Good afternoon,

It has been lovely to complete our first full week back in lessons, with all of our students now settled into the new academic year. There has been a real sense of enthusiasm around school as students have got back into their routines and begun the year positively.

We are also pleased to see a wide range of extra-curricular clubs now getting underway, giving students plenty of opportunities to try something new, develop their interests and enjoy spending time with friends outside of the classroom.

Thank you to everyone for using the new ‘drop off and collection’ points – this is helping the congestion in the car park. Staff are supervising the crossing and enjoying meeting everyone as they come and go.

Thank you to our students for making such a positive start to the year, and to our staff for all their hard work in helping everyone settle back into school life.

 

Information for Parents/Carers of all years

Attendance Updates

Thank you for supporting our drive to improve attendance at Westfield School. The ‘September Attendance Challenge’ is helping us with this, and we are already seeing record-breaking daily attendance rates.

Students are exploring the importance of attendance in their Personal Development lessons, and we are keeping them informed about which tutor groups are in the running for the free breakfast, as well as celebrating the very high number of students who still have their 100% attendance streak.

Looking back at attendance patterns over the last few years, we can see that attendance has historically started to fall during our third week back following the summer break. We also know that attendance on Mondays and Fridays tends to be lower than on the other three days. After such a positive start, we are hoping that attendance levels will remain high every day of the week, and we know that you will want to continue supporting us with this.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to discuss your child’s attendance, particularly if there is a barrier preventing them from coming to school. We are always happy to work with you to find ways to support your child in attending school regularly. attendance@westfield.chorustrust.org  

 

Supporting Year 11 success

We are delighted with the mature and focused way that our Year 11s have returned to school. Below is information about how we can all support your child to make strong progress this year:

• Year 11 teachers have been reviewing the Year 10 mock data to identify ways to support your child in the classroom and with additional bespoke intervention. If your child has been identified for additional intervention after school, you will receive a letter of invitation from the subject leader, detailing the time and date. 
• Year 11 mock exams will run from Monday 16^th - Friday 27^th November. We will share the timetable with you as soon as it has been finalised.
• With only 8 school weeks until these mocks begin, we are actively encouraging Year 11 to start their revision now. We will be teaching students revision techniques and how to construct revision timetables during their morning PDT. 
• To help you to support your child with their revision and home learning, we will be sending a weekly email listing the home learning, revision and coursework deadlines for each subject. This will begin on Friday 18th September. All home learning will be accessed via Teams, except for Sparx for Science and Maths. 
• We will be holding a Revision Evening for Year 11 students and their families on Thursday 22^nd October. Further details will be sent about this early next week, including details of how to book online when bookings open on the 18^th September.

 

Mobile Phones

In line with the statutory requirement to have a no phone zone, please remind your child that this includes the end of the day. Children and young people must leave the school building at the end of the day before using their mobile phones.

 

Uniform

Thank you to everyone for returning to school in the correct uniform – everyone looked very smart.  We do have pre-loved uniform available – just drop us an email or call into reception. A reminder that we are asking all children and young people to wear earrings that are studs or similar small (no hoops). Thank you to everyone who has already changed their jewellery. It's made a difference already to the health and safety of our school.

Extra-Curricular Timetable

We are delighted to share our extracurricular timetable, everyone is welcome. The library is open every morning and after school. There are several computers available for everyone to use for their homework or research. I popped into ‘hair design’ on Wednesday – it was great.

 

School Lottery

A new school year is here, bringing a fresh line-up of fantastic prizes and plenty of opportunities to help us raise valuable funds. And we’re starting with something very exciting!

On Saturday 31 October, one lucky supporter will win 2026’s brand-new iPhone – revealed soon!

Sign up now and you’ll be entered into our Autumn Super Draw, with the full prize details to be announced shortly.

Your tickets will also give you the chance to win in our regular weekly draws and future Super Draws - all while providing ongoing support for your school throughout the year.

Don’t miss out on a year of fantastic prizes. Get your tickets today and help your school make this its best fundraising year yet!

Click on the link to Play Now

 

Letter from Progress Careers

We are delighted to introduce Progress Careers, the independent careers guidance organisation that will be working in partnership with Westfield school to support students with their future education, training and career decisions.

At Progress Careers, we believe every young person deserves access to high-quality, independent and impartial careers guidance that helps them make informed decisions and realise their ambitions.

What We Do

Our professionally qualified Careers Advisers work with students to help them:

• Explore their interests, strengths and aspirations.
• Understand the full range of post-16 and post-18 opportunities.
• Make informed decisions about sixth forms, colleges, apprenticeships, training and employment.
• Develop confidence and career planning skills.
• Access additional support where needed.
• Overcome barriers to progression and achieve positive destinations

 

As an independent and impartial service, our advice is always focused on what is right for the individual student and their future aspirations.

How We Support Students

Throughout the academic year, students may have access to:

• Individual careers guidance interviews.
• Careers-focused assemblies and group sessions.
• Careers fairs and employer encounters.
• Information about colleges, sixth forms, universities and apprenticeships.
• CV writing, employability and application support.
• Personalised action planning and progression guidance.
• Support for vulnerable learners, SEND students and those requiring additional interventions.

 

The Importance of Parents and Carers

Research consistently shows that parents and carers have the greatest influence on the choices young people make about their future. Your encouragement, support and guidance play a vital role in helping your child develop confidence and make well-informed decisions.

Simple ways you can help include:

• Talking about future aspirations and career ideas.
• Encouraging your child to explore different pathways and opportunities.
• Discussing education and training options together.
• Supporting applications, interviews and decision-making.
• Encouraging engagement with careers activities and guidance appointments.

 

Working Together

We see careers guidance as a partnership between students, parents, schools and careers professionals. By working together, we can help young people develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to achieve successful futures.

Parents and carers are welcome to attend careers guidance meetings where appropriate, and we encourage you to speak with your school's Careers Leader or Progress Careers adviser if you would like further information about the support available.

We look forward to supporting students across the school and helping every young person make positive choices about their future.

Dates for your diary

16/09/26 – Year 7 and Year 10 photos

17/09/26 – Year 6 open evening

18/09/26 – School inset day

22/09/26 – European day of languages bake sale

30/09/26 – Eckington school 6^th form visit

07/10/26 – Flu vaccinations

15/10/26 – Year 7 settling in evening (further information to follow)

22/10/26 – Year 11 revision and exam preparation evening

23/10/26 – School inset day

 

Reminder of our contact emails

safeguarding@westfield.chorustrust.org

attendance@westfield.chorustrust.org

enquiries@westfield.chorustrust.org

sendadmin@westfield.chorustrust.org

 

As always, thank you for your ongoing support.

Mrs G A Jones