Letters sent Home

Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Please note that because most letters are now sent by email, the text of the email and the date on which the communication was sent to Parents and Carers is shown below. Letters are listed with the most recent at the head of the list; older letters or those that are no longer relevant may be removed from this page.

Please find below the July Newsletter, which was sent to Parents and Carers on Wednesday 22 July 2026 - click anywhere on the image to read the Newsletter.

Collection of GCSE and A Level Results

The following messages aboout collection of A level and GCSE Results were sent to Parents and Carers of Students in Years 11 and 13. Results Day for A Levels is Thursday 13 August and for GCSE's it is Thursday 20 August 2026.

results days 2026 a level.pdf

results days 2026 gcse.pdf

Student Photographs - Thursday 3 September

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers on Monday 20 July 2026

Dear Parents and Carers

Please be advised that the School Photographer, Tempest Photography, will be visiting the school on Thursday, 3rd September 2026, to take individual photographs of students and staff.

Please can you ensure that your child attends school wearing the correct school uniform.

With kind regards

Madeline Genovese; Personal Assistant to Headteacher

Uniform for the last days of the Summer Term

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers on Monday 20 July 2026

Dear Parents and Carers,

Please be aware that we will conclude this academic year with PE uniform. From 1 September 2026, the new uniform policy will be in place wherein families can transition from shirt and tie to white polo shirt and jumper or simply start with the new uniform; please do not mix the two uniforms, either have the new or stick with the current uniform.

New Year 7 students will be wearing the new uniform.

Wishing all families are wonderful and safe summer and thank you for your support,

Kind regards,

Mr Quach; Headteacher

Sports Day - Friday 17 July 2026

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers on Thursday 16 July 2026

Dear Parents and Carers

Due to time limitations on Wednesday, our Sports Day events will conclude on Friday afternoon with the following final events: Mixed relay; Tug-of-war and Staff 100m.

To help build excitement and encourage house spirit, the school will be offering face paints and glitter in A01 during lunchtime, for students who wish to show their support for their House. There can be no glitter or paint on arms, legs or hair. We are only allowing the face to be painted.

This means parents do not need to spend money on these items and students should not be bringing these items into school.

To ensure the school day runs smoothly and remains focused on learning, students must not arrive at school wearing face paint, glitter, or any other House-related paraphernalia before lunchtime. This includes coloured face paint, glitter, wigs, hats, oversized accessories, or similar items.

Any student who arrives wearing face paint, glitter, or House-related items before lunchtime will be asked to remove them before attending lessons. Any students carrying face paint or glitter or similar items will have it confiscated.

We appreciate your support in helping us maintain a positive learning environment while still allowing students the opportunity to enjoy and celebrate Sports Day together.

We look forward to an exciting afternoon of competition and House spirit.

Yours faithfully,

Mr C Quach Ms Samantha Burgess

Headteacher Deputy Headteacher

Introducing our new Careers Lead

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers of Students in Years 7 to 10 on Monday 13 July 2026

Dear Parents and Carers,

My name is Katharine, and I am delighted to introduce myself as the new Careers Leader at Sele School.

Throughout my own career I have worked in finance, education, the charity sector and the fitness industry. Having changed careers multiple times myself, I know first-hand that there isn't one "right" path. Careers are rarely straight lines, and I want our students to leave school excited by the opportunities available to them and confident that they can adapt as the world of work continues to change.

We often tell young people that they can be anything they want to be. My aim is to build on the excellent careers education already taking place at Sele School by helping our students explore the huge range of opportunities available to them. Every career story they hear, every workplace they visit and every professional they meet helps them build a clearer picture of the possibilities open to them.

One of Sele School's greatest strengths is the community that surrounds it. Among our parents and carers are people working in an incredible range of careers, and I would love to invite you to share your experience with our students if you are able.

The Google Form below asks whether you might be willing to support us by:

• Supporting a small group of students to do an activity/task connected to your career (we are happy to take the work of and design the task for you)
• Working with a class of students to develop ‘soft skills’ e.g. communication, team working, conflict management
• taking part in a short video interview about your job (via video call)
• hosting a small group of students for a workplace visit (1–2 hours)
• offering a work shadowing day or work experience placement

Please complete the Goggle form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeOFPd3KysXPZL77bNmsIPvBjnTobdpbaxGivhSV9Uo4RE0LQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=100762195510955114599

There is no expectation that everyone will be able to help. Whether you can offer an hour of your time or a week's work experience, every contribution has the potential to inspire a young person and broaden their horizons.
If you have any questions about our careers programme, please don't hesitate to get in touch via klane@sele.herts.sch.uk

I look forward to working with you and showing our students the incredible opportunities that exist within our own community.

Kind regards,

Katharine Lane

Mrs Brady - leaving The Sele School

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers on Monday 13 July 2026

Dear Parents and Carers,

It is with both sadness and immense gratitude that we share the news that our Art Teacher, Ms Anna Brady, will be leaving her position at Sele School at the end of this academic year to start a new role.

Since joining us in 2015, Mrs Brady has been an integral part of our school community, inspiring countless students through creativity, passion, and dedication. Over the past eleven years, she has nurtured artistic talent, encouraged students to think differently, and created an environment where imagination and self-expression has flourished.

Her commitment has extended far beyond the classroom. She has played a significant role in enriching the life of the school through exhibitions, displays, supporting the school production, Careers Lead, and the countless opportunities she has provided for our young people to develop confidence and discover their creative potential.

While we are naturally saddened to see Mrs Brady leave, we fully support her decision and wish her every success and happiness in the next chapter of her career. We have no doubt that she will continue to inspire those around them, just as she has done so brilliantly at Sele School.

On behalf of the entire Sele School community, I would like to thank Mrs Brady for her outstanding service, dedication, and the positive impact they have made since 2015. Her contribution to our school has been truly valued, and she will be greatly missed.

Mr David Manta will be taking on the role left behind by Mrs Brady within the art department, we are excited about his arrival and am confident he will build on the legacy left by Mrs Brady.

We also welcome Ms Katherine Lane, who will be taking on the role of Careers Leader at Sele.

We wish Mrs Brady every success, good health, and happiness for the future.

Kind regards,

Mr C Quach; Headteacher

Message from Mr Quach and Ms Burgess

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers of Students in Years 7 - 10 on Monday 13 July 2026

Dear Parents and Carers,

Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who took the time to complete our recent Parent and Carer Survey. We received 83 responses, and we are genuinely grateful for your honesty, encouragement and constructive feedback.

At The Sele School, we believe that strong partnerships between home and school are essential in ensuring every young person achieves their full potential. Your views help us to reflect on what we are doing well and, just as importantly, identify where we need to improve.

