We are pleased to share with our school community that Littleover Community School has been selected as one of just fifteen Phase 1 lead schools for the NCLE Language Hubs initiative. We will be helping to support high quality language education in England by working with identified partner schools.

What exactly is the National Consortium for Language Education?

Recognising the value of good language education both to students and to the country, the NCLE is creating a national network of up to 25 lead hub schools across England. Each lead hub school will deliver training to up to seven partner schools to improve standards of language teaching and learning across the country.

The key aims for the NCLE are to:

1. encourage high quality language teaching in schools
2. increase languages uptake at GCSE
3. support levelling up opportunities for disadvantaged students
4. address the performance of boys
5. better recognise and support the rich diversity of languages in addition to English spoken by one in every five of our students.

The NCLE is funded by the Department for Education (DfE) and delivered by IOE, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society (UCL IOE) in partnership with the British Council and the Goethe-Institut.

You can find out more about this project on the NCLE website

How does it work?

The first group of hub schools has been selected and Littleover Community School is one of them. Having been recognised by the NCLE for the quality of our language teaching, we will be training a small number of partner schools to share best practice, discuss ideas and support quality language learning activities. We're working on our plans now and will send regular updates as the project develops.

Why is the government encouraging language education in schools?

Languages are crucial for work and life in our globally competitive economy. We believe that languages and intercultural awareness can help to foster universal understanding and contribute to building a peaceful and harmonious world future.

The Department for Education recognises that, as a country, we need more and better language skills and that these add value and widen opportunities for individuals, communities and society.

What are the benefits for students of the NCLE programme?

The ability to speak other languages is an incredibly useful asset for students, both professionally and personally. Research shows that there are clear educational, personal, cultural, social and career benefits in being able to communicate confidently in another language.

There is a particular emphasis in the NCLE on delivery high quality language learning to students from disadvantaged areas to support improvements in social mobility.

What is the Goethe-Institut Gimagine project?

The government is especially keen to promote the learning of German, because the numbers studying this important language have fallen in recent years. That's why the Gothe-Institut is a key partner.

Their GIMAGINE project promotes and supports the learning of German as a foreign language in the UK. The project centres around students, teachers and schools. Apart from offering initiatives for professional advancement to German teachers, the project can fund learning German through scholarships and provides schools with classroom materials and teaching resources.

You can find out more on the Gimagine website

We are extremely excited about developing this project at LCS and the benefits it will bring to our students and those in our partner schools.

Anyone requesting further information on this project should contact Mrs C Spalding (Deputy Headteacher).

The LCS Fitness Centre is now open to the public, with a gym and various sports and dance facilities available for bookings.

Please see the Sports and Arts Facilities page for more details.

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

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

LCS has a vacancy for the position of: Teacher of Mathematics

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

LCS has a vacancy for the position of: ICT Technician

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

LCS has a vacancy for the position of: Finance/Administration Officer.

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

LCS has a vacancy for the position of: Wellbeing Coach

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

Mr Wilding has sent a start-of-term update to parents and carers covering RAAC, exam results, staffing, uniform, term dates, safeguarding and free school meals.

To all parents/carers

Good afternoon, from LCS.

I hope you have all had an enjoyable summer and that students are all getting prepared for the start of term, on Wednesday 6th September.

We are excited to be welcoming all our students back to school this week, and we would extend a particular welcome to those students joining us in Year 7 and Year 12, as well as their parents and carers.

As usual, at this time, I have a few updates, as well as reminders, for all our parents and carers, ahead of the start of the academic year.

Schools with RAAC

Many parents/carers will be aware of recently issued new DfE guidance for education settings (August 31st), advising that any space or area with confirmed Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) should no longer be open without mitigations in place. The vast majority of schools and colleges will be unaffected by this change but 50+ settings have already been supported and a further 104 further settings without mitigations in place have been asked to vacate spaces or buildings.

At this stage, I can confirm that LCS is not one of the schools contacted to vacate spaces or buildings and that all students should start term on Wednesday 6th September, at 8-40am. If I receive further information on this issue, I will communicate this to parents/carers, as soon as possible.

Exam Results

We are absolutely delighted with the results our students have achieved this year, at both A Level and GCSE.

Results at LCS this year, at both A Level and GCSE, are very close to those achieved by students in 2022, against a national picture where all schools were told to expect results to drop to 2019 levels.

At A Level, nearly 30% of all grades were either A* or A and nearly 90% were between A* and C.

Our Year 11 students also performed exceptionally well, with 80% of students achieving at least a Grade 4 and 61% of students achieving at least a grade 5, in both GCSE English and Maths. Overall, over 50% of GCSE grades achieved were grade 6, or above.

Significantly, our Progress 8 figure (a value-added measure, which measures students' results compared to other students nationally with similar starting points) may end up being the highest we have ever achieved; this figure will be verified later in the Autumn Term.

Given the disruption our students had faced throughout their courses over the last 2 years, these results were even more impressive and are a testament to their motivation and resilience, as well as the positive partnership between our school and our parents/carers.

Al our students deserve great credit and we wish them well in the next phase of their academic career.

Changes to school staff

As always, at the end of any academic year, several staff have left LCS and new staff will be joining us this week.

Mrs L Wilson (Assistant Headteacher) left us at the end of the last academic year and Mr M Pestell was appointed to our Senior Leadership Team, as our new Head of Key Stage 3 and Designated Teacher for Looked After Children.

Mr G Wilson has been appointed as our new Head of Year 9, to replace Mr Pestell.

