Stepping up A Guide to Shells 2026 - 2027 1
Welcome to Bablake
We hope that you are feeling as excited as we are about starting the new academic year. There is so much to look forward to here at Bablake. It is normal to feel a little nervous about starting a new school, but we are confident that you are going to love it here. We have put together this little booklet to give you some essential information that will help you on your first week or two. Helping you to know how things are done because it will probably be quite different from your last school. If there is anything at all that you do not understand or that is not contained in this booklet, don’t hesitate to ask another pupil or member of staff. Everyone will be very willing to help. We hope that you have a fabulous first term and that you really make the most of every opportunity.
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THE
House System
You will belong to one of our four houses:
BAYLEY
CROW
FAIRFAX
WHEATLEY 3
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Be
Organised
It is important to be organised when you start school, the school timetable and your school planner will help you do this. Refer to these when packing your bag, ensuring that you have the right equipment and books to support the days’ lessons.
Daily equipment: • • • • • • • •
strong bag pens pencils and pencil sharpener coloured pencils, highlighters ruler pencil case reading book of your choice
Maths equipment: • •
Geometry set (pair of compasses, protractor and set square) Scientific calculator – we recommend the Casio Class Wiz fx-85GT CW+
PE and Games: • • •
White kit for PE Black kit for Games Mouthguard will always be required for Rugby and Hockey
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Your
First Day
On your first day, you will be given the following: • A map of the school – keep this in your blazer pocket. This will be invaluable over your first few weeks • Your IT logins • A copy of your timetable • Pupil Planner • ID card & lanyard.
Your ID card and lanyard must be worn at all times.
Your ID card and lan yard must be always wo rn. It will open doors to various buildings an d is needed to purchas e food and refreshments in the Dining Hall.
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The School Day The school day lasts from 8.40am until 4.00pm.
8.40am - 9.00am
Registration/ Tutorial time
9.05am - 9.55am
Period 1
10.00am - 10.50am
Period 2
10.50am - 11.10am
BREAK
11.15am - 12.05pm
Period 3
If you are late for school, arriving later than 8.45am, then you should report directly to Pupil Services.
12.10pm - 1.00pm
Period 4
1.00pm - 2.10pm
LUNCH
Following registration, you will either have assembly (Main Assembly, House Assembly or Year Assembly) or will stay in your form room for silent reading or Tutor time.
2.10pm
Registration with Period 5 teacher
2.15pm - 3.05pm
Period 5
3.10pm - 4.00pm
Period 6
You can access the school at 8.00am, where you should either be in your form room or the Library. You should be in your form room by 8.40am for registration.
After School: Homework Supervision Homework supervision is provided until 5.45pm. You must sign in to Homework Supervision. You will be told where Homework Supervision is during in the daily bulletin during Registration. The Daily Bulletin tells you information about school day.
Pupil Planner You will have a lot to remember, use this Planner for recording your homework, sports and club information.
Breaks Morning break is from 10.50am until 11.10am. Light bites and drinks are available in the Dining Hall or you may bring your own snack. Lunch break is from 1.00pm until 2.10pm. During this break, the Library is open and many clubs, practices and rehearsals take place. The dining room offers hot and cold meals (including a vegetarian alternative), sandwiches and drinks. Payment is through your ID card/lanyard and is topped up by ParentPay online.
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Pupil Services The School Office
Faith Centre
Pupil Services is there to help and support you.
Our Faith Centre is situated on the Bablake site. It can be found next to the library.
You will find Pupil Services in the main building, next to reception, from 8.00am – 4.30pm. • Timetable queries • If you are lost • Lost and not working lanyards • Lost property • Contact home • Exeat – for appointments during school hours • First Aid • Bus and transport queries • Late registration – after 8.45am
The Oratory which is a “sacred space” used for worship and private prayers only. The Oratory has a worship rota which is always in the daily bulletin and offers a prayer space to Christian, Sikh, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and Jewish worshippers. The Chaplaincy room is used for meetings, counselling, as a spiritual resources room and as a safe haven for staff and older pupils who need quiet space.
Pastoral Hub The pastoral hub is situated opposite the dining hall, it is always open from 8.30am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday. If you feel worried, anxious or need a safe space, this is where you will find support, a listening ear or just some quiet time.
Chocolate and Chat
is every week in the Pastoral Hub for Shells only.
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Questions and Answers What clubs and activities happen each day?
Where is the Games Field and how do I get there?
The Daily Bulletin is available at form time and here you will find a list of the daily activities and events. Whether you want to play sport or paint a picture, you will find something right for you.
The Games Field is situated a mile away from the School. Games is on a Friday afternoon for Shells and you will travel to the Games field on a supervised coach.
A schedule of all the co-curricular clubs and societies is published at the start of each term.
How do I know which room to go to? You will be issued with a timetable and a map at the start of the year. If you lose your map, go to Pupil Services and ask where you should go.
What do I do if I come into School late? Report to Pupil Services to say that you have arrived and go straight to where you should be.
What do I do if I lose something? Go to Pupil Services to see if the item has been handed in.
What do I do if I forget to hand in my homework? You should go and see the teacher before the lesson to explain why. If this is not possible, go to them at the very beginning of the lesson.
What do I do if I feel ill? Tell a teacher – you may need to go to the Nurse. During break and lunch you can go directly to the Medical Room.
What do I do if I struggle to make friends? Everyone will be anxious about making new friends so don’t worry. Be approachable and try to go to as many clubs and activities as possible. You can also talk to someone such as your Form Tutor or Form Prefect.
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1
Sports Centre
12 Senior School Reception
2
Swimming Pool
13 Main School Hall
3
Netball and Tennis Court
14 Art Rooms
4
English, Drama, Music (EDM) Block
15 Sixth Form Centre
5
Bablake Theatre
16 Learning Support
6
Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) Block
17 Religion, Philosophy and Ethics
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Bablake Junior School
18 Medical Centre
8
Food and Textiles Room
19 Careers Centre and Bablake Community Room
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Fifth Year Common Room
20 Dining Hall
10 Design and Technology Workshops
21 Classics
11 Main Building (Business Studies, Economics, Geography, History, Computer Science, Maths)
22 Science Block 23 Turning Circle
Bablake Senior and Junior Schools Coundon Road, Coventry
info.bablake@csfoundation.org.uk 024 7627 1200 bablake.com 12
@bablakeschool