The new term has started during a mini-heatwave. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like the glorious weather is going to extend into the bank holiday weekend.

Despite the very hot weather, the students have returned after the Easter break with a positive attitude and have hit the ground running in what is an unusually short term. I have been impressed with the calm and productive atmosphere in our classrooms and the way the students have been engaging with their learning.

Many of our Year 11s have been taking part in their Spanish orals this week. It has been pleasing to see the way they have risen to this challenge and ensured that they deliver their very best.

The exam season really kicks off next Thursday with the first written paper and then the exams keep coming thick and fast until the half-term break. I know you will want to join me in wishing all our Year 11 students the best of luck throughout the GCSE season.

You will know that I take a keen interest in our students’ attendance and take every opportunity I can to promote the importance of great attendance. I am extremely pleased that this week’s attendance has been much nearer the 96% we want to see. There is still a way to go, but I am grateful for your support in ensuring your child attends every school day they can. Let’s see if next week can be even better!

This week saw the parent evening for our Year 7s. It was fabulous to see so many parents and their children in school discussing progress to date. Having spoken to a number of parents, it was great to hear so much positive feedback on the start their children have made at Severn Vale.  

During the first week of the Easter holidays, forty-five Year 10 and 11 students and five members of staff travelled to Berlin and Kraków to visit some key sites linked to their GCSE studies. A walking tour of Berlin saw the group visit places like the Reichstag building, the Brandenburg Gate, as well as memorials to the Murdered Members of the Reichstag, the Roma and Sinti of Europe, and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe.

Following their journey from Berlin to Kraków, the group spent the day at Auschwitz-Birkenau, a very powerful experience for all. On their final day, the group were fortunate to meet with a Holocaust survivor, Anna Janowska Cioncka, and listened to her incredible story. All the teachers on the trip were hugely impressed again and again with the kindness, respect and friendship shown by the students over what was an incredible 5 days.

This week a group of our students from Afghanistan put on a culinary treat after school. This saw them cooking a range of traditional meals that staff were able to enjoy. It was an absolute delight to see the boys not only taking real pride in cooking a range of really tasty meals but also in sharing an element of their culture. This will also be used to generate evidence for the “skill” element of their DofE portfolio.

I always like to be able to share the many achievements and successes of our students. This week there are two to share. Firstly, I was delighted to hear that Christopher Blythe in Year 11 has been named as one of the two High Sheriff's Police Cadets for 2025. This will see him carry out a range of functions supporting the High Sheriff during her year in office. Many congratulations Chris.

The second good news story concerns Year 8 student Brooke Ridgely. Brooke is a member of the Forest Green Rover Ambassador programme. This is a role she carries out with great dedication and passion. It was brilliant to hear that she has been awarded the FGR Secondary School Ambassador of the Year Award. Congratulations Brooke.

As an ambassador school for Forest Green Rovers, we have been asked to support their research into their free youth provisions. They are keen to ensure they are meeting the needs and wants for our young people and the community. They would welcome feedback by using the following link.

As always, I include my weekly reminder about Free School Meals eligibility. If your financial circumstances have changed, your child may be eligible for Free School Meals. If you click on this link you will find guidance on the eligibility criteria and the application process. It's a quick process and we are notified of all FSM entitlements by Gloucestershire County Council each Monday. I would urge you to take a look if you think you may benefit from financial assistance.   

It is a Bank Holiday on Monday so we will see the students again next Tuesday. I hope you and your family enjoy the long weekend.

Kind regards,  

Richard Johnson 
Headteacher