There are several changes to our Pastoral and Form Tutor teams for the new school year, which were emailed to parents/carers by Mr McElhone at the end of last term. To clarify for all parents/carers, our new Pastoral Management structure is as follows:

• Year 7 – Mr J Woods (Head of Year) Miss R Freeman (Assistant Head of Year)
• Year 8 – Mr K Bowler (HOY) Mr H Boot (AHOY)
• Year 9 – Mr G Wilson (HOY) Mrs T Matthews (AHOY)
• Year 10 – Mr M Moses (HOY) Mrs A Flinders (AHOY)
• Year 11 – Ms S Doran (Head of Year) Mr T Nichol (AHOY)
• Sixth Form – Mr R Archer (Head of Centre) Mr V D'Elia (AHOC) Mrs S Senior (Senior Tutor)

School uniform

To avoid any issues at the start of the new school year, I would like to remind all parents/carers of our School Uniform policy, which can be found at the following link:

• LCS Uniform Policy

I would particularly like to remind parents/carers that students must wear shoes to school, rather than trainers, and that students should not have lines shaved into hair/eyebrows.

Towards the end of last term there were some students arriving in school with 'scratch lines' cut into their hair, which they claimed were put in by the hairdresser/barber without being requested. If your child is having/has had a hair cut ahead of the new term, please make sure they do not have these 'scratch lines' put in, as this is against school rules.

Term Dates

As in the past, requests for leave of absence during term time will not be authorised, unless the circumstances for this request are exceptional. To help parents/carers with planning and booking of holidays, our term dates are published below:

• Term Dates 2023-2024

Regular attendance remains one of the most significant factors in ensuring that students achieve their best in school, both academically and socially, and I would respectfully ask that all parents/carers support us in expecting all students to attend school each day, unless absent through illness or other, unavoidable, circumstances.

Punctuality is hugely important, also, as students lose vital lesson time when late to school and often do not arrive in the right frame of mind for learning if they are late. I would respectfully ask all parents/carers to support us in ensuring your child(ren) arrive at school for registration at 8-40am each morning. Please be aware that the roads around the school site are often congested at the start of the school day, so please take this into account when planning your journey and respect the safety of all our students, as well as our local residents, when dropping/picking up students from school.

Key Safeguarding information

The safety of all our students is our number one priority and there is a comprehensive list of relevant safeguarding information and links on our safeguarding page, below:

• LCS Safeguarding Information

As I regularly informed parents and carers throughout the last academic year, a significant number of our behaviour and safeguarding issues with students, including reasons for student suspensions from school, were related to possession/use of vape, and issues caused by posts made by students on social media. These are society problems, as well as school issues, and we cannot tackle them alone, without the support of parents and carers.

As I requested throughout the last academic year, I would once again ask all parents/carers to monitor their child's use of social media, particularly Instagram and TikTok, where most of our issues occur.

I would also respectfully, once again, ask parents/carers to be aware of the significant issue of vaping amongst young people across society and the significant problems this is causing in schools. Please discuss this issue with your child and do not assume they are not involved in vaping, as a growing number of young people are, and continue to be. Vapes should not be sold to anyone under the age of 18 and if parents/carers are aware of shops/websites selling vapes to children, this should be reported to Trading Standards.

Free School Meals

Parents/carers of students eligible for Free School Meals should apply for this via Derby City Council, at the link, below:

• Free School Meals application form

We would encourage all parents/carers to apply if eligible and to contact Derby City Council if you have any questions about your child(ren)'s eligibility for Free School Meals.

I plan to continue with my weekly email updates for parents/carers this year, but there are a couple of school events to inform you of now, which are our School Open Day, on 12th October, and Sixth Form Open Evening, on 26th October. Please add these dates to your diary and I will update you with further details nearer the time.
Thank you for your continued support of our school and I look forward to working with you all again in the year ahead.

Keep safe.

J. Wilding
Headteacher

We are very pleased with the results our Year 11 students have achieved at GCSE level this year.

OFQUAL guidance is that it is 'most meaningful to compare this year's results with those of 2019' and, on this basis, our students have done exceptionally well and their resilience and determination to succeed has been rewarded with excellent grades. The vast majority of students will have achieved the results needed for their first choice Post-16 option.

• 80% of students have achieved Grade 4 or above in English and Maths.
• 55% of students achieved Grade 4 or above in the suite of subjects making up the Ebacc.
• Over 50% of all grades were Grade 6 or above.

We would like to congratulate all students and thank all parents and carers for your support over the last 5 years.

Students can collect results in the Main Hall from 9am on Thursday 24th August and students offered places to LCS Sixth Form should complete the electronic enrolment form by the end of the day, if they wish to accept this offer.

Thank you.

J. Wilding
Headteacher

It has been another excellent year for A Level results at Littleover Community School. Despite having their education severely disrupted by the pandemic, students have produced a set of results that is in line with some of the school's best ever year groups.

• Over 80% of students achieved at least 1 A*-B grade
• Nearly 30% of all grades were A*s or As
• Nearly 90% of all grades fell in the A*-C category
• 27 students achieved 3 or more A*-A grades
• 73 students achieved 3 or more A*-B grades.

Most importantly of all, with virtually all subjects recording a 100% pass rate and the average grade across all entries being a B, students will be in a strong position as they move forward toward their chosen post 18 option, whether it be university, apprenticeship or employment.

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

J. Wilding
Headteacher

LCS Students performed excellently at the recent City Sports event, finishing 3rd overall with notable 1st place finishes for the Year 7 and Year 9 girls teams.

City Sports is a city-wide athletics event involving 14 schools.

Results for LCS students are as follows:

• Year 7 Boys - 4th
• Year 7 Girls - 1st
• Year 8 Boys - 8th 
• Year 8 Boys - 5th
• Year 9 Boys - 2nd
• Year 9 Girls - 1st - podium finished in every event
• Year 10 Boys - 3rd
• Year 10 Boys - 3rd

• Overall - Boys 5th
• Overall - Girls 2nd
• Overall position - 3rd

Well done to all students involved!

