Headteacher's Letters
Thursday, 10th January 2019
Dear families, Parents & Carers
Happy New Year to you all.
I do hope Christmas and the New Year was a good holiday for all of you. It has been good to see our children
and young people back in school and ready to learn again this year.
Departure of Chris Hodgkinson
Chris Hodgkinson has chosen to resign her role as Upper School Deputy at Hilltop and is seeking out new ventures. She has worked tirelessly for so many of our pupils for 20 years and has been a key part in shaping
the rich offer for post 16 students. We all wish her well for her future and the exciting opportunities she will be undertaking.
Rob Mulvey will take on the role of Deputy Head across the school and will be supporting Post 16, careers, enterprise and transitions for our post 19 students this year along with the wider SLT.
Staffing
We had a number of individuals on supply in school in the autumn term who have not returned in January 2019.
The school has been in the process of reviewing its budget following some unplanned changes to income and expenditure which left us spending more on staffing in the autumn term than we could afford. It is therefore our responsibility to live within our means and we have taken steps to ensure we finish the school year with a positive budget. Any change in staffing can often create concern for families but I am certain we have a safe and effective staffing ratio in school and we will continue to do all we can to receive fair funding from the local authority to meet our children’s needs. The Trust is continuing to provide as much support as we need at this time.
Our Futures Night
We would encourage you to get involved and attend this very useful meeting on Thursday 7th February between 5pm and 8pm in the hall. It will be a drop in and informal chat session. There will be a number of providers and services present to give advice. It has been really useful in the past and I would encourage you to come along if you have an older student for some good advice and support post Hilltop.
Upper School Disco
Sadly, after many successful years the upper school disco has had to change. In the light of a recent safeguarding audit it has been highlighted that a disco which involves children and adults is unadvisable. For the students currently in upper school a disco/social event will still be offered on a termly basis. If parents of past pupils wish to run a social event for their adult sons and daughters who no longer attend Hilltop school then the buildings and facilities are available for hire
Dear families, Parents & Carers
Happy New Year to you all.
I do hope Christmas and the New Year was a good holiday for all of you. It has been good to see our children
and young people back in school and ready to learn again this year.
Departure of Chris Hodgkinson
Chris Hodgkinson has chosen to resign her role as Upper School Deputy at Hilltop and is seeking out new ventures. She has worked tirelessly for so many of our pupils for 20 years and has been a key part in shaping
the rich offer for post 16 students. We all wish her well for her future and the exciting opportunities she will be undertaking.
Rob Mulvey will take on the role of Deputy Head across the school and will be supporting Post 16, careers, enterprise and transitions for our post 19 students this year along with the wider SLT.
Staffing
We had a number of individuals on supply in school in the autumn term who have not returned in January 2019.
The school has been in the process of reviewing its budget following some unplanned changes to income and expenditure which left us spending more on staffing in the autumn term than we could afford. It is therefore our responsibility to live within our means and we have taken steps to ensure we finish the school year with a positive budget. Any change in staffing can often create concern for families but I am certain we have a safe and effective staffing ratio in school and we will continue to do all we can to receive fair funding from the local authority to meet our children’s needs. The Trust is continuing to provide as much support as we need at this time.
Our Futures Night
We would encourage you to get involved and attend this very useful meeting on Thursday 7th February between 5pm and 8pm in the hall. It will be a drop in and informal chat session. There will be a number of providers and services present to give advice. It has been really useful in the past and I would encourage you to come along if you have an older student for some good advice and support post Hilltop.
Upper School Disco
Sadly, after many successful years the upper school disco has had to change. In the light of a recent safeguarding audit it has been highlighted that a disco which involves children and adults is unadvisable. For the students currently in upper school a disco/social event will still be offered on a termly basis. If parents of past pupils wish to run a social event for their adult sons and daughters who no longer attend Hilltop school then the buildings and facilities are available for hire
Dates for your diary
‘Chinwag’ informal chat - Meet up for parents 10am Wed 16th Jan. Do come and chat with other parents
Open day for prospective parents - 10am and 1:30 Wed 16th Jan. Let the office know
Proud Assembly 2:30 Fri 25th Jan. Do come along
Our Futures Night - 5-8 Thurs 7th Feb. Informal drop in full of information for older learners and their parents
‘Chinwag’ informal chat - Meet up for parents 10am Tues 12th Feb. Do come and chat with other parents
Open day for prospective parents Thurs 28th Feb. 10am & 1:30 walk round school. Let office know
Proud Assembly - 2:15 Friday 15th Feb. Do come along
David Burdett
Headteacher
Headteacher
| Headteacher's Letter 10.1.19.pdf |
Wednesday, 19th December 2018
Dear families, Parents & Carers
Christmas events
It was such fun and such a pleasure to see (and have a ‘dance on’ part in) the Upper school panto.
