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Friday 8th September 2017

Welcome back to another new and exciting school year. I hope that you and your families have enjoyed a restful and enjoyable summer holiday. Students look really smart in their uniforms so thank you once again for supporting our uniform policy. It makes a real difference.

New Year 7s
We are pleased to be joined by our new Year 7 students. We hope that they will soon feel settled into Harrow Way. Year 7 enjoyed a day of mixed activities on their first two days, helping them to complete their transition from primary pupils to secondary students and to make new friendships. A large number of lunchtime and after-school activities and clubs are offered to our students. A copy of the programme of sports clubs for the autumn term can be found on the school website. We would ask you to have a look and encourage your child to be involved as much as possible. We also look forward to meeting Year 7 parents at the Information Evening on Monday 11th September at 6.30 pm; a letter was sent home with Year 7 students on Tuesday. Students should not attend.

Another record year! GCSE Results 2017
The summer holidays are never completely restful for those students and families who are expecting exam results. The government's changes to GCSE grading this year haven't held back Harrow Way students who celebrated another set of outstanding results. An impressive 80% achieved the new style grade 9 to 4 (equivalent to the current A* to C) in English and 71% in Maths. A very pleasing 66% of the cohort achieved a grade 9-4 in both English (Language or Literature) and Maths and 72% achieved the much coveted 5+A*-C grade GCSEs overall.

This is the first year we've seen grades 9-1 for Maths and English alongside a challenging new curriculum for these subjects with assessment based exclusively on these exams. The government introduced the 9-1 scale to increase the number of higher grade opportunities and we are delighted to see so many of our students hit the top spot this year. Further details on the new GCSEs at https://newgcses.campaign.gov.uk

A number of curriculum areas delivered flawless performances achieving 100% including Art, Business Studies, ICT, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Drama and Dance. Science also delivered another strong performance with 71% celebrating an A*-C. Every year Harrow Way steps up to a new level with the GCSE results – our school, students and teachers just get stronger and stronger. My congratulations must firstly go to this cohort and to their families for their hard work and commitment to their studies.

Alongside the excellent overall pass rate our focus on outstanding teaching and learning is paying dividends too. This year we have seen another increase in high grade passes sees 75% of the year group, which is an incredible improvement, achieve at least one 9/8/7/A*/A pass and 23% achieve three or more. An equally impressive 21% of all our entries were A*/A".

There were some stand-out performances with a number of students celebrating a huge haul of A* and A grades including Noah Lynam (11 x A*/A), Lucy Ward (10 x A*/A), Liam Knight and Tia Fisher (9 x A*/A), Gemma Ruddlestone, Samuel Marshall, Mia Larkin and Emma Hunter (8 x A*/A) and Katie Scratchley, Caleb Percival, Ethan Hawes, Millie Fulford and Rebekah Barnes who all scooped 7 A*/As.

Start of term
At the start of the term, I have reminded staff about the importance of consistency; the importance of having the same high expectations of all students particularly in regard to the school dress code and behaviour for learning. I will also be reminding students in assemblies next week of the importance of being READY for Learning right from the start of term with all that entails and our 3 Simple rules 'Be Ready, Be Respectful, Be your Best'. I know that, as parents, you will also support your child in being READY for Learning throughout the year. Our priorities this year will focus on the continued improvement of teaching and learning. I will attach a summary of our new 3 Year Strategic Plan 2017-2020 to the parent weekly bulletin next week. Please keep an eye out for this.

I would just like to remind you of the different ways you can keep in regular contact with us.

• Weekly ENews
• Website – This is updated on a regular basis
• E-mail alerts – If you are not receiving these, please send in your email address to add to the system.
• Twitter Feed – follow @harrowway
• Staff Contacts – On the Contact tab of the website, parents can email individual staff by selecting the envelope icon next to their name.
• Tucasi Online Payment System – view your child's purchase history from the canteen.

If you haven't already signed up for an online account, you can pay for trips, lockers, uniform, etc as well as adding money to your child's cashless catering account.

Year 11 Parent Information Evening
Year 11 students have been given a list of Post-16 Open Events to bring home. This list is also available here. There will also be an Information Evening on Monday 18th September at 6.30pm and students have been given a letter with a reply slip to return.

Summer Term Newsletter
Year 7 students were given a copy of the Summer Term Newsletter this week. Other students were given a copy at the end of the summer term. It contains key dates for this academic year. The Newsletter is of course also available on-line.

I hope that your child has a successful and enjoyable return to, or start at, Harrow Way. Please do contact your child's Group Tutor in the first instance if there are any issues.

With very best wishes for an enjoyable and successful year.

These visits for 2017/18 have currently been agreed by the Headteacher. Others will be added throughout the year. There is no guarantee that they will all go ahead as this depends on student uptake. Further details on each visit will be given out to the year group/classes involved by the member of staff organising the visit.

Harrow Way Community School (All Parents) Mailing List

Please contact the Admin Office, including your e-mail address and child's name (if applicable) to update your contact details or unsubscribe. Contact the school here.