The Darrick Wood Way
Parent Bulletin
“If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you”
– Zig Ziglar –
Message from the Head Teacher
I would like to start my message this week by thanking all Year 11 students for their excellent conduct during their Leavers’ Assembly last Friday. They were equally brilliant at their Prom in the evening. Many have now been into school again for Sixth Form orientation and we will see them all on Results Day in August. In the meantime, we wish them all a wonderful summer break.
I would also like to congratulate students in Year 9 who this week got their first experience of taking an examination in a large venue for core subject exams. Due to the bee invasion of our Main Hall, the venue had to change at short notice to the smaller Gymnasium. They dealt with this very well and we have been very pleased with the way they have conducted themselves overall. We continue to work with experts on the ongoing matter of the bees so that we can re-open our Main Hall as soon as possible, ideally before the Dance Production and Year 6 parents’ evening next week!
The weather has continued to be hot this week and looks set to remain so into next week, becoming even hotter on some days. Hot Weather Rules will therefore remain in place until further notice. From Monday we will allow students to wear their full PE kit in place of the school uniform if they wish. See separate email for further details.
We are really looking forward to Years 7-9 attending Sports Day next Wednesday. Hopefully by now you have received all the information you need about this and have responded with the required permission etc. It is an annual event where we treasure not just seeing some amazing sporting performances but where we get three year groups (nearly 800 students) all in one place together, something not usually possible in school. It is a major undertaking by our PE Department and other staff and I am very grateful to all involved in what I am sure will be another enjoyable day. Please ensure your child has sun cream applied and more to put on later. Also ensure they have plenty of water with them along with a sun hat and everything else we have already requested.
In assemblies this week I launched a competition open to all year groups to design a logo to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the opening of Darrick Wood School, due to take place in the academic year 2025/26. A copy of a design from a staff member for the 40th anniversary is shown below but this time staff are not involved, only the students. The deadline for entries is 18th July. We will select winners from each key stage and hopefully create a display of as many entries as we can. The winning logos will be used at the foot of emails and other promotional material in the year ahead. We have other plans for celebrating our 50th anniversary and we will let you know more in due course.
Nut aware school
I have previously reminded parents/carers and students of being “nut aware”. By this we mean that we need to all be aware that some in our community are of risk of a severe reaction to being exposed to nuts, seeds and other allergens. We have therefore always asked that these items and those containing them are not brought into school. We have recently developed a new Allergy Policy which sets out more extensively our expectations around this and would be grateful for your support in continuing to ensure those whose health is at risk from allergens are as protected from this risk as possible.
Same day detentions
I wrote to parents/carers today regarding our commitment to ‘disruption-free learning’. We believe that all students are entitled to be able to focus on their learning whilst in lessons and our Behaviour Policy is designed to support this. It is sometimes the case that if a student’s poor behaviour has not improved in response to teacher support and intervention that they will be removed from the lesson and placed under supervision elsewhere.
In my email I reminded all parents/carers that our Behaviour Policy allows for same-day detentions to be issued of up to 30-minutes (i.e. from 3.10pm to 3.40pm). From Monday, 30th June, if a student’s behaviour has led to removal from a lesson then the student must attend a 30-minute detention after school that day, supervised by Senior Leaders in the Dining Hall. This is so that the teacher of the lesson can meet with the student on that same day to address the issues that led to the removal. Our expectation is that this will be an opportunity for students to reflect and move forward positively in future lessons. Non-attendance at after school detentions will be followed up and potentially escalated as per our Behaviour Policy.
We appreciate your ongoing support in upholding the high standards of behaviour we expect at Darrick Wood School. Working together with parents and carers is vital in helping students make positive choices and take responsibility for their conduct.
Attendance Focus
93.6%
Darrick Wood has been recognised in the top 25% of schools for attendance during Autumn and Spring terms this year.
Reading Recommendations
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Upcoming Events
01/07/2025 – Year 6/7 Transition Day
02/07/2025 – Sports Day and Year 10 Work Shadowing Day
03/07/2025 – New Year 7 Parents’ Evening
07/07/2025 to 11/07/2025 – Year 12 Work Experience
10/07/2025 – Summer Concert (7.00pm)
14/07/2025 – 18/07/2025 – Year 8 Sayers Croft Trip
23/07/2025 – Last day of Term (Early finish – details to follow)
Useful Links
Previous Bulletins
Highlights of the fortnight
‘The Crucible’ at Shakespeare’s Globe in London
On 17th June, a group of Year 12 A level English Literature students attended a performance of Arthur Miller’s ‘The Crucible’ at Shakespeare’s Globe in London. They were fortunate enough to attend the first ever staging of a modern classic in this theatre. The students were suitably captivated by the immersive experience and some very powerful performances. They will use this experience to support their A level coursework.
