Borden Grammar School Parent Portal

Dear Parent or Guardian

“Never underestimate the big importance of small things”

Students, staff and even visiting parents will already have heard me quoting this line from “The Midnight Library” which I read over the summer. Indeed, coming back after a long summer break means that it is sometimes difficult to see the positive, or indeed the bigger picture. This is largely because of the shock of getting back into work routines, increasingly dark mornings and early evenings, all accompanied by the prospect of a year of hard work ahead for all. Add to this the depressing state of affairs on the news and it is hard for everyone not to feel just a little glum.

However, this isn't true for Borden where we have seen a particularly positive start to this year. Some of the best exam results the school has seen and the most ‘normal’ post-pandemic start to the year the students have had in years has meant there is much to feel positive about. Preparation work for our new build starts over the half term break and begins in earnest in January. The school has more students than it has ever had, becoming even more popular in the 6th form. We are also doing our best to improve the main building with new S block windows, new quad roof and lighting, as well as a new outside canopy with benches where students can socialise at break times. Add to this some stunning “small things” that our students and staff have been involved in, ranging from 6th form students taking lower school assemblies to advertise their mental health first aid support to lower school students voluntarily running a bake sale during social times in aid of the Macmillan cancer charity. You will see more of these ‘small things’ detailed further on in this newsletter, all of which have a big impact, not only on those they help, but also on the ethos and culture of the school.

The Old Bordenians

Whilst the name doesn't sound terribly flattering, the Old Bordenians are a group of past students and staff who care deeply about the school. They go out of their way to offer what support they can through fundraising, for instance sponsoring one of our minibuses and maintaining our clocktower. Most recently, one of this group, Mark Sayer, came to donate 2 very special items. These are an original bugle from 1914 (named Alpha) and another from 1918 (named Omega). The idea is that one of our students will use these to play ‘The Last Post’ and ‘Reveille’ at our remembrance ceremony on November the 11th. As we have done in recent years, this ceremony will take place at the front of the school and we will video it so that all of our community can be there in spirit.

Assessment and mindset

We occasionally have a request from parents to have individual grades for work sent home together with the audit grades for their child. Whilst we can see why this may seem useful, it actually has the potential to be both misleading and damaging. Individual marks for pieces of work will often vary widely in terms of outcomes and importance. The teacher will factor all of this in when making their professional judgement about the attainment level of a child. More importantly, it further creates a ‘performance’ rather than ‘mastery’ mindset, which research shows is often an underlying issue behind boys' underperformance. What this means is that boys are often focused on the outcome (winning/succeeding) rather than the improvement needed to get there. Where the outcome is poor, they will sometimes give up rather than try harder. This is why the “What went well” (WWW) and “even better if” (EBI) comments are more important. We sometimes need to have grades to know ‘where we are’, but we should be aiming for less and not more if we are to create the growth and mastery mindset needed for success. I would always recommend looking in your child’s books to see individual grades, but please do focus on their “WWW/EBI” and the progress they are making.

Cost of Living Crisis

We sent out a letter at the start of term with some details on how we may be able to support our community during the cost of living crisis. Whilst energy bills and inflation also impact on school budgets, we are keen to try and do what we can to help. We are therefore intending on developing our breakfast provision for all students and are negotiating with a company to be able to offer this free of charge; more on this in the near future. We have a stock of second hand uniform available and will be meeting with our suppliers to see if anything further can be done. We also have put aside a small hardship fund to help with uniform, trips and other essentials where families are really struggling. You can write to me at the school, in confidence, if this applies to you and if you feel you have more recently qualified for free school meals, then please email
freeschoolmeals@kent.gov.uk to ask for more advice. On a more local level, the Swale foodbank is also experiencing all kinds of pressures and regularly needs donations. We will likely do a collection for this towards Christmas as we did last year, so please think about putting aside anything you are able to offer and we will write to you nearer the time to let you know how and when to donate. Finally, the Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust has added some useful resources and advice in terms of emotional health and wellbeing and educational support.

Thank you for your continued support this half term and I look forward to seeing all our students return refreshed and ready for new challenges after the break.

Kind regards

Ashley Tomlin
Headteacher