Message from the Executive Principal, Alastair O'Connor
The start of 2025 has been very busy and once again we have so much to celebrate with you. I hope you take the opportunity to read this newsletter celebrating the many achievements from across this half term.
On behalf of the Senior Leadership Team, have a relaxing half term break.
CHRISTMAS CONCERT WEDNESDAY 18TH DECEMBER 2024
In December, the community of Loughborough came together for a heartwarming celebration of the festive season with our Annual Christmas Concert, featuring an incredible 160 performers from Boothwood, Holywell and Robert Bakewell Primary Schools, as well as our talented secondary school students and a special staff choir!
Carols and festive songs from the youngest voices filled the church with holiday spirit. Their enthusiasm and smiles were infectious setting the perfect tone for the evening. As the concert progressed, Charnwood College students took to the stage with instrumental solos, a performance from the School Orchestra and a standout choral performance of 80 students that concluded the evening.
A massive thank you goes to all the students, staff and teachers who worked hard behind the scenes to bring this event to life, and to Emmanuel Church for allowing us to use their beautiful building. The Christmas concert was a wonderful way to close out the year, and we can't wait to see what next year's celebration will bring!
Visit to the Albert Hall January 2025
In January, musicians from the National Youth Orchestra shared their passion for orchestral music at a concert for DRET Secondary school students at the Albert Hall in Nottingham. 97 Charnwood students attended the concert and enjoyed the chance to be close to the action and to hear from individual instrumentalists talking about and demonstrating their instruments. 'I think seeing people my age do that is so inspiring and it makes me feel that anyone can play a musical instrument' (DRET student). It was a fantastic experience, which I'm sure, will lead to many students picking up orchestral instruments.
Curriculum and Timetable Update
We are progressing with our plans to update the curriculum and timetable in preparation for the next academic year. These changes will include moving to a 30-period week, with lessons lasting 50 minutes and six lessons each day. This new structure will enable us to enhance our core provision at Key Stage 4, improving outcomes in Englis, maths and science while expanding opportunities for students to study separate sciences.
At Key Stage 3, we remain committed to offering a broad and balanced curriculum. We will continue our enrichment programme, ensuring students have the chance to explore a variety of activities and subjects beyond the standard curriculum, broadening their horizons and sparking new interests.
The final version of the proposed curriculum is still being carefully refined to ensure it supports both academic excellence and the holistic development of our students. We will share the new curriculum plan with parents and carers shortly. For our current Year 9 students, we will also present the full range of GCSE options to help them make informed choices as they begin their Key Stage 4 journey.
We are confident that these curriculum and timetable updates will provide our students with the tools they need for greater success while nurturing their interests and aspirations.
GCSE and A Level Recital February 2025
Last week, we were treated to an exceptional evening of music as our talented GCSE and A-Level musicians took to the stage for a recital showcasing their hard work and dedication. The event was a resounding success, with students delivering impressive performances that highlighted their growth and passion for music.
From classical pieces to contemporary compositions, the range of music performed was both diverse and captivating. Our GCSE musicians demonstrated their technical prowess and creativity, while our A-Level student showed remarkable maturity and expression in his performance. The evening was a testament to the countless hours of practice and the commitment these young musicians have shown throughout the year.
The recital not only provided a platform for students to demonstrate their individual skills, but it also allowed them to build confidence and perform in front of a supportive audience. It was clear that each student had invested their time and energy into their preparation, and the results were nothing short of inspiring.
We would like to extend our congratulations to all of the performers for their hard work and dedication. Their achievements reflect not only their musical talent but also the strong sense of discipline and determination they possess. We look forward to seeing even more musical excellence from them in the future!
Thank you to everyone who attended, and we are already excited for the next opportunity to celebrate the incredible talent of our musicians!
MATHS CHALLENGE AND SCIENCE OLYMPIAD
UK Intermediate Mathematics Challenge
On Wednesday 29th January, 34 of our Year 10 students and 30 of our Year 9 students took part in the Intermediate Mathematics Challenge set by the UK Mathematics Trust. The challenge takes 60 minutes and is made up of 25 multiple choice questions. It encourages mathematical reasoning, precision of thought and fluency to make students think. It is a big accomplishment to take part in the challenge and we are proud of all the students who took part.
We now have the results of the challenge and two students achieved gold, nine achieved silver and 16 achieved bronze. The two students with gold, Jai and Ameya, will now go on to the Pink Kangaroo round. This is something only very few students achieve.
