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Littleover Community School

News Archive

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Musical Instrument Tuition at LCS

Posted 8th September 2022

Musical Instrument Tuition at LCS

Parents and Carers can now apply online for a place for their child on the Instrumental Tuition programme at LCS.

We have a thriving music department within the Creative Arts Faculty at LCS. A key part of this is the Instrumental Tuition Programme.

This takes place outside of curriculum time with specialist teachers accredited by the Derbyshire Music Partnership or Baby People. LCS takes the safeguarding of students very seriously and only works with external agencies and individuals who can provide evidence of a full, enhanced DBS check and regular safeguarding training.

We have lessons available on Keyboard/piano, guitars (electric, acoustic and bass), singing, drum kit, brass (trumpet, trombone, euphonium, French horn), Strings (violin, viola, cello), and Woodwind (flute, clarinet, saxophone).

The lessons cost approximately £10 per 20 minute lesson, per week. These are invoiced termly directly by the instrumental teacher, but there are subsidies for Pupil Premium/Free School Meals and Special Needs to reduce the cost. There maybe the possibility on some instruments (not piano/keyboard) of a shared lesson.

If you wish for your child to be placed on the list for lessons, please fill in the form located at Parents & Carers > School Trips and Activities > Music - Instrumental Lessons

Job Vacancy: Caretaker/Site Operative

Posted 7th September 2022

Job Vacancy: Caretaker/Site Operative

LCS has a vacancy for the position of: Caretaker/Site Operative.

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

Update from Mr. Wilding - 2nd September 2022

Posted 2nd September 2022

Mr Wilding has sent a start-of-year update to parents and carers.

To all parents and carers, 

Good afternoon, from LCS. 

I wanted to contact all parents and carers today, ahead of the start of the new school year. 

Term begins on Monday 5th September at 8-40am for all Year Groups and we are looking forward to seeing all our students again after the summer holiday. 

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all new parents and carers of students in our new Year 7 and those in our new Year 12 cohort who are joining us from other schools. I hope all students joining us for the first time on Monday enjoy their experiences at LCS over the next few years. 

I would also like to thank all parents and carers for their support of the school over the last 12 months. The challenges LCS has faced, along with all other schools, are well documented and I will not take time to go over these again. The support of all our parents, carers and the wider school community has been most welcome over the last year and has helped our students to achieve the progress and success they have. 

You will have seen from local press and our website that we were extremely pleased with the exam results our students achieved this summer, both at GCSE and A level. Full summary tables of results will be published on our website soon, but I will mention some of the headlines now, for those of you who are not aware. 

At A Level, our results were very similar to those achieved by students in 2019, which were the record results for us at that time.  The number of students achieving A*-A grades at LCS Sixth Form were above the levels achieved by similar schools nationally and well above regional trends.  The vast majority of our students have, consequently, gained places at their first choice University or Apprenticeship placements. 

The GCSE results achieved by our Year 11 students this year are also some of our best results ever at LCS. The pass rate for all courses was 100% and, as with our A Level students, the vast majority of students taking GCSE exams this year have been able to move on to their chosen first-choice post-16 placements. 

Many students achieved outstanding individual results; far too many to mention all of them. One student, in particular, Joe Goodchild, in achieving 11 A* grades, was one of less than 200 students across England to do so. 

The vast majority of our GCSE students achieved their individual targets and overall results reflected their excellent performance against students in similar schools, both locally and nationally.  These successes would not have been possible without the commitment of all our students and staff, as well as the support of parents and carers. 

As I do at the start of every year, I am again asking for the support of parents and carers as we look ahead to the new academic year.  I would ask all parents and carers to familiarise themselves with key school policies, which are available on our website.  I would particularly ask for support with our Behaviour Policy, to help us keep issues to a minimum. 

Many of our more significant issues with students in school remain linked to students’ use of social media. I would, once again, ask parents to support our stance on students not bringing mobile phones to school and would ask you all to be aware of your child’s social media use.

I would also draw parents and carers’ attention to the ongoing issue of students’ use of vape, which I mentioned several times in my email updates last year. All students will be reminded of our rules on use and possession of vape at the start of term and I would appreciate your continued support and vigilance in relation to this issue. 

The first day of term on Monday will inevitably lead to increased traffic on the roads around school and I would ask parents and carers to leave enough time for your journey, so students are not late on their first day. I would also ask all parents and carers bringing children to school by car to respect our local residents when dropping and picking students up and to act safely and responsibly when close to the school gates. 

I plan to send regular updates to parents and carers this year, at least weekly, to keep everyone in touch with developments. Please also check our school website and social media pages for regular updates on school events. 

I hope you have all had a safe and restful summer and I look forward to working with you all again over the next year. 

Thank you. Keep safe.

J Wilding
Headteacher

GCSE Results

Posted 25th August 2022

We are delighted with the GCSE results our Year 11 students have achieved this year.

The achievement of our students is a reflection of their outstanding commitment and resilience, as well as the support they have received from school staff, parents and carers over what has been an extremely challenging last two years.

  • 292 Year 11 students sat GCSE exams this year
  • The pass rate was 100%.
  • 57% of students achieved grade 4 or above in the range of subjects which make up the Ebacc.
  • 62% of students achieved grades 9-5 in English and Maths.
  • 40% of students achieved 3 or more grades at 7-9.
  • 34% of all grades were grade 7 or above.
  • 52% of all grades were grade 6 or above.

We hope students can go on to secure their first-choice post-16 placement and we wish them well in their future careers.

Student Receives GCSE Results Students Receive GCSE Results

A-Level Results

Posted 19th August 2022

A-Level Results

We are delighted with the results achieved by our Year 13 students this year. Results achieved this year are particularly impressive, given the exceptional circumstances and challenges students have faced over the last two years.

174 students completed A Level exams in Year 13 this year.

  • 34% of results achieved by LCS students were grades A*-A.
  • 62% were grades B or above.
  • Over 50% of students achieved at least one A*/A grade.
  • Over 80% of students achieved at least one A*-B grade.
  • 43% of students achieved 3 or more grades A*-B.
  • 11 students achieved straight A*s (3 or 4 A*s).
  • 4 students achieved 4 A* grades.

The vast majority of students have gained the results needed for their first choice Higher Education option and staff have been working with students this morning who needed support in securing placements.

I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to all our students, staff, parents and carers for their collective efforts over the last two years. Year 13 students completing their A Level studies this year did not sit GCSE exams, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which makes their achievements even more impressive. 

We wish all our students the best of luck in their future lives and careers.

J. Wilding
Headteacher

Job Vacancy: Cleaner (AM)

Posted 21st July 2022

Job Vacancy: Cleaner (AM)

LCS has a vacancy for the position of: Cleaner (AM).

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

Update from Mr. Wilding - 20th July 2022

Posted 20th July 2022

Mr Wilding has sent an end-of-year update to parents and carers.

To all parents and carers, 

Greetings, from LCS. 

In my last scheduled email update of the school year, I would like to thank all students, parents, carers and the wider school community for their continued support through what has been another extremely challenging time. We have continued to make positive progress as a school and our students have been magnificent throughout, both in their work ethic and support of each other on a personal level. Although we are looking forward to our much needed holiday, we are also excited for the new school year and the opportunities this will bring. 

Safety over the summer holiday 

Ms Jenkins has spoken to students in Assemblies this week about ways to keep safe over the summer holiday. The links to our school website, below, include information on general safety issues, such as safety around water, buildings and railways, as well as information on how to report concerns over the summer holiday. 

The link, below, is to a new resource for parents/carers around issues of on-line safety and includes useful information on how to keep your children safe on-line, on social media and while gaming. 

Support for young people and parents around mental health is available through Young Minds, through the link, below.

We hope all our students and families enjoy a safe holiday over the next 6 weeks. 

Derby City Council summer events and support for families 

Derby City Council are running a full programme of events for families over the summer holiday. The Household Support Fund and Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programmes are also available to offer support to families during school closure, over the summer break.

Details of all these programmes can be found on the Derby City Council website at the link, below: 

Support for families is also available through the DfE’s national programmes, details of which can be found at the link, below: 

Vote for Derby! 

Derby is bidding to be the new home of Great British Railways (GBR). If you are interested in this campaign and would like to vote for Derby to secure this bid, details are available on the Destination Derby website, a link to which is below: 

Mrs Bunting 

After 26 years of loyal service to the school, Mrs Bunting is retiring from her role as Senior Deputy Headteacher this week. 

Mrs Bunting has been one of the most consistent factors in the success of the school in the last two decades and has worked tirelessly to ensure all students have been provided with the best possible education. Originally appointed as Head of Maths, Mrs Bunting has held several posts in the school, most recently as Senior Deputy Headteacher, since January 2020. The work Mrs Bunting has done over the last 2 years, in particular, during the Covid-19 pandemic, has ensured that students have continued to access lessons through the development of our remote learning programme. 

Mrs Bunting will be greatly missed by students and staff alike and we wish her well for a long and well deserved retirement. 

Our best wishes also go to Mr Grant from our Learning Support Team, who will be leaving us this week. We thank Mr Grant for his work with our students and wish him well for the future. 

Start of new term 

After the need for staggered starts in the last two school years, due to Covid-19 testing, we are looking forward to welcoming all students to the start of the new school term, on Monday 5th September. 

Students in all Year Groups begin the new term on 5th September and should arrive for school for the usual start time of 8-40am. School timings will remain the same next year, with school continuing to finish at 3pm. 

I would respectfully remind all parents/carers that absence during term-time, other than through illness, will not be authorised, unless there are clear exceptional circumstances. 
Our term times for next year are published in advance and can be accessed at the link, below: 

All that remains is for me to wish all our students, staff, parents, carers and wider school community a very happy and safe holiday and I look forward to welcoming all students back to school for the start of the new year, on September 5th. 

Best wishes. Keep safe.

J Wilding
Headteacher

Remote Learning on Tuesday 19th July due to Extreme Hot Weather

Posted 18th July 2022

Remote Learning on Tuesday 19th July due to Extreme Hot Weather

Due to the extreme heat posing a health and safety risk, lessons will be held remotely via Microsoft Teams on Tuesday 19th July, with special arrangements in school for vulnerable students.

Good afternoon from LCS.

Despite our best efforts and the measures we have put in place for students and staff, temperatures across the school building have been steadily rising as the day has gone on and have reached the point where I feel there may be a genuine risk to the health and safety of staff and students.

With higher temperatures forecast for tomorrow, I have regretfully made the decision to move students onto remote learning.

An early finish to school is not an option tomorrow, as temperatures are forecast to reach 36 degrees by midday and sending students home at that point would present more of a risk to health.

School will remain open for vulnerable students and we will send a further message later this afternoon with instructions for parents/carers of these students. We will also inform parents/carers of students eligible for Free School Meals how we will be providing for these students tomorrow.

I would be grateful if parents/carers can remind their child(ren) to check school emails this evening, for instructions from teachers.

Lessons will begin via Teams from Period 2 tomorrow (10am) and students will follow their usual timetables and lesson timings for Periods 2 - 5. Lessons will be set up in each 'Team', as we have done in the past during school closure.

