many students have excelled in a range of proj-ects and sporting activities. Our Open Eveningand Open Mornings were well attended and wewelcomed over 1000 visitors to the school.

Students will finish for the Christmas holiday at12.10pm on Friday 21 December and will returnto school on Monday 7 January at the normaltime.

May I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and ahealthy and successful New Year 2013.

Mrs S HammondHeadteacher

NewsletterTHE BILLERICAY SCHOOLAUTUMN 2012

www.billericay.essex.sch.uk

E-mail: info@billericay.essex.sch.uk

Dear Parents

As we approach the end of another year, I wouldlike to take this opportunity to thank all membersof our school community, staff, students, and par-ents for all their support and understanding duringthe building work process. The work is progress-ing well and we are still on schedule to start thenew academic year in September 2013 with allour building work complete. Our plans for an offi-cial opening of the new block are moving for-wards and we hope to host this ceremony early inthe New Year.

We have had a wonderful start to the academicyear. Our Year 7 students have settled in well and

School Road, Billericay, Essex, CM12 9LH

Tel: 01277 655191 Fax: 01277 314414

Merry Christmas!A Message fromMrs. Hammond

In our last newsletter we told you about the retire-ment of our chairman Robert Orr after 14 yearsof service. The governing body has elected MrColin Breathwick as the new chairman:

A Message from The New Chair

I am delighted to be stepping up to the chair-man's role at this time.

Under the direction of Head teacher MrsHammond, the School has an enviable academ-ic record of continuous improvement over thepast ten years, culminating in an "Outstanding"rating by OFSTED in 2011. With the exception ofthe July 2012 GCSE English examination results,which continue to be the subject of nationwidecontroversy, our examination results in 2012have been 'the best ever' and credit must go toMrs Hammond and all the staff for this newrecord level of achievement.

We live in exciting, changing and challengingtimes and as a governing body we strive to capi-talise on every opportunity. Academy status hasrecently brought us additional challenges as wellas opportunities and we intend to make the mostof these for the best advantage of our students.

With a population of over 1700 students and 300employees, The Billericay School is a substantialentity in the town, and visible enough to make itsmark on the community. The School's aim is:-

"To ensure that each individual student is givenevery opportunity to reach his/her potential in a

caring and supportive environment"

and this will remain uppermost in my mind during

my stewardship.

The Governing Body's responsibility is to ensurethat the school has a set of operating policiesand objectives, and has the resources to supportthe pursuit of the school's mission, and to moni-tor progress and performance against these poli-cies and objectives. The economic climate pres-ents additional challenges to everyone and theschool is not exempt from this. The GoverningBody will continue to ensure that best value isobtained for all school expenditures with prioritygiven to the quality of education, wellbeing andsafety of the students.

The Governing Body is committed to supportingthe school staff maintain our excellent standardsand I would like to take this opportunity to askparents to take an active role in supporting theschool, the staff and their children's education atthis critical time in their formative years .

I look forward to the challenge ahead and toworking with everyone connected with TheBillericay School

Colin BreathwickChair

Eagle HeightsDisplay

As part of their level 2 Applied Science certificate,Year 10 students were given a talk by Mr Alan Amesfrom Eagle Heights in Eynesford, Kent. The stu-dents met a Harris Hawk, Lanner Falcon and a BaldEagle and were treated to a flying display in thesports hall. They learnt about their habitats, adapta-tions and conservation issues of British birds ofprey. The picture shows Jack Merrit holding Alaskathe Bald Eagle.

schools across London and beyond tocelebrate the power and potential of girlseverywhere. The girls fortunate enough tobe involved in this amazing event were:Brodie Bangs, Emma Franklin, AndieFuller, Sophie Huggins, Alice Davie,Rachel Hardy, Ella Brown, Mae Lake,Libby Wernham, Maddison Keeling, KatieEverett and Megan Palmer. All wouldagree that they had an amazing day,Sophie Huggins said "I'm actually a bitbuzzing," and was enthusiastic to tweether new contact Radio 1 DJ GemmaCairney.

