Weekly email – 5 June 2026

A message from Mrs Rothenburg

Earlier this week, some of our students in Years 7-9 took part in the ‘Opening Doors’ project which provides artistic opportunities to young people, in collaboration with York St John University and the City of York Council. The workshops continue next week, but some of the students’ work will be on show at York St John at the weekend – please see below for further information.

Finally, thank you to everyone who joined us for the York Pride march last weekend and to those who lined the streets. It was an incredible atmosphere and we all had an amazing day filled with celebration, inclusivity and togetherness.

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend. We look forward to welcoming students back to school on Monday for a ‘B’ Week.

Kavina Rothenburg
Principal

Dates for your diary

• Monday 15 June: Year 10 PPEs start
• Tuesday 16 June: SEND Review Evening
• Thursday 18 June: Year 11 Prom
• Friday 19 June: Prom Breakfast
• Wednesday 24 June: Year 9 Graduation
• Friday 17 July – School closes for summer break

What is my child learning at the moment?

Please see below to find out what your child has been learning about in recent lessons in order to have productive discussions about their education:

Year 7 – Global
Conversation starters

• Computing: This term we are looking at using programming and flow charts to control real world scenarios like how traffic lights work. We look at the input, process, output model which is the fundamental way in which computer systems work.
• French: Students are revising for, and then completing, their end of year assessments. They will have a listening and reading assessment about the topics they have learned this year, and a paragraph to write, where they will write 40-50 words in French. Are they revising their vocabulary?

Year 8 – Humanities
Conversation starters

• History: Were all women in the 19th Century victims? We learned why it was hard to be a woman at this time, but also why women, like the Matchgirls, protested to improve their conditions.
• RE: Year 8 are completing their ‘Is death the end?’ end of unit test before moving onto their new unit on Sikhi beliefs where they will be finding out how and why the religion started.
• Geography: What was the Darkside of Chocolate documentary about? How does fairtrade benefit people in developing countries?

Year 9 – Performance
Conversation starters

• Drama: Students are coming to the end of their ‘Noughts and Crosses’ scripted drama unit and preparing for both their theory written assessment and practical performance assessment of a scene from the play – we can’t wait to see what they can do!
• Music: Students are connecting the dots between music theory and composition this term, exploring how to write music in notated form.
• PE: Students are moving onto new activity blocks. Year 9 girls are moving onto rounders and tennis whereas the boys are moving onto softball and cricket.

Year 10 – Creative
Conversation starters

• Food Preparation and Nutrition: Students are learning the topic of Food Choice – why people choose to eat different diets and buy foods of different provenance. We will then be moving on to food production to find out where food actually comes from and how it gets ‘from farm to fork’.
• 3D and Graphics: Students are currently studying their first artists who will inspire their projects. This is in readiness for their five-hour PPE which will give them the opportunity to work in the style of their chosen artist. All students should have now taken their own set of photos linked to their project theme, and they can continue to add additional photos into their work if they take any that are of interest over the next year, so please do encourage them to take the opportunity. Our final coursework themes have now been released and we start Unit 1 on Monday 8 June. (Please see the email from Mr Cooper for full details.) As the coursework projects dictate 60% of the student’s final qualification, everything ‘counts’ from this point onwards, every lesson and every homework assignment. Attendance and working from home is now vital to achieve a good Level 2 qualification. Unit 1 is worth 40% and runs from now until Christmas. The upcoming Year 10 PPE will be based on the Unit 1 Orthographic drawings and Stock Material Selection. The Unit 2 coursework (worth 20%) will run later, after the PPEs in Year 11.
• Child Development: Students are making a start on their RO58 coursework, and they will be working on this for the rest of the term. There are four tasks altogether. Task 1 is about selecting appropriate equipment for a childminding setting and the deadline for this is 19 June. Regular deadlines will be added to Google Classroom for each task that we move on to. Please ask your child if they are on track for completion and if there are any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Leonarcik.
• Fine Art: After researching the ‘Aged’ theme in detail students have presented a range of sub-themes and artist studies in their sketchbooks. Students have all selected a sub-theme to focus on in greater depth. Additional in-depth artist research and photographic studies are crucial to developing personal ideas at this stage of the creative journey. Please support your child to complete all tasks set and manage their time as we prepare for the Fine Art five-hour PPE on Friday 3 July. The development work produced in lessons and independently will lead to a personal response created during the PPE. The personal response will vary between students but must include a prepared surface and be supported by annotated sketchbook work to present photographs, artist research, samples exploring different techniques and media, and compositional sketches. The summer report predicted and working at grades will be based on a holistic assessment of all the coursework created in Year 10 i.e. the ‘Flora & Fauna’ sketchbook work plus personal response, the ‘Aged’ sketchbook and personal response created in the PPE. Students will be set a summer holiday task relating to the ‘Aged’ project. This will prepare students for further development of the ‘Aged’ project during the Autumn Term of Year 11. All coursework (Component 1 – portfolio worth 60% of the final GCSE grade) will be handed in before the Christmas holidays.

