Year 7 contents Welcome from the Principal A message from our Progress Leader for Year 7 Key staff and contact details Term dates 2015-2016 Timings of the school day Uniform Equipment Curriculum information and home learning guidance Erudite Reading Programme Learner qualities Policies and Guidance
Welcome from the Principal Dear parent/carer, On the basis that ‘failing to prepare is preparing to fail’ we have tried to pull together some important information about the forthcoming year for your daughter/ward at BHSA. We hope you will find this short booklet a useful reference tool in the coming months, and we look forward to working with you to ensure a positive and productive future for your daughter/ward.
Mrs Mann, Principal
A MESSAGE FROM YOUR DAUGHTER’S/WARD’S PROGRESS LEADER
Year 7 Progress Leader – Mr Wakefield
Starting ‘Senior School’ presents students with new opportunities, new experiences, new teachers, new lessons, new friends and new challenges. The list could go on and on. We understand that at the start of a new school and a new year group, students can face very different emotions, from being extremely excited to very nervous. We pride ourselves in supporting each and every student ensuring they settle into school life and ethos as quickly as possible therefore helping to fulfil their potential and hopes. From day one we encourage each individual student to immerse themselves into school life. The opportunities within and outside the curriculum at BHSA are rich, diverse and exciting. These allow students to build on their strengths and interests from junior school but also take risks, build resilience and curiosity by trying something they have not experienced previously and improving themselves as an individual. The transition from juniors to seniors can be challenging for a variety of reasons. The school campus is big and it takes time for students to get used to this, the other students are bigger and older, and expectations are high. It will take students different lengths of time to get used to this, but they will. At Birkenhead High School Academy we actively seek to develop individuals to become independent, confident learners, who set themselves high expectations and ambitions, take responsibility and care for themselves and each other. As Progress Leader, alongside the Year 7 Form Tutor Team, we instil this attitude into students from day one and allow them to grow in confidence, socially and academically.
Mr Wakefield (September 2015)
Term dates 2015-2016 Additional dates are added throughout the year e.g. parents’ evenings, celebration evenings, work experience and examination results. Please check the school website www.birkenheadhigh.gdst.net or Firefly for updates.
Term begins
Half term
Term ends
Autumn term 2015
7th September
19th October – 30st October
18th December
Spring term
5th January
12th February – 19th February
1st April
18th April
30th May –
13th July
2015 Summer term 2015
6th June
Staff study day: Wednesday 7th October; Friday 12th February; Monday 6th June Bank Holiday: Monday 2nd May 2016
Year 7 Parent Meetings Year 7 Form Tutor Review: 12th November 2015 Year 7 Parents Evening: 3rd March 2016
Timings of the school day Registration
8.35 am – 8.40 am
Assembly/Form Time
8.40 am – 8.50 am
Period 1
8.50 am – 9.50 am
Period 2
9.50 am – 10.50 am
Break
10.50 am – 11.10 am
Period 3
11.10 am – 12.10 pm
Period 4
12.10 pm – 1.10 pm
Lunch/Enrichment
1.10 pm – 2.25 pm
Registration
2.25 pm – 2.35 pm
Period 5
2.35 pm – 3.35pm
Enrichment
3.35 pm – 5.00 pm
Please note we operate a two week timetable – students must ensure they know at all times (and especially after school holidays) whether it is an ‘A week’ or ‘B week’ to ensure they have the correct equipment and homework and arrive promptly to the appropriate lessons.
Key staff and contact details Telephone 0151 652 5777 Email birkenheadhighschoolacademy@birkhs.gdst.net Principal
Mrs Mann
Vice Principal
Mrs Earle
Senior Assistant Vice Principal
Mrs Haynes
Assistant Vice Principal
Mrs McKenna* SLT lead for Year 7
For any pastoral issues or concerns about general progress: Year 7 Progress Leader
Mr Wakefield
Year 7 Form Tutors
Miss Finney Mr Hennessey Miss Murphy Mrs Rymer
Supporting Form Tutors
Ms Briscoe Mrs Thompson
For any subject-related queries: Head of Faculty: Communications
Mrs Saccheri
Head of Faculty: Specialisms
Mr Rymer
Head of Faculty: Science
Mr de Middelaer
Head of Faculty: Creatives
Miss Boyhan
Head of Faculty: Humanities
Mr Cartledge
Uniform All items of uniform are available through the Wirral Uniform Centre, Birkenhead (opposite Argos); Marks & Spencer also sell standard items as below. BLAZER*
Black Classic Tailored Fit Blazer – code T767519 supplied by Marks & Spencer (without logo) or black girls’ blazer as supplied by Wirral Uniform Centre
JACKET*
A reversible all black jacket in a Fleece/Chintz combination with the logo on one side only, as supplied by the Wirral Uniform centre (optional). No other jacket is acceptable.