InternationalJubilee CelebrationOn Tuesday 19 June students from PersonalisedLearning took part in an International DiamondJubilee Celebration for our staff and students whospeak more than one language. Mrs Bellers pro-posed the idea and we made it a very British occa-sion. We made a typical afternoon tea of sandwich-es, scones, Victoria sponge, strawberries andcream. A PowerPoint presentation including footageof the coronation was prepared for guests to enjoy.Among the guests were speakers of Urdu, Dutch,Romanian, Spanish, Moldovan, Russian, Farsi,Mandarin, Flemish and of course English, reflectingthe wealth and breadth of language backgroundsacross our school. It was good to see new friend-ships being forged between students who had notmet before.

On 11 October the achievements of all the JackPetchey award winners in the Basildon district werecelebrated at the Towngate Theatre. The guest ofhonour was former captain of the paralympic wheel-chair rugby team, Andy Barrow. As ever, this was awell attended and uplifting event. This year one ofour teachers, Mr Murnane, received a leader award;he was nominated by students in recognition of theoutstanding work he does in running the 'WorldChallenge' programme and our gifted and talentedprovision.

Jack Petchey Award Winners' CeremonyThe picture shows some of last year's winners atthe award ceremony, accompanied by Andy Barrow.From left to right: Anna Laen-Gay, Ben Carr,Georgia Chandler, Mr Murnane, Joseph Breedon,Becky Leverett, Zach Pallier and Kristy Waker.We have also heard from the parent of MeganPalmer in Year 9 who received a Jack PetcheyAward for her tremendous efforts and achieve-ments at her swimming club, Basildon & PhoenixSwimming Club. The photo shows Megan receivingher award from ex-paralympian and tv commenta-tor, Danny Crates.

International Day of The Girl

On 11 October 2012, Miss Miller andMiss Gosling set their alarms bright andearly in order to escort a group of Year 9& 10 students to the first everInternational ‘Day of the Girl’. TheSouthbank Centre and the charity ‘PlanUK’ organised all sorts of activities andworkshops including a mentoring sessionon the London Eye. The girls were luckyenough to take part in speed mentoringwith many inspirational women includingtelevision presenters, radio DJs, authors,journalists and airline pilots to mention afew! There were over 300 girls from

CommunityLanguages

Results 2011-2012

Once again big congratulations to our linguisticallyable students as they achieved brilliant results inthe following languages last academic year:

IGCSE English:Hamed Omidi "C";Andrei Vartic "C"

IGCSE Spanish: Higher Level:Andrei Vartic "A" ( he achieved 100%)

½ GCSE Urdu:Ajab Durrani "B"(this is his third language GCSE )Ajab previously gained B in German (Year 9) and B in Dutch (Year 7)

AS + A2 Russian:George Gorobchenko A*

AS Chinese:Lian Wilkinson "A"

These students have all spent a lot of their lunchand break times practising past exam papers andhave had to work independently. They have showna very mature attitude and keen work ethos in orderto achieve such marvellous results.

If you speak a language at home, other than thosealready taught in school, and you can read andwrite it a little, you may be able to sit an exam in thatlanguage - please contact Mrs Bellers or MsMcDonald if you are interested.

Students were offered the opportunity to chat withall the event's speakers and 60 other professionalreal women role models over lunch in a speed-dat-ing style networking session with the professionalsbefore returning to the hall for further talks.

They were addressed by Ruth Amos, entrepreneurand MD of StairSteady Ltd, whose business startedas a result of her GCSE Technology courseworkand Councillor Catherine West (Leader of IslingtonCouncil) who explained how the girls could give andgain from their community and the world of politics.

The final speaker was adventurer, business woman,author and presenter Debra Searle, MBE. The girlssat riveted as she told them about her solo rowacross the Atlantic (including battling sharks) andpromised them that success and ambition couldboth be achieved by 'choosing your attitude.'

It's not all about make-up and boyfriends - Girls'Role Model Project inspires young girls to aim high-er.

Some 250 students from The Billericay School,Essex, arrived at Queen Mary University of Londonon Friday 13 July for an event featuring inspirationalspeakers, discussions and a networking lunch withsome of the UK's leading businesswomen and cam-paigners.

