Bishop Stopford’s School retains ‘Good’ Ofsted, as it celebrates supportive and nurturing culture.

 

March, 2024

Dear families,

Following our Ofsted inspection in January, 2024, Bishop Stopford’s School, has once again been confirmed as `good’. We have been praised for our high expectations, welcoming and supportive approach, and ambitious curriculum, as we continue to be rated a `good school’.

Our school has been commended for creating a ‘nurturing and harmonious community based on equality’. The school’s vision is to provide an outstanding, inclusive and aspirational education for all its children. With a commitment to highly inclusive education and a belief that everyone can achieve beyond their expectations. Its moto of ‘believe, strive, succeed’ is at the heart of everything the school does. This was noted in the report, with inspectors stating that leaders ‘make sure that pupils at the school are happy and safe’, and that they ‘show determination that pupils can flourish’. This ambition extends to pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Within the report, inspectors also highlighted that ‘the school champions diversity’ and that ‘they have appointed both pupil and staff diversity ambassadors, who organise a range of events throughout the year’. It also emphasised that ‘pupils are proud to represent their school community’ and ‘Sixth-Form students are positive role models for younger pupils and provide support for their peers’.  Other areas of success in the report, includes:

• The school provides all pupils with a broad and balanced curriculum
• Leaders have a strong grasp of how to build pupils’ knowledge progressively over time
• The curriculum is successfully adapted, designed or developed to meet the needs of pupils with SEND
• Teachers support pupils’ knowledge and skills effectively, including through high levels of guidance in lessons
• Reading and pupils’ literacy development are a priority for the school
• Attendance is very well managed and actions taken by the school have resulted in improvements to pupils arriving to school on time. Leaders work constructively with families, pupils and professionals to identify barriers to attending school.
• Pupils have positive attitudes to their learning and concentrate well
• Leaders are keen to ensure that pupils are well prepared for life beyond school; provide pupils with a wide range of activities and clubs; and ensure there are a range of leadership opportunities for pupils.

These efforts have also recently been bolstered by the school’s formal partnership with local not-for-profit foundation co-operative, Enterprise Cooperative Trust – a partnership of like-minded schools, charities, community groups and businesses, which aims to extend life skills and work opportunities for all students in Enfield. 

Our school is underpinned by deep-rooted values of respect, consideration, loyalty, responsibility and success. It is pleasing that Ofsted recognised that our pupils are proud of being here and can flourish in an environment that is supportive and motivational.

We are so proud of the community we have built and I’d like to thank our staff, pupils and families for their ongoing support and dedication. It’s wonderful to see a continued positive outcome in recognition of our strong commitment that every child, regardless of their background, will be championed every step of the way to achieve their very best.

Kind regards,

Mrs Day, BA (Hons)

Headteacher

It was with great sadness that at the start of term we learnt of the death of Peter Smith, former Director of Music at Bishop Stopford’s School. Today former Stopfordians - both teachers and pupils will be gathering at St Mary the Virgin in Ware to celebrate his life.

Peter joined the school in 1972 and retired in 2000. During this considerable time he was instrumental in developing the provision of music in all of its guises throughout the school - be it the singing of hymns in assembly, the wide variety of music explored within music lessons, the delivery of challenging choral works in the annual concerts, to the joy of performances in operettas at the end of the school year; until it underpinned the very heart of the school. As well as being a passionate teacher of music, who inspired countless students to develop and pursue their love of both playing and singing, Peter was a highly accomplished organist and was responsible for the installation of the organ which sits within the school hall to this day. Music remains at the heart of what we do at Bishop Stopford’s School and so Peter’s legacy continues to influence each new generation of students

Ever the loyal Stopfordian Peter returned to the school in 2018 to help celebrate the 50^th anniversary of its foundation, leading a choir of ex-pupils and staff in a celebratory evensong. It was evident how much enthusiasm Peter retained for the school and his former pupils and they were delighted to be back under his directorship again.

As the prayer for all Stopfordians was said this morning, as it is every morning, at the line “gone forth from amongst us” our thoughts were focused on the enormous contributions made to the School by Peter. May he rest in peace.