Mr Wilding has sent an end-of-term update to parents and carers regarding staff leavers, industrial action, term dates, safeguarding information, and go4schools changes.

To all parents and carers.

Good afternoon, from LCS.

As this is my last email update of the academic year, there are quite a few things I would like to make you aware of, related to the end of this term and the start of the new school year, in September.

I have included several links to our school website for additional information.

Staff leaving LCS at the end of this term

As usual at the end of every academic year, we have a number of staff leaving us for new challenges. The following staff will be leaving LCS at the end of this term, on Friday:

• Miss Carrondo - Languages
• Mr Bould – Wellbeing team
• Miss Pipe - Languages
• Mr Evans – History and PSHE
• Miss Antony - Maths
• Miss Scott - English
• Mrs Wilson – Assistant Headteacher

As well as staff leaving the school, we also have two staff who will begin maternity leave in September, Miss Just and Miss Richmond.

We wish all our departing staff the best of luck in the future and thank them for the work they have done for our students at LCS. We also wish Miss Just and Miss Richmond well and hope to see them in school again soon.

As well as our staff leaving us this week, Jamie Cameron will also be stepping down from his position as Chair of Governors. Jamie has lead our Governing Board through the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as our recent OFSTED inspection, and his support of myself as Headteacher and the school in general has been outstanding. We thank Jamie for his work as Chair of Governors and wish him well for the future.

Industrial Action

You will no doubt be aware that the government has recently offered a 6.5% pay increase to teachers across the country. This offer has been initially welcomed by the main teaching Unions, who are recommending to their members that the offer be accepted. If this happens, future industrial action is likely to be called off, however this has not been officially announced and will not be until later this summer, or in the Autumn.

I will update you again on this issue, at the start of the new school year.

Term Dates

The new school year begins for students on Wednesday 6th September. All students will start on the same day, at the usual time of 8-40am.

Term dates for the academic year 2023/24 can be found below:

• Term Dates 2023-2024

All parents/carers should respectfully remember that requests for authorised leave during school term time will only be accepted if the reason for absence is 'exceptional' i.e the absence can clearly not be taken at any other time.

Important exam results information – for parents/carers of students in Years 11 and 13

The address below is for the section on our school website related to exam results days and appeals. I would advise parents/carers of all Year 11 and Year 13 students to familiarise themselves with this information, ahead of students collecting exam results in August.

• Exam Information

If a student cannot collect their results from school and has nominated someone else to do so on their behalf, our Exams Officer, Miss Jupp, must be informed of this in advance.

Please email Miss Jupp using the address  r.jupp@littleover.derby.sch.uk  or via our school  admin@littleover.derby.sch.uk  email address, marked 'FAO Miss Jupp'.

I would ask parents/carers of students in Year 11 and Year 13 to check with your child(ren) that they have returned text books to school, as non-return of books costs us hundreds of pounds every year. If students still have text books, these should be brought into school and returned to Reception, by the end of Friday.

Safeguarding information

We have received the following, from Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service Prevention Team

LOGO DESIGN COMPETITION

We are asking pupils in Year 6 and years 7-11 in Derby and Derbyshire to take part in a competition to design a Water Safety Partnership Logo.
The Derbyshire Water Safety Partnership is made up of various stakeholders including the Canal and River Trust, Severn Trent Water, Derbyshire Constabulary and the RNLI. The Partnership aims to maximise water safety, reduce cases of drowning and water related injuries through prevention, education and awareness.

We are looking for a logo that embodies this message for us to use. A winner and two runners up will be chosen by Mr and Mrs Ndlovu; the parents of Thando Ndlovu who sadly passed away in the River Trent in 2021 at the age of 15.

 The prizes will include:

• A seasonal parking permit for use at Carsington, Tittesworth Water, Draycote Water, Linacre Reservoir and Shustoke.
• A Markeaton Park voucher booklet,  giving access to the Mundy Play Centre where equipment includes bouncy castle, mini-golf and canoes (age restrictions may apply).
• A day's free cycle hire for a family from the visitor's centre at Middleton Top, High Peak Trail,  a bug hotel from the environment agency and a £25 Waterstones gift card.

The winner will also be invited to their local fire station for a tour of the station and a meet and greet with the crew. We hope that taking part in this competition over the summer will keep water safety at the forefront of people's minds. All entries should be emailed to
 competition@derbys-fire.gov.uk

The safeguarding section of our school website includes other general safety information, including safety around water, railways and derelict buildings. There is also information on how to report safeguarding concerns during the summer holiday.

• Safeguarding Links

As well as the existing safeguarding information on our website, we have also been made aware of a new App called 'Vent' (though it has also been seen under the name 'Vent – Express Yourself Freely').

This App is being used by some young people who self-harm, to compete against each other by "scoring" their acts of self-harm. This is clearly very concerning and dangerous and we would like to bring it to the attention of all parents/carers.

An alert regarding this App has been sent to schools by the Youth Offending Service and we would ask all parents/carers to be aware of this App and its potentially harmful content.

Go4Schools changes

Go4Schools will be changing format in September. A separate email with more detailed information will be sent to all parents/carers by Mr Buchanan, at a later date. There will be no change to the information parents/carers and students will be able to view on Go4Schools, but the site is being updated and the existing format will change.

I will write to all parents and carers again before students return to school on September 6th, but all that remains for now is for me to wish you all a happy, peaceful and well deserved, summer holiday.

Thank you to all parents and carers for your continued support of our school, our students and our staff. I look forward to seeing all students again, for the start of the new school year on September 6th.

