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End of Term 1 Letter

Wednesday 20 October 2021

Dear ParentsCarers,

As Term 1 draws to a close I wanted to thank you for your continued support, feedback and challenge, which is always welcome, in helping the Academy to move forward and improve further. I have thoroughly enjoyed my first term as Principal and that is down to the positive culture we have seen develop within the Academy that students, colleagues and families have helped to create.

To summarise, the purpose of this letter is to:

  • Highlight some of the great things that have happened across Term 1;
  • Remind you of our continued high expectations as we move into Term 2;
  • Highlight some key dates in Term 2.

Term 1: Highlights

  • Culture
    • Students have responded well to our expectations and it is great to see them wear their uniform with pride and arrive to the Academy (and their lessons) on time, with the correct equipment, ready to learn. The vast majority of students are getting this right every lesson, every day, which contributes to a calm, productive atmosphere in the Academy where everyone can learn.
    • A return to assemblies and having the opportunity to speak with students as a Year Group on a weekly basis. Behaviour in assemblies has been exceptional and this has been mentioned by several visitors over the course of this term. Assemblies have included a range of themes linked to our personal development curriculum and our Academy values.
    • We have seen a rise in the number of WoW cards and House points being given out due to exceptional contributions from students both in the classroom and the wider Academy community.
  • Curriculum
    • Seeing the curriculum come to life in (and beyond) the classroom. I walk lessons every day and some of the work students have completed is nothing short of remarkable.
    • The tutor time reading programme is going from strength to strength in Years 7, 8 & 9.
    • Year 10 have made a great start to their GCSE courses and we are excited to feedback further at the Year 10 Parent/Carer evening in Term 2.
    • Year 11 students have been working incredibly hard to prepare for their first round of Pre-Public Examinations (PPEs) which start on Monday 1st November.  Every lesson counts and students should be aiming for 100% attendance every week to ensure they don’t miss out on vital preparation work.
    • A return to enrichment activities has also seen a large number of students get involved in sport, drama, art, student leadership and more! Further information available here: https://hanhamwoodsacademy.clf.uk/news/enrichment-opportunities/

 Term 2: Reminder of our High Expectations

  • Punctuality to tutor time when arriving at the Academy in the morning:

Students need to be in their tutor room at 08:30 ready to start their tutor programme, every day. To ensure a prompt start to the tutor time programme, students need to be on site by 08:25 so that they can comfortably get to their tutor room by 08:30, ready to learn. Arriving to the Academy after the 08:30am bell will result in a 15-minute lunch-time detention.

  • Attendance & Punctuality to lessons:

Our ambition is for students to attend every day on time and be on time for every lesson. This is to ensure students get the maximum learning time and the most enriching experiences from the Academy. Students are expected to arrive at their next lesson within 3 minutes of the previous lesson finishing.

If for any reason your child is not well enough to attend the Academy, please:

  • call the attendance line on 0117 440 8900 / Option 1 before 8:30am to advise; providing details of the illness.
  • If your child is unwell for more than one day you will need to call on each morning of the absence.

Key information regarding attendance can be found here: https://hanhamwoodsacademy.clf.uk/key-information/attendance/

  • Electric Scooters:

Electric scooters are currently illegal to ride on public highways unless a driving license and insurance is held by the rider. It is not appropriate for students to be riding e-scooters to and from the Academy and they are, therefore, banned from the Academy site. This measure is in place to protect and uphold the safety of all students as they commute to and from the Academy. If a student arrives to the Academy on an e-scooter, it will be confiscated, and you will be called and asked to come and collect it.

  • Uniform:

All students are expected to be in full Academy uniform every day. Uniform checks will be carried out every day upon arrival at the Academy. Arriving at the Academy in the incorrect uniform will result in a 15-minute lunch time detention. If there are extenuating circumstances, please provide a note. More information about our uniform expectations can be found here: https://hanhamwoodsacademy.clf.uk/our-Academy/uniform-equipment/

We are aware that there have been some issues with supply of uniform.  If you are still waiting on branded uniform items or have any concerns or queries regarding uniform, please do get in contact so that we can help. South Gloucestershire Council are also providing financial support here: https://beta.southglos.gov.uk/community-resilience-fund

  • Mobile phones / Headphones / Hoodies:

Mobile phones / Headphones / Hoodies are not permitted to be seen (or heard) during the Academy day. If they are seen or heard they will be confiscated, and students can collect them from Reception at the end of the Academy day. This rule is in place to support student mental health and well-being by reducing screen time. It also reduces distraction in lessons so that teachers and students can focus on learning. If you need to contact your child, please call Reception and a message will be passed on. If a student needs to contact home, they can speak to a pastoral leader at break time or lunch time who can facilitate this.

  • Equipment:

It is important that students are properly equipped every day so that they are ready to learn. An equipment check will be carried out daily in tutor time to ensure students are ready to learn. Academy equipment requirements can be found here: https://hanhamwoodsacademy.clf.uk/our-Academy/uniform-equipment/ If you need support with equipment, please do get in contact so that we can help. Incorrect equipment will result in a 15-minute lunch time detention.

  • Responding to a Reasonable Request from a Member of Staff, “First time, every time”:

It is our expectation that students follow staff instructions, first time every time. This creates a safe, calm environment within the Academy which enables everyone to be successful.  If a student refuses to respond to a reasonable request from a member of staff, they will be given a 15-minute detention (either at lunchtime or after the Academy day, depending on the time of issuing the sanction) and parents/carers will be informed via a text message.  The student will then be given another opportunity to follow the member of staff’s request, should the student continue to be defiant they will be placed into a 45-minute SLT detention and parent/carers will be called.

Term 2: Key Dates/Events

Key dates and events for Term 2 can be found here: https://hanhamwoodsacademy.clf.uk/events/

NB: The rescheduled Parent/Carer forum from Term 1 is now taking place on Thursday 4th November. For more information and booking: https://hanhamwoodsacademy.clf.uk/our-Academy/parents-forum/

Finally, we are keen to get your feedback on the Academy, on what is going well and how we can improve further. Please can you take 2 minutes to complete this parent/carer feedback survey:

Parent/Carer Feedback Survey

I hope you enjoy a restful half-term break and I look forward to welcoming students back to the academy on Monday 1st November and working with you again to give your child the best chance of success.

Kind Regards

Mr O’Callaghan | Academy Principal