1. Dates for diaries
Fri 13th - Fri 20th Dec: Year 9-11 German exchange
Wed 18th Dec: 2-3pm: Dept meeting (S&L standardisation); 3-4pm: Directed time (AP2 data entry)
Fri 20th Dec: End of term (school finishes at 12:20pm)
2. Reports + data entry
Wed 11th Dec: Year 8 options recommendations (spreadsheet on Staff Resources: T:\Staff Resources\2013 Recommendations) Please put in an N, R or SR for all candidates - leave no blanks.
Fri 20th Dec: AP2 - please make sure this data is complete and accurate at the time of entering (ie, the level/grade that they are CURRENTLY working at, not what you expect them to get at the end of the course/year).
3. KS3 Reading lessons
If you haven't already done so, please email JKY with the timeslots you use for your KS3 silent reading lessons.
4. INSET arrangements: Fri 31st Jan
Please can all staff confirm which school they wish to visit on Fri 31st Jan and make contact with that school before the end of term. Please email JKY with details, including proposed area of focus.
5. Year 10 students for Progress Day intervention
If you have any Year 10 students that you would like SLT to meet on Progress Day to discuss their attitude/attainment in English, please email JKY (with any relevant information/context if possible).
6. Dept detention
Just to remind people that Dept Detention is no longer to be used for lack of equipment or failure to complete homework.
Also, if you wish to put a child into Dept Detention you MUST:
- have given that student two clear, individual warnings
- email 'EnlgishDT'
- issue that student with a Dept Detention slip, detailing where they need to go and when (today if P1-4, tomorrow if P5)
- log the event on Serco
7. Takeaway Teacher
If anyone has a particularly good mini-lesson/PowerPoint/resource that would make a good video for Takeaway Teacher, please email KWI. You do not have to appear in person if you would rather not.
1. Dates for diaries
Tues 10th + Wed 11th Dec: Year 8 trip to Natural History museum
Wed 11th Dec: 2-3pm: Dept meeting; 3-4: Dept de-escalation training
Wed 11th Dec, 4:30-6:30: Cheney Teachmeet
Wed 11th Dec, 6:30-8:30: Cheney Christmas Concert
Thurs 12th Dec, 5-9pm: Year 12 parents evening
Thurs 12th - Thur 19th Dec: Year 9-11 French exchange
Fri 13th Dec: Non-uniform day (Hiyan appeal)
Fri 13th - Fri 20th Dec: Year 9-11 German exchange
Wed 18th Dec: 2-3pm: Dept meeting (S&L standardisation); 3-4pm: Directed time (AP2 data entry)
Fri 20th Dec: End of term (school finishes at 12:20pm)
2. Reports + data entry
Wed 11th Dec: Year 8 options recommendations (spreadsheet on Staff Resources: T:\Staff
Resources\2013 Recommendations) Please put in an N, R or SR for all candidates - leave no blanks.
Fri 20th Dec: AP2
3. Eng dept Christmas dinner
Table booked at La Cucina for 7:30.
4. Staff end of term party
Thurs 20th Dec, 7pm, The Glee Club.
Get your tickets from the Staffroom Committee
1. Dates for diaries
Tues 3rd Dec: P3+4: DT Food/Prod Design mock (Y9-11)
Wed 4th Dec: 2-3: Lead Practioners; 3-4: College Meetings
Thurs 5th Dec, ALL DAY: GCSE Art mock exam (Y9-11)
Tues 10th + Wed 11th Dec: Year 8 trip to Natural History museum
Wed 11th Dec, 3-4: Dept meeting - De-escalation training
Wed 11th Dec, 4:30-6:30: Cheney Teachmeet
Wed 11th Dec, 6:30-8:30: Cheney Christmas Concert
Thurs 12th Dec, 5-9pm: Year 12 parents evening
Thurs 12th-Fri 13th Dec: Year 9-11 French exchange
Fri 13th Dec: Non-uniform day (Hiyan appeal)
2. Reports + Reports moderation
Fri 6th Dec: Year 7 (Short)
Fri 20th Dec: AP2
3. Dept meal
La Cucina has been booked: 7:30, Tues 17th Dec. Please let JKY know if you are/aren't coming.
Christmas Menu 1 has been the most popular vote, so we will go with that one. JKY will come round soon to take your order: http://www.lacucinaoxford.co.uk/xmasmenu.htm
1. Dates for diaries
Wed 27th Nov: 2-4: Report moderation
Thurs 28th Nov: P3+4: Maths mock - Paper 1
Fri 29th Nov: P1+2: Maths mock - Paper 2
Tues 3rd Dec: P3+4: DT Food/Prod Design mock (Y9-11)
Wed 4th Dec: 2-3: Lead Practioners; 3-4: College Meetings
Thurs 5th Dec, ALL DAY: GCSE Art mock exam (Y9-11)
2. Reports + Reports moderation
Fri 29th Nov: Year 9 (Short)
Year 12 (Short)
Fri 6th Dec: Year 7 (Short)
Fri 20th Dec: AP2
We have two hours of report moderation time this Wednesday. Please come to C27 at 2pm and we can make the necessary arrangements.