Students attending school tomorrow should report to Reception by 9am, for registration.

I have not taken this decision lightly and I apologise for the inconvenience I know it will cause for some families. I can assure you that the safety of your children is and always will be my number one priority.

School will be open on Wednesday, as normal, to all students, and term will finish as planned at 1-45pm on Friday.

Thank you for your continued support.

J Wilding
Headteacher

Update Regarding Hot Weather: Monday 18th July

Posted 18th July 2022

Update Regarding Hot Weather: Monday 18th July

Special arrangements are in place today (Monday 18th July) due to the extreme temperatures. School will finish at 2:45pm give students additional time to get home safely.

Good morning, from LCS.

As previously announced, students have the option of wearing PE kit or school uniform today.

We will be opening the Main Hall, G Block and Sports Hall for students to use at break and lunchtime, if they wish to.

To allow students additional time to leave the site safely this afternoon, we will finish school at the slightly earlier time of 2:45pm. Students are advised to go straight home at the end of the school day and not to spend time around local shops or parks.

The school bus will leave at the usual time and students needing to use the bus will be supervised until it arrives.

We will monitor the situation during this morning and make a decision later today on whether our plans for tomorrow will need to change.

Please check your emails later today for any updates.

Thank you.

J Wilding
Headteacher

Hot Weather: 18th-19th July

Posted 15th July 2022

Hot Weather: 18th-19th July

Special arrangements have been put in place in advance of the extreme hot weather forecast on Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th July.

Good morning, from LCS.

With weather warnings being issued for unusually high temperatures on Monday and Tuesday of next week, we will be making some adaptions to our school rules, in order to help students and staff keep safe.

On Monday and Tuesday of next week, students will be permitted to wear their PE kit during the school day, if they wish to, instead of their normal school uniform. Neither day is a non-uniform day, so the option is PE kit, or school uniform, only.

We will be opening indoor areas for students at break and lunch time and we plan to have facility for additional drinking water around school site.

School meals will be available on both days, but there may need to be an adaption to our usual menu, given the likely high temperatures our kitchen staff will be working in.

We continue to advise students to bring additional drinking water to school during this period of warm weather and particularly on Monday and Tuesday of next week. Sun cream and suitable sun hats are also advised.

Forecasts are for the highest temperatures on Monday and Tuesday to be after the school day, from 4pm onwards, but it will still be very warm in school and we will make suitable adaptions and precautions under the circumstances.

After-school clubs ran by the Learning Support department on Tuesday 19th July have been cancelled.

Current forecasts are for temperatures to return to seasonal norm from next Wednesday onwards, so students will be expected to be back in normal school uniform from next Wednesday.

If this changes, we will issue another update.

Thank you for your support.

J Wilding
Headteacher

Non-uniform Day - Friday 15th July

Posted 13th July 2022

Non-uniform Day - Friday 15th July

Friday 15th July will be a non-uniform day for students, to mark the end of our Year 11 Charity Week. All donations from the week, including the non-uniform day, will be split between Cancer Research and our Sixth Form Uganda project.

Suggested donation is £1, but please feel free to donate what you can.

Thank you for your support.

The Year 11 Charity Week Team

Front of School Mural Update

Posted 8th July 2022

Front of School Mural Update

The official opening of the 'Front of School Mural' has been postponed due to illness.

As two of the creative team involved have contracted Covid, we are having to postpone the opening of the 'Front of School Mural'.

Visitors to the Art Exhibition on Tuesday 12th July will still be able to clearly see the quality of the resolved mural. We look forward to seeing you there! 

LCS Creative Arts Dept

 

Front of School Mural Update

Posted 8th July 2022

Front of School Mural Update

The new front of school mural is scheduled to be revealed during the Art Exhibition on Tuesday 12th July at 4:30pm.

We are currently liaising with SHED as they do the finishing touches to the final design for the ‘Front of School Mural’.  

It is an exciting image that encapsulates the Aims of the school and takes on board the feedback from the school community.

The team will be in this weekend to do the majority of the painting and we are planning to have the official opening (the reveal) during the Art Exhibition next week, Tuesday 12th July at 4:30pm. Please join us as we celebrate this achievement and to mark this creative journey. You will have an opportunity to meet the SHED team and to chat with one of the artists about the mural.  

Results Days 2022

Posted 6th July 2022

Results Days 2022

LCS Exam results days are now finalised.

  • A-level results are available in S5 from 8:00am on 18th August
  • AS-level results are available in S5 from 10:30am on 18th August
  • GCSE/BTEC/Cambridge National Results are available in the Main Hall from 9:00am on 25th August

You can find out more information, including when results are made available online and post results services under Exams > Exam Information.

Job Vacancy: Kitchen Assistant

Posted 4th July 2022

Job Vacancy: Kitchen Assistant

LCS has a vacancy for the position of: Kitchen Assistant.

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

Update from Mr. Wilding - 1st July 2022

Posted 1st July 2022

Mr Wilding has sent an update to parents and carers regarding a PCC survey, careers events and site lockdown drills.

Good morning, from LCS.

There are a few items in my update today.

PCC survey

We have been asked to share the information below, with all parents and carers.

Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Angelique Foster, has launched a county-wide survey to help her strengthen the policing services local people receive.

As part of her commitment to improving frontline policing and ensuring Derbyshire Constabulary delivers a top-quality service to the public, the Police and Crime Commissioner is inviting residents to share their views about their community safety.

To read more and to complete the survey please visit:

www.derbyshire-pcc.gov.uk/news/latest-news-police-and-crime-commissioner-invites-the-public-to-share-their-views-on-crime-and-safety/

Careers events

Parents/carers of students in Years 9 and 10 have until 4pm this evening (1st July) to book places at our careers information evening, on July 7th. An email has been sent to all Year 9 and 10 parents/carers containing the link needed to book your place.

This exciting new event will be delivered in partnership with Luminate Careers & the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, to help support the best next step for every child.

If you have any questions about this event, please get in touch with our Careers team, by emailing careers.ed@littleover.derby.sch.uk

A final reminder, also, to parents/carers of students in Year 10 that the deadline for returning Work Experience forms is this afternoon (1st July) at 4pm.
The form can be found on our school website, at the link below:

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=5PRMbCY3qEGbo08mLMQigY-HkEOnNJRHgsc4rIuMiLxURTVMNE02MzFUVkoxRUZQOFg5TUE3UDlLUyQlQCN0PWcu

 

Site lockdown drill

As part of our safeguarding and site security protocols, we will be holding a lockdown drill next week, for all staff and students. The purpose of this is to test our newly installed site alert/sounder system.

As a large school and public building, there are numerous reasons why we may need to instigate a site lockdown, including where there was a chemical leak or fire in the local area, a potentially dangerous animal on site, or the unlikely event of an unidentified and potentially dangerous person on premises. These lockdown drills are standard procedure now in all schools and public buildings and are not an indication of any increased concerns we have over site security or safety.

All staff and students have been briefed on the protocol for the drill, which will take place at some point during the school day next week.

If your child discusses this with you at home, this is what we are doing and why we are doing it. If there is ever a genuine concern over site safety, parents and carers will be informed.

Thank you for your continued support.

Enjoy your weekend.

Keep safe. 

J Wilding
Headteacher

Derby Youth Mayor

Posted 24th June 2022

Derby Youth Mayor

The Derby Youth Mayor, LCS student Omar Aslam, can now be followed on Instagram via the account derbyyouthmayor.

To see the work being done by Omar, visit the Derby Youth Mayor Instagram page.

Job Vacancy: Teaching Assistant

Posted 23rd June 2022

Job Vacancy: Teaching Assistant

LCS has a vacancy for the position of: Teaching Assistant.

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

Update from Mr. Wilding - 21st June 2022

Posted 21st June 2022

Mr Wilding has sent an update to parents and carers regarding sports day and careers.

To all parents and carers, 

Good evening, from LCS.

We are currently enjoying the warm, sunny weather, although some students are starting to complain that it is too hot and they want it to rain; you can't win, can you?!

Sports Day

As I included in my last update, tomorrow afternoon will be our first school Sports Day since summer 2019 and we are very much looking forward to being able to hold this event again. Please remember to send your child(ren) with drinking water and sun cream, as all students will be outside during Sports Day, either as participants, or spectators. Students who suffer from hay fever should also make sure they have taken their appropriate medication. Students can bring appropriate sun hats, if they wish to.

Students may also want to bring a small amount of money to purchase refreshments, which will be sold by our Year 11 students, as part of their fund raising for Charity Week.

Careers update

We have some important events coming up as part of our Careers programme.

Year 10 students have until 1st July to secure a Work Experience placement for October, by following the instructions they have all received in lessons. We would be grateful if parents/carers of students in Year 10 could support their children to secure a placement. All information related to this is available on our website, at:

https://www.littleover.derby.sch.uk/resources/careers/#work-experience

On 28th June, we are holding a new event in school for students in Years 9-12. Our Careers Fair will be open to students in Year 10 during lesson time and to students in Year 9 and 12 during lunchtime and after school. Further details of this event have been emailed to parents and carers.

Finally, our 'Transitions: Get Ahead' event will be held on 7th July for Year 9 and 10 parents and carers. If you are a parent/carer of a student in Year 9 or Year 10, please look out for an email you will be sent soon, for more information and guidance on how to book places.

Thank you.

Keep safe. 

J Wilding
Headteacher

LCS Art Exhibition - Tuesday 12th July

Posted 21st June 2022

LCS Art Exhibition - Tuesday 12th July

The LCS Art Department will be hosting an Exhibition of student art work from 4:30pm-6:30pm on Tuesday 12th July.

We are pleased to inform you of the upcoming Art Exhibition. Both Year 11 GCSE and A Level work will be on display in the Main Hall at Littleover Community School.

The evening is a chance for students, parents, and staff to celebrate the achievements of these students who have undertaken the Art and Design course during a turbulent two years.

We will also be showcasing large scale creative puppet carnival sculptures produced during the Year 8 MADfest event.

MADFest - Friday 1st July

Posted 21st June 2022

MADFest - Friday 1st July

Year 8 students will be taking part in the Creative Arts Department MADFest on Friday 1st July.

MADfest is a creative and dynamic programme which provides Year 8 students with an exciting opportunity to experience an array of different Music, Art, and Drama (MAD) workshops outside the normal classroom experience. 

Students will be off timetable until lunchtime and will have an opportunity to attend workshops conducted by external artists, specialists, and entertainers as well as using the internal expertise of teachers within the school.

Update from Mr. Wilding - 15th June 2022

Posted 15th June 2022

Mr Wilding has sent an update to parents and carers regarding sanitary products, warm weather and hayfever.

To all parents and carers, 

Good afternoon from a very sunny LCS. There are just a couple of items in my update today.

'Ask for Sheila'

We have a large stock of sanitary items in school, which we can supply free to students.
These include:

  • Tampax tampons; Regular, Super and super plus.
  • Always sanitary pads, regular and night-time.
  • Lilets organic regular and night time pads.
  • ModiBodi period pants, extra small, small, medium, and large.

