens on workbenches.
The Year 7 students have turned the period of isolation into an exploration of bringing the art gallery into their own homes by recreating famous artworks using three found materials at home.
Pupils have responded well to blended learning sessions in Science and staff have continued to deliver the science curriculum enthusiastically using various methods of teaching, including virtual practical work as well as online assessments. It has been great to see the work pupils have been sending to their teachers and, as always, thank you for your ongoing support.
Year 7
Cells, organs and organ systems have been the focus for this half term in Year 7. Pupils have been learning about the different systems in our body in fun and imaginative ways. It was joyful to hear children sing about the skeletal systems in their lessons!
Pupils have embraced the new practical opportunities that they have had in their science lessons. They have mastered how to use a microscope and they have developed their investigative skills.
Teachers have focussed on developing students’ oracy in science, particularly looking at tier 2 and tier 3 words. Pupils also had fun creating imaginative cells, and it was lovely to see their work on Twitter.
Year 8
In Year 8, pupils have been incredibly busy and have had a very successful half term. Pupils have been investigating light, sound and magnetism in their lessons and their teachers have worked tirelessly to maintain high standards of learning via Teams.
Pupils have experienced all day practical lessons, which has really helped to deepen their passion for science. Time has been spent recapping their investigative skills and knowledge from last year through quizzing, and then extending their knowledge of science.
Year 9
It has been a fantastic start for Year 9 and teachers have been so pleased with how well pupils have responded to their introduction into GCSE. Time has been spent reviewing their knowledge before using the whole day lessons to deepen their understanding.
Pupils have been learning about the atomic structure and Periodic table, and they have explored its history. They were fascinated to learn that all elements originated from the stars!
Year 10
Year 10 have had a great half term and have worked extremely hard to catch up with any lost learning. They have risen magnificently to the challenge and the whole day lessons have really supported this.
Pupils have been learning about cells, the digestive system and atomic structure as part of their GCSE course.
Our separate science students have also started their physics course with Dr Kellett and have been furthering their knowledge on forces. They have taken part in all day investigations which has supported their learning of the key required practicals in their GCSE.
The all-day lessons have enabled teachers to develop their enquiry skills and, as a result, the work that they have produced has been truly exceptional.
Year 11
Year 11 pupils have had an excellent start to the year. They were given revision material at the start of the term to help prepare them for the term ahead. Teachers have recapped learning from before the summer, and students have quickly caught up. They have shown such incredible resilience and teachers are very proud of the pupils’ achievements.
Revision strategies are being developed in lessons, as well as during Teams meetings, to help prepare pupils for their forthcoming PPEs. Pupils have taken part in Walking Talking Mocks to improve their exam technique and have completed online assessments. Pupils have also had the chance to recap the key Required Practical through both online learning, as well as during whole day investigations.
We thank our parents for their continual support and challenge they provide for our pupils and we ask for you to continue this as we start to prepare the pupils for their PPEs. Teachers will be setting revision resources over Show My Homework, so we ask for you to continue to monitor your child’s home learning.
Students have adapted well to blended learning sessions in English and staff have enjoyed exploring different modes of delivering The Woman in Black, A Christmas Carol and Macbeth.
We have been focused on boosting students’ Tier 2 and 3 vocabulary and the results are very encouraging. Please support your child in their revision of their vocabulary booklet in order to boost their progress.
Year 7
In Year 7 students have embraced secondary school English teaching beautifully, creating wonderful displays as part of their mastery unit on Greek mythology and are racing through Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief and A Monster Calls with aspiration and resilience.
The Department HLTAs have also been working closely with key groups of students to ensure they are ‘secondary ready’ and receiving the support they need to thrive.
Year 8
In Year 8 Pupils have coped well with tackling the novel The Woman in Black and responding to quizzing throughout the day, using the range of different in-school and MS Teams sessions to ask questions and contribute to discussions.
We have been encouraged by the commitment of students and parents alike towards working together to ensure blended learning is seamless.
Year 9
In Year 9 we have been very proud of how well students have adapted to the single subject days and the combination of in-school and remote learning. They are getting to grips with A Christmas Carol and have researched the context, applying it to their first assessment on the text.
The single subject days have allowed us to research the background of the text in greater depth and to analyse Dickens’ social commentary in greater depth.
