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I would like to take this opportunity to inform you of some of the changes taking place over the next few months, as well as some wider developments within the school. You will no doubt be aware of these in part.
Perins has a great tradition of pastoral care and we pride ourselves in treating every child as an individual as well as part of the Perins family. As the school has developed and grown, many of the structures supporting the students have remained constant and we now feel that, in order to accommodate the needs of our students and families fully, we should review our practices.
Student Services / Heads of House
The existing model for student support is that of a Guidance Team, each member linked to a specific year group. This team currently picks up issues regarding student attendance, behaviour, pastoral welfare and day to day issues. Individual members of the team also provide specialist support such as mentoring, transition work and liaising with external agencies.
We will now move to using our House system to deliver day to day pastoral care, including sanctions and rewards. There will be a Head of House and a Deputy Head of House and, obviously, students will benefit from the continuity of contact as they remain within the same House throughout their time at school. In order to increase the pastoral capacity, we have introduced a fourth House which will be purple. Students have been assigned to these Houses and have been introduced to the key staff.
From September, the students will also have a separate reception from parents and visitors, with a dedicated receptionist, as part of our new Student Services area. Members of our current Guidance Team will continue to provide their specialist support and to be a first point of contact. The Heads and Deputy Heads of House will also be housed there, together with Assistant Head teacher, Mr Western.
The new House system will be a major focus within the school and I relish the opportunities for competition, charitable work and the pride and ownership across the school which it offers. I am sure that you will see the major benefits that this system brings once we are fully up and running.
Uniform
The introduction of a fourth house brought with it a few logistical issues. The first of these were our school ties. In sourcing a 'purple house' tie, we happened upon a different design which was universally favoured by students, staff and governors (as well as any parents that I managed to share the possibilities with). After debate and discussion, the Governing Body agreed that we should consider a re-launch of the uniform. This would not only allow greater consistency, but would also alleviate some historical concerns.
We have therefore decided that all students will adopt the new tie design from September 2016.
Current years 7-10 (moving to years 8-11 in September) will be part of a 'tie swap' system where we will trade their current tie for a new design at no cost to the family. Details of this will be made known closer to the time.
You will also be aware that our current uniform guidelines have different colours for male and female students (being black and navy respectively). We have therefore decided that from September we will adopt a universal uniform. We have taken into account the sourcing of uniform, the discrepancy of shades and the costs attached, and for these reasons we have decided on black blazers, trousers and skirts, with black shoes for all.
I understand that this would present an additional cost to families if this were to be implemented with immediate effect. Therefore, for current students in years 7-10, the uniform that they currently have will be permitted within school. For the next academic year, I would ask that when items of uniform are replaced through wear and tear or through growth, that these are replaced within the new guidelines.
The extended time allowance for full implementation for current students is September 2017, to allow time for full replacement through natural means. New students to the school (year 7 2016-17 and 'in year' new starters) will adopt the new uniform with immediate effect.
Accompanying the new uniform code and house system, will be a new badge and logo to reflect the fourth house. Again, for current students there will be no requirement to purchase a new badge, any replacements will be from the new stock. The new logo is featured below:
The Latin phrase In Omnia Excellentia (Excellence in Everything) will replace 'A Community Sports College' as we feel this better reflects our school. Whilst we undoubtedly have great strengths in Sports, we are also excelling in other areas. Our aspirations are to develop young people that have strengths across a range of subjects and extra-curricular aspects.
Safeguarding students
Since my arrival at Perins, I have spent every given opportunity observing all aspects of the school day in order to address any areas in need of improvement.
My main priority is to ensure that all students within my care will be safe during the school day at all times. Through talking to students, staff and parents, concerns have been raised regarding the school being an open site as this poses a higher risk to security and safety of students. As well as keeping our students and staff safe, we are responsible for the safety of the users of Patchwork Day Nursery and Pre School, Evolution Health and Fitness and the Facility Hire programme at Perins School.
Therefore, a comprehensive site security review was completed factoring in the needs of all parties that visit the school. The decision has been made to erect fencing and gates in strategic areas of the school site to create an inner perimeter of the campus to ensure that when students, staff and visitors are on site they are safe at all times.
In 2009, a footpath was created running through the playing fields to allow access for students, staff and visitors from Bridge Road. Over the years this route has become popular with dog walkers and members of the public walking through campus during the school day which has raised safety concerns.
Therefore, the decision has been made that the entrance at the end of the playing fields accessible from Bridge Road will be closed. Pedestrian access to the school and town centre from Bridge Road and surrounding streets will be available along The Avenue running parallel to the school. By closing this entrance it prevents any trespassers accessing the site during the day and out of hours and ensures complete safety of our students at all times.
Throughout this process it has been at the forefront of our minds that Perins is a unique school with a mixture of old and new buildings, and we do not want the perimeter plan to tarnish the history of the school. The fencing and gates will stay within brand guidelines and coordinate with other colours already seen across campus. To work alongside the perimeter plan, a bespoke signage proposal has been created to assist users on arrival to the school and to make it clear which visitors can enter the site inside and outside of the school day.
I must stress that the sole purpose of the perimeter plan is to ensure the safety of our students at all times. Perins is committed to provide a rounded and rich educational experience for all students with the belief that everyone is entitled to high levels of individual achievement, care and support in a safe environment.
Parents focus group
Finally w
e would like to set up a Parents Focus group - a group of parents and carers who are willing to meet and discuss a range of school related issues. The aim is to work in partnership with, and build on, our relationships with you, providing a way for us to listen to your ideas and understand your views that may help to contribute to school decision making.
The Parents Focus group will offer an opportunity to become more involved with current and future developments. If you are interested, please email my PA, Rachel Abbott (
rabbott@perins.hants.sch.uk
) so that we can gather interest to set up the inaugural meeting.
I hope that you will see the major benefits that these changes bring to the school and I am confident that as we continue with our developments, we will ensure that all students flourish within an environment that is safe and provides adequate challenge to prepare them for exciting futures.
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