The Inspirational Women Conference 2012 wasorganised by Year 9 members of Billericay's RoleModel Group and took place in Queen Mary's newMile End campus humanities building Arts Two.

Hosted by 14-year-old students Andie Fuller,Sophie Huggins, Brodie Bangs, Estelle Kelly, EmmaFranklin and Savannah Chittick, the event was theculmination of a series of projects and events thatthemed on self-esteem, ambition and the 'innerself', rather than outward appearances. Throughoutthe year, the girls have been urged to end the cul-ture of celebrity worship and focus on 'real' rolemodels.

Guests at the event included Bridget Minamore, a20-year-old poet, journalist and student atUniversity College London, who performed her writ-ing on body image and the treatment of celebritiesby the media.

Natasha Armstrong, community manager at "WeAre What We Do" also spoke at the event. The not-for-profit behaviour change company kicked off thesuccessful campaign against excess plastic baguse in the UK with designer Anya Hindmarch's 'Nota Plastic Bag'. Natasha explained to the audiencehow small actions can make a big difference to theworld.

She was followed by Naomi Williams, campaignmanager at charity Plan UK. The global charity arecurrently running the Because I Am A Girl cam-paign, supporting some 4m of the world's poorestchildren gain access to an education.

Year 9 Billericay student Georgia Chandler thengave Jessie J a run for her money, closing the con-ference's first half with a rendition of the singer'snumber one hit 'Price Tag'.

Inspirational Women Conference 2012

Across the month of November, 14 members of TheBillericay School staff have agreed to grow mous-taches for the 'Movember' charities. The moustach-es are allowed to be groomed and styled but mustnot be removed until 1st December. The charityaims to raise awareness and funds in the fightagainst prostate and testicular cancer. Studentshave been informed about the fundraising effortsthrough assemblies from Team Movember captainMr Pead, who said, "Our aim is to inspire studentsinto fundraising, whilst raising awareness and fundsfor this hugely important cause. I'd like to extend a

Movembermassive thank you to all the staff who have taken onthe challenge and everyone who has supported usso far."

The staff involved are; Mr Pead, Mr Garley, MrAbbotts, Mr Fifield, Mr Berry, Mr Thorne, MrBeckett, Mr Maguire, Mr Jones, Mr Miller, Mr Allen,Mr Parkin and Mr Howells.You can sponsor them by signing the sponsorshipform in the mathematics office or by visitingwww.mobro.co/billericay

The food and drink disappeared like lightning,accompanied by suitably spooky pictures and fire-work explosions! The feedback ranged from;

"Liam's peas and bacon soup - please can I havethe recipe? "

To; "I thought it was amazing that the students hadput so much time and effort into organising thefood… particularly loved the sausage rolls, soup,barbecue chicken, toad in the hole, pizza…" (Thinkthis member of staff took away a doggy bag!!)

"The decorations really set their food off well". Liamwas "Chef of the Week" - his food was outstanding!"

"I felt really honoured to have been invited. I wasimpressed with the wide range of food on offer,especially the mini quiches and honeycomb cup-cakes"

This term we decid-ed to change theway in which theyear 9 classesapproach food tech-nology, bringing itmore in line with the

Catering GCSE course many of them go on to studyin years 10 and 11.

To this end, they were given a team task of produc-ing a celebration buffet. Bonfire night andHalloween were fast approaching, and these werethe main themes. The classes divided into teams offour, and worked together trialling many differentrecipes before deciding on their final buffet dishes.Each team was to invite three members of staff tocome and sample their buffets. Invitations andmenus were delivered, and come the day of the buf-fet, staff were to be seen lining the corridor outsideE10, drooling at the aromas escaping from theroom.

Suitably spooky food

Setting the scene

Liam's soup was a hit!

...Some staff even had second helpings!!!

Food Technology Year 9 Celebration BuffetOne member of staffwas even overheardsaying that theythought this shouldbe "A weekly eventplease!"

Watch this space for further news of the Year 11Hospitality class who will be staging their 'ComeDine with Me' in December!!