Year 10
Year 10 have delighted and enthralled us with their GCSE Spoken Language performances.
After preparing the speech during the summer, guided by our online instruction, students spent their first day in English focusing on fine tuning their presentation skills. They then finalised their preparations at home and performed expertly in the day dedicated to this at the end of September.
We were treated to such varied, complex and challenging topics as mental health and wellbeing, space travel, personal finance, the impact of Black Lives Matter and the challenge of avoiding isolation in an increasingly technological world.
They demonstrated expert oracy skills, conceptualised thinking and a passion for contributing to the world around them.
Year 11
In Year 11 students understand the gravity of the current situation and have embraced blended learning, working hard in the single subject days in school, revising each of their literature texts and completing their assessments to track progress.
They have combined this with remote learning to consolidate their learning and rotate their revision effectively. They now have home learning resources on Literature revision and Language skills practice to complete at home until we see them next for their PPEs in November.
Their performance in the weekly online quizzes is strong parental support in ensuring they are focused at home too has been much appreciated.
Word of the Week
Since the start of the new academic year, we have been working hard on building students' vocabulary.
One of the ways we have done this is by introducing 'Word of the Week'; an opportunity to share high-frequent words, which are considered 'mature' and sophisticated, are promoted and introduced at the start of every week.
The words being shared on a weekly way are a perfect way to enhance students' academic writing, as well as their ability to express their thoughts and feelings.
So far, we have featured words such as tedious, meticulous, and exhilarating and are looking forward to sharing many more throughout the year.
Literacy Competition
At the start of the year, we launched a literacy competition to run alongside 'International Literacy Day' (ILD).
Since 1966, ILD celebrations have taken place annually around the world to remind the public of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights.
Amidst all the lovely entries that we received, Sania Chohan, in Year 11successfully won the competition by creating a beautiful poster which clearly depicted the various reasons why Literacy matters.
Literacy is the ability to read, write, speak, and listen in a way that lets us communicate effectively and make sense of the world. Therefore, building our literacy allows us to not only experience and achieve academic success, but also enables us to prepare for a life beyond school.
Accelerated Reading
Years 7, 8 and 9 have been enrolled in the Accelerated Reader Programme for the next academic year.
Accelerated Reader is an extensive programme which assesses the students' reading age and provides them with a ZPD score which equates to a colour, allowing the student to pick a reading book which is suitable for their ability.
Students have free range in selecting the book they wish to read within their colour and are expected to read a minimum of three times a week for at least thirty minutes each time.
Reading has been proven to help raise students' academic success by aiding their comprehension and inference, their communication skills, and their imagination/ creativity.
We display reading suggestions and recommended books on a daily basis across our screens in our school and look forward to hearing about what the students are reading throughout the year.
It has been great to welcome back the students of Manor High into the Maths department. A big well done to all students who have made an excellent start to their Maths studies for this academic year. They have all embraced the new “normal” and have really strived to excel despite all the challenges that we continue to face. A special mention must go out to our new Year 7 students who have settled well into their Maths learning and are already showing signs of making great progress this year.
All-day lessons
Well done to all staff and students who have embraced and excelled through the challenges and opportunities created by the all-day lessons. With the difficulty faced by all during the current pandemic, the staff and students should end this first half term feeling really proud of their efforts within Maths lessons.
Staff and students have really grasped the opportunity to engage in creative all-day lessons and have used the time to develop deep understanding in the numerous key concepts that are needed in Mathematics and everyday life. For example, Year 10 students recently completed a 90-minute walking talking mock in preparation for their upcoming assessment. Year 11 will soon be involved in a similar process to prepare themselves for their upcoming PPEs.
Online lessons
Year 8, 9 and 11 students recently completed some of their Maths learning in the form of online lessons.These students adapted brilliantly and should be really proud of the work that they have completed whilst not being in the classroom. Well done to all of the students who engaged in the online lessons and thank you for making the transition to this feel like a seamless process.
Pre-Public Examinations (PPEs)
In preparation for their final exams, year 11 students will soon be sitting Pre-Public Examinations (PPEs) in Mathematics.Students will complete a full series of GCSE papers. These consist of three 90-minute GCSE exams. Further details will be posted onto the Show My Homework platform, please look out for these.
