Dear Parent/Carer

I am writing to inform you that Monday, 3rd July is the day of our annual Foundation Service. The
school will close for the afternoon at 12.15 pm for all students apart from Year 7 and those taking part in
the service. This service will take place in our school hall at 2.00 p.m.

Andie Frost, from Chase Family Church will be preaching during the event, and Father Stephen Taylor
from St Michael’s Church will be leading the service. The School Choir, Worship Group, Drum Group and
various student readers will be taking part.

Students from years 8, 9, 10 and 12 (except those taking part) do not have to attend the service
and will be dismissed from school at 12.15pm that day.

We would like to warmly invite Parents of Year 7 and those taking part to attend.
The service is compulsory for staff and students in Year 7; for what is always a great Stopfordian family
occasion; to give thanks for another year in the life of our school and dedicate ourselves afresh to the
Lord.

With many thanks and all good wishes.
Miss J Dougherty
Assistant Headteacher and Lay Chaplain

May, 2023

Dear Families,

As we approach the half term holidays, I wanted to write to you to tell you how very proud I am of the achievements of our students this academic year. You will know that we are working on the four key areas of literacy, consistency, self-regulation and metacognition (more information on this can be found on our website).

Our literacy strategy, which includes the re- launch of our library; the continued drive to give all students access to high quality digital literature through the use of Reader Plus Programme and Chrome Books; and a focus on oracy through our tutorial programme has meant that our students are making good progress in this area. Oracy is a powerful tool for learning; by teaching students to become more effective speakers and listeners, we empower them to better understand themselves, each other and the world around them. It is also a route to social mobility, empowering all students, not just some, to find their voice to succeed in school and life’. I would encourage you to support us with our literacy drive at home through modelling reading, discussing books and engaging in conversation with your child about their school day and the wider world. For more detail on the literacy strategy visit our website by following the link How do we enhance student learning through literacy? – Bishop Stopfords School

Our strategy to support self-regulation and metacognition focuses on enhancing students’ understanding of how they learn and encourages them to take responsibility for their learning. There has been an explicit focus this term on teaching students how to plan, monitor and evaluate their own performance. A crucial aspect of this is understanding their strengths and know what is required to improve further. Once again please do speak to their child about what they have learnt this year and how they will apply this moving forward. For further details follow the link to our website Self-Regulation and Metacognition – Bishop Stopfords School

Our strategy focusing on consistency, ensures that our curriculum is accessible to all and has depth and breadth.  This is facilitated in all departments through strong schemes of learning that enable progression and academic success.

We have been fine tuning our consistent approach to behaviour for learning. Many of you will have contributed to the annual consultation of our Behaviour Policy and the feedback we have had from you is very positive. We continue to encourage our students to be behave in a respectful, responsible, considerate, and loyal way to ensure their success.

I would ask that you continue to support us in ensuring your child is in school every day and that they are on time as we know that routine and consistency leads to strong outcomes for all.

Finally, I would like to congratulate our Year 11 and Year 13 students on a very successful start to the exam period. They have been attending revision sessions and pre exam warm ups regularly, and we believe this is giving them greater confidence in the exams. Please speak to your child about revision sessions in school and be abreast of any sessions running in half term. Each student has received a personalised copy of their revision timetable. Please contact Miss Williams, Exams Officer at lwilliams@bishopstopfords.enfield.sch.uk should you have any questions. We appreciate your support in ensuring we have good attendance at these sessions.

Last Day of Half Term Arrangements

On Friday, 26^th May, 2023, the school day will end as normal after period 5 at 14:55pm for all students not currently sitting exams.

Return to School After Half Term – Arrangements

The school re-opens on Monday, 5^th June 2023. Year 11 students (with the exception of 11J) will attend at 7.45am for their English exam revision session, all other students including 11J will arrive for a 11.15 am start in order to facilitate staff training.

I wish you a restful half-term. Hopefully, will all be able to enjoy some long-awaited warm weather and sunshine.

Kind regards.

 Tanny Day

Headteacher, BA (Hons), NPQH

20th April, 2023

Dear Parents/Carers

Notification of strike action/closure/partial closure on Thursday 27th April and Tuesday 2nd May 2023

We have been informed by the NEU Trade Union that there will be a day of strike action by their teacher members on Thursday 27th April and Tuesday 2nd May 2023.  The dispute is with the Secretary of State for Education with regards to the NEU’s view that there has been a ‘Failure to provide a fully funded above-inflation pay rise (as measured by September 2022 RPI). A fully funded pay rise is one that is funded by additional resources sufficient to provide the above-inflation pay rise’ (NEU).

As Headteacher, I have assessed the impact of the strike action on the school and have decided that the school will only be open for Years 11, 13 and any student with an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) who is looked after (CLA), or is subject to a Child in Need Plan or a Child Protection plan. The school will be contacting parents of EHCP, CIN and CLA students directly to discuss provision and options for attending for those students listed above for Thursday, 27th April and Tuesday, 2nd May, 2023.  School will commence at 8.55am.

Year 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12 students – Will remain at home.  Whilst at home on these days, we encourage our students to complete independent study.  This will enable them to continue to strengthen their core knowledge and understanding of the topics that they are learning in school.  In order to support with this, students can access the learning sites (attached to this letter) to :  Review and extend prior learning  Prepare for upcoming learning that will be taking place in school  Revise and prepare for upcoming assessments and exams  Complete homelearning tasks

If your child is in receipt of free school meals and are not attending on the strike day, they may request a ‘packed lunch’ to be collected from the school reception at 12 noon on the strike days, i.e. Thursday, 27th April and Tuesday, 2nd May, 2023. In order to ensure that your child receives their lunch and that there is no waste, please confirm your details by emailing generaloffice@bishopstopfords.enfield.sch.uk by noon Tuesday, 25th April, 2023.

This decision has not been taken lightly and we regret having to partially close the school, but have done this to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all pupils.

Our sincere apologies for the difficulties that these arrangements will cause parents/carers but unfortunately these are circumstances beyond our control.

The school will open as normal on Friday 28th April and then from Weds 3rd May 2023.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs T Day, BA (Hons), NPQH Headteacher

10^th February, 2023

Dear Parent/Carers,

As we approach another half term, I would like to thank you all for  continuing to work in partnership with our school, ensuring our students get the best possible support from home and school. We recognise how important school and family is in terms of success. Schools and families provide stability and an environment where children can flourish. We can sometimes forget how lucky we are to have those that we love around us, warm clothes and food.

We look forward to our return to school in the New Year on Tuesday 3rd January 2023. Students will arrive at 9.30am and attend registration with their form tutors. Lessons will then return to normal from Lesson 2. This will facilitate a staff training session to further develop staff professional development and continue to raise standards in our teaching. We will be returning to a week 1 timetable. Please do ensure that your child arrives on time and that they are well prepared for the year ahead with correct uniform and the required equipment to facilitate learning.

Dear Parents/Carers

Important Update – Friday 16th December 2022
School will be open for all students from 8:55am. Please do not send your child in before 8.45am as we are unable to supervise until then.

8.55am – Students will go to lesson 1
Period 1 and 2 as normal
10:55 – 11.15am – Break (use of indoor areas only)
Period 3 – students will be in tutor rooms and will be dismissed from 12pm onwards.