Dear Families of The Deepings School

It has been a really positive week at The Deepings.  You will see in this week’s news stories, the success of our incredible Duke of Edinburgh participants.  It was a pleasure to attend the presentation ceremony last night where we saw 40 students collect their bronze award and 5 collect their silver.  When I joined the school, I was delighted the award was so popular and I urge any of our students from Year 9 upwards to enrol and participate.  I am grateful to our DofE leader, Mrs Williams, along with other staff in school who support.

Further positives this week have been the success assemblies for each year group.  Heads of Year prepared assemblies whereby data on positive rewards and attendance had been collated.  Recognition went to a number of students individually and as tutor groups, for their excellent approach to work and positive attitudes to learning and school life.  Subject teachers were also asked to contribute and nominate students who were working hard and had a positive approach in lessons.  Well done to everyone.  I am delighted to share with you that this half term over 106,000 positive behaviour points have been given out, with Year 7 being top of the leader board, closely followed by Year 11.  I look forward to sharing a further update in half term 2.

Sadly, this week there has been an extremely serious incident in school which has led to a number of suspensions of significant length, issued to students involved.  I don’t take any joy in sharing this information with you; however it is important that you as a family understand that serious breaches of our behaviour policy, alongside not respecting our school values will not be tolerated.  Our line of ‘every student to thrive and feel valued’ is one which I remain committed to, as do all staff at the school.

This week has also coincided with the local media writing reports regarding our Ofsted inspection.  Thank you for the kind words of support many of you have given in respect to the school and recognition of the work we are undertaking to make The Deepings a truly great school to attend.  Whilst these things take time, there are positive in roads into our school improvement journey.  In the next half term, my communications will share the actions we are taking to improve.

Finally, I would like to remind you of the uniform expectations at the school.  In the last week I have noticed a number of students who have been presenting with trainers and not wearing blazers.  I expect all students to present themselves correctly for school, please do check they are wearing correct uniform when they leave the house in the morning.  Our expectations on uniform remain high at all times.

I wish you all a very enjoyable half term break and look forward to welcoming students back on Monday 30 October.

Kind regards

Ms K Johnson

Headteacher

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This week's news:

• Duke of Edinburgh Award - celebration evening
• Exploring our mental health and wellbeing

News - The Deepings School (anthemtrust.uk)

Calendar dates:

Calendar - The Deepings School (anthemtrust.uk)

Sixth Form Open Evening:

We would like to invite Year 11 families to our upcoming Sixth Form Open Evening on 2 November 2023:

Open-Evening-information-2-November-2023-1.pdf