Headteacher’s Update
Dear Families
There is much that goes on in a school behind the scenes that we do in order to try to make the school the very best place it can be for our students.
There has been some real progress ‘behind the scenes’ that I would like to share with you.
Firstly, our Governing Body plays a huge role in supporting the strategic direction of the school, and making sure that students are safe in school. Our Governing Body relies upon volunteers giving up their time to get to know the school and we are hugely grateful for their contributions.
It is extremely important that our Governing Body is effective and there is some really positive information within this email that highlights the findings of an external review of governance across OAK Trust Schools.
Also, we completed the signage on the new Sports Centre this week. The Sports Centre has been named “The Simon Cole Sports Centre”. Simon was an ex pupil of Manor High School some years ago. He also served on our Trust Board for a number of years. He was well known for his community work in Oadby and beyond and was involved in volunteer work at Oadby Wyggestonians Rugby Club for a number of years. He also served as Leicestershire Constabulary’s Chief Constable. He was the longest serving Police Constable at the time of his retirement. Simon sadly took his own life on 30 March 2022 a mere 12 days after his retirement at the age of 55. We feel that naming the building after him recognises the contribution he made to the development of the school and trust and also highlights the importance of having a good mental health and how we must make sure we are supported and provide support to others also. We hope that this will be a way of remembering a true advocate for Manor High School and indeed OAK Trust as a whole.
Other matters that go on behind the scenes are ensuring that we have the best possible environment for students to work in. Our site was constructed in 1968 and therefore it is important we have a planned series of site developments in place. We have Site, and indeed Trust Estates Development Plans that we use to make sure our site is regularly updated and kept in a strong state of repair. We have managed to secure in excess of £1 million of funding from the Department of Education’s Conditions Improvement Fund. This money is allocated for us to do some work with the replacement of new roofs and also some work around fire safety. All works were planned to take place over time, but what this means is that we aren’t using funds from our internal budget, which means we can use our funds for other pupil facing projects. Which we are really pleased about. Yes, the quality of the education is the most important aspect for students, but without the environment being the best it can be, that cannot happen. This funding, in addition to the funding received for our Sports Hall, means that we have had in excess of £5million pounds of external funding invested in our school site in the last 12 months!
With best wishes
Mr S Greiff
County Athletics Finals
On Thursday the 5th of June, nine Manor High students represented South Leicestershire in the county athletics finals at Loughborough University. To qualify for this event each student had to place first or second in the Area Athletics finals at Saffron Lane earlier this term.
Despite the dark and dreary conditions, the team put in several dazzling performances which helped deliver four medals. Desire and Rahil both scooped bronze medals in the high jump and hurdles respectively, whilst Matilda won silver in the 1200m and Reed also took silver in the discus. Hopefully these are the first steps on each of their athletic journeys.
Support for Baby Basics Leicester
At Manor High School, we are always striving to live out our values of respect, inspiration, resilience, and excellence. With this in mind, we are proud to support Baby Basics Leicester, a local charity that helps families facing financial hardship when they welcome a newborn or are raising a young family. The charity operates on a referral basis and provides essential items to those in need.
We are inviting each form to take part by donating new and unopened toiletries, with the aim of filling at least one shoebox per form. This is a simple but powerful way for us, as a school community, to make a meaningful difference.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Miss Chudasama in Room 7.
To learn more about the amazing work Baby Basics Leicester does, please feel free to visit their website.
Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) Applications
We would like to share important guidance received from the Local Authority regarding Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) applications.
If you are considering requesting an EHCP needs assessment for your child, we strongly encourage you speak with the SEND team at Manor High in the first instance. They will be able to advise you about the likelihood of an EHCP being awarded and if the school has the evidence to make or support an application.
To ensure that every child receives a thorough, well-informed, and high-quality EHCP, we strongly advise that no new applications—whether submitted by parents or by the school—are not made between May half term and the start of the new academic year.
This is because, as part of the statutory 20-week EHCP process, professionals such as Educational Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists, and other specialists are required to meet with the child and consult with the school typically between weeks 6 and 12. These meetings and assessments are vital for building a full picture of your child’s needs.
If an application is submitted after May half term, this key 6–12 week window falls during the school summer holidays—a time when schools are closed and professionals have very limited availability. As a result, there is a significant risk that the plan may be based on incomplete advice, which would affect its quality and accuracy. We strongly advise you to wait until the start of the new academic year, when full access to the necessary advice and support will be available.
Thank you for your understanding.
Teen Health Lunchtime Drop-ins
Safeguarding Update
Please see the link below to support your child with staying safe on line. The page provides a collection of online media literacy resources and events for you to look at and use if you have any concerns.
Alumni
We are really keen for former Manor High School students to share their experiences of the world of work with our students.
If you, a family member or even friend who was a Manor High School student and could possibly help us with this please email us via the Admin email (FAO Mr Croucher).
Many thanks.
Hygiene packs for students
We work with the Leicester Children’s Holidays (LCH) charity. This year we have been given a number of stationary sets that we have been able to gift to students who need them. We also have a number of hygiene packs that we can gift to students who would like / need them. They include: soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo and deodorant. These are totally free of charge and can be gifted to anyone who needs them.
If a student would like one they just need to discretely speak to Mr Croucher or Mrs Mahomed and we will be able to pass the packs over to students.
Langmoor Primary School 70th Anniversary
