Bulletin - 14.12.15

1. Dates for diaries
Mon 14th-Tues 15th Dec: Christmas Show rehearsals
Tues 15th Dec, morning break: SECRET SANTA!
Tues 15th Dec, 6:30-9:00pm: Christmas Show
Wed 16th Dec: Year 13 Art mock exam
Wed 16th Dec: Meeting 1: Colleges; Meeting 2: HoFs
Thur 17th Dec: Leon Link candy cane day
Thur 17th Dec: Christmas lunch (canteen)
Fri 18th Dec: Non-school uniform day
Fri 18th Dec: END OF TERM (school finishes at 12:30)

2. Reports/APs
AP2: Years 9, 10, 11 and 13 (Year 13 AP to also include a skills audit - see HDY's email for more details)

3. Last week arrangements

It's the last week of term when things can often get a bit 'loose' around school and students often look to play this to their advantage. By all means have some more relaxed lessons with your classes this week but please make sure that basic expectations are still adhered to: don't let classes get too noisy (there may be classes around taking final assessments, etc); don't let students out of classrooms without good reason (or release them early for break, lunch, etc). All of things can have a knock-on effect on how students are around site and in their subsequent lessons.

4. KS4 Secondment

The application deadline for this position closed this morning at 8am. We will be interviewing on Thursday.

5. Recruitment for next year

We are currently advertising for an English Teacher, to start in Sept 2016. If you know anyone who is looking, please point them in the direction of our website.

6. Dept order

I'm looking to place an order before the end of term. If you have anything you particularly want/need, please let me know. Does anyone need a new clicker, for example?

7. Christmas holiday countdown
5...

Bulletin - 7.12.15

1. Dates for diaries
Mon 7th-Fri 11th Dec: Year 13 mock exams
Wed 9th Dec, 2:30-7:00pm: Year 10 parents evening
Thu 10th Dec, 6-8pm: Cheney Christmas Market (raise funds for Duke of Edinburgh)
Fri 11th Dec: English Staff Tea
Mon 14th-Tues 15th Dec: Christmas Show rehearsals
Tues 15th Dec, 6:30-9:00pm: Christmas Show
Wed 16th Dec: Year 13 Art mock exam
Wed 16th Dec: Meeting 1: Colleges; Meeting 2: HoFs
Thur 17th Dec: Leon Link candy cane day
Thur 17th Dec: Christmas lunch (canteen)
Fri 18th Dec: END OF TERM (school finishes at 12:30)

2. Reports/APs
There will be APs in the last week of term for Years 9, 10, 11 and 13 (Year 13 AP to also include a skills audit)

3. English Dept Christmas meal
Paul has booked us a table for 7:30 at Aziz on Cowley Road. See you all there.

4. KS4 English Secondment
We had no applications (internal or external) for the KS4 Leader role, which is perhaps understandable given the state of flux the KS4 curriculum is currently in. As such, we have opened up a new position: a KS4 English Secondment. This role is essentially a streamlined version of the KS4 Leader role: the focus is on monitoring Year 11 coursework and mock exam performance, managing the trackers, organising and monitoring the tutor time interventions and helping to run after-school catch-up sessions. The strategic and managerial elements of the role have been taken away. The details, including the TLR payment and remission are on the email the Undine has just sent around. This is an internal advert only.

5. Christmas holiday countdown
10...

Bulletin - 30.11.15

1. Dates for diaries
Wed 2nd Dec, 2:30-7:00pm: Year 7 parents evening
Wed 2nd - Sat 5th Dec: GCSE Geography residential trip
Mon 7th-Fri 11th Dec: Year 13 mock exams
Wed 9th Dec, 2:30-7:00pm: Year 10 parents evening
Thu 10th Dec, 6-8pm: Cheney Christmas Market (raise funds for Duke of Edinburgh)

2. Reports/APs
Year 12 FULL report: deadline Fri 4th Dec
Please see Heather's note on Staff News about this as there are some specific instructions that apply to this report.