It was created by the students who did a great job of singing, dancing and acting to bring the story to life. Huge credit goes to those students who were brave enough to perform and those who worked hard to create the costumes, sets, programmes and learn the lines and dances. It was a huge ‘over the top’ success as ever.
The Lower School Christmas nativity and performances were so good to see. So many pupils took part and really made it work so well.Thanks to all the students who have worked so hard and all the staff that have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the Christmas events so successful.
Our Futures Night
We would encourage you to get involved and attend this very useful meeting on Thursday 7th February between 5pm and 8pm in the hall it will be a drop in and informal chat. There will be a number of providers and services present to give advice. It has been really useful in the past and I would encourage you to come if you have an older student for some good advice and support post Hilltop.
Partnership with Landmarks
Richard Webster from Nexus has developed a local offer along with Landmarks a highly respected provider for post 19 students ready for September 2019. For more information click here
Parent Carer Ambassador
I spoke last week with Vic Harrop who has done a brilliant job as a massive supporter of Hilltop school and parents for so many years. She has decided to step down from her role as Parent Carer Ambassador as her family have had a lot of health issues recently and she just can’t give the time that she feels is needed.
I know she has helped so many families and pupils over the years and has been a brilliant support and advocate for our parents. I am sorry she has made this decision and we will miss her guidance and support.
Dear families, Parents & Carers
Christmas events
It was such fun and such a pleasure to see (and have a ‘dance on’ part in) the Upper school panto.
It was created by the students who did a great job of singing, dancing and acting to bring the story to life. Huge credit goes to those students who were brave enough to perform and those who worked hard to create the costumes, sets, programmes and learn the lines and dances. It was a huge ‘over the top’ success as ever.
The Lower School Christmas nativity and performances were so good to see. So many pupils took part and really made it work so well.Thanks to all the students who have worked so hard and all the staff that have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the Christmas events so successful.
Our Futures Night
We would encourage you to get involved and attend this very useful meeting on Thursday 7th February between 5pm and 8pm in the hall it will be a drop in and informal chat. There will be a number of providers and services present to give advice. It has been really useful in the past and I would encourage you to come if you have an older student for some good advice and support post Hilltop.
Partnership with Landmarks
Richard Webster from Nexus has developed a local offer along with Landmarks a highly respected provider for post 19 students ready for September 2019. For more information click here
Parent Carer Ambassador
I spoke last week with Vic Harrop who has done a brilliant job as a massive supporter of Hilltop school and parents for so many years. She has decided to step down from her role as Parent Carer Ambassador as her family have had a lot of health issues recently and she just can’t give the time that she feels is needed.
I know she has helped so many families and pupils over the years and has been a brilliant support and advocate for our parents. I am sorry she has made this decision and we will miss her guidance and support.
Dates for your diary
Proud Assembly - 2:15 Friday 21st December Do come along
Back to school - Monday 7th January We all return to school
‘Chinwag’ informal chat - Meet up for parents 10am Wed 16th Jan. Do come and chat with other parents
Open day for prospective parents - 10am and 1:30 Wed 16th Jan. Let the office know
Proud Assembly 2:30 Fri 25th Jan. Do come along
Our Futures Night - 5-8 Thurs 7th Feb. Informal drop in full of information for older learners and their parents
‘Chinwag’ informal chat - Meet up for parents 10am Tues 12th Feb. Do come and chat with other parents
Open day for prospective parents Thurs 28th Feb. 10am & 1:30 walk round school. Let office know
Proud Assembly - 2:15 Friday 15th Feb. Do come along
Proud Assembly - 2:15 Friday 21st December Do come along
Back to school - Monday 7th January We all return to school
‘Chinwag’ informal chat - Meet up for parents 10am Wed 16th Jan. Do come and chat with other parents
Open day for prospective parents - 10am and 1:30 Wed 16th Jan. Let the office know
Proud Assembly 2:30 Fri 25th Jan. Do come along
Our Futures Night - 5-8 Thurs 7th Feb. Informal drop in full of information for older learners and their parents
‘Chinwag’ informal chat - Meet up for parents 10am Tues 12th Feb. Do come and chat with other parents
Open day for prospective parents Thurs 28th Feb. 10am & 1:30 walk round school. Let office know
Proud Assembly - 2:15 Friday 15th Feb. Do come along
Wishing you all a happy Christmas and peaceful new year.
David Burdett
Headteacher
David Burdett
Headteacher
Monday, 23rd July 2018
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
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
| 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 |
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