Update from the Head - 21st Nov
It’s got significantly colder this week—I quite like it that the weather is more seasonal although I hate talk of snow! I wince every time I see a headline which is forecasting snow—fortunately it has all been much further North than us so far.
My week started with a meeting with Phil Haslett who is the Assistant Director of Education at Gloucestershire County Council. Phil is an expert on education funding and he is also a member of the F40 Campaign group which exists to try to create a fair funding system in this country. I have got to know Phil well from being part of the Gloucestershire Schools Forum. Can you believe that almost halfway through the 21st Century we have an education funding system which is based on historic decisions that were taken decades ago? If our children lived in a different part of the country they would have significantly more money spent on their education. Gloucestershire is in the bottom 15% of all education authorities for school funding and the bottom 15% for Special Educational Needs funding. How can this be right? And why on earth is it allowed to continue?
Fire Drill
On Tuesday we had a full fire drill—all 1430 pupils and the entire staff mustered at the back of the school. The pupils were brilliant, as usual, and it went without a hitch.
Girls Football
GREAT News! The Year 7 Girls are through to the County Championships after a sterling performance at the District. See article here:
https://www.balcarras.gloucs.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=1352
Sixth Form Apprenticeship Event
On Wednesday Mrs Lewis and Mrs Towers arranged for several local apprenticeship providers to visit the school to speak to 6th formers who are possibly interested in following this route. I am very grateful to all those companies or institutions that attended. See news article here:
https://www.balcarras.gloucs.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=1351
Astronomy Event with the Cheltenham Education Partnership
On Thursday pupils from across Cheltenham attended an astronomy masterclass led by our very own Mr Niblett. I went up to have a look and it was very interesting.
Carol Concert
Preparations are now being finalised for the 2025 Balcarras School Carol Concert. It promises to be a lovely evening. Please join us at Holy Apostles Church on Wednesday 3rd December at 7pm and afterwards for mince pies and mulled wine in the church hall. This is not a ticketed event.
School Production
Hot on the heels of the Carol Concert is Balcarras School’s production of the Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe from Tuesday 9th December to Friday 12th December. Tickets are now on sale via Scopay.
Christmas Lunches
Bookings for Christmas lunch are now open. Please book via scopay by 4th December.
School Nurse Extended Service Consultation Meeting with Parents
Reminder that we have an information evening for parents on Tuesday 25th November at 5.30 about the School Nurse Extended Service that Balcarras has been offered. All of the information is here:
https://www.balcarras.gloucs.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=1335
Gloucestershire SEND Survey
The local authority have written to all school encouraging them to share the link to their SEND survey for parents. This survey has been developed by the Local Area Partnership of services for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Gloucestershire.
If you have a child with special educational needs and you have the time then please do fill it in.
Right, that’s it. It is a quiet weekend for me. I will watch Leeds v Villa on the telly on Sunday. I can’t say I am very hopeful for our chances.
Dominic Burke