Coat
Plain black coat (no other colour is acceptable)
SCARF (optional)
Black and white official school scarf or plain black, available from Wirral Uniform Centre. No other scarf is acceptable.
HIJAB
If a hijab is worn, it must be plain black.
RIBBONS/HAIR ACCESSORIES
Hair fastenings should be black or white only. Hairbands should be narrow and plain black or white. Narrow black or white ribbons are also acceptable. Long hair must be tied back where safety requires.
SKIRT
Traditional Skirt Permanent Pleats Black– supplied by Marks & Spencer or official school skirt from Wirral Uniform Centre. Only the official style may be worn.
BLOUSE
White (2 pack) Short Sleeve Revere Collar Non-iron Blouse from Wirral Uniform Centre.
JUMPER*
Black Unisex Cotton Rich Jumper – code T763910 available from Marks & Spencer or official school jumper from Wirral Uniform Centre.
SHOES
Plain, flat, black school shoes. Black pumps are not permitted.
BOOTS
Black boots may be worn to school in very cold weather (no UGG boots or similar). These may not be worn indoors, but should be changed for shoes.
SOCKS/TIGHTS
Opaque black tights or short/knee length black socks
BAG
Plain black school bag. Optional black book bag may be purchased from Wirral Uniform Centre.
* Items marked with an asterisk require a school logo. All items purchased from Marks & Spencer can be taken to Wirral Uniform Centre to have the logo applied. Wirral Uniform Centre, for a small fee, will also add student initials to the optional book bag. ‘SKORT’ Black ‘skort’ with sky blue inserts, as supplied by the school shop SPORTS TOP
Black with sky blue inserts, as supplied by the school shop
HOODIE
Sky blue with school logo as supplied by the school shop
TRACKSUIT BOTTOMS
Black with sky blue piping or plain black
SOCKS
White, ankle length
TRAINING SHOES
White with cushioned soles (not leisure shoes such as converse)
ASTRO-TURF SHOES
Essential – available from any sports outfitters
GUM SHIELD
Customised mouthguards are compulsory
SWIMMING COSTUME
One piece, any colour
SWIMMING TOWEL
Named
BLACK SPORTS BAG
Suitable for sports kit/swimming kit. Must be able to fit in school locker.
SHINPADS
With ankle protectors.
*All of the above items should be clearly marked with the student’s name.
Equipment You will be provided with a year planner by your form tutor to help you stay organised; All stationery and text books are provided. Girls should be equipped with the following: A pocket dictionary for English
Girls should carry this with them for use in all lessons.
A pencil case, including:
• • • • •
Black/blue handwriting pens (no expensive pens) HB pencils Coloured pencils Ruler Eraser
• • • • • •
Pencil Sharpener Scissors Pritt stick Geometry set A scientific calculator Highlighters
Please note – if you bring a USB (memory) stick into school you must ensure you have an up to date virus scanner on your home computer/laptop and that you scan the drive regularly. We recommend that you use the school portal as this gives you direct access to the server and your work – any changes that you make are automatically uploaded to the school server once you save them. If you don’t have access to the portal from home we recommend that you copy any work that you have on your USB (memory) stick into your ‘home’ folder on the school network regularly – if you lose your USB stick or break it there is unfortunately no way to recover work!
Year 7 Nurture Group At BHSA we have high expectations of achievement for all subjects. To ensure that all students have the necessary literacy and numeracy skills for future success there is an extra set in Maths as well as a small Nurture Group. The Nurture Group provides a slightly different curriculum for those girls who would benefit from extra Literacy support in Year 7.