The Autumn Term for our Year 10 students was oneto remember when the RE Department invitedAndrew Diedo and his 27 year old son Christopherto give a talk to our students.

Christopher Diedo, from Dartford Kent, was bornwith Downs Syndrome and, despite his learning dif-ficulties, enjoys life to the full. Christopher beganthe talk telling our students about his many person-al achievements and stressing, in particular, his lovefor photography. Christopher credited his father forencouraging him to pursue his interest in photogra-phy and offering him advice on composition, forexample trying to capture people's reflections inshop windows or to photograph boats on theseashore. Through Christopher's inspirational pho-tos and speech, our students saw what people withDowns Syndrome can achieve when others are pre-pared to believe in them.

Christopher's father spoke warmly of the support offamily and friends, the Downs SyndromeAssociation and MENCAP, who all played importantroles in supporting the whole family and helpingthem to move forward.

Many of our Year 10 students were emotionallyaffected as Andrew described an incident thatoccurred to Christopher when a man attacked himin Dartford because he has Downs Syndrome. Theaim of this talk was to present our students with analternative viewpoint on what quality of life can beachieved by people with disabilities and their fami-lies. Through Christopher's and Andrew's wordsthey came to understand that Christopher has givenhis family and friends the chance to enjoy a familylife that wouldn't be as rich or complete without him.

Chris Diedo:A Life Without Boundaries

In the summer term The Billericay School artdepartment was invited to join other schools acrossEssex in an exhibition celebrating students'achievement in the arts in Essex schools. Thework was showcased in Chelmsford's city centre,taking over walkways in the shopping centre andempty retail spaces. The hardest decision, for theart department, was deciding on what not to take asspace was limited and there was such a wealth ofquality work which could have been part of theshow.

The exhibition took place from 11-18 July and otherparticipating schools included GreenswardAcademy, The Sandon School, Notley High School,Braintree College, KEGS, Boswells, Castleview,Chelmsford County High and Chelmsford College.

Max Dolding, a local artist who came up with theidea commented that "This showcase has certainlyamazed me, with all the energy and enthusiasmthat has gone into it …….. Congratulations, every-one."

The display included work produced by students inYears 8, 9, 10, 11 and sixth form; it was a visualfeast of creativity for those who saw it and as two of

the sixth form students who spent a day supervisingcan confirm, the show received lots of positive com-ments from the public. A series of workshops wereorganised in conjunction with the exhibition.

A presentation evening was organised whereTurner Prize winning artist, Grenville Davey,Councillor Ray Ride, students, parents, governorsand staff from the eleven participating schools cametogether to view the work. We were thrilled to learnthat the visual art prize, selected and presented byGrenville Davey went to Billericay student VickyCracknell for her painting produced in Year 13.Other students nominated for awards were SamHeazel Year 13, Danielle Summerton Year 12,Bethany Freeman Year 11, Bethany Hall Year 11,Chloe Wilson Year 11, Shelby Thomas Year 8,Heather Wiles Year 8, Sofia Curtis Year 8 and LukeBecalick - Year 8

Congratulations to Vicky and all the students whosework made the exhibition such a success. It wasgreat to see so many of our students and their fam-ilies at the presentation event and we look forwardto this event becoming a fixture in the school calen-dar.

Billericay School Students meet TurnerPrize winning artist, Grenville Davey,

at the Essex Schools' Showcase for the Arts 2012

Spelling Bee

The French and German spelling bee competitionstook place on 17 July and the participants compet-ed enthusiastically.

The winners for German were Nick Travers (1st),Olivia Paton (2nd)and Sophie Hill (3rd) and forFrench, Lucy Day (1st), Olivia Paton (2nd) and NickLike (3rd).

Well done to all the participants!

Lian WilkinsonLian Wilkinson, who was one of our most academicand delightful sixth form students, was successfullynominated for a Diana Champion Volunteer award.The assessors were very impressed with her andconsidered Lian to be an excellent role model andthe nomination really did have that 'Wow' factor theywere looking for. Lian received a lapel pin and cer-tificate and will be welcomed into their network ofaward holders across the UK.