3. Homework club
Trish Markiewicz has emailed all Hods to ask if there are any students that persistently fail to hand in homework. If you have any names, please email them to Trish (tma@...) so she can try to pick them up.
4. Secret Santa
Thanks to PTO for organising. If you haven't got your name yet, please see her.
5. Dept meal out
La Cucina has been mooted as the venue for the dept Christmas meal. We'll need to sort out a date so have a look at your social calendars for w/c 16th Dec and we'll make arrangements at the beginning of our moderation meeting on Wednesday.
1. Dates for diaries
Mon 18th-Tues 19th Nov: Literacy Review
Wed 20th Nov: 2-4: Report writing
Thurs 21st Nov: Year 8 Options Evening
Wed 27th Nov: 2-4: Report moderation
Thurs 28th Nov: P3+4: Maths mock - Paper 1
Fri 29th Nov: P1+2: Maths mock - Paper 2
2. Literacy Review
Please be aware that you may be observed/learning walked as part of the whole-school Literacy Review taking place Mon/Tues this week. As always, please ensure that all the good work that you do is made explicit (learning mats, displays, etc).
3. Reports/AP2
Here is a comprehensive list of all reports/APs due before the end of term:
Fri 22nd Nov: Year 8 (Full)
Year 11 (Full)
Fri 29th Nov: Year 9 (Short) Year 12 (Short)
Fri 6th Dec: Year 7 (Short)
Fri 20th Dec: AP2
For guidance on report writing, please see the email from Hugh Nelson.
4. Year 11 mock exams
Because we are having our mock exams at different times to the rest of Year 11, there will be no exam timetable issued to our students for these exams. So:
- can Year 11 teachers make sure they are explicit with their classes about the dates/expectations of these exams (Thurs 9th Jan, 11:20; Mon 31st March, 11:20)
- a letter will be sent home to Year 11 parents outlining these dates
Also, if you you teach a Year 11 class and haven't sent me what tiers you want which students to sit, please do so asap.
5. Dept Christmas meal
Would the week of 16-20th Dec be the best week for our Christmas meal? Have a think and we'll have a very quick discussion at the beginning of our report moderation meeting on Wed 27th Nov.
6. Secret Santa
PTO to organise Secret Santa this year. Details to follow.
1. Dates for diaries
Tues 12th Nov: 2-6pm: Blood Donation, Assembly Hall
Wed 13th Nov: 2-3pm: Staff Meeting (Strategies for Positive Behaviour Management), Assembly Hall
Thurs 14th Nov: Year 7 trip to Museum of History of Science
Thurs 14th Nov: Year 8 girls HPV
Fri 15th Nov: Year 11 Open Morning
Mon 18th-Tues 19th Nov: Literacy Review
Wed 20th Nov: 2-4 Report Writing
Thurs 21st Nov: Year 8 Options Evening
2. Reports
Year 8 - due Fri 22nd Nov
Year 11 (Full) - due Fri 22nd Nov
Year 9 (Short) - due Fri 29th Nov
Year 12 (Short) - due Fri 29th Nov
1. Dates for diaries
Mon 21st - Tues 22nd Oct: English Dept Review
Mon 21st Oct: HDY's parents evening for selected Year 7 students (KS3 honorarium)
Wed 23rd Oct: 2-3: Dept meeting; 3-4: Directed time
Fri 25th Oct: AP1 due
Fri 25th Oct: English Staff Tea (get baking!)
Mon 4th - Fri 8th Nov: JKY paternity leave
Tues 5th Nov: GCSE English re-sit
Wed 6th Nov: Year 10 open morning
Wed 6th Nov: 2-3: Dept meeting; 3-4: TLDs
2. Dept Review
Best of luck for today and tomorrow. As I've said before, this isn't a process that is designed to trip anyone up so please teach as you normally would and have any paperwork to hand that you want/need to prove the progress the students are making in your class and all the good work you're doing. All kinds of sugary sustenance are available in the dept office.
3. Half-term
You can almost taste it, can't you...
