North Kesteven School

Now that March has arrived and there is the scent of Spring in the air we turn our attention to the ‘business end’ of the school year and the final stages of preparation and revision for the summer examinations.

For Year 11 and Year 13 students their determination, organisation and commitment will be crucial elements in their success.

Our Flexible Learning Day on Tuesday March 19^th will be very much built around examination preparation for these two year groups in particular and this will complement the daily and weekly revision sessions available to individuals and groups across the school.

Our March newsletter will be published just before the end of this term and will, as always, provide you with an insight into the huge range of events, activities and opportunities at NK for the students.  Our new teaching block is now open and students across the full age range are enjoying Geography, Psychology, Sociology and ICT lessons in wonderful new rooms equipped with the latest technology to support their learning.

As a result of the move to the new block a number of other subjects will be able to move into refurbished accommodation and the site staff and external contractors have been working very hard to upgrade facilities and ensure the accommodation is in excellent condition.  Although these tremendous improvements are vital to the school, the attitude and commitment of students to their learning remains vital and this is being reiterated and reinforced regularly in assemblies, tutor time and lessons.

It has been my pleasure to mentor a number of Year 10 and Year 13 students this year and I have been hugely impressed by their maturity, organisation and genuine desire to succeed.

For all of these students it is a time of pressure and the strength of the home-school relationship is vital.  I hope as many parents as possible will attend forthcoming events and by doing so, strengthen still further the bond of co-operation necessary for each and every boy or girl at North Kesteven School.

With my best wishes,

Martin Connor

January and February are always rather challenging months in the academic year with poor weather, post-Christmas blues and a significant period of public examinations and disruption to the timetable.  However, they are also vital months in terms of decision making for Year 9, Year 11 and Year 13 students with KS4 options, Post 16 options, University applications and apprenticeship applications very much in everyone’s mind.

The information, advice and guidance available is extensive, professional and personalised with both NK staff and external experts used to help with those potentially life changing decisions.  Please do make sure that you take full advantage of the expertise available when deciding on a pathway.  The key to success is to make fully informed personal decisions based on knowledge and information not rumour and whim!

For your information, some of the key staff involved in this advice and guidance are : -

Mrs A Fox – Assistant Head – Curriculum & Timetable

Miss P Davies – Curriculum Pathways Manager

Mr C Jones – Post 16 Progress Manager

Mrs W Dockery – KS4 Progress Manager

Mr G Hall – Year 8 & 9 Progress Manager

Mrs S Thorpe – Careers Advisor

I hope that all students feel supported in their information gathering and decision-making but should any further clarification or explanation be needed please do not hesitate to contact school and ask for the appropriate member of staff.

With my best wishes,

Martin Connor

As I write at the start of the week after half term we look forward to a packed calendar of events and opportunities for students at North Kesteven School.

Year 11 students face a crucial term with trial examinations and two key evenings to help plan their future pathways in education or training.

‘What’s Next’ at North Kesteven School on Thursday 8^th November and Year 11 Options Evening on Thursday 22^nd November will be vitally important sources of advice, guidance and information to help with decision making and the trial exams starting on Monday November 19^th will help to inform students, staff and parents about progress and the preparation required for summer 2013.

Year 9 students will also be very busy with a Parents’ Evening on Wednesday 28^th November providing an opportunity to assess progress and gather first thoughts about options for KS4.

Post 16 students will be completing their UCAS applications, working hard to complete coursework and modules in their subject areas and leading the school’s party for our senior citizens on December 18^th which is always a marvellous community event.

During November and December, the number and quality of Performing Arts events is quite remarkable.  Jazz Vehicle at the Royal Albert Hall on the 12th November, Shakespeare Schools Festival at Melton Mowbray on 14^th November and in our own theatre on the 15^th November, the fantastic school production of ‘Annie’ from 11^th – 14^th December and the Carol Concert on the 18^th December will provide excitement and opportunities galore to showcase the skills and talents of NK students and staff.

Numerous other events and trips will underpin our core business of teaching and learning and I have to express my genuine delight to see so many positive, innovative and engaging lessons when I move around the school on a daily basis.  Our new behaviour procedures have had a really positive impact and behind the scenes we have an outstanding programme of professional development for all staff with ideas and strategies being shared across departments and the whole school.

We will continue to strive to do our very best for all students at North Kesteven School this term.  Please do attend any events we have, be they to support your child’s academic progress or public performances to fill you with pride!

With my best wishes,

Martin Connor

A warm welcome to the 2012/2013 academic year.  We have had a fantastic first week back at school with beautiful weather, newly painted classrooms and smartly dressed students helping to create a really positive atmosphere around the school. 

Doctor Mackenzie has started her whole school ‘spotlight’ tour of lessons looking at how well routines and relationships are established to enhance teaching and learning and our new behaviour code has proved popular with staff and students alike, especially the vast majority who work hard, behave well and wear the correct uniform at all times.

The summer’s exam results were our best ever at GCSE level with 96% of our Year 11 students gaining 5 or more A* - C grades, 63% gaining a remarkable 10 or more A* - C grades and 60% gaining 5 or more A* - C grades including English and Maths.

However, that is all gone and we must look to improve still further in 2012 – 2013.  In my first day assemblies I stressed the need to aspire, aim and achieve, the three goals of the 2012 Olympic Games’ Makers who helped to create such as fabulous atmosphere in London this summer.

I hope we will all work together to ensure all NK students aspire to be the best they can be, aim to reach the highest standards they can reach and achieve the success they richly deserve.

As I write this entry, we are one week away from completing the summer term at North Kesteven School, and what a term it has been, (despite the weather!).

There have been so many events, trips, performances and successes and we have so many reasons to continue to celebrate the achievements, positive approach and skills of our students.  I encourage you to view our latest school newsletter which will provide you with an idea of all that we have been doing.

The lengthy exam period passed smoothly thanks to the hard work of staff and the exemplary attitude and behaviour of students.  I look forward to the 16^th and 23^rd August when students will be rewarded for their efforts with their public examination results.

The summer holidays will see the Olympic Games take place in our capital city.  We have had a taster of the Olympics at NK with two of our students being proud torch bearers and through the Olympic Fortnight organised by our PE department.  We have seen so many examples of the Olympic values of friendship, respect and excellence within our school and we will strive to maintain these in everything we do.

During the summer break we will also see exciting developments on site, particularly when work commences on our new five classroom teaching block which will house fantastic ICT and Media facilities.

Please note that our Open Evening will be held on Thursday September 20^th as I am sure many students will be involved in demonstrating, displaying and discussing the outcomes from our broad range of subjects, our exciting extra-curricular programme and our commitment to the social and educational development of every student at NK.

Have a fantastic summer.