3. Year 7 Accelerated Reader Assemblies
Please remember to take your Year 7s to their Accelerated Reader assemblies this week. Register them quickly and then head over to the Assembly Hall:
7a (plus 7b1): Monday P4
7b (without 7b1): Wednesday P1

Bulletin - 23.11.15

1. Dates for diaries
Mon 23rd Nov: Year 11 girls assembly - gender empowerment
Wed 25th Nov: Onatti French Theatre production - KS4 MFL students
Wed 25th Nov: Double Dept meeting: report moderation
Fri 27th Nov: EAL conference with OUDE
Wed 2nd Dec, 2:30-7:00pm: Year 7 parents evening
Wed 2nd - Sat 5th Dec: GCSE Geography residential trip

2. Reports/APs
Year 12 FULL report: deadline Fri 4th Dec

3. KS4 Leader position
The deadline for the KS4 Leader job (http://www.cheney.oxon.sch.uk/English-Key-Stage-4-Leader) is Thur 26th Nov. If you're interested in the position, please get your application in by this date.

Bulletin - 16.11.15

1. Dates for diaries
Wed 18th Nov: NO MEETINGS
Thur 19th Nov: Year 13 Parents meeting (NOTE: CHANGE OF DATE)
Mon 16th-Fri 20th: Year 7 PSHE day (collapsed timetable) - date TBC
Mon 23rd Nov: Year 11 girls assembly - gender empowerment
Wed 25th Nov: Onatti French Theatre production - KS4 MFL students
Wed 25th Nov: Double Dept meeting: report moderation
Fri 27th Nov: EAL conference with OUDE

2. Reports/APs
Year 8 FULL report: deadline Fri 20th Nov

3. KS4 Leader position
We are currently advertising for a KS4 Leader: http://www.cheney.oxon.sch.uk/English-Key-Stage-4-Leader

We are looking for both internal and external applications, so if you are interested, please put in an application. If you have any questions about the role or what it would involve, please speak to JKY.

Bulletin - 9.11.15

1. Dates for diaries
Tues 10th Nov: Girls in Coding trip
Wed 11th Nov: Year 12 Safe Drive, Stay Alive
Wed 11th Nov: Double dept meeting
Mon 16th Nov: Year 13 Parents meeting
Mon 16th-Fri 20th: Year 7 PSHE day (collapsed timetable) - date TBC

2. Reports/APs
Year 7 SHORT report: deadline Fri 13th Nov
Year 8 FULL report: deadline Fri 20th Nov

Bulletin - 2.11.15

1. Dates for diaries
Mon 2nd-Fri 6th Nov: Year 12 mock exams
Tues 3rd Nov: GCSE Geography trip
Wed 4th Nov: HPV vaccinations
Wed 4th Nov: Meeting 1: whole staff meeting; Meeting 2: Dept report moderation
Tues 10th Nov: Girls in Coding trip
Wed 11th Nov: Year 12 Safe Drive, Stay Alive
Wed 11th Nov: Double dept meeting

2. Reports/APs
Year 7 short report: deadline Fri 13th Nov

Bulletin - 19.10.15

1. Dates for diaries
Wed 21st Oct: Meeting 1: Report moderation; Meeting 2: HoFs
Fri 23rd Oct: HALF-TERM!

2. Reports/APs
Year 7 and 8 AP1: deadline Fri 23rd Oct
Year 12 AP1 + Skills Review: deadline Fri 23rd Oct

Some of you have got an email from Kate Hackett saying your reports are incomplete. If a student isn't in your class or one of the columns on the report isn't relevant for that student, please put N/A rather than leave a column blank.

3. St Greg's English TeachMeet - Thurs 22nd Oct
St Gregory the Great are holding an English-specific TeachMeet on Thursday. It starts with drinks and nibbles at 4:30, with presentations 5-7pm.
I'm going to do a 5-minute slot presenting our new approach to analytical paragraphs (our PEA replacement). If anyone else would like to present, there is still time to do so, simply email Kate McCabe: k.mccabe@dbmac.org.uk

Bulletin - 12.10.15

1. Dates for diaries
Wed 14th-Mon 19th Oct: French Exchange
Wed 14th Oct: Double dept meeting (including literacy)
Thur 15th Oct: Year 9, 10, 11 Open Morning
Wed 21st Oct: Meeting 1: Report moderation; Meeting 2: HoFs
Fri 23rd Oct: HALF-TERM!