Students wanting any of these products can collect them from our Student Services Office and there are posters around school reminding students of this service.

If students are embarrassed about asking for these items from staff in our Student Support Office, they should ask to speak to 'Sheila', which will alert staff to their request.

Any parents/carers requiring further information about this should contact Anita McSkimming (Medical Officer) via the main school telephone number, or email address.

Warm weather and Hay Fever

The weather forecast is for warm weather, with sunny spells, over the next few days. Students should make sure they have drinking water with them in school, which should be brought in plastic bottles; glass bottles and cans are not allowed in school, for safety reasons.

We would also advise students to bring sun cream into school, for lunch and break times, or when outside during PE lessons.

We are currently planning to hold our Sports Day events on Wednesday 22nd June and if the weather is similar next week, students will need to be particularly careful to keep hydrated and avoid sun-burn.

We will be making additional drinking water available for students in school, but would encourage all students to be prepared for these warmer than average temperatures.

Hay Fever is a particular issue at present and we would remind students who suffer from this to take their appropriate medication before coming to school each day. If students have a more severe condition where medication is prescribed, rather than over the counter from a Pharmacy, this medication should be handed in to our Medical Officer in Student Services and not carried by the student during the school day. Students who use eye-drops can keep these with them, but nasal sprays/inhalers etc should also be kept with our Medical Officer.

Any questions parents/carers may have about medication at school, at any time, can be referred to Ms McSkimming.

Thank you for your continued support.

Keep safe. 

J Wilding
Headteacher

Update from Mr. Wilding - 8th June 2022

Posted 8th June 2022

Mr Wilding has sent an update to parents and carers regarding the school mural project, drama festival, work experience and requests for leave of absence from school.

To all parents and carers, 

I hope you are all well and suitably rested after your long bank holiday weekend. It has been a busy start to the final half-term of the school year and I have a few updates for you today, which I hope you will find interesting. 

School Mural 

We are currently consulting with Dr Rhiannon Jones and mural artists from SHED (Derby University) on a very exciting project, to produce a school mural outside our main Reception area. The large mural will be located at either side of the entrance to Reception and is based on the school aims of Learning, Caring and Succeeding.  

The seven-minute video clip (link below) briefly introduces student and staff insights into the school aims, details the conceptual ideas relating to the mural and introduces the artists involved in the final development of this unique composition. The video is also a request for your ideas and your input as it is so important that this is developed collaboratively and reflects the whole school community. 

On Friday 10th June, students and staff will have an opportunity to contribute their ideas relating to the imagery used for the mural, through sharing their experiences associated with the school aims, commenting on existing design ideas, or physically drawing their own visual concepts. The introductory video can be accessed via the link below and through students’ school email accounts: 

Drama Festival 

Students from across the school recently took part in an evening Drama Festival, where they presented and performed their own original drama pieces. There were some brilliant performances and, as with our recent Music Festivals, this event has been recorded for parents, carers and students to watch at home. Both this and the mural video are available on Stream, with the link to the Drama Festival attached, below: 

Year 10 Work Experience 

Parents and carers of students in Year 10 will be aware of our planned Work Experience week for students in October. Students have until July 1st to secure themselves placements, which would be for any 2 days during the week of 10th to 14th October 2022. All relevant information is being shared with students in lessons and is available for parents and carers on our school website, at the link below. If you are a parent/carer of a current Year 10 student, we would welcome your support in encouraging your child to secure a placement.  

Leave of absence from school 

We have recently received a number of requests for leave of absence for students during term time. To clarify the situation for all parents and carers, to authorise any absence during term-time, outside of student illness, parents/carers must request leave in writing to the Headteacher; full details of this process are available in our School Attendance Policy, shown on our website.

For leave to be authorised, the reasons for this need to be exceptional. There is no standard definition or list of exceptional circumstances, but parents/carers must provide clear evidence that the situation is out of their control and that they cannot travel at another time.

Although we understand and respect the cost of holidays is less during term time, this alone would not be classed as an exceptional circumstance. 

Summer Term ends on the afternoon of 22nd July and the dates of the next school year are published on our website. 

Thank you for your ongoing support of our school, students and staff. 

Keep safe. 

J Wilding
Headteacher

Job Vacancy: Kitchen Assistant

Posted 23rd May 2022

Job Vacancy: Kitchen Assistant

LCS has 3 vacancies for the position of: Kitchen Assistant.

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

Job Vacancy: Behaviour Support and Inclusion Mentor

Posted 20th May 2022

Job Vacancy: Behaviour Support and Inclusion Mentor

LCS has 2 vacancies for the position of: Behaviour Support and Inclusion Mentor.

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

Update from Mr. Wilding - 19th May 2022

Posted 19th May 2022

Mr Wilding has sent an update to parents and carers regarding face masks, work experience, summer clubs and activities, and cybercrime.

To all parents and carers, 

Good afternoon, from LCS. 

We are approaching the end of another busy half-term. School holidays are from Monday 30th May to Friday 3rd June and students return for the final half-term of the school year on Monday 6th June. 

I hope you all enjoy your long 4 day bank holiday weekend, when it comes. 

Face masks 

We continue to see a consistent, but low, number of students reported as being absent from school through Covid-19. As a result of the declining numbers of cases, we will change our guidance on face masks from next Monday, 23rd May, as outlined in my previous update. 

From Monday 23rd May, students wishing to continue wearing a face mask in school must have an exemption card, which can be applied for by parents/carers through our Medical Officer. Students without exemption cards will be asked to remove face masks in school, from this date. We do not plan any further changes to our face mask guidance until the start of the new academic year in September, but this will be dependent on continuing low levels of Covid-19 cases in school. 

Work Experience

Students in Year 10 have today been provided with information about their Work Experience programme, by Mrs Oversby. Information regarding Work Experience is available on our website from today and letters/emails will be sent to all Year 10 parents/carers. 

The deadline for students to find placements and forms to be returned is July 1st and students will take part in Work Experience during the first half of Autumn Term 2022, in October.

For parents/carers with older children who have been through our Work Experience programme at LCS in the past, our plans for 2022/23 have been scaled down, due to the decline in availability of student placements. I would ask all Year 10 parents/carers to read the information on our plans for the forthcoming year and to encourage students to find placements ahead of the 1st July deadline.

https://www.littleover.derby.sch.uk/resources/careers/#work-experience

Our Careers team are hoping to run a Careers Fair for parents/carers towards the end of June and further details of this will be sent to parents/carers when they are available. 

Summer Term clubs update

We are currently updating our list of available clubs and extra-curricular activities, for students to access in the remaining weeks of this term. I would encourage students to continue attending these activities and for students who have yet to be involved to try and attend at least one before the summer holiday.

Lists of clubs and activities can be found below: 

Student Clubs and Activities - Summer 2022

Cybercrime webinar 

Derbyshire Police Cyber Protect and Fraud Protect Officers are running a free webinar on Wednesday 25th May at 13.30hrs to warn the public of cybercrime, fraud and scams - and how you can protect yourself. 

Session will cover : 

  • Device safety/protection
  • Password guidance and account security 
  • Protecting your personal information 
  • Using social media safely 
  • Social Engineering and phishing emails/texts 
  • Telephone and Letterbox Scams 
  • Romance Fraud 
  • Online shopping & Online banking safely 
  • Where to report 
  • Signposting to further sources of support and resources

The session is for anyone who uses email and the internet. It is a non-tech session, easy to follow, with guidance on how to protect yourself from fraud, and protect your online accounts. 

To reserve your place please book via Eventbrite: 
Cybercrime (online safety) and Fraud Awareness webinar Tickets, Wed 25 May 2022 at 13:30 | Eventbrite 

Thank you for your continued support of our school, students and staff. 

Keep safe. 

J Wilding
Headteacher

Update from Mr. Wilding - 12th May 2022

Posted 12th May 2022

Mr Wilding has sent an update to parents and carers regarding face masks, exams and revision information, and social media.

To all parents and carers, 

Good morning, from LCS. 

There are a few brief items I would like to update all parents and carers on today. 

Face masks 

As you know, national guidance on face masks changed some time ago, and wearing of face masks in schools is no longer recommended. We have continued to allow students to wear a face mask if they wished to, however, due to the genuine concern some students continue to have around Covid-19. 

As cases of Covid-19 in school are currently low and have not increased since the most recent changes to national guidance on 1st April, we feel it is now time to change our rules on face masks. 

From Monday 23rd May, students will only be able to wear a face mask in school if they have an Exemption Card, allowing them to do so. Previously issued Exemption Cards will still be valid and any parent/carer requesting an Exemption Card for their child(ren), with valid reason, can do so by contacting our Medical Officer, through our main school email address. From Monday 23rd May, students will be asked to remove face masks, unless they can show staff an Exemption Card. Students with Exemption Cards can continue to wear a face mask until the end of this term; this must be the style of mask which covers the face and mouth and attaches behind the ear. No other style of face mask is acceptable. 

Exams 

From next week, our Year 11 and Year 13 students will begin their main exam period, which will go right through to the end of June. Our Year 11 students will finish regular lessons tomorrow and Year 13 on Friday 20th May. 

There is an extensive programme of revision sessions being run by staff throughout the exam period, details of which, as well as other important information about exams, can be found on our website at: https://www.littleover.derby.sch.uk/exams.php#before_exams 

We would encourage students to attend as many of the revision sessions as possible, to help their exam preparation. 

I would like to wish good luck to all our students beginning their exams over the next two weeks and to thank them all for the way they have worked with us over the last few years, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. The resilience our students have shown over the last two years of the Covid-19 pandemic has been remarkable, as has their support of each other through these challenging times. They deserve great credit and I hope they will be rewarded with the exam grades they are hoping for and require, to move on to their chosen post-16 options. 

I would also like to take this opportunity to again thank all our parents and carers for your support of our students and the school in general. Your children have been an absolute credit to you. 

Social Media 

I apologise for once again needing to mention the issue of social media, but we have been dealing with further problems again in school this week. I would politely reiterate the request I made in my previous email update, that parents and carers monitor their child’s use of social media and that the age appropriate guidance for these sites is followed. 

As well as the issues I mentioned previously with students’ use of TikTok, we have had further problems brought into school through students’ use of Whatsapp this week and concerns have been expressed to us of the growing number of students accessing Omegle; if you are not aware of this site, please look into it before allowing your child(ren) to use it. 

Younger students in Y7 and Y8 continue to be our biggest concern with use of social media and most of these students remain below the age limit for use of these apps and sites. This is where we need your continued help and support as parents and carers, to keep our young people safe. 

Detailed information about these social media sites, as well as other issues around on-line safety, can be found at our website, at the link below: 
 https://www.littleover.derby.sch.uk/information.php#esafety 

Thank you for your continued support.

Keep safe. 

J Wilding
Headteacher

Update from Mr. Wilding - 12th May 2022

Posted 12th May 2022

Mr Wilding has sent an update to parents and carers regarding face masks, exams and revision information, and social media.

To all parents and carers, 

Good morning, from LCS. 

There are a few brief items I would like to update all parents and carers on today. 