Diagnostic Questions website
An example of a diagnostic question
All students should now have created an account and joined their class on the Diagnostic Questions website.
This is an innovative website that has been developed by Maths specialists to assess and address misconceptions as well as provide an opportunity for pupils to receive instant feedback and explain and explore their answers and methods.
We will be using this throughout this year to support us in assessing the learning that is taking place in the classroom and tailor future lessons as a result. Further details regarding how to create an account and join your class are on the Show My Homework platform.
Student of The Day
In recognition of the efforts of students in the current climate, Student of The Day certificates have been handed out to a number of students. This recognises the outstanding and sustained efforts and resilience of students during the Maths lessons in this difficult time. Special mentions must go to the students below who have excelled with their contributions and progress this term. Well done to all!
Year 7: Khaalid Patel, Noor Datoo
Year 8: Sophie Rees, Aiden Thomas
Year 9: Dylan Thurston, Sheniya Patel
Year 10: Deniz Domac, Eshan Chudasama
For more updates and news follow us on Twitter: @Maths_ManorHigh
Update from PE
The pandemic has had a big impact on competitive sport with the majority of fixtures being cancelled for the time being. However, the spirit of competition remains a strong part of PE lessons here at Manor.
Our new Year 7’s excelled in a timed ‘virtual 5k race’ against other schools in the area: Students were split into groups of 10 and had to run 5000m between them. This meant 500m each in total. They all did brilliantly well and showed great team spirit. They tried their hardest and thoroughly enjoyed the experience which was great to see. The times were sent off and we will find out how we faired against other schools in due course.
Students have adapted well to full days of PE and are benefiting from studying underpinning theory, which complements their practical lessons.
Computer Science and Business
Year 7
Students have been introduced to the MS Teams app. This has enabled them to access CS work from home and also be able to use it as a way of completing remote learning. In addition, all students should now have access to SMHW and be using it as a way of seeing what extended learning they have.
In terms of curriculum work, students are well on their way to creating some good Scratch games. We use this as the platform to teach the principles of coding on an entry level prior to moving onto python coding.
All students have signed up for the Idea award and are on their way to completing their BRONZE awards.
Year 8
Students have started learning the principals of web development using HTML and CSS. This topic supports the student’s development of resilience and accuracy. Students have also been introduced to the legislation involved with the distribution of data, such as GDPR.
All students have been using Teams at some point for the delivery of remote learning. The department is pleased with how the students did not allow this to hinder their progress.
Some students have completed the Bronze Idea Award and are now moving onto Silver.
Year 9
Students have started their GCSE topic, Computer Networks. Students are, in the first instance, learning about the principles of wired and wireless networks, topologies and network hardware.
At some point over the first term, students in Year 9 were required to use MS Teams as their platform for learning. The department has been really impressed with how well the students took to this. The content of lessons was not reduced due to this delivery and the standard of work received was good!
All students should now have finished the Bronze Idea Award and are now on the Silver Award. Topics delivered this year will support their progress in this award.
Year 10
Both the CS and Business Departments have been impressed with the way Year 10 students have started their GCSE content. All students are now connected to MS Teams and have access to lesson material from there. The department has been fortunate to have had a record number of students wanting to take our subjects again this year.
GCSE CS students have been working on developing their coding knowledge and practice. This will support their outcomes in over 50% of the course. Year 10 CS students have also been purchased access to Smart Revise. This online tool will support their progress during the theory parts of the course. Please encourage your children to use it often.
GCSE Business Students have made rapid progress in the first three sub units of Unit 1. Students have learnt about the role of business, risk and reward, the characteristics of an entrepreneur and the aims and objectives a business may set. All business students have created their accounts on Seneca and have started on the revision questions on there. Seneca is proven to support student progress, so please encourage your children to complete it often! Finally, it would be helpful if all students purchased the Official OCR GCSE Business revision guide. It is an invaluable tool.
Year 11
The whole department has been really impressed with how our students did not allow the causes of remote learning to hinder their learning. Students took to using MS Teams really quickly and produced some cracking work in both subject areas.
Year 11 CS students have started work on their Programming Project. The completion of this 20-hour project is an integral part of mastering the required content of the second exam paper students will be sitting. Competing this and regularly using Smart Revise will support your child’s success in their final exams.