2. Reports/APs
Year 13 full report: deadline Fri 16th Oct
Year 7 and 8 AP1: deadline Fri 23rd Oct
Year 12 AP1 + Skills Review: deadline Fri 23rd Oct

3. Prep for dept literacy meeting
Wednesday's dept meeting will be focused on literacy. Please remember to bring with you a selection of books from each class you teach. We will:

• share students' work and identify
• common general literacy mistakes (e.g. capital letters, homophones)
• subject-related mistakes (e.g. technical terms)
• share what is already done in the department to address these issues - good practice
• discuss what could be done to address these issues but which isn't already done or widespread - opportunity or need for development

We will also discuss core expectations of marking:

• are teachers using the standard marking codes?
• are students correcting mistakes using purple pen?
• share what is already done in the department when marking for literacy - good practice, time saving tips
• discuss what could be done to improve or support teachers' marking for literacy

Bulletin - 5.10.15

1. Dates for diaries
Tues 6th Oct, P1+P2: Year 7 and 8 Open Morning
Wed 7th Oct: HPV vaccinations
Wed 7th Oct: Meeting 1: Dept (numeracy and literacy); Meeting 2: HoFs/CALs
Fri 9th Oct: English/Learning Support Staff Tea
Wed 14th-Mon 19th Oct: French Exchange
Wed 14th Oct: Double dept meeting (including literacy)
Thur 15th Oct: Year 9, 10, 11 Open Morning

2. Reports/APs
Years 9/10/11 short report: deadline Fri 9th Oct
Year 13 full report: deadline Fri 16th Oct

3. KS4 Leader
Today is the deadline for anyone looking to apply for the Temporary KS4 Leader position within the dept. The application form is on the email that Undine sent out and is also on the school website.

Bulletin - 28.9.15

1. Dates for diaries
Mon 28th Sept, P1+P2: Open Morning
Wed 30th Sept: Double Dept Meeting
Thur 1st Oct: Roman Crafts Day
Tues 6th Oct, P1+P2: Year 7 and 8 Open Morning
Wed 7th Oct: HPV vaccinations
Wed 7th Oct: Meeting 1: Dept (numeracy and literacy); Meeting 2: HoFs/CALs
Fri 9th Oct: English/Learning Support Staff Tea

2. Reports/APs
Short report: 9/10/11 - deadline Fri 9th Oct

3. Open Morning
Year 6 students and parents will be in school during P1 and P2 on Monday 28th Sept. They will be shown around by student guides and may drop into lessons. If you have a lesson on P1 or P2 on that day that you would rather people didn't come into (eg they're doing a piece of work that you don't want to be disturbed or it's a tricky group that you'd rather not be seen with) please email the Head and put a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on your door.

4. Happy Quarter-Term
Only four weeks until half-term!

Bulletin - 21.9.15

1. Dates for diaries
Tues 22nd Sept: Year 9 Humanutopia Heroes training
Wed 23rd Sept: Year 7 Humanutopia Day (Who Are You?)
Thur 24th Sept: Year 7 Humanutopia Extension Day
Thur 24th Sept, 6:30-8:30: Open Evening
Fri 25th Sept: Performance Management INSET Day
Mon 28th Sept, P1+P2: Open Morning
Wed 30th Sept: Double Dept Meeting
Thur 1st Oct: Roman Crafts Day
2. Reports/APs
None at presesnt!

3. Open Evening / Open Morning
School will finish at the end of P4 on Thursday 24th Sept. After lunch, can we meet in C5 (Paul's room) to set up for Open Evening. 

Year 6 students and parents are then invited to come into school on Monday 28th Sept. They will be shown around by student guides and may drop into lessons. If you have a lesson on P1 or P2 on that day that you would rather people didn't come into (eg they're doing a piece of work that you don't want to be disturbed or it's a tricky group that you'd rather not be seen with) please put a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on your door.

4. Dept support/SIMS/Detentions/Behaviour
Please put a copy of the Dept Support timetable on the wall near your door so that support staff/cover teachers can send students to the appropriate place.

Also, make sure that all behaviour incidents are logged on SIMS (if you're unsure how to do this, come and see me). If a student doesn't come back to see you for a learning conversation, set them a central detention. If we are looking to enact set moves or reallocate students to Cheney Plus, etc, we need to prove that we have done everything we can in the department first.