Face masks 

As you know, national guidance on face masks changed some time ago, and wearing of face masks in schools is no longer recommended. We have continued to allow students to wear a face mask if they wished to, however, due to the genuine concern some students continue to have around Covid-19. 

As cases of Covid-19 in school are currently low and have not increased since the most recent changes to national guidance on 1st April, we feel it is now time to change our rules on face masks. 

From Monday 23rd May, students will only be able to wear a face mask in school if they have an Exemption Card, allowing them to do so. Previously issued Exemption Cards will still be valid and any parent/carer requesting an Exemption Card for their child(ren), with valid reason, can do so by contacting our Medical Officer, through our main school email address. From Monday 23rd May, students will be asked to remove face masks, unless they can show staff an Exemption Card. Students with Exemption Cards can continue to wear a face mask until the end of this term; this must be the style of mask which covers the face and mouth and attaches behind the ear. No other style of face mask is acceptable. 

Exams 

From next week, our Year 11 and Year 13 students will begin their main exam period, which will go right through to the end of June. Our Year 11 students will finish regular lessons tomorrow and Year 13 on Friday 20th May. 

There is an extensive programme of revision sessions being run by staff throughout the exam period, details of which, as well as other important information about exams, can be found on our website at: https://www.littleover.derby.sch.uk/exams.php#before_exams 

We would encourage students to attend as many of the revision sessions as possible, to help their exam preparation. 

I would like to wish good luck to all our students beginning their exams over the next two weeks and to thank them all for the way they have worked with us over the last few years, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. The resilience our students have shown over the last two years of the Covid-19 pandemic has been remarkable, as has their support of each other through these challenging times. They deserve great credit and I hope they will be rewarded with the exam grades they are hoping for and require, to move on to their chosen post-16 options. 

I would also like to take this opportunity to again thank all our parents and carers for your support of our students and the school in general. Your children have been an absolute credit to you. 

Social Media 

I apologise for once again needing to mention the issue of social media, but we have been dealing with further problems again in school this week. I would politely reiterate the request I made in my previous email update, that parents and carers monitor their child’s use of social media and that the age appropriate guidance for these sites is followed. 

As well as the issues I mentioned previously with students’ use of TikTok, we have had further problems brought into school through students’ use of Whatsapp this week and concerns have been expressed to us of the growing number of students accessing Omegle; if you are not aware of this site, please look into it before allowing your child(ren) to use it. 

Younger students in Y7 and Y8 continue to be our biggest concern with use of social media and most of these students remain below the age limit for use of these apps and sites. This is where we need your continued help and support as parents and carers, to keep our young people safe. 

Detailed information about these social media sites, as well as other issues around on-line safety, can be found at our website, at the link below: 
 https://www.littleover.derby.sch.uk/information.php#esafety 

Thank you for your continued support.

Keep safe. 

J Wilding
Headteacher

Job Vacancy: TA/HLTA (Maths)

Posted 10th May 2022

Job Vacancy: TA/HLTA (Maths)

LCS has a vacancy for the position of: Teaching Assistant/High Level Teaching Assistant (Maths).

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

Job Vacancy: Cleaner (AM)

Posted 9th May 2022

Job Vacancy: Cleaner (AM)

LCS has a vacancy for the position of: Cleaner (AM).

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

Brass Band

Posted 6th May 2022

Brass Band

The LCS music department is offering students the opportunity to learn to play the trumpet or trombone. Interested students should contact Mr Heywood or Mr Cartwright.

Brass Band Poster

Headline Image Credit: "Trumpet Macro" by Jamesongravity is marked with CC BY 2.0.

Year 6 Induction Information

Posted 5th May 2022

Parents of Year 6 students starting at LCS in September have been sent a letter containing information relating to the induction process.

We have made much of the information in the letter available online. Along with the details of the induction process for parents and carers, there are various videos and a virtual tour to help students familiarise themselves with the LCS Staff and school site.

You can find the information under Parents & Carers > Induction Process.

Update from Mr. Wilding - 3rd May 2022

Posted 3rd May 2022

Mr Wilding has sent an update to parents and carers regarding Covid-19, social media issues and the recent Lower School Music Festival..

To all parents and carers, 

Good afternoon from LCS.

I would like to wish Eid Mubarak to all our students, parents, carers and members of our school community who have been celebrating Eid over the last couple of days. I hope you have been able to spend time with family, without the Covid-19 restrictions which have prevented this over the last 2 years.

I have a few brief items in today’s update.

Covid-19

We are continuing to see Covid-19 cases amongst students in school, but case numbers have not been a concern so far this term. I would once again remind and respectfully request all parents and carers to follow the latest government guidance on managing Covid-19 in the community and not to send children into school if they have any Covid-19 symptoms. Schools can refuse to allow students to attend if they clearly have Covid-19 symptoms, but I hope we will not need to take this action.

We will be reviewing our rules on face masks for students within the next couple of weeks. When this happens, I will let you know in advance of any potential change.

Social Media issues

We have been made aware in the last week of accounts being set up on social media apps, particularly TikTok currently, where the name of the school or LCS logo is being used in the account name. These accounts are not official school accounts, as we do not use TikTok as a school. The accounts we are made aware of are often set up by younger students, who are often below the age limit to use these apps.

Our school Behaviour Policy is clear, that any student(s) setting up fake accounts using the school name or logo, or any student(s) using social media in a derogatory manner towards the school, school staff or other students, will face sanctions, which could include Suspension from school, or Permanent Exclusion in the most serious of cases.

Students are regularly reminded in school of our expectations and of the dangers of social media, in general, but we also need the support of parents and carers to keep these issues to a minimum. Please check age limits for all social media apps and if you are allowing your child to use these apps at any time, regardless of their age, please discuss acceptable use with them. It would also be helpful if parents and carers could monitor their child’s social media use, from time to time.

I would be grateful for your support in this matter, as it is a significant ongoing challenge for all schools. As a parent and/or carer, please do not assume your child is not involved in or witnessing unacceptable language and images on social media, as experience tells us that any student can encounter these issues, at any time.

Music Festival

Our Lower School Music Festival was held last Tuesday and the recording of the event is now available to stream at the link below. As with the Key Stage 4/5 event, students can access the stream through their school email account:

https://web.microsoftstream.com/video/76d01122-2411-4d14-b3b8-8a1c4a31404f

Huge congratulations go to Luyando Lambu and Hanna Abdul who won the Lower School Music Festival and to Joseph Law who gained a Commendation. In the Upper School event, Georgia Bullock was the winner and Alesha Deen was Commended.

Both events were a great success and showcased the huge musical talent we have in the school. We are hoping that future events will now be able to be held with larger audiences, so as many of you as possible can see how talented our students are.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support. If you have any questions or comments you would like to make about the school, at any time, please contact me via the school’s email address.

Keep safe.

J Wilding
Headteacher

Art Department Animation Workshops

Posted 3rd May 2022

Art Department Animation Workshops

Nathan Addai, an animation artist, will be running two days of workshops in art lessons on 3rd and 4th May.

Nathan Addai

We are excited to inform students that the Art Department have an animation artist running two days of workshops on Tuesday 3rd and Wednesday 4th May. Nathan Addai is a former animation student from Derby University who recently was commissioned by the BBC to create the 'Mental Roots' animation aimed at addressing inclusion, identity and mental health. He is keen for students to have a greater understanding of the pathways Art students can take to get into the Creative Industries, specifically the animation and Illustration sectors.

During these one-hour workshops, students will gain an understanding of the different types of animation and how they are used, the diverse animating roles and the pathways to becoming an animator. There will also be a small amount of time to try developing a miniflipbook  animation. 

Music Festival (Lower School)

Posted 28th April 2022

Music Festival (Lower School)

The recording of the LCS Lower School Music Festival from Tuesday 26th April is now available to LCS Students and Staff via Microsoft Stream.

Students/Staff will need to log in at www.microsoftstream.com with their school email address and password to view the video. The video is then available on the Microsoft Stream home page.

Alternatively, students should receive an email with a direct link by this evening (28th April).

Job Vacancy: ICT Technician

Posted 25th April 2022

Job Vacancy: ICT Technician

LCS has a vacancy for the position of: ICT Technician.

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

Update from Mr. Wilding - 25th April 2022

Posted 25th April 2022

Mr Wilding has sent an update to parents and carers.

To all parents and carers, 

Good morning, from LCS.

I hope you have all had a good holiday over the last two weeks. Staff are back in school today and we are looking forward to welcoming students tomorrow, for the start of Summer term.

As you will be aware, national guidance on management of Covid-19 changed on 1st April. This included guidance for schools on managing Covid-19 cases amongst students and staff.

Mass asymptomatic testing has now ended and schools will receive no further supplies of LFD test kits to distribute to students or staff. The kits we have in school, or unused test kits you may still have at home, should now only be used in the event of an outbreak, or emergence of a new Covid-19 variant.

Guidance for adults and children attending the workplace, including schools, can be summarised as follows:

  • Adults with the symptoms of a respiratory infection, and who have a high temperature or feel unwell, should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until they feel well enough to resume normal activities and they no longer have a high temperature.
  • Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people. They can go back to school, college or childcare when they no longer have a high temperature, and they are well enough to attend.
  • Children with mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, or mild cough, who are otherwise well, can continue to attend their education or childcare setting.
  • Adults with a positive COVID-19 test result should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days, which is when they are most infectious. For children and young people aged 18 and under, the advice will be 3 days.

For the health and safety of all students and staff in school, I would ask all parents and carers to continue exercising caution when sending children in to school. If your child has a high temperature, or if you believe they may have Covid-19, please do not send them into school for the advised 3 days, or longer if they continue to be unwell. If you child is confirmed as having Covid-19, they must not attend school for the advised 3 days, or longer if they continue to have a high temperature or feel unwell.

We will continue to encourage good hygiene routines in school and will continue to remind students to wash their hands, or use hand sanitiser, regularly during the day and particularly around meal times and when using toilets.
Students who wish to continue wearing a face covering in school can continue to do so for the time being. We will review this policy after a few weeks of the new term.

Information will be sent soon to students in Year 11 and Year 13 ahead of GCSE and A Level exams, including guidance for students who contract Covid-19 during the exam period.

Your ongoing support of our school is very much appreciated.

Thank you.

J Wilding
Headteacher

Job Vacancy: Cleaner (AM)

Posted 25th April 2022

Job Vacancy: Cleaner (AM)

LCS has a vacancy for the position of: Cleaner (AM).

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

Update from Mr. Wilding - 8th April 2022

Posted 8th April 2022

Mr Wilding has sent an update to parents and carers.

To all parents and carers, 

Good morning, from a very sunny LCS.

It is the last day of Spring Term and we are all looking forward to a well deserved holiday. I hope you find the information in my final update of the term useful. 

Music Festival

Earlier this week, we held our Upper School Music Festival, for students in Years 10-13. As usual, we were treated to some amazing performances from our mega-talented students, who were able to perform in front of an audience for the first time since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. The recording of the event is available now to stream, at the link below. Students can access this link using their school email account and password:

Our Lower School Music Festival, for students in Years 7-9, will be held on 26th April, and we are also hoping to record and stream this event in the same format.