The next challenge with be for Years 7 and 8. This will take place on 1st May 2025.
CHEMISTRY OLYMPIAD
On Thursday January 23rd our Year 13 chemistry students sat a paper for the Chemistry Olympiad. This is a UK wide competition held by the Royal Society for Chemistry. Students have to complete a range of chemistry questions under exam conditions and their results are compared to other students across the country. Students can achieve a range of certificates and even make their way to the International Olympiad if they score highly enough. We are excited to see how our students have done and hope to have results back by the end of March.
DUKE OF EDINBURGH BRONZE AWARD
With 39 students committed to this journey, this year's DofE Bronze Award promises to be a rewarding and transformative experience for all involved. The programme offers an exciting opportunity for students to grow personally and develop skills that will benefit them far beyond the award itself.
The Bronze level of the DofE Award involves four key sections, each designed to promote personal development and teamwork:
1. Volunteering: Participants are encouraged to take part in community service or assist in meaningful ways that benefit others. Whether helping a local charity, supporting younger students, or participating in environmental projects, this section emphasizes giving back to the community.
2. Physical: A commitment to improving physical fitness or engaging in some form of physical activity. This could involve sports, fitness routines, or other physical challenges that encourage a healthy lifestyle and teamwork.
3. Skills: Participants will work on developing a new skill or hobby, such as learning to play an instrument, improving technical abilities, or exploring creative interests. This section encourages personal growth and the acquisition of new abilities.
4. Expedition: A key highlight of the DofE Bronze Award is the expedition, a group outdoor journey where students will apply their skills in planning, navigation, and teamwork. It is an exciting opportunity to learn about the outdoors, work collaboratively, and challenge oneself in a practical setting.
Expedition Details:
1. Training: Expedition training is scheduled for April, which will be held at Beaumanor Hall, facilitated by Karos Adventure. During this training, students will focus on developing essential outdoor skills, including map reading, navigation, and teamwork, in preparation for the actual expedition.
2. Expedition in May: The expedition will take place in May, set in the scenic Leicestershire countryside. Students will put their training into practice as they embark on a journey requiring navigation, camping, and teamwork to succeed. This hands-on experience will allow them to test their skills, work together, and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
The DofE Bronze Practice is on the 2nd and 3rd April.
The DofE Bronze Expedition is on 9th and 10th May.
ART
Year 9 art students have thoroughly enjoyed this term, engaging in a collaborative project inspired by the work of the artist Lisa Milroy. Known for her use of everyday objects arranged in thoughtful collections, Milroy's approach has guided the students in creating their own artworks. The students have explored a variety of everyday items, using mixed media techniques and incorporating elements of 3D work to bring their pieces to life.
ART/DESIGNER OF THE MONTH
The winner of this month's Art/Designer Award is Holly in 10T2. Unfortunately we cannot share her work as it is part of her GCSE coursework.
YEAR 13 UCAS APPLICATIONS
Mrs Morley, Head of Sixth Form, and Ms Downs, Sixth Form Coordinator, have been working hard this term in supporting Year 13 students with their UCAS applications.
Out of 136 university choices, 94 have already extended offers to our students for courses including veterinary science, marine biology, marketing, and chemical engineering, among others.
We wish all our Year 13 students the best of luck in their upcoming mock exams and in selecting their firm and insurance university choices.
MUSIC
Charnwood College is proud to shine a spotlight on three remarkable students whose hard work and dedication have led them to incredible personal achievements this year in music.
1. Charnwood College is thrilled to celebrate the remarkable achievement of Harry Year 13, a talented student who has recently received an unconditional offer to study Music at Lincoln University. This outstanding accomplishment is the result of Harry's unwavering dedication, passion, and exceptional talent in the field of music.
2. Imogen, a talented Year 11 student who has recently received an unconditional offer to join the prestigious Kristian Thomas Theatre Company. This exceptional accomplishment highlights Imogen’s dedication, skill, and passion for the performing arts. The offer to join the Kristian Thomas Theatre Company marks the beginning of what promises to be a bright future for Imogen. Charnwood College is immensely proud of Imogen’s achievement and wishes her all the best as she embarks on this exciting new chapter in her career with the Kristian Thomas Theatre Company.
3. Charnwood College is thrilled to recognise the outstanding achievement of Emily, a talented Year 11 student, who recently competed in the annual music competition against students from Loughborough Grammar School. Emily’s dedication to her craft and her exceptional musical talent earned her a well-deserved commendation in this prestigious event.