We are pleased that many parents recognised the caring nature of our staff and the positive relationships that exist across the school. It was particularly encouraging to see that many of you feel your child is safe in school, that staff care about pupils' wellbeing, and that high expectations for behaviour and respect are promoted consistently. It is also excellent to know that many families feel welcomed and supported by the school and recognise the commitment of our staff in helping pupils make progress. These are strengths we are proud of and will continue to build upon.

At the same time, we recognise that the survey highlights areas where parents would like to see improvement. We know that communication is a recurring theme, particularly around academic progress, responding to concerns, and keeping families informed about school life. We accept that we have not always got this right, and improving communication will be a key priority for the coming academic year.

We also acknowledge the concerns raised regarding behaviour. Whilst many pupils meet our expectations every day, we know that inconsistent behaviour can have a significant impact on the learning experience of others. We are determined to continue strengthening our behaviour systems so that expectations are consistently upheld, classrooms remain calm and purposeful, and every pupil can learn in a safe and respectful environment.

Parents also told us they would like to see greater challenge for pupils, improved support for children with additional needs, and more opportunities beyond the classroom. These are all areas we are actively reviewing as part of our school improvement planning. We will continue to develop our curriculum, strengthen our support for pupils with SEND, and expand the enrichment opportunities available to our students.

Over the coming year, you will see us focusing on several key priorities:

Improving communication with parents through clearer and more regular updates which we hope will be achieved through the role of the form tutor
Strengthening behaviour systems and ensuring expectations are applied consistently. We have commissioned a review to be conducted by the Chiltern Learning Trust and Professional development has been arranged
Raising levels of academic challenge and supporting every child to achieve their best through the deployment of Academic Support Workers and revising the curriculum and assessment journey
Continuing to develop our provision for pupils with additional needs through work with Chiltern Learning Trust
Expanding enrichment, careers education and opportunities beyond the classroom with further financial investment in this area and recruitment of a Careers Leader
Creating more opportunities for parents to engage with the school and share their views throughout the year through parental surveys, form tutor calls and school invitations

We know that change takes time, but please be assured that your feedback has been carefully considered and is already informing our plans for the year ahead. We are committed to being open about the progress we make and will provide regular updates on the actions we are taking.

Finally, I would like to thank all of our parents and carers for your continued support. We are proud of the many successes of our pupils and staff, and we remain ambitious for the future of The Sele School. By working together, we can continue to build a school where every child feels safe, supported, challenged and inspired to succeed.

Thank you once again for taking the time to share your views.

Yours faithfully,

Mr C Quach Ms Sam Burgess

Headteacher Deputy Headteacher

PE Kit - week commencing 13 July

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers on Friday 10 July 2026

Good afternoon

With the weather continuing to be very hot, it has been decided that students may still wear PE kit next week if they wish to do so. We will update for the last few days of term, at the end of next week.

A reminder of our expectations:

PE Top: Black with a coloured insert relating to the student's House. As part of clothing rotation for the week, the school will accept plain white T shirt or plain Black T shirt if the PE top requires cleaning.

Shorts or Skorts: Loose-fitting black shorts or skort with no logo or with school badge. Students who do not wish to wear shorts may wear their school trousers alongside the PE top

Cycling shorts are not permitted.

Socks: Plain black/white sports socks.

Please note that leggings, joggers and hoodies are not acceptable.

To maximize learning time, students must remain in their classrooms and fill up water bottles at break and lunch.

Kind regards

C Quach; Headteacher

Message from Mr Quach and Ms Burgess

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers on Friday 10 July 2026

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we come to the end of the academic year, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support and understanding throughout what has been a particularly challenging year for our school in terms of staffing levels.

One of the greatest difficulties we have faced has been an unprecedented level of staff absence due to health-related issues. While schools plan carefully for occasional absences, the number and duration of illnesses experienced this year were significantly higher than we could reasonably have anticipated or controlled. We recognise that this has affected continuity of learning for some classes, and we fully understand the concerns this may have caused for our students and families.

Throughout the year, our priority has always been to provide the best possible education and care for every child. We have worked hard to secure cover wherever possible, redistribute staffing, and minimise disruption. However, we also recognise that there have been occasions when maintaining the consistency that our students deserve has been difficult.

Looking ahead, we are pleased to share some positive news. From September, all staffing vacancies will have been filled, we also have catch up sessions planned with details to be released in the new academic year. In addition, our recent decision to work in partnership with the Chiltern Learning Trust brings significant benefits; as part of a wider family of schools, providing shared expertise, and additional resources.

We are excited to welcome Mr Neil Latchford leading English, Ms Sammia Bano leading Science, Ms Joy Udokwu - English teacher, Mrs Sarah Price - Maths teacher and Mrs Deniz Tavil - Maths teacher.

We also thank Mr Francis Grappa who has resigned from his role, we say farewell to Ms Alanna Paton who is returning to Australia this summer, Ms Sarah Ingram who is relocating with her partner to London, and Ms Kajal Sahadew who has finished her contract at Sele for the year.

Our focus is firmly on the future. With a full staff team, the support from Chiltern Learning Trust colleagues, and the lessons we have learned this year, we are confident that we are entering September in a much stronger position.

We remain committed to providing the high-quality education that every child deserves and to ensuring that our school continues to move forward positively.

Thank you for your patience, kindness, and continued partnership during this challenging period. The strength of our school community has been evident throughout the year, and we look forward to building on this together as we begin an exciting new chapter.

Yours sincerely,

Mr C Quach Ms Samantha Burgess

Headteacher Deputy Headteacher

Year 9 Royal Navy Leadership and Management Day

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers of Year 9 Students on Wednesday 8 July 2026

Good morning

On Thursday, Year 9 will be taking part in activity sessions run by The Royal Navy engagement team. Each form will have a double period session off regular timetable where they will learn to problem solve, develop their listening skills and work together.

Students will be required to attend for the day in School PE kit, making sure they bring water bottles with them.

9A Periods 1 & 2

9O Periods 3 & 4

9Z Periods 5 & 6

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me on abrady@sele.herts.sch.uk

Regards,

Mrs Anna Brady; Careers and Futures Lead

Future Ready Group - Trip to Beam Theatre

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers of Students involved on Wednesday 8 July 2026

Good morning

Following on from our successful trip to Essendon Country club for the ELSA next step activity day, we have been given the opportunity to visit Beam Theatre next Monday.

We will leave School at 10am to walk down to the Theatre, returning at 12pm.

We are really excited to be able to access this opportunity and get a tour of the facility, learning all about how the Theatre runs and what types of careers there are within it.

Students will not need to bring much, just a pencil case and water bottle. If the weather is hot, please make sure your child has sufficient sun cream.

