Start of Term Letter – September 2022

Dear Parents/Carers,

I hope you have all enjoyed a restful summer break and are excited for the start of term!

We are really looking forward to welcoming students back to the Academy for what will be another challenging but rewarding year of learning. We have ambitious plans for the Academy this academic year as we look to build upon our best ever results achieved by Year 11 this summer, a historic moment for the Academy. This is validation of our mission, vision and values as we continue to work hard in collaboration with you to give people the best chance of success.

This is an exciting new chapter for the Academy and your challenge, feedback and support is much appreciated as we seek to strengthen the bond between home and the Academy in order to support students to achieve their potential. Thank you in advance for your support of the Academy and for helping us improve further.

The purpose of this letter is to provide an update on:

• Start of term arrangements for September 2022
• Academy Expectations relating to Manners, Uniform, Mobile phones, Equipment, Times of Day
• The Senior Leadership Team
• Reminder of the new Year Team structure

Start of Term Arrangements for September 2022

There will be a slight staggered return for students in September to enable us to fully induct our new Year 7 cohort and prepare Year 11 for their upcoming GCSE exams. All students are expected to be in full uniform with a school bag and correct equipment from their first day.

• Year 7 will start back on Monday 5^th September and will need to be at the Academy by 08:30. A packed lunch will be needed for the first two days whilst students are loaded onto our cashless payment system.
• Year 11 will start back on Monday 5^th September with a slightly later start of 09:30.
• Year 8, 9 and 10 will start back on Tuesday 6^th September and need to be at the Academy by 08:30.

Academy Expectations relating to Manners, Uniform, Mobile phones, Equipment, Electric scooters, 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. 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.

A reminder about our uniform expectations can be found here.

Please note the following items which are not allowed:

• Jeans (defined as having back pockets and jean-like material) or leggings;
• Trousers with zip pockets;
• Tube skirts/tight stretchy material for skirts;
• Hoodies or zip up hoodies;
• Trainers.

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

There will be a two-week grace period in September from Monday 5^th September whereby we will be checking all uniform to ensure it meets our policy and supporting students to ensure they are in the correct uniform. From Monday 19^th September, sanctions will be applied for incorrect uniform.

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. Mobile phones should be switched off and placed in a school bag from the moment a student enters the Academy until the moment they leave. 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 facilitate a call home.

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 school. 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.

Times of Day:

Academy Times of Day from September 2022

08:10 – 08:29 – Student arrival via Memorial Road main gates (at 08:30 students are late)

08:30 – 09:00 – Tutor (students should be seated in tutor by 08:30)

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 – 15:10 – Exit via Memorial Road main gates

The Senior Leadership Team

I’d like to take this opportunity to remind you of the Senior Team who work tirelessly to ensure the Academy runs smoothly whilst leading the improvement of different areas. New to the team for this academic year are:

• Mr Stewart who joins the Academy as Assistant Principal
• Mrs Hurrell who joins the team as an Associate Assistant Principal
• Mr Littlejohns who joins the team as an Associate Assistant Principal

Reminder of the new Year Team structure

Pastoral support for students is an important part of our Academy. We have spent some time reflecting on the current structure and have made some changes that are due to come into action in September 2022:

Pastoral Leaders will be responsible for supporting students and families with safeguarding, attendance, mental health & wellbeing, and behaviour.

SLT Academic Leads will focus on the academic progress of students whilst providing additional support to Pastoral Leaders.

The Year Teams will provide a first point of contact for any pastoral or academic issues that arise.

Term Dates for 2022/2023: information can be found here

Key Academy Dates / Events: information can be found here

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 continuing our work together to give people the best chance of success.

Dream BIG // Work Hard // Be Kind

Mr S O’Callaghan | Principal