Music Specialism During the first two terms of Year 7 all girls will receive free instrumental or vocal tuition in small groups. They can choose to be taught on either violin, viola, keyboard or voice and will receive 30 minutes tuition each week. They will then have regular opportunities to perform in front of an audience to showcase their progress.
Year 7 curriculum information and home learning guidance Topics
Nature of
covered
homework
ENGLISH
Autobiography; Text Transformations; Review Writing; Ballads; Shakespeare; novel; possible skills booster unit for A stream; weekly Library lesson.
Independent research tasks; short writing; minimum of one hour reading for pleasure
MATHEMATICS
Numeracy
Homework is set as 1 written homework week with extension activities available on ‘mymaths’.
Sequences Perimeter and Area
Averages and Range
Homework Support is available Monday L G306 with Mr Haslem
Fractions Angles Fractions Decimals and Percentages Negative Numbers Co-ordinates Rules of Algebra and Equations Decimals Handling Data Probability Straight Line Graphs Constructions Proportion and Ratio Rounding
Additional topics - Set 1 & 2 Circles Further Construction
SCIENCE
Biology topics:
Topics
Nature of
covered
homework
Research for open ended tasks write- up, leaflets, posters or q
Cells, Including plant, animal, specialised and sex cells. Tissues and systems including the reproductive system. Eating, drinking and breathing. The digestive and respiratory systems.
Chemistry topics: Elements, compounds and reactions. The periodic table of elements. Mixing, dissolving and separating chemicals.
Use of the Student workbooks
A literacy based task and a num task may be set within each to
All home learning will be used and monitor student progressi
Physics topics: Forces and their effects. Gravity, moments and calculating speed. Energy transfers and sound. Mathematical skills such as using basic algebra.
ART
Students will be involved in acquiring a basic visual vocabulary and formulas for observational drawing. They will experiment with a variety of media and become used to a specialist vocabulary.
Students will begin to understa personal research, via use of th books, television programmes visits.
On this solid basis they will then have the confidence to explore and experiment in order to create unique and exciting pieces of Art work.
DESIGN TECHNOLOGY
Topics
Nature of
Useful books
How parents can
covered
homework
and websites
support learning
Pupils will study half a year in design and technology working on two modules (graphic design and Electronic Control).Year 7 is
Most of the design and technology home learning is building on the learning during lessons to prepare for the next lesson/activity.
www.technologystudent .com
Support home learning and challenge pupils to think creatively.
This may include finding
www.merseystem.co.uk www.techsoft.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk/news/te chnology
Encourage pupils to label diagrams and designs carefully. Avoid labels such as ‘red’ or
DIGITAL LITERACY
about exciting students with the possibilities of technology and design work as well as developing practical and thinking skills.
examples or materials, complete designs or plans and to gain valuable feedback or research around their work.
Using ICT- the school network
Planning and design tasks to ensure students are ready to move forward the following lessons
http://www.teachict.com
Research
Firefly
Rehearsal
You Tube
Using Software to Create Content:
‘plastic’, why do you want this to be red etc. Be more specific. Explore technology, take an interest in how products are made and what makes a product effective rather than stylish.
The school portal/moodle
Ensure you check your daughters’ planner and make sure they meet their deadlines. Have a look at the portal/moodle and discuss your daughters homework with her
Awareness of Audience Computer Systems: Data and Information Programming and DevelopmentScratch Modelling in Excel Sequencing Instructions Databases Hardware and Processing E-Safety AlgorithmsScratch
DRAMA
Introduction To Drama Brecht Greek Theatre Greek Myth Dance Drama – Frantic Assembly
Written Evaluations Quizzes
Allow access to a computer and a quiet space to work Take your daughter to see live theatre and discuss how they could use these ideas in their own work
Places to Visit Liverpool Empire Everyman Theatre Liverpool Playhouse Theatre Clwyd
FRENCH
Personal identification Family Home/Evening activities In Town School
Written work (paragraphs/posters and leaflets)
Allez 1 Allez interactive
Testing knowledge of vocabulary and grammatical rules
Reading comprehension
French/English dictionary
Helping with research tasks
Preparation for speaking assignments Learning vocabulary and grammatical rules
Leisure/Holiday plans
GEOGRAPHY
Topics
Nature of
Useful books
How parents can
covered
homework
and websites
support learning
Being a geography detective Farming - The geography of food
Research, exercises, worksheets, news items, designing own worksheets.
