End of Term 1 / Start of Term 2 (2023)

Dear Parents/Carers

As Term 1 draws to a close at the Academy, there has been lots to celebrate as students continue to develop and grow their character through our shared values of Dream BIG, Work Hard, Be Kind. There have been numerous successes and opportunities for students to get involved across the Academy this term from Black History Month, Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, sporting success in the football national cup, national poetry day and not to mention the record number of positive points and golden tickets achieved by students! We are proud of every single student and the hard work they put in on a day-to-day basis.  

I also wanted to say a special thank you to you for all your feedback, support and challenge that has helped us to continually improve. As a result of our focus on raising standards through students being ready to learn, the Academy is a much calmer environment (something that was positively commented on by over 100 families who attended our open morning tours) which enables teachers and students to maximise their learning time.  

To find out more about what’s been going on during term 1, please see our newsletter below: 

HanhanmWoods Academy Newsletter, Edition 5 is available here

We look forward to welcoming students back to the Academy on Monday 30th October 2023 to give them the best chance of success.  

Please continue reading to learn more about our start of Term 2 arrangements and a reminder of Academy expectations… 

Start of Term 2:

The first day back of term 2 for students will be Monday 30th October 2023. Students should arrive on site no earlier than 08:00 and be ready to start tutor time by 08:30.  

Below is a reminder of our key expectations ahead of Term 2 starting. 

Academy Expectations relating to Homework, Manners, Uniform, Mobile phones, Equipment, Academy Rules, Electric Scooters: 

Homework: 

Homework for Year 7 to Year 10, which has due dates after half term, has been set by teachers to include a full week of Academy days (where possible) so that your child does not have homework to complete over the holiday. We hope that this helps to support their wellbeing and provides an opportunity to rest. Year 11 students have work set that will support them to revise for their upcoming PPE/mock exams. Thank you so much for your support with homework as this is positively impacting your child’s outcomes and their success in the classroom. 

Manners: 

We believe politeness gets you where you want to go in life. We want to continue the great work you have done instilling manners and mutual respect in your children, within the Academy. We expect students to always be polite, courteous, and show mutual respect so that positive relationships between staff and students can be achieved. This makes for a supportive and engaging learning environment where everyone can thrive. 

Uniform: 

The Academy uniform is an important part of our community and building a sense of belonging. It is one piece in the building blocks of creating a culture of high expectations and high achievement through an inclusive, supportive environment. All students are expected to be in full Academy uniform every day. If a student arrives at the academy in the incorrect uniform, we will support students in the following ways to meet our expectations: 

• offer uniform items to borrow (if available) 
• ask them to go home and change (in agreement with parents/carers) 
• ask them to work in the Inclusion Area until the correct uniform is delivered to the Academy by parents/carers 

Please note the following items which are not allowed: 

• Jeans (defined as having back pockets and jean-like material) or leggings 
• Tube skirts/tight stretchy material for skirts – skirts must be to the knee 
• Hoodies (students need a weatherproof coat) 
• Trainers 
• False/acrylic nails of any kind 
• False eyelashes 

Please note that any hoodies of any type (defined as not being a weatherproof/waterproof coat) are not allowed. Hanham Woods Academy is a site where students are outside between lessons so please ensure they have their Academy jumper and a warm, weatherproof/waterproof coat with them. Hoodies or non-uniform jumpers of any type will be confiscated if seen. 

Some of these items may be marketed as school items so please check they meet the uniform requirements before you buy. 

All uniform guidelines apply to all students in Years 7-11-there are no exceptions made for Year 11 students. All communication with students and parents/carers has said that uniform guidance does apply to Year 11. 

We are asking that all parents/carers check the following items before next term to ensure that students are meeting expectations: 

Skirts:  

Jewellery: 

Students are not permitted to wear jewellery due to our health and safety guidelines. The only jewellery allowed is a single pair of ear studs which may be worn in the earlobe and/or nose stud which may be worn to the Academy but must be removed for PE without exception.   Apart from this, no additional jewellery may be worn, i.e. no hooped ear/nose-rings, no helix piercings, no necklaces, bracelets, rings or additional piercings. Plastic retainers of any kind are not allowed. Taping of piercings is not permitted for PE or at any other time. Allowances are not made for healing times for new piercings. If students wish to have a new piercing then they must remove it for school without exception. Smart watches are not permitted. 

Make Up: 

At Hanham Woods the wearing of make up is discouraged as it is not needed for school. If make up is worn, then it must be of a very discrete nature. Nail varnish of any kind is not permitted. Acrylic/false nails/gel nails and false eyelashes of any kind should not be worn at any time. 

If you are unsure if the item you are purchasing meets the policy please check before you buy. We also have preloved uniform for purchase through the Friends of Hanham Woods. 

We have very high standards in everything we do, and we want your child to look as smart as possible at all times. Wearing smart uniform helps to create the right conditions for learning and enables students to take pride in belonging to our community. We are very proud of our students and the high standards of their uniform, and we know that you are too! If you require further clarity or support to ensure your child is in the correct uniform, please get in contact. 

A reminder about our uniform expectations can be found here.  

Academy Rules 

No mobile phones: Mobile phones should be off and in bags when students arrive at the Academy gates in the morning and only be taken out of bags once they have left the main Academy gates. If they are seen or heard during the Academy day, the phone will be confiscated and placed securely in reception. The student will be issued with a 30 minute after Academy detention and the phone can be collected at 15:30. 

No swearing 

If a student is heard casually swearing around the Academy, they will be issued with a 30 minute after Academy detention. We expect students to be polite and respectful. 

No ‘hands on’ (pushing and shoving / playfighting) 

If a student is seen pushing and shoving other students or playfighting, they will be issued with a 30 minute after Academy detention. We expect students to respect the personal space of others and conduct themselves in a safe manner around the Academy site. 

Equipment: 

It is important that students are properly equipped every day so that they are ready to learn. All students are required to bring a bag to the Academy. 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.  Students can purchase a pencil case (containing the correct equipment) from reception for £1. If you need support with equipment, please do get in contact so that we can help.   

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 at the Academy on an e-scooter, it will be confiscated, and you will be called and asked to come and collect it. 

Term Dates for 2023/2024:

To view the term dates for 2023/2024, please click here   

Key Academy Dates / Events:

To view the Academy key dates and events, please click here   

If you have any concerns or queries, please do get in touch either via email: [email protected] or phone: 0117 440 8900.   

Thank you for your continued support of the Academy as work together to give people the best chance of success. 

Dream BIG // Work Hard // Be Kind 

Mr O’Callaghan | Principal