We understand that Year 7 is a vital year for settling in and getting used to all the changes starting secondary schools brings. We also understand that, as parents or carers, this may be new to you too. Therefore, we've created a series of quick-links which give you direct access to important information you're bound to need or will be desperate to ask for.

Introduction by Chair of Governors – Mr Peter Milson

There are further details in the links panel but in summary:

The Governing Body are all volunteers and there are currently 13 governors varying from teachers, parents and members of the local and business community. We work together with the Headteacher and his senior team for the benefit of all the pupils and staff at John Spendluffe Technology College.

What do Governors do?

Governors at John Spendluffe Technology College do not manage the Academy, that is the role of the Headteacher and his team; as Governors we aim to support them in doing this. At John Spendluffe we support a very successful Academy.

Governors are responsible for the strategic vision of the school and for supporting the Headteacher and his team in achieving that vision. Governors have responsibility for appointing the Headteacher, managing the Academy’s budget, setting annual targets and monitoring performance against those targets, all in the interest of raising standards of achievement.

To exercise this role, as well as the main governing body, there are a number of committees, the detail of which are in the links panel but as a an overview the committees are:

• Finance & General Purposes Committee (Chaired by Mr Giles Crust)

• Strategic, Standards, Students and Curriculum Committee (Chaired by Mr George Willoughby)

• Personnel Committee (Chaired by Mr Peter Milson)

• Ms J Shorrock (Headteacher)

• Mr P Milson (Chair)

• Mr G Willoughby (Vice Chair)

• Mr J Treasure (Company Secretary / Clerk to Governors)

• Mrs L Ailsby (Parent Governor)

• Mr D Allen (Community / Parent Governor)

• Mrs T Chatterton (Staff Governor - Support Staff)

• Mr G Crust (Community Governor)

• Mrs J Garrard (Staff Governor - Teaching Staff)

• Mrs S Gibney (Community Governor)

• Miss R Hickson (Parent Governor)  (Declaration)

• Mrs L Iaquaniello (Community Governor)

• Mrs E Ramm (Community Governor)  (Declaration)

• Mrs J Sharp (Staff Governor - Teaching Staff)

• Mr R Snell (Parent Governor)

Dear Parent/ Carer,

I want to reassure you that we remain vigilant with respect to the coronavirus outbreak. Our posters around school remind students to wash hands and use other simple hygiene techniques. Soap in toilet areas is checked three times a day and any reports of concerns are acted upon as a matter of urgency.

We get daily updates from the Government which we read and are guided by the advice.

I will of course contact you if there are significant developments. In the meantime we are continuing to work with your children and welcome them to school each day.

Ms J Shorrock

Wash your hands more often for 20 seconds with soap and hot water.

Please help us in sharing simple and effective hand hygiene messages:

https://twitter.com/NHSuk/status/1235112744917049346

Phone: 0800 046 8687

Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk

Opening hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday)

Updates on COVID-19:  https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Guidance for educational settings:  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19

Travel advice for those travelling and living overseas:  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus

Latest Department for Education information: https://twitter.com/educationgovuk  &  https://www.facebook.com/educationgovuk/

The learning community at JSTC enables its students to grow and develop into resilient, responsible and respectful young people ready for the challenges of life beyond school. As an inclusive school we celebrate our students' successes at all levels nurturing their talents and ensuring they have the skills for the next step of their career goals.

Maximising your child’s potential

On entry to JSTC your child will have a range of data linked to their potential and, from this data, GCSE targets can be set. Children develop at different rates and therefore we wait until Year 9 before your child is given a specific GCSE target grade.

Therefore, in Years 7 and 8 your child will be assigned to a ‘flightpath’ that has a narrow range of potential GCSE grades they could achieve.

What will we measure?

We will measure your child’s progress against a projected GCSE grade. If your child makes more progress than expected in Years 7 and 8 then their target grade will be adjusted and a new, higher target put in place for Year 9.  If your child makes less progress than expected we will support your child to help them gain the skills and expertise needed.