Headteacher's Letters
Dear Families, Parents & Carers
Thank you all
I am personally so pleased with all that we have done as a school this academic year.
The staff have worked really hard to ensure our students get experiences outside of school which includes, visits, residentials and a whole range of fun activities in the community. Thank you parents for continuing to support this and sending in money and consent forms to make sure this happens.
It has also been great to see the school building developing and looking better. This is through so many peoples hard work and Paul the Site Manager and Janine the School Business Manager have done a great job to make sure this has been organised and co-ordinated well.
Works over the summer
Nexus MAT have secured a grant for a whole new heating system throughout the school and this work should begin at the end of July. We are also planning new push button doors as part of this work. This should be done over the summer or in September. We are hoping we will have a new hoist system in the hall and in yellow class to help our students and staff access even more.
Mini-bus supported visits from school
We have had tenders from a number of transport providers to support travel to a variety of places for our ambulant (walking) students. We will approach transport providers to support regular sessions for all of our students who are wheelchair users. We will establish a rota for going out of school for all of our students routinely in the Autumn term. I do feel we have not offered enough opportunity for some of our more complex learners who use a wheel chair and we are working to address this for the autumn term.
Governors news and help!
I have not heard from anyone about being a governor – the more the merrier! Please email me or come and talk to me about being a governor. We could really do with a parental voice to help us develop as a school.
Attendance
Thank you to all the parents who have really made an effort to ensure their child has good attendance. I am so thrilled as our attendance has gone up as a school to 89.64%. We are nearly up to our target of 90%.Many students have attendance above 95% and lots of our students with more complex needs have really worked hard to make sure their attendance is as best as it can be.
EYFS and 6th Form students
It is a sad goodbye for us and our 6th Form students and we wish them the very best for their future.
The rest of school will finish for the summer Friday 27th July.
Dinner cost in September
At the moment most of our secondary pupils are still paying for a ‘primary’ dinner in September we have agreed for all our secondary students to have a larger portion dinner. This will mean for our older students will now pay £2.25 for a dinner in September. This will apply to all students from Year 7 and older.
Uniform
Tesco have now stopped doing uniform and we have met with ‘Johnny D’ our new local supplier who are creating the same as we had before for students and staff. The uniforms are all ethically sourced and as a result are more expensive but better quality. Sweat shirts will be £11.99. Polo shirts are £6 for children’s sizes and adults at £7.99. They can also do fleeces at £15.99. These can be ordered on line and delivered to school/home or tried on in their store in Rotherham. They have just set up a link on their website
Summer school
There will be ‘Nexus’ and traditional hilltop summer school days being run as usual. For Nexus days you will need to call Dawn Allen on her mobile 07921 466868. If you can’t get anyone then you can call us at school as a member of the senior leadership team (SLT) should be available each day.
During the 5 weeks the designated member of SLT are as follows
Week 1 Monday 30th July - Friday 3rd August Amanda France 07788974861
Week 2 Monday 6th August – Friday 10th August David Burdett 07884962944
Week 3 Monday 13th August – Friday 17th August Claire Rose 07890736065
Week 4 Monday 20th August – Friday 24th August Chris Hodgkinson 07868740520
Week 5 Monday 27th August – Friday 1st September Rob Mulvey 07780953614
If for any reason you are unable to contact the designated member of SLT on that week then try the other 4 members of senior management.
David Burdett
Headteacher
Thank you all
I am personally so pleased with all that we have done as a school this academic year.
The staff have worked really hard to ensure our students get experiences outside of school which includes, visits, residentials and a whole range of fun activities in the community. Thank you parents for continuing to support this and sending in money and consent forms to make sure this happens.
It has also been great to see the school building developing and looking better. This is through so many peoples hard work and Paul the Site Manager and Janine the School Business Manager have done a great job to make sure this has been organised and co-ordinated well.
Works over the summer
Nexus MAT have secured a grant for a whole new heating system throughout the school and this work should begin at the end of July. We are also planning new push button doors as part of this work. This should be done over the summer or in September. We are hoping we will have a new hoist system in the hall and in yellow class to help our students and staff access even more.
Mini-bus supported visits from school
We have had tenders from a number of transport providers to support travel to a variety of places for our ambulant (walking) students. We will approach transport providers to support regular sessions for all of our students who are wheelchair users. We will establish a rota for going out of school for all of our students routinely in the Autumn term. I do feel we have not offered enough opportunity for some of our more complex learners who use a wheel chair and we are working to address this for the autumn term.
