Posted on: 22/10/2021Summer School 2021Loreto was delighted to provide an optional Summer School funded by the Department for Education to support pupils in making up for education missed during the Covid-19 pandemic. This was a welcome opportunity to offer all new year 7 students an insight into the Loreto Community and also additional support for some of our Year 10 students to recover lost curriculum and prepare for year 11. Year 7 Summer School A choice of 2 different weeks were offered to all incoming Year 6 students (our new Year 7) and this flexibility, together with the overwhelming support from parents and carers, ensured a take up of more than 87% of the year group. With the help of staff and sixth form students the aim of the weeks was to support the transition from primary school to secondary school. We gave the new students an opportunity to experience the school environment and ethos without the daunting aspect of many other students. The students were split into groups, to facilitate greater social interaction and allow new friendships to be formed. In a very short space of time, we saw their confidence grow along with their awareness of the Loreto community. The students were fortunate to be able to experience many different aspects of a secondary school curriculum. Over the course of the Summer School two weeks, pupils were able to engage in a mixture of academic and enrichment activities in Science, Mathematics, English, History, Geography, Music workshops, Creative Arts, Languages and even an indoor planetarium. The students also grew their talents and explored the arts and this will lead to their Arts Award qualification during 2021/22. An enlightening experience for the whole Loreto community – both staff and pupils alike. The students also had the invaluable opportunity to meet new peers and get to know each other in their new setting, particularly during their free time at break and lunch. The students also had tours of the school to prepare them ahead of the start of the academic year, guided by a sixth former perspective. Feedback from students and parents\carers “I just wanted to drop you a note to say Thank You for hosting a wonderful summer school last week. My daughter had an awesome week meeting new friends, exploring the school and of course learning lots! It really was a fabulous week and now she is excited and ready for September. Please pass on our thanks to the teachers, sixth-formers and all the staff.” “I'd also like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all the staff involved in putting on this week. It has been great for the girls to get the chance to feel a bit more comfortable in their new surroundings and start making new friends. After a long and testing academic year it really is very generous of so many people to volunteer their time. “ Year 10 Summer School The Year 10 summer school in English offered provision for students to benefit from additional support in both English Language and English Literature. This included some revision of key skills including language analysis and reading strategies and introductory work on a set text in English Literature. It enabled some diagnosis of student's needs in order to inform an ongoing programme of support throughout year 11. Summer School Funding Funds Claimed from the Department for Education (695 student days of summer school) £39,485 NB Loreto delivered the summer school at 5% less than the DfE allocation of £299 per student per week with an actual average cost of £285 Costs:- Staffing – including all oncosts for 36 external and internal teaching and support staff (11 days of summer school delivered) £18,506 Daily refreshments and lunch for all attendees £3,740 Special activities – hire of planetarium £590 Educational resources for all subjects taught (including full moderation and certification of the Arts Award) £7,027 Educational resources – including allowable investment in technology and equipment (demonstrating good value for money as this will be used subsequently for the long term benefit of the pupils) £7,649 Other – site costs and cleaning £1,973 Total Cost £39,485 Read More
Posted on: 14/07/2021Year 7 Reading clubDuring the spring and summer terms, students in Year 7 met to read Catherine Johnson’s Race to the Frozen North: The Matthew Henson Story. The novel is based on the biography of Matthew Henson, an American boy who found himself on a remarkable journey after facing a childhood of hardship and discrimination. When they finished the novel, they were inspired to be creative, and decided to reproduce the first chapter of the book in audio book form for fellow students and their families to enjoy. We are sure that once you have listened, you will be eager to get yourself a copy of the book to read all about the rest of Matthew’s spectacular adventure! Listen hereRead More
Posted on: 18/06/2021JPIC English NewsletterPlease see the attached Newsletter. JPIC English Newsletter May 2021Read More