Derby City Council Easter Promise

Derby City Council is again offering their Easter Promise programme this year, including events and food for children and families. A link to details of this event is below:

Safeguarding during school holidays

I hope all students and their families remain safe and well over the next 2 weeks.

In the event of an emergency safeguarding issue during the holiday, the link below to our school website includes information and advice on how to report issues during school closure. A reminder that students return to school on Tuesday 26th April, as 25th April is an INSET Day for staff.

Updated advice on Covid-19

The UKHSA has issued updated guidance for people with symptoms of a respiratory infection, including COVID-19, or a positive test result for COVID-19. I will update all parents and carers at the start of next term on any changes to our Covid-19 guidance in school.

Thank all for your continued support of the school.

Best wishes and keep safe.

J Wilding
Headteacher

Disruption to School Telephony - Thursday 21st April

Posted 8th April 2022

Due to maintenance works, there may be disruption to the school phone lines on Thursday 21st April.

If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of an LCS student during this time, please see the information on our Safeguarding Page.

Music Festival (Upper School)

Posted 7th April 2022

Music Festival (Upper School)

The recording of the LCS Upper School Music Festival from Tuesday 5th April is now available to LCS Students and Staff via Microsoft Stream.

Students/Staff will need to log in at www.microsoftstream.com with their school email address and password to view the video. The video is then available on the Microsoft Stream home page.

Alternatively, students should receive an email with a direct link by this evening (7th April).

Job Vacancy: Educational Visits Officer

Posted 5th April 2022

Job Vacancy: Educational Visits Officer

LCS has a vacancy for the position of: Educational Visits Officer.

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

Job Vacancy: Attendance Manager/Admin Asssistant

Posted 4th April 2022

Job Vacancy: Attendance Manager/Admin Asssistant

LCS has a vacancy for the position of: Attendance Manager/Admin Assistant.

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

Update from Mr. Wilding - 31st March 2022

Posted 31st March 2022

Mr Wilding has sent an update to parents and carers.

To all parents and carers, 

As we approach the end of the Spring Term, I would like, once again, to pay tribute to our fantastic students and staff for their work over the last few months. There has been a really positive working atmosphere throughout this term so far and students have made excellent progress, across all Year Groups. 

I would also like to recognise the additional pressures students in Year 11 and Year 13 will be under in the coming weeks, as they approach their GCSE and A Level exams next term. Students have worked hard to get to this point and deserve success. I have no doubt they will all do themselves proud when the time comes. 

Covid-19 

Cases of Covid-19 have been higher amongst students and staff this week. We are also seeing a rising number of potentially symptomatic students and have needed to send some students home if they were exhibiting symptoms during the school day. 

There is currently significant strain on staff cover and we are bringing in additional supply staff, to cover absence. Sourcing supply staff is not easy at the moment, as most other schools are experiencing similar staff shortage issues. 

A number of our staff have been quite unwell in recent weeks and have been unable to set cover work for their classes. 

We will do our best to keep all students in school, but cannot guarantee that we will not need to move some groups to remote learning at some point in the future; several schools have already needed to do this, due to staff absence. 

From tomorrow, 1st April, national guidance on testing and self-isolation will change. We are asking all students to continue testing twice weekly to the end of term and I would remind parents and carers not to send your child into school if they have any symptoms of Covid-19. 

Public Health guidance will remain beyond the end of March, as it does for other infectious diseases, such as sickness and diarrhoea. The advice for anyone who knows that they have COVID-19 is to stay at home for at least 5 days. 

In the absence of revised guidance for schools on the ‘Living with Covid’ strategy, I would politely ask that parents and carers continue to follow the current guidance on self-isolation, until further notice.

We have been told to expect the 5-11yr vaccination programme to open for booking, on the online portal, from the beginning of April. The current vaccination programme in schools will, therefore, end. Information on the vaccination programme can be found at the link below: 

NHS UK - Vacinnation Programme Information 

School will not be able to track cases of Covid-19 as we have so far, with the removal of testing and mandatory self-isolation nationally. The only way we will continue to keep students and staff safe and manage levels of Covid-19 in school is if we all follow sensible precautions and act in the best interests of our own children and the school as a whole. 

A reminder that the end of term is at 3pm on Friday 8th April. Students return to school on Tuesday 26th April, as Monday 25th is INSET for staff. 

Finally, all at LCS would like to wish Ramadan Mubarak to all students and members of our school community beginning the month of Ramadan this weekend. 

Thank you for your continued support of our school, our students and our staff. 

Keep safe. 

J Wilding
Headteacher

Job Vacancy: Design and Technology Technician

Posted 25th March 2022

Job Vacancy: Design and Technology Technician

LCS has a vacancy for the position of: Design and Technology Technician.

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

Update from Mr. Wilding - 24th March 2022 - Increased COVID-19 cases

Posted 24th March 2022

Mr Wilding has sent an update to parents and carers regarding a recent increase in Covid-19 cases.

To all parents and carers, 

Good morning, from LCS.

We are seeing an increase in cases of Covid-19 this week, amongst students and staff. Our experiences are being replicated in many other schools across the city and nationally.

Please continue not to send your child into school if they have any symptoms of Covid-19 and follow self-isolation guidance if your child tests positive, either through PCR or LFT testing. This advice remains in place nationally until 1st April.

As an added measure to protect students and staff, I would be grateful if all students could resume twice-weekly testing for Covid-19, for the last 2 weeks of this term. I would ask students to resume testing on a Sunday and Wednesday evening and for these test results to be reported via the school reporting portal. Students were issued with additional test kits earlier this term and should have enough tests to do this.

Students wishing to wear face coverings in school can continue to do so.

Thank you for your continued support.

Keep safe.

J Wilding
Headteacher

Job Vacancy: Teacher of Science

Posted 21st March 2022

Job Vacancy: Teacher of Science

LCS has a vacancy for the position of: Teacher of Science.

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

Update from Mr. Wilding - 11th March 2022

Posted 11th March 2022

Mr Wilding has sent an update to parents and carers regarding Covid-19, extra-curricular activites, and site security.

To all parents and carers, 

Good afternoon, from LCS.

We have been very busy in school, as usual, over the last few days and students continue to make excellent progress across all Year Groups. School attendance is beginning to increase towards pre-Covid levels, although we do continue to have a small number of Covid-19 cases in school, amongst students and staff. As we have said before, this is likely to remain the situation for the foreseeable future and there may be future ‘spikes’ in cases in classes, Year Groups, or the school as a whole. As things stand, however, there is no reason at this time to change our current rules and Covid-19 guidance in school, but we are constantly monitoring the situation and will update students, staff parents and carers if needed. 

The link below is to the latest government guidance on Covid-19, including ongoing guidance on self-isolation: 

Extra-curricular activities and clubs 

We have updated our list of clubs and extra-curricular activities on the school website and I have attached the link to this information, below. Staff continue to give their time on a regular basis to offer students a fun and varied range of extra-curricular activities and we would like as many students as possible to participate. If your child does not currently take part in our extra-curricular programme, please ask them to look at the list of activities to see if there is anything they would be interested in:

School site security 

We have further reviewed our school site security and will be making some additional changes, from Monday.

The Fresco Drive entrance gate will now be closed to vehicles before school. The pedestrian gate will be opened by staff on duty and students will be allowed on site at their usual time, so students using this entrance to school in the morning can continue to do so and do not need to change their current routine. 

Students accessing site early, however, for example to attend clubs or to visit the Library, will now only be able to access the school site through the main Pastures Hill gate. 

Sixth Form students can continue to access both gates, using their ID cards. 

This change is to make the school site even more secure for students and staff and is not in response to any increased concern over site security. As with the appointment of our Security Officer in the Autumn, this was always part of our longer-term plans for the school site. 

Thank you, as always, for your continued support of the school, our students and our staff. 

Keep safe.

J Wilding
Headteacher 

Job Vacancy: Teacher of Languages (2 posts)

Posted 10th March 2022

Job Vacancy: Teacher of Languages (2 posts)

LCS has vacancies for the position of: Teacher of Languages.

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

Non-uniform Day - Friday 18th March

Posted 9th March 2022

Non-uniform Day - Friday 18th March

Friday 18th March is a non-uniform day at LCS in support of Comic Relief.

It is suggested that students donate £1. No ripped clothing/slogans.

Year 11/13 Mock Exam Timetables

Posted 7th March 2022

Year 11/13 Mock Exam Timetables

Timetables for Year 11 and 13 Mock exams in March 2022 are now available to download.

You can download them from the Exams Information page.

Covid-19 - Message from Dr. Robyn Dewis

Posted 7th March 2022

Dr Robyn Dewis, director of public health, has sent a message to parents/carers regarding COVID-19.

Dear Parents/Carers,

We are moving into a new phase in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the number of people infected in our community remains high and some people are still at risk of serious illness from infection. The pandemic is not yet over.

For the month of March testing is still available and guidance remains to stay at home and take a test if you or your family member have symptoms. Our PCR testing sites remain open, and tests can still be ordered online.

If your child tests positive for COVID-19 they should stay at home for at least 5 days and can continue to use lateral flow tests on day 5 and 6 to check if they are able to return to school. The only change is that this is no longer a law, it is now guidance.

Lateral flow (rapid) tests are still available for free during March, from April this will end for most of us; currently you can still pick them up from local pharmacies and order them online.

Guidance has changed, we are no longer advised to test twice a week, but we are still advised to use these tests to reduce risks to others; for example before seeing elderly relatives or those in poor health.

Please remember the simple things that we can all do to reduce spread of COVID-19 and other viruses:

  • Keep up to date with vaccinations when offered
  • Open windows or meet outside
  • Wear a face covering, if you can, if you are in crowded indoor areas 
  • Wash your hands regularly and cover your coughs and sneezes
  • Avoid vulnerable people if you are unwell.

We will contact you again when the national guidance is updated for April onwards.

Thank you for continuing to work with us to ensure we can live safely with COVID-19.

 Yours sincerely

 Dr Robyn Dewis,
 Director of Public Health

Covid-19 Guidance Update

Posted 28th February 2022

Mr Wilding has sent a brief update to parents and carers regarding Covid-19 guidance.

To all parents and carers, 

This is a very brief message, as I have been asked to pass on the latest government guidance regarding Covid-19.

The latest guidance can be found at the link below:

Government COVID-19 Guidance

Further to my message yesterday, the above guidance clarifies that:

Children and young people with COVID-19 should not attend their education setting while they are infectious. They should take an LFD test from 5 days after their symptoms started (or the day their test was taken if they did not have symptoms) followed by another one the next day. If both these tests results are negative, they should return to their educational setting if they normally attend one, as long as they feel well enough to do so and do not have a temperature. They should follow the guidance for their educational setting.

All other relevant information is as stated in my message from yesterday.

I will update all parents and carers further, if and when our Covid-19 guidance for students changes.

Keep safe.

J Wilding
Headteacher

Covid-19 Guidance

Posted 27th February 2022

Mr Wilding has sent an update to parents and carers regarding Covid-19 guidance.