Summer Term finishes this Friday, 21st July, at the earlier time of 1-40pm.

Keep safe.

J. Wilding
Headteacher

Mr Wilding has sent an update to parents and carers regarding the upcoming NEU industrial Action.

You will be aware that the NEU have called two further days of national Industrial Action in schools, on Wednesday 5 th and Friday 7th July.

Having assessed potential staff absence on these two days, it is clear we will not have sufficient teaching staff to allow students on site, other than in small numbers. Therefore, all lessons for students in Years 7- 10 and Y12 will take place remotely on both 5th and 7th July, via Teams.

On both strike days, we will be inviting students into school with an EHCP, as well as those students who are our potentially most vulnerable. Parents and carers of these students will be contacted individually, by members of our Learning Support and Safeguarding teams, over the next few days.

As on previous strike days, staff in school will set lessons on Teams by 8-50am on the 5th and 7th July. If lessons are taking place, students will be able to check on Teams by 8-50am. Where lessons are not taking place, students can access a range of relevant tasks and resources, from the sources and links previously made available.

Students eligible for free school Meals will be able to collect food from school during the normal lunch break, from 1-20pm to 2pm.

School will be open as normal for all students on Monday 3rd, Tuesday 4th and Thursday 6th July.

I am informing all parents and carers of the situation now, in order to provide you all with as much notice as possible and to help families to make any required arrangements. The situation is unlikely to change between now and the scheduled strike days, but if there are any developments which impact on our potentially opening to students, I will let you know. This is a national dispute between Unions and Government and not a dispute within or between staff at LCS. As all major education Unions have balloted members over industrial action, or are planning to do so, further action is possible across the country in the Autumn Term. If and when I have any confirmed news of this, I will pass any relevant information on to all parents and carers.

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

Yours sincerely

J. Wilding
Headteacher

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

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

Year 8 will be involved with MADfest, on Friday 30th June in conjunction with the LCS Creative Arts department.

All Year 8 students will be off timetable from period one through to period four, participating in exciting bespoke Creative Arts workshops. The theme for this year is "The Environment".

We have sixteen practitioners, many from the creative industries sector, educationalists, and environmental groups who will be working with students. Within these 10 workshops, students will learn new skills, have an opportunity to discuss creative ideas, and have professionals share about their own journey and their own careers. 

Students will be immersed in their own creative journey, inspiring others around them, and creating positive change in the community as they address the 'environmental brief'.

This year's LCS Music Festival will be held on Thursday 6th July 7:00pm-9:30pm.

The Music Festival showcases the wide variety of musical talent we have in school.

Tickets are available in school from Ms Chawner in C14. Prices are as follows:

We look forward to seeing you there!

Mr Wilding has sent an update to parents and carers regarding Derby Vape Awareness Week, NEU Industrial Action and second-hand uniform sales.

To all parents and carers.

Good afternoon, from LCS.

Derby Vape Awareness Week

The main purpose of my update today is to draw your attention to a city-wide campaign by all Derby Secondary Schools this week, to raise awareness of the increasing numbers of our young people we are seeing using vape, including a growing number bringing vape and vape products into our schools.

I have written to all LCS parents/carers numerous times over the past 12 to 18 months to raise this issue with you, and we have been working with students in lessons and whole-school Assemblies to make them aware of the risks and consequences of vaping, on various different levels.

For several years now, our policy at LCS has been to issue students with a Suspension, if they are found to be vaping, or in possession of vape products, in school, or while wearing school uniform. Despite our firm stance on this, which all students are aware of, and regular reminders to students around the dangers of vape, we are continuing to find students with these items in school.

As you will see from the attached letter, signed by all Derby Headteachers and Public Health, our concerns around vaping across our city include health risks associated with the nicotine and various other ingredients found in vape, as well as the trade in vapes which a growing number of students are becoming involved in. Some shops are selling vape to children under the age of 18 and websites are also clearly being accessed by students, where age checks are not being made.

I cannot stress enough how much of a concern this is to me, and my fellow Headteachers across Derby, at this time, and I am asking for your continued support in helping us tackle this issue, for the benefit of all our young people.

Please read the attached letter and related information leaflets and discuss this matter with your child(ren) at home.

If you would like to contact me personally about this issue, please do so via our main school email address.

• Letter from Derby Schools re: Vaping
• Vaping Awareness Leaflet 1
• Vaping Awareness Leaflet 2

NEU Industrial Action

I am sure most parents/carers will be aware of the latest round of Industrial Action called by the NEU, announced over the last 48 hours. Strike action will be taken by members of the NEU nationally on Wednesday 5th and Friday 7th July.

As has been the case with previous strike days, we will assess the likely situation with staff absence on these days and make an announcement as soon as we can around whether we will be able to have any students on site.

Second-hand uniform sales

Thank you to all parents/carers who have donated uniform for our planned second-hand uniform sale on 11th July. We are still looking for donations, which can be brought to our Reception by parents/carers between 9am and 4pm each day, or by students to C2 office. The more donations we have, the more we can help support families during the current cost of living crisis.

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

Keep safe.

J. Wilding
Headteacher

LCS has a vacancy for the position of: Finance/Administration Officer.

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

Mr Wilding has sent an update to parents and carers regarding the forecasted warm weather.

To all parents and carers.

Good afternoon, from LCS.

The weather forecast this week is for warm, sunny weather, with temperatures averaging mid-20 degrees.

We would encourage students to bring refillable drinking bottles/cups into school this week, in order to remain hydrated throughout the day. We have reduced the price of bottled water across our food serveries this week, to also help with this.

Students are encouraged to bring sun cream to protect against the sun at break and lunchtimes and can wear a hat/cap when outside during social times, if they wish. Any hats/caps worn for this purpose must be removed when inside the building.

