Headteacher's Letter - 16
Dear Parents & Carers
Hoping you are well and are enjoying the warm summer sunshine. For the next few weeks
Catholic Life & Mission
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Last week we witnessed a remarkable moment in the life of the Catholic Church, the election of a new pope. Following the funeral of Pope Francis, cardinals from around the world gathered in Vatican City for the Conclave. On Thursday evening, the white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel, signalling that a new pope had been chosen. We joyfully welcome Pope Leo XIV, the 267th successor to Saint Peter. This event is not just a change in leadership; it is a moment that connects 1.3 billion Catholics around the globe in faith, prayer, and hope.
Pope Leo’s first appearance on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica brought messages of peace, humility, and unity. As we celebrate this new beginning, we encourage our students to reflect on the values of leadership, service, and faith. Just like the Pope, each one of us is called to make the world a better place through our actions and kindness. Let us pray for our new Holy Father, that he may lead the Church with wisdom, courage, and compassion.
This week’s Gospel (John 10:27-30)
‘My Sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me’
In the Gospel this week, Jesus draws His followers ever closer by introducing them to the kind and caring leader He embodies using the image of the Good Shepherd.
GCSE Examinations
This is the first full week of the GCSE examinations. The exams taking place this week are listed below:
| 12th May – Monday am | English Literature Paper 1 – 8702/1 |
| 13th May – Tuesday am | RE Paper 1 – C120U80 |
| 13th May – Tuesday pm | Biology Paper 1 – 8461/1 |
| Combined Science Trilogy: Biology Paper 1 – 8464/B/1 | |
| 14th May – Wednesday am | Geography Paper 1 – 8035/1 |
| 14th May – Wednesday pm | Sport Studies – R184 |
| 15th May – Thursday am | Maths Paper 1 |
| 15th May – Thursday pm | Citizenship Paper 2 – 8100/2 |
| 16th May – Friday am | History Paper 1 – 8145/1 |
We wish all our students the best of luck in their forthcoming examinations. In between examinations, our Y11 students will attend a bespoke programme of revision prior to each examination. It is important that Y11s attend these sessions promptly. If you have any concerns about your child during the exam season, please get in touch with Mrs Knight, Y11 Learning Manager or Mrs Batchelor, Y11 Pastoral Support Assistant.
Thursday 15th May 6-7pm Parents’ Forum
The theme of the Parents’ Forum on Thursday 15th May 2025 will be communication. This is an opportunity for parents/carers to attend and make constructive recommendations as to how the school can further improve its day-to-day communications with parents and carers. All are welcome. Please click on the link that will be sent out in a separate email by the end of Wednesday 14th May. We will then know how many attendees to accommodate at the meeting.
Attendance
We are pleased to share that during the first three weeks of this half term, approximately 80% of our students have achieved 100% attendance – a fantastic effort! Well done to those students for their commitment to learning. Each week, the names of students with perfect attendance are entered into our Brekkie Bonus draw as a special reward.
Our key focus continues to be encouraging regular attendance for all students. One of the main barriers we are currently seeing is students missing occasional days, particularly on Mondays and Fridays. These absences, even when infrequent, can create gaps in learning and make it harder for students to catch up on key knowledge and classroom activities.
We kindly ask families to continue to support us in making attendance a priority. Every day in school really matters.
Archdiocesan Behaviour Review
A few weeks ago a team of 4 external reviewers from the Archdiocese spent a full day at our Lady Queen of Peace to look at behaviour. There were many positive findings summarised in the Behaviour Review Report. Please see below:
Leadership
- A safe and inclusive environment with a strong emphasis on relationships founded upon Gospel values.
- The SLT Behaviour Lead and Deputy Headteacher has made an immediate impact since being given whole school responsibility for behaviour and attitudes.
- The ambitious vision for pupil behaviour is underpinned by high expectations and a clear and comprehensive strategy.
- Teaching and support staff demonstrate firm commitment to the development of pupils, treat them as individuals and show genuine care. Senior leaders are fostering a culture whereby managing pupil behaviour is seen as being a shared, collective responsibility.
- Leaders regularly visit lessons at various times of the day to support colleagues and monitor standards.
- There is an established and effective anti-bullying culture in the school; leaders do not tolerate any form of discrimination, aggression and derogatory language.