Lewis PlattYear 7

We were pleased to hear that one of our new Year7 students is a budding street dance star! LewisPlatt, 7NJNM recently took part in the IDO WorldHIP Hop Championships in Bochum in Germanyand was part of the only Under 12 group fromBritain. After competing in the British and EuropeanChampionships they came 8th in the world - a fan-tastic achievement!

On Monday 5 November, thirty three music students from The Billericay School attended a concert at theRoyal Festival Hall given by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, in partnership with Deutsche Bank andspecifically aimed at GCSE music students. 2,500 students from years 10 and 11 from over 60 schoolsattended the concert.

The concert was conducted and presented by Stuart Stratford who offered examples and extracts from eachpiece prior to performance. The South Bank's resident orchestra, the LPO, were joined by a 200-strongchoir to demonstrate to students in fully interactive detail, the five different musical eras. The opening piecewas an extract from Handel's baroque oratorio, Messiah, this was then followed by excerpts from Mozart'sSymphony No 40, Saint-Saëns' Danse Macabre, Schoenberg's Peripetia, Riley's In C, a performance of anIndia Raga with Sitar and Tabla player and the concert finished with the Symphonic Suite from Shore's filmscore for Lord of the Rings.

Big congratulations to the following students forachieving Duke of Edinburgh Awards:

Bronze AwardRebecca Asher & Nicola Wojcik - year 12

Silver AwardHannah Quinn - left July 2012.

During September 40 students took part in theirBronze Expedition. This involved them planningtheir own route from Stock to Screen's Park inChelmsford, camping overnight and then returningvia a different route the next day. Despite the coldcamping conditions, the expedition was hugely suc-cessful and means that many of our current Year11s have achieved their Bronze Award, so watchthis space for names.

If you are interested in taking part in the Duke ofEdinburgh Award, Miss Merrick will be speaking inyear 10 assemblies in December to tell you moreabout it.

Duke of Edinburgh

Award

Years 10 & 11 Visit To

The Royal Festival Hall

Exam Dates: 2012/2013

DATE EXAM YEAR GROUP

20126 November (am) GCSE Maths Modular (unit 1) Year 11 (re-sits)6 November (am) 8 November (pm) GCSE Maths Linear Year 12/13 (re-sits)7 November (pm) GCSE English Language Year 12/13 (re-sits)

(extra re-sit opportunity)8 November (pm) GCSE Maths Modular (unit 2) Year 11 (re-sits)13 December (am) Science internal SATS Year 9

20137 January - 1 February GCE AS/A2 Modules Year 12/139 January (pm) GCSE English Lit. Modules Year 11 re-sits9 January (am)14 January (am) 17 January (pm) GCSE Science exams Year 11 resits10 January (am) GCSE English Module Year 11 (selected studentsonly)22 January (am)24 January (am) 25 January (pm) GCSE Science exams Year 11 (triple science studentsonly)23 January (am) GCSE History Module Year 11 (selected studentsonly)28 January (pm) GCSE PE Module Year 11 (selected studentsonly)29 January (pm) GCSE History Modules Year 11 (selected studentsonly)6 - 15 February GCSE Mock exam period Year 11 (plus some Year 10s)27 February GCSE Maths Modular (unit 1) Year 11 (re-sits)27 February 4 March GCSE Maths Linear Year 12/13 (re-sits)4 March GCSE Maths Modular (unit 2) Year 10

Year 11 (re-sits)6 March (am) GCSE Maths Modular (unit 3) Year 11 (tbc)7 May (tbc) Humanities internal exams day Year 101 May - 25 June* GCE + GCSE exams Year 11 - 1320 May (a.m.) GCSE English Literature Year 10June (date tbc) Maths Internal SATS Year 917 June - 5 July French/German Asset Languages window

(dates tba) Year 911 June (am) GCSE Maths Module (unit 1) Year 105 June (pm)10 June (pm) 13 June (am) GCSE Science exams Year 10

(*some Year 10 students may be sitting other GCSE subjects during this time)

The exam dates can also be found on the school website and in the students' "Exams Handbooks". It is vitalthat your child receives their copy of this handbook before they take their first external exam this academic year,as it contains important and useful exams information together with regulations which they have to abide by dur-ing GCSE and GCE examinations. If your child is in Year 10-13 and has not received a copy by January, pleaseask him / her to come to the Exams Office to request one. You can also find a copy on the "Exams" section ofthe school website.