As the forecast is currently due to change within the next 5 days or so, we will be making no further adaptions to school uniform, or our normal school operations, at this stage.

Thank you.

J. Wilding
Headteacher

LCS is collecting messages of support for Mrs Middleton following her recent diagnosis.

To all parents and carers and former LCS students.

Many parents/carers and students will be aware that Mrs Middleton, a member of our teaching staff in our Languages department, has been absent from school through illness for the last 12 months. Mrs Middleton was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in May 2022 and has unfortunately not been able to return to school. Mrs Middleton has recently received the news that her condition is now life limiting.

As a school, we have been in regular communication with Mrs Middleton throughout the last 12 months and several staff have visited her recently, since the completion of her most recent hospital treatment. Staff have been made aware of Mrs Middleton's most recent diagnosis, but we have not made this news public, at Mrs Middleton's request, to parents/carers and students, until now.

We have received several messages from parents, students and former students in the last few days, after the recent story in the Derby Telegraph and Derbyshire Live website, about Mrs Middleton. This has been a tremendously difficult time for Mrs Middleton and her family, as well as staff at LCS, where Mrs Middleton has been a great colleague and friend since joining the school in 2003.

Any parents/carers, students or former students wishing to send messages of support to Mrs Middleton can do so via the school admin email address. Please send any messages to   admin@littleover.derby.sch.uk   and mark your message in the subject box 'For Mrs Middleton'. All messages will be collated and forwarded to Mrs Middleton personally.

If this news has personally affected your child or it has reminded them of their grief and sadness about a loved one, there are people they can speak to in school. You can ring or email school and ask to speak to the Head of Year, or contact the Wellbeing Team via the school number or  contact.safeguarding@littleover.derby.sch.uk email address; please mark any messages 'FAO the Wellbeing Team'.

Some people find it easier to share their grief and seek support through helpful agencies. The list below are some places where we know our children and families have previously been supported. All of these agencies can be accessed online and offer advice to parents/carers and emotional wellbeing strategies for young people. Many also have access to live text chat with counsellors or helplines. We would always recommend that you look at any website yourself, before sharing them with your child.

If you or your child continue to require support, please get in touch with Miss Jenkins or Ms Boulton, from our Safeguarding and Wellbeing team, by emailing    contact.safeguarding@littleover.derby.sch.uk

Emotional Wellbeing Support for adults/ over 16s:

Quell www.quell.io                                                                  
Trent PTS: Psychological Services www.trentpts.co.uk    
Samaritans www.samaritans.org      

Emotional Wellbeing support for young people:

Young Minds: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/
Treetops www.treetopshospice.org.uk     
Winston's Wish www.winstonswish.org 

I know you will join me and all LCS staff in sending our collective support to Mrs Middleton and her family, at this time.

J. Wilding
Headteacher

LCS has a vacancy for the position of: ICT Technician

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

LCS has a vacancy for the position of: Teacher of P.E.

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

Mr Wilding has sent an update to parents and carers regarding exams, revision sessions, water safety, e-safety and access to the school site.

To all parents and carers.

Good afternoon, from LCS.

We are well into the busy exam period in school, with students in Year 11 and Year 13 continuing with exams, right through to the end of June. Students have shown exemplary attitude to exams and revision lessons so far and we hope they ultimately gain the results their efforts deserve. Students in Key Stage 3 have also been experiencing exams, some for the first time, in recent weeks and have shown an equally impressive attitude and approach.

A reminder to parents/carers of students in Year 11 that a full programme of revision session was sent out recently by Mr Buchanan and we would like, where possible, parents/carers to encourage their children to attend these important sessions.

Half-term ends tomorrow, 26th May and students should return to school on Monday 5th June.

I have a few important updates and messages in my email to you today.

A message from Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service

This week, Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service launched a hard-hitting water safety video called 'Thando's Story', told in the words of Mr and Mrs Ndlovu who lost their much-loved son Thando in July 2021.

Thando's Story aims to encourage parents, carers and guardians to speak to young children about the dangers of open water, and directly warn young people in the hope that Thando's death will leave a legacy that will prevent future water deaths. 

This is such an important message and one that ahead of the end of term holiday and warmer weather, is particularly important.   Parents/carers can also follow @derbyshireFRS  social media posts, to help spread the message far and wide. 

You can link to Thando's Story here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Jz5t3BA6rQ 

Social Media Influencers

A campaign for National On-line Safety has released a poster for parents and carers regarding Social Media Influencers. On-line safety and use of social media, in particular, continues to be an issue for many of our young people. I hope you find the Social Media Influencers information useful.

• Influencers Poster

Please also refer to information on our school website, at:
https://www.littleover.derby.sch.uk/information.php#esafety

Access to school site

A polite reminder to all parents/carers, that students should not be dropped-off or picked up by parents/carers in vehicles at the Fresco Drive entrance gate to school. If students are using this gate to access school site, parents/carers must park on Fresco Drive itself and allow students to walk into school via the access road, rather than driving down the access road to the gate itself.

Thank you for your support.

Keep safe.

J. Wilding
Headteacher

Parents of Year 6 students starting at LCS in September have been sent 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.

LCS has a vacancy for the position of: Teacher of History and PSHE.

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

LCS has a vacancy for the position of: Cook Supervisor.

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

LCS has a vacancy for the position of: Teacher of PSHE/Psychology.

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

Mr Wilding has sent an update to parents and carers regarding some important school events, as well as links to useful sources of support to help keep our students safe.

To all parents and carers.

GCSE and A Level exams

All of us at LCS would like to wish our Year 11 and Year 13 students the best of luck in their GCSE and A Level exams, which begin from next Monday.

