16^th July 2025

Dear Parents / Carers,

I am writing, as we reach the start of the summer holidays, to reflect on the last academic year and thank you as ever for your continuing support for our school.

This year has been one of some change with Mr Barrowclough being appointed as Executive Director across multiple schools although still very present within Forge Valley School and within our community. I am delighted to have been appointed to Head of School and look forward to continuing to work with all families within our community.

Our school continues to be over-subscribed. In addition to the building work completed last summer we shall be carrying out more renovations over the summer break. The principle work shall be around re-developing our girls’ and boys’ toilets in the main building. This has been an area of school that pupils and students have highlighted to us and I am delighted that we are able to deliver improved facilities for all returning in September. We are also hopeful of working to further develop our sixth form facilities during the next academic year and I shall keep families updated on that work as and when it moves forward.

Over the year, a number of children have excelled in many areas of school life. Our pupils have achieved not only at a local level, but also nationally and internationally. This includes our children achieving top awards in dance, cricket, tennis and football.

More recently we have celebrated VE Day in school. The History department led a memorable VE Day celebration this term, involving staff and students from across the school. The event featured an afternoon tea and activities to reflect on the significance of Victory in Europe Day, offering pupils a powerful way to connect with the past through shared experience and community spirit.

We have also been recognised for the work we have done to support our Young Carers. In May, the school was named Sheffield Young Carers School of the Month in recognition of its ongoing commitment to supporting young carers. The award celebrates our culture of awareness, inclusive practice, and the practical steps taken to ensure young carers feel seen, supported and understood within our school community. We are excited to pursue national recognition in the forthcoming year.

Just last week, on Friday 11th July, we received the Educational Establishment Award from Sheffield Children's Hospital. We are so proud to be acknowledged for all of our fundraising efforts in school. Throughout this academic year we have raised funds for the Sheffield Children's Hospital Charity, as nominated charity from our pupils and community. We have raised thousands of pounds through collected efforts and events in school and are thrilled to have been recognised in this way.

Finally, as I write, we have over 35 pupils and students, with 3 members of staff, making their way to Kenya with Camps International. I hope they have an amazing experience.

Following some changes to both mobile phone and uniform policy last summer I am pleased to inform families that we shall be keeping the same ways of working as we move into September. We feel strongly that the mobile phone policy in particular has had a very positive effect on pupils and their well-being whilst in school. Please continue to encourage your child to leave their phone at home. However, having liaised with families last year, please be reminded that the school will only confiscate a phone if it is seen or heard. If a child has a mobile phone switched off in their bag, the school will never intervene. I hope this assures parents who may still be worried about their child’s journey to and from school. This policy is committed to the view that pupils should be free from the distraction of mobile phones and the negative impact of social media.

I also wanted to take this opportunity to inform you of the arrangements for the first week back in September:

• Monday 1^st September shall be an Inset Day. Therefore, no pupils or students should come into school.
• Tuesday 2^nd September Year 7 and Year 8 should arrive from 8.15am for the usual school start time of 8.40am. Year 12 students should arrive for 10am. Year 8 pupils shall need to bring full PE kit as there is a PE lesson for them within the day.
• School shall be closed to all students in Years 9, 10, 11 and 13 on Tuesday 2^nd September.
• On Wednesday 3^rd September all pupils should arrive for a full, normal school day, arriving from 8.15am for the usual school start time of 8.40am.

This staggered start shall allow us to work closely with our youngest pupils and support our new 6^th formers.

I hope you and your family have a wonderful summer and look forward to working with you in the next academic year. Please be reminded that on Friday 18^th July pupils will be dismissed from 12pm.

Yours faithfully,

Mr J Watson

Head of School

jwatson@forgevalley.sheffield.sch.uk