Year 11 – English
Conversation starters
Our Year 11 students have been on the final build up to their final ever English exam – English Language Paper Two! All their lessons and masterclasses this week focused on revising the skills they needed to tackle the challenges of the paper. We are sure they all did brilliantly!

We hope that you will find this information useful when talking to your child about their learning. Additionally, you might want to take a look at the curriculum section of our website which has lots more information about what your child will be learning over the academic year.

Attendance – Barriers to Education

We understand that there can be many reasons why a young person may find it difficult to attend school regularly. Whether challenges are related to anxiety, wellbeing, friendships, learning needs, family circumstances, or other factors, support is available at Millthorpe.

If your child is experiencing difficulties with school attendance, we encourage you to visit the Barriers to Education website where you will find practical advice, guidance, and information about the support that can help your child re-engage with education and achieve positive outcomes.

We are committed to working together with families to understand individual circumstances and find the most appropriate support. If you have any concerns about your child’s attendance, please do not hesitate to contact Millthorpe’s Attendance Team or your child’s Progress Leader.

Moving to Millthorpe – transition event

It was great to see so many Year 6 pupils and their parents/carers at last night’s Moving to Millthorpe PE Transition event. We hope the information we shared was useful and your child enjoyed getting active!

A few parents asked for a copy of the presentation. As much of the presentation was in the telling, we plan to give parents an FAQs document at our next Transition event on 29 June. This document, alongside our prospectus and the website should give you all the information required to prepare your child for life at big school!

If you have any questions that we didn’t cover during our events or within the literature then please feel free to contact our Main Office and they will forward your enquiry to the most appropriate member of the Transition team.

Readathon

Thank you to everyone who has taken part in this year’s Readathon, which ends today! Thanks also to everyone who has sponsored our readers. The funds will go towards providing books for children in hospital, whilst also supporting the purchase of new books for our school library.

All sponsorship money should be paid in by Monday 8 June please. Any donations can be paid in through this link.

Exam Rubrics – Year 10 PPEs

On Monday, ahead of their PPEs, Year 10 students attended an assembly in which Mrs Sladen launched the use of departmental Exam Rubrics. These are key resources to help support students’ revision, both for the PPEs and in the final GCSE exams next year.

You can see the presentation from Mrs Sladen’s assembly here, together with the accompanying letter emailed home to parents.

Please do take a look at the presentation for tips on how you can practically help support your child in using their Exam Rubrics to revise effectively at home and for an introduction to our ‘Fab Four’ revision strategies – brain dumps, mind maps, self quizzing and flash cards.

All Exam Rubrics for each department and GCSE subject can be found linked in the dedicated ‘Year 10/11 GCSE Exam Rubrics and Revision’ Google Classroom to which all Year 10 students have been invited.

Published revision guides are good, but our Exam Rubrics have been written by Millthorpe specialist staff specifically to support our students achieve excellence. We encourage all students to make effective use of these resources as a key part of their revision programme. Good luck revising, Year 10!

Frozen auditions – sign up now!

We’re really excited that our Christmas production this year will be Frozen Jr! To take part students will need to be available for rehearsals Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays after school through the Autumn Term and for the evening performances on 15, 16 and 17 December.

Auditions will take place, by appointment, throughout the day on Monday 6 July. Students have until Friday 26 June to sign up for an audition, after which allocated audition times will be published.

To sign up for an audition, students must complete this Google Form.