Geog.1 text book, OS map Wirral 1:250000 scale. Google, Google earth, Google maps.
The rise and rise of China Micro climate
Recording and watching documentaries that have a significant geographical theme such as the BBC Planet Earth series.
Regeneration of New Brighton Into Africa
HISTORY
Medieval Realms We focus on the magical era of Medieval England.
Use of the local and national newspapers, identifying local, national and global issues of geographical interest.
Students will extend their learning at home by completing homework that enriches the subject
The Horrible Histories BBC TV show adds an exciting twist to our topics covered.
Castles is a major year 7 topic therefore visits to castles is always a benefit to year 7 pupils.
We investigate the History behind the fairy tales focusing on Kings, battles, castles and Lords. We examine the way society works and the life of those less fortunate.
content covered that lesson –
Often these take the form of literacy activities to develop the use of historical language.
Assessments usually revolve around a key point in History e.g the Black Death or the Murder of Thomas Becket. Homework tasks are in place to further learning and encourage a deeper interest.
MUSIC
The Elements of Music; The Orchestra – including attending the KS3 RLPO Schools’ Concert; Ukulele Tuition; Folk Music; Rap Music; Songwriting; Performance and Composition; Music ICT – Garageband and Sibelius.
Research tasks; music theory tasks; rhythmic exercises; listening tasks
Firefly; mymusictheory.com; youtube
Use the department’s web pages and Firefly resources to see what your daughter is studying. Encourage as wide a range of listening as possible.
Top Tips
Test your daughter when listening to music, using questions such as, ‘which instrument is playing the melody?’ ‘what is the tempo or speed of the music?’ ‘is the pitch generally high or low?’
Places to visit
Liverpool Philharmonic Hall Royal Northern College of Music Echo Arena O2 academy Bridgewater Hall Hallé
PSHE
Topics
Nature of
Useful books
How parents can
covered
homework
and websites
support learning
All students will study Personal, Social and Health Education.
Students will be set ‘thinking’, reading and discussion tasks.
Netball, Hockey, Swimming, Gymnastics, Dance, Tennis, Athletics Rounders, Health related fitness
www.youtube.com www.bbc.co.uk/news
Topics will cover: Study skills, relationships, SEAL (social and emotional aspects of learning), keeping safe, puberty, handling money, rights and responsibilities, and enterprising. PHYSICAL EDUCATION
www.google.com
Firefly
Research into rules/training/fitness
www.bbc sport academy.co.uk www.sportengland.org www.youthsporttrust.org National Governing Body Sport specific websites.
Generate discussion at home around the topic covered within PSHE each week – ask probing questions and encourage higher level thinking, reasoning and debate.
Ensure pupils have kit. Support their involvement in after school clubs, matches and outside clubs. Encouraging an active lifestyle, develop core motor skills. Watch some live sport or dance and feel inspired!
Places to Visit:
The local leisure centre – The Oval, The Concourse, Leasowe Recreation Centre A competitive sports stadium Your local park or beach
RELIGIOUS STUDIES
Where did religion come from? Religious Leaders and the Easter Story. An Introduction to Buddhism
SPANISH
Personal Identification Family Town House and home Leisure School
A mixture of project work, creative activities and written exercises. Homework should both consolidate and extend learning.