If for any reason you feel your child cannot attend, please let me know by Thursday afternoon. abrady@sele.herts.sch.uk

Regards,

Mrs Anna Brady; Careers and Futures Lead

Uniforms and hot weather - update

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers on Tuesday 7 July 2026

Dear Parent or Carer,

Thank you for your continued collaboration as we work together to consistently embed our school uniform policy.

As we begin to embrace the hotter weather, we want to ensure students remain comfortable and focused in their classrooms. From Wednesday 8th to Friday 10th July students can wear the following PE kit.

Shorts or Skorts: Loose-fitting black shorts or skort with no logo or with school badge. Students who do not wish to wear shorts may wear their school trousers alongside the PE top

Cycling shorts are not permitted.

Socks: Plain black/white sports socks.

Please note that leggings, joggers and hoodies are not acceptable.

To maximize learning time, students must remain in their classrooms and fill up water bottles at break and lunch.

Thank you once again for your support. If you have any questions regarding these updates, please do not hesitate to contact your child's form tutor in the first instance.

Kind regards,

Ms Samantha Burgess; Deputy Headteacher

Updates regarding hot weather and school procedures

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers on Friday 3 July 2026

Dear Parents and Carers,

As the temperature is looking set to rise again next week, we will follow our climate resilience plan as a proportionate response. As it stands, there is no specific weather warning from the MET Office and therefore normal school hours, and normal school uniform is in place.

Please see the changes according to any weather warning

Amber Warning

Normal School hours and we will notify parents if students are able to wear PE kit as uniform. Staff may, under these circumstances, attend in smart casual wear.

Red Warning

Review of school operation and parents will be informed of any changes to school operations within a 24 hour notice.

Can I thank all our parents for their continual support and a clarification note that school operations are unchanged and all children are expected on site by 8.40am on Monday 6 July 2026 onwards.

Kind regards,

Mr Quach; Headteacher

Festa Junina Celebration - 2 July 2026 (after school)

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers of Students in Years 7 to 10 on Monday 29 June 2026

Dear Parents and Carers

We are delighted to invite your child to join us for a special Festa Junina celebration after school! This exciting event will take place on Thursday 2nd July from 3:30pm to 4:30pm in the School Hall (depending on the number of students attending).

Festa Junina is one of the most popular traditional festivals in Brazil, celebrated throughout the month of June. It is a joyful occasion that brings communities together through music, dancing, games, colourful decorations, and traditional foods. We are especially excited that two of our Year 7A students from Brazil have offered to share this wonderful part of their culture with our school community.

Students should come to school in their normal school uniform. If they wish, they may bring a change of clothes to wear during the celebration, such as colourful, country-style clothing or festive accessories, although this is entirely optional.

During the event, students will have the opportunity to enjoy traditional games, music, dancing, and cultural activities while learning more about Brazilian customs and traditions. It promises to be a fun, engaging, and educational afternoon.

Please note that photographs may be taken during the event for use on the school's social media platforms and promotional materials, in line with the school's photography permissions policy.

If you would like your child to attend, please email Ms Perez at yperezcorcino@sele.herts.sch.uk to reserve their place.

We hope your child will join us in celebrating this vibrant Brazilian tradition!

Kind regards,

The Spanish Department

Attendance Confirmation Slip

Please complete and return this slip by Wednesday 1st July 2026.

I, the parent/guardian of _________________________ (student's name), confirm that my child will be attending the after-school Festa Junina on 2nd July 2026, starting at 3:30pm and finishing at 4:30pm.

Parent/Guardian Name: _______________________________
Signature: _______________________________
Date: _______________________________

New legislation regarding the use of mobile phones in schools

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers on Monday 29 June 2026

Dear Parents and Carers,

I am writing to inform you that, from today, the new legislation regarding the use of mobile phones in schools has come into effect.

In line with this legislation and our school's commitment to providing a safe, focused, and positive learning environment, pupils are not permitted to use mobile phones during the school day. If a pupil brings a mobile phone to school, it must be switched off and submitted into school during morning form time to be secured at reception. Mobile phones now fall under the prohibitive item's list and will be confiscated if it is found on a student. Staff will be allowed to use mobile phones only for work purposes such as taking a digital register on the field or taking records of students work. The Sele School is now a mobile phone free school and no phones should be used by students or staff in lessons, in a classroom or within the school building.

We ask for your support in reinforcing this expectation with your child before they come to school each day. Limiting access to mobile phones during the school day helps reduce distractions, supports positive social interactions, and promotes pupils' wellbeing and engagement in learning.

If you need to contact your child during the school day, or if they need to contact you, please do so through the school office.

Furthermore, we have returned to full school uniform.

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation as we implement this important change.

Kind regards,

Mr C Quach; Headteacher

Important update: Change to Prom finishing and collection time

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers of Year 11 Students on Friday 26 June 2026

Important Update: Changes to Prom Finishing Time and Collection

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we finalise the preparations for this year’s Prom, we are writing to inform you of an important change to the event's schedule.

To ensure the event remains as affordable and inclusive as possible for all families, and to accommodate the final number of students attending, we have made the decision to adjust the finishing time. Prom will now end at 10:30 pm, instead of the originally planned 11:30 pm.

By bringing the end time forward, we have been able to significantly reduce venue and staffing costs, keeping the ticket prices cost-effective for everyone while still promising a fantastic and memorable evening for the students.

Student Collection Details

New End Time: 10:30 pm

Collection Deadline: Please ensure that your child’s transport home is arranged and ready for pick-up by 10:30 pm at the latest.

The venue requires us to vacate the premises promptly, so your cooperation in ensuring students are collected on time is greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support in making this a safe and brilliant celebration for our students. If you have any urgent questions regarding these arrangements, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Warm regards,

Naomi Dowler

Normal school times and uniform week commencing 29 June

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers on Friday 26 June 2026

Dear Parents and Carers

Just to update you that as weather conditions are forecast to be cooler next week, the school day will revert back to normal timings from Monday 29 June. Students are expected to be in form by 08:40 and will leave at 15:15 Monday to Thursday and at 14:45 on Friday.

We will also expect all students back in school uniform - PE kit will no longer be an acceptable substitute. Blazers do NOT need to be worn but trousers, shirts and ties are a must, along with the correct footwear. Leggings and hoodies are not acceptable, please do not send your child to school in either.

Kind regards,

Ms Samantha Burgess; Deputy Headteacher

Early Closure on Thursday 25 June and School Closed on Friday 26 June

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers of all Students in Years 7 to 13 on Thursday 25 June 2026

Dear Parents and Carers,

Following evidence collected over time, we have made the decision to finish early today to ensure all staff and students are safe from the current heat. The school will officially close to students at 1:25 pm. However, parents and carers who wish to collect their child early may do so from 12:50 pm onwards.

