Thanks again to all those of you who have given feedback during the past two weeks. Here is a summary of what you’ve said, and what we’ve done:
1. Heating: Complaint that the radiators in Dyne House were far too hot. Estates team went that day to check the radiator temperatures and adjust them down.
2. English T S Eliot Prize. Concern about the name of the prize given Eliot’s personal history. Referred to English department who have responded:
Our T S Eliot Prize – entered by all Year 12 English pupils – celebrates the highly influential modernist poetry of Eliot, who once taught in our English department. Year 12 pupils study T S Eliot as a set text author; his poetry collection is on the Eduqas A-Level syllabus. We encourage pupils of all key stages to consider the problematic aspects of the authors behind their set texts, and indeed within these texts, from the racist overtones of ‘Othello’ at GCSE, to the antisemitism found in ‘Oliver Twist’ at KS3. These texts help to understand and examine the views of the past. Indeed, often the writers of canonical and highly influential texts from the past hold views which contradict our modern values. We feel it’s essential to consider these aspects of much-loved, canonical works and to explore our (often conflicting) responses to them. Year 12 poetry teachers will pause at some point in their study of T S Eliot to consider his wider views, the debate around what they were and how pupils respond to this. We are also forming plans to hold a Hopkins Society Talk (led by, we hope, Jewish A-Level English pupils) on this topic, as we think it’s an important issue to highlight. Please let us know if you’d be interested in leading or being involved in this. If you would like to discuss this further outside of a classroom or society setting, please let your PAC or School Council rep know in advance of a meeting; staff leaders of those groups will then be able to ensure that a member of the English Department is present for the meeting.
3. Y7 and 8 Locker Rooms: Concern that pupils are often using their mobile phones in there. Reported to Head of Lower School. Notices given in assembly and, due to some other poor behaviour in there, the room has been locked during break and lunch times. Going forwards, we are also increasing duties in that area.
4. Chewing Gum under desks: Complaint about the amount of chewing gum around. Heads of Section will reinforce messaging that gum is prohibited in school at any time.
5. PSHEE lessons and assemblies: Request for a diverse range of topics. Throughout the course of the year, all pupils will cover four main areas: Relationships and Sex Education; Health and Wellbeing; Managing Risk; Employability and Citizenship. This year, a number of year groups have started with RSE, but will be moving on to other topics which are balanced across the course of the year. If you want to get involved more, do head along to pupil councils or pupil action committees, or contact the Head of PSHE, Ms Sheldon, at sara.sheldon@highgateschool.org.uk.
It is really wonderful being able to respond to your feedback and hopefully make real changes which will benefit our school community based on student voice!