Students sitting Business in year 11 have started work on Unit 4. This module contains some really interesting elements such as the manufacturing progress, business location and consumer law.
All students have access to the new Seneca Seneca content and have been using it to revise the Units 1 – 3 content. Students will be sitting their first PPE very shortly and this tool will help them immensely.
Most of our students have purchased the Official OCR GCSE Business revision guide. If they haven’t yet, I would encourage them to do so ASAP.
Performing Arts News
Students have adapted to the day-long lessons fantastically in Music and Drama and we have all taken this as an opportunity to get stuck into group work and creative tasks.
During the course of a day students are able to explore all the stages of a creative process - planning, research and knowledge, devising and composing, performing and evaluating.
We are delighted that many of our peripatetic music tutors have been able to return safely and students have resumed their lessons.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions we haven’t yet been able to re-form our extra-curricular groups and activities, so have maximised opportunities for students to perform and rehearse together in their bubbles during lessons.
It is amazing and heart-warming to see them all creating and performing together again, and hear them making music in school after such a long period of silence.
Year 7
Year 7 students have started to learn the keyboard, and made excellent progress on day 1, ending in a showcase performance.
Classes also worked in groups in Drama to rehearse and perform their own short plays based on skeleton (minimal) scripts.
Year 8
Year 8 have been studying Slapstick Comedy in Drama, many have done this through online lessons.
We’ve had some brilliant videos sent in of silent comedies in response to Mrs Thompson’s demo.
In music students have been able to access BandLab from home and have produced some well-structured pieces using loops and samples.
Year 9
Our Year 9 students have been exploring musical genres and techniques in Film Music.
They have used BandLab as a tool to create compositions in response to a given atmosphere/mood and also to explore musical clichés used in cartoons.
One group worked together as a class band to create a performance of the iconic James Bond theme. Can you spot the cornet player standing outside following our COVID-19 safety guidelines?
Key Stage 4
Our GCSE students have made an incredibly positive start to the year and are very focused and purposeful in their learning.
These groups have benefited hugely from full days in music and drama, and are now making excellent progress with their NEA work.
For some of our musicians, band practice was a much-needed return to normality, and we were able to create a class band during their GCSE lesson – how we’ve missed their noise!
Update from Humanities
The 5-hour lessons both in school and at home have given students the opportunity to get creative with Humanities and the lessons have been a lot of fun. Students have been able to investigate ideas and concepts at a deeper level as well as having opportunities for practical work.
Students have been benefiting from the time afforded by all day lessons to reflect on work and then undertaking a re-drafting process. Mr Cross spoke to pupils as part of ongoing ‘student voice’, who said, “we have lots of time to improve our work”, as well as highlighting that lessons were “really fun, engaging and full of depth and variety”.
Students said they want more rewards for the quizzes they are taking every week, and this is something the department are looking at. Humanities staff have been so impressed with students’ efforts that we are giving out post cards most lessons to reward those students that have been particularly impressive. See photo.
Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 and 9)
In Year 7, our students used OS map skills that they have been refining to create treasure maps.
Our Year 8 produced their own models showing costal landscapes.
Year 9s have been engrossed in Hitler’s rise to power.
Weekly quizzes set on SMHW between lessons have helped students revisit content before their next session. We were concerned that students may experience long breaks between subjects, which might hinder memory retention. These quizzes have really helped keep students in the loop and the results have been amazing!
Key Stage 4 (Years 10 & 11)
Year 10 students have embraced the whole day enquiry lessons. Instead of teaching aspects of Medieval and Early Modern People’s Health in isolation, our students have been able to delve deeper with their learning.
In one particular session we started by comparing government responses to the black death to those today. We then examined Medieval living conditions and responses to the Black Death. To finish the day students were engaged in a vociferous debate entitled, ‘Did Medieval people really care at all about their health?’ Students have been able to join the dots between topics by seeing the bigger picture.
Year 11 students have been revising for their Mock Exams. We were able to use a whole day lesson with them where teachers rotated around the classes to deliver high level mini sessions on topics and exam skills. This ensured students were taught a range of topics with pace and challenge. This has clearly benefited them in their mock exams, as early signs are very positive!