1. Dates for diaries
Mon 14th Oct: Year 9 Open Morning
Wed 16th Oct: 2-3 Dept Meeting (Literacy); 3-4 AP1 data entry
2. Reports/Assessment Points
AP1: due 18th Oct
Year 10 Core reports: due 18th Oct
1. Dates for diaries
Tues 1st Oct: 6-8pm: Make a Difference Evening (JKY, LMA)
Wed 2nd Oct: 2-3 PM reviews; 3-4 Lead Practioners meeting
Mon 7th Oct: Year 7 open morning
Tues 8th Oct: Year 8 open morning
Wed 9th Oct: 2-3 PM reviews
2. TLD observations
The w/c Mon 7th Oct is scheduled for the first round of TLD (Teaching and Learning Development) observations. All staff are expected to arrange an observation in this week with a view to improving your own professional development. These don't have do be done within your own department, or even within Cheney School, so if there is an area of your teaching that you would like to improve and you know a colleague either here or at another school who you know has a strength in this respect, please contact them to make this arrangement.
The 3-4pm meeting time slot on Wed 9th Oct has been left blank in lieu of this time.
3. Reports
Year 12 study skills report: due Fri 4th Oct
Year 13 short report: due Fri 11th Oct
AP1 (all classes): due Fri 25 Oct
Year 10 short report (core subjects): due Fri 25th Oct
4. Performance Management
The next two Wednesday meeting slots (2nd Oct, 9th Oct) are given over to conducting PM reviews. Please make sure you have made the necessary arrangements in your PM pairings.
5. Work scrutiny
JKY/PWA will be conducting a KS3 work scrutiny w/c 7th Oct. We will be focusing on:
- consistent presentation in books
- the implementation of the new AFL policy
1. Dates for diaries
Next two weeks: Year 8 mentoring
This week: Year 12 course suitability
Wed 25th Sept: 2-3: Performance Management preparation time
Thur 26th Sept: Students leave at 1:20
Thur 26th Sept: 6:30-8:30: Open Evening
Fri 27th Sept: Staff INSET DAY: Performance Management
Tues 1st Oct: 5-6pm GCSE 'Make A Difference' evening
Wed 2nd Oct: 2-3pm: Performance Management; 3-4pm: Lead Practitioners
2. Open Evening / Open Morning - 26.9.12 / 30.9.13
We'll follow our usual arrangements for Open Evening. We'll set up C5 with:
- a running PowerPoint of one of our KS3 modules (Everest?)
- have KS5 Media videos playing on some of the computers around the room
- table displays of student work
- banana writing (any other English games people want to contribute?)
- some samples of KS3 and KS4 reading books
- an overview of the KS3 curriculum for parents to take away
- do we have any student volunteers to show storytelling?
On the following Monday morning, potential parents/students will be visiting the site and may well pop into your lesson. If you have a lesson you'd rather they didn't come into (Controlled Assessment or just a crazy set) please email Linda Jennings.
3. Performance Management - 27.9.13
We will follow a similar structure to last year. Performance Management will be conducted with TLR holders within the department. NQTs won't have a full PM session but will meet with with their mentor to discuss targets for the coming year and be introduced to Bluesky.
The pairings will be:
AW: LMA, ACL
SHA: JKY
JKY: PTO, PWA, PMO
LMA: HDY, KWI, RMI
PWA: JD, PST
PTO: CSW, GSN
Please liaise with your mentor/mentee partners to make the necessary arrangements.
4. Make a Difference Evening - 1.10.13
Invited Year 11 students and their parents will be coming to school on Tues 1st Oct to have visit some sessions run by core subjects on how to improve student performance. For English, these will be run by LMA and, depending on paternal circumstances, JKY.
1. Dates for diaries
Mon 22nd July: Student conference - see email from Jessica Cotton
Tues 23rd July: End of school year
2. End of term arrangements
School finishes at 12:20 (end of P3). Please help escort students off-site and then head straight to the sixth form area for drinks, nibbles and leaving speeches
3. Year 9 Creative Writing / Speaking & Listening
Please ensure that Louise has ALL your Year 9 Creative Writing scripts and Speaking & Listening marks. This way we can see if there are any gaps and ensure that everything gets passed on to Year 10 teachers.
THANK YOU!
From me personally, a huge thank you for EVERYTHING that you have done this year. Your dedication and professionalism never cease to amaze me or fail to inspire me. Have a great summer - you have earned it.
