Headteacher’s Update
Dear Families
Our first week after half term has concluded. This term is a long one, and traditionally one in which we start to see some sniffles and sneezes. I urge you please to send your child to school unless they are really unwell. Sometimes children wake up feeling a little under the weather, but once they get going and are amongst their peers they feel so much better. Being at school is crucial to being successful at school.
Our assemblies this week have focussed upon being courageous and accepting people for who they are, as well as accepting yourself. It focussed around the story of a rugby referee Nigel Owens, who really struggled to accept who he was and until he could do that he never reached his full potential. One of the most powerful statements he made was that overtime you can choose some things, like the football team you support or the house you live in, but you cannot change your identity. It is therefore important to be comfortable in your own ‘skin’ and to also accept people for what they are. We are here to support students and help them to understand themselves and they also are encouraged to be good friends to each other as well. Next week we will not be having any school assemblies as we are focussing on ‘Green Careers’ week and adding some additional tutor time activities in place of the weekly year group assemblies.
Our Year 11 students begin their first round of Pre Public Examinations next week and we wish them luck. We have been impressed with their attitude to their upcoming examinations. They have been encouraging with the level of diligence and engagement they have shown and we look forward to supporting them next week and the week after as they sit their exams in the school sports centre.
With best wishes
Mr S Greiff
Post 16 school and college open events
Students have now had their usernames and passwords for the PS16 site. These were sent to their school email addresses. Students need to keep their log in details safe and must log in and ensure their profile is set up fully. Students were shown how to do this on Tuesday this week and I have shared the information with students and parents/carers on class charts.
Please see a list of local school and college sixth form open events – Open Events 2026.
Green Careers Week – All Years
2nd to 6th November is Green Careers Week. Students will be engaging in a range of opportunities which include: A Green Careers Quiz (linking students personality traits to potential careers), a Green Careers Online Career Fair, learning about the Green Career Sector. We will also be asking for volunteer litter pickers and the student leadership team will take part in some community litter picking as well.
Year 10 work experience
Information has been sent to parents and carers separately via class charts. Please do refer to the information.
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 Djibril of 10.1 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!
Study Centre
We are really excited to announce that our Study Centre is now open at lunch time for Year 11 students. There will be thirty spaces available for each session, on a first come, first serve basis. To enter, you must use the English corridor doors, present your e-card and provide your name/tutor group on the sign up sheet. The Study Centre is to be used for quiet, focused revision. This is not a ‘hang-out’ space and failure to meet expectations will result in you being asked to leave. Thank you for your patience in waiting for this space to be available and we look forward to supporting your studies.
PE Kit
Students at Manor High school have made an outstanding start to the new year with the vast majority in exemplary kit. To help students continue to enjoy PE and wear the correct uniform please see the visual below. If students have lessons on the fields, we expect students to wear the correct trainers to school but also have a pair of studded boots to change into.
Brookside Primary School – Open Days
Year 7 London Art Trip
Just before half term, our Year 7 art students enjoyed an inspiring trip to London. The day began with open-air sketching in Trafalgar Square, where students observed and recorded the famous landmarks, architecture and atmosphere of this iconic location. They then visited the National Gallery, exploring a range of world-renowned artworks and gaining first-hand experience of studying paintings in a gallery setting. To finish the day, students were treated to a spectacular performance of The Lion King in the West End. The trip provided a wonderful opportunity to develop drawing skills, deepen artistic understanding and experience the rich cultural heritage that London has to offer. Students were a credit to the school throughout the day and thoroughly enjoyed this memorable experience.
Safeguarding Update
Please see some great resources shared by the VRN (Violence Reduction Network) who are based in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
Attendance
Research consistently demonstrates that students who attend school regularly achieve better academic outcomes than their peers with lower attendance. By being in school every day, students benefit from high-quality teaching, develop their knowledge and skills, make sustained progress, and are far more likely to reach their full potential.
However, the importance of attendance extends far beyond academic achievement. Regular attendance provides students with opportunities to build positive relationships with peers and staff, develop essential social and communication skills, and participate fully in the wider life of the school. Face-to-face interactions help foster a sense of belonging, confidence and resilience, all of which contribute positively to students’ mental health and wellbeing.
Good attendance also promotes routine, responsibility and self-discipline, preparing students for future education, employment and life beyond school. Every day in school matters, and ensuring students attend regularly gives them the best possible chance to succeed both academically and personally.
Week ending: 16th Oct
| Year group | Year to date | Weekly attendance | Comparison to previous wk | |
| 7 | 97.1% (down 0.1%) | 96.01% | Down | |
| 8 | 95.6% (down 0.1%) | 95.29% | Down | |
| 9 | 94.1% (down 0.3%) | 91.65% | Down | |
| 10 | 95% (down 0.5%) | 91.78% | Down | |
| 11 | 93.4% (down 0.3%) | 91.32% | Down | |
| Wole School to date | 95.1% | 93.32% | Down |
We want all of our students to be achieving at least 96% attendance. We can do this!
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