Summer Term Letter & Strike Update

Dear Parent / Carer,

For the last few weeks pupils have been given opportunities to prepare for a process unique to Saddleworth called Pupil Driven Review. The idea is that we commit good quality time to properly listen to and discuss how well each child feels that they are progressing at school and in life. The process culminates in a meeting, which lasts up to an hour and involves other classmates, a teacher (usually the form teacher) and the parent(s) or carer. It’s important that each pupil has prepared for the review as they are the one who should lead it. Having heard from the child, looked at evidence such as attendance data, effort grades and the progress made in each subject, we then invite the child to set themselves targets for the next academic year.

This PDR process has now run for four years and in feedback, parents who have participated have been highly supportive. They have recognised that the process serves many functions, not least building self-awareness and confidence, helping children to prepare for work and helping families and school to understand what they can do to help a child achieve their dreams. Please do all you can to ensure that you or a member of the family is present at your child’s PDR.

Due to a national dispute one of the teacher unions has called for a one day strike which will affect a minority of the appointments scheduled for Tuesday 5th July. PDR will go ahead on this day despite the strike action however, some pupils may have an alternative member of staff supporting them. If you have younger children that you need to look after because their school has been affected by the strike, please feel free to bring them along to the PDR appointment.

One of the issues that the NUT is striking over is the significant reduction in school budgets. This reduction was certainly felt at Saddleworth however, due to swift action, the school is forecasting a positive outturn in 2017. The overall outlook for the school is extremely positive, we’ve had a very strong Year 11 group pass through this year brilliantly managed by Miss Campbell and her team. The Prom was held at Rochdale Town Hall and it was a privilege to see so many mature, confident young people really enjoying themselves having worked so hard during the exam season. It was also great to see so many staff joining in with the event which sold out completely.

A reminder that School closes for the summer on Wednesday, 20th July at 1pm and reopens on Thursday, 1st September with Year 7 joining us at 9.45am and Years 8 to 10 arriving for 10.55am. The school will be fully staffed in September. We’ve made some very good appointments and have some exceptionally strong and dynamic teachers joining the Saddleworth team.

My thanks to all parents and carers for your ongoing support during what has been yet another busy academic year. I look forward to meeting some of you on PDR days and to welcoming your children back to school for another exciting year in September.

Yours sincerely,

Matthew Milburn
Headteacher

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Article added on Tuesday 28th June 2016