I hope you all had a restful and enjoyable Easter break. It’s a pleasure to welcome everyone back for the start of the summer term. As always, this is an important and exciting time in the school year – a term filled with opportunities, milestones, and achievements. Whether it’s exam preparation, extra-curricular activities, or end-of-year events – including Rewards Trips, the coming weeks promise to be busy and rewarding for students and staff alike.

I would also like to recognise and thank the very many Year 11 and Year 13 students who attended revision sessions during the Easter break - this dedication will pay off. Thank you also to all colleagues who gave of their time so generously across both weeks. In addition to the in-school revision sessions, Miss Francis led the Duke Edinburgh practice expedition during the first week of the holidays and Miss Thomas led the Year 10 Netball Tour in France. Both Miss Francis and Miss Thomas have said how well our students did and there are some great photos and videos on our social media pages.

Combatting Racism

This week’s bulletin is an opportunity to share our school’s ongoing commitment to promoting an inclusive, respectful, and anti-racist environment for all members of our community.

While we are fortunate to live in a safe and supportive area, we recognise that racism—whether overt or subtle—remains a reality in society. As a school, we have a responsibility to ensure that every student feels seen, valued, and protected, regardless of their race or background.

Our approach to racism is proactive and rooted in education. We believe that promoting equality and challenging prejudice benefits everyone. This means:

Ensuring our curriculum reflects diverse voices, histories and perspectives.

• Providing staff training to better understand and respond to issues of bias, discrimination and microaggressions.
• Encouraging open conversations with students, so they feel empowered to speak out against injustice.
• Responding swiftly and seriously to any incidents of racist behaviour, in line with our behaviour and safeguarding policies.

We recognise that in a predominantly white area, these conversations can feel unfamiliar or even uncomfortable. However, this makes it even more important to model empathy, curiosity, and solidarity. Racism is not just an issue for those directly affected by it—it’s a societal challenge, and it’s our shared responsibility to confront it together.

If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to discuss our approach further, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We welcome ongoing dialogue with parents and carers as we continue this important work. Equally, if you or your child ever experience or witness racism in any form, please do not hesitate to report it to us. We are here to listen and to act.

Thank you for your continued support.

Year 10 ‘A Year To Go’ Presentation

As we near the end of Year 10, it is important for all of us to recognise that this time next year, your child will be starting their GCSE examination period. To help support you and your child, we would like to invite you to a presentation evening, 'A Year To Go', on Thursday 8th May between 6-7pm in the Theatre. During the hour, we will provide information on exam boards and key dates over the next year, revision tips and strategies and also ways that parents/carers and students themselves can help create good study habits. There will also be an opportunity afterwards for you to ask questions to both students and staff.

If you are able to attend, please complete the form using the link below, adding your child's name and the number of seats you require; https://forms.office.com/e/Vz5RLKsFty

We look forward to seeing you.

Governor Update – Dr C Ingate

I would like to introduce myself as a relatively new member of the Governing Body at Notley High School.  Being a local resident, and seeing my own children progress successfully through to Sixth Form and then University, I felt that I would like to give something back to the school and its community. 

Having stepped away from teaching myself, I also felt that my past experience as a former Headteacher and  Ofsted Inspector would be of use – although this is not a pre-requisite for being a School Governor.

I have been really impressed by Mr Barrow and his team in terms of getting to grips with the basics – like attendance, behaviour and uniform.  This is having a real impact in terms of the culture at the school, and during my visits I have seen a calmness in the corridors, a politeness from student to student and a keenness to learn in the classroom.   The school is also very honest with itself, recognising where further improvements need to be made and continually asking for feedback from students and staff about their wellbeing.  

Would I send my children to Notley  if they were younger?  Yes – because, as it was when they went, it is a truly comprehensive school (something my wife and I held uppermost), with a return to high standards and where children feel safe and know who to talk to if they need help.  Perhaps this is why we have seen a return to record numbers of families applying for places in Year 7.  

Dr. Chris Ingate
School Governor