Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA, M.Ed, Darlington … 1 of 15 Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA,...
Transcript of Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA, M.Ed, Darlington … 1 of 15 Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA,...
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Head teacher: Mr I Robertson, BA, M.Ed, Darlington Road, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 7BQ Tel: 01748 850111, Email: [email protected], Website: www.richmondschool.net
Dear Parent/Carer
The school year has started in a really positive way. Our results at both GCSE and A Level have been confirmed as being significantly above the national average. After a year of uncertainty on a national scale, with new GCSE and A Level courses running, it has been hugely reassuring to know that the hard work that went in to supporting the students through these new examination courses has resulted in some excellent outcomes.
We have held two very 'busy' Open Evenings over the last month. The first one for prospective Year 7 students and the second for potential Year 12 students. Both sittings for the formal talk on each evening were full and the school was literally a hive of activity. It was very rewarding to see how confident and relaxed the new Year 7 students were in their roles as student helpers. Diana Murray and Seth Wilkinson impressed us all with their public speaking skills. In front of more than 250 visitors they delivered their speeches, which they had written themselves. I know that everyone present would agree that they spoke with confidence, honesty and humour about their initial weeks at Richmond School.
We have a busy half-term ahead and many plans. Our school focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) continues, as does the work we have started on the three values of Independence, Excellence and Resilience.
I would like to thank all parents for monitoring and signing school planners and insisting that the students take responsibility for organising themselves and their work. Our checking of the student planners has shown that to date they are being used very consistently across the school. Whilst it may only seem like a small thing, we are convinced that getting the 'small things' absolutely right will help us to keep improving standards and ensure each student has the most positive experience possible at Richmond School.
I wish you all a restful half-term break.
Best wishes,
Jenna Potter
(Head of School)
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Year 11 PPEs (Pre-Public Examinations) – W/C Monday 13th November All Year 11 students now have their PPE timetable and should be in a good position to plan their revision for these all-important forthcoming exams. We urge all Year 11 students to spend some of their half-term holiday revising. The Year 11 Handbook (all students have a copy) contains lots of good advice about how to revise and students have received ongoing help and guidance from their subject teachers and tutor. Students are urged to purchase all the necessary subject specific revision guides from the Parent Portal Shop on the School Website. The Maths Department is encouraging students to spend as much time as possible using 'Mathswatch' - an online Maths resource designed to help students improve on their highlighted areas of weakness. We know that students who used this consistently last year saw significant improvements in their results. The Year 11 Practical PPEs take place immediately after half-term i.e. W/C Monday 30th October We have been very impressed with the application and work ethic of a large number of our Year 11 students and we wish them well during the challenging time ahead.
Academic Update
Key Stage 3
The academic focus this year will be on the school values of resilience, independence and
excellence. We are sure that if students are able to show resilience (through responding to
teacher feedback for example) and independence (completing homework and revision tasks
and developing the ability to work independently) they will achieve excellence – grades that are
close to, or even above, target. All students in Key Sage 3 should now be aware of their
subject target grades and know what they are aiming for academically this year. The first
Aiming High report will be available to parents just before the Christmas holiday and you will be
able to see the progress your son or daughter is making. These will also include an Attitude to
Learning grade for each subject.
Some dates for your diaries –
Year 7 and Year 8 Assessment Week - 26th- 29th March (the week before the Easter
Holiday.)
Year 9 PPE (Pre-Public Examinations) week - 25th-29th June
Year 7 Parents’ Evening – 15th May
Year 8 Parents’ Evening – 13th March
Year 9 Parents’ Evening – 6th February
As always, if you have any questions abought your child’s learning don’t hesitate to get in
touch.
Jim Coldwell - Lead Learning Manager Key Stage 3
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Key Stage 4
The students in Year 10 and 11 have got off to a flying start and it was great to see so many of
you at the information evenings we held last month. There are many challenges ahead,
particularly for Year 11 who should have started revising for their PPEs in earnest now.
Throughout Key stage 4, they have received lots of advice about revision and study techniques
and there are a variety of online websites and applications for them to use, such as: BBC
Bitesize, GCSE Pod and Maths Watch. Revision guides are also available to purchase via
Parent Pay.