Students who are unable to leave early are welcome to remain on site until the end of the normal school day, they will be supervised by staff but there will be no official lessons Period 5 or Period 6. Lunch arrangements will be available as normal, and students may stay for lunch before leaving the school site at 1:25 pm.

Please note that any student who has been issued with a detention today or yesterday must remain in school during the collection window and will be dismissed at 1:25 pm, when the school officially closes.

The decision has also been made for school to be closed all day on Friday 26 June to all students and staff. Students should NOT attend school tomorrow.

Thank you for your support and cooperation. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

Yours sincerely,

Mr C Quach; Headteacher

Year 11 - Please return Locker Keys and Provide Next Steps Information

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers of Year 11 Students on Wednesday 24 June 2026

Good morning

Thank you to those students that have returned their locker key to school. For those that have not yet returned the key, please do so as soon as possible as we will need to re allocate the locker to our new students in September, your cooperation in this matter is much appreciated.

I would also like to remind Year 11 students to complete the attached form as the Department of Education requires schools to keep records of the next steps of all students

Kind regards

Judith Adams; Office Manager

Fire Drill Training

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers on Tuesday 23 June 2026

Dear Parents and Carers,

The school will be conducting a week of training and embedding best practice in an event of a fire following on from our Friday 'no notice' fire drill. Therefore, next week, individual year groups will practice their fire drills, allowing us to make adjustments accordingly before the next whole school fire drill. Whilst we are generally pleased with the staff and student conduct around Health and Safety practices, we feel there is scope for greater improvement.

Regards,

Mr C Quach; Headteacher

Post-16 Destinations

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers of Year 11 Students on Tuesday 23 June 2026

Dear Parents and Carers

As a school we are required to keep destination data for all of our Year 11 leavers. Please may I ask you to take a few moments to complete the attached form to help us with this.

If your child would like any more help or advise with this decision, please email myself on abrady@sele.herts.sch.uk or our SfYP advisor Kath Weston on kath.weston@hertfordshire.gov.uk

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all well and to wish our students all the best for their next exciting steps.

Kind regards

Mrs Anna Brady; Careers and Futures lead

Post 16 destinations – Fill in form

Hot weather - School updates

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers on Monday 22 June 2026

Dear Parents and Carers,

The MET Office has issued a Red Alert for the following days: Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 June 2026.

To ensure all staff and students are safe, no active sports or activities are allowed on the field on those days. Can we remind all parents to ensure a water bottle is provided for the day; the school will have water stations across the field and dining hall.

The safest place to be is in a classroom, sitting down and completing work. Please see MET office guidance on staying safe during a Red Alert

1. Keeping yourself cool

Keep out of the sun and avoid any exercise between 11am to 3pm when the sun is the strongest
Drink plenty of fluids
Close your curtains in rooms that face the sun
If you are going out, take water with you, keep in the shade, wear sunscreen and wear a wide brimmed hat

Please remind your children to avoid jumping straight into cold water during their time outside of school hours, this can lead to cold water shock which can lead to drowning. Details around cold-water shock can be found using this link to the Royal Lifesaving Society.

We have already communicated with you that, this week, students may, if they wish, wear PE kit instead of their uniform. We would like to add that from tomorrow, students who are not comfortable with Skorts/Shorts can wear school trousers with their school PE top but tracksuit bottoms and leggings are still not acceptable.

A reminder of our expectations sent to you last week:

PE Top: Black with a coloured insert relating to the student's House. As part of clothing rotation for the week, the school will accept plain white T shirt or plain Black T shirt if the PE top requires cleaning.

Shorts or Skorts: Loose-fitting black shorts or skort with no logo or school badge.

Cycling shorts are not permitted.

Socks: Plain black/white sports socks.

If a student modifies the PE kit they will be sent home to change into their full school uniform. Please note that leggings, joggers and hoodies are not acceptable.

Kind regards,

Mr C Quach; Headteacher

Information from Arriva Travel re Student bus tickets

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers on Monday 22 June 2026

Dear Parents and Carers,

Please see attached poster with details of Arriva's bus ticket options.

student direct debit poster 2026 2027 academic year.pdf

Any enquiries from parents and students, should be directed to talktous@arriva.co.uk

Judith Adams; Office Manager

Message from the Director of Public Health, Hertfordshire County Council

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers (including of Year 6 pupils) on Thursday 18 June 2026

Dear Parent, Carer

The number of children with measles has increased since the start of the year, with most cases in unvaccinated children aged 10 years and under. Measles is a very infectious
illness which can make children very unwell and sometimes leads to serious complications. Sadly, two children in England have died from measles in 2026.

In Hertfordshire we have had outbreaks of measles in some of our schools and cases of measles are increasing. I am therefore asking that parents take the following actions:

• Check your child’s red book or the NHS App to make sure your child is up to date
with their vaccinations.

• If your child has missed one or both doses of MMR, please contact your GP practice
to arrange an appointment.

• You can also contact your local Community & School Aged Immunisation Service
who run vaccination sessions for all ages. Details can be found here:

https://www.hct.nhs.uk/service-details/service/hertfordshire-and-east-anglia-community and-school-age-immunisations-35 /

• If your child is ill and you are worried it might be measles, check symptoms of measles here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/measles. If you need help, please phone your
GP or 111 and follow their advice.

An alternative vaccine is available for those who want to avoid pork products. You can find out about this when booking an appointment. The MMR vaccination is safe and free in the NHS and highly effective in protecting children from three serious diseases, Measles, Mumps and Rubella.

Yours faithfully

Sarah Perman; Director of Public Health, Hertfordshire County Council  

HAPpy Camps are coming

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers of Students who have free school meals on Tuesday 16 June 2026. There will be a HAPpy Camp at Sele.

Please see message below from Hertfordshire County Council for students eligible for Free School Meals

Dear Parent or Carer,

Fully funded HAPpy Camps will be running during the summer school holidays!

As your child gets benefits-related free school meals (FSM), we are contacting you today to remind you about the upcoming changes to book a HAPpy Camp this summer.

Activities will run at over 150 different locations across Hertfordshire from Monday 27 July to Friday 28 August 2026.

Funded by the government, HAPpy camps are designed to help support you by giving your child access to FREE fun activities and food during the holidays. With many exciting things to do, the summer HAPpy programme will be an opportunity not to be missed!

A New way to book

For summer 2026, there will be a new way to book your child’s HAPpy activities. You will no longer receive your unique HAPpy Camp Booking Code from your child’s school.

