Headteacher’s Update
Dear Parents
As we approach the conclusion of a long term, I find myself reflecting on the numerous achievements and milestones of 2024. Our commitment to excellence has been consistently recognised and validated by external assessments, reinforcing our position as the leading local secondary school.
In February, we underwent a comprehensive review conducted by Challenge Partners, an organisation dedicated to evaluating school effectiveness. Their assessment culminated in a report that commended us for ‘Leading in All Areas’. This external validation serves as a testament to the collective efforts of our pupils, staff, and the wider school community. The full report is available here Challenge Partners – Manor High School – Oadby
Building upon this success, we continued to refine and enhance our offer to the community throughout the academic year. Our dedication to continuous improvement was further acknowledged during the penultimate week of the academic year (!) when OFSTED visited our school. That inspection confirmed that Manor High School was still a “Good” School. Whilst overall OFSTED gradings were abolished shortly after this, we were very pleased that the inspectors’ observations aligned with our own self-evaluation, highlighting areas of strength and identifying opportunities for further development. The OFSTED report can be accessed here Ofsted – Manor High School – Oadby.
November brought additional cause for celebration with the release of the government’s school performance tables. I am immensely proud to announce that Manor High School has once again demonstrated its academic prowess, maintaining the highest progress score in Oadby, LE2, and LE5. In fact, this has been the case since ‘records began’ in 2019. This remarkable achievement is a direct result of the unwavering dedication of our pupils, the tireless efforts of our staff, and the invaluable support provided by parents. Together, we continue to embody our ethos of ‘Excellent People with Excellent Results’. Information is here Manor High School – Compare school and college performance data in England – GOV.UK
As we conclude this term, we have been celebrating a multitude of successes. An impressive 62,291 rewards have been issued, averaging approximately 70 per pupil. To commemorate these achievements, we organised special events including a cinema experience and a pizza party, (which required two classrooms to accommodate the numerous recipients!). Bradgate House currently leads in positive points, though the competition remains fierce with the other houses following closely behind.
Looking ahead to the new term, I would like to draw your attention to forthcoming changes in our food service and Management Information System. These modifications are direct responses to parental feedback and are designed to further enhance your experiences with our school systems. Information is in the news below.
As we bid farewell to 2024, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for your continued support and wish you all a wonderful festive season. We look forward to welcoming our students back on Tuesday, 7th January, at the usual time, ready to embrace the opportunities and challenges that 2025 will bring.
Merry Christmas!
With best wishes
Mr S Greiff
Modern Languages A Level visit to Beauchamp College
This week, the Modern Languages department at Manor High School was offered an exciting opportunity by Beauchamp College VI Form for students to participate in an A Level French or Spanish taster morning. We were asked to select ten students who either have expressed an interest in studying French or Spanish at A Level or have an aptitude for these languages. Students had the opportunity to meet current VI Form students, Beauchamp College teachers and a member of staff from the Modern Languages department at the University of Leicester, who was able to answer questions about how languages can complement other career pathways.
A huge thanks to the staff at Beauchamp College VI Form, our students had a fabulous time and it has confirmed for some of them that they will definitely pursue a language in KS5.
Year 9 Options Process: Information for Families
As we approach an important stage in your child’s education, we would like to share key information about the GCSE options process.
On Friday 13th December, we held an assembly to share information about subjects available for Year 9 students to choose from. Students were also given a printed version of the choices to encourage them to carry out research and discuss subjects with peers, teachers, and family members. The following information was also shared with students:
Timeline: Indication of timeframe:
- Options Assembly: students attended assembly to learn about the GCSE option subjects.
- Discussion Time: Families can talk about options and plan together.
- Finalising Choices with Tutor: Students finalise their choices in school, with their tutor on Friday 10th
- Confirmation of Choices: Choices will be confirmed with students later in the spring / summer terms.