Governors news and help!
I have not heard from anyone about being a governor – the more the merrier! Please email me or come and talk to me about being a governor. We could really do with a parental voice to help us develop as a school.
Attendance
Thank you to all the parents who have really made an effort to ensure their child has good attendance. I am so thrilled as our attendance has gone up as a school to 89.64%. We are nearly up to our target of 90%.Many students have attendance above 95% and lots of our students with more complex needs have really worked hard to make sure their attendance is as best as it can be.
EYFS and 6th Form students
It is a sad goodbye for us and our 6th Form students and we wish them the very best for their future.
The rest of school will finish for the summer Friday 27th July.
Dinner cost in September
At the moment most of our secondary pupils are still paying for a ‘primary’ dinner in September we have agreed for all our secondary students to have a larger portion dinner. This will mean for our older students will now pay £2.25 for a dinner in September. This will apply to all students from Year 7 and older.
Uniform
Tesco have now stopped doing uniform and we have met with ‘Johnny D’ our new local supplier who are creating the same as we had before for students and staff. The uniforms are all ethically sourced and as a result are more expensive but better quality. Sweat shirts will be £11.99. Polo shirts are £6 for children’s sizes and adults at £7.99. They can also do fleeces at £15.99. These can be ordered on line and delivered to school/home or tried on in their store in Rotherham. They have just set up a link on their website
Summer school
There will be ‘Nexus’ and traditional hilltop summer school days being run as usual. For Nexus days you will need to call Dawn Allen on her mobile 07921 466868. If you can’t get anyone then you can call us at school as a member of the senior leadership team (SLT) should be available each day.
During the 5 weeks the designated member of SLT are as follows
Week 1 Monday 30th July - Friday 3rd August Amanda France 07788974861
Week 2 Monday 6th August – Friday 10th August David Burdett 07884962944
Week 3 Monday 13th August – Friday 17th August Claire Rose 07890736065
Week 4 Monday 20th August – Friday 24th August Chris Hodgkinson 07868740520
Week 5 Monday 27th August – Friday 1st September Rob Mulvey 07780953614
If for any reason you are unable to contact the designated member of SLT on that week then try the other 4 members of senior management.
David Burdett
Headteacher
| Headteachers Letter 23.7.18.pdf |
Monday 9th July 2018
Dear Families, Parents and Carers
Governors news and help!
I am really sad that Adele Alderson has resigned from the governors as her life is just so busy and she can’t keep up with everything including now working at Hilltop. She has been a key governor for more than 8 years and has really made a difference to Hilltop school and supported us on our forward journey. It has been a real pleasure to work with Adele and she will be greatly missed in governors meetings.
The school is so keen to move things forward and we really need a new representative for parents to really question what we are doing and give me a bit of challenge and questioning in what we are doing. You don’t need to know anything about how schools work. We would love to hear from someone who wants to make things even better for our students over the next few years. Could I urge any parent or carer to get in touch with me or Shaz Biggin just to talk about helping us to get better at what we do? Generally we meet every month on a Friday morning and sometimes governors come into school to support and check on how things are going in school.
If you have any ideas or could think of someone who could support us just let us know.
Summer Fete
It was a lovely sunny day and fun for all those who came. We raised £1,600 a great result!
Science week
Again, this has been a great success with so many students involved in a whole range of fun science activities. Thanks to Amanda France and Chris Spowage for organising a great week. It was great to see him with his shaved ‘mad professor’ hair cut!
Attendance
Thank you to all the parents who have really made an effort to ensure their child has good attendance. I am so thrilled as our attendance has gone up as a school to 89.46%. We are nearly up to our target of 90%.
EYFS and 6th Form students
Please be aware that we close early for the summer break for students in Yellow, Blossom classes and all 6th Form students in Homebase. School will finish for those students on Friday 20th July. For the remainder of students it will be school as usual. This is important to ensure all our essential training is carried out yearly for all staff.
The rest of school will finish for the summer Friday 27th July.
Dinner cost in September
At the moment most of our secondary pupils are still paying for a ‘primary’ dinner in September we have agreed for all our secondary students to have a larger portion dinner. This will mean for our older students will now pay £2.25 for a dinner in September. This will apply to all students from Year 7 and older.
New boiler
Nexus MAT have secured a grant for a whole new heating system throughout the school and this work should begin at the end of July. We are also planning new push button doors as part of this work.
