Update from Mr Wilding - Tuesday 13th February 2024
Posted 13th February 2024
Mr Wilding has sent an update to parents and carers regarding the upcoming INSET day, term dates, staffing, measles and vaping.
To all parents/carers
Good morning, from LCS.
It has been a busy half-term, with several sets of student reports issued and Parents' Evenings completed. Next half-term will be equally hectic, but I hope all students and staff can enjoy their well-deserved break next week.
We have a group of students and staff heading off to Berlin for a few days today, who I am sure will have a brilliant time.
A reminder that school is closed to students this Friday, 16th February, for staff INSET. This is then followed by the half-term holiday and students should return to school on Monday 26th February.
To help parents and carers with planning of holidays, our school website shows term dates for this academic year and for 2024-25. This information can be found under School > Important Dates > Term Dates
I have a few short updates for you today.
Staffing
Towards the end of the Autumn Term, I wrote to all parents and carers in response to concerns raised in the Parent/Carer survey, around levels of teacher absence and cover in some subjects.
Although this remains a challenge for us, I am delighted that we have been able to recruit new teachers to Maths this term and that we have also recently secured additional teaching staff in this subject area for September. We have also recently recruited successfully in Music and Languages and hope to have equal success with the remaining posts advertised before the end of this academic year.
I can assure all parents and carers that we are doing all we can to bring staff of the highest quality to LCS and I am very pleased with our recruitment so far.
Measles
You will be aware of the concern nationally around the rise of measles cases in young people and will have, hopefully, seen the various emails and social media posts from the school, related to this situation.
We continue to encourage all parents and carers to consult with your GP or contact NHS 101 for advice on immunisation, as measles is a highly contagious illness which can cause serious problems for some people.
Further advice on Measles can be found on the NHS website, at the address below:
Vaping
Issues related to vape and vaping remain a concern for all schools nationally, as recent data suggests that three times as many young people across the UK are vaping than was the case three years ago.
As in all schools, vape and vaping continues to be an issue for us at LCS and I have this morning spoken to all students in Assembly, to remind them of the dangers and risks associated with vaping and the school rules related to students found with vape in school, or while wearing school uniform.
Whilst I can assure all parents and carers that large numbers of students are not vaping at LCS and that we have the issue under control, it is fair to say that a small number of students are continuing to bring vape into school, despite the risks associated with this. We will continue to offer support to any young person struggling with addiction linked to vape and vaping, but we will also be maintaining our firm stance on the issue, as vapes should not be sold or used by young people under the age of 18.
I have asked all students this morning to remain aware of this issue and to report any concerns they have, if they see students vaping in school. I have also warned all students not to try vapes if offered to them and not to 'look after' vapes given to them by other students.
I have spoken to Police this week about the potential of vapes containing chemicals such as THC being in circulation, and have asked all students to be aware of this, also. I am hoping to speak further to our Safer Neighbourhood Team later this week, to share my concerns and request their support in making sure these substances stay out of our school.
I would, once again, ask any parents/carers knowing of local shops selling vapes to our students to report this to Police and to Trading Standards. I would also respectfully ask all parents and carers to discuss this matter with your child(ren), as, with the consistently high numbers of young people now vaping across the country, we must not be complacent and think that our children and our students are not involved.
Thank you all for your continued support of our school, our students and our staff.
Keep safe.
J. Wilding
Headteacher