07 November - Letter to Parents

7th November 2025

Dear Parents and Carers,

We have had a good first week of term at Orchard School, with Welcome Back Assemblies for all year groups, a windswept Year 7 rugby fixture on the first day of term, a Girls Get Set for Engineering Event, Young Leadership training with other students from across the city and our normal wide range of clubs and lunchtime activities.

Next week, we mark Anti-Bullying Week with assemblies which reflect our role as an anti-bullying, inclusive school, for which we hold a Gold Award with the Anti-Bullying Alliance. This year the theme is 'Power for Good'. We are marking this by sending each other kindness cards to show our appreciation for each other, and by engaging in discussions about bullying.   Remembrance Day takes place on Tuesday 11th November and Odd Socks Day takes place on Monday 10th November. All students and staff are asked to wear the brightest socks or tights that they can find, to celebrate difference and diversity, and to support our school charity.   There will be a prize for the best and brightest socks or tights in each year group. On Friday 14th November, a bake sale will be held at breaktime where students will get the chance to purchase cakes and raise money for our school charity.   

Sports Fixtures next week include Year 8 and 9 boys’ rugby, Sportshall athletics for Year 7 and 8 boys and girls and Under 16 girls' rugby.

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 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’s been great to hear from the students themselves about how they found turn-and-talk, and to learn that many of them are really grateful for the chance to discuss with their peers before they have to begin completing work independently.

Safeguarding

Operation Encompass

Our school takes part in a national initiative called Operation Encompass, which is run in partnership with the police. The purpose of this initiative is to ensure that we can offer the best possible support to children who may have been affected by incidents of domestic abuse.

When the police attend a domestic incident where a child is present, they will notify the child’s school before the start of the next school day. This allows a specially trained member of staff, known as the Designated Safeguarding Lead, to provide support and care to the child if needed.

We want to reassure parents that the information shared with the school is handled with the utmost sensitivity and confidentiality. The aim is simply to ensure that children feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.

If you would like to know more about Operation Encompass, please contact the school or visit here.

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 next week, after issuing reminders for it to be corrected over the past three weeks, to have given you time 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

Welcome back to Term 2 to all students. It has been great to see them all returning to school after their break. Term 1 winners for attendance were 7B2 and 7W1 and Butterfield were the winning House. We know they will keep on coming in to earn House points, and of course to be involved in everything that school life has to offer.

We hope that you had a chance over the break to read your child’s attendance report. This information was shared on the last day of term in order to keep all parents and carers informed of their child’s overall attendance and also attendance on specific days of the week. If there are any questions, please let us know. We are talking to students this week in assemblies about punctuality and reminding them that they should be on school site by 8.20am every day. We have also shared a short survey for all students to complete and it is about attendance and belonging. This can be found in their e-mail inbox, is anonymous, and there is over a week to complete it. As many responses as possible would be great.

Belonging

Children in Need is next Friday, and we will be putting on a series of events to mark this year’s theme which is centred around the number 25! Students should keep an eye out on tutor notices to see what is coming up.

Character Competition

This week, we have launched our next Character Competition for the students, which is sponsored by Bristol Youth Council. Winners of the best ‘manifestos for change’ (which they have been learning about in tutor time) in North Bristol on the topics of safety, youth services and community projects that could take place, will be able to take part in a fun debating workshop! The competition is open to all year groups, and up to 10 pupils can win a place on the workshop. Please see the poster below for details.

Community Events

Join 'Home Truths', a free webinar series all about practical advice to help you save energy at home. Through Retrofit West's experts, find out how to prevent damp this winter, alternative ways to heat your home and if solar could be right for you. Plus, each session is shaped by the audience. What's most important to you? The energy advisors can cover it! Find the next session at https://homeowners.retrofitwest.co.uk/events/

Autism Independence is running a series of Transition to Adulthood coffee mornings designed for families of young people with additional needs. Each coffee morning focuses on a different theme, including:
• Supporting Children with Autism Through Puberty
• Placements and Opportunities After 16
• Wellness and Self-Care for Families
• Support for Single Parents
• Raising SEND Teens

See the flyer for details:

Wishing you a lovely weekend.

With best wishes,

Mel Sweet, Headteacher