14 July 2010

Dear Parent/Carer

As we approach the end of this Academic Year, I am writing to inform you of a few changes at SMMA for September 2010.

The timings of our day have altered a little. The mornings will remain unchanged, however from September the Academy day will end at 4.30pm on our later days and 3.30pm on the remaining days. There is no loss of teaching time with this 15 minute adjustment, the ‘saved’ time has come from removing unnecessary time for movement between classes which was originally built into the timetable.

Students across the Academy will continue to be timetabled for six periods on a Monday, finishing lessons at 4.30pm. However, changes to Enrichment arrangements mean that there are differences in the timing of the end of the day depending on year group.

Years 7, 8 and 9

On a Tuesday, students in Years 7, 8 and 9 will continue, as this year, to choose from a variety of Enrichment activity options. Staying to the Tuesday Enrichment is a compulsory part of the SMMA timetable for these three year groups. On a Wednesday there will be a timetabled programme of Enrichment activities which students in Years 7, 8 and 9 can choose to attend. However the Wednesday will no longer be a compulsory part of the individual student timetable. Students who wish to join a Wednesday Enrichment will leave at 4.30pm; those who do not wish to stay will leave at 3.30pm.

Year 10

The Wednesday Enrichment activities will be open to the Year 10 students on the same voluntary basis as the other year groups. In addition, on a Tuesday and a Wednesday, those students who are working below GCSE grade in either English or maths will be timetabled for ‘catch up’ classes. Students and parents/carers will be informed of these on an individual basis and the groups will change during the year as different students make up any underperformance or fall behind. In addition, Year 10 students will always be welcome to stay and work in the Academy library or a room set aside for quiet individual study after 3.30pm.

These changes are in response to feedback from students, parents and staff about the Enrichment programme. We feel this arrangement gives the right balance of ensuring our younger students experience a variety of extra-curricular activities, whilst at the same time acknowledging that some activities work better when there is an element of choice or invitation to attend. In addition, this means that children who wish to participate in clubs and groups outside the Academy have that option on a Wednesday to Friday in Years 7, 8, 9 and Tuesday to Friday in Year 10.

Finally, there have been some changes to the uniform policy at the Academy. See the full uniform policy here, but the key changes relate to the Academy outdoor coat which is no longer a compulsory item. Plain navy (not black) outdoor coats will also be acceptable from September.

May I take this opportunity to wish you a restful Summer holiday and thank you for all your invaluable support during the year; we look forward to welcoming your children back in September.

Yours sincerely

Victoria Linsley
Vice Principal