Dear Parent/Carer,
I hope you and your family are well and have had a lovely summer. It is not long until students return, and we are looking forward to welcoming them back to college and building on the successes from last year. In this letter, there is some important information to ensure all students have a good start to the new college year.
Welcome to our new Year 7
As I informed parents back in July, the year group gelled very quickly on the induction days, and I am confident they will have a great start to secondary school and immerse themselves into Cowley life. The college is open, so if you have any questions, please contact us or have a look at the website.
Examination results
Congratulations to the Y10, Y11, Y12 and Y13 students on their results. The hard work and dedication has paid off and we are proud of their academic achievements. We thank parents and staff for their support and commitment to the students to ensure students were ready for their exams. The photo gallery is here.
First day back
The first day back for students is Wednesday 4 September at 8:30am. There is no wasted time moving to the new college year; students will attend team time and assemblies during Period 1 and 2 and they will start curriculum lessons Period 3.
Being prepared for September
We continue to have high standards and expectations for uniform and equipment. So there are no shocks on the first day, please check our uniform policy page on the website here. If your child has enjoyed the summer with hair colouring, piercings, nail varnish, false nails and eye lashes etc, then please ensure these are all sorted, and your child is ‘Cowley ready’ for their first day. Your child will also need a suitable school bag with all the required equipment for every college day.
Daily Attendance
The students who achieved well in their exams all had one thing in common – good attendance. It is so important that your child is in college every day. Every lesson missed means they are missing vital learning. Having those good habits and strong routines of coming into college each day are vital. Please look at our attendance information on our website and contact the year team if there is anything we can do to support you with ensuring your child has good attendance. Attendance – Cowley International College – St Helens
Start of term ‘jet lag’
We see ‘start of term jet lag’ every new term. This is not due to any long plane journeys, but due to students having late bedtimes and late starts during the holiday. I would recommend that students start to return to normal bedtimes a few days before the 4 September, so they are refreshed and ready to learn. It will be a shock to their system if they have been used to staying in bed until mid-morning.
Reading, Reading and Reading
There is a direct link between reading levels and success at school. The students who read often are more likely to do well in their exams. We want all children to be successful and we want them to love reading. Reading will continue to be a priority this year and it is essential that, every day, they have some time reading at home.
Mobile phones at Cowley
We are aware that many students have a mobile phone, and they may have spent a significant amount of time using their phone over the summer. Returning to school will require students to be disciplined about when and where to use mobile phones. Students must now have their phones powered down and in their bags throughout the school day. The new policy introduced last term was incredible and it was great to see students chatting and socialising with friends. You can find more information (FAQs and the policy) here.
Class Charts
Parents continue to inform us that they benefit from the Class Charts app, as it gives daily information to help them understand how their child is performing. We will continue to use Class Charts for letters, homework, attendance, rewards and behaviour. Please ensure you have your logon details and the app, so you can see ‘live’ information about how your child is performing each day.
Extracurricular clubs and activities
The clubs and activities offered to the students last year was truly incredible. This included everything from the college musicals, sports, clubs, residentials and international trips to France, Germany and China. We are looking forward to offering the amazing Cowley extracurricular timetable this year. I encourage all students to get involved in as many extracurricular activities as possible and immerse themselves into Cowley life. More information will be shared to students in September about these activities.
Keeping in contact
Communication with parents and carers is so important. Please ensure we have up-to-date mobile numbers and email addresses. Please contact the main office when there are changes.
- Open evenings
Each year, we open our doors to the community so they can meet the staff and students and have a look around the wonderful facilities we have. These are for Year 5 and Year 6 pupils and their families. However, if you would like to attend these evenings, the dates are below. - 11-16 site – 12 September 2024
- Post 16 site – 17 October 2024 and 16 January 2025
Parents’ evenings
The partnership between college and parents is paramount for the success and wellbeing of students. The data shows that students achieve 2 grades better at GCSE when parents come to parents’ evenings. Please add these dates to your diaries:
Y7
7 November 2024
26 June 2025
Y8
13 March 2025
12 June 2025
Y9
23 January 2025
26 June 2025
Y10
27 March 2025
12 June 2025
Y11
3 October 2024
27 February 2025
I am confident that this year is going to be another great year. If your child works hard, reads every day and demonstrates the Cowleian Characteristics, I guarantee they will be successful this year.
As always, if there is anything we can do to support you or your family, then please do get in touch with the college.
Yours sincerely
Mr Cormack
Principal
Cowley International College is delighted to announce the success of its students in this year’s GCSE examinations. The hard work, dedication and resilience of both students and staff have culminated in some brilliant results, marking yet another year of academic excellence at the College.
