Dear Parents, Carers and Students,

Introducing our new Deputy Headteacher, Mrs Cooper
I am writing to introduce myself as the new Deputy Headteacher at Townley Grammar School. It is an absolute privilege to join such a vibrant and dedicated school community. In my role, I have the responsibility of overseeing Teaching and Learning across the school. This is an aspect of my work that I am deeply passionate about; seeing students experience those lightbulb moments of understanding and discovery is what makes education so uniquely rewarding for me.

I also oversee Key Stage 3, a pivotal phase in our students' educational journeys. KS3 provides the critical foundations for long-term success, laying the academic rigour, study habits, and intellectual curiosity required as students progress into GCSEs and ultimately into A-Level study. Ensuring our youngest students build strong, confident foundations from day one sets the stage for everything they will accomplish in their senior years.

Over the past few weeks, it has been a true pleasure to visit lessons across all subject areas. I have been immensely impressed by the high standard of learning in every classroom and, above all, by how naturally our students embody the school’s four values of compassion, curiosity, consciousness and courage.

I look forward to working closely with you all to ensure every student at Townley Grammar School receives the support, challenge, and inspiration they need to thrive.

Road Safety
We recently posted the following message on student hubs regarding road safety after school following concerns raised by a member of the public. To ensure we are working together to keep children safe, please could all parent/ carers also discuss this at home:

It is a priority of ours to make sure all students get to and from school safely every day. Tragically, we know that road traffic accidents involving young people happen all too often—and the end of the school day is a particularly high-risk time. It only takes a second of distraction for a life-altering accident to happen.

When you are walking near traffic, please follow these essential safety rules:

• Take off your headphones or turn off noise-cancellation before you reach a road. You need your ears to hear approaching cars, sirens and bicycles.
• Put your phone away. Looking down at a screen means you cannot see turning vehicles, cyclists or changing pedestrian signals.
• Pause and look both ways before stepping off the curb, even at pedestrian crossings. Never assume a driver has seen you or will stop in time.

Yesterday, a member of the public contacted the school as they were concerned about the safety of students crossing the roads either looking at mobiles or wearing headphones; for the latter, the student was unable to hear the car beeping to alert her to oncoming traffic.

Please take this message seriously. Your texts, music, and videos can wait—your safety cannot. Look up, listen out, and stay safe.

Thank you for your help in keeping our school community safe.

Townley PFA (Parents & Friends Association)
We invite all parents and carers to take time to visit our PFA website to see the exciting work they are doing. Please also take the time to become a member to support their work: https://www.townleypta.co.uk/

Bexley Flu Catch-up Clinics
Please see the attached flyer for details of flu catch-up clinics that are running on the next three Saturdays for children aged 4 – 16 years, who live or attend school in the borough of Bexley. The flyer provides a link and contact number for appointment booking.

Connected Bexley
Navigating local support for your family has just got easier with Connected Bexley. This free community platform offers a simple way for parents and carers to explore local activities, parenting programs, financial advice, and youth activities tailored to our area.

For more information please visit: https://connectedbexley.co.uk/

Kind regards,

Mrs Cooper
Deputy Headteacher