Development News 2014
June 2014
Dear Parent/Guardian
I am delighted to send a link to our colour brochure that offers a snap-shot of life at the school during the last 12 months. I think you will agree that it certainly reflects the ethos and culture of opportunity, achievement and success that is synonymous with NSB.
Students here are happy, motivated individuals who are offered countless opportunities and experiences. Our aim is to inspire each pupil, to find a way to light up their imagination and interest.
Many pupils arrive as shy individuals and leave as confident well mannered, successful young people – that is not by accident. The school works with the parents to that end.
The fabulous achievements and successes of our students this year have been truly awe-inspiring. In sport we have seen the 1st XV reach the Daily Mail Twickenham Final and the U13 football team crowned as National Champions. Our teams have also reached National Finals in Basketball, Athletics, Cross-Country and Golf.
The school runs over 60 extra-curricular sports clubs weekly ranging from recreational to elite performer activities.
On the academic front the school again had an outstanding year with excellent results both at GCSE and A level.
Once again our Sixth From produced the most number of high performing students in the town, 80% of our senior students went on to University at Higher Education and 50% of them went to the prestigious Russell Group Universities.
On the stage the standard remains of the highest professional quality. Fantastic performances from our students in Peter Pan, thought provoking experimental theatre with Futurescape and truly amazing talent in Jekyll and Hyde.
Also our young dance group Optical followed in the footsteps of Ignition and became National Street Dance Champions.
Gold and Platinum awards for the Symphonic Winds and Big Band at the National Festival of Music Regionals demonstrates the continuing excellence right across the school.
NSB reaches out to every child offering support and inspiration at every level.
There are 220 extra-curricular clubs that run weekly covering all areas of pupil interest, Science, Design Technology, Photography, Maths Club, Public Speaking, Homework Club are just a few of the additional activities available.
Our driven aim is to provide an excellent platform to inspire and propel all students into adult like. However, in today’s age there is a price to success – the more we offer – the more successful we are – the more it costs.
To provide this environment of clubs, equipment, events, fixtures, travel etc. will cost in the region of £150,000 per year not including the time, energy and effort of staff.
The Government does not fund schools on success or because they do more. They fund merely on numbers. Hence to maintain the highest standards, we have embarked on a policy of self-help. Recent Government cuts have only compounded the problems.
Many, many parents already help us to help your child by making regular donations to the School Development Fund. I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank all those that continue to support us.
The School Development Fund underpins the very ethos of the school. It inspires the pupils, motivates the staff and enables first class teaching and opportunities to be delivered.
This year alone we have been able to buy:
- 15 iPads for classroom teachers
- Laser cutter and printer for Design Technology
- Fitness equipment
- Specialist cameras for Photography
- Dance/Drama Stage blocks
- Stixx building blocks for science
- Maths prizes
- Football Goals
Approximately £40,000 has been financed by the generosity of parents through the Fund in the last few months. When a pupil engages with the school their whole approach galvanises in a positive away. Quite simply they do better across the board. We want our pupils to be cheerful, well-balanced and at ease with each other.
The School Development Fund is a charitable trust set up to bring in additional funding to allow us to broaden and heighten the quality of our educational provision. To this end we invite parents and former pupils to make voluntary contributions to the School if they so wish.
To date the Fund has met with excellent parental response and a high percentage response to this appeal will help seal the sustained excellent provision for the students – it is that important!
This is not a glib request for some extra funding; we need a hugely important stream of additional finance. It helps projects big and small and enriches the pupil’s lives here.
If you do feel that you can help us to help your son, by regular direct debit (monthly, quarterly, annually)or by a one-off participation gift, then please either return the debit form or visit the school website www.nsb.northants.sch.uk and click on the School Development Fund link.
Also by signing the gift-aid declaration the school can reclaim an additional 25p in every £1 through tax relief at no cost to the donor.
Whether you are comfortable with £5 per month or £100 per month you can help us make a difference. A £10 monthly donation is the equivalent of less than one pint of beer or glass of wine a week so you are helping the pupils and on a health kick at the same time!
Our vision is simple – to maintain and enhance the very best educational provision. It is the success of our self-help initiatives that will allow us to continually go the extra mile.
Every parent wants the best for their children and every parent wants to give their child opportunities and experiences to help them develop. We as a school are totally committed to offering the best education both inside and outside the classroom that we can.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read this letter. I would like to wish all our students every success and truly hope they have a wonderful and rewarding time at the school.
“With a little help from a lot of people we can achieve so much!”
Yours sincerely
