Dear Parent/Carer,
As we come to the end of the second week of Autumn Term 2 I would like to update you on the latest news from school and what is coming up in the next few weeks.
Last weekend we opened our doors to the local community of Astley Bridge as Sharples played host to the Remembrance Day Service. The Royal British Legion Club of Astley Bridge organised the event, which saw a marching band make their way from Belmont Road to Sharples, followed by the local scout and guide groups, members of the local community, and the parade was greeted at the school gates by a guard of honour of our Gold Tie School Leaders. The service was moving and respectful, with beautiful performances by the Sharples Choir. We are honoured that our school was able to provide this occasion for our community and we look forward to continuing the tradition for years to come.
This week, Year 11 students have sat their first GCSE Mock Examinations in English and maths. It has been an intensive week, with revision sessions every evening and an exam every day. The students have shown great commitment and resilience and we are very proud of all of them. The results will be analysed and used to provide next steps to improve in their journey to final GCSE exams in May 2026.
On Friday 28th November we will be holding our annual Diversity Day. This is always a favourite day in the Sharples calendar for students and staff, and we look forward to seeing students dress in outfits which represent their heritage, countries of ancestry or just something that is unique to them. As this is an annual day to celebrate the diversity and individuality of our Sharples students, once again we ask that no flags are brought into school on this day. We will be holding our popular Diversity Day stalls at lunchtime, with food, drink, crafts and gifts on sale from 50p. Parents/Carers can buy books of vouchers via MCAS for £5 each. The vouchers will be delivered to students via forms on the day, and these can be spent in multiples of 50p at the stalls. Cash will also be accepted on the day. All proceeds will be donated to the charity OXFAM.
Year 9 students are beginning the preparations for their formal pre-option exams in January which will provide invaluable assessment information to students, teachers and parents prior to our Options process where students will select their GCSE courses of study for September 2026. Revision technique sessions are being delivered to all Year 9 Forms this half term and parents will receive revision lists and a full exam schedule in due course.
A reminder that our new Breakfast Club is available from 8am every morning in the canteen, with free toast and bagels available. Students can catch up on home learning, revise for assessments, or just set themselves up for a positive day ahead.
We have a busy half term coming up with even more events and opportunities for our students and their families to get involved with. These include our Winter Concert and our annual Christmas Markets evening. As always, we would love to see as many families as possible coming along to support.
Yours sincerely
Ms C Molyneux
Headteacher