We would like to remind you we do not normally authorise holiday absence, other than in exceptional circum-stances, at any time of the year and it is vital that students in Years 9 - 13 are not absent during the exam peri-od. At present, with modular exams, this now stretches across much of the year. If you have any concerns,please contact the Exams Office in the first instance.

Well Done BrandonIn April 2012 Brandon Wilkins, a Year 7 student,was selected for the W.I.K.F. England squad(Wado-ryu international federation) to compete atthe16th European championship in Greece. On 28September he competed in his first overseas com-petition and after three tough fights he won the goldmedal in the u12 individual category.

He is also the National W.I.K.F. champion 2 years ina row and hopes to defend his title again next year.He is also looking forward to competing in theW.I.K.F. World Championships in September 2013in Crawley.

House CharitiesThis year each of our 5 school houses have madethe decision to support a local charity. Each formgroup will be organising a small fundraising event toraise money for their chosen charity. We hope tostart up a volunteer committee which will consist ofstudents who are willing to volunteer their time tosupport these local charities. This year's charitiesare:

Curie House : BarnardosEdison House : Hamelin TrustKeller House: CHESS homeless charityNewton House: Essex Air AmbulanceScott House : Little Havens Hospice

Used StampsAppeal

Just a reminder that we are still collecting usedstamps for the RNIB. Remember that every stampthat you send us will help to benefit blind and par-tially sighted children and adults with the sixty plusservices that the Royal National Institute of BlindPeople provide. Stamps can be left at the mainschool reception.

Uniform ChangeAdvance Notice

The Uniform Shop will close for the Christmas breakat 9.30am on Friday 21 December and will re-open8.15am-9.30am on Monday 7 January 2013.Please note that the Uniform Shop is no longer ableto accept payment by cheque. Payment can bemade by cash or debit/credit card or items can bepurchased on-line at www.simmonds-ltd.com.

It has been decided by the Governing Body thatfrom next academic year, girls' skirts will be limitedto one style of pleated skirt, which is available fromthe school shop priced at £7.95. If girls do not wishto wear this skirt, trousers may continue to be wornas an alternative. In the Spring term we shall bewriting to parents to inform them in more detail, butare giving notice now, so parents may take the pol-icy change into consideration before purchasing fur-ther skirts.

Bad WeatherProcedure

In the event of a sudden school closure, studentsshould know exactly what to do and where to go. Ifthe school is unable to open for any reason, or inthe event of needing to dismiss students early, mes-sages will be broadcast on BBC Essex and HeartFM.

BBC Essex (103.5 or 95.3 FM)Heart FM Essex (96.3 or 102.6FM)Information will also be available on ourschool website: www.billericay.essex.sch.uk

The school switchboard is likely to be busy in theevent of a sudden closure, so it is vital for you tohave arrangements in place for your child/childrenshould this occur.

Student ServicesTo ensure the health and safety of students andstaff may we remind everyone of the following sothat we can all keep safe.

Bicycles: Cycle helmets should be worn whenriding to and from school. Bikes should bemechanically sound. Cycle permits must behanded to student services with full details com-pleted. Students must not ride their bikes whenon the school site but must walk to and from thegates. These precautions are in place to safe-guard your child. I am sure you are aware that atthe end of the summer term one of our studentswas injured on the way home from school.Recent news headlines have shown that cyclechampion Bradley Wiggins and head coach ofGB cycling team Shane Sutton were both badlyhurt in separate crashes within 24 hours of eachother so it is imperative students realise they riskserious injury by not wearing helmets. Sanctionswill apply if students cannot comply with thesesimple safety requirements. This could result inyour child being unable to ride their bicycle toschool.

Parents' cars: Please do not drive onto theschool site to pick up or drop off your child in themornings or evenings, unless there is a valid rea-son.