We have put together a comprehensive plan of revision sessions for students in Year 11, which will be sent to all students, parents and carers by the end of this week. We would strongly advise students to attend all relevant sessions, either in school or on Teams, and would ask parents/carers to encourage your children to attend these important sessions.

All students have been provided with timings and venues for all exams. Students must attend all exams on time and must be in full uniform whenever on school site, either for exams or revision sessions.

Parents/carers of students in Key Stage 3 should also soon be receiving details of tests students will be taking in English, Maths and Science before the end of this term. We are sharing this information in order to help parents/carers support children in their preparation for these tests.

Uniform sales

To further assist our parents and carers with the current cost of living, LCS will be holding a second-hand uniform sale on 11th July 2023.
In advance of the sale, we would like to ask for donations of any LCS uniform items you have in good condition, that your child has outgrown. Items could include sweatshirts, polo shirts, trousers, skirts or PE kit etc.

Parents/carers with donations can bring items to school Reception, from 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday. Alternatively, students can bring any donations in to C2.

Thank you in advance for any help that you can give.

LCS PSA Quiz

Our PSA will be hosting a Quiz night in the main school hall on Thursday 25th May at 6-30pm. There are some great prizes on offer, as well as a licenced bar, soft drinks, samosas and snacks. All proceeds will go towards funding additional outdoor seating and covered areas for students around the school site. Teams can be up to 6 people and tickets are on sale until 19th May.

Police webinar this evening

Derbyshire Police have asked us to share the information below, about an important webinar parents/carers may be interested in attending this evening:

Derbyshire Police and Staffordshire Police are holding a webinar on Weds 10th May at 1830h on Data Breaches and how to protect yourself, following recent incidents in the region affecting the public in Derbyshire and Staffordshire.

It is not uncommon to hear in the news about organisations that have suffered cyber attacks and data breaches. Sadly, during the last 10 months we have been advising victims on precautionary measures they need to take to protect themselves following breaches involving legal firms, car leasing firms and utilities providers to mention just a couple. 

Unfortunately, data breaches can impact the public as often, their personal information has been exposed, copied or put on to the dark web, sometimes for sale to other criminals.

This webinar will explain what a data breach is, how they may happen, and how you can protect yourself and your information, if you have been affected.

The session is a NON TECHNICAL overview that will raise your awareness and increase your resilience online.  Join Sam and Alex to learn more.

Reserve your free place via Eventbrite here :

Data Breaches. Protecting your online accounts and personal information Tickets, Wed 10 May 2023 at 18:30 | Eventbrite

If you prefer not to click on links, please search Eventbrite website for Derbyshire Police Cyber Crime Unit.

If you have any questions, please email cyber@derbyshire.police.uk

As a school, we are continuing to see students coming into conflict with each other through social media, with many issues being experienced by students in Year 7 and 8 who are below the age where they should be accessing these websites and apps. Many of our friendship, conflict, bullying and self-esteem concerns continue to be linked to what students are accessing, doing and saying online.

Both these websites, below, are useful sources of information to help parents/carers in supporting children with safer use of the internet and social media:

Safer Internet UK:
https://saferinternet.org.uk/guide-and-resource/social-media-guides 

The Tech-Savvy Parent:
https://www.thetechsavvyparent.com/post/5-ways-to-teach-kids-to-be-kind-online

Thank you for your continued support of our school.

Keep safe.

J. Wilding
Headteacher

The school term dates for the academic year 2023-24 are now available.

You can find them under School > Important Dates > Term Dates.

Timetables for the Year 7,8 and 9 Exams in May and June are now available to download.

You can download the timetables from the Exams > Exams Information.

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

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

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

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

The Year 8 Parents evening previously scheduled for 27th April will now take place on Thursday 8th June.

The LCS PSA are hosting a Quiz night in the Main School Hall on 25th May 2023, starting at 6.30pm. Tickets can be purchased online via the LCS Shop.

Funds raised will be used for outdoor seating and canopies for use by students at break and lunchtimes.

There are a number of great prizes to be won. A licensed bar will be available on the evening along with soft drinks, samosas and snacks.

Ticket prices are as follows:

There is a maximum of 6 members per team.

Tickets can be purchased from the LCS Shop or on the door.

Thanks for supporting LCS.

Mr Wilding has sent out a message to all parents and carers regarding planned strike action by the National Education Union (NEU) on Thursday 27th April and Tuesday 2nd May 2023.

To all parents and carers,

Good afternoon from LCS.

Ahead of planned industrial action by the NEU on Thursday 27th April and Tuesday 2nd May, I can confirm arrangements for school opening, as previously emailed to all parents and carers last week.

Students in Year 11 should attend school on both 27th April and 2nd May. Students should arrive at 8:50am, for a 9am start.

Students in Years 7-10 and Year 12 will have lessons set remotely, via Microsoft Teams, where teachers are available for work. Teachers will set meetings on Teams by 8-50am in the morning, for students to check which lessons will run. If teachers are not available, students should work from the list of tasks provided for previous strike days.

Mr Archer will communicate arrangements for students in Year 13 separately, to students and parents/carers, for both April 27th and May 2nd.

If the situation changes between 27th April and 2nd May, I will contact all parents/carers again, but this is unlikely due to the short gap between the two strike days, which includes a Bank Holiday.

Year 12 students who have mock exams in Maths and Chemistry will be able to attend school to complete these exams on 2nd May. These students are currently planned to be the only students additional to Year 11 and Year 13 who will be on site on 2nd May.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely, 

J. Wilding
Headteacher

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

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

Mr Wilding has sent an update to parents and carers regarding Industrial Action, the upcoming Inset day and Eid.

To all parents and carers.

Good afternoon, from LCS.