1. Dates for diariesMon 8th July: New Year 8 timetable startsMon 8th - Tues 16th July: Bayards Year 6 students in CheneyWed 10th July: Meetings: 2-3, Whole-school T&L event; 3-4 TLG presentations
Mon 15th July: Malorie Blackman visit
Tues 16th July: Sports Day (field events): Y9/10 P1&2; Y7/8 P3&4
Wed 17th July, 11am-9pm: Blood donation in Assembly Hall
Thur 18th July: Sports Day (track events): P3&4
Thur 18th July, 7:30, The Black Boy, Headington: Dept end of year meal
Fri 19th July: Women's Day
Fri 19th July, 7pm, Folly Bridge: Staff party
2. Year 9 into 10 class lists
Myself and Louise have put together provisional class lists for current Year 9 going into Year 10. These are in the dept office. Please have a look at these and annotate to show:
- suggested group changes (up or down)
- students who should be separated
3. Year 8 arrangements
If there are any problems with Year 8 arrangements for the last two weeks (students going to the wrong sets, truancy, behaviour, etc), please let me know.
1. Dates for diaries
Mon 1st July: Celebration Day
Wed 3rd July: Meetings: 2-3, TLGs; 3-4 Lead Practitioners/CALs
Thurs 4th July, 7pm: Summer concert
Thurs 4th - Fri 5th July: Year 6 Transition days
Mon 8th July: New Year 8 timetable starts
Mon 10th July: Meetings: 2-3, Whole-school T&L event; 3-4 TLG presentations
Mon 8th - Tues 16th July: Bayards Year 6 students in Cheney
2. Phoebe Mortimer and Rachael Millar
Phoebe and Rachael will be starting at Cheney on Mon 1st July. I've put together a timetable of observations and meetings for them for the first week and then, from Mon 8th July, they will both be teaching two KS3 classes until the end of term.
I've emailed relevant staff with details of their observation schedule and the lessons they'll be taking over so that they can liaise, etc.
I'm sure you'll all make them feel very welcome.
3. Year 8 arrangements
Many thanks for your flexibility and patience with the Year 8 arrangements - at least it is only one year group that is being disrupted this year.
If you have any questions about the groups you will be taking on or what to do with them for the last couple of weeks, please just ask. You can either liaise with the existing class teacher and see if it's worth carrying on their existing unit or you can use the two-week mini-unit that Paul W is putting together.
4. INSET day stuff
Many thanks for all your hard work on Friday, I hear it was a really positive and productive day. I also hear the new displays look brilliant, I can't wait to see them.
1.Dates for diaries
Tues 25th + Wed 26th June: Year 11 KS5 Induction Days
Wed 2th June, 2-4pm: College meeting (KS3 literacy review)
Fri 28th June: INSET day
Mon 1st July: Celebration Day
Thurs 4th July, 7pm: Summer concert
Thurs 4th - Fri 5th July: Year 6 Transition days
2. INSET day
JKY and PWA will be in Nottingham with the Lead Practitioners away day.
Directed time for staff:
a) 'Tweak and share' KS3 modules
b) Displays
3. Year 6 Transition
English staff are not involved in delivering any content for the two transition days or with developing any kind of English test for students.
Instead, English staff with freed-up time will be used to mark the literacy test students will sit, using a simple, tick-box marking grid that LMA will put together. Details to follow.
4. Reports
JKY is putting together a feedback document to SLT re: the reporting infrastructure discussed at our last meeting. If you have any thoughts that you would like to be part of that document, please email them.
1. Dates for diares
Mon 17th June: English Teacher interview day
Tues 18th June: Year 7 trip to Lulworth Cove
Wed 19th June, 2-4pm: DOUBLE dept meeting
Fri 21st June: Year 7 trip to Lulworth Cove
Tues 25th + Wed 26th June: Year 11 KS5 Induction Days
Fri 28th June: INSET day
2. Progresso
The launch date for Progresso has been pushed back until October. Serco lives a little longer!
3. Dept lesson observation week: Mon 17th - Fri 21st June
I emailed a lesson observation schedule out last week. If the slot I put you down for doesn't work, either for you or your observer, please liaise with each other in the first instance and if you can't find a mutually convenient slot, please get back to me.
4. Lowi Ifor: Mon 17th - Fri 21st June
Lowri Ifor is an Oxford University student who will be part of the Teach First programme next year. To gain some experience, she will be spending a week in the department, as well as spending time with EAL and SEN. I've put together a timetable for her to follow while she is here, which I have sent to relevant staff. I'm sure you will all make her feel welcome and that teaching really is a good idea. Honest.
5. Phoebe Mortimer: Wed 19th June
Since we are having a double dept meeting on Wednesday, with a view to planning for the end of this year and for the next academic year, I thought it would be a good idea if Phoebe Mortimer, who will be starting as an NQT in the department at the end of this year, were to join us for the day. Again, I've put together a lesson observation schedule for her and, once again, please make her feel welcome. If I order some tea and biscuits, how about lunch in the dept office?
