Start of Term Letter – September 2021
Dear Parents/Carers,
I hope you have enjoyed a restful summer break and I, along with all my colleagues, look forward to welcoming students back to the Academy in September. I am delighted to take up the post of Academy Principal and I am looking forward to building a positive, productive relationship with you so that we can work together to ensure students fulfil and exceed their potential.
Our mission at Hanham Woods Academy is simple: we want to give people the best chance of success. In order to do this, we have high expectations of students in everything that they do (and high levels of support) to ensure everyone can flourish. The purpose of this letter is to update / remind you of:
- Updates to the Academy Covid Risk Assessment;
- Onsite student testing and full return dates for each Year Group;
- Academy expectations relating to manners, uniform, equipment, attendance/punctuality, and times of day.
Updates to the Academy Covid Risk Assessment:
As you will be aware, the government has removed several restrictions within schools in England. This means trips / visits can resume, along with students changing for PE onsite, which will increase the number / type of PE activities we are able to offer students. The main changes are as follows:
- Face coverings are no longer mandatory, but students can wear one if they choose.
- Students to be encouraged to receive two lateral flow tests (LFT) prior to commencing Term 1
- Students to be encouraged to continue weekly LFT at home for the near future
- If testing positive on LFT, students must not come into the Academy. They must complete a PCR test and notify the Academy of the result.
- Social Distancing requirements have been withdrawn. However, the Academy will continue
- to operate one-way systems around the site and benefit from the outdoor corridors when students move between lessons;
- to allocate key stages to different areas of the site at break and lunch times.
- Bubbles are no longer required but may be reintroduced on a temporary period as necessary.
- Staggered starts / end of day and staggered breaks and lunches have been removed.
- The Academy will continue to maintain good hygiene that includes catch it, bin it, kill it and enhanced cleaning measures throughout the Academy day.
The Academy really appreciates your support in this area, and we will continue to review the measures we have in place on a regular basis. It is hard to know exactly what this upcoming term / academic year will bring, however, I can reassure you that we are well prepared for re-introducing measures at short notice, if required.
Onsite Student Testing and Full Return Dates for Each Year Group:
Please see the dates for student testing and Term 1 start dates for each Year Group. Specific timings of when students are expected to come in for their tests can be found here:
Student Testing Dates and Times – September 2021
Year 7:
Test 1 (on-site): Thursday 2nd September – Test and return home.
Test 2 (onsite): Monday 6th September – Test and stay in the Academy (unless positive test result)
Tuesday 7th September onwards – in the Academy arriving from 08:10am, tutor starting at 08:30am.
Year 8, Year 9 & Year 10:
Test 1 (on-site): Friday 3rd September – Test and return home.
Test 2 (on-site): Tuesday 7th September – Test and return home.
Wednesday 8th September – in the Academy arriving from 08:10am, tutor starting at 08:30am.
Year 11:
Test 1 (on-site): Thursday 2nd September – Test and return home.
Test 2 (onsite): Monday 6th September – Test and return home.
Tuesday 7th September onwards – in the Academy arriving from 08:10am, tutor starting at 08:30am.
Academy Expectations Relating to Manners, Uniform, Equipment, Attendance / Punctuality, Times of Day
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. Uniform checks will be carried out every day upon arrival at the Academy. On a day that a student has PE, they will need to bring their Academy PE kit into the Academy and get changed at the start of their lesson. This is to ensure we can continue to offer a wide range of PE activities, something that has been restricted during the last 12 months. Academy uniform requirements 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 waiting on branded uniform items and 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:
Mobile phones / headphones are not permitted to be out during the academy day. If they are seen or heard, they will be confiscated, and students can collect their device 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 who will call home.
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.
Attendance & Punctuality:
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/
Academy Times of Day from September 2021
08:10 – 08:30 – Student arrival via Memorial Road main gates
08:30 – 09:00 – Tutor
09:00 – 09:50 – Period 1
09:50 – 10:40 – Period 2
10:40 – 11:00 – Break
11:00 – 11:50 – Period 3
11:50 – 12:40 – Period 4
12:40 – 13:20 – Lunch
13:20 – 14:10 – Period 5
14:10 – 15:00 – Period 6
15:00 – 15:15 – Exit via Memorial Road main gates
Thank you for taking the time to read this start of term update. If you have any concerns or queries, please do get in touch either via email: [email protected] or phone: 0117 440 8900. Everyone at the Academy is extremely excited to welcome students back to the Academy. I look forward to working with you over the course of this academic year and beyond to give people the best chance of success.
Dream Big, Work Hard, Be Kind.
Kind Regards
Mr O’Callaghan | Academy Principal