There is a new HAPpy Booking system where you can search for and book activities, using your child’s unique HAPpy Camp Booking Code.
Unique Booking Codes will be sent by email from HAPpyCamps@herts.ac.uk directly to parents with children registered for FSM in Hertfordshire.

Get ready

Make the most of your child’s FREE HAPpy Camp eligibility and be ready to go when bookings open.

From Thursday 18 June, look out for your child’s unique HAPpy Camp Booking Code in an email from HAPpyCamps@herts.ac.uk
Once you have your child’s unique code, use the link to pre-register on the new booking system and add your child’s details.
You must register your child before you can book.
Bookmark this webpage Click here to book
On Monday 6 July 2026, bookings will open from 12noon

Questions?

You can find further details about the HAPpy programme on our FAQs for Parents page.

Full details of summer HAPpy activities and venues will be available when bookings open on Monday 6 July. Sorry, but we are unable to share details of activities before this date!

Regards

Liza Dawson; Receptionist/ Administrative Assistant

Student Opportunity - British Cycling Series Wednesdays 24 June to 15 July

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers on Monday 15 June 2026

Dear Parents and Carers,

We are delighted to announce that, working with British Cycling and Green Arrow Cycling, we are able to bring a new talent finding initiative - Playground to Podium - to The Sele School; if your child would like to take part please sign up in advance (this is essential) using the details below. As you will see if your child doesn't have a suitable bike, please get in touch at the email address shown, as it may be possible to assist.

Join Our Exciting British Cycling City Academies Playground to Podium – Skills Camp! 🚴‍♂️🌟an exciting after-school cycling programme designed to help young riders grow from confident cyclists to potential podium stars!

Over the course of four action-packed weeks, riders will:

Develop essential race skills
Build confidence, resilience, and teamwork
Experience the thrill of riding in an Olympic-inspired environment

Bring your own bikes, helmets and gloves initially but as we progress riders will be transitioned Road bikes which will be supplied by British Cycling for the sessions.

📍 Location: Sele School Welwyn Rd, Hertford SG14 2DG (Meet at the Netball Courts). Please change into your PE Kit
⏰ Time: 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM, Commences 24th June 2026
📆 Duration: 4 weeks (with the potential to extend)
🚲 What to Bring: Your own bike and helmet (if available)
🥪 Snack: Please bring a light snack to keep energy levels up

If your child doesn’t have access to a bike, don’t worry! Email us at cityacademyherts@britishcycling.org.uk – we’ll do our best to support you.

📢 How to Sign Up:

✅ Limited to just 16 spaces – secure your spot now!

✅ Riders must be confident on their bikes
✅ Download the Spond app and join our group via this
https://spond.com/invite/POXGX
✅ Once joined, you’ll be able to register for the sessions
✅ Please complete the consent form here: Consent Form: British Cycling Consent Form 2026

Let’s get ready to pedal, race, and have fun on two wheels! We can’t wait to see your young rider on the track! 🚴🔥

Kind regards,

Sophie Bruton; Community Engagement Officer

Parental Survey

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers on Wednesday 10 June 2026

Parental Survey 2025/26 – Fill in form

Dear Parents and Carers

We value the views of all our parents and carers and would greatly appreciate a few minutes of your time to complete our parent survey. Your feedback helps us understand what we are doing well and where we can improve, ensuring we continue to provide the best possible experience for our pupils and families. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and supporting our school community.

Kind regards,

The Sele School Senior Leadership

Warm Homes Local Grant - Information for Families

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers on Tuesday 9 June 2026

Good morning,

Please find attached leaflet and poster sent on behalf of East Herts Council, Climate Change and Sustainability Project Officer, which may be of interest to you.

Eligible households may include families where:

Children receive Free School Meals based on qualifying benefits or low income (FSM eligible), and
Parents may be recognised as claimants of Pupil Premium when applying for support.

Regards

Rosa Kamaris; Receptionist

Message from Deputy Headteacher with Updates

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers of Students in Years 7 - 10 on Tuesday 9 June 2026

Dear Parents and Carers,

I want to congratulate students on a positive start to the term. We have many exciting opportunities and events taking place this term, and we want every student to be able to fully engage with and benefit from them.

We want to make sure every child gets the very best experience. By keeping our standards high and consistent across every classroom, we can build the strong, supportive learning environment every student deserves.

We are currently tightening up on a few of our school policies. I appreciate your support during this period and discussing the following updates and with your child.

After school corrections will now take place after school only, and we will provide 24 hour's notice to support logistical planning of your child getting home from school.
A reminder that jewellery (beyond one pair of small, plain studs) and fake or acrylic nails are strictly not permitted. No make up is permitted, including false eyelashes
While students are welcome to wear coats on their journey to school, these must be placed in their lockers or school bags upon arrival. They are not to be worn around the school buildings during the day.
Consistency is key to a successful school community, and we are grateful for your partnership in upholding these standards.

Thank you for your continued support, and I very much look forward to working closely with you and your child over the coming term.

Yours sincerely,

Miss S Burgess; Deputy Headteacher

School Uniform

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers on Friday 22 May 2026

Good afternoon

We have received a couple of queries regarding the new school uniform. To clarify, the new uniform takes effect from September 2026, students currently on roll should continue to wear our uniform, namely, shirt, tie, trousers and school shoes. As the weather warms up, blazers will not need to be worn to school after the half term break.

Please do not send students to school in the new uniform until September. From September, current students may move to the new uniform immediately, or if not outgrown their current uniform, they may continue to wear this. A mixture of both uniforms will not be acceptable, please stay with the old, or transfer to the new in September. Our new Year 7 students will all be expected to wear the new uniform.

Kind regards

Judith Adams; Administrator / Clerk

Supporting an Inclusive Prom

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers on Thursday 14 May 2026

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we approach the end of the academic year, celebrations for our upcoming school prom are well underway. This milestone is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our students' hard work and achievements.

We firmly believe that every student deserves to attend and shine at prom, regardless of financial circumstances. To ensure this milestone is fully inclusive and accessible to all, we are launching a school "Prom Pop-Up Shop" to loan out formal wear completely free of charge to any student who needs it. Items on loan would need to be returned in a clean condition after the event.

To make this initiative a success, we are kindly asking our school community for donations of new or gently used formal wear. If you have any items at home that are clean, undamaged, and ready to wear, please consider donating them to the school.

We are currently collecting:

Dresses: Prom dresses, evening gowns, and bridesmaids dresses of all styles and sizes.
Suits: Suits, tuxedos, blazers, dress trousers, and shirts.
Accessories: Ties, bowties, belts, jewellery, evening bags, and hairpieces.
Footwear: Formal dress shoes, brogues, and heels in good condition.