1. Dates for diaries
Mon 10th June: Year 12 students return to lessons
Wed 12th June: 2-3pm: College meetings; 3-4pm: Lead Practioners
Fri 14th June, 8:30-10am: New Year 7s Welcome to Cheney (other students arrive at school at 10:30)
Mon 17th June: English Teacher interview day
Tues 18th June: Year 7 trip to Lulworth Cove
Wed 19th June, 2-4pm: DOUBLE dept meeting
Fri 21st June: Year 7 trip to Lulworth Cove
2. Student of the Year
Just a reminder that I need nominations for a Student of the Year from KS3 and KS4 for EACH of the six colleges.
Please send in nominations (with a sentence saying why) asap. So far I have a total of 4 for the 12 that I need!
3. English Teacher interview day
We will be interviewing for a new English Teacher on Mon 17th June. There will be an opportunity for you to meet the candidates at breaktime. Please come along a grab a coffee.
4. Progresso
Please see my email re: Progresso and take a few minutes to familiarise yourself with the site in advance of the system going live on Mon 24th June.
1. Dates for diaries
Wed 5th June, 2-4pm: Double dept meeting
Fri 7th June: Year 12 careers/UCAS day
Mon 10th June: Year 12 students return to lessons
Wed 12th June: 2-3pm: College meetings; 3-4pm: Lead Practioners
Fri 14th June, 8:30-10am: New Year 7s Welcome to Cheney (other students arrive at school at 10:30)
2. Exams this week
Tues 4th June, 9am: GCSE English/English Language
Tues 4th June, 2pm: A2 Media Studies
Thurs 6th June, 9am: A2 English Literature
3. The sun
Nice, isn't it?
1. Dates for diaries
Wed 22nd May: 2-3: Literacy meeting; 3-4 Dept meeting
Fri 24th May: End of half-term / Eng Staff tea / Staff cricket match / bbq / get the hell out of here
2. GCSE intervention
Last after-school revision session for students re-sitting GCSE English/English Language is this afternoon (Tues 21st), 3-4 in C27. Please encourage students to attend.
Letters have gone home to all students who are re-sitting, telling them to come to the pre-exam preparation session on Monday 3rd June.
3. Remaining exam dates
Thursday 23rd May, 2pm: GCSE English Lit Paper 2
Tuesday 4th June, 9am: GCSE English/English Language
Tuesday 4th June, 2pm: A2 Media Studies
Thursday 6th June, 9am: A2 English Lit
4. Year 12 Study leave
Year 12 students will be back in school for a careers/university day on Fri 7th June. They will be back in lessons on Mon 10th June. Please be ready to start their A2 work for the last six weeks of term.
1. Dates for diaries
Mon 13th May: New student/staff news system goes live
Wed 15th May: Meeting time: data entry
Fri 17th - Mon 20th May: Year 8/9 Normandy trip
Mon 20th May: Year 8 Bletchly Park trip
Wed 22nd May: 2-3: Literacy meeting; 3-4 Dept meeting
Fri 24th May: End of half-term / Eng Staff tea / Staff cricket match / bbq / get the hell out of here
2. Reports / Assessment Points
Right, the final word on this is:
Year 9 reports: Deadline was Fri 10th May- if you haven't done yours, please do as a matter of urgency
Year 7, 8 and 10 Assessment Point: Due Fri 17th May
Year 8 Assessment Point is a standard AP - not end of KS3
Year 7 end of year data isn't on the Serco list but can be found on the Student Tracking Sheets on Staff Resources: T:\Staff Resources\Teaching Group Tracking Sheets\2012-2013\English\Year 7
3. GCSE interventions
These are continuing over the next two weeks so please chivvy students in your classes/tutor groups who are on the list.
We are also running a revision session on Mon 3rd June (1st day back after half-term) so please advertise this to Year 11 students as well.
Once more around the timetable, dear friends...
1. Dates for diaries
Wed 8th - Fri 10th May: A-level Art exam
Wed 8th May: Meetings: 2-3, TLGs; 3-4, Colleges
Wed 15th May: Meetings: 2-3, Dept; 3-4, professional time data entry)
Fri 17th - Mon 20th May: Year 8/9 trip to Normandy
2. Reports/Assesment Points
Fri 10th May: Year 9 reports deadline
Fri 17th May: Assessment Point deadline - Years 8, 10, 11 (don't need to do Year 9 as data will be taken from Year 9 report)
Fri 24th May: Year 7 reports deadline
3. GCSE English/English Language re-sits - Tues 4th June
All English-only students will be preparing for their exam re-sit in classtime.