Former Student Inspires Year 12 with Insightful Talk on BP Apprenticeship Experience – 13th June
We were delighted to welcome back one of our former students this week, who gave an inspiring and informative talk to our Year 12 cohort about her journey on the BP Apprenticeship Scheme.
During the session, she shared her personal experiences, offering valuable insights into the application process and the day-to-day realities of working in a professional environment while continuing her studies. The talk was followed by an engaging Q&A, where students had the opportunity to ask questions and gain a clearer understanding of what such opportunities entail.
The session was incredibly well received, with students leaving motivated and better informed about the possibilities available to them after Sixth Form. We are very proud of our alumna and grateful for her time and generosity in giving back to the school community.
Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Assessed Expedition Success
Over the weekend, 50 of our students successfully completed their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Assessed Expedition. Despite the hot weather, each and every one of them showed resilience, teamwork, and a positive attitude throughout.
They navigated their routes with confidence, supported one another brilliantly, and truly embodied the spirit of the Award. The assessors were highly impressed by their commitment and conduct — they were a credit to themselves and to the School. Congratulations to all involved on this fantastic achievement!
The second group of students will be completing their Assessed Expedition this coming weekend, and we look forward to supporting them and seeing more of the same determination and teamwork in action.
Year 9 students participate in ‘Culturally Speaking’ Oracy workshop
Following their visit to the Imperial War Museum, 30 Year 9 students completed an all day oracy workshop with a trainer from The Speaker’s Trust. They were taught how to give a successful speech to an audience, how to deliver a speech, how to engage the audience and how to think on their feet. Students progressed from giving basic introductions to having the confidence to give a speech to an audience of their peers. The final speeches included a response to what they had seen or experienced in the Imperial War Museum and ranged from thoughtful reflections on war to specific objects like the Maiale – a torpedo with a human driver inside. Congratulations to Eliza, Danielle, Lewis and Dmitrii who have made it through to the Assembly Final next week.
Strive for Five – attendance focus week
From 7th to 11th July we are holding a ‘Strive for Five’ attendance focus week. Students are encouraged to aim for five days of perfect attendance and punctuality and any student achieving this will be entered into prize draws to win some amazing prizes, including ear buds, Bluetooth speakers and amazon gift vouchers. Students can also enter the ‘promote attendance’ poster competition for more prizes and the chance to have their poster displayed around the School and on the website.
Modern Foreign Languages
In Year 8, the majority of students study a second modern foreign language and we have recently written to parents of Year 7 with this information. While all students will continue with the language they are currently studying, in Year 8, they are also automatically allocated to study French or German as their second language, whichever they have not studied during Year 7. However, in the letter we included a link to an online form to complete if there is a preference to study Spanish as the second language. Parents are reminded to complete the form by Friday, 27th June if their child wishes to study Spanish. Places are limited and while completing the form is not a guarantee your child will study Spanish, we are unfortunately unable to consider applications after the deadline.
Curriculum Showcase - Food and Nutrition
Last week, Year 10 Food & Nutrition students were challenged to create ‘Mini Black Forest Gateaux Cakes’ Here are some pictures of the finished products. We think you will agree they look highly professional and very tasty.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
At Darrick Wood School, we remain committed to fostering a welcoming, inclusive environment where every student feels seen, heard and valued. This month provided two important opportunities to reflect on and celebrate the diversity within our school community and beyond.
Windrush Day – 22nd June
Windrush Day marks the anniversary of the arrival of the HMT Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks in 1948, bringing hundreds of passengers from the Caribbean to help rebuild Britain after the Second World War. It’s a moment of national reflection and appreciation for the Windrush Generation and their descendants, who have made – and continue to make – vital contributions to British society.
We encourage families to have conversations at home about the significance of Windrush Day. There are many excellent books, documentaries and online resources to support this – including the BBC’s Windrush Stories collection and the children’s book Coming to England by Floella Benjamin. It’s also a chance to reflect on broader themes such as migration, belonging, and the ongoing fight for racial equality.
School Diversity Week – 23rd to 27th June
This week, we are proud to celebrate School Diversity Week, a nationwide celebration of difference and inclusion. We believe diversity should be woven into the fabric of school life, and not confined to a single week – but we’re taking this opportunity to spotlight some of the work we’re doing across the curriculum to better reflect the richness of the world our students live in.
In Art, students explore artists from a wide range of cultural backgrounds and artistic traditions.
In Food, students learn about dishes from around the world and the cultural significance behind them.
In Music, we regularly study genres, composers and instruments from a variety of global contexts.
These are just a few examples, and beyond these subjects, we’re continuing to update and enrich our curriculum across all areas to ensure that it reflects the diverse identities, histories and experiences of our students and society. Our aim is for every young person to see themselves reflected in their learning – and to gain insight into the lives of others.