For the auditions, students must choose a song from Frozen Jr and prepare to sing a minimum of a verse and a chorus from this, to a backing track played through YouTube, to Mrs Sladen and Ms Longbottom in a ‘closed’ audition. There will be an opportunity in the audition to discuss whether or not you wish to be considered for a solo, group or ensemble performance and any specific roles you have in mind.

For further information please speak to Mrs Sladen.

Interform challenges – penalty shoot-outs!

Mr Baybutt led the way for the Year 7 interform challenge at the end of last half term, organising a penalty shoot-out between our Year 7 forms.

7SPR took home the interform challenge trophy for penalties, scoring the most points in their form! It was brilliant to see our students supporting each other and creating the most exciting atmosphere. Mr Baybutt commented “It was the best start to a morning I’ve ever had!”

Up next this term is a design challenge with Mrs Price that we hear involves eggs… see you there Year 7 participants!

Meanwhile, this morning our Year 9s took on a penalty shoot as part of their interform challenge. They all had great fun and the last ones standing were Elijah (EMO), Ethan (JBU), Jacob (EMO), Seth (ALO), Henry (ALO), Luka (PEL), Jacob (ALO), Matt (ALO) and Wilfred (ERH), meaning 9ALO were victorious!

Well done to everyone who took part.

National ‘Thank a Teacher’ Day – Wednesday 17 June 2026

National ‘Thank a Teacher’ Day is celebrated on 17 June. We know that many students, parents and carers are really grateful for the effort that our staff in school go to on a regular basis to provide the best school experience possible. If you would like to send a thank you card directly to the member of staff, totally free of charge, please complete the brief form available here.

Please remember that whilst it is entitled ‘Thank a Teacher’, messages of thanks can be passed on to any adult in school whether they be TAs, admin, support staff, pastoral and inclusion, site staff, lunchtime supervisors, cleaners and so on.

It would be lovely for lots of our colleagues to be recognised by students and/or their families in this way, so please do take the time to send a card if you can.

Full details of how to ‘Thank a Teacher’ can be found here.

Opening Doors exhibition

A celebration of creative work produced by Millthorpe students is taking place at York St John University in the Quad South Hall, 10.00-11.30am on Saturday 6 June.

Work created this week during the REACH ‘Opening Doors’ workshops and from the National Saturday Art Club (NSAC) will be on view.

This is a great opportunity to find out more about NSAC as places will be available once again this September for students in Years 8, 9 and 10. All welcome!

Post-16 opportunities at St Peter’s School

A few weeks ago, we advertised an opportunity for Year 10 students to visit St Peter’s School, to look at their A Level provision, meet the Headteacher and ask any questions they may have. St Peter’s offers a variety of bursaries and support packages to students who feel that the only thing preventing them from applying is the fees.

The visit will take place on Tuesday 23 June, during periods 1 and 2. Anyone who hasn’t already expressed interest and would like to go, should contact Miss Watts.

St Peter’s has a much earlier closing date for post-16 applications than other post-16 providers which is why we are offering this opportunity now.

Student Leaders Corner

Mathilde, Year 10 Student Leader, reports on after-school Arts Club at Knavesmire Primary School.

“Helping out at Knavesmire Primary School was really inspiring for all three of us who participated in the activity.

The school was extremely welcoming, with members of staff directing us to classrooms and helping us sign in to the building. The first session with the Year 3, 4 and 5 pupils was a computer-oriented after-school programme where they had to write about a school play or performance. We went around and discussed what they had done, whilst helping those who struggled with ideas or how to lay out their ideas.

The next few sessions were more creatively based, with the students learning about lino printing and basing their pieces on an artist. The lessons became easier as we got to know the students better and had conversations with them (mostly about their days, hobbies, etc).

After a bit of practice, their lino pieces came out very successfully, with some children adding extra patterns due to the fact that they already had experience with lino work.

Overall, Jenna, Edith and I enjoyed the work we did as student leaders and would look forward to any opportunities like this in the future.”

Fantasy Premier League winners!

The English Premier League came to a close over half-term, and we have our winners in this year’s Millthorpe FPL Leagues.

After an impressive season, and some tense decisions at FPL Club Enrichment, congratulations to George Feneley in Year 8, who accrued 2,301 points, finishing 182k out of over 13 million players and was the top Millthorpian. Congratulations to Mr Ferguson, who won the staff league, finishing only one point ahead of Miss Lansdall.