Our goal is to ensure that every student feels confident, included, and celebrated on their special night without any financial stress on families.

Donation Drop-off Information:

Where: Please drop items off at the School Main Reception.
When: From 01/06/2026 Monday to Friday, between 9.00am and 3:00pm.
Deadline: Please bring all donations to the school by 15/06/2026

Thank you in advance for your incredible generosity and support in making prom a magical, inclusive night for all of our students.

Yours sincerely,

Naomi Dowler; Pastoral Leader

Mobile Phones - Update

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers on Friday 1 May 2026

Dear Parents and Carers,

We would like to remind all families of our current policy regarding mobile phones. As you may be aware, current government guidance states that "All schools should be mobile phone-free environments by default." National legislation regarding this is also currently under review. In line with this, mobile phones remain prohibited items and are banned from the school site during the school day.

We fully recognise that phones serve practical purposes for many families, such as digital bus passes and GPS tracking for student safety during the commute. To accommodate this, we operate a hand-in system where students can securely store their devices at the start of the day and collect them at dismissal. While most students follow these rules, we have noted an increasing number of students who are abusing this system by choosing not to hand in their devices. To ensure the policy is respected, we have implemented the following escalated consequences for students found with a mobile phone on their person:

First Offence - The phone will be confiscated and returned to the student at the end of the school day.

Second Offence - The phone will be confiscated, and a parent/carer must come to the school to collect it

Third Offence - Sim Card will be removed and the phone must be collected by a parent/ carer

We ask for your support in reinforcing these expectations at home. By ensuring your child understands that their phone must be handed in, we can avoid unnecessary confiscations and keep the focus on their education.

Ross Gallacher; Deputy Headteacher

Update on items not permitted in school

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers on Wednesday 29 April 2026

Dear Parents and Carers,

We are writing to inform you of an important update to our school policy regarding certain items being brought onto school premises.

With immediate effect, “squishy” balls, “bounce butter,” and similar products which are slimy, sticky or gooey are banned from school. This decision has been made due to increasing concerns that some of these items may contain toxic substances, posing a potential risk to students’ health.

In addition, these products have been causing damage to school property and are proving to be a significant distraction during lessons, impacting students’ focus and learning. The SEN department will provide guidance to any parent whose children may need sensory items; if it is not authorised by the school, it is not acceptable to bring in.

If any of these items are brought into school, they will be confiscated and will not be returned. This is in line with UK searching, screening and confiscation guidance, which allows schools to retain or dispose of items.

We ask for your support in ensuring that your child does not bring these items into school. Our priority is to maintain a safe, respectful, and focused learning environment for all students, and we appreciate your cooperation.

Kind regards

Mr C Quach; Headteacher

School Uniform Updates for September 2026

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers of Students in Years 7 to 10 on Wednesday 29 April 2026

Dear Parents and Carers,

Following our uniform survey conducted with parents, students, and staff during the Spring term, I am pleased to share the results and outline the upcoming updates to our school uniform.

The decision to update our uniform was driven directly by your feedback. We presented three distinct options to our community, and the new design received over 50% of the vote across all key stakeholder groups. In making this decision, we have factored in comfort (92% parents and 77% of students) and cost (84% parents and 50% students) which were the biggest priorities.

The New Uniform (Effective September 2026)

The following changes will take effect:

Plain White Polo Shirt, no tie: (No logos or colour on polo). The polo replaces the formal white shirt and tie for a more comfortable, practical daily option.
Compulsory School Logo Jumper: A jumper featuring the school logo will now be a core requirement and will be available from Kids Connection, our school uniform provider. Plain jumpers are NOT acceptable.
Optional Blazers: To help reduce overall costs, blazers will now be optional rather than mandatory.
Black or Grey school trousers: This has not changed from current uniform expectations. Leggings are NOT acceptable.

We understand that uniform changes require planning. To ensure this transition is as smooth and affordable as possible, we are implementing a phased rollout:

Year 7 Intake: The new uniform will be required for all students joining us in Year 7 this September or new students who join Sele during an academic year.
Current Students: Students already at the school have the choice to move to the new uniform immediately or continue wearing their current shirt and tie.
Supplier Stock: Our provider, Kids Connection, will continue to stock the current shirt and tie until their existing supplies are used up.

If a student loses their tie, they have two options, buy a new tie or move to the new uniform and wear a white polo shirt. You cannot wear a white shirt without a tie.

Kind regards,

Mr Gallacher; Deputy Headteacher

Consultation for Closure of Sixth Form

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers on Thursday 16 April 2026

6form closure 1 .pdf

GSCE and A Level Examinations

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers of Students in Years 11 and 13 on Thursday 26 march 2026

Dear Parent or Carer

This week, students will be given their individual exam timetables for the summer GCSE and A Level exams. The seating and rooming plans are still in progress, so please do not worry if these are not showing for all exams. The rooms and seating plans will be displayed outside the hall on the morning on each exam before line up.

Morning exams will begin at 9:00am and afternoon exams will begin at 1:30pm. Students are expected to arrive half an hour before the exam start time, so there is plenty of time to line up in the hall and go through the normal pre-exam process.

If your child has a clash of exams, you will be contacted separately.

Please note, extra time is not permitted in Art and Photography exams, so please ignore the extra time detailing on the timetable for these exams.

You can find lots of information about the examinations, including equipment lists, on our website by following this link https://www.sele.herts.sch.uk/Our-School/Examinations/

Please make yourself familiar with all the information, particularly the JCQ Information for Candidates documents, which are linked on the website, but can also be found here https://www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/information-for-candidates-documents

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch bsavage@sele.herts.sch.uk

We wish everyone the best of luck for the examination season!

Kind regards

Mrs Beth Savage; Exams Officer

Menigintis - Communication from Herts County Council

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers on Friday 20 March 2026

Good morning

We have been asked by Herts County Council to share the attached 'Joint communication from the Director of Public Health and Executive Director of Children’s Services' with you regarding the recent outbreak of meningitis in Kent; please click on the link.

Judith Adams; Office Manager

Joining a MAT

The message below was sent to Parents and Carers on 17 March 2026

ltr to parents mat.pdf

Student Attendance

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers on Friday 6 March 2026

Dear Parents and Carers

Re: Attendance

It is the view of the Department of Education, the Local Authority and The Sele School that being in school and having the best attendance possible, is key in securing the best possible life chances for young people.

The benefits to regular attendance are, but not limited to:

• Access to quality education
• Safeguarding
• Social development

We are all aware, that for some young people, attending school every day can be harder than for others. Therefore, we are committed to working together to ensure that every young person attends regularly.