Supporting Your Child: To help students make informed decisions, we encourage them to:
- Research Online: There are many useful resources about GCSE subjects and related careers. Our school website has a wealth of information. https://www.manorhigh.leics.sch.uk/curriculum-learning/gcse-options/
- Talk to Teachers: Subject teachers can answer questions about course content and expectations.
- Speak to Peers: Current Key Stage 4 students can share their experiences of different subjects.
- Support from Family Members: Have conversations about choices and future study / career pathways.
What to Consider: When choosing GCSE options, students should think about:
- What they enjoy:Interest in a subject often leads to success.
- Progress: What subjects are they doing well in or have potential in?
- Future Studies: Consider how choices align with future education, like college or university.
- Career aspirations: Some subjects are key to specific career pathways or opportunities
Key Stage 4 Curriculum:
The Key Stage 3 curriculum is thoughtfully structured to provide students with a broad and well-rounded educational experience. As they transition to Key Stage 4, students have the opportunity to tailor their learning by selecting subjects that align with their interests and future aspirations.
We are proud to be recognised for our high percentage of students achieving the English Baccalaureate (EBacc). The EBacc encompasses core subjects: English, Mathematics, Science, History or Geography, and French or Spanish. This combination equips young people with essential knowledge and skills, providing them with a strong foundation for future academic and career opportunities.
Pursuing the EBacc at GCSE ensures students gain the breadth of learning that educational institutions and employers value highly. Therefore, all students study English (Language and Literature), science, maths, modern foreign language (French or Spanish), and a humanities subject (Geography or History).
A select number of students will be invited to an alternative pathway tailored to their specific needs. Students and families involved will be contacted directly to discuss this in detail in January.
In addition to EBACC subjects, students will have a choice from the following option blocks, A and B. Students will indicate two preferences from each block, and one subject will be allocated based on availability.
Please click here for the options
In addition to their chosen GCSE subjects, all students will study statutory Core R.E., PSHE, and P.E. These subjects are an essential part of the curriculum, supporting students’ personal development, physical well-being, and understanding of social and ethical issues. They play a vital role in fostering well-rounded individuals and preparing students for life beyond school.
While we strive to accommodate all students’ curriculum choices, we must work within the parameters of our timetable. For instance, a subject requires a sufficient number of students opting for it to be viable within the school timetable. Additionally, we carefully consider staffing to ensure that students benefit from specialist teachers with the expert knowledge and skills needed to deliver the highest quality learning experience and support students to achieve the best possible outcomes. We are committed to supporting students in securing their preferred options and will communicate with them promptly should any adjustments be necessary.
Working Together:
This process is a collaboration between students, parents, and teachers. While guidance is important, the final choices should reflect your child’s interests, strengths, and goals.
Students will make final choices by completing an online form using their iPad. This will take place during their tutor time session on Friday 10th January. Please be assured that instructions and support will be provided to students on how to complete the online form.
We are here to support students throughout this journey. Please contact your child’s tutor should you have any questions.
Thank you for helping your child make thoughtful and informed decisions.
Year 11 – Positive Steps 16 site (PS16)
Deadline dates: the deadline for applications was 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. We must have all applications sent by Monday 13th January – we cannot have any students without applications past this date.
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.
Rewards
It is always a pleasure working with our wonderful students at Manor High School. However, it has been a particular pleasure this week. To recognise student and staff efforts we have organised a celebration week. This has included:
- The top 15 achievement point scorers from Year 7, 8 and 9 were given tickets to attend the MHS cinema on Wednesday afternoon. They were rewarded with a showing of ‘That Christmas’ and treated to as much popcorn as they could eat. Everyone had a brilliant time.
- The top students from Year’s 10 and 11 who had lot of achievement points and very few behaviour points were treated to a Pizza Party on Thursday!
- Students who have significantly improved their attendance also had a Pizza Party!
- Our December form of the Month for behaviour and attendance were rewarded with delicious Donuts. B6 have 2164 achievement points , less than 100 behaviour points between them and above 96% attendance. Well done to B6!
