Dear Parent/ Carer, 

It has been a busy year for staff and pupils at Prestatyn High School. The changes that have been implemented since September are making a real difference and as a school we are making good progress to achieve the best outcomes for all our young people. Indeed, during the recent Estyn visit they praised the school for the rapid progress we are making in achieving our goals. Working together we will ensure Prestatyn High School becomes an outstanding school and that all pupils fulfil their potential.

As part of this continued progress, there are going to be some changes to our school pastoral system which will be coming into effect from September 2017. The pastoral care within the school will be based around a Head of Year. The new Head of Year team are the pre-existing Heads of Houses. Each Head of Year will be supported by a Deputy Head of Year and an Assistant to the Head of Year who were previously known as Student Support Assistants.

There will be no change to the form groups and these will remain as houses. Pupils will remain in their houses for events and enrichment activities. However, each group will be overseen by a Head of Year and this will mean that for some pupils, they will have a change in the member of staff who oversees their pastoral care.

The year 7 pupils will now have the transition coordinator as their Head of Year to maintain the fantastic induction process they have received on their transfer to the school.

The year 11 pupils will engage in bespoke and personalised interventions each morning during their form time with a focus on excellence and academic achievement on their return to school in September. There will be a member of the student support team who will assist in coordinating these academic interventions and another member of the support team who will assist with the pastoral care both working alongside the Head of Year 11.

Thank you for your support during this academic year and I would like to wish you all a pleasant and safe summer.

Yours faithfully

Mr Neil Foley

Ms Claire Austin

Mrs Lindsay Davenport

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Parental letter June 17 v3 NF CLA LD

Dear Parent/Carer,

I write in accordance with the Changing of School Session Times (Wales) Regulations 2009 No 572 (W.54) and on behalf of the Governing Body of Prestatyn High School to inform you of proposed changes to the timing of the school day with effect from September 2017.
Prestatyn High School is committed to improving the outcomes and life chances for all young people no matter their starting point or background. A fundamental part of raising standards is having a modern and fit for purpose timetable and school day. The proposed new school day will allow the school to achieve its aims and accelerate the progress for all of our learners.

• The proposed changes are summarised at the end of this letter but the main points are listed below:
• The students will continue to have 5 one-hour lessons each day over a fortnightly timetable
• The time at which the day begins will be 8.40am
• The school day will end at 3pm
• Registration will be at the start of the day
• Lunch is now split – KS3 have early lunch and KS4 pupils have late lunch
• No year 11s will be allowed off site during lunch
• KS4 pupils will only have 1 lesson after lunch
• The advantages of the proposed system are:
• Registration is now at the start of the day so that tutors can check that all pupils are ready and equipped to learn
• It is statistically proven that pupils learn and engage better earlier in the day
• Reducing the number of lessons after lunch will improve behaviour and engagement
• Having an earlier end of the day will encourage more pupils to attend extra-curricular events or interventions after school. The school will invest in far more enriching activities after school for our pupils
• A split lunch time will allow our pupils to be more relaxed and less rushed in the diner leading to a calm environment
• The school will now take responsibility for Year 11s over lunch time ensuring that their focus is maintained right until the end of the academic day

There will be a meeting open to all parents/carers and staff to discuss the proposal at 6.00pm on Tuesday 25th April in the main hall. If you are unable to attend, you may submit written comments to me for consideration before the meeting. Any written comments will be discussed during the meeting on the 25th April.
I look forward to receiving your comments by 7th April 2017.

Yours faithfully
Neil Foley – B.Sc. MA.
Pennaeth Headteacher