Dear Parent/Carer

As you will be aware, your son/daughter will be one of the eldest students within the school as Year 11 are going on their study leave.  As the eldest students they are role models for other year groups and should set the high standards that we expect from students within our school.  You may remember that a letter was sent regarding expectations & standards of uniform back in February of this year.  As a school, we are proud of the high standards our students set in all aspects of school life, including their appearance and uniform.  The wearing of full school uniform is an integral part of the school ethos, which promotes positive attitudes, high standards and a sense of personal pride.  Many visitors to the school comment on the appearance of our students when they visit.

In recent years, we have moved away from uniform having to be bought only from specific suppliers with the NHS logo, as we felt that this constituted an unnecessary expense for parents and carers.  We need and value your support as there is quite a variety of black skirts, trousers and shoes available that do not meet our criteria which your son or daughter may much prefer to wear and pressurise you to buy. 

A copy of the school’s uniform policy is available from http://www.notleyhigh.com/school-policies/uniform-policy

However to avoid any confusion I have highlighted areas of concern below: 

• Plain black shoes (not open-toe design, trainers, pump or canvas shoes, no stilettos, mules or sling backs, a proper heel not greater than 4cm - no coloured laces or stitching).  Trainers are only allowed if accompanied by a doctor’s note.
• Plain black tailored trousers, trousers must cover the ankle, over footwear.  They therefore cannot be narrow-bottomed.  The trousers should not be denim, cord, lycra material or hipster style.  Black jeans or leggings are not permitted.
• Plain black straight or A line skirt, knee length without splits.  Skirts should not be tight fitting lycra material, pleated or swing skater style.
• Extreme hairstyles will not be tolerated (no hair shorter than number 2, no shapes cut into hair, no unnatural colours or unnatural combinations).The school reserves the right to make the final decision on what constitutes an extreme hairstyle.
• Discreet make-up is permitted in Years 10 and 11.  Nail varnish or false nails are not allowed.
• Students with pierced ears will be allowed to wear two plain gold/silver small studs or small sleepers, one in the lobe of each ear.Diamanté, crystals, gemstones or other decorative styles are not acceptable.No other piercings are allowed’.

Failure to conform to these expectations may result in students being isolated from the rest of the year group to work in the inclusion room until a parent or carer brings in the correct uniform for them to change.  If this is not possible then they will be isolated until they return the next day, appropriately dressed.

Thank you for your continued support and co-operation with enforcing these expectations.

Yours faithfully

 Mr K Ferguson

Associate member of SLT & Year Leader of Year 10

Please click here to download letter.

The English and Media Faculty would like to inform you of a planned English internal examination that your child will be sitting on Thursday, 6 June. The examination will take place during periods 3 and 4 and will be sat under formal conditions in the Sports Hall. 

Please click here for further information.

On Thursday 16 May, 90 Year 8 students went roller-skating to Madison Heights in Maldon. It was established quite quickly that the students in Year 8 have no fear, with student whizzing and flying around. Charlotte Gill and Tia Francis showed off their expertise and experience, whilst Jamie Bennett struggled to stay on his feet! The students had a great time. Thank you to all of the staff for accompanying. Miss Smith.

After 5 years of trials, tribulations and (for the most part) the best years of their lives Year 11 have now officially left Notley. 

Following their final assembly they decamped to the canteen for shirt signing, photos, hugs and tears. Apparently the girls were quite upset too. They then took their last steps off the premises. Eventually. This yeargroup I think now holds the record for slowest to leave. Maybe they might actually have realised how much they will miss the place. Again, eventually.

Pictures will follow once they have been thoroughly checked for anything written on shirts that might (however wrongly) be misconstrued as slightly inappropriate. Heaven forbid ;-) 

Good luck with your exams folks - see you at the prom in July.

On Tuesday 14 May, 30 Year 9 students attended a workshop at The Guardian News and Media Education Centre. Whilst there, they were able to see the daily working lives of reporters and see how a newspaper really works. Students discussed and explored the day's news and completed a workshop where they created their own newspapers, selecting interesting and current stories, creating headlines and choosing suitable pictures, whilst acting as their own editors. The students were exceptionally well behaved and all thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Thank you to Miss Ford and Mrs Ross for accompanying.