24 October 2025 - Letter to Parents

24th October 2025

Dear Parents and Carers,

We have had a busy last week of term at Orchard School, with a range of sporting fixtures including a number of hard fought, wet and windy (might even call it a storm!) rugby games. We also had a trip out to Bristol Science Park where students could get a taste of the world of work. We break now for half term, with students returning on Tuesday 4th November. We have lots on in that first week back, including a Realising Talent workshop for Year 10, BMX Club, a Girls into Engineering Event, Young Leadership training, yet more sporting fixtures and a range of exciting House Competitions including Pumpkin Carving!

Key Dates

There are some important dates to be aware of this term. Please make sure you put these dates in your diary.

Year 10 Mock Exam Information Evening – Wednesday 20th May 6- 7pm   

Year 11 Mock Exam Information Evening – Wednesday 12th November 6 -7pm 

These special information evenings are a welcome to the year from school staff, and a presentation to give you an overview of the year, an understanding of the learning and academic assessments that are happening, the reports you will receive, opportunities for trips and visits, clubs and advice with managing the wellbeing and mental health of young people in this age group. Staff are on hand to answer questions afterwards and ensure you feel confident with aspects such as home learning, access to laptops/resources, any support with free school meals or hardship fund applications. We look forward to seeing you. Please note that teachers are not present at these Information Evenings. The opportunity to find out about your child’s progress in each subject is at Parent Subject Consultation Evenings.

Parent Subject Consultation Evenings

The dates for these through the year are as follows:

Year 7 Parent Subject Consultation Evening – Thursday 23rd April 3.30 – 7pm  

Year 8 Parent Subject Consultation Evening – Thursday 11th December 3.30 – 7pm   

Year 9 Parent Subject Consultation Evening – Thursday 19th March 3.30 – 7pm  

Year 10 Parent Subject Consultation Evening – Thursday 27th November 3.30 – 7pm  

Year 11 Parent Subject Consultation Evening – Thursday 6th November and Thursday 12th February 3.30 – 7pm  

Please also note the following date: 

Year 9 Options Evening – Thursday 26th February 6 – 7.30pm  

To help parents and children decide together which options subjects/GCSEs they might choose to take over the next two years in school.  

Teaching and Learning/Curriculum

It has been a fantastic term. Students have covered a rich variety of knowledge: Netball and Rugby in KS3 PE; integers in Maths Year 8 and 10; disempowerment due to class in English Year 9. We are so pleased with how Year 7 have settled and the high engagement in lessons. We have been really pleased with how successfully staff have been creating turn-and-talk opportunities in lessons for our students. This is something we will continue to work on in the next half-term.

Safeguarding in the Half term Break

School is closed to all staff during the half term break and staff will not see e-mails or messages, so therefore if support is needed for young people during the week off, please use these services:

- 999 in an emergency

- 101 for non-urgent contact with emergency services

- 111 for non-urgent health matters

- Call the Samaritans – 116123

- Off the Record (www.otrbristol.org.uk) - mental health services

- Brook (www.brook.org.uk) - sexual health services

- Call ‘Mind’ on 03001233393 – mental health charity

- Call Childline on 08001111

Any Whisper reports will be read and actioned by staff after the half term break.

Whisper should not be used for any urgent safeguarding matters nor to resolve community matters – please contact the appropriate service above.

Firework Safety Message from Avon and Somerset Police

"As Bonfire Night approaches, Avon and Somerset Police have asked us to share an important reminder about firework safety.

The misuse of fireworks, particularly in built-up areas where large number of people are present can cause serious injuries and damage. Police will take a zero-tolerance approach to anyone found misusing or illegally carrying fireworks. Offenders may face prosecution or action under Anti-Social Behaviour laws, which could have longer-term consequences for young people.

Please remind your children about the dangers of fireworks and discourage any misuse, particularly in the city centre. Fireworks should only be bought and used responsibly by adults.

If you have concerns or information about firework misuse, please report it to:

999 in an emergency

101 for non-emergencies

or online at the Avon and Somerset Police website.

Thank you for helping to keep our community safe.”

Uniform

Our uniform code aims to:

Help students feel equal to others and not left out

Encourage students to wear their uniform with pride

Create a sense of belonging to the school community through a common dress code

Enable students to feel that they are a valued member of the school community irrespective of ethnicity, gender, religion or socio-economic background

Please ensure students wear the correct uniform every day including blazer and appropriate black footwear. A reminder that due to Health and Safety reasons, body piercings are not permitted except one small stud or sleeper in each year. Yondr pouches are required to be brought into school every day with the phone placed inside the pouch.

For a full list of uniform expectations, please see here on the school website. Please note, we will be sanctioning incorrect uniform from Week 2 next term, after issuing reminders for it to be corrected over the past fortnight and in Week 1 after half term, to give you time in the next fortnight to resolve any matters. Remember that you can draw on the Hardship Fund, where eligible, too, via the link here: Hardship_Fund_Application_Form_Jul21__1_.docx

Clubs – Term 2

Please remember to encourage your child to sign up to one of our brilliant lunchtime or after school clubs. They’re a great way for them to meet new friends, learn new skills and make lasting memories. Orchard School - Clubs and Enrichment

Attendance

Students in 7W1 have topped the attendance leaderboard for last week with a perfect 100% - well done to all! Butterfield House were top of the houses, followed closely by Wisley. Keep an eye on your emails as we will be sharing your child(ren)’s Term 1 attendance this week. You’ll also see their attendance on different days of the week over the past 8 weeks. If you notice any patterns or have any questions, please get in touch to discuss them.

Punctuality

We are reminding all students about punctuality in assemblies and tutor notices during the first week back because it is a key life skill and one that we want students to get right. A reminder that all students should be on school site by 8.20am every morning. They are welcomed by staff, line up with their tutor groups and are reading in their tutor rooms by 8.30am. We will be communicating with parents and carers if students are late and supporting our students to get it right. There will also be lots of praise and House points for all students who arrive on time every day. Thanks in advance for your support.

Belonging

Our House Champions have been busy putting on some great lunchtime activities this week including Bingo and Tug of War. Well done to all students for getting involved and collecting raffle tickets for their chance to win an amazon voucher! There is a pumpkin carving competition running until 7th November. Encourage your child(ren) to send in any photos to the House Champions to gain House points and recognition. 

Community Events

People Friendly Places supplies free period products to 50 community venues across Bristol. More information and a list of these venues can be found here.

Please see the posters below for what’s on in November with Bristol Parent Carer Forum. The three posters below are in English, Somali and Polish.

Wishing you a lovely weekend.

 With best wishes,

Mel Sweet, Headteacher