For English Lang/Lit the following interventions are in place:
- all students have been given a revision pack to use in their free time or in any lessons (eg Maths, Science, ICT) where they have finished the course
- some selected students (see Louise's email, they should know who they are) will be having sessions in tutor time with either LMA or CSW
- some selected students (see Louise's email, they should know who they are) will be coming out of some Maths lessons to have sessions with LMA or JKY
- after-school revision sessions (using their exam scripts from January):
- Thurs 9th May: Reading Section, Q's 1 and 2
- Thurs 16th May: Reading Section, Q's 3 and 4
- Tues 21st May: Writing Section
Please advertise these sessions/interventions with your students and encourage them to make use of them.
We will also be running a pre-exam preparation session on Mon 3rd June, 10am-2pm. This is for both English-only and Lang/Lit students. Details to follow.
1. Dates for diaries
Mon 29th Apr: GCSE Art exam (all day)
Mon 29th Apr - Fri 3rd May: Year 9 Sport Enrichment trip
Wed 1st May: Meetings: Lead Practitioners, 2-3pm; no Dept Meeting because of parents eve
Thurs 2nd May: Year 10 parents evening (Eng, Maths, Sci)
Thurs 2nd-Fri 3rd May: GCSE Sports Studies Controlled Assessments
Mon 6th May: BANK HOLIDAY!
Wed 8th May: Meetings: TLGs, 2-3pm; Colleges, 3-4pm
2. Reports
Year 8 reports: due Fri 3rd May
Year 9 reports: due Fri 10th May
3. GCSE English/English Language results
As results stand, we think our Year 11 results are somewhere around 65-66% A*-C. This represents an approximate increase of 12% from last year - a fantastic achievement in anyone's book and a testament to all the hard work you (and, occassionally, your students) have put in over the last two years. Thank you - from me and from them.
Bear in mind that many students will also be re-sitting the exam in June, so this number could/should go up.
We will be running interventions for selected students in the next few weeks so please look out for emails, etc, regarding students in your classes.
4. Study leave arrangements
Year 11: Fri 24th May
Year 12: Mon 13th May - Mon 10th June
Year 13: Fri 24th May
1. Dates for diaries
Mon 22nd Apr, 3:30: Rock Challenge performance in Assembly Hall
Tues 23rd Apr, 8:30-12:00: Year 8 girls HPV
Wed 24th Apr, 5-7pm: Year 7 parents evening
Thurs 25th Apr: Rock Challenge
Fri 26th + Mon 29th Apr: GCSE Art exam (all day)
Mon 29th Apr - Fri 3rd May: Year 9 Sports Enrichment trip
Thurs 2nd May, 5-7pm: Year 10 parents evening
Thurs 2nd + Fri 3rd May: GCSE Sports controlled assessment
2. Reports
Mon 22nd Apr - Fri 3rd May: Year 8 reports
Mon 29th Apr - Fri 10th May: Year 9 reports
3. EAL/G&T review
This is going on this week so be aware that you may have some visitors in your lessons.
4. Coursework standarisation
Many thanks for two days of very hard work last week to get all our KS4 and KS5 coursework folders standardised and ready for submission. And thank you for agreeing to take home the last few folders to finish the job. In order that we can process everything in time, can staff please return these folders to the relevant class teacher before our meeting on Wednesday at the absolute latest.
We are entering the last big push for exam sets, so thank you for all the work you are putting in for your students. We will putting some intervention sessions in for identified students in the coming weeks so please watch out for communications on that.
Thank you,
Jamie
1. Dates for diaries
Fri 22nd Mar: Oxford Brookes A-level session, 11:30-2:45
Mon 25th-Wed 27th: Film crew in school
Wed 27th Mar: Spring Concert, 7pm, Assembly Hall
Thurs 28th Mar: END OF TERM
Fri 29th Mar: Not just a Good Friday...a brilliant Friday!
2. Reports and Assessment Points due Thurs 28th March
Year 10 reports and AP4 for all years EXCEPT YEAR 7 are due by Thurs 28th March. Briefings on Mon 18th, Thurs 21st and Mon 25th have been cancelled to give staff time to complete.
3. Honoraria deadlines
If you wish to apply for one of the existing honoraria, you need to submit your application by Fri 25th March. If you are pitching your own honorarium, you need to submit your application by Mon 25th March.
See email from Linda Jennings for more information.
4. New staff appointment
After Wednesday's interview, we have appointed Phoebe Mortimer as an NQT to start in the English department in September. Confirmation of this appointment is subject to reference but we are confident that all will be in order.
5. Standardisation, Tues 16th + Wed 17th April
Please have all coursework (KS4 and KS5) marked and ready for standardisation when we get back after Easter.
6. Congratulations
To James and Neil who have both secured NQT jobs for next year.