Please encourage your son or daughter to revise for a couple of hours every day over the next
few weeks, even get involved yourself by noting key dates on the family calendar, pin the exam
timetable up on the wall, help with planning a revision schedule, and ensure they have a
healthy diet and get a good night’s sleep.
As always, if your son or daughter needs any advice or support, please get in touch:
Key Dates for Year 11
HALF–TERM: an ideal revision opportunity.
Mon 30th Oct – Fri 3rd Nov
Practical PPE Week: Art, Drama, Digital Photography, Music
Mon 13th – Mon 20th Nov
Pre Public Exams (PPEs)
Fri 15th Dec
PPE Results Assembly and Collection (L4L)
Wed 13th Dec
Aiming High 2 Reports available
Year 10 Handbooks Year 10 students will take part in a formal Year 10 launch assembly on Friday 20th October and will receive their own Year 10 copy of the Key Stage 4 Handbook. We encourage all students and parents to read this document in detail as it contains lots of helpful information to support the students through their studies.
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Under 16 Area Netball Tournament
We took a mixed Year 10 and 11 girls’ Netball
team to the Under16 Area Netball rally on 15th
September at Queen Mary’s School near Thirsk.
This tournament is very early in the season and
the girls had only managed to fit in one training
session before the event. Despite this, they
performed very well beating Thirsk, Northallerton
and Queen Mary’s School. They narrowly lost out
to SFX, Stokesley and Cundall Manor. The team
achieved 4th place overall.
Under 15 Netball V Stokesley School
The Year 10 girls’ Netball team travelled to
Stokesley School on 28th September to play a
friendly fixture. It was a very closely-fought game
with both teams being evenly matched.
Richmond did however finish strong with the
overall result ending with a 22-14 win. Great
performances were produced by the whole team
but special mention goes to the effective
partnership of our two shooters Evie McFarlane and Abbie Robson. The girls rarely missed a
shot all night.
The picture from left to right: Jade Hall, Toni Carr, Evie McFarlane, Miah Macey-Glithro, Abbie
Robson, Emma Brown, Katie Wood, Nadia Fenwick.
Year 9 Boys’ Football
The Year 9 and Year 11 football
squads qualified for round 3 of the
ESFA National cup with exceptional
victories against Conyers School. The
Year 9s started the game with pace
and power, which the Conyers defence
couldn't deal with and within the first
seven minutes the Year 9s were 4-0
up. Nathan Carvey opened the scoring
after good work from man of the match
Sam Connolly. Sam then scored two
further goals with brilliant finishes and then Matty Callender scored from a free kick to make
the score 4-0. Conyers fought back after the initial onslaught and scored just before half time to
make it 4-1. In the second half Richmond were again dominant and scored a further 3 goals to
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make the full time score line 7-2 with Sam Connolly adding another two goals and Ben Dale
scoring the seventh.
The Year 11s had a much tougher game and had to come from behind to get the victory. Man
of the match, Dan Luck, scoring a great left-footed goal to make the score 1-1 at half time. In
the second half Richmond defended for large parts with striker James Kelly dealing with scraps
on the counter attack. However, the Richmond defence dealt with all of the attacks from
Conyers and James Kelly scored the winner to send Richmond School into round 3 with a 2-1
victory. The Year 11s also had a close victory versus Bedale School in the Area cup as they
won 1-0 through a Sanny Lingthep penalty when again the Richmond School defence was on
top throughout.
Year 7 Boys’ Football
Following a 3-1 defeat in the ESFA Cup
in round 1 the Year 7s recorded their
first victory for the school in two
emphatic wins versus Bedale
School. After going a goal down in the A
team game they recovered to win 10-1,
Fin Tulip scoring four goals, Preston
Gredziak scoring 3 with other goals
coming from man of the match Luke
Wade, Alex Walton and Sam Booth. In
the ‘B team’ Richmond's forwards were
too strong and they ran out 9-0
winners. Caden Beckett's forward running causing problems all game as he scored two and
set up another 3 for man of the match Jake Percival. Seth Wilkinson, Karl Harris and Callum
Paton scoring the other goals.