To all parents and carers, 

I am writing to you all this evening with the latest update on national Covid-19 guidance for schools, ahead of the start of half-term tomorrow.

The most relevant points of the new guidance and what we are asking of all students, parents and carers are as follows:

  • National advice for staff and students to test for Covid-19 twice weekly through home LFD tests has now been removed.We continue to ask all students to test at home today before returning to school tomorrow,but after today students should exercise discretion to use home test kits if necessary, for example when they may have Covid-19 symptoms, if they are a close contact of a positive case, or to return to school at the end of a self-isolation period. On-going testing for close contacts is no longer advised and, as a school, we can no longer order test kits for students and staff, unless we have an outbreak of cases. It is now up to all of us to use the test kits we have in the most sensible and effective manner possible, to minimise the risk of students being in school with Covid-19.
  • Children testing positive for Covid-19 continue to be advised to self-isolate for 5 days, although the legal requirement for this has been removed.We continue to ask all students with Covid-19 to self-isolate and not come into school for 5 full days, only returning when they have received 2 consecutive negative LFD tests and are no longer symptomatic.I would respectfully ask for the support of all students, parents and carers with this, as schools do have the power to refuse entry to students with Covid-19 symptoms. To avoid this having to happen, please continue to exercise caution where you suspect your child may have the Covid-19 virus and do not send them into school before test results have been received.

    We would advise all students to:
    • Stay at home if unwell.
    • Book a PCR test if they have Covid-19 symptoms and stay at home until results are received.
    • Continue to follow good hand hygiene and the 'Catch it, Bin it, Kill it' principle.
  • We will review our current approach to Contact Tracing, as this has now been removed from all national Covid-19 guidance and there is no longer the option of schools routinely ordering additional test kits for students.
  • Students who would prefer to wear a face covering in school can continue to do so for the time being. We will review this after a couple of weeks of the new half-term, when case numbers after this latest change to guidelines are clearer.

We will continue to communicate closely with our local Public Health team and follow their guidance in the event of a local outbreak. We continue to maintain our Outbreak Management Plans and will communicate any changes to guidance in school to all parents and carers,  where necessary.

I hope we can continue to maintain our close working relationship with all students, parents and carers in the weeks and months ahead. Covid-19 is still around and will continue to impact on the running of the school. Hopefully, by continuing to work together, we can keep this impact to a minimum.

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to seeing all our students back in school tomorrow.

Keep safe.

J Wilding
Headteacher

Update from Mr. Wilding - 17th February 2022

Posted 11th February 2022

Mr Wilding has sent an update to parents and carers regarding Covid-19, Rolls-Royce apprenticeships and Storm Eunice.

To all parents and carers, 

Good afternoon, from LCS.

A brief update from me this afternoon, as we approach the end of this half-term.

Covid-19

Cases of Covid-19 amongst students have reduced this week and cases over the last 10 days are currently 1/3 of the levels of last week. We continue to encourage students to test regularly, including over the holidays, and we have issued all students with enough kits to do this.

I would ask all students to test at home on the evening of Sunday 27th February and for all students displaying symptoms, or testing positive, to remain at home and not come into school at the start of next half-term.

Thank you to all students, parents and carers for your support over this half-term, as it has without doubt helped us to keep the vast majority of students in school for the last 6 weeks.

More guidance will begin to be issued soon around what is being called the 'living with Covid' strategy, as we move into the next phase of the pandemic. I will keep all students, parents and carers updated throughout next half-term, as information becomes available.

Rolls Royce Young Apprenticeship Scheme

Parents/Carers of students in Year 9 should be aware that there will be an Open Evening on 6th April for any students and parents/carers interested in the Rolls Royce Young Apprentice scheme. The scheme involves students being out of school one day a week at Rolls Royce and Derby College in Years 10 and 11.

Mrs Bunting has sent an email to all Year 9 students today with details of the Open Evening. Students MUST attend the Open evening if they are interested in the scheme and there is a link to the booking form in Mrs Bunting’s email.

Storm Eunice

An Amber weather warning has been issued for the Midlands tomorrow, as Storm Eunice is expected to bring high winds to the region. Our site staff will be in school early tomorrow morning to check for any damage caused overnight and to assess potential risks for the school day, but we are expecting to be open as normal to all students. If there is significant damage to the school site, or power outage, for example, the situation may have to be reviewed; similarly if staff cannot make it into school due to traffic disruption. If this happens, or if the situation changes during the day tomorrow, we will communicate with all students, parents and carers via email and social media.

Please talk to your child(ren) about taking extra care travelling to school tomorrow and please be careful yourselves, if you are bringing students to school by car.

Thank you all for your continued support.

I hope all students enjoy their well deserved holiday next week.

Keep safe.

J Wilding
Headteacher

LCS Student Elected Derby Youth Mayor

Posted 11th February 2022

LCS Student Elected Derby Youth Mayor

We are very pleased to report that the Littleover candidate, Omar Aslam, was elected Derby Youth Mayor for 2022-23.

The results of the Derby Youth Mayor election were announced at the Derby Voices in Action Meeting on Monday evening. There were 11000 votes cast across all the secondary schools in the city.

Omar is the third Youth Mayor to come from LCS, and wish him all the best for his year in office.

COVID Update from Dr. Robyn Dewis

Posted 10th February 2022

Dr. Robyn Dewis has asked us to share the following information with all parents/carers.

Dear Parents and Carers,

Despite reports that COVID infections are falling, we are still seeing a high number of COVID cases in the City, over 2000 each week. Cases in children are at their highest since the start of the pandemic. Many schools and early years providers are working extremely hard to keep settings open while ensuring children and staff are safe. Despite this, we have a number of settings that have needed to take additional actions to respond to outbreaks.

I am writing to ask for your help and support to reduce Covid-19 spread and keep schools and settings open. I hope that, by working together, we can keep children in face to face education for the coming months.

We continue to advise schools and childcare providers to:

  • Increase ventilation inside and to be outside as much as possible.
  • Ensure a continued focus on thorough and frequent cleaning, along with increased handwashing and sanitising.
  • Ask parents to continue to wear face coverings at drop-off and pick-up or if they visit inside.
  • Ask staff to continue to wear face coverings where possible and appropriate, including in communal areas in some schools with outbreaks.
  • Encourage staff and secondary school children to use the home testing/ lateral flow kits twice a week and report results. These tests are to use regularly when you do not have any symptoms. Our advice is that these tests can also be used by Primary aged children if parents are happy to do this.
  • Identify any contacts of positive cases and provide advice that is based on the setting’s rates of infection.
  • Remind everyone that those with symptoms need to stay at home and take a PCR test.
  • Children should not return to the setting before the result comes back and staff may ask to see the result.
  • Remind everyone who is positive for COVID that they need to isolate at home.
  • In some outbreak situations head teachers may ask household contacts to stay at home until they have had a negative PCR result.

I am asking parents to:

  • Continue to use the home testing/ lateral flow kits twice a week and report the results.
  • Parents can use them with younger children if they feel able to.
  • Wear a face covering if you need to gather with others when you drop-off or collect your child, unless exempt. Some settings continue to require this.
  • If your child has COVID symptoms (a new cough, a temperature or loss of taste/smell) please keep them at home and arrange a PCR test. If your school currently has an outbreak then other symptoms such as sore throat or cold symptoms may also indicate COVID infection.
  • If your child is identified as a contact, please follow the advice provided by your school or childcare provider. This might include a bookable PCR test, daily LFTs for children over 5 or younger if parents agree. In some circumstances your child may be asked to move to home learning.
  • If there is a current outbreak in your child’s school, or your child is identified as a contact, please consider the activities they undertake out of the school setting. Please consider reducing their contact with vulnerable people, including those who are older or in poor health, for the period of the outbreak.

Thank you for your support in keeping your setting open and everyone safe.

Yours sincerely

Dr Robyn Dewis
Director of Public Health
PCR test- taken at a test site or as a postal kit and sent off to the lab
LFT- the one you do at home and get your results immediately

Update from Mr. Wilding - 8th February 2022

Posted 8th February 2022

Mr Wilding has sent a general update to parents and carers.

To all parents and carers, 

Good afternoon, from LCS.

My update today includes several items I hope are of interest to you.

A reminder that school is closed to students tomorrow (Wednesday) for staff INSET and that students should return to normal lessons on Thursday.

Covid-19

The number of students testing positive for Covid-19 has increased over the last 2 weeks, although fewer cases have been reported this week so far.

We may find that a certain number of Covid-19 cases amongst students becomes the norm in the weeks and months to come, but there remains the constant possibility of additional measures being needed if case numbers ‘spike’, or if there is a local outbreak of Covid-19 in the community.

Students continuing regular testing will be key to our efforts to manage Covid-19 in school and I would continue to ask parents and carers to make sure students test on a Sunday and Wednesday evening and additionally if identified as a potential close contact. The more asymptomatic cases are identified through testing, the fewer cases we will have in school and the less necessary it will be to reinstate face masks or Remote Learning in the future.

With the increased number of cases recently, we have changed our contact tracing to include whole classes, rather than using seating plans. We will continue to send text messages to parents/carers where numbers of cases in a class become a concern.

Today’s DfE Bulletin to schools has announced, to help support international travel, including school trips, that the NHS COVID Pass service for 12 to 15 year olds now includes the option of a digital NHS COVID Pass.

The NHS COVID Pass for international travel can be accessed through the NHS website for those aged 12 years and over. For young people aged 13 and over, the NHS App can also be used to access the NHS COVID pass.

More information on this can be found at the link, below:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/get-digital-covid-pass/

We will be issuing students with a new supply of LFD tests on Thursday, with each consenting student being provided with 2 boxes of tests (14 tests in total – 7 in each box). Students should bring these tests home carefully on Thursday evening, to be used over the next few weeks.

Derby Youth Mayor

We are delighted to announce that Derby’s Youth Mayor for 2022/23 will be our very own Year 11 student, Omar Aslam. Deputy Youth Mayor will be Gloria Osei Bonsu from Derby Moor Academy, who we also send congratulations to.

There were 10,976 votes cast by 19 secondary schools and colleges in the recent city-wide elections, representing a 61% turnout.

Omar is the third LCS student elected to this post, following in the footsteps of current Youth Mayor Connie Spencer and Tiny Simbani, who held the post several years ago.

We are very proud of Omar and we are sure he will be a fantastic Youth Mayor, representing the views and interests of our young people.

Clubs

An updated list of clubs and activities available to students has been published on our website.

This can be found at the link, below:

https://www.littleover.derby.sch.uk/content/activities/files/ecas_spring2022.pdf

Police and Crime Commissioner Survey

Throughout the year, the Commissioner runs a survey asking for Derbyshire residents views on crime and community safety. This is done to ensure that the priorities the Commissioner sets for policing, community safety and victims services reflect the issues that matter most to you, wherever you live in the City or the County.

Using the responses from the survey, the Commissioner will work with the Chief Constable to ensure that resources are balanced efficiently with your concerns.

The Commissioner needs to hear from as many people as possible, from all age groups and backgrounds, to ensure the results are fair.

We have been asked to share the survey (link below) to parents/carers and students aged 14 and above.