This year’s results reflect the unwavering commitment of our students, who have navigated the challenges of the past few years with determination and focus. A significant number of students have achieved top grades across a wide range of subjects, with many attaining the coveted Grade 9s.
There were many outstanding individual performances, including Zach Bibby who achieved 3 Grade 9s, 3 Grade 8s and a Grade 7; Scarlett Latta attained 2 Grade 9s, 4 Grade 8s and 3 Grade 7s; Lexy Dearden collected 2 Grade 9s, 2 Grade 8s and 3 Grade 7s; Ruby Gaskell earned 1 Grade 9, 6 Grade 8s and 2 Grade 7s; while Charlie Canning achieved 1 Grade 9, 4 Grade 8s and a Grade 7 in an impressive set of results for the College.
Across the year group, an overwhelming majority of students achieved their expected grades or better, with many progressing to Cowley Sixth Form College, studying courses including Maths, Law, Physics, Chemistry and English.
Principal, Mr Cormack, expressed immense pride in the students’ accomplishments, stating: “Our students have shown incredible resilience and determination, and their results are a reflection of their hard work over the past five years and the high-quality education they receive at Cowley.
“We are immensely proud of each and every one of them. These results are not just numbers; they represent the foundations which will undoubtedly pave the way for future success.
“I’d like to thank staff and parents for the important role they have played in this success too in helping students achieve these fantastic results.”
15th August 2024
Students at Cowley Sixth Form College are celebrating their success on A-Level and BTEC Results Day with a number of exceptional individual performances.
Among those who achieved outstanding A-Level results is Eve Kelly who achieved an A* in Politics, A* in Ethics, Philosophy & Religion and A in German. Eve is now looking forward to studying German and Chinese at the University of Manchester.
Lilly-Mae Wiswall also excelled, achieving A* in Geography, A in History and an A in English Literature. Interestingly, she didn’t study History at GCSE. Lilly-Mae is progressing to the University of Liverpool to study Geography.
Another significant success came from Matthew Witter who received A* in Politics, A’s in History and EPQ as well as a B in Law. His plans now are to study Law at the University of Liverpool.
From the BTEC subjects, Sam Smith was a standout performer, achieving Distinction* in each of Music Performance, Professional Musical Theatre and Digital Media Production: Film & Video. Sam will progress to study Musical Theatre at the Emil Dale Academy.
There was also great success from the college’s popular Nursing Cadetship course. Kiana Draper achieved Distinction* Distinction* Distinction* and is moving to Cardiff University to study Adult Nursing.
Speaking on the college’s success this year, Deborah Faulkner, Director of Sixth Form commented: “The class of 2024 have had a great work ethic and it has been an absolute pleasure to support them through their two years at Cowley Sixth Form College.
“They have embraced all the learning opportunities available to them, demonstrated great resilience and determination and each and every individual has worked to the best of their abilities.
“Results day is a really nerve-wracking time for everyone – students, families and teachers, but today, we celebrate a job well done.
“I could not be any more delighted as we say goodbye to students who are armed with the results they need for the next steps in their journey. I wish them all the very best, in what I know will be very bright futures.”
Photos of our Prom ready Class of 2024
Last week saw our annual Year 12 Progression Week at Cowley Sixth Form College, a week-long event to help students think about what they’d like to do after sixth form.
With more than 60 organisations visiting to support the students, from universities, apprenticeship providers and employers, this year’s events allowed our Y12s to gain lots of valuable information about all the opportunities available to them once they conclude their studies with us at Cowley.
Progression Week takes the form of:
- University Day – featuring a careers fair (marketplace style) with universities from around the UK, university-based talks and sessions as well as a presentation around UCAS applications.
- Apprenticeship and Employers Day – featuring a careers fair (market place style) of apprenticeship providers and employers from a wide range of different industries plus talks and sessions about apprenticeships and industry-based topics.
- Mock Interview Day – each student sits a mock interview with a professional to help them prepare for university or employment interviews.
- Work Experience – each student partakes in a work experience placement for three days (students in some courses will do more than three days) to gain valuable experience in a workplace.