1. Dates for diaries
Wed 13th Mar: 2-3: College Meetings; 3-4: Department meeting
Fri 15th Mar: Year 10 G&T trip (see list from DGI)
Mon 18th Mar: Data Grab opens (closes Fri 22nd Mar)
Wed 20th Mar: 2-4 data entry time
Thurs 21st Mar: Year 13 parents evening
2. GCSE English/English Language exam: results and re-sits
Many thanks for all your hard work preparing Year 11 for the exam in January. Whilst we cannot produce exact grades, all the data points towards a significantly improved performance from June last year - and that's before we factor in coursework improvements, etc.
JKY and LMA are putting together a list of students who will be automatically entered for the GCSE English/English Language exam in June. A letter will be drafted for students to take home for parents to sign. The deadline is very tight: Friday 18th March.
3. Year 13 'grade only' report
If you teach a Year 13 set, you need to enter a 'grade only' report by Thursday 14th March - please liaise with your partner teacher.
4. KS3 work scrutiny
We will be conducting another KS3 work scrutiny in our meeting time on Wed 20th March. Details to follow.
1. Dates for diaries
Mon 4th Mar: final deadline for Year 11 reports
Tues 5th Mar: Of Mice and Men intervention sessions start
Wed 6th Mar: 2-3 Dept Meeting, 3-4 TLGs
Thurs 7th Mar: GCSE English/English Language results
Fri 8th Mar: English/Drama Staff Tea
2. Sixth Form Review
Is ongoing this week: Graham Parker may be in lessons on Monday 4th and Friday 8th March. These will be learning walks but members of SLT may also be conducting 30-minute lesson observations.
3. GCSE English/English Language results
These will be available to Year 11 students on Thursday 7th March. Jo Simpson will get them to us in class lists by breaktime so that we can hand out to students in P3/P4. They will only have a numerical value but we can show the students the latest set of grade boundaries to give them an APPROXIMATE grade.
We may have results on Wednesday, in which case I will get them to teachers asap - but please don't make them known to students in advance of Thursday.
4. PM mid-year reviews
Everyone should have received their Performance Management mid-year review Overview Statement. If you would like to discuss/adjust/amend yours, please let JKY know.
Also, please note the new line manager arrangements for the purposes of performance management:
AW: JKY
JKY: LMA, PWA, PTO
LMA: HDY, KWI, NTU
PWA: PST, JD
PTO: CSW, GSN (when he returns)
5. Of Mice and Men intervention sessions
These start on Tues 5th Mar in tutor time. LMA has put the list of students involved on Serco and emailed to relevant staff. If you teach these students, please remind them to go to LMA (J18)/CSW (C3) every tutor time for the next three weeks.
Year 11 teachers should have had their Spoken Language resits back to them. When you have marked these pieces, please could you email LMA the new results so that we can track the impact of these sessions.
1. Dates for diaries
Tues 26th Feb, 8:30-1:20: Year 10 MMR vaccinations
Wed 27th Feb: 2-3: Dept Meeting; 3-4 Lead Practitioners / Directed Time
Thurs 28th Feb: 1:30: Year 11 Maths exam
Fri 1st Feb: Year 11 reports due
Wed 6th Mar: 2-3 Dept Meeting (literacy); 3-4 TLGs
Thurs 7th Mar: Jan exam results
Fri 8th Mar: Eng Staff Tea
2. First Story Creative Writing Trip - Pitt-Rivers Museum - Tues 12th March
We're looking to take a group of students from the Year 9 Creative Writing classes to a First Story Creative Writing workshop at the Pitt-Rivers Museum.
First Story events tend to be very good and they often get some quite big names in running sessions (Philip Pullman, Mark Haddon, etc). If you're interested in going, it's 1-5pm, let me know.
1. Dates for diaries
All week: Cheney Expects assemblies for Years 7-10
Wed 20th Feb: 2-3pm - whole school meeting (PM follow-up); 3-4 - dept meeting
Wed 27th Feb: 2-3 - dept meeting; 3-4 - lead practitioners/directed time
Thurs 28th Feb: 2pm - Year 11 Maths exam
2. Dept Detention
The new dept detention goes live today. Please email englishDT@cheney.oxon.sch.uk and issue DT slips for students who misbehave in lessons.
1. Dates for diaries
Wed 6th Feb: 9-11am: Year 11 Careers Fest
Wed 6th Feb: P4 - Jenny Smith writing group for selected Year 7 girls
Wed 6th Feb: Meetings (see below)
Fri 8th Feb: Deadline for AP3
HALF-TERM!
2. Meeting time on Wednesday
There are three 40-minute meeting slots on Wednesday.