If you could spare a few minutes to complete the survey, I am sure your views will be gratefully received.

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=LQIKrg1jlkO4-1jbMGG5GzFqY4suWRhNsue5d2i08TlUMkRPTUFNWEVXSDUyVFk0VDZERkcxREYwVSQlQCN0PWcu

Thank you all for your continued support to us all in school.

Keep safe.

J Wilding
Headteacher

COVID Cases Update - 4th February 2022

Posted 4th February 2022

Mr Wilding has sent a COVID-19 update to parents and carers.

To all parents and carers, 

Good afternoon, from LCS.

We have been in communication this morning with our Local CCT, regarding the number of student Covid-19 cases we have seen in school over the past few days.

We are beginning to see concerning trends of increase in cases in several Year Groups and CCT have asked us to alert parents and carers to this issue.

Significant numbers of students receiving recent positive Covid-19 test results are displaying a sore throat as an early symptom. CCT have asked us to alert all parents and carers to this and to advise that students take a Covid-19 test, as soon as they develop a sore throat.

We would continue to encourage regular testing for Covid-19, at least twice each week, but would advise more regular testing at this present time.

We will be sending text messages to the parents and carers of groups with the current highest number of cases. but would urge extra vigilance for all students, parents and carers at this time.

We will further review case numbers on Monday with our local CCT and I will inform you if there are further developments.

Thank you for your continued support.

Keep safe 

J Wilding
Headteacher

Job Vacancy: Teacher of Maths (2 posts)

Posted 3rd February 2022

Job Vacancy: Teacher of Maths (2 posts)

LCS has vacancies for the position of: Teacher of Maths.

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

Job Vacancy: Daytime Cleaner

Posted 3rd February 2022

Job Vacancy: Daytime Cleaner

LCS has a vacancy for the position of: Daytime Cleaner.

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

Job Vacancy: Finance and Admin Assistant

Posted 3rd February 2022

Job Vacancy: Finance and Admin Assistant

LCS has a vacancy for the position of: Finance and Admin Assistant.

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

Update from Mr. Wilding - 2nd February

Posted 2nd February 2022

Mr Wilding has sent an update to parents regarding COVID-19, Year 10 Parents Evening, the upcoming INSET day and vaping.

To all parents and carers, 

Good morning, from LCS. 

Thank you for your support over the changes to our face mask rules since Monday. We will continue to monitor Covid-19 cases in school on a daily basis and I will keep parents and carers updated of any issues or developments. Covid-19 remains an ongoing issue and, as we found last week with the two groups in Year 7, ‘spikes’ in cases can occur at any time. 
We continue to ask students to test for Covid-19 twice a week, on a Sunday and Wednesday evening. Test results should be reported to school and to the NHS. The link to the NHS reporting portal is below: 

Please do not send your child(ren) into school if they test positive through an LFD, or PCR test. 

Students were issued with several boxes of LFD tests at the start of term and we will be issuing a new supply of test kits to all students in the near future.

Year 10 Parents’ Evening 

A reminder to all Year 10 parents and carers that Parents’ Evening this Thursday 3rd February will be held remotely, via SchoolCloud. 

Appointments can still be made on the SchoolCloud system, up to midnight this evening. 

INSET Day 

Wednesday 9th February is an INSET Day and school will be closed to students. Key dates, including further INSET Days and holidays, can always be found under School > Important Dates > Calendar

Vape 

We have seen another increase in cases of students being found in possession of vape, or vape equipment, in school since the start of this term. The items being confiscated from students should not be sold to anyone under the age of 18 and we are working with our local Police Safer Neighbourhood Team to identify potential sources of supply of these items. 

Our Behaviour Policy is clear in that students found to be in possession of vape, or using vape whilst wearing school uniform in the community, will be subject to Suspension. Students found in possession of large amounts of vape or vape equipment believed to be with intent to supply to others will receive a long Suspension from school and could be subject to Permanent Exclusion. 

I would be grateful if all parents and carers could be aware of this issue and contact Police if you are aware of individuals or shops selling these items to children.

Thank you all for your continued support. 

Keep safe 

J Wilding
Headteacher

Update from Mr. Wilding - 28th January

Posted 28th January 2022

Mr Wilding has sent an update to parents regarding COVID-19 issues.

To all parents and carers, 

Good morning from LCS.

My update today is understandably dominated by Covid-19 issues. The current situation with Covid-19 cases in school continues to be a massive challenge for us and I very much appreciate the positive feedback we continue to receive from parents, carers and the wider school community. It is extremely important for all our staff that their outstanding work continues to be recognised. 

Covid-19 cases in school 

Unfortunately, I have had to make the decision to move two Year 7 Tutor Groups to Remote Learning for today and Monday 31st January.

These two classes have seen a swift increase in Covid-19 cases amongst students this week and currently account for around 1/3 of all our positive cases in school. After discussion with our local CCT, the decision to move to Remote Learning for these two groups was made to, hopefully, allow for a break of 4 days (weekend included) to slow the spread of the virus. 

We continue to monitor case numbers daily and I am in regular communication with CCT and our local Public Health agencies for advice on appropriate action at this time. 

Face masks 

You will be aware that face masks in classrooms are no longer recommended by the DfE and that the requirement for students to wear face masks in communal areas has also been removed nationally. 

Cases of Covid-19 in Derby continue to be high, particularly with younger children, and we are monitoring our situation in school on a daily basis. 

I understand the fierce debate in some areas around face masks and it has been the single largest topic of communications I have received from parents and carers over the last year. I have received messages both supporting and criticising our approach to face masks in school, pretty much in equal measure. 

With this in mind, any students wishing to continue to wear a face mask in school, either in the classroom or communal areas, will be permitted to do so until further notice. We will no longer enforce face masks in school from Monday, but students will be allowed to wear a face mask if they wish to. We will review this policy at the end of half-term, so in a further 3 weeks’ time. 

School will continue to provide face masks for students requiring them at this time, but I would ask students wishing to wear a face mask in school to provide their own, where possible. 

Face masks could be reintroduced in the future as part of our Outbreak Management Plan, if case numbers warranted this and if agreed with CCT and Public Health. 

Thank you.
Keep safe 

J Wilding
Headteacher

7LSS and 7TJB - Remote Learning due to COVID-19 Cases

Posted 27th January 2022

Due to increased COVID-19 cases in the tutor groups, students in 7LSS and 7TJB will be placed on remote learning on Friday 28th and Monday 31st January.

Good afternoon, from LCS.

Emails have been sent this morning to parents/carers of students in two Year 7 classes. These classes have seen an increase in Covid-19 cases over the last few days and currently account for a large majority of cases in Year 7 as a whole.

After consultation with our Local Authority CCT, we have made the decision to place students in these two classes on remote learning for tomorrow and Monday 31st January.

This decision currently applies to students in these 2 classes only, so if you have not received an email, text message and/or letter today, please continue to send your child(ren) to school as normal.

The classes concerned are 7LSS and 7TJB.

In asking students to work from home tomorrow and Monday, and with the weekend in between, we are allowing a break of 4 days to, hopefully, slow down the apparent spread of the Covid-19 virus within these classes and potentially to further students and groups in school.

We would continue to encourage students to test regularly at home for Covid-19 at this time, particularly students in Year 7 where we have more cases currently than the remainder of the school combined.

Thank you for your continued support.

Keep safe 

J Wilding
Headteacher

Job Vacancy: Senior Admin Officer/Headteacher's PA

Posted 26th January 2022

Job Vacancy: Senior Admin Officer/Headteacher's PA

LCS has a vacancy for the position of: Senior Admin Officer/Headteacher's PA.

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

Update from Mr. Wilding - 25th January

Posted 25th January 2022

Mr Wilding has sent an update to parents.

To all parents and carers, 

Good morning, from LCS. 

I have included in my update today, several short items, with some associated links. 

Teenage Booster (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Polio) and Meningococcal ACWY (Men ACWY) vaccinations - for parents/carers of Y9, 10 and 11 students 

Parents/carers of students in Year 9, 10 and 11 will have received an email in the last 48 hours, informing them of this vaccination programme. If you are a parent/carer of a student in Years 9-11, please read the relevant email and follow instructions in the attached letter, if you wish to give consent for your child to be vaccinated in school on 3rd February. 

Mrs Bunting

After many years of loyal service to the school, Mrs Bunting will be retiring from her position as Senior Deputy Headteacher at the end of this academic year. The process to appoint a new Deputy Headteacher to the school has already started and the closing date for applications is Monday 7th February. 

A lot more will be said about Mrs Bunting over the coming months and we will be saying our formal goodbyes to her at the end of the Summer Term. 

Students signing out during the school day 

I have been asked by our Student Services Office to remind parents/carers of the process for students signing in/out of school for appointments, during the school day. 

A Student Appointment Consent Form should be completed and given to staff in our Student Services Office before students leave school for an appointment. This form can be found via the link below: 

Students should then sign-out at the appropriate time and be collected by the parent/carer from school Reception.

Please do not arrange to meet students outside of the school gates, or in the school car park, without them signing out using the correct procedure. 

Summer 2022 Exam dates 

Dates for A Level and GCSE Exams are posted on our website; links are below: 

The final A Level exam is on 24th June, with the final GCSE exam being the day before, on 23rd June. 

Results days are as follows: 

  • A Level – 18th August 
  • GCSE – 25th August 

Safeguarding information 

A reminder to all parents/carers that a large amount of safeguarding information can be found on our school website. The link to this information is below: 

An additional page of wellbeing information can also be found on our website at: 

Please take time to look at this information, if you have not done so for some time. 

As stated in my message from last Friday, I will issue a further update regarding face masks in school at the end of this week. 

Thank you.
Keep safe 

J Wilding
Headteacher

Update from Mr. Wilding - 21st January

Posted 21st January 2022

Mr Wilding has sent an update to parents and carers following changes by the government to COVID-19 guidance.

To all parents and carers.

Good afternoon from LCS.

After the announcement of changes to face mask rules made in the House of Commons on Wednesday, we have taken time to examine the full detail of the revised national guidance, as well as guidance from local Public Health.

We will be changing our rules for students wearing face masks in school as follows: 

Face masks will no longer be worn by students in lessons from Monday. National guidance was for this to change yesterday, but the short notice of the announcement didn't leave us enough time to review the details in full and make an informed decision. 

Students will continue to be asked to wear face masks in indoor communal areas, including corridors, food queues and Dining areas, until Friday 28th January; national guidance changes on 27th January, but we would like to take a full week to assess the impact of this change on case numbers in school. 

A decision will then be made on 28th January, whether to remove face masks for students throughout school, whether to continue to allow students to wear a face mask in communal areas if they wish to, or to continue with face masks in communal areas for all students. 

Rates of Covid-19 infection remain high in the community and in Derby as a whole and I have had further conversations with our local CCT this morning on the best action for us to take as a school, over the next few weeks. 

Students with known medical conditions who request to wear face masks in lessons will be given a card to show staff, as we have done in the past, and may continue to wear a face mask in lessons from Monday. 