English Schools’ Fell-Running Championships
On the 24th September a team of students took
part in the English Schools’ Fell-Running
Championships – a national competition, held
this year in Settle, that attracts entries from
over 100 schools.
Our runners showed fantastic resilience, on
some extremely tough courses. In the Year 8/9
boys’ race Dan Francis finished in a fantastic
17th place, with George McCowie, Charles
Bacon, Peter Longstaff, Morgan Soley, Aiden
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Smith and Dan Cutter also performing well. Isobel
Brooks was our only competitor in the Year 8/9
girls’ competition.
Our Year 10/11 boys’ team finished in an
impressive 4th place overall, with Dylan Soley
finishing 16th and James Longstaff and James
Thornton (both Year 10 and therefore running a
year young) making up the team. Isabel Bacon and
Andie Jones both secured good places in the Year
10/11 girls’ completion.
All the students represented the school impeccably in what is undoubtedly one of country’s
toughest athletic competitions.
Under 13 Girls’ Football team
Our Girls’ Football team won their game against Northallerton School with a fantastic score of 3-1. Two of the goals from our new year 7 team members (Lucy Denton and Faith Andrews) and the third from Year 8 player Amy Potter.
Player of the match went to Emma Scott for her outstanding, consistent defence. The team was captained by Ellen Atkinson - Brilliant goalkeeping throughout.
We would like to thank the Trustees for the funding of our brand-new kit, the donation has been very much appreciated by everyone on the team.
Our brand-new players to the squad; Charmaine Nicholson, Maisy Forbes, Charlotte Harrison and Holly McCowie - all did an amazing job too!
Year 8 Football
The boys made a really positive start to the season overturning High Tunstall, a team who beat
them 4-1 the previous season, securing a strong 2-0 win. They have also progressed to the
second rounds of both the ESFA National Cup and the Area Cup with victories against Manor
Academy, 9-1 and Wensleydale, 5-0 respectively. Unfortunately though, progress to the
second round of the County Cup ended in round one with a loss to a strong team from South
Craven.
The goals have been shared around the team with numerous players contributing. However,
special mention must go to Connor Leak (8STH) who has made a blistering start to the season
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scoring 5 goals and Luka Green (8ABU) who scored a hat trick off the bench against Manor
Academy.
Inter-Regional Track Championships
Ben Partridge (Year 9) was selected to be part of a four-man team to represent the North East
at the British Cycling Inter-Regional Track Championships held at the Sir Chris Hoy velodrome,
Glasgow. 12 regional teams of 4 boys and 4 girls, all under 16, are selected to take part in a
range of track events.
The North-East boys had a particularly young
team with Ben being the youngest boy at the
whole event.
Ben enjoyed the experience very much, with the
highlight being a personal best in his flying
200m, and the team being 6th in the team sprint.
Overall the team were 11th which was very
respectable given the age difference to some of
the other teams.
School Ski Team
The Ski team recently competed in Norwich
in the English Schools' Ski Association
National Championships and both the girls
and boys teams qualified for the British
Schools’ Artificial Ski Slope Championships
to be held in Pontypool in South Wales on
Sunday 19th November.
Picture Left to Right: Mia Cole, Isabel
Bushell, James Norman, Hannah
Speakman, Olivia Frankland, Tom Cole,
Isobel Brooks, Alex Speakman, Emily Riley, Ben Webster.
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Year 11 Geography Field Trip to Arkengarthdale
In September, Year 11 Geographers investigated changing downstream characteristics of the Arkle Beck in Arkengarthdale. With the title, “Aims & location of the fieldwork” developed in lessons beforehand, the trip allowed students to collect primary data and to examine whether the Bradshaw model was relevant to this location. Following Mr Hedley’s demonstration of data collection techniques at the first site, students then worked in groups of 12 to collect their own data at four following sites. They measured key aspects such as the wetted perimeter of the channel, average depth and average velocity of the water.
On returning to school, the students presented, analysed and evaluated their data in preparation for their unit 3 exam in the summer. All the students were an absolute credit to both the Geography department & Richmond School. Miss Young, Mr Hedley, Mrs House and Mr Clark.
