Headteacher’s Update
Dear Parents
In alignment with Anti-Bullying Week, we have dedicated our assemblies to exploring the theme of ‘choosing respect’. This initiative builds upon our previous work on protected characteristics, reinforcing our commitment to create an environment where every individual is valued and respected. Through these focused discussions, we aim to equip our pupils with the knowledge and understanding necessary to make conscious choices that promote respect in their daily interactions.
The emphasis on respect extends beyond our immediate school environment, encouraging our pupils to become ambassadors of positive behaviour in their broader communities. By instilling these values, we are not only addressing the immediate concerns of bullying but also laying the foundation for a more empathetic and considerate society. Respect is not just something expected in school, it is a core value of society.
I am delighted to report that our attendance figures continue to surpass the national average. This achievement is a testament to the collective effort of our pupils, parents, and staff. However, at Manor High, we consistently strive for excellence, setting an ambitious target of 96% attendance for all.
It is important that everyone understands the significance of regular school attendance. While a 90% achievement in academic assessments might be considered commendable, the same percentage in attendance translates to a concerning 24 days of absence over the course of a school year! Such prolonged absences can significantly impact a pupil’s educational progress and social development.
I would also like to add my personal congratulations to one of our Year 9 students Zara Patel, who on the 7th November achieved a Grade 7 at Distinction level in Speech and Drama via the Trinity College London. Grade 7 is a level 3 award and this means Zara now has achieved 16 UCAS points before starting her GCSEs.
As we approach the winter months, typically characterised by an increase in minor illnesses, I urge parents to maintain their commitment to regular school attendance. While we acknowledge the challenges posed by seasonal ailments, we encourage you to send your child to school whenever possible, particularly in cases of minor sniffles or coughs.
Your support in this matter is invaluable. By ensuring consistent attendance, you are providing your child with the best possible opportunity to excel academically and socially. Together, we can create an environment where every pupil has the chance to reach their full potential, fostering a community of engaged learners and future leaders.
Finally, we urge you please to park considerately outside of school to ensure the safe passage of students. We are working with the police to ensure that the streets around our school are safe for our students to walk.
With best wishes
Mr S Greiff
Careers Opportunity
Thank you for the really positive uptake for the opportunity with Steve Ignall and the SMD team.
We have had over 80 students show interest.
We are now finalising dates with Steve and will let students know when their time slots are.
These talks and tours will be occurring during school time and will be on the 25th and 26th November. Students do not need to bring anything additional into school – just come to school as usual.
Duke of Edinburgh
We are currently in positive communication with the Duke OF Edinburgh team to ensure all of our students from last year’s Bronze and Silver Awards get the certification they deserve. Please ensure that students have updated their eDofE as best they can.
Going forward, we are also looking at how we structure our DofE provision here at Manor High School and have been communicating with the DofE team about this too. Our aim is to absolutely continue running both the Bronze and Silver awards as we have in the past.
We will be in contact with you as soon as we have a launch date set but please rest assured that we really value the DofE and we are fully behind continuing to run it here at Manor High School
New lunch time queuing plan
To ensure our lunch queues work even better than they have been, we have been using the following timings for students to come and queue for food:
Week A: Bradgate and Clarendon students can queue for their lunch from 12:40pm to 12:50pm. Knighton and Watermead students can then queue for their lunch from 12:50pm to 1pm. After 1pm we have free time were students any house can come back for more food etc.
Week B: Knighton and Watermead students can queue for their lunch from 12:40pm to 12:50pm. Bradgate and Clarendon students can then queue for their lunch from 12:50pm to 1pm. After 1pm we have free time were students any house can come back for more food etc.
Please note:
– Year 11 can still only use the Year 11 hatch.
– Queueing expectations remain the same for all students: no more than two students across, always facing forwards, give people in front of you space (i.e. do not push up to people), absolutely no pushing.
– the hatches do stay open after the times specified above so there is more than enough time for students to get their food. It has worked well so far!
In order for this system to work students have to wear their lanyards at lunch when queuing. If a lanyard is not worn they may be removed from the line and have to wait until 1pm – lanyards show which house you are in and help us to monitor the correct students are queuing at the correct times.
Year 10 Art and Design Trip
Some of our Year 10 Art and Design students enjoyed 2 art-packed days in London this week.
Students were able to soak up the local culture as well as collect responses and sources valuable to their GCSE portfolios.
Students spent this time outside of the classroom exploring and sketching work at the Tate Modern, enjoying local food in Borough Market and an evening watching the critically acclaimed Hamilton.
Our year 10 Art and Design students also enjoyed a tour around the fascinating British Museum, a walk along the river to see the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, the Globe Theatre and Westminster Abbey.
The trip was rounded off with lunch in Covent Garden watching the street performers and artists.