We were delighted to welcome the following organisations in to Cowley Sixth Form College for the Progression Week events this year and thank them all for their support:
Universities
Aston University
Bangor University
Blackpool School of Arts
Edge Hill University
Fleetwood Nautical Campus
Lancaster University
Liverpool Hope University
Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA)
Liverpool John Moores University
LMA Liverpool
Loughborough University
Manchester Metropolitan University
Northumbria University
Nottingham Trent University
Staffordshire University
UCEN Manchester
UCLan
University Campus of Football Business
University Centre St Helens
University Centre St Helens (Media and Graphic Design)
University of Chester
University of Derby
University of Glasgow
University of Huddersfield
University of Liverpool
University of Salford
University of Stirling
University of Wolverhampton
Wrexham University
Apprenticeship Providers/Employers
Aldi
Balvac
Barclays Bank
Bethell
c4Projects
Career Connect
Countryside Partnerships
D3T
Department for Work and Pensions
Growth Company
Helen Ferneyhough Associates/Just Mortgages Direct
HMS Works
Home Office
Longworth Building Services
McDonald’s
McLaren Group
Merseyside Police
Ministry of Justice
Moore and Smalley
NHS
Northwest Education & Training
Parkside/Langtree PP
Pure Gym
Royal Air Force
Royal Navy
The Learning Foundry
TTE Training
United Utilities
Vinci Building
Waterside Training
Yunex Traffic
Photos from this year’s event
Penalty Notice Leaflet
Dear Parent/carer
THE EDUCATION (PENALTY NOTICES) (ENGLAND) (AMENDMENT)
Please note the following changes from the Department for Education will be coming into effect from August 2024 and that the fine for unauthorised school absences will change.
Some key points to note:
- All schools will be required to consider a fine when a child has missed 10 or more sessions (5 days) for unauthorised reasons.
- From August 2024, the fine for school absences across the country will be £80 if paid within 21 days, or £160 if paid within 28 days. This is per parent, per child absent.
- In the case of repeated fines, if a parent receives a second fine for the same child within any three-year period, this will be charged at the higher rate of £160.
- Fines per parent will be capped to two fines within any three-year period. Once this limit has been reached, other action like a parenting order or prosecution will be considered.
- If you’re prosecuted and attend court because your child hasn’t been attending school, you could get a fine of up to £2,500.
During these difficult times and with many facing a cost-of-living crisis, we do not want fines issued to any family. However, this is a new National Framework, and we must work together to ensure Cowley students are not disadvantaged because of poor attendance.
The Education Hub provides some key details for parents on this new framework:
We were delighted to welcome award-winning photographer, Terry Donnelly, to Cowley Sixth Form College on 24th May.
Terry delivered an in-depth talk on Composition to our A-Level Art & Photography students.
Terry’s talk was very well-attended by our creative sixth form students and they have benefitted from his expertise in photography tremendously.
An extract from a letter that Miss Kay, Head of Department for Art and Photography, sent to Terry after the visit:
Our students, and staff, were given an assignment immediately afterwards in which the students must respond to your lecture, then critique the work immediately after the Whitsun break. I am very happy to inform you the work is a wonderful response to challenge set; the students are still talking about it. I have attached several examples for you to view.
It was an honour to be able to hear your ideas and for those ideas to have an immediate impact. I very much look forward to seeing you again and introducing you to a new cohort of students.
Terry’s work has been exhibited in over 25 countries in International Photography Exhibitions earning in excess of 250 international awards and 13 Best in Exhibition titles.
This is the second time that Terry has met with Cowley Sixth Form College A-Level Art and Photograph students and we hope to secure another visit in the next academic year.
6 June 2024
Dear Parent/Carer,
Over the last term we have been responding to the Government guidance on mobile phones in schools. I last wrote to parents in April 2024 to explain the options, decision and FAQs from parents Click here to read that letter
The Cowley policy has now been written and approved by the Governing body. The policy will go live on Monday 17 June 2024. I appreciate we are building new routines and habits with students, and therefore, there will be a ‘soft launch’ for outside the building for the first three weeks. Students will not receive detentions for the first three weeks if they do not follow the policy outside the building. However, if a student persistently breaks this rule, their phone will be confiscated. The issue will be logged on ClassCharts for parents to see if their child is following the new expectations; and detentions and confiscations for outside will start in September 2024.
We have spent a significant amount of time communicating and consulting with parents, students and staff and I appreciate the positive feedback to how we are introducing this new college expectation. I am confident with a consistent approach from school and home, students will benefit from improved concentration and better outcomes due to this new phone policy.
This week, the students have received assemblies about the policy and the plan for the launch. I encourage all parents/carers to:
1. Familiarise themselves with the policy: Click here to read the policy
2. Discuss the policy with their children and help them be prepared.
3. Revisit the FAQs Click here
Yours sincerely
Mr Cormack
Principal
Y11 Revision timetable
Y13 revision timetable