Uniform
Tesco have now stopped doing uniform and we have met with ‘Johnny D’ our new local supplier who are creating the same as we had before for students and staff. The uniforms are all ethically sourced and as a result are more expensive but better quality. Sweat shirts will be £11.99. Polo shirts are £6 for children’s sizes and adults at £7.99. They can also do fleeces at £15.99. These can be ordered on line and delivered to school/home or tried on in their store in Rotherham. They are just setting up a link on their website www.johnnydschoolwear.co.uk for Hilltop school so give them a couple of weeks to sort before trying to order.
New Mission statement
The governors have asked staff and parents about a new mission statement which we have now created. If you have any suggestions, want to re-write some or add new things we might have missed now is your chance. Just email me, write in home school diary or ring up with ideas. This is your last chance to adjust or add!
Hilltop Mission Statement is “Be the best we can be”
We do this by:
* Putting the needs of our students first
* Working in partnership with families and professionals
* Creating opportunities to achieve and enjoy
* Having a personalised curriculum
* Developing our skilled and experienced staff
* Treating all with care, respect and dignity
* Being open, clear and honest
* Developing practical life and social skills for a better future
David Burdett
Headteacher
| Headteachers Letter 9.7.18.pdf |
Friday 15th June 2018
Dear Families, Parents and Carers
Summer Fete
On Saturday 23rd June it’s our Summer Fair from 11am to 2pm. Please come along and have fun with us and hope for decent weather so you can throw wet sponges at Rob and myself!
S Factor Semi-Finals
We all had such a great time last night at S factor. I was so proud of so many parents, students and staff who supported such a wonderful event. There was, as ever, such a great range of acts and to such a high quality.
It was a pleasure to see and hope that all who were there enjoyed it as much as I did.
Most of all congratulations to all of our brave, skilled and confident young people who have worked so hard to make the evening so special –well done!
Dress up and dance for Macmillan
On Friday we had dress up and dance for Macmillan Cancer Research and had lots of fun while raising money for them. Again, thanks to all the students and staff who worked to make it such a success.
Mission statement and expectations from the governors
We will let you know in the next week or so if your child is moving to a new class. You will have an opportunity to meet the class teacher on Friday 13th July from 1:15pm. If you can’t make this just arrange another time with us.
Charity Night
Thank you for all your support. It was a fantastic night and we raised over £1000.
School building developments
We have been working hard to make our old building more ‘fit for purpose’ and suit the needs of our learners.
I hope you can come and see the developments in the new library as it is looking good already just as a ‘shell’. We will continue to set it up ready for September.
Attendance
Thank you to all the parents who have really made an effort to ensure their child has good attendance.
I am so thrilled as our attendance has gone up as a school to 89%. We are nearly up to our target of 90%.
EYFS and 6th Form students
Please be aware that we close early for the summer break for students in Yellow, Blossom classes and all 6th Form students in Homebase. School will finish for those students on Friday 20th July. For the remainder of students it will be school as usual. This is essential to ensure all our essential training is carried out yearly for all staff.
Meeting with Warren (CEO of Nexus) & Myself
Vic Harrop has organised an informal question and answer session at 10am on Wednesday 20th June where all parents are welcome to chat to us to raise any issues.
Mission statement and expectations from the governors
The governors have created some ideas for a new mission statement. They would really like feedback about what is important to the students and their families/carers.
There is a separate evaluation sheet for parents and staff to comment on and change our new;
1. The mission statement/s
2. Expectations
It would be really helpful if you could respond to this by the end of next week.
These can be anonymous or you can contact me or Shaz Biggin to talk through any ideas.
David Burdett
Headteacher
Dear Families, Parents and Carers
Summer Fete
On Saturday 23rd June it’s our Summer Fair from 11am to 2pm. Please come along and have fun with us and hope for decent weather so you can throw wet sponges at Rob and myself!
S Factor Semi-Finals
We all had such a great time last night at S factor. I was so proud of so many parents, students and staff who supported such a wonderful event. There was, as ever, such a great range of acts and to such a high quality.
It was a pleasure to see and hope that all who were there enjoyed it as much as I did.
Most of all congratulations to all of our brave, skilled and confident young people who have worked so hard to make the evening so special –well done!
Dress up and dance for Macmillan
On Friday we had dress up and dance for Macmillan Cancer Research and had lots of fun while raising money for them. Again, thanks to all the students and staff who worked to make it such a success.
Mission statement and expectations from the governors
We will let you know in the next week or so if your child is moving to a new class. You will have an opportunity to meet the class teacher on Friday 13th July from 1:15pm. If you can’t make this just arrange another time with us.
