Our commitment to driving up literacy standards at TGBS continues with a keen focus on developing oracy for all staff and pupils this year. As part of an ongoing programme to promote confidence in a range spoken arenas, all pupils will have the opportunity to take part in an externally run workshop this academic year.

Our first workshop took place mid-November for all of our Year 7 pupils. The esteemed oracy specialists ‘Talk the Talk’ took the boys through a series of activities exploring their transition from primary to secondary, friendship groups, adapting to new situations and new opportunities. All the boys took part in individual, paired and group discussions and presentations. The pupils felt they were more confident in talking aloud, sharing ideas and trying new things in their evaluations at the end of the day. The trainers were full of praise for our boys and are keen to come back to work with our older pupils.

Since September a variety of pupils having been competing in the F1 for Schools competition after school, each week they have been meeting and working as teams to design a model formula 1 car to race at the regional finals in February. Since the start of the competition our school has been linked with the Austin Ex-Apprentices Association Trust, set up in memory of Herbert Austin. The trust have kindly donated financial backing for the boys to manufacturer their designs and compete at regional finals. on Monday 25^th November trust members visited school to meet and talk to the club teams.

I would like to express a huge thank you to all of the parents who came to join me for another successful SEND coffee morning this November. It was a lovely opportunity for you to meet with our new Assistant SENDCO, Mrs Morris, and to discuss the varied and bespoke provision we offer for those pupils in our care.

It was great to hear your thoughts on our systems and processes, and we will definitely look into some of your fabulous suggestions for an even wider array of Extra-Curricular opportunities for our young people with SEND.

Thank you all for your continued support, Mrs Green.