The hotly-contested House Cup is underway and students are working hard to ensure that their House comes out on top this year. At the time of writing, the results are as follows:
Knighton
Watermead
Bradgate
Clarendon
This is based upon the number of achievement point, minus behaviour points. The numbers are very close so there’s all to play for!
This year we have also introduced a ‘Top Form’ competition where the form with the best conduct points for each House are awarded a trophy each month. The results for October are:
Bradgate – B2 Congratulations Mr Ford
Clarendon – C5 Congratulations Miss Rajpara
Knighton – K3 Congratulations Mr Mehta/Mrs Ward
Watermead – W3 Congratulations Miss Rana
Special congratulations to Miss Rajpara and Miss Rana who are both new to Manor High – an outstanding start along the ‘Manor High Way’.
Bradgate
First of all, I would like to congratulate all of our students for being very resilient and accepting of the changes that have been made to your school day. I am very proud of each and every one of you for adapting to the new Manor High Way in such a positive and responsible manner. As we approach the first half term break it is fantastic to see our new year 7 students so happy and content here at Manor, it is almost like they have always been here!
I would also like to congratulate Mr Ford and B2 for being the first ever winners of Bradgate’s ‘Top Form Competition’, well done B2 what a fantastic achievement, keep it up. I know the other tutors will be wanting to challenge you for the cup during October!
Although we are sitting third in the House Cup competition it is extremely close between all houses and we must push on with our excellent work in lessons and receiving achievement points. We won the House Cup last year and were not able to celebrate this properly due to being in lockdown, therefore this is even more of a reason for us to maintain the cup in Bradgate House so we can really celebrate at the end of the academic year!!
I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge well done to Megan Ayres in B4, for taking part in a sponsored haircut for the charity "The Little Princess Trust". Megan had 10 inches/25cm cut off her hair to support this charity, who make wigs for children that are suffering hair loss – a fantastic and very worthwhile cause – Well done Megan!!
Finally, may I say I hope you all have a restful and safe half term and I very much look forward to welcoming you all back ready for the run up to Christmas!
Miss Booth
Clarendon Update
Welcome to the first Clarendon update for the academic year.
Life has set many new challenges for this unprecedented time. While many people embrace changes and accept the challenges that we face each day, there are others who struggle and we need to be mindful and look out for those that need our support. To all Clarendon pupils and families; please continue speaking to your tutors or myself if you have any concerns, worries or even to share good news.
Clarendon strives to have the most resilient, respectful, inspirational and excellent pupils of Manor High, many of them do this on a daily basis. They are in school fully equipped ready to learn. They have been recognised during the assembly this week.
Well done to C5, Miss Rajpura's tutor group, for receiving the first Clarendon tutor group of the month cup.
Congratulations to the following students for holding the top places for the most achievement points: Ismail Gusau, Rayaan Chachi, Sana Rashid and Kamran Abdulla. Keep up your good work.
Finally, I wish you all a peaceful break, take care and stay safe.
Mrs Wale
Knighton Update
It’s great to have you all back and as we’re quickly adapting to this new normal, it’s time to celebrate too! Knighton house has regained top position this half term, well done to all of you!
A special thank you to Sania Shah in Year 11 who won the literacy competition across the whole school and to Zak Vara (Year 8) & Dipinder Singh (Year 7) who claimed second and third positions in the MFL European day of languages Escape Room challenge. Well done to K3, Mr Mehta and Mrs Ward's tutor group, for winning the form cup. Our top three students with the most achievement points are Jem Ambrose Year 7, Mohammed Jakhura Year 10 and Saara Mohamed Year 10. Congratulations and well done to all of you.
It’s a pleasure to see so many of you gain recognition for 100% attendance and exceptional conduct in this week’s house assembly. Do remember that even during these trickiest of times, our core values are paramount to everyone’s success. The high standards in uniform, punctuality, attendance, conduct and effort in lessons have all contributed to the House’s success. I applaud and thank all of you, including your tutors and staff who are supporting you.
I cannot wait to announce who will be part of the Knighton House Student Leadership Team this year. The decision hasn’t been easy at all, please be assured that there are plenty of opportunities in school for all who have applied.
After half term we will be launching our annual DECHOX in support of the British Heart Foundation. Are you ready for the challenge to give up chocolate this November? You will raise vital funds for research and equipment to support those struggling with heart disease. Please leave your name at reception and a sponsor form and further information will be given to you.