NIBS buses: Students must sit in seats and onno account should they stand upstairs. If thereare no seats available they should stand down-stairs

Kirkland Rowell Parent & Student Surveys 2012 Feedback

Firstly, I'd like to say a big 'thank you' to everyone who took the time to complete and return the questionnaires.We had over 1,500 come back in total-our biggest return yet! The results have been independently analysedby Kirkland Rowell and action points have been fed back to the Senior Leadership Team and to all staff.Individual comments have all been collated and passed on to the relevant department or senior member ofstaff.

As the questionnaires are anonymous, we cannot respond to individual queries but are ensuring thatany issues are appropriately dealt with. Please contact the relevant member of staff (e.g. formtutor/subject teacher), or senior teacher if there is an outstanding matter with which you need help orwish to discuss.

Parent Summary:& An overall score of 70% and above is considered good (for academic areas), and 65% and above

for non-academic areas. You gave us an overall score of 84% i.e. outstanding. (82% in 2010, 78% in 2008)

& There were lots of positive comments - your children are happy and contented and you think that the school has an excellent overall performance and is improving standards. You appreciate the hard work, dedication and support of staff. Very few comments were negative and any that were, were often qualified in light of overall satisfaction.

& Some of you complained about the dining facilities and some of the toilets. As you are aware, in a popular and oversubscribed school, space is still at a premium. Our new building and refurbishment has temporarily restricted some of the dining areas but we hope this will change once all work is complete as there will be more indoor and outdoor social spaces for pupils to have their lunch. We continue to introduce increasingly healthy food options and the choice is extensive. We are aware of on-going issues with toilets and are trying to ensure these are addressed.

& In terms of academic areas you are most happy with: Media, Chemistry, Mathematics, PD and Physics (but all subjects scored very highly so there is no significant dissatisfaction anywhere)

& In terms of non-academic areas, you are most happy with: control of bullying, careers advice, school discipline, community spirit and developing moral values (all Outstanding)

& Although it scored highly, your top priority for improvement is School Communication. Handling complaints, encouraging and listening to views, receiving information about your children's progress were all rated as outstanding. We are in the process of increasing the number of communications sent by e-mail to parents but want to ensure that the technology works effectively, and that we understand the consequences of such a change, before we proceed further.

& 77% of you say that your child can access a range of resources via the portal (No 9%, don't know 11%). Any problems with this please contact Mr Darley for advice.

& 95.1% said that you would recommend this school to another parent.& In terms of Ofsted grading, your comments and scoring confirm that The Billericay School is an

'Outstanding' school.

Pupil summary:& You were even more enthusiastic than your parents judging the school to be 'Outstanding' in nearly

all areas including: encouraging a healthy lifestyle, ensuring you stay safe, enjoyment and achievement, enabling you to make a positive contribution and ensuring you achieve economic well-being. You gave your school an overall performance score of 81% i.e. outstanding. 67% thought the school had improved even more over the last year.

& You told us that you thought you were making good progress in all your subjects but especially in PD, Child Development, German, French and RE.

& In terms of non-academic areas, you are most happy with: availability of resources, school facilities and teaching quality (all Outstanding)

& Your top priority for improvement is: School Facilities (although this scored really highly). Obviously when the building work is complete next year your school will be even better. You'd like improved toilets and some of you mention chewing gum on tables. As you know, you shouldn't be chewing in school and we ask you all to respect that rule. In the meantime we will make a concerted effort to remove any gum that a minority of you leave behind. Some of you mention social spaces. Again we hope once the refurbishment is complete there will be more areas for you to use at break and lunchtime.

& The vast majority of you make good use of learning conversations and most of you feel that they help you make good progress.

& 72% access resources via the portal (please contact Mr Darley for advice if you're having difficulties)

& 99.2% of you say that teachers encourage you to do your best. 90% of you have not been bullied recently, 93% feel you have not been treated unfairly by staff, 83% would still attend lessons given the choice, 95% of you would recommend your school to another pupil. We are very glad that the vast majority of you are happy at school. If you are not, please arrange to talk through the reasons with your form tutor or Head of House.

Remember you can continue to contribute views and ideas and be part of decision making in theschool through Back Chat, Student Voice and the Sixth Form Committee.