Charity Night
Thank you for all your support. It was a fantastic night and we raised over £1000.
School building developments
We have been working hard to make our old building more ‘fit for purpose’ and suit the needs of our learners.
I hope you can come and see the developments in the new library as it is looking good already just as a ‘shell’. We will continue to set it up ready for September.
Attendance
Thank you to all the parents who have really made an effort to ensure their child has good attendance.
I am so thrilled as our attendance has gone up as a school to 89%. We are nearly up to our target of 90%.
EYFS and 6th Form students
Please be aware that we close early for the summer break for students in Yellow, Blossom classes and all 6th Form students in Homebase. School will finish for those students on Friday 20th July. For the remainder of students it will be school as usual. This is essential to ensure all our essential training is carried out yearly for all staff.
Meeting with Warren (CEO of Nexus) & Myself
Vic Harrop has organised an informal question and answer session at 10am on Wednesday 20th June where all parents are welcome to chat to us to raise any issues.
Mission statement and expectations from the governors
The governors have created some ideas for a new mission statement. They would really like feedback about what is important to the students and their families/carers.
There is a separate evaluation sheet for parents and staff to comment on and change our new;
1. The mission statement/s
2. Expectations
It would be really helpful if you could respond to this by the end of next week.
These can be anonymous or you can contact me or Shaz Biggin to talk through any ideas.
David Burdett
Headteacher
| Headteachers Letter 15.6.18.pdf |
Wednesday 18th April 2018
Dear Families, Parents & Carers
School building developments – we have been working hard to make our old building more ‘fit for purpose’ and suit the needs of our learners. I hope you can see that we are improving the building. The work on the roof is almost finished. Part of this is creating a new library space which will be completed in the next month and will be ready to use by September. We also have had a further grant which Nexus have secured to replace our old heating system and boiler. Our application for new front doors and fire doors has been turned down and we will reapply. If not we will need to make the doors easier to access in future.
Hydrotherapy pool – I am aware there has been some issues with our students getting access to the pool.
We have spent thousands of pounds replacing what was an inadequate system for measuring and dosing the pool with chemicals. We have trained Chris Hodgkinson our upper school deputy and Paul Green our site manager in the management of the pool and its systems. Even with the time and investment in it the pool is still not working 100% and we are very frustrated by this. If you have any issues you are welcome to email me or come into school to talk it through with me.
Attendance – thank you to all the parents who have really made an effort to ensure their child has good attendance. I am meeting with educational welfare officer on Wed 25th April. If you have any questions or issues I am happy to discuss them with her.
Meeting with Warren (CEO of Nexus) & Myself – Vic Harrop has organised an informal question and answer session at 10am on Wednesday 20th June where all parents are welcome to chat to us to raise any issues.
EYFS and 6th Form students – please be aware that we close early for the summer break for students in Yellow, Blossom classes and all 6th Form students in Homebase. School will finish for those students on Friday 20th July. For the remainder of students it will be school as usual. This is essential to ensure all our essential training is carried out yearly for all staff.
Mission statement and expectations from the governors
The governors have created some ideas for a new mission statement. They would really like feedback about what is important to the students and their families/carers.
In the mission statement (1.) they wanted one key sentence/idea
1.Governors draft mission statements - ideas “Create opportunities for each every individual to enjoy and achieve”
also;
“Working together to create opportunities so that each learner can enjoy and achieve”
“Be the best they can be”
“Working/driving toward a better future”
In the ‘expectations (2.) they would like about 5 key statements
2.Governors expectations of all at school – how we will do this?
We put the needs of our learners first
We show care & respect for one another
We are open, clear & honest when we communicate with others
We model good behaviour & best practice
We actively learn from others and to continually improve
We have a personalised curriculum to enable school learners to be best they can be
We have skilled/expert & experienced specialist staff to deal effectively with individual needs of the learner.
Some teams in school have also come up with an idea to use HILLTOP to share our values
Honest clear communication
ICE Drivers
Learners needs come first
Listening and working with others
Teaching skills for life
Opening doors to the future
Personalised curriculum
There is a separate evaluation sheet for parents and staff to comment on and change;
1. The mission statement/s
2. Expectations
It would be really helpful if you could respond to this by the end of April. These can be anonymous or you can contact me or Shaz Biggin to talk through any ideas.
David Burdett
Headteacher
Headteacher
| Headteachers Letter 16.4.18.pdf |
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