I hope you are all well and that you have been able to spend some time with family over the recent holiday. We have had a very positive start to the new term in school and students have settled back into the routine very well.

There is one main item in my update today, which I will try to keep as brief and factual as possible.

NEU Industrial Action

You will be aware that the NEU have now confirmed two further days of Industrial Action , on 27th April and 2nd May. With these new dates, the NEU has agreed to allow dispensation for some staff to attend work to support students in Year 11 and Year 13, ahead of their forthcoming exams. It is clear, however, that this is an exception for staff with Year 11 and Year 13 classes only and it does not relate to staff teaching other Year Groups.

On this basis, our plans at present are for students in Year 11 to be in school on 27/4 and 2/5, as has been the case for the last few strike days. We are currently considering the situation for students in Year 13, who are in slightly different circumstances, and Mr Archer will inform Year 13 students and their parents/carers of arrangements as soon as possible.

Students in Years 7-10 and Year 12 will have lessons set on Teams, as previously, where their teachers are available for work. For lessons where staff are not in work, students will be asked to work from the various sources and tasks previously provided.

The Year 8 Parents' Evening scheduled for 27th April will need to be postponed to later this term. Parents/carers of students in Year 8 will be contacted soon with the new arrangements.

As I have on previous occasions, if there are any changes to these plans I will confirm nearer the time.

INSET Day

A reminder that school is closed to students this Friday, 21st April, for scheduled staff INSET. All students should return to school, as normal, on Monday 24th April.

You will no doubt be aware that Monday 1st May and Monday 8th May are both national Bank Holidays and school will also be closed to students and staff on these days.

Eid Mubarak

On behalf of everyone at LCS, I would like to wish Eid Mubarak to all students, families and members of our school community celebrating the occasion of Eid this Friday. We hope you have an enjoyable and peaceful weekend.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support of our school.

Keep safe.

J. Wilding
Headteacher

Congratulations to LCS student Shreya Sayal after she was announced as a winner of a 2023 Women in the Fire Service (WFS) Young Person's Role Model Award.

Shreya was described as a young person acting with "maturity and professionalism" and someone who challenged all stereotypes of what it means to be a Firefighter.

More information about the award and nominees, including a section on Shreya, can be found on the wfs.org.uk website.

LCS has a vacancy for the position of: Deputy Co-ordinator of PSHE.

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

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

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

Timetables for the Year 12 Exams in May are now available to download.

You can download the timetables from the Exams > Exams Information.

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

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

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

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

Mr Wilding has sent an update to parents and carers regarding Industrial Action, Bus Travel, Term Dates, Safeguarding and Ramadan.

To all parents and carers.

Good morning, from LCS.

I have just a couple of brief items in my update this week. If there is nothing significant to report, I will send my next update at the start of next term, so I will wish you all happy Easter and happy holidays now, in case I do not write to you again this term.

Industrial Action

At this time, we have no further details around any planned industrial action from teaching or support staff unions. Further industrial action by teaching and support staff unions is possible, however, so I will inform all students, parents and carers as soon as there are developments.

Bus travel for students

TrentBarton have asked schools to share the attached document with all students, parents and Carers. It contains useful information on ticket options for secondary school students, as well as published routes and information about careers.

School Term Dates

Spring Term ends next Friday, 31st March. School will finish at the normal time of 3pm.

Students return for the start of Summer Term on Monday 17th April and there will be an INSET Day on Friday 21st April.

Safeguarding

I would like to, once again, draw you attention to the important safeguarding information which can be found on our school website. There are some useful links to support agencies and relevant sources of information, as well as details of safeguarding and wellbeing staff and procedures in school; this includes information about how to report concerns during school holidays.

This information can be found on the LCS Safeguarding page.

Ramadan Mubarak

Myself, all LCS staff and our wider school community would like to send our best wishes for a peaceful Ramadan, to all students and families beginning the holy month this week.

Thank you to all parents and carers for your continued support of our school.

Keep safe.

J. Wilding
Headteacher

LCS has a vacancy for the position of: Assistant Headteacher - Key Stage Leader.

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

LCS has a vacancy for the position of: Cook Supervisor.

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

LCS has a vacancy for the position of: Careers Lead.

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

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

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

To all parents and carers.

After assessing likely staff absence based on today's Industrial action, I can confirm that school will be open for students in Year 11 only tomorrow, 16th March. Students in all other Year Groups will have lessons set on Microsoft Teams, where teachers are in school

Students in Year 11 should arrive no earlier than 8-50am tomorrow and will register in their Period 1 lessons, at 9am. All other arrangements for Year 11 students will be as today.

School will re-open to all students on Friday 17th March.

Thank you for your continued support.

J. Wilding
Headteacher

Mr Wilding has sent out a message to all parents and carers regarding planned strike action by the National Education Union (NEU) on 15th/16th March 2023.

To all parents and carers,

NEU Industrial Action – Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th March

You will no doubt be aware of proposed Industrial Action being taken by the NEU, on Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th March. These dates follow two previous days of Industrial Action by the NEU, on 1st February and 1st March

As this action looks likely to go ahead, I would like to provide parents, carers and students with as much notice as possible of our plans as a school for these days, as I have done in the past.

Wednesday 15th March

School will be open on Wednesday 15th March for students in Year 11 and Year 13 only. Where teachers are in school, lessons for Year 11 and Year 13 will run as normal. Where teachers are not in school, students will be supervised to complete classwork, or revision, as was the case on 1st February.

Students in all other Year Groups will have lessons set on Microsoft Teams, where teachers are in school, with arrangements being as they were on 1st February.

In addition to students in Year 11 and Year 13, a small number of our most vulnerable students will also be contacted individually and invited to be in school.

