Dear Parent/Carer

As we reach the end of yet another academic year, I am writing to thank you, as always, for your support in ensuring that your son/daughter has had a really successful academic year at Ruskin. I cannot stress how important it is to have parents who value education and who promote strong attendance, positive attitudes to learning, appropriate behaviour and smart uniform. Employers place a great deal of emphasis on these core attributes. Sincere thanks for your support.</p>

Thanks must also go to my colleagues who have worked tirelessly to offer students a high quality education both in and out of the classroom. I am, increasingly, surprised and overwhelmed by the range and quality of events that our students are involved in. From dance, PE and music to engagement and intervention with young people from local Primary schools. The list is endless.

There are many positives to share about our students, too. We have many very capable, hardworking and thoroughly pleasant young people in our school and it is a pleasure to work with them. Our newsletter will be available on the website and via social media so please take time to read this to learn about the many successes!

At this time of year we say farewell to staff – this year, we say thank you and best wishes to the following:

• Melissa Birkett who moves to a school closer to home. Melissa has travelled a very long way each day for several years now and this is not sustainable year on year. I would like to thank Melissa for all her hard work. She will be sorely missed by students and staff alike because she is an excellent member of staff.

• Eleanor Richards who has decided to take time out to travel. Eleanor is a strong part of the Humanities team at Ruskin and she is a very capable and well liked teacher. We wish her well as she embarks on her travels.

• Rachel Manning who has been with us for a relatively short time in Science. Rachel is a very experienced and capable teacher and we hope that she will return to work with us at some point when family life permits.

• Kelly Connolly who has worked part time in our hair salon for two years. Kelly is obviously a very skilled hairdresser and she has been able to share some of the key skills with interested students offering them a slightly different experience in a school environment.

• Lucy Jones who has worked with us as a Lab Tech in Science. Lucy is a postgraduate, and she has decided to embark on teacher training. We wish her well.

In September, we welcome:
Stacey O’ Donnell to lead PE
Andrew Mountford in Science
Melissa Farrington in English
Rachel Boyle in Humanities
Stefan Jandric as Lab Tech in Science

In addition, in September, Ms John will lead the Expressive Arts Department; Miss Grinnell and Miss Waters will become temporary Year Achievement
Managers.

Finally, congratulations to Mrs Harrison who has been appointed permanently to the role of Assistant Headteacher.

Once again, we are oversubscribed this year and we are, quickly, becoming full in all year groups. I am very disappointed to report that nearly forty students were unable to take up a place at Ruskin for this coming September. I can only reiterate that the Local Authority are our admissions authority and that we have a set admission number which I am not able to exceed. However, parents who are still hoping to secure a place for their Year 7 child in September should continue to stay in contact with the Local Authority admissions team and these experienced colleagues will guide parents as to the next steps. Places do, occasionally, become available in September and beyond so do keep trying.

Our school community is diverse and growing. Prospective parents say they continue to select us for our high expectations, traditional ethos and aspirational standards. Being clear and unwavering with our expectations is a strength that I want to continue. Ultimately, it supports us all.

On this note, may I remind parents that there is a clear uniform code which must be adhered to. Information about this is readily available and will have been shared but please remember that:

• Skirts may only be bought from school. This year, we are offering a longer length straight skirt, a standard straight skirt and the pleated skirt. Some students have not worn the straight skirt appropriately and, if this is the case, you will have been informed that they may now only purchase either the pleated skirt or trousers.

• Hair cuts and styles must be within school guidelines. This year, we have had a small minority of students flouting the expectations on hair and so, from September, students will be excluded from Ruskin if they choose to do this. It is deliberate and it can no longer be tolerated. Too many students have spent too much time off timetable, and we simply can’t continue to do this. I think it is only fair that I mention this now to avoid any confusion.

This year, I have been really pleased with the response of our upper school students to the additional mentoring and intervention opportunities that are available to them. All of the extra things we offer are free of charge and so we insist that students take advantage of this. Staff often work from 8am to 5pm, adding intervention opportunities to the beginning or end of the day. In addition, not a holiday goes by without intervention being available. This is something which has developed strongly at Ruskin and students now attend willingly. Thanks go to parents for supporting us with this. With the new examinations that students now have to sit, this is a critical addition to our school curriculum. Again, I can only stress that, from September, if students are persistently absent from school and they don’t work to their expected level in class and at home, then they will not be ready to complete their exams in the appropriate year. It is critical that attendance is high and that students’ application to their studies is strong.

Finally, for now, a reminder that school commences for students on Tuesday 3rd September at 8.40am. In the meantime, I would like to wish you all a happy, relaxing and sunny Summer. If you wish to contact me regarding any school matter, please email me at brette@ruskin.cheshire.sch.uk

With very best wishes.

Yours sincerely

INSET: Designated staff training/preparation days:
Monday 2rd September 2019
Friday 6th December 2019
Monday 6th January 2020
Monday 20th April 2020
Monday 20th July 2020