Parents/carers have a duty, under Section 7 of the Education Act 1996, to ensure that their child of compulsory school age (5 to 16) receives a full-time education either by attendance at school, or otherwise. It is a parents’ responsibility to ensure that their child attends school every day.

Student absence from school is taken very seriously. In line with Section 444 (1) Education Act 1996, if a child is absent without authorisation, then a school will follow their Attendance Policy to ensure that an offence is not being committed. This could and does result in fixed penalty notice fines being issued to those families who do not comply with ensuring that their child attends school regularly.

At the Sele School, our Attendance Officer, Mrs Radcliffe is committed to improving attendance for every young person. Her role involves her discussing with parents/carers and child about why attendance may not be as expected. It must be noted, that under the recent Department of Education guidance, it states ‘Many children will experience normal but difficult emotions that make them nervous about attending school, such as worries about friendships, schoolwork, exams or variable moods. It is important to note that these students are still expected to attend school regularly.’

Both I and Mrs Radcliffe are pivotal in working with families to improve their child’s attendance. Should you need to contact us, please do so via email to sradcliffe@sele.herts.sch.uk

Yours sincerely,

Mrs N Wragg
Head of Well-being and Integration

Mrs S Radcliffe,
Attendance Officer

Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) Field Trial

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers of Students in Year 9 Forms 9A and 9Z on Friday 6 March 2026

Dear Parents and Carers,

We are pleased to let you know that your Year 9 child’s class has been selected to take part in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) Field Trial, which will take place on Monday 16th March.

What is TIMSS?
TIMSS is an international project that helps schools understand how children around the world learn maths and science. The Field Trial is an early stage of this project, designed to test and refine the activities and questions before the main study in 2027.

Why has our school been selected?
Schools across the country are chosen to help ensure the study is fair and representative. Taking part allows our pupils to contribute to important research that supports teaching and learning in the UK and internationally.

What will pupils be doing?
Pupils will complete a series of maths and science questions, as well as a short questionnaire about their learning experiences. This is not a test they can or should revise for, and the results are not shared with the school, the pupils, or parents. The purpose is purely to trial the materials and gather feedback.

We want to reassure you that the sessions are designed to be age appropriate and accessible. Pupils are simply encouraged to try their best. The sessions will take place during the school day.

All questions will be answered on pupil’s Chromebooks. With this in mind, please ensure they attend on the day with a fully charged Chromebook. This will aid the smooth running of the trial. The school only has a limited number of spare Chromebooks that will be available to use.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. Thank you for your support.

Warm regards,

Philip Saint-Bryant; Head of Mathematics

Inappropriate Social Media Activity

The followiing message was sent to Parents and Carers on Thursday 5 March 2026

Dear Parents and Carers,

I am writing to provide an update following my previous communication in November regarding inappropriate social media activity.

First, I would like to share that we successfully identified the students responsible for the previous accounts. This matter has been dealt with internally in accordance with our school policies. We appreciate the support from those of you who provided information to assist our investigation.

However, it has come to our attention that a new account, "Sele Baits 8," has recently been created. This account, like the previous ones, is being used to circulate inappropriate and harmful content.

We want to be incredibly clear; the school has a zero-tolerance policy toward the creation or distribution of content that targets or harasses members of our community. Any student found to be creating or requesting content for, or managing accounts such as "Sele Baits 8," runs the risk of permanent exclusion from the school.

These accounts are not "harmless fun"; they are a serious breach of safeguarding and, in many cases, the law.

We urgently request your continued vigilance in safeguarding our students. Please monitor devices, regularly check your child’s phone for evidence of these messages, images, or links to the "Sele Baits 8" account. Check for secondary accounts, ensure your child does not have "finsta" or secondary anonymous accounts used to bypass your supervision.

Please discuss consequences: ensure your child understands that their digital footprint has real-world consequences, including the potential loss of their place at this school.

Ross Gallacher; Deputy Headteacher

Reassurance regarding social medial posts

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers on Monday 2 March 2026

Dear Parents and Carers,

We are aware of recent social media posts circulating under the title “School Wars”, in which a number of local schools — including Simon Balle All-Through School, The Sele School, Richard Hale School, Bishop’s Stortford College, Haileybury Turnford, Robert Barclay Academy and Goffs Academy — have been labelled as “Red Team” or “Blue Team”.

We understand that this may be concerning. Please be reassured that there is currently no specific or credible threat to our school. We are working closely with local schools and the police.

This week, assemblies will be delivered to all students to address the issue directly. We will reinforce expectations around respectful behaviour, responsible social media use, and the importance of not engaging with online trends that promote confrontation. Students will also be reminded to report any concerns to a trusted adult.

We would encourage parents to continue conversations at home about online safety and to contact the school if your child shares any information that may help us safeguard our community.

The safety and wellbeing of our pupils remains our highest priority. We will keep you informed of any further updates.

Kind regards,

C Quach; Headteacher

School Crossing Patrol

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers on Monday 9 February 2026

Good morning

Please see attached poster from Hertfordshire County Council in relation to our School Crossing Patrol Officer, who will be wearing wearing a body camera whilst on the crossing when we return after half term.

The School Crossing Patrol Officer will be wearing a hi-viz jacket over her uniform, clearly indicating that a camera is in operation.

Regards

Liza Dawson; Receptionist/Administrative Assistant

Government consultation on banning mobile phones

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers on Friday 6 February 2026

Dear Parents and Carers,

Thank you for your continued support of the school’s mobile phone policy. We appreciate the positive feedback we have received and your partnership in helping us maintain a safe, focused, and respectful learning environment for all pupils.

We are writing to provide an update in light of ongoing national discussions regarding the possible introduction of a Government ban on mobile phones in schools.

Should such legislation be introduced, mobile phones would be legally classed as a prohibited item in all schools. In these circumstances, and in line with the Education and Inspections Act 2006 (Sections 90–94), school staff would have the legal authority to search for, confiscate, retain, and, where appropriate, dispose of mobile phones as part of a disciplinary sanction. The law also provides staff with protection from liability for damage to, or loss of, confiscated items, provided the confiscation was lawful.

At Sele, it is deemed lawful to confiscate a phone if the student refuses to comply with our school Behaviour Policy and mobile phone process which is to hand your mobile phone into school. Our Behaviour Policy already identifies mobile phones as a prohibited item.

We believe it is important that parents and carers are fully informed of the legal framework that schools must operate within, and we will continue to communicate clearly should any national guidance or legislation change.

Once again, thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation. By working together, we can ensure that our school remains a positive and productive place for learning.

Yours sincerely,

C Quach; Headteacher

Re-wilding project

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers on Monday 26 January 2026

Dear Parents and Carers,

Our students have been incredibly busy this week during their elective session. They have officially started construction on our new dead hedge located at the back of the site.