Keep shining Knighton House, know also that through these challenging times we are here to listen to and support you. Please do keep looking out for one another. Be kind always and have a safe and enjoyable half term.
Mrs Ghani
Watermead Update
As the House Manager of Watermead this has been the most difficult newsletter article to write given that we have been forced to suspend our tutor-based activities which would typically involve fundraising; creating and implementing competitions.
Well done to Mrs Rana whose tutor group, W2, has won the form cup.
However, this does not mean that the spirit of competition between the Houses is not there, so we still need to gain as many achievement points as possible while keeping our behaviour and attendance standards high so that we can regain the House Cup this year.
I am still looking for more candidates for the position of House Captain and Deputy House Captain so that we can really get creative, making Watermead successful this year with some fresh ideas.
I have been really impressed with how our students have adapted to the many changes around their school, and the conscious effort to keep everyone safe by respecting the implementation of the one-way system and using face masks while moving around the school site.
It’s so pleasing to say that it’s not just our students who have adapted to the many changes that this year has thrown at us. I have had some wonderful feedback from my Watermead parents, praising the online teaching and all of the hard work and effort that has been demonstrated by my colleagues, to maintain the high level of teaching remotely while keeping all channels of communication open.
I would like to end this article by thanking all of my Watermead students, tutors and associates for continuing the spirit of unity as we strive to win the House Cup for Watermead this year. Be proud of your House! Be proud of your school!
On a final note, keep striving to achieve and succeed; I would like you to say to yourself each day, “I can do better”.
Mr King
At Manor High School we believe that in these unprecedented times, school governance needs to be recognised and celebrated for its positive role in ensuring things go right for pupils, staff and schools, ensuring the best possible education experience.
Good governance is a central component of a successful organisation and our school is no exception.
We have been fortunate to have attracted well-equipped and dedicated volunteer Governors to our Governing board, who work together as a team, to review school academic strategy, financial strategy and the well-fair of staff and students.
Through this collective action, we are able to offer our students and stakeholders, the best outcomes not only academically, but in all aspects of our core values of excellence, inspiration, resilience and respect.
We would like our school governance to become more visible, valued and an understood component of the work we do at Manor High School. In this newsletter, we would like to introduce you to Nassera Butt, our Safeguarding and SEND Governor and has been a member of our board for almost four years.
Nassera writes:
"I have been a parent governor at Manor High since March 2017. I have found this role to be challenging and rewarding at the same time. I have been able to bring my experience and knowledge of safeguarding and special education needs to this role.
I have two children at the school and so contributing to the school’s policies and procedures, which all work towards improving the children’s day to day experiences, has been extremely satisfying. I get to see my children benefit from the contributions that I make. I have also very much enjoyed working with SLT, which involves working hard to be part of a dynamic and committed team of teachers and professionals, who are all very passionate about the school and its achievements.
I have relished the opportunity to be involved in monitoring the benefits of the current 50 day single lesson plan, which I have found to be both pioneering and innovative.
I would encourage parents and professionals to consider being a school governor. This role has given me the opportunity to learn many new things about the education system whilst also allowing me to be part of a team and sharing my experiences for the benefit of my children and my local community."
As well as online lessons, Manor High is embracing technology in order to select our Head Girl and Head Boy for 2020-2021. Through video presentations and online canvassing, our candidates put forward their vision to the school.
In languages, full day lessons are enabling students to develop the ability to transfer their knowledge of French and Spanish grammar across multiple topics, leading to more consistent application of past, present and future tenses in students’ writing. 
In the past, during a two-hour lesson, students may not have had the opportunity to modify or improve their product; the all-day lesson allows this time. What would usually be covered over two-weeks is now completed within one-day.
Pupils have responded well to blended learning sessions in Science and staff have continued to deliver the science curriculum enthusiastically using various methods of teaching, including virtual practical work as well as online assessments. It has been great to see the work pupils have been sending to their teachers and, as always, thank you for your ongoing support.
Cells, organs and organ systems have been the focus for this half term in Year 7. Pupils have been learning about the different systems in our body in fun and imaginative ways. It was joyful to hear children sing about the skeletal systems in their lessons!
