SchoolYear 9
Welcome to Year 9
The Head of Year is Mr Wright. He is supported by a strong team of form tutors.
Mr N Hill – 9NHI
Miss I Rhody – 9NHI
Mr H Clayton – 9HCL
Mrs L McGee – 9LPE
Miss A Parkin – 9GMI
Mr D Brookes – 9DBR
Mr S Howells – 9SHO
Miss L Cotham – 9LCO
Mrs G Mitchell – 9GMI
Miss L Peralta – 9LPE
The team can be emailed at any time to answer relevant queries or questions. Subject queries should be addressed to the subject teachers (see Curriculum for Heads of Department). For any other queries please see the full list of staff emails.
Key Academic Focus
In Year 9 the important process of choosing GCSE options and alternative pathways begins.
During Terms 1, 2 and 3, students discuss the most suitable choices for them with their tutors, subject teachers and Heads of Department. They are also supported in their decision making through a series of presentations, group discussions and interviews. The Careers Advisor, Mrs Knowles gives a presentation on the importance of subject choices on career opportunities and is available to discuss choices on an individual basis.
The main options process starts early in the New Year with a Year 9 Options and Parents’ Evening in February. Parents and guardians are encouraged to take an active part in the process.
By March students are able to make informed choices which are matched to their needs, abilities and skills and the selections made are timetabled to ensure the combination of choices can be met.
Qualifications gained at the end of Key Stage 4 are an essential springboard for students’ development as they play a large part in shaping future educational and career opportunities.
Burford Plus – Extended Day Care
From Monday to Thursday we offer an extended day, until 8.00pm. This is to accommodate the needs of busy parents who may, due to work commitments etc, not always be on hand at the end of the normal school day.
Burford Plus offers students the opportunity to join the boarders and make use of the facilities within the Boarding Department. Tea and supervised homework are included together with the opportunity to take part in a range of evening activities organised by the boarding staff.
Attendance
In line with government directives students are not permitted to take holidays during term time. Only in exceptional circumstances is the Headteacher able to sanction time off and adherence to this is essential for students to achieve successful learning outcomes.
Key Dates
- Year 19 Return to School: Wednesday 5 September 2018
- Review 1 – November 2018
- Charter Day: Friday 16 November 2018 (Half day holiday)
- Holiday: Friday 23 November 2018
- Review 2: January 2019
- D & T Parents’ Forum: Thursday 7 February 2019
- Pastoral Forum: tbc
- Options and Parents’ Evening: Thursday 7 March 2019
- GCSE Initial Choices Forms to Form Tutors: tbc
- GCSE Final Choices Forms available: tbc
- GCSE Final Choices Forms due in: tbc
- Holiday: Friday 21 June 2019
- Lower School Prize Giving: Thursday 27 June 2019
- Year 9 Internal Exams – Monday 1 – Friday 5 July 2019
- Review 3: July 2018
Year charity
Each year students choose a charity to support throughout the year. Students raise money for their chosen charity, raising awareness of the charity’s aims and projects in assemblies and through presentations.