Whatever decision we make from 28th January, face masks could return for all students throughout the school building as a targeted measure within our Outbreak Management Plans, at a later date. If this happens, it will be in response to rising case numbers and in consultation with local Public Health. 

I have included a link, below, to the latest guidance on Covid-19 for parents and carers: 

GOV.uk COVID Guidance for Parents and Carers 

We will continue to hold whole-year Assemblies remotely until the end of this term, to allow time to monitor and assess Covid-19 case numbers. We are hopeful that whole-year Assemblies can return in the Main Hall after February half-term, as well as other larger group activities and events. 

Staff in our Student Services Office will continue to send text messages to parents/carers of potential close contacts of positive cases identified from classroom seating plans, as we feel this has been helpful in keeping our case numbers in school down in recent weeks. 

I would like to thank all parents, carers, students and staff for their continued support.

Thank you.
Keep safe 

J Wilding
Headteacher

Job Vacancy: Deputy Headteacher

Posted 21st January 2022

Job Vacancy: Deputy Headteacher

LCS has a vacancy for the position of: Deputy Headteacher.

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

Year 9 Options Evening (Cancelled)

Posted 20th January 2022

The Year 9 Options Evening scheduled for 6.30pm has been cancelled. All information and presentations can be viewed online.

Good afternoon, from LCS.

A reminder that the Year 9 Options Information Evening originally scheduled to take place in school from 6-30pm this evening has been cancelled and the relevant information moved to our school website.

This decision was made and communicated to parents and carers several weeks ago and is a result of ongoing Covid-19 safety guidance.

I apologise for any inconvenience the cancellation of this event has caused.

All relevant information related to the Year 9 Options Process is available under Parents > Year 9 Options.

Thank You

J. Wilding
Headteacher

Update from Mr. Wilding - 19th January

Posted 19th January 2022

Mr Wilding has sent an update to parents and carers regarding face coverings.

To all parents and carers.

Good afternoon from LCS.

There has been an announcement in Parliament this afternoon that face coverings will no longer be required for students in secondary school classrooms, from tomorrow.

Given the short notice of this announcement and lack of prior warning, it would be sensible for us to wait for the full DfE announcement and guidance before changing our current rules. Full DfE guidance is unlikely to be issued to schools before the end of the working day and will need to be reviewed in detail and our own situation evaluated, before our rules in school are changed.

We will, therefore, continue with our current rules on face masks until the end of this week and I will issue a further update to all students, parents and carers on Friday.

Thank you. 

Keep safe. 

J Wilding
Headteacher

Update from Mr. Wilding - 17th January

Posted 17th January 2022

Mr Wilding has sent an update to parents and carers regarding Covid-19 vaccinations and changes to Covid isolation guidance.

To all parents and carers.

Good evening, from LCS. 

Since my last update, national guidance on self-isolation for people testing positive for Covid-19 has changed. It is now possible to end self-isolation after 5 full days, if you have 2 negative LFD tests taken on consecutive days. 

Full, updated guidance can be found at the link below: 

My previous email update informed all parents and carers of the next round of Covid-19 vaccinations, being hosted at LCS this Friday, 21st January. 

All information relevant to the Covid-19 vaccination programme can be found in the text and links in the letter below, including the Consent Form for those parents/carers wishing their child(ren) to have the Covid-19 vaccination: 

Please be aware, as stated in the attached letter, that the new Consent Form has to be completed for students to be eligible for the vaccination in school on 21st January, as any previous consent given is no longer valid.

The vaccinations in school on 21st January are for students aged 12-15 and not for students in our Sixth Form. The Vaccination Team have confirmed that students in Year 11 who are already 16 will, however, be able to receive the vaccine if consent has been provided. 

Please be aware, as previously stated, that the school has been asked to offer a site for these vaccinations, but has no part in the vaccination programme itself. As such, all questions about the Covid-19 vaccine should be addressed to the NHS, through the contact details contained in the letter. 

Thank you. 

Keep safe. 

J Wilding
Headteacher

Job Vacancy: Attendance Manager (Maternity Cover)

Posted 14th January 2022

Job Vacancy: Attendance Manager (Maternity Cover)

LCS has a vacancy for the position of: Attendance Manager (Maternity Cover).

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

Job Vacancy: Kitchen Assistant

Posted 14th January 2022

Job Vacancy: Kitchen Assistant

LCS has a vacancy for the position of: Kitchen Assistant.

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

DCHST Covid-19 Immunisations Letter

Posted 11th January 2022

Mr Wilding has sent a information to parents regarding COVID-19 immunisations in school.

To all parents and carers.

Good morning, from LCS.

Please see the Letter from the DCHST Immunisation Team outlining how parents and carers can consent for their child(ren) to receive the Covid-19 vaccination at LCS on Friday 21st January.

Please read the information in the letter carefully and complete the e-consent form, if you wish to, at the link included in the letter. Any students receiving this round of vaccinations must have had consent from the parent/carer through this new consent form, as no consent obtained from previous forms will be considered.

Please remember that school are providing a site for the vaccinations and are not otherwise involved in, or responsible for, the delivery of the vaccination programme. Please direct any questions about the vaccination programme to the Immunisation Team, using the contact details provided in the letter, and not to the school.

Please also be aware that students will not be collected for their vaccination individually by school staff, so must be aware on the day whether consent has been provided by their parent/carer for the vaccination. Please have this discussion with your child(ren) to ensure they are aware whether or not you have consented.

Thank you.

J Wilding
Headteacher

 

A copy of the letter can be found under Parents > Communications > Letters Home

Update from Mr. Wilding - 10th January

Posted 10th January 2022

Mr Wilding has sent a reminder to parents and carers regarding the start of term.

To all parents and carers.

Good evening, from LCS.

Welcome to the Spring Term. It has been good to see students back in school today, either for on-site Covid-19 testing or for exams. We will continue to follow the published remote learning timetable tomorrow and students will begin to return to face-to-face lessons from Wednesday, with all students back in school on Thursday.

Current Covid-19 guidance

I have summarised the Covid-19 guidance we are currently following in brief bullet points, below:

  • As students return to face-to-face lessons this week, face masks will continue to be worn throughout the building, including classrooms, as was the case last half-term. As we were already doing this at LCS, the change to national guidance on face coverings doesn't impact on us significantly.
  • Staff and students should continue to test twice each week, on a Sunday and Wednesday evening, using the LFD testing kits. Additional test kits are being given to students when they attend for on-site tests this week.
  • The need for a confirmatory PCR test for asymptomatic cases has been dropped, so anyone testing positive through an LFD test should automatically self-isolate for a minimum of 7 days, with the day the positive test result was received being 'Day Zero'.Our local CCT have confirmed that someone testing on the morning of Day 6 and Day 7 could return to school on Day 7, if they have received 2 consecutive negative results, 24 hours apart from each other. Anyone returning on this basis should still continue to test daily until the end of the 10 days. Our understanding is that the above also applies to symptomatic cases who have tested positive via PCR, but I have asked CCT for this to be confirmed.
  • Anyone with symptoms of Covid-19 should continue to book a PCR test and isolate until results are received. I have asked CCT to clarify whether the isolation period 're-sets' if someone develops symptoms and tests positive on a PCR, after initially self-isolating from an asymptomatic positive LFD result.
  • Close contacts of Covid-19 cases do not need to self-isolate, but should take LFD tests every day for 7 days and isolate immediately if they develop symptoms or test positive through an LFD test.
  • The '90 Day rule' doesn't really apply any more, but there is no need for a student to test again this week if they have had Covid-19 since mid December. For students who contracted Covid-19 prior to this time, however, it is worth them testing again, even if it is less than 90 days since they developed symptoms.

The above has been agreed with our local CCT and we will continue to take their lead and follow their guidance on issues related to Covid-19 in school.

Covid-19 vaccinations

We have been informed that, following national guidance, the School Age Immunisation Team will be offering the second dose of Covid-19 vaccination to young people aged 12 – 15 at LCS on Friday 21st January. They are also able to offer the first dose in school, if your child hasn’t yet received a vaccination.

Consent for this round of vaccinations is through a new Consent Form, a link to which will be emailed to all parents/carers via ParentPay tomorrow. The Immunisation Team will only use this new Consent Form, so any parent/carer wishing for their child to receive this Covid-19 vaccination in school must complete the new form. Details of any consent obtained through previous Consent Forms will not be used. Please check your emails tomorrow, when this information and link to the Consent Form will be forwarded to you.

On-site Covid-testing

We have completed all scheduled testing of students in Year 10 and 11 today. Please be aware that your child's result may not be sent to you until tomorrow, but that parents/carers of any positive cases have been informed. If you do not receive your child's test result today, but have not been contacted individually by school, please do not worry as the result will be negative.

Thank you, as always, for your on going support and I look forward to seeing all students back in school to resume lessons over the next few days.

Best wishes.

Keep safe.

J Wilding
Headteacher

Year 9 Options Information

Posted 10th January 2022

Due to the Coronavirus situation, this year's LCS Year 9 Options information and presentations can be viewed online.

You can find the information under Parents > Year 9 Options.

Update from Mr. Wilding - 7th January

Posted 7th January 2022

Mr Wilding has sent a reminder to parents and carers regarding the start of term arrangements.

To all parents and carers.

Good afternoon, from LCS.

I hope you have all had a peaceful new year and that this message finds you and your family in good health.

This is a very brief message to remind everyone of the arrangements for the start of term, on Monday 10th January. As previously stated, we are operating a phased return to school for students next week, following the plans issued before the holidays. Please familiarise yourselves with this information, which can be found on our website, at the following link:

https://www.littleover.derby.sch.uk/covid_jan2022.php

Students should know the time and date of their on-site LFT test and arrive at the Testing Centre through the Fresco Drive entrance gate. Students do not need to wear school uniform when arriving for LFT tests and will return home as soon as their test is completed. Results will be communicated to parents/carers via email and text message, as in previous cases. Students must wear a face covering whilst in the Testing Centre, unless exempt.

Parents/carers wishing to consent to this latest round of testing can do so at the link below. Previous consent still applies, so parents/carers do not need to complete the form if they have already done so.

https://tinyurl.com/LCS-C19ConsentFormStudent

We continue to advise all students to test twice a week using the home testing kits previously issued and new kits will be provided to all students when they take their on-site LFT tests next week. Any students with symptoms of Covid-19 should not arrive in school for on-site testing and should book a PCR test, if they have not previously done so. If students have tested positive for Covid-19 during the holiday and are within their period of self-isolation at the start of term, we would ask parents/carers to call school on Monday 10th January to inform our Student Services office.

You will be aware that government guidance has changed nationally on testing and self-isolation since the end of last term. I will issue a further update as soon as we return to school on Monday, with any relevant issues related to this new guidance.

One of the main changes to national guidance is the recommending of face coverings to be worn by students in classrooms, as well as communal areas. As this was already in place at LCS at the end of last term, there is no change to our policy and students will be asked to wear face coverings throughout the building, including classrooms, at the start of term and until further notice.

Unless there are significant further changes to national or local guidance, my next update will be on Monday 10th January.

Best wishes.

Keep safe.

J Wilding
Headteacher

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