Bulletin - 14.9.15

1. Dates for diaries
Thur 17th Sept, 5-8pm: Year 12 Welcome Assembly
Thur 17th Sept, 5-6:30pm: Year 7 settling-in interviews
Tues 22nd Sept: Year 9 Humanutopia Heroes training
Wed 23rd Sept: Year 7 Humanutopia Day (Who Are You?)
Thur 24th Sept: Year 7 Humanutopia Extension Day
Thur 24th Sept, 6:30-8:30: Open Evening
Fri 25th Sept: Performance Management INSET Day

2. Reports/APs
None at presesnt!

3. Timetable issues
I have spoken to several of you regarding balancing out the dept timetable (some people are currently over and some currently under). This information has been passed to the timetable team and they will update the timetable asap. Please teach your timetable as it stands for the time being and we will let you know when to make those changes.

4. Copies of An Inspector Calls
Please don't give out any copies of An Inspector Calls to any Year 10 student - even if they are PP/FSM. They need to buy/collect their copies directly from me so that we can track who has/hasn't been issued with a copy.

Also, if you teach Year 11, please use the paperback copies. I know they are less user-friendly but we only have enough copies for Year 10. If you have taken any of the hardback copies, please return them to the KS4 cupboard in C25.

Bulletin - 13.7.15

1. Dates for diariesMon 13th July, 3pm: BTEC Dance performance
Tues 14th July: Year 9/10 trip to Houses of Parliament
Wed 15th July: Blood donation in Assembly Hall
Wed 15th July: Whole school T&L meeting
Thur 16th July: Year 7/8 cinema reward
Thur 16th-Fri 17th July: Sports Days
Fri 17th July, 12:30 END OF TERM!

2. Timetable
I know you are all anxious to see a timetable for next year. The consultants sent through a draft last week and the needs substantial work. I have emailed the key issues and have a meeting with them on Tuesday. As soon as I have a timetable, I will share it with you all.

3. New curriculum + new Schemes of Work
I have set up a folder in the English section of Staff Resources:
In KS3: KS3 FROM 2015
In KS4: KS4 FROM 2015

Please save all new modules/resources in the appropriate folder.

4. A-level/GCSE results days
If you would like to come in to see students getting their results, school will be open from 9am on the following days:
A-level results: Thursday 13th August
GCSE results: Thursday 20th August

5. Thank you (and goodbye)
I'm not sure that there are any 'easy' years in this job but I think this one has been particularly tough, so thank you for your perseverance, your dedication and your endless good spirits in the face of adversity. No-one deserves a six-week break more than you, so do enjoy it.

And to Maud and Dan, thank you so much for everything you have done this year. We wish we could keep you but understand that some opportunities are too good to turn down: we wish you all the best.

Bulletin - 6.7.15

1. Dates for diaries
Mon 6th - Wed 8th July: Art Exhibition, Assembly Hall
Tues 7th July: Year 9 + 10 Humanutopia Day
Wed 8th July: Year 8 trip to National Space Centre
Wed 8th July: Meeting 1: College; Meeting 2: Report moderation
Thur 9th July: Year 10 Make A Change Day
Mon 13th July, 3pm: BTEC Dance performance
Tues 14th July: Year 9/10 trip to Houses of Parliament
Wed 15th July: Blood donation in Assembly Hall
Wed 15th July: Whole school T&L meeting
Thur 16th July: Year 7/8 cinema reward
Thur 16th-Fri 17th July: Sports Days
Fri 17th July, 12:30 END OF TERM!

2. Speaking & Listening next year

Ofqual have released the following statement re: Speaking & Listening in the new curriculum: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/assessment-arrangements-for-gcse-english-language

3. Grading in the new GCSE world

Here is a diagram that shows how current A*-G grades will look in the new 1-9 system. And here is a video that AQA have put together explaining how it all works. It is going to be a harder environment for English next year: the curriculum is designed to be more 'rigorous' and the yardstick (the grade 5) is more like a top C/low B than a current C.

4. Thank you for the marking...

Thank you all very much for the time you put in on the KS3 exams. Please make sure all exam scripts, feedback and marks are now with the appropriate teachers. As a little thank you (and because yesterday was Phoebe's birthday) I've bought in some edibles for everyone. I reckon most people are probably fairly caked-out by now so have gone for something healthier (and more summer-y).

