Charlton School

Dear Parents/Carers,

Welcome back to the final half term of the year. I hope you managed to find some time to enjoy the good weather with your family and take part in the things you enjoy spending your time doing.

Our Year 11 students are now in the final two weeks of the GCSE examinations. They have been outstanding so far in how they have approached their exams and we again send them all our very best wishes for the remainder of this exam series. Year 10 also start their end of year examinations from the 19^th June. Please support your child to prepare fully for these exams as they are important in the preparation for their full GCSE exams.

Whilst our minds may turn slightly as families to the upcoming summer holiday, it is vitally important that all students remain fully focused on their learning during the next seven weeks. Lots of new content and subject knowledge will be delivered that will need to be remembered and recalled when students return in September. Hard work now really does pay off in the future.

Please can I again take this opportunity to remind you about our uniform expectations, especially around jewellery and the changes being made for September. As a school, we endeavour to ensure that all students comply with the school uniform policy. The policy states that only a wristwatch and a single pair of small gold stud earrings (worn in one lobe without jewels) are permitted. Any other piercings or jewellery are not allowed. We have noticed a slight increase in students who are not following the policy and have a small number of students wearing excessive jewellery. 

Any jewellery worn in school, which is not permitted, needs to be removed by students and handed over to the school Finance department, where it is locked in the safe until parents or carers are able to collect it at a designated time. This message is explained to students in assembly and your full support in this matter is greatly appreciated. Please ensure students do not wear any jewellery other than a single pair of stud earrings and a wristwatch to school.  

From September, following a 12 month transition period, we will have phased out any legacy blue trousers or skirts for girls, and all students will wear black. The approved skirt is a black knee length pleated design. Skirts must not be tight fitting and the hem of the skirt must be on the knee. Trousers must be straight leg only. Skinny fit or tight leggings-type trousers are not acceptable.

You may recall from a previous letter that from September 2023 the coloured striped ties will be assigned to Year groups instead of Houses. If you are purchasing a new tie from this point forward, please buy the tie corresponding to the correct year group for your child. Students will keep this colour tie for the remainder of their time at Charlton. Students in current Years 7, 8, 9 & 10 will have until September 2024 to move from their House colour tie to their Year colour tie.

As a reminder, the colours for each year group are below:

• Year 7 - Purple
• Year 8 - Red (Current Year 7)
• Year 9 - Yellow (Current Year 8)
• Year 10 - Green (Current Year 9)
• Year 11 - Blue (Current Year 10)

Additionally, at no time during the school day should hoodies or sweatshirts be worn under the school blazer. The only item that can be worn under the blazer is the Charlton blue V-neck jumper available from Baker and Sons. Blazers must be worn at all times and students cannot opt to wear the jumper instead of a blazer.

In the event of a prolonged period of hot weather, like we saw last year, a decision will be taken by the school about the need to wear items such as ties and blazers. This will be communicated to all parents and carers by the school directly and until this time, full uniform is expected to be worn for the remainder of the year.

We have high standards for Charlton students and are proud of their achievements. We must always strive to ensure they are meeting our high expectations and we appreciate your support in helping us to achieve this.

Yours faithfully,

Mr A McNaughton

Principal