Principal’s Update
Published: Fri 13 September 2024Dear Parents/Carers,
We’re delighted to welcome the students back for the academic year 2024-25! It has been wonderful to see students returning after the summer holidays and to welcome new students into year 7 and 12.
GCSE, A-level and BTEC results
We are incredibly proud of the results achieved in 2024 exams by our students. Our GSCE results are the best the academy has achieved since 2016 and our outstanding 6th form once again delivered fabulous A-level and BTEC outcomes which have taken our students to a range of prestigious universities and degree level apprenticeships. Congratulations to all our students.
New Attendance Regulations
New attendance regulations come into force this September and it is important that parents understand these. These changes come from central government and apply to all schools across the country.
- Penalty notice warnings will be issued if a child misses 10 school sessions (5 days) in a 10 week period.
- Fines have increased to £160 (reduced to £80 if paid in 21 days – first time only)
- Students arriving after 9.10am (when registers close) without an authorised reason will be coded as absent, not late. This would then count to the 10 school sessions described in point 1.
As a school we will continue to promote a positive culture around school attendance. Students learn best when they are in school every day and where attendance is a concern, we will work directly with children and their families to put in place support. Our attendance figures last year were some of the strongest in Hackney, and our students enjoy coming to school each day. Thank you for all that you do to ensure your children are at school on time every day.
Year 7 Pick-up Point
We know that some year 7 parents like to meet their children after school for the first few weeks as they settle in. Students may be dismissed from either the gate on Homerton Row or the gate on Furrow Lane at the end of each day. The year 7 pick up point is on the corner between Homerton Row and Furrow Lane. Please arrange to meet your child there. A member of staff is always on duty at the end of each day if you have any questions. Please note you must not drive along or park on Homerton Row. Approximately 1000 children leave the school at the end of each day and driving on this pedestrianised lane puts them at risk.
Henrietta Branford Writing Competition Winner!
On the last day of the summer term, we learnt that Maya Tidey (now year 13) had been announced as winner of the Henrietta Branford Creative Writing Competition This is an annual competition for young people which runs in conjunction with the Branford Boase Award and aims to find and encourage writers of the future. Anyone under the age of 19 can enter. You can read Maya’s winning entry here – congratulations Maya! The Booker next?
We’re looking forward to another year of hard work, success and opportunity. Please check the dates below for opportunities to come in and see us in person. Have a lovely weekend.
Dates for your diary:
- Tuesday 17th September 2024 – Year 7 Meet Head of Year & Tutor Evening (X Band)
- Wednesday 18th September 2024 – Year 7 Meet Head of Year & Tutor Evening (Y Band)
- Thursday 19th September 2024 – Year 8 Meet Head of Year & Tutor Evening
- Friday 20th September 2024 – Student Photograph Day Year 7, Year 10 & Year 12