Not only do the children look wonderful in their uniform, they are as polite and positive as ever. A special welcome to all our new Year 7 cohort. It is lovely to see them settling in at Orchard Park despite the horrendous wet weather this week!

We are incredibly proud of those students who have received their GCSE results in August. The achievements of individual students are the reason we work in schools, so a special mention to those who achieved the best progress and achievement scores, notably Maisie, Isitha, Stanley, Makai, Archie, Alvin, Emmanuella and Georgia. Some of these students are taking places in highly selective independent schools on 100% scholarships and bursaries: an achievement to celebrate. We are also really proud of the following students who made great progress; Navod, Sophie, Spencer, Ayman, Elsie, Dylan, Danika and Rory.

Our LAMDA results were superb, notably, every Year 7 student gained an award. I don’t know of another school that enters all Year 7 children for a LAMDA qualification. Thank you, Ms Ruby for your ambitious work. The following students have achieved their DofE Bronze Award: Year 11 – 2025: Georgie, Sophie, Judith, Rosie, Malachi, Nyshel, Year 11 – 2026: Sophie, Fiza.

In the last week of the summer break, we held our Transition Summer School. A special mention to our student helpers Alfie, Jay, Falisha, Sofia, Kayla, Betsy, Charis, Ellie, Sienna, Maria, Fiza, Matilda and Jessica. Thank you for supporting, helping staff and role modelling the collaboration that makes our school so special.

Reminders

Student timetables, attendance, behaviour and school correspondence can be accessed via MCAS. If you are new to MCAS you will need to download the app from the app store. Please use the email address that you provided to the school and then select ‘Activate’.

Character Clubs start next week. Year 7 signed up at their Character Fair last week, and we look forward to Years 8 and 9 doing the same. KS3 students are expected to attend at least one Character Club. Please ask your child to refer to the posters around school and on display screens: we have a huge array of activities. The timetable is also available on our website here.

Each academic year we are obligated to re-share our Behaviour Policy. It is accessed here.

Ms C Moran, Headteacher