2-2:40: Mid-year review. JKY, LMA, PWA and PTO to look at the most recent data in order to identify areas of over or underachievement - feedback to the department to follow. Rest of department: directed time
2:40-3:20: Teaching and Learning Groups
3:20-4:00: Data entry for AP3
1. Dates for diaries
Wed 30th Jan: 2-3: College meetings; 3-4 Own Prof Time (data entry)
Thurs 31st Jan, 5-7pm: Year 11 parents evening (Eng/Sci only)
Fri 1st Feb: Year 12 reports due
Fri 1st Feb: Year 7-11 data grab due
Wed 6th Feb: 2:00-2:40 Dept: mid-year review of data; 2:40-3:20: Teaching/Learning Development Groups; 3:20-4:00: Data entry
2. Jenny Smith visit: Wed 6th Feb
Jenny Smith, author of My Big Fat Teen Crisis and other books is running a session in P4 with Year 7 girls. If anyone wants to pop down, they'd be more than welcome.
3. Oxford City Young Writer of the Year
This is a writing compeition open to students from Oxford City schools, aged 14-18. Rules can be found here: http://www.oxfordspiresacademy.org/students/youngwriteroftheyear.aspx
THERE ARE CASH PRIZES so if you have any budding writers (or anyone who submitted a particularly good Creative Writing CA and they'd be interested in typing it up and submitting it, please pass this onto your students.
4. Data, data everywhere...
If anyone is still confused about the KS3 data or has any questions, please come and see me ahead of next week's meeting. We will be focusing on Year 8 and 9.
1. Dates for your diaries
Wed 23rd Jan: INSET day - see email from PW
Thurs 24th Jan, 5-7pm: Year 9 parents evening
Wed 30th Jan: 2-3: College meetings; 3-4 Own Prof Time (data entry)
Thurs 31st Jan, 5-7pm: Year 11 parents evening (Eng/Sci only)
Fri 1st Feb: Year 12 reports due
Fri 1st Feb: Year 7-11 data grab due
2. Year 7 names for writer visit
Thank you to everyone who has given me their names for the Year 7 event with Jenny Smith on Wed 6th Feb. There are still a few places left so if there are some bright Year 7 girls in your sets who you think would benefit from a session run by a published author, please email me asap - first come, first served!
3. KS3 marking grids
There was a request for the Cheneyfied version of the APP grid for KS3. These are now in your pigeon holes.
4. Data
Please look at the data for your classes in preparation for your mid-year PM self-review on 6th Feb. All data can be found here: T:\Staff Resources\Teaching Group Tracking Sheets\2012-2013\English
1. Dates for diaries
Wed 16th Jan: 2-4 Double Dept Meeting
Thurs 17th Jan: Year 8 parents evening
Wed 23rd Jan: STAFF INSET DAY
Thurs 24th Jan: Year 9 parents evening
2. INSET Day
There are various sessions running on this day - PW will send out a full schedule this week. One of the sessions will be 'Positive Behaviour Management' which will be run by Sylvia Hawken. If anyone would like to attend this session and get some classroom management tips and tricks, can you please let me know.
3. UPDATE: Exame dates
GCSE Eng Lit Paper 1: Mon 20th May (morning)
GCSE Eng Lit Paper 1: Thurs 23rd May (afternoon)
GCSE Eng/Eng Lang: Tues 4th June (morning)
AS Media: Mon 13th May (morning)
AS Eng Lit: Fri 17th May (afternoon)
A2 Media: Tues 4th June (afternoon)
A2 Eng Lit: Thurs 6th June (morning)
Happy New Year and welcome back!
1. Dates for diaries
Tues 8th Jan: Year 11 pre-exam exercise (see below)
Wed 9th Jan: Lead Practitioners meeting (own directed time for the rest of you)
Thurs 10th Jan: English/English Lang exam (see below)
Thurs 10th Jan, 6-8pm: Year 8 Guided Options Evening (PWA and JKY)
Thurs 17th Jan: Year 8 parents evening
2. English/English Language exam
The English/English Language exam is on Thursday 10th Jan, starting at 9:00. We've booked breakfast from 8:30 for all Year 11 students in the canteen, so if you are free P1 and want to pop along and offer any last-minute titbits to your students and/or help get them settled into the exam hall/gym, please do come along.
Louise has put together an exam prep exercise (see email sent today) for Year 11 teachers to use in their lesson on Tuesday 8th Jan. The original intentions was to do this in the hall as a year-group exercise but, for various reasons, that isn't viable.
All the resources are in the dept office, please help yourselves.
3. GTP mentoring
Neil Sadler, a GTP intern at Cherwell, will be in the English department for six weeks next half-term and will need a mentor. Would anyone be interested in taking on this role? It would be a short placement, only six weeks, and I've been assured that he is a very strong trainee.