PE Notice
We have been very impressed with the engagement in lessons from our students, even despite the inclement weather. We have seen a decline in weather over the last couple of weeks, and we want our students to stay as dry as possible. We have mentioned to all students that they should bring spare shoes and socks in case they get their feet wet in PE lessons. We also suggest the purchase of a waterproof jacket. We are mindful of cost for parents and therefore are not going to provide a more expensive branded option- some suggestions are below. We are more than happy for students to wear these.
Gelert | Waterproof Packaway Jacket | Waterproof Jackets | SportsDirect.com
Regatta | Stormbreaker Jacket | Waterproof Jackets | SportsDirect.com
Regatta | Laiyah Ld99 | Waterproof Jackets | SportsDirect.com
Gelert | Packaway Ladies Jacket | Waterproof Jackets | SportsDirect.com
Regatta | Kids Stormbreak Waterproof Jacket | Waterproof Jackets | SportsDirect.com
Rugby and Hockey start for years 7,8 and 9 on the week commencing 4th November, it is essential students have mouthguards for these activities, please see below an example reasonably priced mouthguard.
Sondico | Ergo Fit Fusion Mouthguard | Mouthguards | SportsDirect.com
At £5 these are great value and should last the life of their time here at Manor!
Alumni
We are reaching out to any past students of our school who may be willing to inspire our current students. We are looking for people to share their experiences of life after Manor High School all the way to the world of work. If you think you have a family member or even friend who was a Manor High School student and could possibly help us with this please get them to email at: admin@manorhigh.leics.sch.uk (FAO Mr Croucher). Many thanks.
After School Study Centre and Interventions
Please can you reinforce to students that if they are staying behind at school to use the study centre (either to work or to wait for a parent to collect them) they must not leave site first and then come back. We have had a number of students leave site at the end of the school day, head to the shop and then arrive back at school 15 minutes later saying they need to wait in the study centre. We cannot allow students to just come and go like this as it is not safe and also not fair to staff who are supporting in the study centre.
The same is the case for interventions. If a student has an intervention session after school they must leave session 3, stay on site and then head to their intervention. Some students have been leaving site at the end of the day, heading to the shops and then wanting to be let back onto site 15 minutes later. This is also not acceptable.
Thanks for your support with this.
Year 11 – Positive Steps 16 Site (PS16)
Deadline dates: the deadline for applications is Monday 16th December. Please note that any year 11 students who have their 1-1 careers talk during the weeks commencing 16/12/24 and 6/1/25 have a slightly later deadline of Monday 13th January. In order for us as a school to process your applications please ensure you have sent your applications off via the PS16 website by these dates.
Year 11 students have been sent their log in details to the PS16 website. These were sent to students’ school email accounts. This is the site students use to make applications to schools and colleges in Leicester and Leicestershire.
We have also shown our students a simple guide of what to do once logged in to the site. We showed this during assembly. This has also been shared on ClassCharts so that students, parents and carers can refer to it (it is a Power Point).
Please ensure that students keep their log in details safe. Students can now start using this site as set out on the Power Point – ensuring their personal details etc as well as personal statements are up to date on the system.
Year 10 Work Experience
Our aim is for all students to be out on work experience as it is a really valuable experience. Students have been given a copy of both the standard application form and also the self-placement form. We have sent a letter to parents explaining this (the letter is also attached to this newsletter). We have also sent out FAQs related to work experience – please do refer to these (they are also attached).
Please can you ensure applications forms come back to school as soon as possible, the latest date being 29th November (if you have any issues please contact us). Please also find attached the student guide to work experience which is really useful.
Safeguarding Update
Update
This week has been Anti-Bullying Week at Manor with assemblies focused on this topic. The link below provides some great resources for you as parents to support young people if they are being bullied or concerned about friendships and relationships.
How can I help my child if they are being bullied? | NSPCC
If you have any concerns at all about bullying please contact your child’s form tutor.
Online Parenting Courses – Family Lives
Being a parent has never been easy. There are no manuals for it, and previous generations may not be able to provide the insight you’re looking for. The family unit is more dispersed than ever, with some families existing hundreds of miles from what may be called a ‘core unit’. The rapid pace of societal change in the UK rapidly outstrips the knowledge of the immediate past. The result is that many parents may find themselves lost in a maelstrom of contradictory advice. For adults, time has never been more compacted. Family Lives has produced a series of online parenting courses, to make this challenge a little easier. If interested please follow the link below:
https://www.familylives.org.uk/how-we-can-help/online-parenting-courses
Family Lives offers a confidential and free* helpline service for families in England and Wales (previously known as Parentline). They can be contacted on 0808 800 2222 for emotional support, information, advice and guidance on any aspect of parenting and family life. Their website is also a rich source of useful support and advice.
(* Free from landlines and most mobiles)
Newsletters
Please click this link to view our Anxiety newsletter.
Please click this link to view our online safety newsletter.
Extra Curricular Activities & Other Useful Information
Toilet Passes
Please be aware that toilet passes are only issued to the few students who have a medical need to have free access to the toilets, ensuring they are able to go at any point during the lesson. Medical evidence will be required.