Winter Scene Art Competition winners
Congratulations to the winners and runners up of the Winter Scene Art Competition.
Student Leaders and House Competitions
Before Christmas we re-launched our House system and appointed students to House Captains, Vice House Captains, and Form Captains. Congratulations to all the students below who were nominated and voted in to these roles.
We also appointed a new Head Boy and Girl in Year 12 - Miles and Edrianna.
Our Deputy Head Boy and Girl are David and Addison.
This year we have launched a new house as we move into a five form entry with our new Year 7s. This house will grow each year.
Our Sports Team are also being rebranded as the Charnwood College Cardinals. The new logo is below and more information will follow.
Reading Programme
NGRT Reading Assessment for Key Stage 3 students - As part of our reading programme at Charnwood College, all Key Stage 3 students will take their second NGRT reading test during the week commencing 3rd March. Specific details regarding your child’s test schedule will be shared via MCAS.
About the NGRT Test - The New Group Reading Test (NGRT) is a standardised, online assessment that measures reading skills against the national average. This adaptive test requires no prior preparation and takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. The test adjusts in difficulty based on each student’s responses, ensuring a personalised assessment.
Testing will take place during a normal lesson in one of our computer suites, with students supported by their usual class teachers alongside additional staff.
Why this matters - At Charnwood College, we are committed to ensuring all learners can fully engage with the curriculum and reach their full potential. Assessing reading ability is a key part of this, as the NGRT provides a clear baseline of each student’s current reading level. This enables us to implement targeted support and challenges where needed.
Supporting reading at home - To help students develop their reading skills, all Key Stage 3 students receive weekly reading homework via Sparx Reader. This involves reading a book online and answering comprehension questions. We encourage students to read for at least 10 minutes daily to build independent reading habits.
To support your child’s reading at home, you might:
- Encourage them to read aloud.
- Discuss main events, characters, emotions and the writer's intentions.
- Help them think critically about the text to prepare for comprehension questions.
Targeted Interventions in School - to further support students, we offer a range of reading interventions, including:
- Fresh Start: Read, Write, Inc. programme.
- Word Wasps.
- 1:1 reading interventions.
- Small group reading sessions.
Exciting Library updates - Following February half term, our new school library will be open for students to use during the school day. We will also introduce 1:1 reading interventions during tutor time.
If you are interested in supporting students with reading during this time, please complete our Google form, and we will be in touch. https://forms.office.com/e/eezmeiiFQa
Thank you for your continued support in helping our students develop their reading skills.
This week Years 7 to 9 have been given a World Book Day token. This entitles them to a free book from a selection of fiction, six of which are of secondary level reading age. Details of participating retailers can be found on the World Book Day website www.worldbookday.com
If your child does not wish to take advantage of this opportunity please could we ask that you select a secondary reading age book and gift it to the school to support our reading programme. Thank you in advance.
CHARNWOOD COLLEGE ALUMNI
In this section we will aim to introduce you to past students to find out what happened to them after they left Charnwood College.
We will start with our very own, Mr Jones.
When did you attend Charnwood College? I previously came here as a student 10 years ago. I started in Year 10 and left after Year 13.
What were your favourite subjects? My favourite subjects were PE, Graphics and Science. At A Level I studied Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
What did you do after leaving Charnwood College? After finishing my A Levels I went to study Biology at Cardiff University. I then returned to the Midlands to complete my Postgraduate Degree at Leicester University.
Why did you choose to become a teacher? After completing my A Levels I realised that teaching could potentially be on the cards as a future career. The inspiration came from both my parents, who were teachers at the time and also my Physics Teacher, Mr Regan.
Have you taught anywhere else apart from Charnwood College? Yes, my first teaching position was at a school in Derby where I remained for four years. After lockdown I moved back to Loughborough and I was delighted when a position came up at Charnwood College as a Science Teacher.
Do you have any interests? At school I was part of the basketball academy and represented the school in various sporting competitions including basketball, swimming and athletics. I continued to enjoy basketball at University.
Thank you to Mr Jones for sharing his story with us.
Visit from Berkeley Ensemble
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the talented professional musical ensemble that recently visited our Year 10 musicians. Their performance was a truly special experience, bringing to life the compositions created by our students in a way that was both inspiring and educational.
The ensemble's visit provided our students with the opportunity to see their own work performed by seasoned musicians, helping them to understand the nuances of composition and performance. This unique experience not only elevated their creativity but also gave them invaluable insight into the professional world of music.