December 2023

Dear Parents and Carers,

At this time of year we are often thinking about Christmas presents and expensive treats, but Christmas need not be about the material things. We know that Jesus was a poor man himself, but was rich in so many other ways. He was rich in love. Christmas is a time for celebration and reflection and as we draw to the end of another great term, we are assured that our community is one rich in love, supported through strong collaboration, leading to wonderful achievements.

Spreading joy and goodwill

Our Christmas Community Service on 13^th December was a joyous event bringing the school community together. Students from our local primary schools attended and performed, and our own choir displayed their singing talent, spreading joy, love and goodwill for Christmas. Speeches were given by our staff members and students. After the service everyone gathered together and shared Christmas cheer. A wonderful celebration was had by all!

Christmas Celebrations from our Choir (see the school’s website)

We are delighted to announce that there will be a wonderful display of songs from our choir on the school’s website for you to view, so please click on this link https://www.bishopstopfords.enfield.sch.uk/ and enjoy the joy they bring over Christmas.

Newsletter

For highlights of events and information, view our school’s newsletter on our website.

https://www.bishopstopfords.enfield.sch.uk/newsletter/

Support during the holiday

We know that with the cost of living crisis and the increase in energy prices mean some families may find the Christmas period difficult. All those in receipt of Free School Meals should of received an eCode Payment Voucher for the Christmas holidays – this is £55.  The e-code is issued by Edenred and will have been sent to your e-mail address. Please note this code must be redeemed by Sunday 14^th January 2024 (it cannot be reissued) but the supermarket voucher can be spent after this date. If you have any queries please contact the school by e-mail generaloffice@bishopstopfords.enfield.sch.uk.

This voucher is from the Household Support Grant which the local authority issues on behalf of the Department of Work and Pensions.

Organisations for Support throughout the Christmas Period

Remember that you are never alone and can lean on a number of different organisations throughout this period if you are struggling. Websites for these organisations can be found attached to this letter.

End of Term Arrangements and Return to School in January, 2024

• Our last day of term is Wednesday, 20th^th December.
• The students will leave the premises from 12.15pm

Spring Term Arrangements

We look forward to our return to school in the New Year on Monday, 8^rd January 2024. Students will arrive at 9.30am and attend registration with their form tutors. Lessons will then return to normal from Lesson 2. This will facilitate a staff training session to further develop staff professional development and continue to raise standards in our teaching. We will be returning to a week 1 timetable. Please do ensure that your child arrives on time and that they are well prepared for the year ahead with correct uniform and the required equipment to facilitate learning.

Finally, I would like to wish all of the Bishop Stopford’s family, present with us, absent from us, or gone forth among us, a very merry Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.

Mrs Day, Headteacher

BA (Hons), NPQH

Food Banks

Listed below is some useful information on food banks within the Enfield Area: -

North Enfield Food Bank

Address: 2, Jubilee Central, Lumina Way, Enfield EN1 1FS

Phone: 07826 542119

Solidarity Food Point

Address: Great Cambridge Rd, London N9 9LE

Phone: 020 8245 8482

The Trussell Trust Food Bank

Address: 2 Lumina Way, Enfield EN1 1FS

Phone: 07826 542119

https://www.itsgoodtwotalk.co.uk

https://www.childline.co.uk

https://www.kooth.com

https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/

https://www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre/

Our core Strive for Five values of consideration, respect, loyalty, responsibility and success were on show for all to see at the recent athletics event at Trent Country Park.  Cross country running is a physically and mentally tough event and we were very proud to see the resilience of our students across all year groups competing at the highest level.

Lower school students ran 3,000m and upper school students a 3,500m distance through wild terrain and dense forests.  With four major uphill climbs the race was challenging and extreme.  All of students competed well in the strong field of competitors with outstanding performances from Year 7 Sheldon (7^th), Year 8 Julia (16^th), and Year 11 Yevhennia (8^th).  Students ranking in the Top 10 are considered exceptional performers.

Exciting News! Bishop Stopford's School achieves the Bronze Award for Racial Equality this year, signifying our unwavering commitment to tracking and improving racial equity. Our journey towards a more inclusive future continues. Thank you for your support! #RacialEquality #BronzeAward #Inclusion