Thank you, as ever, for your support in championing inclusion and equality as a shared responsibility between home and school.
Sports and PE News
A friendly reminder that Sports Day is coming up on Wednesday, 2nd July. All the information is in the letter previously sent, but additionally students have received guidance from Form Tutors as well as Mr Simpson visiting assemblies this week to go over the information in more detail. A few key reminders are below:
- This is a compulsory school day for all students in Years 7-9 (unless it has been agreed with SLT or the SEND Faculty that a particular student may remain in school).
- Students should report to Norman Park athletics track for 9am. Bus routes have been explained to students in assemblies. Students can choose the 358 Bromley Common route or 119/146 Hayes route. We respectfully ask that students make every effort to use public transport (particularly in Years 8 & 9). This is to prevent the car park getting blocked and to be as environmentally friendly as possible. If everyone gets a lift to Norman Park the Athletics will not start on time.
- We will do our best to look at the weather and communicate this to students, but please look yourselves Tuesday night/Wednesday morning and prepare appropriately. Warm days require extra water, sun cream, hats and sunglasses. Wetter/cooler days require layers, coats and towels etc.
- Students should be in full DWS PE kit.
- If you are yet to complete the parent acknowledgment form the link is here: https://forms.office.com/e/4VwVg10ufR. If we do not receive acknowledgement prior to the event then your child may not be able to participate until it is received.
- Parents are permitted to attend on the day. They will be directed to the bank of grass nearest the entrance away from students. We ask that you stay here and spectate respectfully. The order of the day is below should you wish to time your arrival for your child’s event.
Safety & Awareness
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Wellbeing
This week’s wellbeing update focusses on self-care for all parents and carers.
Anna Freud has some excellent resources on why it is important to look after yourselves including this video:
You can find all the Anna Freud resources for parents, carers and young people by following the links below:
You can also access crisis support for parents and carers via these links:
AFC Crisis Messenger – text AFC to 85258 for free 24/7 crisis support
Family Lives – charity offering crisis support for parents and carers.
Student Leadership
Main Assemblies
Last week in assembly Taveley, Eren, Isabel, Anastacia and Ellie led the student item, talking to us about their recent trip to Germany. They shared their experiences and what they learned on the trip, as well as entertaining us with stories and videos. A big thank you to all the girls for sharing their experience with the rest of the School, and to Mr Wright for organising this amazing trip.
This week, Eireann and Evie told us all about the upcoming Art and Textiles exhibition. They shared a video from last year and talked about what we can expect this year. A big thank you to them both for sharing this with the whole school and to Mr Radford for organising the exhibition.
Students are beginning to send their application letters to staff for many of the student leadership positions available across the School. We have expanded the opportunities to encourage more students to develop their Life Learning Skills and increase their voices. Please encourage applications as it is a great way to be more active within the School and create a culture of student responsibility.
Information about how to apply for each individual role has been shared with students during Form Time. Please see the posters for what roles are available. Closing date for applications is Friday 11th July.
Work Related Learning
Year 12 Work Experience Programme (Monday, 7th July – Friday, 11th July)
As previously shared with students and parents/carers, our Year 12 Work Experience Programme is taking place from Monday, 7th July to Friday, 11th July. During this week, all Year 12 students attend work experience placements instead of following their usual school timetable. Darrick Wood School uses the Unifrog Careers Portal to manage placements and conduct the necessary pre-placement checks. Students have received regular reminders throughout Year 12 via email, the Year 12 Pastoral Team or Mrs Collier. The original deadline of Friday, 9th May has been extended on several occasions to enable students to ensure that the necessary forms were submitted.
If all three required forms are not received on the Unifrog portal by Monday, 16th June, we cannot guarantee that we will have sufficient time to carry out pre-placement checks to approve placement requests and therefore will not be able to authorise absence to attend placements. For further information, please contact Mrs Collier, Head of Work-Related Learning.
Year 10 Work Shadowing Day (Wednesday, 2nd July)
As part of our Careers Education, Information, Advice, and Guidance Curriculum, Year 10 students are invited to take part in a Work Shadowing Day designed to provide them with an insight into the workplace and the broader world of work.
This year, Work Shadowing Day will be held on Wednesday, 2nd July. On this day, Year 10 students have the opportunity to accompany a parent/carer or other named trusted adult to their workplace, or attend an Employability Masterclass session in school. The masterclass will be led by Young Enterprise, an organisation that brings in corporate volunteers to help students develop key skills for the world of work.
Please refer to the separate letters sent to parents/carers last term and complete the form within the letter to confirm your child’s arrangements for Work Shadowing Day.
The deadline to submit the form is Friday, 20th June.
Monthly Parent and Carer Guide to Apprenticeships
Please find the link below to the June edition of the parent and carer guide to apprenticeships with lots of useful content to support your child with post-16 and post-18 pathway options.