- The school’s approach to personal development is central to school improvement and seeks to build the self-confidence and interpersonal skills of pupils and increase participation in school life.
- Expertly managed, the Aspire provision has had an incredibly positive impact on some of the school's most vulnerable, at-risk pupils; the improvements in behaviour, attendance and punctuality are exceptional.
- The school’s SENDCo, working effectively with senior colleagues has been instrumental in bringing about improvements in the standards of pupil behaviour, especially for those on the SEND register; crucially, he has worked tirelessly to secure additional support from the LA SEND team. The SENDCo provides a wealth of advice and guidance on how to effectively manage pupils with specific behaviour needs.
- The Deputy Headteacher i/c of curriculum has expertly supported senior colleagues to use MS Power BI efficiently in the analysis of data, providing an accurate overview of pupil behaviour around school and in classrooms.
Standards
- There was strong evidence of clear, established routines and lesson structure. In the classroom setting, teachers have high expectations of quality of work, behaviour and effort. Throughout the lesson observations, pupil conduct for the vast majority was excellent.
- Leaders expect all staff to model the school's values and ethos in their interactions with pupils and each other.
- The KS3 line-ups, introduced in the spring term, have proven to be highly effective in providing a more positive start to the school day and ensuring higher standards. Observed pupil behaviour during the line-ups was exceptional.
Relationships
- Pupils feel that staff are approachable and supportive and that their voices are heard and respected.
- There is a strong emphasis on recognition and celebration of positive behaviour.
- Pupils from different backgrounds are treated equally and with respect. Staff work hard to promote equality and diversity in the school.
Rewards & sanctions
- The school has clearly defined consequences for poor behaviour that are communicated regularly to pupils and staff.
- Rewards are used by staff to recognise application, endeavour and quality of work.
- Praise is sincere, proportionate and targeted. Praise and encouragement are common features of the teacher-pupil relationships.
Training
- Senior leaders are committed to staff development.
- School leaders provide training in a range of behavioural strategies and share examples of best practice.
Behaviour curriculum (systems & procedures)
- Staff are expected to explicitly teach and model school rules, routines, social norms and to ‘sell’ the benefits of good behaviour.
- Pupils were able to articulate clearly their understanding of what behaviours are expected and encouraged, permitted and prohibited and the school’s expectations regarding appearance, uniform and preparedness for the day (equipment etc.).
- Through effective delivery of the behaviour curriculum, leaders ensure there is close attention to detail – nothing is left to chance.
Recommendations
- Staff should continue to encourage pupils to be self-reflective of their own behaviours and take responsibility for their actions.
- Continue to review the impact of and further develop the behaviour curriculum.
- Continue to develop outreach and engagement efforts with the parent body.
- Extra-curricular and enrichment opportunities need to be promoted more fully to ensure greater pupil participation.
Sports Updates
Mr Evans has kindly put together the sports news from the last two weeks. We are particularly proud of our Y9 rugby players who were winners of the tournament at St. Bede’s and our Y8 students who achieved second place.
Congratulations to the PE Department! The school has achieved the Gold School Games Mark. This award is given in recognition of the number of opportunities that the PE department offers to students, the engagement of students and the provision across the academic year in different sports. The Quality Mark also takes into consideration the variety and quality of sports that the school offers through the curriculum during core PE lessons. In addition to this, the accessibility of the curriculum for our SEND students is also taken into consideration for the award.
Students from Our Lady Queen of Peace attended many SEND events over the year. The school was even placed in the top 3 schools within the district at some events. Our Lady Queen of Peace entered every single competition this year, as well as representing West Lancs at various regional competitions throughout Lancashire and the North West. This was due to us winning multiple tournaments in various sports. It is a great achievement for the school that recognises the hard work that students put in during lessons, clubs, fixtures and events during / after school on a consistent basis.
Extra-Curricular Opportunities
Please encourage your child to get involved in the wider life of the school and to take part in the range of extra-curricular activities on offer.
Please go to the school website for more details:
https://www.olqp.org.uk/personal-development/extra-curricular
Dates for your Diary
Friday 23rd May 2025 School closes at 3pm for the half-term break
Monday 2nd June 2025 School re-opens at 8am
Thank you to our parents and carers for your ongoing support.
Yours sincerely
Mrs M. Henshaw
Headteacher