Dear Parents,

Thank you for all your support this year. Before we look forward to 2009, it is worth looking back on what we have achieved together this term.

Year 7 learners arrived in September; for them, not just a new school, but a new national curriculum. At Ribblesdale, we introduced the Year 7 Foundation Day which learners call ‘SPLAT’. The focus is on transferable skills and coaching learners to become more independent workers. Earlier this term, I was contacted by Independent Television News (ITN) who wanted to make a short film about how Ribblesdale does things differently. I have now seen the film, which will be presented at BETT London in January – the world’s largest educational technology event. It will also be featured as a special item on ITV news to evaluate the impact of the government’s Specialist Schools Programme in the spring. Year 7 SPLAT was featured amongst other initiatives. We all believe the impact of our specialist status has seen the steady improvement in the standards of teaching and learning in key areas. When the video is posted on our website, you will be able to see for yourself!

Having rolled out the pilot from last year to everyone, GCSE programmes have started now for Year 9. We wish them well as they work very hard to meet the challenges ahead. I have seen them in class and I know they will.

Earlier this month the new Learning Resource Centre was opened by the author Joseph Delaney. This was a really good event which gave a number of our learners from the book club and junior librarians the chance to quiz Joseph about his writing career. The LRC is open until 6pm on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and 4.30pm on Monday and Wednesday. As well as a wealth of reading material, the LRC stocks current affairs magazines, newspapers and journals. The suite of 20 computers is available to be used. Later next term, the adjacent café will be open on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 3.30pm until 5.30pm. The school council consulted widely and produced a short list of names. In the end, council members and I selected ‘Brunch Bar’. I hope learners preparing for examinations in the spring/summer will take advantage of these facilities.

Before school reopened in September, I posted to each family some information about uniform. Whilst much improved this term, over the last few weeks, as the cold weather has taken hold, uniform has become rather untidy for a significant minority. I have enclosed another uniform list and drawn your attention to the most common problems with regard to uniform. We will be having a focus on uniform in January; my expectation is that each individual should look smart, behave well and achieve: detail does matter. Please work with us to ensure your son or daughter looks smart when they leave home.

Please find enclosed our summer outcomes, which shows a gender breakdown linked to equality legislation.

In October, we carried out our annual survey of parents to find out more about what you believe we do well and what could be improved. The results are due next month, but I have read the written comments already. You have been very complimentary overall.

You thought these were key areas of strength:

• The quality of learning and teaching
• Standards of achievement
• The impact of technology and applied learning specialisms and “doing things differently”
• Care, support and intervention work with young people

You thought these could be improved:

• The absence of lockers/storage facilities for Year 7/8 and 11
• Queuing arrangements for school lunches, particularly Year 7/8
• The amount of information about enrichment and extra-curricular activities

The range of enrichment provision is excellent at Ribblesdale and can be seen on the website. I have taken the opportunity to provide you with the same information that was made available to coaching groups earlier this term. It has been updated and I hope you find it useful. Lockers cause an enormous problem. Whilst I am totally in favour of lockers, the practical implications, not necessarily the cost are significant. Having 1,300 lockers on the site is impossible and I have discussed the matter with the School Council. We shall look again to see what we may be able to do next year. We will also evaluate how the lunchtime arrangements work for younger pupils and look to identify additional areas where lunches from home can be eaten.

We continue to offer an outstanding range of provision for performance. Last week, I was at The Grand in Clitheroe among 220 other parents and friends of the school to support our Christmas musical evening. The quality of music, dance and drama was outstanding. Those taking part in the show are grateful for the many congratulatory comments by letter and email. Sports performance is set to get even better: Mr Lishman has successfully secured £10,000 of additional funding which will buy a new trampoline and table-tennis tables.

Year 11 have just completed their trial examinations. As usual, we have a “mock results day” on 19 January. Year 11 will receive their envelopes with their “results”; there will also be a programme of information, advice and guidance from teaching staff and from the Young Person’s Services. The aim is to replicate as closely as possible the August results day. Last year, this was a very successful day, motivational for many and a “wake-up call” for some. After Christmas, Years 10 and 11 sit “real” examinations. I hope that some time is given over the Christmas holiday to prepare appropriately. I know they will!

I hope you enjoy reading the third edition of RibbWord produced by Miss Holaday’s Year 8 English group. Many of the articles are a ringing endorsement of our work and I am very proud of everyone’s contribution to the success of Ribblesdale. May it continue into 2009 and beyond. You can see more information about these items on our ‘new look’ website – do have a look.

On behalf of all the staff at Ribblesdale, may I wish you a very happy, peaceful and restful Christmas.

School opens for all on Monday 5th January 2009 at 8.45am.

Yours sincerely

S A Smith
Headteacher