We were delighted to welcome our new Year 12 students to Lady Manners School today, from the comfort of their own homes, in an online induction event. Current circumstances may have led to a change in the manner in which we are able to introduce our new Year 12 students to Lady Manners School Sixth Form, but we were still able to deliver this very important welcome event. Students were able to join online meetings with the Headteacher, Head of Sixth Form and Pastoral Leaders in which they learned about life in Sixth Form. The students, who are due to join us as Sixth Formers in September 2020, also had access to video introductions for the subjects they have chosen to study at A Level. Today's event concluded with a virtual school tour, and an additional session for those students who are joining us from other schools. During the next two weeks, students will join a timetabled live online session for each of their subjects. This will give them the opportunity to meet their subject teachers and find out more about the subjects they have chosen to study. It was lovely to see so many students today. We are looking forward to welcoming them to Sixth Form in September.

We are aware that many of our students have been using the last couple of months as an opportunity to keep up their fitness levels while supporting worthwhile causes. For instance, youngsters in Grindleford came up with the idea of running the distance from John O'Groats to Lands' End (that's 1407km) in a week to raise money for Matlock Food Bank and Eyam Pump Track Club. They completed their challenge with great determination and even featured on Chris Evan's breakfast show. Inspired by their success, their neighbours in Eyam then took up the baton (or the yellow jersey) and put on their own event. They chose to cycle the distance of the Tour de France (3470km) in just ten days to raise funds for Derbyshire's Blend Youth Project and Eyam Pump Track Club. Over 40 cyclists from Eyam and surrounding areas took part, some of them as young as four years old. Several Lady Manners School students joined in, cycling the full distance of the Tour de France a full day before the ten day deadline. They even added a few extra kilometres, to bring them all the way from Paris back to Eyam! Well done to all who organised, supported and participated in these local events, including Lady Manners School students, Daniel, Grace and Stefan who showed willingness, strength and determination throughout the event. They have raised over £3000 between the two events.

This week, we are delighted to be welcoming back students from Year 10 and Year 12. Returning students are coming back in smaller groups, as government guidelines require. Much preparation has gone into creating a school day that enables students to see their teachers for face-to-face learning in a safe environment. Each day will see a quarter of the two year groups in school, to enable us to accommodate individual classes of no more than 15 students. One way systems around the school, plentiful hand sanitising and washing facilities and processes to maintain social distancing are all in place. All areas in use are deep cleaned every day. The intention is that the time in school supports the myriad of resources that are – and continue to be – available to all of our students online. In addition to the extensive resources already available on school systems, students from all year groups are using online forums to seek help and accessing recorded webinars at a time convenient to them. Increasingly, students are also joining online live teaching and question and answer sessions. We await further guidance from the Government about any wider reopening of school. In the meantime, it's great to see our Year 10 and 12 students face-to-face, and all of our students virtually.

Our Ofsted report has now been published following a full inspection of Lady Manners School on 10 and 11 March. We are delighted that Lady Manners School is judged to be a Good School, with 'Personal Development' being graded as outstanding. Full details and a downloadable copy of the report are available at www.ladymanners.net/ofsted

One of our Sixth Form students has been putting her time at home to very good use. Year 12 student, Hannah Wilson, completed a 12 hour juggling challenge earlier this month to raise money for the MS Society. She showed remarkable determination during the challenge and we are very proud to report that she has raised £155 for this excellent cause. Well done Hannah, we think you have done an amazing job.

Wow! Our Year 7 artists have been creating the most beautiful pieces of art whilst honing their artistic skills at home. This is a selection of the close up studies and household objects drawn by our youngest students earlier this term. Well done to all who worked hard to practise their already impressive skills.