Year 8 students were treated to a snack during their Food Technology lesson on this, the last day of term. The students were learning about the production processes involved in making crisps. As part of the lesson they learned that, according to crisp folklore, George Crum, who was a black American chef and restaurant owner, is said to have played a central part in the invention and popularisation of the 'Saratoga Chip', now known in the UK as crisps. It was fitting that the students enjoyed a pack of their own Saratoga chips as they watched a video about the mass production of crisps. During our celebration of Black History Month, students and staff have learned of many of the outstanding contributions of people of African and Caribbean descent, across all aspects of the curriculum. The assembly videos featuring special guests talking about their experiences and challenges that have been watched by all students have had an especially big impact. We'd like to thank all those who have helped us to recognise Black History Month.

Saturday 31 October is the deadline for applications for secondary school places. There are videos, resources and plenty of information on our website at www.ladymanners.net/admissions to help students and parents with this important decision. We look forward to welcoming our new Year 7 students next September.

Today we introduced our youngest students to our annual service of commemoration at Bakewell Parish Church. This tradition is an integral part of the Lady Manners School calendar and, while current restrictions reduced the number of students who could make the trip to the church this year, we were able to provide a service for our Year 7 students. Lady Manners School was established in 1636 by Grace, Lady Manners, who set up a fund to pay a teacher to provide free education for the poor boys in Bakewell and Rowsley. On this day we remember her generosity, which enabled the foundation of Lady Manners School. We are proud of our history and will continue to remember the support of Grace, Lady Manners. Nearly 400 years later we are still benefitting from her act of kindness.

Year 7 orchestra was in full swing this lunchtime. The musicians – some of whom were wearing PE kit for PE lessons today - were taking part in the first meeting of this extra-curricular ensemble and were sounding great! Due to the current restrictions, our extra-curricular clubs and activities this year are being run in year group bubbles. Some activities, such as our orchestras, are subject to further guidelines regarding the number of students playing musical instruments in one space. As the school year progresses, we hope to add further clubs and activities to our programme. Our Clubs and Activities brochure for 2020-21 is available to download from www.ladymanners.net/clubs.

7A were hard at work during form time this morning, making 'chatterboxes' with which they were discovering facts about pioneering black women. The students were constructing their toys by carefully following instructions and then used them to quiz each other on the contents. They certainly seemed to be having fun as they started their school day. Well done 7A!

This morning, 11H were one of the first forms to see a recorded interview with Dr Beth Kamunge, a lecturer in Law at Bristol University, having previously undertaken her doctoral research at the University of Sheffield. She is a legal academic and non-practising Advocate of the High Court of Kenya. Students this month are learning about the importance of black historical characters in all subjects. For instance, students from Years 7 and 9 learned of the black former slave, John Edmonstone, who assisted in the advancement of science by teaching Charles Darwin how to preserve animals during his time teaching the young Darwin at the University of Edinburgh. This was pivotal in enabling Darwin to bring specimens to the UK for further study in his research into evolution. Dr Kamunge provided an interesting insight into Black History Month in a video interview recorded by a member of staff. When asked about who most inspires her from black history, she told the students about Wangari Maathai, a renowned Kenyan social, environmental and political activist – and the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. All students will have the chance to hear the interview with Dr Kamunge as part of our activities during Black History Month. We'd like to thank Dr Kamunge for taking the time to speak to our students.