Yes@RichmondSchool
Following a successful seven years as an Enhanced Mainstream School for Cognition and
Learning (Specific Learning Difficulties) Richmond School has launched a new website
www.yesatrichmondschool.net. The website provides a wealth of information linked to
strategies and interventions which help students with a 'learning difference'. Designed
to support parents, students and teaching staff and other educational professionals, the
website also provides information about training courses and information drop in sessions
and signposts effective resources.
Contact [email protected] or visit the website www.yesatrichmondschool.net. YES @
Richmond School can also be found on Twitter @YesSpLD.
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Audition Success
Following an audition open to young people (age 14 – 18) across the whole of Yorkshire,
Stefan Wardale (Year 11) gained one of five places for the successful candidates to come
together and compose and perform a piece of music for the Huddersfield Contemporary Music
Festival
This is the 40th year that the festival has been running and is the largest International festival
for Contemporary Music held over 10 days in November.
Year 9 History
All the year 9 students have had “History come alive” with a talk on the
First World War with artefacts from Carl Watts, the Education Officer at
the Green Howards Museum in Richmond.
Students were allowed to touch and try on original artefacts from the war
as Carl explained what life in the trenches would have been like. They
were surprised to discover the variety and difference of uniforms and
helmets used during the war, as Carl explained
why they changed over time reflecting the changing
nature of warfare.
Students were also very interested to handle original First World War
weapons, listen to the very loud sound of a gas rattle and touch
examples of trench art the soldiers produced. Year 9 students have
been learning about trench warfare during lessons and the opportunity
for them to handle original weapons, ask questions and work out
possible answers was a very enjoyable and valuable experience for
them all.
Year 11 History revision visit to the
Thackray Medical Museum in Leeds
The History department took most of the
Year 11 History historians to the Medical
Museum in Leeds last week to consolidate
their understanding of the GCSE Medicine
course.
Students have already studied the topic
needed for their PPE and final exam and so
they had an opportunity to explore the
galleries and develop their understanding
further.
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They were able to see a 19th-century operation and learnt about the importance of the
development of anaesthetics, antiseptics and aseptic surgery. The visit also offered the
opportunity to experience the public-health problems of Leeds in 1842, when the students
enjoyed wandering through the streets and houses of the poor in a very realistic reconstructed
street scene. Students learnt about the cures available at
that time too, including an interesting one with a donkey!
They also consolidated their knowledge of the discovery
of germ theory by Louis Pasteur and the massive
changes this created in many ways including the
development of vaccinations and cures such as penicillin.
Students found the visit an excellent opportunity to revisit
topics studied last year and consolidate their
understanding in a fun and interesting environment ready
for their PPE exams in November
Creative and Community Arts
This half term, as always, has begun very much where the last left off; a hive of creative
activity. The exciting part of a new school year is always the prospect of what is to come. The
school production ‘Joseph’ in December is taking shape. At the last count we have over 120
Students involved in the show, including a choir from Methodist Primary School. Tickets go on
sale for the show after half term. There is a link on the website. Make sure you are quick as
they will sell out fast!
In the Dance department, we have hit the ground running with Year 10s/11s/ 12s/13s all
already making a positive start towards their exam coursework.
We have a GCSE & A-Level theatre visit scheduled for 15th November to watch Rambert
Dance Company - we will be watching two professional works that are being studied as part of
both the GCSE and A Level specification.
Extra-Curricular Dance:
'Metamorphosis Dance' and 'Divas Dance’ have been combined and rebranded for this year
going forward and we have launched 'EVOLUTION DANCE' which is a whole school dance
company that aims to engage and bring together dancers from across all year groups. It is a
collaborative project/company which is led by Mrs Fox and makes use of Sixth Form leaders.
This is giving our A-Level Dance students choreography and teaching experience and they are
thriving under the responsibility of having their own projects and companies to work on. The
younger dancers are really enjoying looking up to the Sixth Formers and are being challenged
and encouraged by them.
The Music Department are working towards the busy festive period. They hosted a concert for
Year 7 starters early in the term with the REME military pop group from the Garrison. They
were fantastic and the students had a great time singing and dancing to the likes of Ed
Sheeran.
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Germany Trip July 2018
Plans are well under way for our Orchestra and Bands’ trip to the Rhine and Moselle in July
2018. We will be performing three concerts in a variety of venues as well as finding some time
to visit historical places of interest.
