Careers Fair 23rd March 2023

2 Feb 2023

I would like to take this opportunity to make you aware of our annual careers fair. We will have over 30 local providers supplying information about Post 16 Provision, apprenticeships, and jobs. Your child will be invited to visit the fair during their lessons on 23rd March 2023.

Our providers give up their time to support our students and therefore, at times, share their stalls and
pictures of students interacting with them on social media platforms. If this is something you are concerned about, please can you let me know by emailing me at the email address given below.
In preparation for the event here are a few questions your child may want to ask our providers to get the
conversations started: –

• What subjects/courses do you offer?
• Do you offer any support with transport to and from your location?
• What qualifications are required for the apprenticeship/course?
• What skills/competencies are required for the course or career?
• What do they enjoy most about working for this company?
• What advice would they give to someone interested in this career /course?

I would also like to make you aware of Unifrog accessible from RM Unify. All students have access to this platform that has information about colleges, universities, career pathways and jobs/apprenticeships of the week. Unifrog is a ‘one-stop shop’ for anything careers based.

Please also use the information on our website pages https://parkvaleacademy.org.uk/career-related-learning/ which aims to support you and your child to access all the information and support you may need.

There is also LMI for All  which is an online data portal funded by the Department for Education. It brings together existing national sources of high quality labour market information (LMI) that can inform people’s choices about their careers. LMI for All includes information from key datasets from, for example, the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the Department for Education and HESA

Industrial Action: Wednesday 1st March 2023

1 Feb 2023

Parent letter

Dear Parent

You are hopefully aware from my previous letter that the next day of planned strike action by the National Education Union of teachers is scheduled for next Wednesday. There is still a remote possibility that the industrial action might be called off but at this stage it still looks unlikely. If anything does change between now and 1 March, we will obviously be in communication with you again.

We will continue to prioritise exam classes at this time particularly as we are about to begin the second set of Mock Exams for students. So, Year 11 students should attend school as normal on Wednesday to either complete their exams or participate in revision activities. All other year groups (Years 7-10) will need to remain at home but online learning will be provided for them via Class Charts, the details of which appear below. Please ensure as parents that your child accesses this work and completes all the tasks set for them. The only other students who will be invited into the building next Wednesday are those officially classed as vulnerable but if this applies to your child, you will be contacted directly by the school.

Lesson Guidance for Years 7-10 next Wednesday

• Following your normal timetable for the day, check to see if your teacher has set work for that lesson on Class Charts in the Homework area. If these are tasks there, that is the work which must be completed for the lesson

• If there is no work set in the Homework section for your lesson that period, this will be because the relevant member of staff is on strike. In that instance go to the Announcements tab on Class Charts where alternative work will be available for you to complete

Free School Meals

We are making provision for all students eligible for free school meals, who will not be in school on Wednesday, to be able to collect a lunch bag at the end of school on Tuesday, in lieu of Wednesday’s lunch.  If you would like your child to be provided with a lunch bag, please either phone or email Main Reception before 3.00pm on Monday, giving your child’s name, tutor group and any dietary requirements (e.g. vegetarian, vegan etc.).  Students attending school on Wednesday will be provided with lunch as normal.

If you have any further questions or concerns about the arrangements for students next Wednesday, please don’t hesitate to contact the school in the usual way.

Yours Sincerely

Mr S Bowhay