Working closely with Parentkind, we remain committed to engaging more effectively with you to improve the life chances of our students. Over a third of you completed the survey prior to the Christmas holiday, and your feedback has provided us with a clear roadmap for improvement. We would like to thank everyone who took the time to share their views. We have highlighted some of the key areas for improvement below, along with information about what we are planning to do to address these, to continually develop our tripartite relationship with our families. 

Navigating Year 11

With Year 11 exams fast approaching, we wanted to take a moment to share some key reminders and guidance as we enter this crucial final phase. This is very much a team effort – we are all your son’s pacers, helping to keep him on track, motivated and focused as the finish line comes into view.
At this stage, progress matters more than perfection. Small, consistent steps now can have a big impact on final outcomes.
A key area we want to highlight is memory. Research shows that poor or irregular sleep has a significant negative effect on memory, concentration and recall – all of which are vital for GCSE success. Even the best revision strategies are far less effective without adequate sleep. Supporting good sleep routines (especially on school nights) is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to improve exam performance.
Please be reassured that our teachers are highly experienced in supporting students to achieve the grades they need. Working together – school and home – makes the biggest difference. 

Key support in school next term

• The final term is crucial, it is not too late!
• Subject specific intervention sessions are available every day.
• In English, any completed exam questions can be handed to the English teacher and will be marked within 48 hours. This feedback is vital and strongly encouraged.
• In Maths, students receive bespoke, personalised learning checklists after each assessment. These clearly identify topics where zero or partial marks were scored – these areas are high priority for revision.
• All subjects can provide past papers and mark schemes to support targeted practice.

How you can support at home

• Encourage low-stakes testing and quizzing (short, frequent recall practice rather than long revision sessions) – this is one of the most effective ways to strengthen memory.
• Support clear, legible handwriting, particularly for extended answers in English.
• Help maintain routines around sleep, revision time and screen use.
• Keep communication open and encourage your son to ask for help early.

The English and Maths teams will also be sending out knowledge organisers and cheat sheets by email – please keep an eye out for these and encourage their use.
We will be holding a final Year 11 Parents’ Webinar ahead of the last term, where we will share updated results, exam timetables and final guidance.
If you would like an update at any point, please do not hesitate to contact us or your son’s subject teachers directly. Open communication is key, and we are always happy to help.

Inclusion & Belonging: Growing Together

At CBSC, our sense of community is our greatest strength. We take immense pride in fostering an environment where every student feels seen and valued. To ensure our approach remains as dynamic and diverse as our student body, we are launching several collaborative forums to further enrich the lived experience of our families.

• Black Parents’ Forum: A dedicated space for partnership and dialogue. This group focuses on celebrating the achievements of our Black students and ensuring that every family has a direct hand in shaping a supportive, high-achieving school journey for their child.
• Culture & Coffee: We are inviting families from our multilingual (EAL) community and our non-resident fathers to join us for informal coffee mornings. These sessions allow us to look at our school culture through fresh eyes, ensuring our environment stays welcoming and inclusive for everyone.
• The "Experience" Project: We are committed to student well-being. By inviting families to share their personal insights on how we handle peer relationships and communication, we can continue to refine our processes and stay ahead of the curve in student support.
   

Strengthening the year group transitions & SEND

Nationally, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) remains a vital topic of debate. This was reflected in our survey, particularly for families at key transition points like Year 7 and Year 9.
To address this, we are launching a wider program of support:

• Our Educational Psychology team has recently hosted sessions on understanding ASD and ADHD.
• Our SEN team is hosting their first Coffee Afternoon to answer queries and provide guidance on next steps.
• These events are just the beginning; further information on our long-term support program will be shared in the coming weeks.

We noticed a slight "dip" in satisfaction during the transition from Year 7 to Year 8. To maintain momentum, we are introducing:

• The "Success Blueprint": In Summer Term, Year 7 families will co-create a "handover" document for the new Year 8 pastoral team.
• Year 8 Launch (Sept): A dedicated "Power of the Middle Years" event to highlight new electives and leadership roles.
• Updated Curriculum Roadmaps: Clear guides for parents on the tangible projects students will tackle to avoid the feeling of "treading water."

We Need You: Join Our Parent/Carer Working Group

We are looking for a dedicated group of parents/carers  to help us shape these initiatives. Whether you have ideas for the Year 8 transition or want to help us improve our inclusion strategies, we want to hear from you.
To get involved, please email Hannah Baker  hbaker@carshaltonboys.org