Bag Packing at Tesco Catterick
Our Music Department have been offered the fundraising opportunity of Bag Packing at Tesco
Catterick on Sunday 17th December. As well as supporting shoppers with their groceries we
will be giving some Christmas cheer by performing seasonal music throughout the day.
All funds raised will go into music-making opportunities in our school and the community.
Please come along to support our students.
Instrumental teaching at Richmond and new instruments.
I think everyone will be aware that we have now taken full control over the delivery of all
instrumental disciplines. This was part of a process we started last year to increase the quality
of provision you can expect in an instrumental lesson. We have been able to add 5mins to
every lesson and guarantee our students more lessons throughout the academic year. We are
looking forward to seeing the development of the students following these positive changes.
As a direct result of the high profile music performances in School events, assemblies and in
the classroom, we are receiving more and more requests to start instrumental tuition at
Richmond School. We are also trying to buy new quality instruments to support the
development of our students and assist parents with the costs of initially starting musical
instruction. If you have or knew of any instrument gathering dust that would be better used by a
student, please email [email protected]
Extra- curricular in Music
We have a very busy extra-curricular programme of ensembles after school – please
encourage your child to come along (whether you have lesson in school or not). We are
already planning our Christmas events!
Ensemble Teacher Day Time
String/Symphony Orchestra Mr Wardale/ Mr Boyd Monday 3.30-4.45pm
KS3 Wind Band Howard Harrington Tuesday 3.30-4.45pm
Guitar Club Mr Harris Tuesday 3.30-4.45pm
Richmond Singers Ms Brown Wednesday 3.30-4.45pm
Theory Course Mrs Devlin Wednesday 3.30-4.45pm
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Jazz Band Mr Boyd/Mr Millman Thursday 3.30-4.45pm
GCSE Intervention Mr Boyd/Mr Harris Wednesday & Thursday 3.30-4.45pm
Concert Band Mr Boyd Friday 3.30-4.45pm
If you would like your child to learn to play a musical instrument at Richmond School, please
email Stephen Boyd [email protected] or ask your child to pop in to the
music department to have a chat.
The Drama Department are now planning our next shows. In March, years 12 and 13 will be
performing devised work at The Georgian Theatre. Our partnership with the theatre allows for
this unique opportunity and from a community aspect we are constantly looking to develop this
further. In November, Drama Club for Year 7-10 and the Sixth Form Theatre Company will
fully begin developing our work. The plan is for the both groups to work together focusing on a
site specific performance at Richmond Castle in the New Year as well as a community project
in March. Information will be passed to the students about these groups, with us meeting on a
Wednesday. We are in the process of arranging trips to Sunderland to see Blood Brothers and
York to see Frantic Assembly. We are also very excited for the impending visit of the critically-
acclaimed Fuel Theatre Company for a performance in late October. Our Year 9 Arts’ Award
groups and GCSE students will form the audience. The show also opens with a performance
devised by a group of Year 8 to Year 13 students who have been working with the company.
They will also tour the region with the production. Tickets and information can be found on the
Rural Arts’ website. The show in the Georgian Theatre on 3rd of November is a good place to
catch the show.
Following the Art A-level and GCSE exhibition at The Station we have also had a successful
exhibition of Year 11 Digital Photography. The work looked fantastic and in conjunction with
The Station we have produced a calendar for 2018 featuring the work of our students. It is an
ideal stocking filler and available from The Station.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) Careers for Girls
Event
On the 5th of October, Miss Weir, along with Mr Soroczan (our careers’ adviser) and Mr Jones
and Mr Williams (our trainee science teachers), took a group of 13 Year 9 girls to RAF
Leeming. The Soroptomist International were hosting a conference called “STEM Jobs for the
Girls”.
Soroptomist International is a global volunteer movement who work to transform the lives of
women and girls. They work at local, national and international levels to educate, empower
and enable opportunities for women and girls. One of the current interests of Sorpotomist
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International is to address the gender imbalance in employment
in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) careers.
