Headteacher's Update 21 March 2025

Dear Parents and Carers

Week 4 of this term has seen more activities taking place, including two visits to Flamborough Head for our Year 11 Geography students who enjoyed some wonderful weather. Year 11 drama students also completed their exam performances this week. Next week we see the performances of our GCSE music students and final rehearsals for our Disney choir. We spend a lot of time in school talking to students about the idea of 'Turn up, take part' and it is clear that these young people are definitely living that mantra.

Two reports have been published this week, looking at national data comparing attendance percentages and attainment. We have known from our own data that students who attend more achieve more, and the national data now strongly supports this. We want each of our young people to achieve as highly as they can, but we also want them to be in school to take advantage of so many opportunities outside of the classroom. Next week is our attendance week where young people will spend some time look at their attendance, and we are also beginning to award our 3 Week Streak postcards for students as well.

We also talk to students about 'Be the best you can be' and this week we have handed out lots of awards and badges to students and it has been lovely to talk to them about what they have done to earn these awards.

We look forward to seeing some of you at our GCSE Solos Evening in school on Tuesday evening.

What’s going on in school:

We welcomed the CRY heart screening team (Cardiac Risk in the Young) into school on Wednesday this week. They carried out 99 screenings for students in Y10 and Y11 over the course of the day. Students’ behaviour during the screening was exemplary.

CRY logo

On Sunday 16 March, Dylan in Y11 participated in a popular climbing competition, which draws specific climbers from across the country. This festival has been set up by an ex-Hope Valley College student and our school had a huge presence in the competition, with parents, staff (Mr Fitton was brilliant!) and students. Dylan qualified in first place in an adult competition, beating 186 other climbers. He went through to the final and climbed in front of a huge audience to come second overall. Well done Dylan - what an inspiration!

Meanwhile, Dylan in Y8 competed in the European Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu championships in London. He came first in his age category, along with his younger brother. Well done, Dylan!

This morning, we completed the last Y9 Orienteering Session at Longshaw Estate as part of the Outdoor Activities Programme. Students have been amazing and improved the previous year's times - they have listened well, applied navigational skills and strategies, and pushed their fitness levels to the limits! Today, Ben and Jack set a new course record of 31.32 to become the Year 9 winners and overall record holders! Well done to everyone. And thank you to all staff and volunteers involved to help make these sessions happen.

students orienteering

We've just celebrated Science Week in the library with a week of themed activities including "Fill This Space" when SketchBook art clubbers designed planets and celestial bodies to decorate the library windows. On "Hunt the Scientist" day, students searched for and identified 15 well-known scientists hiding in the library. And trainee physicists studied gravity with the library's ever-popular GraviTrax game.

We are really proud of our extracurricular offer here at HVC and the opportunities available to our students throughout the school week. Attached is a booklet with lots of information about the extracurricular clubs and activities. Students should speak to the relevant member of staff it they need any more information about any of these.

Y11 geography students visited Flamborough Head this week to complete their fieldwork on coastal processes and landforms in action. They saw the erosion and defence management taking place on the East coast.

Flamborough Head

GCSE drama students have been busy the last couple of weeks. Y10 continue to work hard on their coursework with their devised performances starting to take shape. More information will be shared about a GCSE drama performance evening next term. Drama students also attended a theatre trip to see Pig Heart Boy at Sheffield Theatres. This week, Year 11 completed their practical scripted exam in front of a visiting examiner. The students performed 2 monologues from a play of their choosing and absolutely smashed their performances. Miss Starbuck is beyond proud of all the GCSE students work. If you would like to see some of the monologues, don't forget the Solos Night is on 25^th March!

We are celebrating World Book Day on school on Friday 4 April. This will be a non-uniform day for staff and students and everyone is welcome to dress up as their favourite book character.

School Site News - As part of our commitment to the safeguarding of our students and staff, we are continuously looking at ways to improve our safety procedures. Prior to the February half term all students received an assembly that covered basic allergy awareness and signs of anaphylaxis plus a reminder of our emergency safety procedures and what action to take in different scenarios. During the half term break, additional access control was installed on three external doors and following a review of school’s CCTV system additional cameras will be installed over the coming weeks to ensure we can continue to keep our students safe whilst on site. Significant investment has also taken place in IT school during the last couple of academic years, over 300 PCs have been upgraded. Following this investment, the operating system was upgraded to Microsoft 11 over the February half term further enhancing the learning environment for our students.

Year 10 Reading Buddies Applications

Year 10 students should have received an email regarding the reading buddies scheme. Applications are now being taken.

GCSE Solos Night & Disney Choir Performance – Tuesday 25 March

GCSE music students will be performing solo pieces, followed by a performance from our Disney Choir, before they head to France the following week. Tickets are prices at £2 per person and are available to parents and carers of Y10 and Y11 GCSE and music students via ParentPay. Doors open at 5.30pm, and the show starts at 6pm. Refreshments will be available to purchase from our PTFA.

Final information for performers:

P4: Y10 should register then come to the hall.

P5: Y11 should register then come to the hall.

3:30pm: All performers to the hall. Disney choir will rehearse.

4:15pm: Packed Lunch in canteen.

4:30-5:30pm: Get changed/hair/make up in PE changing rooms then go to the hall.

5:30pm: doors open

5:45pm: Sit down in hall ready to start the evening

6pm: Show starts. Due to finish at 7:30pm

HVAFF 26 April 2025 – Helpers needed!!

We are looking forward to the Hope Valley Adventure Film Festival on 26 of April. This event is the biggest PTFA of the year and we really want it to be a success. There are activities, food, films and talks throughout the day and evening. https://hvaff.co.uk/

We need help to run the activities, catering and around the site in the morning afternoon and evening. Please get check your diaries and get in touch if you are available to come and help even if for just part of the event. If you do come down, then you can have access to the rest of the event. Please get in touch ptfahv@hopevalley.chorustrust.org

Nut Allergies

A reminder that nuts should not be brought into school. Please refrain from including items that may contain nuts in packed lunches or snacks. Could we also ask you to be vigilant with cosmetic products that may also contain nuts. We have a number of students in school who suffer from nut allergies. Thank you in advance.