from G D Lloyd, Head of School

Dear Parent and Carer,

By the time you read this message, Christmas 2009 and the New Year celebrations will be distant memories and we will have all failed to stick to the resolutions we made on the 1^st of January. The beginning of any year is a time for reflection: for looking forward as well as backward. Upon reflection, there is no doubt that 2009 was a remarkable year in the history of Tuxford School and we need to build upon our successes in 2010.

Although we are an outstanding school there are always actions we can undertake to ensure we continue to move forward, thereby sustaining a high quality education for all our pupils. Already we have identified areas for our development planning for 2010/11 including the aim to develop even closer links with our parents. It is our intention to make greater use of modern technologies to improve communication between school and home, and we also need to ensure that we develop further the personal contact that is so important for us all. Hopefully, the new system of academic tutorials is helping - and, indeed, we are receiving many positive comments from parents regarding this innovation. This system has the potential to be developed even further and this will form part of our plans for 2010/11. Other recent changes are proving equally successful, including the new college system and vertical tutor groups. One of the reasons they were introduced was to enhance community cohesion both within the school and beyond, and early indications are very positive. At the time of writing we are undertaking a full review of these initiatives and we will respond to the outcomes of this process.

I find sitting at my desk, ploughing through the paper work, difficult sometimes. However, I take great pleasure in walking round the school (described by one student recently as prowling!) observing Tuxford in operation. We have some remarkable young people within our community and it is a pleasure to be able to work with them. To finish I will offer an open invitation to you all. If you wish to view the school in operation please phone and join me on one of my many walks. It will provide me with another excuse to avoid that paperwork!

Yours sincerely

Mr G D Lloyd

Head of School