- Lots of other points and rewards were handed out!!!
I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas break
Duke of Edinburgh Award
We will be relaunching our programme in 2025 and are aiming to run both the Bronze and the Silver Awards. We will be in touch in the new year with more information including the new costs.
We have always felt t
his is a really important opportunity for our young people and it goes without saying that we are excited to be launching in 2025. As a result we have taken the necessary time to ensure we move forward with a model that allows our students to enjoy and succeed with the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. More information will come out in the New Year.
Message from Oadby Food Bank
Hello everyone,
On behalf of the volunteers at Oadby Food Bank I would like to thank you all for the donations your individual schools have made this year. It has been amazing.
We have spent the last few days date checking and sorting out the items. This afternoon we will be packing 180 bags of tins, cereal, pasta etc for approximately 100 households (large families receive two bags) as well as 100 Christmas bags and 100 fresh produce bags (one per household).
Tomorrow we will be handing it out and then “closing the door” until the New Year!
If you can please pass on our thanks to anyone involved with your donations.
Have a good Christmas and a happy New Year.
THANK YOU!
Michael Elliott
On behalf of Oadby Food Bank.
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.
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.
Arbor
Over the next 2 weeks Manor High School will be moving our Management Information System (MiS) from SIMS to Arbor.
This is part of a long-term project to enable the school to have better information systems in place.
If you have a child that is at another school with Arbor, you may see Manor High School in your Arbor application. For now, you will not be able to use this for communication with the school as we will not be enabling this until Summer 2025 and we will send out communications when this will be activated.
For now, School Gateway will continue to be used for communications and payments
Year 10 Work Experience
Thank you to all who have brought forms back in. Payments have been set up on the school gateway (thank you also to those who have already paid). Please make your payment promptly so your form can be fully processed.
Safeguarding Update
Tellmi
Christmas can be a bit overwhelming and is especially so for young people who struggle with low self-esteem, negative body-image and eating difficulties. Tellmi offers a safe space to talk about difficult things and get support from others who are dealing with similar issues. Students can access anonymous, pre-moderated peer and counsellor support, as well as 1-2-1 therapy through the Tellmi app and web app. They can also connect to the First Steps ED service to get specialist support for issues relating to body image or disordered eating.
This service is funded by the NHS, so it is free and it is exclusively available to young people who live in Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland. Students don’t need a referral and there is no waiting list.
Tellmi can be downloaded for free from the App Store, Play Store or via our Web App (tellmi.app)
Children’s Wellbeing
Please see attached booklet from the NHS Mental Health Service Team to help support students over the winter – Winter Support Booklet 2024
Increasing Incidents of Illness In Children – LCC Public Health
During the winter months, illnesses such as colds and flu are more common. The NHS continues to experience significant pressures this winter. There are a number of things you can do to help yourself to stay well, which includes getting your seasonal vaccinations, and adopting healthy habits.
Flu Vaccinations
The School Aged Immunisation Service (SAIS) is currently offering all children and young people in primary, secondary and special schools a free flu vaccine. Details are shared with parents and carers through your child’s school. It’s important that vaccines are given on time for the best protection, but if your child has missed the school flu vaccine, the SAIS team will contact you about catch-up sessions. If you or your child have missed any other vaccine, contact your GP to catch up.
For more local information about vaccinations, please visit our website
Healthy Habits
Handwashing is one of the most effective ways to stop germs from spreading. Regularly washing hands in soap and warm water for 20 seconds can help you and your child to stay well and not pass on germs.
Using a tissue to catch coughs and sneezes helps to prevent the spread of germs. Make sure tissues are thrown in the bin after use.
Make Sure You Have Self-Care Essentials at Home
Consider keeping these essentials at home: thermometer, plasters, child-friendly paracetamol and ibuprofen, antiseptic cream, an ice-pack and antihistamines. Store medicines in a cool, dry, lockable cabinet, out of reach of children and always check the dates on medicines.
Extra Curricular Activities & Other Useful Information
