Welcome to this week's newsletter
It’s been another busy and uplifting week at school, full of the kind of moments that remind us what our community is all about. We were delighted to welcome so many parents and carers to our Year 12 Consultation Evening on Thursday. The conversations were purposeful and positive, with a real focus on the progress students have already made and, crucially, what comes next to help them improve further. That same evening, we were also proudly represented at the Raunds Town Meeting, where Grace and Isobelle performed beautifully. They were a real credit to the school, showcasing the talent we are fortunate to have. My thanks go to Mrs Jarvis for her support in helping the students prepare so thoroughly for such an important occasion. Last Friday’s Sixth Form Curriculum Day was another highlight, giving students the opportunity to engage directly with universities and explore a wide range of post-18 pathways, including apprenticeships. It was fantastic to welcome such a variety of institutions and to see our students asking thoughtful, ambitious questions about their futures. I have also spent time this week speaking with Year 11 students as they begin their examinations. One conversation in particular stood out: a student who was rightly proud of the progress she has made in history, yet still determined to push for an even higher grade. That drive and ambition capture exactly the mindset we want to see, and it bodes well for their future success. We rounded off the week by celebrating our district champion footballers—a brilliant achievement. A special thank you to the award-winning Raunds Fish Bar for providing our champions with a well-earned treat of fish and chips (and even the occasional saveloy on request), which was very much appreciated by all. Wishing you all a relaxing and sunny bank holiday weekend.
Adam Crawte, Principal
Year 11 exam timetable
We will be sharing a copy of the following week's Year 11 timetable in each edition of the newsletter during the course of the exam period. Students are expected to attend their normal scheduled lessons unless they have an exam (orange) or booster session (blue) in their subjects. Students can check their individual timetable on Arbor.
Supporting attendance
Families play a vital role in supporting attendance. Helpful routines include consistent bedtimes, preparing school equipment the night before, and encouraging positive attitudes towards school. These small steps can make a big difference. Attending a medical or dental appointment will be counted as authorised if the student’s parent/carer notifies the school in advance of the appointment. However, we encourage parents/carers to make medical and dental appointments out of school hours where possible. Where this is not possible, the student should be out of school for the minimum amount of time necessary.
Year 12 work experience
All Year 12 students are required to take part in work experience between Monday 29 June and Friday 10 July. Students need source their own placements and were provided with a booklet on 23 January which provided information on what to consider when finding a placement, how to contact employers, and key dates that they needed to be aware of. One of the key dates was the deadline for sourcing a placement and handing in a placement form. The deadline for this is Monday 11 May. If you have any questions, please email careers@manor.school
Mental health workshops
Northamptonshire Healthcare's Mental Health Support Team would like to run a programme of workshops to support families this summer. They would like to hear about the type of subjects and topics that individuals might be interested in learning new skills about. Please find below links to both a student and parent/carer survey. The completion deadline for both is Wednesday 6 May.
A-Z reading challenge
Students only have a couple more weeks to read books for our A-Z reading challenge hosted by the school librarian. Now would be a great time to check in with your child's progress if they are taking part, and to encourage them to make sure their reading log is up to date before the submission deadline of Monday 18 May.
Extra-curricular timetable
Youth Parliament elections
North Northamptonshire Council are looking to elect two new Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs), following the campaign launch on 24 April. If your child is interested in the position and fit the criteria (11-18 years old and live/attend school in North Northants), please consider encouraging them to enter as a potential candidate. If your child chooses to produce a manifesto, these won’t be released publicly until they have all been anonymised and will be used as the basis for voting. The ability to upload manifestos will end at midnight on Sunday 3 May, with the voting platform opening on Monday 18 May. Links to webpages with key information about the process can be found below.
Careers and further education
Careers talk On Tuesday 5 May at 9:00am we have Olwen Mayes, Chairperson of the Higham Ferrers Archaeological and Research Society, coming into the school to give a talk about careers in archaeology as well as discussing some of the finds from our local area. This would suit anyone interested in career in archaeology, history and social sciences. Places are issued on a first come first served basis, and interested students (open to all year groups) should email careers@manor.school if they would like to attend.
Community opportunities
Music open day and auditions
Does your child love music and the performing arts? On Saturday 16 May, children are invited to attend a free open morning at their local NMPAT Music and Performing Arts Centre, to experience what is on offer. NMPAT Centres offer a wide range of fun, creative group sessions including instrumental bands, ensembles, orchestras, dance and drama. There is something for everyone! Attendees can develop their creative skills, make new friends and take part in exciting performance opportunities, all in a supportive and welcoming environment. Centres run during term time on Saturday mornings. If Saturdays don't work, the NMPAT Towcester After-School Club runs on Wednesday evenings and they are hosting an open day on Wednesday 20 May. Discover your local NMPAT centre and register your interest here: www.nmpat.co.uk/centreopenmornings
Is your child currently having instrumental or vocal lessons? If they’ve been learning for a while and are ready for the next step in their musical journey, this could be the perfect opportunity. NMPAT’s auditions process for their County Music Ensembles is now open for applications! Open to young people in Northamptonshire, the ensembles bring together talented musicians, singers, and performers to make music at county level. Auditions are free to attend and take place in July at NMPAT’s Northampton venue on Kettering Road. This year, there are also new group auditions available for newer applicants playing at around Grade 4 or below - a supportive, ensemble-based experience designed to feel welcoming. Students are able to audition for the following instrument groups: Brass, Guitar, Harp, Jazz, Percussion, Strings, Voice and Woodwind. Plus, auditions are open for our theatre ensemble, Young Actors Company (13+), and Zingaresque, our folk-fusion ensemble. If that sounds like something your child would be interested in, we encourage you to find out more and apply before the deadline of Friday 22 May. Financial support is available for families in need. Find out more and apply: www.nmpat.co.uk/auditions