Codes for our school mini-leagues will be shared when the game opens up for next season.

Job of the Week – University Lecturer

University lecturers are responsible for researching and teaching students at universities and higher education colleges. They are also responsible for setting and marking coursework, assignments and exams. University lecturers also act as personal tutors to a selection of students offering support and advice throughout their time at university.

To become a lecturer, you will need a degree first and then a Masters or PhD.

Watch this video for more information about becoming a University Lecturer.

Futures for All – inspirational talks

Futures for All (previously Speakers for Schools) is an incredible social mobility charity which empowers state-educated young people by opening doors to -changing opportunities. In addition to their work experience programme, Futures for All also regularly broadcast live inspirational talks which are recorded and then hosted on their website.

As we celebrated York Pride last weekend with friends and partners across the city, we wanted to bering you this talk today: Pride! The importance of Equity And Representation in Education with Sally Everett, Professor and Vice Dean (Education), King’s College London.

In the talk Sally asks: Why does representation in education matter? And how can equity shape a better future for everyone? She explores how inclusive education changes lives, opens doors, and gives every student a chance to thrive. Whether you’re passionate about fairness, diversity, or the power of learning, have a listen to this leading voice in higher education who is making real change happen.

Just click the image below to view.

York Inspirational Kids signposting event

On Monday 15 June, York Inspirational Kids is holding its monthly signposting event.

Parents/carers can go along from 9.30am and have a free cuppa and chat with Fiona whilst she helps them navigate systems and find the support they need for their disabled/autistic child. This session will be held at York Inspirational Kids, SEND Central YO30 6JA (next door to Clifton Green school).

SEND Central in June

SEND CENTRAL is York’s Family Hub that specialises in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) where families can seek advice and information about what’s available in York when they have children and young people (age from 0 to 25) who have additional needs.

Please take a look at the SEND Central website for details of events and sessions taking place this month.

The following events take place next month:

Friday 5 June 2026 10-11.30am: SEND CENTRAL at Tang Hall Explore Library
SEND Central will be holding a pop-up at Tang Hall Explore Library with the SEND Hub Manager, a member of Parent Carer Forum York and an NHS transitions nurse. Please pop and see us if you would like to discuss anything around SEND.

Wednesday 10 June 10-11.30am: Understanding Autism and how to refer for an assessment in CAMHS
This workshop features identifying common characteristics of Autism and how to access an autism assessment with specialist CAMHS. We will provide information and resources to inform support strategies and adjustments to manage support needs that can present with Autism. We would recommend this workshop for parents/carers considering an autism assessment or if their child has been recently diagnosed to help support understanding.

Thursday 11 June 11am-12pm: Wellbeing workshop for parents and carers of children and young people who have SEND
A wellbeing workshop led by Ashley Watson who is leading in good mental health for carers from the CVS. This session invites parents and carers to explore the Five Ways to Wellbeing. Through interactive activities and discussion, we will explore small, practical actions that can support our wellbeing. This is a safe space to reflect, recharge, and reimagine what wellbeing looks like.

Wednesday 17 June 10-11.30am: Introduction to Anxiety for Parents and Carers
A workshop for parents/carers to learn about anxiety and how it can present in young people. This will include advice on how to manage symptoms of anxiety and information about local services.

Wednesday 24 June 10-11.30am: Understanding ADHD and how to refer for an assessment in CAMHS
This workshop features identifying common characteristics of ADHD and how to access an ADHD assessment with specialist CAMHS services. We will provide information and resources to inform support strategies and adjustments to manage support needs. We would recommend this workshop for parents/carers considering an ADHD assessment or if their child has been recently diagnosed to help support understanding.

Friday 26 June 12-1pm: A Multi Agency Preparation for Adulthood Drop In
SEND CENTRAL is hosting a multi-agency drop-in that consists of The City of York Specialist Learning & Employment Adviser (SLEA) Team offering a drop-in around support and pathways that may be available for young people Post-16 in York, a Preparation for Adulthood Social worker representative from the Disabled Children’s Service and Adults Social Care and our NHS Transitions Nurse.

