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End of Term FINAL Letter

Friday 17 December 2021

Dear Parents /Carers

As Term 2 draws to an end I wanted to express my sincere gratitude for your continued support, challenge and feedback in helping the Academy to move forward and improve further. Despite the disruption of the pandemic, the Academy continues to improve. As Principal I have felt extremely proud of the way in which students have responded to our mission and values over the last two terms – they are a real credit to the Academy and the wider community. Despite minor setbacks along the way, our culture continues to flourish and that is down to the collegiate approach of colleagues, students, families and the wider community working together to give people the best chance of success.

To summarise, the purpose of this letter is to:

  • Highlight some of the great things that have happened across Term 2;
  • Remind you of our continued high expectations as we move into Term 3;
  • Highlight some key dates in Term 3.

Term 2: Highlights

Culture

  • Dream Big: Students continue to respond well to our high expectations which has helped develop a positive culture within the Academy. We are seeing more students aspire to achieve a higher standard academically, personally and within our community. This has been evident in the positive feedback we receive from visitors to the Academy, particularly in relation to how polite the students are. There are plenty of opportunities for students to raise their aspirations further through student leadership: https://hanhamwoodsacademy.clf.uk/our-academy/student-leadership/
  • Work Hard: Students continue to put effort into their learning day in day out, which is modelled to them by teachers across the Academy who go above and beyond to support student progress. This is not restricted to just lessons. One example is the hard work that has gone into the Winter Showcase by students and colleagues – it has been truly remarkable!
  • Be Kind: Our focus on mutual respect and gratitude is present in day to day interactions which helps to develop character and give students the best chance of success. We have also seen an increase in students wanting to help people less fortunate than themselves which has been evident in our children in need event, food bank donations and a number of other charitable causes the Academy has pursued.

Curriculum

  • Year 11 completed their first round of PPEs, experiencing exam hall conditions for the first time. Students responded well to this experience and have been working hard in the weeks leading up to end of term to capitalise on the feedback their teachers have provided. More information regarding Year 11 can be found here: https://hanhamwoodsacademy.clf.uk/blog/year-11/
  • Year 10 continue to progress through their GCSE courses and have stepped up to the increased demands. The focus and work rate in lessons has been noticed by a number of visitors to the Academy including the Deputy Regional Schools Commissioner. You’ll be able to find out more about how students are progressing at the Year 10 parents evening in January (more information to follow).
  • Year 9 have made progress through their curriculum whilst also engaging with a number of activities relating to selecting their GCSE options. Students have had the opportunity to read through an options booklet, engage with assemblies about different option subjects and experience taster sessions.
  • Year 8 have recently completed a round of assessments which will help teachers to provide detailed feedback on next steps to progress learning. Students have really engaged with the curriculum offer and have taken up many of the enrichment opportunities that will only develop them further. They have become great role models for Year 7.
  • Year 7 have continued to impress as the grow in confidence following a successful transition from primary school. Colleagues often comment on how polite and engaged students are in lessons. Their behaviour around the Academy is also exemplary. Year 7 have also got widely involved in our enrichment offer from sports clubs to Art, Drama and Maths clubs!

Term 3: 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 3: Key Dates / Events

Key dates and events for Term 3 can be found here: https://hanhamwoodsacademy.clf.uk/events/

I hope you enjoy a restful Christmas half-term break and I look forward to welcoming students back to the Academy from Wednesday 5th January 2022. For more detail about the staggered return for students in Term 3 please see my previous letter: https://hanhamwoodsacademy.clf.uk/letters/end-of-term-letter-december-2021/

Stay safe and I wish you the greatest success in 2022!

Dream Big // Work Hard // Be Kind

Kind Regards

Mr O’Callaghan | Academy Principal