Welcome from the Co-Headteachers
A fantastic start to 2023-24
It has been an extremely busy first week in school with a key focus being on both inducting and welcoming students back into formal education. Particular cornerstone messages have been relayed about celebrating GCSE and KS5 examination successes, as well as reinforcing basic behavioural expectations within school and across our local community.
Please do read the full newsletter which also contains information about our New To You scheme and a drive to ensure that students are safe when travelling to and from school.
Simon Fisher and Jo Higginbottom
Put these in your diary
Coming Soon!
- Tuesday 12 September – Photographs for Years 7, 9 and 12
- Wednesday 13 September – KS5-Ready Evening (Year 12)
- Thursday 5 October – KS3-Ready Evening (Year 7)
- Wednesday 11 October – early finish
- Wednesday 11 October – Open Evening
- Thursday 12 October – late start
- Friday 20 October – Progress & Partnership Day (Years 7-13)
- Monday 23 – Friday 27 October – Half-Term
Reading
We aim to encourage a love of reading in all
At Isleworth & Syon, we know that we provide exceptional education and outstanding opportunities for our students. All day, we work relentlessly to maintain these standards. There are many reasons why students achieve at this school, but one is that we encourage students to READ, READ, READ.
Our whole school strategy encourages reading aloud – in the classroom and at home – and reading for pleasure. Adults read with them; students read by themselves; and adults share their love of reading. We recommend that all students take advantage of both our on-site library and our digital library of over 10,000 free E-Books.
New To You
Purchase second-hand uniform at a discount
We are acutely aware of the current cost of living crisis, and the impact this is having on families. One way that we have adapted our provision is our ‘New To You’ scheme – our second-hand clothing service.
This allows families to purchase pre-used items of school uniform or sports kit that are in a reasonable condition. Orders can be made through the ‘New to You’ section on SCOPAY. Prices have been set much lower than usual uniform prices. If you require any further financial assistance, please contact the school.
Lime Bicycles
The latest TikTok craze – what you need to know
There has been a lot of local interest and dispute about the experimental, trial use of Lime bicycles in our community. As a school community, we pay huge attention to personal safety as well as community safety. Given this, our outstanding assemblies have reinforced how use of Lime bikes by students is illegal (you have to be 18 years of age) and dangerous (with no requirement to wear a cycle helmet). Following a pre-summer TikTok craze, it is also illegal to kickstart the bikes into action without proper payment. This short video-clip explains the detail.
Sustainable Transport
Staying safe in the journeys to and from school
We strongly encourage students to walk and cycle to school. Students who cycle should wear a helmet and secure their bikes in the storage area near the school field. For those students who need to catch a train or bus, they can apply for an updated Zip card (see right). If it is absolutely necessary to drop your son/ward off at school by car, please do not park on either the zig-zag or double yellow lines. In previous years, parking in these danger zones has caused blind spots which in turn has led to serious accidents.
Free School Meals
Do you qualify for extra support?
While the the cost of living crisis continues to bite, we recognise that the personal circumstances of children and families may have changed over the summer. Be aware that, nearly one in three of students at our school receive Free School Meals (FSM). However, we suspect that more could apply. As well as a free, nutritious lunch, students on FSM can also access free revision resources, laptops and subsidised trips. If your circumstances have changed, apply for FSM support.
Music Instrument Lessons
An outstanding opportunity for all
This year, we are looking forward to coordinating music instrument lessons in school through our partners at the Hounslow Music Service. You can learn more letter then sign up via SCOPAY. For those who took lessons last year, you will notice a slight increase in the cost of student lesson costs. Lessons will commence the week starting 18 September. Ensembles for singers and instrumentalists will start that week too. The final timetable will be shared on the Music Teams page soon. Scroll through the gallery to see just some of the instruments offered!
Word of the Week
Encouraging oracy from students
The word of the week is tenacious. Can you find it in this newsletter?
Safeguarding
Embedding healthy, positive mental health
As we settle into a new academic year, it is important to recycle and reinforce our truly embedded five mantras linked to healthy, positive mental health (pictured right).
This is particularly important given that it is Suicide Prevention Day on Sunday. This day aims to start the conversation about suicide and to show that recovery is possible. The latest statistics showed that in 2018, in the UK and Republic of Ireland, more than 6,800 people died by suicide. Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy – and we know that suicide is preventable, not inevitable. Do read more on the Samaritans website.
If you have a concern about the safety or welfare of your child, please email the safeguarding team at safeguarding@isleworthsyon.org. If there is an emergency call 999 or, for non-urgent matters that require police attention, call 101.
News
Start of term developments – plus an international award
Start of Term
On Wednesday, we welcomed our brand-new Year 7 cohort into school for their first day as Isleworthians. Co-Heads Mr Fisher and Ms Higginbottom introduced them to key philosophies that will follow them through their I&S journey – exceptional education, outstanding opportunities and traditional values.
All other year groups had induction assemblies before the start of full lessons earlier today. Students have made a fantastic start – well done everyone!
Examination Results
With school education nationally still struggling to ‘catch up’ after the pandemic, we were so proud of our Year 13s this summer as they achieved fantastic exam results. They continued the school’s tradition of outstanding achievement across a range of academic and vocational courses, which you can read about in our summary.
Year 11 were also celebrating as they picked up their results at the end of August. Their scores were a testament to their tenacious attitude and hard work – despite the disrupted education that they endured because of the Covid pandemic. Please join us in celebrating some successes in this article.
The Pantry
Our new school caterers, The Pantry, have been cooking up a storm this week as they introduce their new food offer to the students. It runs on a three-week rotation, with delicious options on offer before school, at breaktime, during lunchtime, and after school. We recommend checking out this website page to find out how it works, including information about special meal deals. It has already been very popular with students and staff alike – scroll through the photos above to get a flavour of their offer!
Site Developments
As the year begins, you will notice our recent installation of enhanced electronic access to the school, both internal and external. Video entry points support visitor and student access to the site. This work helps keep the site secure and safe for staff and students.
Please note that students are not allowed on site before 8.00am. We do not have any staff support for students before this time but will happily welcome students from 8.00am into the canteen, the library, or to sit out the front of the school before they move towards registration at 8.20am.
Reece James – Chelsea FC Captain
We have been delighted to track the progress of our former student Reece James, as he continues his rise towards the top of professional football. This summer, we learned that Reece had been appointed the first-team men’s captain of Chelsea FC! Still only 24, this is a phenomenal achievement, reflecting his meteoric rise through the professional game and the elite talent that he possesses. He has recently picked up an injury but we know he will be back raring to go in a few months’ time! We hope that his story inspires our younger Isleworthians.
Eco Schools Green Flag
And finally for this week…
We are thrilled to announce that we have been awarded an Eco-Schools Green Flag designation. This international accreditation rewards our environmental actions, showing that we are forward-thinking and actively engaged in protecting our planet.
The award is due to the hard work of our student Eco Committee, led by the staff Eco Coordinator. It is made up of students from across the school who have a keen interest in protecting the environment. Throughout the year, they met to discuss ways in which the school could be even more eco-conscious. This work will continue during 2023-24!