Important Update: Belonging, Behaviour and Learning at Hanham Woods Academy

Dear Parents and Carers,

Important Update: Belonging, Behaviour and Learning at Hanham Woods Academy

Following on from Kath Cooper ( Principal) letter dated 1^st May. We are writing to update on HWA approach in supporting students’ behaviour and learning at school. Our aim : every student should feel safe, welcome, and able to learn without disruption.

Most students meet our expectations every day and have a positive attitude, for the small number of students whose behaviour makes learning harder for themselves and others we are working hard to develop our systems to improve this culture.

What is Changing – Reduction in Lost Learning Time

Focus – calm classrooms and engaged learning every day, every lesson.
Student Punctuality – on time within first 5 minutes of lessons starting. Late minutes will be recorded; students remain in their classes. (detention after school)

30‑minute house detentions will run every day after school 3.00-3.30pm for any lateness to learning or receiving 2 warnings for conduct in class.

Toilet access has been improved to reduce disruption and lost learning (every lesson change over and social times) Toilet exits recorded on MCAS.

These changes were shared clearly with students last week through assemblies, tutor time, and reminders from staff. Expectations were explained carefully so students understand what is changing and why. Staff will give regular reminders and guidance to help students make positive choices and get used to the new routines. Our aim is to support students to adapt confidently and to help them return to learning at every possible opportunity.

After‑Academy House Detentions

30‑minute after‑academy house detentions will take place every day. These will be used for:

Students who arrive late to lessons within that day without a note

Students who are referred out of a lesson after two Ready to Learn warnings

Students who receive a ‘serious concern’ behaviour log

This change means we no longer run breaktime or lunchtime detentions, which allows students time to reset, rest, eat, and prepare for next learning. Students will now only be referred out of the lesson where two warnings are issued and will return to the next session of learning . This reduces “Lost Learning” and keeps students in class and allows a fresh start to make positive choices throughout the day. All behaviour logs are visible via the MCAS app which we advise that parents check daily ahead of 3pm for updates on behaviour and detentions.

Attendance to after academy detention is in line with DFE guidance. It is essential they complete this on the day. If a student does not attend their 30 minute, they will be escalated to the higher tariff of a 60‑minute leadership detention on the nearest Monday or Friday.

Punctuality to Lessons

Arriving on time helps lessons start calmly and helps students succeed. Students should arrive within the first five minutes of each lesson.

From next week:

Students who arrive late will be welcomed straight into the lesson, minutes late logged.
They will receive a 30‑minute after‑academy house detention the same day.

This reduces lost learning and helps students build good habits while keeping expectations clear.

Toilet Use During Lessons

We have noticed excessive requests to use the toilet during lessons ( not form medical pass students) , which causes missed learning and extensive disruption across the Academy.

To support students:

The number of toilets to access has been doubled.

Toilets are split into Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4

Toilets are supervised for five minutes between every lesson and then are closed.

PE toilets are accessible for students timetabled for their lesson at the start or end.

Students will be encouraged to use toilets between lessons. If toilets are busy, students will be given a note, so they are not marked late.

Toilets will not be open during lessons, except:

For students with an approved medical pass, or

In rare urgent situations, which staff will handle sensitively.

All toilet exits during lessons will be recorded and visible on MCAS.

NHS guidance advises that teenagers usually do not need to use the toilet more than once an hour, so this system supports both wellbeing and learning. We anticipate this approach will keep students in lessons who otherwise use this as an excuse to leave the classroom,

Working with Families

While most students meet expectations, we are concerned about a small group showing behaviours such as:

Truancy

Walking away from staff

Refusing to follow adult instructions

These behaviours are not acceptable and cause students to miss large amounts of learning. They also affect the calm running of the academy.

We want to work positively and closely with families. If your child has been identified as needing extra support, we will contact you soon to arrange a meeting.

Thank you for your understanding and support as we continue to make Hanham Woods Academy a safe, calm, and welcoming place for all students.

Yours sincerely,

Rebecca Thorpe

Vice Principal

Hanham Woods Academy