FireFly
Written work (paragraphs/posters and leaflets)
Zoom 1
Reading comprehension
Spanish/English dictionary
Preparation for speaking assignments Learning vocabulary and grammatical rules
Encourage further reading Check homework diary and support students in completing it on time
Zoom Interactive
Testing knowledge of vocabulary and grammatical rules Helping with research tasks
LRC and Erudite Programme Our school library has a fundamental role within the school and its programme and resources support and underpin the curriculum. The key services we deliver are reader development and information literacy enhancement. To nurture the whole school reading culture, our school library runs a reading programme, Erudite Reader, with all KS3 pupils in liaison with English Department. Under the umbrella of Erudite Reader, we expect our pupils to read a minimum of 15 books in an academic year so as to boost their reading literacy skills. Reading lessons are assigned to all KS3 pupils once every two weeks in the English period. Booktalk will be run by pupils to share their ‘Good Read’ so as to encourage reading for pleasure through peer influence. Merits and certificate will be awarded in recognition of the reading achievement. We have also edited our recommend booklists and book awards reading lists for different key stage pupils in order to accommodate our diverse readers’ needs. In addition, reading group meetings, our annual Literary Festival, school trips and reading events have been organized throughout the school year so as to foster our pupils to embrace to the pleasure of reading. With the generous funding support from our school PTA, all our New Year 7 pupils will receive a gift book through the national Bookbuzz scheme run by Booktrust. Apart from reader development, it is vital to develop the information handling and retrieval skills for today’s information explosion era. Therefore, we have created a KS3 Home learning Help page on Firefly, our school VLE system in order to provide a quicker and more direct way for our pupils to navigate to these absolutely fabulous and high-quality research portals. We highly recommend our pupils to use these resources to complete their homework and assist their learning process. Induction sessions have been provided for all year 7pupils so as to ensure that they all know how to access to these valuable resources. Our library is managed by Mrs Y Doran who provides help and advice to all students. She provides personal guidance in the choice of recreational reading to girls in all year groups. She works on an individual basis with students who need homework help at homework club. Lunchtime help is provided by a team of pupil librarians who are working on the skills and services element of the Duke of Edinburgh Award. All in all, our school library has an outstanding provision to our whole school community. Librarian - Mrs Y Doran Opening times 8.30am - 5.00pm, Monday to Friday
1. Firefly Enrichment LRC
2. Information Literacy Skills KS3 Homework Help Portal
BBC Bitesize for KS3 pupils
Britannica Student for KS 3 pupils. The free online access can be gained through public library. Therefore, you must hold a public library card for using this superb database.
BHSA Learner Qualities
At BHSA, Learner Qualities are key elements of a student’s life-long learning journey. We encourage students, in all aspects of school life, to show and build upon these qualities. The six learner qualities help students to grow as individuals and be the most effective learners they can be. Throughout the year students will be awarded merits for displaying any of the learner qualities.
Policies and Guidance We have a full range of policies and guidance available on both the school website and upon request from the school office, including:
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After school care (including Homework Club)
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Attendance
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Behaviour
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Biometrics
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Data protection
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E-safety and internet usage
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EAL
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Enrichment
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Homework
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Medicines
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Mobile devices
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More able students (previously known as ‘G&T’)
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ParentPay
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Pastoral care
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Progress monitoring, assessment and reporting
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Rewards and Sanctions
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Safeguarding
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Special Educational Needs
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Trips and visits
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Uniform
We are required to draw your attention to our Attendance and Data Protection policies in particular.
Virtual Learning Environment Firefly All students have access to our Virtual Learning Environment – Firefly. Here they can find information, support and guidance about the subjects they are studying as well as a wealth of information ranging from our sixth form experience and revision tips, to relationships and extra-curricular opportunities. In addition to this students can see any tasks that have been set for them to complete. Internet Access and Emails All students are provided with internet access in school as well as an email address once they have signed the student ICT user agreement.
Attendance Context To maintain the outstanding academic outcomes for every student at BHSA, a highly regular and punctual attendance is vital. Our expectation is that students should attend school every day and strive for a 100% attendance record. In some extreme cases students may need to unavoidably miss school, therefore we consider a good attendance to be 97% plus. This equates to missing no more than 6 school days a year. Anything lower will be classed as a cause for concern and can have significant effect on a student’s learning and future prospects. As the term lengths are shorter at BHSA than in other maintained schools, it is even more important to ensure the number of absences is kept to a minimum. Monitoring Form Tutors monitor attendance on a daily basis, praising students with excellent attendance and punctuality rates. Reward systems for attendance and punctuality are used to encourage students who attend regularly. Form Tutors will intervene if attendance concerns are raised by consulting with students and/or contacting home. Progress Leaders and Senior Leaders will become involved if attendance rates do not improve following intervention. BHSA works closely with Wirral LA drawing support from the Educational Welfare Officer, in cases of regular poor attendance. Unauthorised Absence All schools are required, by the Department for Education, to report the authorised and unauthorised absences for their students’ each year. An absence is deemed unauthorised if either:
•
a student has been absent without the permission of the Principal
•
no note of explanation is provided to validate the absence
Only the Academy, within the context of the law, can approve absence – not parents/carers. Absence, other than illness or unforeseen emergency, must be with prior authorisation from the Principal, which should be sought at least three days in advance. Unauthorised absences are recorded on reports and in public data documents printed by the government as ‘truancy’; this reflects on the reputation of the school as well as on the individual.