By using deadwood, large logs, and branches, the students are creating a vital habitat corridor that provides shelter for invertebrates, amphibians, and small mammals. To help this project, we are looking for the following donations:

Wooden Pallets: We need these to build compost bins and bug hotels
Bird Infrastructure: Donations of bird feeders, nest boxes
Pollinator Plants: We are looking for bee-friendly plants to fill our planting beds.

We will continue to keep you updated on this project as we work to improve site diversity.

Ross Gallacher; Deputy Headteacher

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) Safely and Responsibly

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers on Friday 9 January 2026

Dear Parents and Carers,

We are writing to you to highlight the importance of helping our community and young people use artificial intelligence (AI) safely and responsibly. AI tools are becoming increasingly common in everyday life and in education, when used appropriately, they can support learning, creativity, and problem-solving. However, as with any powerful technology, AI can also be misused.

Bad actors can exploit AI to spread misinformation, manipulate people, impersonate others, or generate harmful content. Recent public conversations about platforms such as Grok and other AI systems have shown how quickly content can be created and shared, including inappropriate and sexualised images, sometimes involving men, women and children. As per our Use of AI Tools policy, paragraph 8C explicitly explains the consequences if any stakeholder is found to use AI for malicious or nefarious purposes.

We want to be clear: the creation or sharing of sexualised images of men, women and/or children is illegal and deeply harmful. Even when content is “AI-generated,” it can still cause real-world damage to the people depicted or targeted and it contributes to unsafe online environments.

It is also important to recognise that young people may come across this kind of material online without seeking it out, and they may not immediately understand its risks or implications. The school has blacklisted Grok as a AI tool and we will continue to review and monitor which programmes are safe to use and those which are not.

To help keep children safe, we ask for your support in the following ways:

Talk with your child about AI: what it is, how it works, and why it should be used responsibly.
Reinforce that creating or sharing abusive, sexualised, or degrading content — including AI-generated content — is never acceptable.
Encourage your child to think critically about information and images they see online and to question whether something may be misleading or manipulated.
Remind them not to share personal information, photos, or videos that could be misused by others.
Monitor their online activity in an age-appropriate way and keep communication open so they feel able to talk to you if something worries or confuses them.
Let the school know if your child encounters disturbing or inappropriate AI-generated content so we can provide support.

As a school, we are continuing to teach pupils about digital citizenship, online safety, and respectful behaviour. We have a clear policy and guidance on AI so that students understand both the opportunities and the risks that come with AI technologies https://www.sele.herts.sch.uk/docs/2025_Use_of_AI_Tools_in_School_Policy.pdf.

Thank you for working in partnership with us to keep our children safe, informed, and responsible as they navigate the digital world. If you have any concerns or would like further advice, please do not hesitate to contact Ms Burgess sburgess@sele.herts.sch.uk who oversees Online Safeguarding and AI

Kind regards

Chris Quach; Headteacher

Application for Leave of Absence from School during Term Time

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers on Thursday 20 November 2025

Dear Parents and Carers

All schools have been reminded by the Local Authority Attendance Team of the position with regards to student attendance particularly in response to holiday in term time. Please see message below from the LA and also this link to information for parents regarding penalty notice fines.

https://thegrid.org.uk/assets/hcc-sapt-statutory-attendance-helping-parents-understand-penalty-notice-fines-for-school-attendance-september-2024.pdf

Dear Parent/Carer,

All schools by law must follow the Department for Education’s statutory guidance relating to school attendance. They must use the appropriate national attendance or absence code, and follow the criteria set out within the guidance. The statutory guidance states:

· A leave of absence must not be granted unless there are exceptional circumstances and must be requested in advance.

· A leave of absence must be requested in advance by a parent who the pupil normally lives with

· Schools must judge each application individually, considering the specific facts and circumstances and relevant background context behind each request.

· Where a leave of absence is granted, the school will determine the number of days a pupil can be absent from school.

· A need or desire for a holiday or other absence for the purpose of leisure and recreation would not constitute an exceptional circumstance.

· A school cannot grant a leave of absence retrospectively. If the parent did not apply in advance, the leave of absence should not be granted.

· Where this guidance refers to a parent, the school and/or local authority will need to decide which adult(s) is most appropriate. Generally, parents include:

· All natural parents, whether they are married or not.

· All those who have parental responsibility.

· Those who have day to day responsibility for the child.

Please note all schools are expected to regularly inform parents about their child’s attendance and absence.

Taking your child out of school during term time could be detrimental to their educational progress. If the absence is not authorised and the leave is taken, schools may refer to the Local Authority for legal action. Please find attached information regarding Helping Parents understand Penalty Notice Fines for School Attendance.

https://thegrid.org.uk/assets/hcc-sapt-statutory-attendance-helping-parents-understand-penalty-notice-fines-for-school-attendance-september-2024.pdf

Kind regards

Ross Gallacher; Deputy Head

TikTok/Snapchat - inappropriate and potentially harmful messages and images

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers on Monday 10 November 2025

Dear Parents and Carers,

The school has become aware of the existence of unverified social media accounts on TikTok and Snapchat that are circulating inappropriate and potentially harmful messages and images concerning our students.

The content being shared includes materials that are deeply upsetting, damaging to the reputation and well-being of the individuals involved, and constitute a serious breach of school policy and potentially the law. While we are actively working to identify and report the accounts, the nature of these platforms allows information to spread rapidly and anonymously.

We are officially reporting this matter to the Police/Safer Schools Team. We will cooperate fully with them to ensure that appropriate legal steps are taken against those responsible for creating and distributing this content. We urgently request your support in safeguarding our students. We understand that screening a child’s phone can be difficult, but in light of this situation, it is necessary.

Check your child’s phone for any evidence of these inappropriate messages, images, or links to the offending TikTok or Snapchat accounts.
Ensure your children do not have hidden, secondary, or "finsta" accounts on any social media platform that might be involved in creating or spreading this harmful material.

The safety and well-being of every student is our highest priority. We thank you for your vigilance and support as we address this.

Ross Gallacher; Deputy Headteacher

Year 12 provision for 2026 - 2027

The following message was sent to Parents and Carers of Year 11 Students on Wednesday 24 September 2025

Dear Parents and Carers,

I am writing to inform you that we will not be opening our Year 12 intake for the 2026/27 academic year.

This provision is currently under review, and we are in active discussion about how best to shape it for the future. We have met with all the Year 11 students to explain the other A level and College pathways available to them and will support that process for every young person at Sele.

Thank you for your understanding and ongoing support.

Yours sincerely,

Chris Quach; Headteacher