1st March 2024 Dear Parent Carers, Weekly Update: 01/03/24 I hope this update finds you well. Students and staff returned to school refreshed after the February break and we are looking forward to a swift but purposeful half term ahead. Positive School Environment As part of our activities for monitoring the quality of education across our sites, we have identified that there has been an increase in the number of items being brought in from home that are causing a distraction to some of our young people. In some cases, these valued items are not being used appropriately in school and have become the cause of conflict between students, which impacts on the teaching, learning and development within our school environment. These include items such as; toys, balls, phones, games consoles and smart watches. As you know, our school vision is to Shape Successful Futures, and in doing this, we are keen to maximise the potential for all of our students to develop their understanding of self-awareness in their journey through school, in preparation for adulthood. We recognise that our young people have varying needs and may utilise these items for comfort or regulation, particularly on their journeys to and from school. We would like to ask families for your support in addressing this issue to help us maintain a positive learning environment throughout the school day.
Where these items are not needed for the school day, please could we ask that they are kept at home. If your child does have a mobile phone or an item to support transport time, they will be asked to put these in a secure place during the school day. Where your child has a transitional or sensory item that they need for regulation purposes throughout the school day, they may be asked to keep these in their pastoral room for an individualised approach. This also supports health and safety, particularly in subject specific rooms such as Food Technology and Science.
We would also like to assure you that we understand that this will be an ongoing process, and individuals will develop their confidence and independence at their Sabrina Hobbs Executive Headteacher St Martins School, The Derwent Campus, Bracknell Drive, Alvaston, Derby, DE24 0BT Tel: 01332 571151 Email: admin@stmartins.set.org Online: www.stmartinsschoolderby.co.uk The Shaw Education Trust Limited is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England (no 09067175) Registered address: Shaw Education Trust, Kidsgrove Secondary School, Gloucester Road, Kidsgrove, ST7 4DL. The details of our academies registered as business names can be found at www.shaweducation.org.uk.