Absence from School If a student is absent from school it is their responsibility to catch up all missed work or home learning. If an absence is known in advance, the student must approach individual members of staff for guidance and to collect work.
Pre-Authorised Absence Requests for absence should be submitted to the Principal no later than three days prior to the date of absence. If an absence is authorised by the Principal, parents/carers will be notified. An absence note will not be required on return for pre-authorised absences. Un-Planned Absence For safeguarding reasons it is the parent’s/carer’s responsibility to telephone the school office on the first day of absence to inform them of a student’s absence and to provide further information if necessary (such as length of absence etc.). On returning to school, a signed note is required to authorise the absence. Both a phone call and note are required to authorise an absence. Medical and dental appointments
Routine visits to the doctor/dentist/optician etc. should be arranged out of school hours or during school holidays.
Religious observance
Absence can be authorised on a day exclusively set apart for religious observances by the religious body to which a student’s parents/carers belong.
Special occasions
Exceptional occasions may be sanctioned through authorised absence; attending sports events or concerts are examples of insufficient cause for authorisation.
Family/domestic problems
Looking after other children, minding the house or shopping within school hours are not acceptable reasons for absence under the law.
Authorisation for medical and dental appointments may be given in an emergency or other unavoidable circumstances.
If factors arise at home which may affect a student’s attendance please contact the Form Tutor as soon as possible to ensure support can be put into place. Bereavement
It is helpful if we are informed of family bereavement so that we can offer students support. Absence under such circumstances will of course be authorised.
Holidays The Department for Education changed legislation in relation to family holidays taken in term time from 1st September 2013. Amendments to Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006 make clear that Head Teachers may only grant leave of absence in exceptional circumstances.
Personal data consent
‘Personal data’ means, for the purposes of the consents sought, photographic or video images of, and/or information relating to, your daughter/ward including her name, age, subjects studied, public examination results, awards achieved, participation in extracurricular activities and school records. In order to comply with the Data Protection Act 1988 we seek your and your daughter’s/ward’s consent to the use of personal data relating to your daughter/ward by the School (Birkenhead High School Academy) and/or the Trust (The Girls’ Day School Trust) for the purposes set out below.
1. In material produced by the School or the Trust primarily intended for internal use or display in the School or for circulation amongst any or all of the following – current and former pupils and their parents, guardians and carers, School and Trust employees and staff (e.g. newsletters, school magazine).
2. In material produced by or on behalf of the School or the Trust primarily intended to inform the public (e.g. prospectuses) or for publicity or promotional purposes (e.g. press releases, promotional videos).
3. On the publicly available School and/or Trust websites from time to time, primarily to inform the public, or for publicity/promotional purposes.
Please note: We will only divulge personal data to the extent necessary for the purposes concerned, and will use our discretion sensitively and with due regard for your daughter’s/ward’s privacy. We will not include the full name (which means first name and surname) of any child together with her image, without good reason. For example, we may include the full name of a competition prize winner if we have their consent. Likewise, if we use images of individual pupils, we will not use the name of that child in the accompanying text or caption without good reason. We will not disclose (a) ‘sensitive personal data’ as defined in the Data Protection Act 1998, or (b) address, telephone or email details without your and your daughter’s/ward’s explicit consent, unless the disclosure is strictly necessary to protect your daughter’s/ward’s best interests.
ParentPay In an attempt to remove all cash and cheques from school we are asking parents/carers to only use our e-payment system to pay for dinner money, trips and all other school activities. This can be done online via card using a secure website called ParentPay or through local stores using cash, where you see the PayPoint logo (further details will be sent to you separately). Please visit www.parentpay.com, click ‘Login’ and activate your account using the codes supplied.