In Year 8, pupils have been incredibly busy and have had a very successful half term. Pupils have been investigating light, sound and magnetism in their lessons and their teachers have worked tirelessly to maintain high standards of learning via Teams.
Our separate science students have also started their physics course with Dr Kellett and have been furthering their knowledge on forces. They have taken part in all day investigations which has supported their learning of the key required practicals in their GCSE.
Students have adapted well to blended learning sessions in English and staff have enjoyed exploring different modes of delivering The Woman in Black, A Christmas Carol and Macbeth. 
In Year 7 students have embraced secondary school English teaching beautifully, creating wonderful displays as part of their mastery unit on Greek mythology and are racing through Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief and A Monster Calls with aspiration and resilience. 
In Year 8 Pupils have coped well with tackling the novel The Woman in Black and responding to quizzing throughout the day, using the range of different in-school and MS Teams sessions to ask questions and contribute to discussions. 
In Year 9 we have been very proud of how well students have adapted to the single subject days and the combination of in-school and remote learning. They are getting to grips with A Christmas Carol and have researched the context, applying it to their first assessment on the text.
Year 10 have delighted and enthralled us with their GCSE Spoken Language performances.
We were treated to such varied, complex and challenging topics as mental health and wellbeing, space travel, personal finance, the impact of Black Lives Matter and the challenge of avoiding isolation in an increasingly technological world.
Years 7, 8 and 9 have been enrolled in the Accelerated Reader Programme for the next academic year.
It has been great to welcome back the students of Manor High into the Maths department. A big well done to all students who have made an excellent start to their Maths studies for this academic year. They have all embraced the new “normal” and have really strived to excel despite all the challenges that we continue to face. A special mention must go out to our new Year 7 students who have settled well into their Maths learning and are already showing signs of making great progress this year.
Year 8, 9 and 11 students recently completed some of their Maths learning in the form of online lessons.These students adapted brilliantly and should be really proud of the work that they have completed whilst not being in the classroom. Well done to all of the students who engaged in the online lessons and thank you for making the transition to this feel like a seamless process.
Students have adapted to the day-long lessons fantastically in Music and Drama and we have all taken this as an opportunity to get stuck into group work and creative tasks.
Year 7 students have started to learn the keyboard, and made excellent progress on day 1, ending in a showcase performance.
Year 8 have been studying Slapstick Comedy in Drama, many have done this through online lessons.
Our Year 9 students have been exploring musical genres and techniques in Film Music.
Our GCSE students have made an incredibly positive start to the year and are very focused and purposeful in their learning.
In Year 7, our students used OS map skills that they have been refining to create treasure maps. 
Year 10 students have embraced the whole day enquiry lessons. Instead of teaching aspects of Medieval and Early Modern People’s Health in isolation, our students have been able to delve deeper with their learning. 
The hotly-contested House Cup is underway and students are working hard to ensure that their House comes out on top this year. At the time of writing, the results are as follows:
Bradgate
I would also like to congratulate Mr Ford and B2 for being the first ever winners of Bradgate’s ‘Top Form Competition’, well done B2 what a fantastic achievement, keep it up. I know the other tutors will be wanting to challenge you for the cup during October!
Clarendon Update
Well done to C5, Miss Rajpura's tutor group, for receiving the first Clarendon tutor group of the month cup.
Knighton Update
A special thank you to Sania Shah in Year 11 who won the literacy competition across the whole school and to Zak Vara (Year 8) & Dipinder Singh (Year 7) who claimed second and third positions in the MFL European day of languages Escape Room challenge. Well done to K3, Mr Mehta and Mrs Ward's tutor group, for winning the form cup. Our top three students with the most achievement points are Jem Ambrose Year 7, Mohammed Jakhura Year 10 and Saara Mohamed Year 10. Congratulations and well done to all of you.
Watermead Update
Well done to Mrs Rana whose tutor group, W2, has won the form cup.
At Manor High School we believe that in these unprecedented times, school governance needs to be recognised and celebrated for its positive role in ensuring things go right for pupils, staff and schools, ensuring the best possible education experience.
"I have been a parent governor at Manor High since March 2017. I have found this role to be challenging and rewarding at the same time. I have been able to bring my experience and knowledge of safeguarding and special education needs to this role.