Bulletin - 29.6.15

1. Dates for diaries
Mon 29th June: Year 12 UCAS day
Mon 29th June: New staff induction
Wed 1st July: Meeting 1: College; Meeting 2: Report moderation
Thur 2nd July, 7:15pm: GCSE Drama Showcase, Assembly Hall
Thur 2nd - Fri 3rd July: Year 6 Transition Days
Thur 2nd - Fri 3rd July: Year 12 Physics trip to CERN
Mon 6th - Wed 8th July: Art Exhibition, Assembly Hall
Tues 7th July: Year 9 + 10 Humanutopia Day
Wed 8th July: Year 8 trip to National Space Centre
Wed 8th July: Meeting 1: College; Meeting 2: Report moderation
Thur 9th July: Year 10 Make A Change Day

2. Reports/APs

Year 9 (Full): due 3rd July

3. Exams this week

Monday

P3+4: Year 8 English

P5+Tutor: Year 10 Science

Tuesday

P1+2: Year 10 Maths

P5+Tutor: Year 10 Science

WednesdayP1+2: Year 10 Maths

P4+Tutor: Year 8 Maths

3. Meet the new staff

As you know, Jenny Choudhury will be joining us from September, but because we are still short within the department, we have employed Lesley Langtree as a supply teacher from September until December, at which point we should welcome back Paul and Ana Alicia. Both Jenny and Lesley are coming in for staff induction on Monday and there will be a chance to meet them both properly at lunchbreak in the dept office. Confectionery to be supplied.

4. KS3 exams: admin, marking and feedback

Thank you all for the hard work you are putting in with the Key Stage 3 exams. I feel they have been a useful (and generally positive) experience for students, allowing them to sample atmosphere and expectations of exams without the pressure of significant results. Please make sure your marking is done and scripts returned to relevant staff by Mon 6th July in order to complete the feedback lessons. All resources are on Staff Resources.

5. Year 9

Firstly, well done and thank you for the kindness and sensitivity you have all shown to students affected by the death of Aown Dogar. Many students, especially in Year 9, will have been hit very hard by this and we must make sure we help them through this incredibly difficult time. I am thinking in particular of 9a teachers who will teach their classes on Monday P1. This will not only be the first time students have reconvened after the weekend, having had the chance to reflect on Aown's death, but it will also be the day of the funeral. I leave it entirely to the discretion of staff as to how they handle their classes, especially Ralph with 9a5, the group that Aown was in. If you feel it would be best to do something unrelated to the curriculum while students come to terms with what has happened, by all means to so; if you think it would be best to carry on and try to return to some kind of normality/stability, please do so. If any students find themselves getting upset and need some time, please allow them to use the dept office or a spare classroom (mine is often free).

Bulletin - 15.6.15

1. Dates for diaries
Mon 15th June: Year 12 return

Wed 17th-Fri 19th June: Year 11 Sixth Form Fresher's Week

Wed 17th June: Meeting 1: Dept; Meeting 2: Report writing

Thur 18th June, 1:30-5:30pm: DT show

Thur 18th June: 6:30-7:00pm: UCAS parents evening

Fri 19th June, 8:30-10:00: Year 6 Welcome to College meetings (lesson start P3)

Mon 22nd-Fri 26th June: Year 10 Work Experience week

Mon 22nd + Tues 23rd June: Year 7 Geography trip to Lulworth Cove

Wed 24th June: Meeting 1: Dept; Meeting 2: Report writing

Thur 25th June: Year 9 PSHE Day

Thur 25th June: Year 8 DT Trip to Cadbury World

2. Reports/APs
Year 7 (Full): due 26th June

Year 9 (Full): due 3rd July

3. Year 7-10 internal exams

Please see Staff News for the full Cheney internal exam timetable.

The English exams are:

Mon 22nd June P3/4: Year 9

Wed 24th June, P1/2: Year 7

Mon 29th June, P3/4: Year 8

4. English Teacher interview day

We are interviewing for another English Teacher on Thursday. There will be an opportunity to meet the candidates during morning break in the English office.

