Charlton School

25^th June 2020

Dear Parents/Carers,

I hope you are all continuing to cope well during these strange times and for most of you there has been somewhat of a return to more normal circumstances.  I thank you all again for the large number of positive messages about how we have communicated with you and the efforts of all staff to make the best of a difficult situation.

By the end of term, all students in Year 7 to 9 should have had an online lesson, either delivered in person or recorded and sent through Doddle with their teachers.  All students should be routinely receiving emails from their teachers and a couple of telephone calls from their tutors.  We will need to ensure we have spoken to all students prior to the holiday.

The Government guidance around current access to school remains in place, in that we cannot have more than 25% of Year 10 in school at any one time and no other year groups.  I would like to thank and congratulate our Year 10 students for their attitude and commitment towards these sessions.  Attendance daily is over 80% and the majority of students that can attend are, behaviour has been impeccable.  Students have shown appreciation for the efforts we have made to keep them safe, whilst providing a very worthwhile opportunity at this crucial time in their education.

I am sure you will have picked up the news that the Government expect all schools to open to all students in September.  As with most announcements during the Corona Virus outbreak, this has been made without the guidance being provided to schools.  We are expecting to receive in the next week or so, further details as to what is expected of us.

It is with regret that we have had to cancel our transition events to support the movement from primary to secondary education this year.  We are looking to stagger the return to school in September to allow some element of transition to take place for Year 7, prior to the whole school returning.  We will however look to keep this to a minimum and do all we can to ensure a full return to school for all students, as quickly as we can in the new term, following government guidelines.

We believe that schools will not be required to provide education provision to students of Key worker families, or who are vulnerable, over the summer holiday, and as such the school will be closed to students during the six week period.  It is possible that a summer activity scheme may be run at HLC by an external provider, if childcare support is needed and if families wish to buy in to this scheme.  We will provide further details as and when available.

With only two and a half weeks remaining in school I feel it important to let you know of three Charlton legends that will not be returning in September.

Firstly, Mrs Jones, our librarian, who after 34 years of working at Charlton, has decided to put down her book stamp for the final time.  Mrs Jones has passed her passion for reading and books to many students past and present.  She was always keen to find the right book for individual students to match their interests and create a spark on their journey of a love of reading.  Mrs Jones will be greatly missed by staff and students alike; we wish her well for her retirement.

Secondly, Mr Denfhy is moving away from a full-time position at Charlton and moving to work with the Learning Community Trust (LCT) to support schools across the Trust.  Mr Denfhy has been at Charlton for 20 years, arriving as an English teacher, before firmly establishing himself as Head of Expressive Arts, teaching drama and producing, I am told.  Amazing school shows with challenging set designs!  He progressed through the leadership ranks and I am extremely grateful to him for his support in the last 4 years as my Deputy Headteacher, he is undoubtedly one of the most caring colleagues I have had the pleasure to work with, with the best interests of students at the heart of all the work and decisions he undertakes .

I know Mr Denfhy leaving will be difficult for many students and families due to the support he offers you, we will do all we can to provide the same levels of time, care and support in the future.  We will continue to get to see and work with Mr Denfhy through his role with the LCT.

Last and by no means least, a gentleman who has dedicated his life so far, to Charlton School, man and boy!  Mr Tristham started at Charlton as a Year 7 student in 1986, sadly I do not have copies of his old school reports to share, they could have made for entertaining reading!  He returned to Charlton in 2001 to take up a position of Head of Design Technology and progressed through to Head of Secondary Phase when the school was in collaboration with Dothill, and on to Head of School after that.

I am indebted to Mr Tristham for his tireless work as my Senior Deputy Headteacher in the last four years.  He leaves Charlton at this time with a heavy heart, but deservedly is taking up a position as Headteacher at Oldbury Wells School, Bridgnorth.

Acquiring a headship for many colleagues can be a long process with many applications, Mr Tristham secured the first job he applied for.  This is testament to the fantastic skillset and experience he has to offer, he will be an outstanding Headteacher, whom like Mr Denfhy, is totally child centred and wants nothing but the very best for his students.  Our loss is certainly Oldbury Wells’ gain.  If you were to cut Mr Tristham in half, like a stick of rock, he would have Charlton School written throughout him.

I am sure you will all join me in wishing Mrs Jones, Mr Denfhy and Mr Tristham well for the future and thank them immensely for the contributions they have made to Charlton School.

There are a number of other colleagues leaving us this term, I will write again nearer the end of term to let you know, when they have had the opportunity to share this news with their classes personally, if they wish to do so.

Thank you again for your ongoing support.

Yours faithfully

Mr A McNaughton

Principal