The day started with a trip to RAF Leeming. The girls then
joined approximately 200 other girls from schools around the
North East. We sat and listened to 2 talks: one on an
introduction to Soroptomist International and the keynote
speech about improving gender balance called “Classroom to
Boardroom”. The girls then spent the rest of the day in
workshops.
The first workshop was called “Challenging Everyday Designs”.
This workshop highlighted how engineers and designers modify and adapt current technology
to meet our needs. The girls were given an opportunity to try their hand at creating surgical
instruments from materials such as drinking straws. They then tried out their new equipment
by operating on bodies made from jelly.
During lunch, there was an opportunity to visit the
marketplace. Here girls were given the chance to meet
and talk to representatives from industry, academia and
professional associations. Many different colleges and
universities were there to illustrate the programmes they
offer as well as industries such as GSK, McAlpine and
Northumbrian Water to show the girls the opportunities
that apprenticeships offer.
The second workshop was called “The Next Big Thing”.
Here the girls explored cutting-edge technology
and suggested what technology would create in
the future. The girls experienced virtual-reality
headsets, controlling software through hand
gestures alone and, Miss Weir’s favourite,
manoeuvring a ball through an obstacle course by
only using brain waves! The girls had to come up
with ideas as to how these technologies could be
used in the future such as mine sweeping in war
zones to mind-controlled wardrobes that pick out
good outfit choices.
The day finished off with a discussion on what is
infra-red radiation is and how it is being used in a
new deep-space telescope. We then all got back
together for a final tour of the market place and
closing speeches. The day certainly gave us all
something to think about with new understandings
of what it is to be a girl and get into STEM.
Miss Weir - Science Teacher
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Richmond Town Firework Display – Sunday 5th November at Richmond School The Richmond Town Council Firework Display will once again be held at Richmond School. Gates open at 6.00 pm the display begins at 7.00 pm. Catering will be located on site and our PTA and students will be selling sweets and glow sticks, so do come early! Parking is going to be limited, those attending are advised to walk to school if at all possible. Please remember to throw your loose change into one of the buckets that will be doing the rounds.
Bad Weather Procedures In summary, in the event of heavy snowfall during the winter
months please do keep an eye on the Website for any
school closure. Always assume school is open unless the
website says otherwise. In the event of bad weather
students should wear sensible warm clothing, and
appropriate footwear in snowy or icy conditions.
Start of Day Closure - It is always the School’s aim
to inform parents by 7.00 am at the latest if it is
necessary to close the School. This information is posted on the Home Page of our School
Website (www.richmondschool.net). Unfortunately it seems that the local radio stations will
no longer be able to guarantee announcing school closures through their breakfast
programmes. We will therefore arrange for the School’s switchboard to be manned from
7.00 am so that those who do not have access to the Internet can use this facility as an
alternative.
Day-time Closure - If conditions are such that we have to close during the day we always
try to give parents as much notice as possible and will use the texting service during the
school day as well as our School Website to inform you. Any students who come to us
to say that they cannot get home safely or do not have an alternative agreed location
to go to will be kept at School.
It is important that parents have their own emergency plan to ensure that their children can
either get in at home or have a safe alternative to go to. Please discuss this with your
child(ren) to ensure that they are clear about what is required of them.
We know that some parents have expressed concern that it is very difficult getting through on the school numbers once a closure announcement has been made. Please be assured that
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we do everything we can to take calls, but the volume often exceeds our capacity to get through them all. We do appreciate that announcing on the Website that school is open and then subsequently having to change this can cause a great deal of confusion and frustration. We always aim to avoid such situations, however, weather conditions can deteriorate very quickly and for the sake of everybody’s safety, risk assessments are on-going and occasionally lead to earlier decisions having to be adjusted or reversed.
Reducing risk in Richmond School car park Following a formal Health and Safety review of dangers and risks in our School Car Park the following changes are being introduced to reduce the likelihood of an incident: We are restricting the movement of vehicles entering the School Car Park from 3.30pm to 3.45pm. From Monday 30th of October 2017 the entrance to the School Car Park will be closed to vehicles other than buses and vehicles used by disabled users from 3.30pm to 3.45pm (entrance to the School Car Park is available before and after these times) These changes will reduce the movement of vehicles in the School Car Park while 1400 students access the Bus Park and move off site.