Students eligible for Free School Meals can attend school between 1-20pm and 2-00pm, where a meal will be available for them in the Main Dining Hall.

Thursday 16th March

Current indications of staff absence mean that it is likely only Year 11 students will be able to attend school on Thursday 16th March. If this is the case, arrangements will be as above, for all other Year Groups.

As on 15th March, a small number of our most vulnerable students will also be contacted individually and invited to be in school.

As arrangements for both days are subject to potential change, I will contact all parents and carers on 14th March to confirm arrangements for 15th March, and on 15th March to confirm arrangements for 16th March.

As we have done on both of the previous days of NEU Industrial Action this term, we have looked closely at likely staffing levels for 15th and 16th March, before making a decision on which students we feel we can safely have on site. In making the decision to have Year 11 and Year 13 on site on Wednesday 15th March and Year 11 only on 16th March, we have looked at all available options and chosen to prioritise those students with exams this summer, as well as our most vulnerable students.

I fully understand the frustration some parents and carers will be feeling about their children not being able to attend school on these days, but I would like to thank all parents and carers, once again, for your continued understanding and support.

Yours sincerely, 

J. Wilding
Headteacher

Timetables for Year 10 School Exams in March and April are now available to download.

You can download the timetables from the Exams > Exams Information.

School will be open as normal on Friday 10th March. Parents should monitor emails and the school social media platforms for updates.

Good morning, from LCS.

School will be open as normal again today.

There is snow on site, but the forecast is for weather to clear by mid morning.

If this is not the case and we have further snowfall, we may adjust the timings of the school day, as we did yesterday.

Please check for updates via email and social media throughout this morning.

Due to the weather conditions, we will not be enforcing rules over footwear today and students wishing to wear an alternative to their usual school shoes can do so.

Thank you.

J. Wilding
Headteacher

Mr Wilding has sent an update to parents and carers regarding snow on the school site. School will finish today at 2:45pm for all students.

To all parents/carers.

We have had increased snowfall around the school site in the last 2 hours. The school site remains fully accessible and all paths and access roads are clear.
For the safety of all students and staff, we will have a shorter lunch break today and school will finish slightly earlier than normal.

School will finish at 2:45pm today for all students.

Please also be aware of the following:

• All detentions after school today will not take place and will be rearranged.
• All sports fixtures and extra-curricular clubs will be cancelled.
• The school bus is planning to arrive at normal time of 3:30pm and any students needing the bus will be able to wait in the school building until it arrives.

Please continue to check updates on email and social media for any information related to school opening tomorrow. As things stand, school will be open, but we may adapt timings as we have done today.

Confirmation of school opening will be sent via email and social media, before 7:30am tomorrow.

Thank you.

J. Wilding
Headteacher

LCS has a vacancy for the position of: Sixth Form Study Supervisor / Administration Assistant.

For more information please see the Job Vacancies Page.

Mr Wilding has issued an update to parents and carers regarding safeguarding, medical information and links to exciting opportunities for students.

Good morning from LCS.   

My update this week includes important safeguarding and medical information, as well as links to exciting opportunities for students, both in school and through our local partners.  

I hope you find the information included in this update useful.  

A message from our Designated safeguarding Lead, Ms Jenkins

We have been asked to share the information below with all parents and carers, on behalf of the Children's Society:  

Across the country, young people are being manipulated, sexually abused, forced to launder money and deal drugs. Exploitation isn't obvious, but it happens everywhere and can happen to anyone.

For parents and carers, it is often difficult to spot the signs or know what to do. On this website, you can find information around the signs of exploitation and how you can report and get advice to help protect your child. 

LookCloser To Spot Exploitation | The Children's Society (childrenssociety.org.uk)    

The Children's Society social media sites:

• Twitter @childrensociety and @TCSImpact
• Facebook @childrenssociety  
• Instagram @thechildrenssociety  
• LinkedIn - The Children's Society

Further, general safeguarding information and advice can be found on our Safeguarding Page.

A message from Ms McSkimming (School Medical Officer)  

For parents/carers of students using Epipens and/or Asthma inhalers in school, please ensure your child has their Epipen and/or Asthma inhaler with them at all times. This includes keeping them close by when in a lesson where their bags are not immediately accessible, e.g. PE and Drama.

A reminder that students should not carry medication routinely with them in school. Any medication being brought into school requires completion of an 'Administration of Medications in School' form.

Completed forms should be returned to Ms A McSkimming, Medical Officer.  

Derby University Saturday Club  

Derby University (in conjunction with other partners) are running the  National Saturday Club, from Saturday 4 th  March . This is part of a successful and exciting national scheme and is the first of its kind in Derby. They are seeking creative and artistic students to explore the theme ' Society and Change '.  The project is open to students aged 13 to 16 who have interest in either Art, Music and writing and there will be many opportunities for making and showcasing their work.     
   
Those who are selected will be tutored by specialists with industry related experience. These sessions will take place at Pride Park and Art Core gallery.  The club will also provide opportunities over and above the 3-hour weekly sessions on a Saturday morning, a pop-up exhibition at the University of Derby, podcasting and showcase at a Derby County Home game (and tickets to the match). There will also be a trip to London to have a certificated ceremony for participation, with an exhibition of work at Summerset House.    

This is a 15-week programme starting on the 4 th  March and is free of charge. More details, including information about the aims of the National Saturday Club, and how to sign up, are available on the following link  https://saturday-club.org/club/university-of-derby/  

You will also find links to this information on our school Twitter and Facebook sites.  

Updated School Clubs and extra-curricular activities  

We have updated our list of available clubs and activities for students during and before/after the school day.

The updated list can be found at LCS Clubs and Extra Curricular Activities.

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

Keep safe.  

J. Wilding
Headteacher