Dear GA Families

What an incredible first full week back.  May I pass on a huge thanks to all who have supported us in our high expectations of uniform, effort and conduct for your child.  Already the school is very calm and studious, with students showing respect to each other and their abilities.  It is always a huge challenge settling back into a routine, especially with the changes over the past 18 months.

Communication

Just a reminder of the best ways to contact the school.  We aim to respond to any requests within 24 working hours, even if it is a holding response whilst we get the information required.  We ask for your understanding that the priority during the day, for our teachers, is providing the very best lessons.

The best forms of contact are

• Email the school using the contact form on the website
• Phone reception if more urgent

Please be patient and courteous, and remember we are modelling this to students.

Uniform

Several communications were sent out during the summer term and summer holidays regarding uniform expectations.  To clarify, bags must be either rucksack style or messenger style.  We also described it as being as plain as possible. The reason for this is that the plainer bags are often very expensive, and we were sensitive to that.  As ever please ask if in doubt prior to purchasing an item.  The uniform policy is found easily on the school website.

Period 6

As communicated in my letter dated 14^th July 2021, we gave notice that year groups 7 to 10 would receive the incredible support of an extra lesson each week.  Giving them a double PE lesson on the same day each week.  We have an incredibly talented PE department that we recruited last year.  I am sure everyone wants their child to be fit and healthy, as well as supporting their mental health through activity.  We are passionate that our students have the entitlement to the very best that is on offer in any school anywhere, and this is one of many examples of this.

Monday - Year 7, Tuesday - Year 8, Wednesday - Year 9, Thursday - Year 10. Please note year 11 have a period 6 every day as they climb the mountain to the very best university or profession.

Morning Prep

Following from the theme above, there is also a voluntary Prep session that runs every day from 7.15am to 8.15am.  This includes a range of activities to support students, as well as free breakfast.  A superb opportunity to set your child up for the best possible day at school.

Open Evening

Finally, we have our Open Evening Event this Thursday for prospective year 6 students.  May I also extend the invite to all current parents who may not yet have had the opportunity to tour the school.

Finally, may I thank you once again for your support.  Whilst we make all our decisions based on experience of running the very best schools in the country, research and the needs of the GA community, we may not always get things perfectly right.  We ask that you communicate politely with us in the first instance if you have any feedback.

As we continue to rapidly become the very best school in the region, we need your support in spreading this message as well as making your child proud to attend GA.

Many thanks in advance, and wishing everyone a very productive academic year.

Yours sincerely

Mr J Heap

Headteacher