Latest News

Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• iPads for Learning - Survey Results

  Mon 18 May 2015 Mr Broad

  iPads for Learning: Results of the Parent Survey

  After some exhaustive and detailed research, Hugh Sexey Middle School is now convinced by the incredible contribution mobile technologies can have during lessons. To better understand the perspective of parents and carers, we recently gave a presentation on an exciting new opportunity for parents to contribute to the purchase of iPads. During the presentation, information was shared on how this scheme would proceed and how iPads could transform learning in our school.

  After this presentation, parents were invited to complete a short survey to help us decide if there is sufficient support for the scheme. To be sure that no child would be disadvantaged in lessons by not having access to a device, we set the bar very high indeed; needing at least 90% of parents to show their support in the scheme. Equality in learning will always be one of our primary concerns.

  Happily, the results indicate that a significant majority of parents with children in years 5, 6 and 7 support the idea. However, despite the keen level of interest, particularly by parents with children in year 5, we are currently unable to guarantee that all pupils will have equal access to these devices. As equality in learning must come first, we have decided to modify our approach to bringing iPads into the classroom.

  As parental contribution typically lasts for 3 years, parents have let us know that interest in the scheme is much more significant in our lower year groups. As a result, we will present the scheme to prospective parents and gauge whether this scheme can be brought in as pupils join us in year 5. Should the response be overwhelmingly positive we hope to offer this option to parents of year 4 pupils as part of a phased introduction of iPads from September.

  We offer our sincere thanks to our parents for listening to our ideas and for completing the survey. With your support we will continue to do all we can to provide an outstanding educational experience for the pupils of Hugh Sexey Middle School.

  

• Normandy Blog

  Wed 06 May 2015 Miss Kendall

  French Trip Update - nous sommes arrivés!
  After a 4am start and a choppy crossing to Portsmouth, our 75 children from year 7 arrived at La Grand' Ferme yesterday afternoon. They spent the evening settling into the rooms, having a tour of the site and meeting the staff, before sharing a meal, including clearing and cleaning the tables themselves! Today we took part in activities: bread-making, archery and orienteering, where the children are having to concentrate hard to make sure they follow all of the French instructions! After a rainy, windy start, the sunshine came out mid-morning… long may it last!

   

   

  Normandy update - midweek at Mont St. Michel

  With picnics on their backs and spare socks packed, year 7 set off for a day at Mont St. Michel. We had a guided tour around the ramparts (built to protect the monastery from the English), then the children spent some time exploring the streets and shops, before following in the footsteps of olden day pilgrims and walking out across the bay. Our guides led us safely on a five mile barefoot trek through the sands,  and we arrived home tired and very much in need of a wash! So it's bonne nuit, ready for an early breakfast tomorrow…

   

   

  Un Marché et deux Musées

  The first challenge of the day was for pupils to buy their own lunch in the market at Condé sur Noireau - we saw purchases of ham, cheese, crepes and many many strawberries! The afternoon took us from one extreme of history to another, starting from the Bayeux Tapestry and then moving to the D-day landing museum at Arromanches. We came home to our French evening, where pupils had the chance to try snails before dressing in French outfits for a fashion show.