5. The Cherwell Football Forum, Thur 18th June

Cherwell School are holding a Forum for young people who might be interested in sports journalism as a career. They have some big names from the national press joining them. £10 entry, £5 for students. Please let your classes know about this.

Bulletin - 1.6.15

1. Dates for diaries
Wed 3rd June: Meeting 1: Dept; Meeting 2: College
Fri 5th June: English/Drama staff tea
Mon 8th - Fri 12th June: Year 12 Work Experience Week
Wed 10th June, P4: Year 10 Work Experience Talks
Thursday 11th June, P3-P4: Year 10 Triple Scientist Oncology Talk
Fri 12th June, P2: Year 10 Work Experience Talks

2. Reports/APs
None.

3. Forthcoming exams
Tues 2nd June: GCSE English/English Language (morning)
Thur 11th June: A2 English Literature (morning)

4. Free breakfast for Year 11 before the GCSE English/English Language exam
All Year 11 students are invited for a FREE breakfast before their English exam on Tuesday: fruit, croissants, juice, etc will be available from 8:25, along with a chance to ask any last-minute questions from available English staff.

5. Appointments
I am delighted to say that Paul Stapley will be returning to the English Dept in September. We didn't appoint anyone else at that round of interviews so we will be re-advertising for another teacher. If you know of anyone who might be interested, please tell them to check the Vacancies page on our website shortly.

Bulletin - 18.5.15

1. Dates for diaries
Mon 18th May, P3+P4: Year 9 Science Fair
Wed 20th May: Meeting 1: CPD Carousel 4; Meeting 2: CPD Carousel 5
Thur 21st May: English Teacher interview day
Thur 21st May: 100% attendance lunch
Fri 22nd May, 12:30-1:30: Year 11 Celebration Assembly
HALF-TERM!
Wed 3rd June: Meeting 1: Dept; Meeting 2: College
Fri 5th June: English/Drama staff tea

2. Reports/APs
AP5 is open, to be completed by Fri 22nd May.

3. Forthcoming exams
Mon 18th May: IGCSE English Literature / GCSE English Literature Paper 1 (morning)
Fri 22nd May: GCSE English Literature Paper 2 (morning) / AS Media (morning)
Tues 2nd June: GCSE English/English Language (morning)
Thur 11th June: A2 English Literature (morning)

4. Half-term revision session - Fri 29th May. 9:30-12:30
We are going to run a drop-in exam prep session for the English/English Language exam on Friday 29th May, 9:30-12:30. The idea is to keep it very informal: students can came come in, look at some past papers, get some advice on any section of the exam they're feeling worried about, have a go at some practice questions, etc.

LMA will be running the session. Depending on how many students sign up, we may need extra staffing. If you are interested, please let JKY know and if you're needed, we'll let you know. It will be the usual arrangement: £25 per hour.

5. English Teacher interview day: Thurs 21st May
We are interviewing for TWO new English Teachers on Thursday. They will be an opportunity to meet the candidates for coffee and biscuits during morning break.

Bulletin - 11.5.15

1. Dates for diaries
Mon 11th May: start of summer exams - see below
Mon 11th, Tues 12th + Thur 14th May: Art coursework moderation
Wed 13th May: DOUBLE dept meeting
Fri 15th-Mon 19th May: Year 8 Normandy trip
Mon 18th May, P3+P4: Year 8 Science Fair
Wed 20th May: Meeting 1: CPD Carousel 4; Meeting 2: CPD Carousel 5
Thur 21st May: English Teacher interview day
Thur 21st May: 100% attendance lunch
Fri 22nd May, 12:30-1:30: Year 11 Celebration Assembly

2. Reports/APs
AP5 is open, to be completed by Fri 22nd May.

3. Forthcoming exams
Fri 15th May: AS English Literature (morning)
Mon 18th May: IGCSE English Literature / GCSE English Literature Paper 1 (morning)
Fri 22nd May: GCSE English Literature Paper 2 (morning) / AS Media (morning)
Tues 2nd June: GCSE English/English Language (morning)
Thur 11th June: A2 English Literature (morning)

4. Summer exams and study leave - UPDATE
I was wrong when I said that student attendance in lessons was voluntary during study leave. STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE IN ALL LESSONS UNTIL THEY HAVE TAKEN THE EXAM IN THAT SUBJECT.