Tuesday 30 June 1- 2pm: Barriers to school attendance
An information session led by the Educational Psychology Team around understanding barriers to school attendance and how to support your child or young person when they are experiencing significant barriers to school engagement. No need to book just come along. If the weather is nice we may hold this workshop in our outdoor space.

‘Hands High’ programme at New Beginnings

The new ‘Hands High’ programme is an educational enrichment initiative run by New Beginnings, a charity based in the York area. It operates as an alternative curriculum designed to help children and young people explore, connect, and grow through interactions with animals and the outdoors.

If you would like to find out more, they are holding an open afternoon on Wednesday 10 June from 2.00-6.00pm at The Grange, Bishop Wilton, YO42 1AQ. You can register here.

End of year shows at York College & University Centre

York College & University Centre’s School of Art is hosting two events over the next couple of weeks showcasing the work of its Further and Higher Education students.

The Creative show
Explore the work created by Art & Design A Level, UAL Art & Design (Levels 1-3) Foundation and Access to HE: Art & Design students.
When: Thursday 11 – Wednesday 17 June, excluding Saturday and Sunday – 9.00am-4.30pm
Where: York College & University Centre, Sim Balk Lane, York YO23 2BB

Visitors to the College should check-in at the Welcome Desk on arrival.

York College & University Centre Degree show
This event will showcase the work produced by students from the following programmes:

• BA (Hons) 3D Creative Practice
• BA (Hons) Fashion Design & Garment Technology
• BA (Hons) Film Production & Professional Practice
• BA (Hons) Graphic & Communication Design
• BA (Hons) Media Make-up, Special Effects & Hair Design

When: Saturday 13 – Sunday 14 June, 10.00am-4.00pm
Where: The Spurriergate Centre, St Michael’s Church, Spurriergate, York, YO1 9QR

Events at The Mount School

The Mount School is holding a Sixth Form Experience Day on Monday 15 June, 8.30am- 4pm, for Year 10 girls.

Visitors will have a taste of Sixth Form style lessons in a variety of subjects as well as some team building activities and sport in the afternoon. They will have the opportunity to meet with our current pupil-led College Leadership Team, our Head of College and spend time in our bespoke Sixth Form area.

The day is designed especially for Year 10 girls who are starting to think ahead. The Experience Day is the perfect way to start to get to know new friends and look around the campus. Then in early Year 11, there is a full Year 12 Taster Day on Tuesday 20 October 2026, where girls can try all the subjects they are thinking about.

To sign up, please fill in this form. Further details and specific timings will follow after sign-up.

As the event is taking place on a school day, anyone wishing to attend must notify Miss Watts.

They are also hosting an Open Doors event on Saturday 6 June, 10am-12noon if any families would like a look around ahead of the experience day. You can register here.

If you have any further questions please contact Kate Linfoot in Admissions at klinfoot@mountschoolyork or on 01904 667500.

#WakeUpWednesday – What parents and educators need to know about adrenaline auto-injectors

If a child experiences a severe allergic reaction, every second counts. This week’s Wake Up Wednesday guide gives a clear, practical overview of adrenaline auto-injectors – lifesaving devices designed for emergency use when anaphylaxis strikes. It covers both EpiPen and Jext models, walking readers through how to recognise the symptoms and administer treatment.

Alongside a visual flowchart of what to do in an emergency, the guide reinforces key points such as lying the patient down, calling 999, and always carrying two AAIs. It also reminds us that adrenaline is safe – and that using it promptly is always better than waiting. This guide is a must-read for educators, carers, and parents alike.

Please take a look.

Online support for students and parents

We wanted to remind you about our online support app called Padlet, which is a directory of support available for students and parents.

Padlet signposts the user to a range of websites and resources, providing support and advice relating to mental health, exam stress, online safety, self care, managing emotions, young carers, family support and more.

You can visit the Padlets by scanning the QR codes or clicking the links below.

Visit the Parent Padlet
Visit the Student Padlet

Safeguarding

If you have significant concerns for the welfare of a child, in addition to being able to contact Mr Beever, Miss Gater or your child’s Progress Leader during school hours by emailing safeguarding@millthorpe.elt.org.uk, you may wish to make direct contact with York MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub) on T: 01904 551900, option 3. They operate an out-of-hours service so concerns can be raised with them at any time. In a mental health emergency, please call York CAMHS Crisis Team on 08000516171.