The friends of bourne
Dear families
A warm welcome back to the final half-term of this academic year.
And what a start this has been! Activities week is full of fun and learning. The school has been quieter with Years 7 & 8 on residential trips, Year 10 on work experience and Year 11 on study leave. Year 9 enjoyed a range of activities during their well-being week and we end this week with a fabulous Funky Friday! It is during weeks like this, that one is reminded of how fortunate we are at the Bourne to share a true sense of community. I was proud to see all of our students representing the school values of Kindness, Respect and Determination; and boy were they tested! It is a privilege to experience this, especially in large groups of over 100 students in new situations, bonding and fostering a sense of belonging. Like me, I’m sure you will hear the wonderful stories and feel happy to observe the development of long term memories. Thank you to all staff for their compassionate support this week. They have worked hard towards our School’s vision – developing excellence in character and learning.
We look forward to welcoming our new cohort of Year 7 students this half-term. We are mindful of the significant change of moving into a secondary school and how it impacts on our young people. Our pastoral team under the leadership of Mrs. Tibbetts are well prepared and excited to welcome them.
Every cohort is unique and we plan and work to meet the needs of all children under our care. There is an upcoming change to the pastoral system for students moving into Year 11 in September 2025. Evidence is strong to suggest that whilst there is a whole range of after school support for English and Maths, many of our students don’t get the full benefit of this. This is due to a variety of valid reasons, but it remains a fact that some students who would benefit from additional guidance are unable to attend after school revision sessions. With this in mind, we have readjusted the tutor structure for September 2025. In Year 11, students will have new tutors. These will be Maths and English specialists, further details to follow. Tutors will now be able to use some of the registration time every week to ‘drip feed’ the learning of Maths and English. Mrs. Savage will continue as their Leader of Year. Their current tutors are mindful to continue to support students in sustaining positive relationships in their final year at school. A thoughtful and supportive handover will take place between current and new tutors to ensure that their pastoral support is sustained. There will be a celebration trip planned to mark this occasion. It is a change and we are all mindful that some may find the transition more challenging than others.
I am writing to reassure you that this decision has not been taken lightly. We have planned a full handover and adequate steps have been put in place to ensure all students are able to adjust to this well. Their current tutors will remain a part of their final year and will present in Leaver’s Assembly and Prom. Changing times warrant a change in our approach to current systems. We all want our students to be happy and successful; developing excellence in character and learning.
The new academic year will begin on Wednesday 3 September 2025. This will be an INSET day and students will not be in school. We are working on the timetables for the next year as well. Other INSET days for 2025-26 along with more information for the new school times and timetable will be advised shortly.
Kind regards
Mrs A Sharma
Head teacher
06/06/2025