We are incredibly grateful for the ensemble's generosity in sharing their time and expertise, and we look forward to continuing to foster a love of music in our students through future collaborations like this one.
Thank you once again for making this event so memorable for our Year 10 musicians!
MENTAL HEALTH
Emotional regulation is crucial for leading a balanced and fulfilling life. It not only impacts our internal state but also how we relate to the world around us. Please see the information below to help at home.
Mrs Mortimer is always on hand for the students during the school day to have a chat.
Young Minds - Parents helpline Amazing support and advice for parents for Mental Health, Self Harm Etc
Mock Exams
After half term students in Year 11 and Year 13 will be sitting mock exams in the gym or smaller rooms, allowing them to become familiar with the formal process they will encounter during the summer’s external examinations. The summer exams will take place in the Sports Centre.
We would like to remind all students of the importance of bringing the correct equipment to each exam. This ensures they are fully prepared and able to perform their best.
Students must bring the following items to every exam:
- A clear, plain pencil case
- Two black pens
- Two pencils
- A 30 cm ruler
- A calculator they are familiar with using
- A protractor
- For some exams a highlighter may be useful
We would be very grateful if you could support us with any of the following:-
We are always looking for unwanted items of Charnwood College uniform to sell in our Pre-Loved Sales which take place throughout the year. If you have any good quality items please could you drop them off to the reception during term time - thank you.
We currently have a large amount of lost property which consists of clothing, shoes, water bottles and other items students have left behind. We will be displaying all the items in the foyer on Thursday 27th February. Parents are invited along to claim any items from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on that day.
Our Head of Year 11, Miss Anderson, is asking if you have any second hand prom dresses or any suits that you can donate to our Year 11s for their prom which is taking place in June - thank you.
We are in the process of upgrading our Library and sorting through the books into reading ages. We would be very grateful if you have any good quality books you would consider donating to the Library for the students to read. Also if you have any spare time in the mornings (8:35 a.m. to 9:05 a.m.) on either Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and you would like to support with one to one reading with our students, please register here https://forms.office.com/e/eezmeiiFQa
Charnwood College Support Staff Vacancies
We currently have two support staff roles advertised on our website. If you are interested in either of the roles please visit the David Ross Education Trust website and apply online at https://www.dretjobs.co.uk/ The closing date is 4th March 2025.
CHRISTMAS ROUNDUP
Leading up to Christmas the staff and students had a wonderful time.
The Christmas Door Competition was a great success with every tutor group taking part. The winner was E8 - Polar Express.
We would also like to thank you for your generosity with regard to the Santa Fun Run. As a school we raised a total of £3872. David Ross Education Trust match this amount and this money goes towards the exciting opportunities offered to our students.
Emily-Rose in Year 8 raised the highest amount in the whole Trust (£560) and for this the school was given £300 to spend in either music or sport.
You were also extremely generous with the items of food you donated for the local foodbank. Thank you for your support. The Trussell Trust collected the food for distribution before Christmas.
Dates for the diary
- 17th February to 21st February - Half Term Break.
- 24th February to 14th March - Year 11/13 Mock Exams
- 27th February - ASC (Governors) Meeting.
- 29th February - Lost Property displayed in foyer.
- 3rd March - National Offer Day for Year 6s.
- 4th March - PD Drop Down Day - Careers Week
- 5th March - Year 9 Options - careers interviews during the day.
- 5th March - Year 9 Options Evening.
- 6th March - Secondary Music Festival.
- 10th March - Shakespeare Schools Festival Performance at Curve, Leicester.
- 18th March - Year 9 RSE Day.
- 26th March - Big Band Concert at Loughborough Grammar School.
- 26th March - Year 10 Parents' Evening.
- 2nd and 3rd April - DofE Practice at Beaumanor Hall.
- 8th April - Year 11 and 13 Year Group Photographs.
Follow us on @CharnwoodCol
Safeguarding during the Half Term Break
When the Academy is closed there is always someone who can help you.
If you are concerned that a child is suffering, or likely to suffer significant harm, you should contact your local authority safeguarding partnership directly.
Please go to our website www.charnwoodcollege.org for the relevant contact information if you have any welfare concerns.
In an emergency, call 999.
For any other queries, please contact us via cip@dret.co.uk.
If you have a general enquiry during the half term break please contact the office on office@charnwoodcollege.org There is limited access so it may take a few days to respond.