Mrs Hawker is stepping back from full time teaching and her role as Assistant Head, Head of Key Stage 3. She will be continuing to teach history part time but is looking for more flexibility in her working life to pursue other challenges. I shall be giving more details on the reshaping of our senior pastoral team next half term

Mrs Mullen, our teacher of Business Studies in both Senior Girls and Sixth Form is leaving us to pursue another opportunity and she will be replaced by Mrs Rav Sahota, who joins us from Brigidene School where she was Head of Business Studies.

Mrs Smeeth, who leads and teaches both food & Nutrition and textiles has gained a Head of Department post at The Nottingham High School. To replace her we have appointed Mrs Kerry Irons who has been teaching food and catering at The Costello School and by Miss Sophie Langton who will be teaching textiles, also from Brigidene School.

Finally Mrs Rachael Barnes will be joining our maths department which will allow Mrs June Roe and Mrs Sheila Perkins to return to semi-retirement.

I will be saying more about those who are leaving us, and those joining us towards the end of term but thought you would appreciate the basic information at this stage.

As I say all these changes will take place for September 2016. One change that will happen at an earlier date, from the end of May, is the departure of Mrs Yvonne Inman who has been working in our Learning Development Department. Mrs Inman joined Claires Court in 2008 as the SENCo at Senior Boys and in 2014 took on more 1:1 work but stepped back from the SENCO role. In 2014 she moved her allegiances to Senior Girls and she has been an absolute stalwart, providing 1:1 support in maths and English for juniors right through to sixth form. We wish her all good fortune for the future and thank her for all her hard work, kindness and skill.

This week has been of course exam week for Year 7-10 and I know that it has been a busy and productive week. Pupils will be seeing their papers, going through them  and getting feedback when we return after half term. Parents will also get a chance to see their daughter’s papers but please ensure they are returned to school. Please be aware that this is not an opportunity to undertake a forensic examination of responses and marks but to get a better understanding of attainment and responses to exam questions.

Looking ahead we have a very active half term coming up and  please make a note of the following dates for your diary.

Our senior artists have their GCSE Year 11 Art Exhibition Thursday 9th June and Friday 10th June in the Art Room, and then from Monday 13th in the Atrium.

The musicians are gearing up for Senior Girls Musical Showcase Evening on the 23rd March, and the athletes get the chance to strut their stuff at Sports Day on the 27th June. Finally our young dramatists are in the spotlights on Tuesday 5th July and Wednesday 6th.

So exams, music, sport, drama, art..........something for everybody to feel they can shine in and feel a sense of engagement and success.

Have a wonderful half term.

Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. Albert Schweitzer