Headteacher's Newsletter
Dear Parents, Carers, Staff & Partners,
I am delighted to announce that, following a recent inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), Greater Manchester Independent School – that’s us! – has met each of the eight standards as set out by the inspecting body.
The inspectors looked at every aspect of the running of the school, including teaching and safeguarding, and found GMIS to be strong in all areas!
Some of the report’s conclusions include:
– “Teaching enables pupils to make good progress [and] encompasses effective behaviour management.”
– “Principles and values are actively promoted which facilitate the personal development of pupils as responsible, tolerant and law-abiding citizens.”
– “Arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils … good behaviour is promoted [and] bullying is prevented.”
– [The school] ensures that leadership and management demonstrate good skills and knowledge, and fulfil their responsibilities effectively … and they actively promote the wellbeing of the pupils.”
Thank you to all the amazing staff, pupils and parents. I am extremely proud! You can read the full report here.
GMIS Points Bank Scheme
Our GMIS Points Bank and School Leaderboard scheme is proving really successful. Students earn points throughout the day. Points are available for lesson attendance, engagement, behaviour and attitude to learning. Each pupil has their own points bank account and students can cash in their for vouchers at certain target points or alternatively save up! This teaches them the value of money and how ‘a bank’ works.
New Inclusion Team
We have recently incorporated our attendance, pastoral, behaviour, safeguarding and SEMH staff into a new Inclusion Team. This will help us to continue our excellent holistic approach towards helping our pupils. This does not represent any changes to staff but we will be introducing the concept of the inclusion team to pupils over the next term, so prepare to hear more about them in the future!
Literacy Program
Our ongoing literacy program is beginning to show sign of marked improvement in our students’ reading-age progress. It is absolutely lovely to see them all engaging with reading time and hearing them talking about the books they are reading!
GCSEs
GCSE’s are just around the corner! Our year 11s and year 10s will very soon be sitting their exams. I am really proud of the effort that the students have put in and want to thank staff who are leading dedicated revision sessions for their GCSE students. I also want to praise our younger students who take it in their stride and adapt to the changes whilst exams are going on.
Thank you all for your ongoing support in making our school the best!
Louise Hodson
Executive Head
Greater Manchester Independent School