KES Academy - Notes for New Students

Notes for New Students

‘Learning Together, Achieving Together’

We think and act positively We all create a great place to learn We respect one another in everything we do We strive to improve We work well together We celebrate our successes We are proud to be a part of KES

The people you should know You will have many teachers to teach you different subjects. You will also have teachers who will help to look after you.

Principal

Mr Morrison

Head of School

Mr Brown

Deputy Head

Miss Backham

Assistant Principals

Mr McLean Mr Teanby Mrs Holland Mr Robinson Mr Ibbitson

Head of Year

Mrs Wright

SENCO

Mrs Holmes

Heads of Faculty

English Mrs Holland Maths Mr Crockett Science Mr Mallett Humanities Mr Hogger PE Miss Walters MfL Mrs Hawkins Art Mr Dixon Drama Mrs Buckland Business Mr McLean ICT Mr Taylor Psychology Mrs Spindler Music Mrs Nicholls Technology Mr Blake

EAL Co-ordinator

Mrs Valantieje

The House System

The house system is very important here at KES Academy. Everyone is part of the House system and should get involved.

You participate in many competitions against people from other houses. It could be sporting events, quizzes, singing competitions and many more!

The winning house wins trophies and medals throughout the year. The last event of the House calendar is Sports Day where we want as many people to participate as possible.

The different Houses and House colours; Edinburgh/York

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Blue

Gloucester/Windsor -

Green

Keene/Thoresby

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Yellow

Lancaster/School

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Black

You are part of a house, part of a team, part of a family!

The Students What is a seminar group?

When you come to KES you will be placed in a group. This is called a seminar group or form group. Some of you may already know some of the members in your seminar group, but many will be new faces. You will gather for 25 minutes every day in the same classroom with the same seminar tutor.

You will all have a seminar tutor who is a teacher here at KES. Our new organised for success model means that you will be able to work on your strengths and weaknesses during seminar time with likeminded students. We believe it is very important that this teacher gets to know each of you really well and that you feel they are always there, should you ever have any concerns or need to talk to anybody.

The seminar group is really important and provides an excellent and friendly start to your life at KES. You will have lots of chances to join in activities and meet new friends. Get involved in everything you can and enjoy seminar time!

Lessons Your lessons at KES are as follows: Every day is divided into SIX periods which last for 50 minutes.

School starts at 8.40am with a warning bell to go to lessons.

Period 1

–

8.45 to 9.35

Period 2

–

9.35 to 10.25

Seminar Time -

10.25 to 10.50

Break from 10.50 to 11.10 Period 3

–

11.10 to 12.00

Lunch for (Year 7 & 8) from 12.00 to 12.30 Period 4

–

12.30 to 1.20

Period 5

–

1.20 to 2.10

Period 6

-

2.10-3.00

3pm = End of school day!

Your Uniform The academy uniform consists of: An Academy Blazer A White Shirt with Collar An Academy Tie Black Trousers Plain Black Shoes, (no trainers or ‘pump’ style footwear) Academy Jumper Additionally, girls may wear a medium length skirt and black tights in place of trousers.

Other Information • Jewellery cannot be worn, except one studded pair of earrings are permitted to be worn.

•

No make-up to be worn

•

No nail polish

Full information regarding uniform can be found on our website.

Your PE kit Essential Kit Academy Red polo shirt Academy Black Shorts Academy Red Socks Outdoor & Indoor trainers/Football or Rugby Boots Shin Pads Optional Extras Academy Rugby Shirt Academy Tracksuit Other Information/Safety points • No jewellery can be worn in PE lessons •

Long hair must be tied back

You MUST bring your PE kit to every PE lesson. If you are unfit to participate fully you must still get changed and help out in an appropriate role such as coach or official. The only exceptions are if there are clear reasons why you cannot actively participate. If so, non-active roles such as scoring will be found. A note from your parents must make clear how and why you are unable to fully take part, in order that we can assign you an appropriate alternative task. If the weather is cold and wet outside, do not assume that your lesson will be inside. Bring tracksuits, hats and gloves to put on over your PE kit to keep warm, as the lesson will probably still be outside.

What equipment will I need?

PLEASE DO NOT USE TIPPEX

You must make sure that you are always fully prepared for each and every lesson. Teachers are not happy if you do not remember your equipment.

You have to take responsibility for your exercise books and remember to bring the correct books in each day for every lesson.

Here’s a list of equipment you will need: Required Equipment A bag (not plastic) Felt tip pens Pens

Compass

Pencils

Set squares

Ruler

Dictionary

Eraser

Coloured pencils

Pencil case

Protractor

Calculator

A green pen

Exercise books (will be provided in lessons)

A red pen

Your timetable This is the day of the week

This is the period

This is the subject

This is the teacher who will teach you.

This shows where the lesson is.

Homework Homework is really important and it is important that you complete all of your homework on time.

In fact, it is best to do your homework the day it is set, otherwise you may forget and get into trouble because you haven’t done it.

If you don’t understand the homework that has been set, go and see the teacher who set it, before the day it is due in and he or she will be happy to go through it with you.

You will have homework every week for English, Maths and Science and for most, if not all of your other subjects as well! Not all of your homework will be written work. Some may be research (finding out information) or reading for example.

Your homework will be recorded on Show My Homework, which is a website/app that you can download to your phone. On Show My Homework, you will see what homework you have to complete, when it needs to be in and any resources that may be required to complete it. You need to know that your parents/carers get their own login so they can see how well you are getting on with your work!

The Academy Day

The Academy has so many students we need a one way system. We keep to the LEFT in the corridors and there is a one way system on the stairs and entrances and exits to different parts of the buildings. These are clearly marked and you will soon get used to it.

If you have free dinners you will have a daily allowance of ÂŁ2.10 go automatically on to your account daily.

At break and lunchtime you can go to the canteen or purchase food from the shacks in the A block courtyard

Y OU AR E NO T A LL O WE D O U T O F TH E SCH O O L GR O U NDS !

You scan your finger to purchase food and drinks. The money will come directly off your account, which your parents can top up on-line.

School buses If you are travelling on a school bus, you will be told by letter when and where the bus will pick you up.

The buses wait outside after school, but you must go immediately to the bus after your last lesson so that you do not miss it.

Should you miss your bus, go to reception or your Year office for help.

Never walk home or think that you have to stay in school for the night!

Bikes You must bring your bike into school through the main gates.

You must walk with your bike from the main road and don’t forget to padlock it!

It is also advisable to wear a helmet on your journeys to and from school.

By Car If you are dropped off, cars should not turn or pull into the school gates.

You should get dropped off away from the school gates.

Walking If you walk to school, you need to think about how long it will take to get to school on time.

It is always good to walk to school with a friend. Where could you meet them and at what time?

Subjects The following subjects will be on your timetable: English French Geography History PE & Games Art Music Citizenship

Maths Science RE Craft Design Technology Food & Textile Technology Drama ICT Latin/Classics

Sports and Games The main Winter games in PE are Netball, Hockey, Football and Rugby.

There is a full programme of games and sporting activities on the school field and in the sports hall.

The sports staff will tell you about these activities and there will be announcements on your form noticeboards.

MUSIC If you want to learn how to play a musical instrument, your Music teacher will tell you how to do this at the Academy. If you are already playing an instrument, there will be opportunities to develop your playing at the Academy. Talk to your Music teacher.

CLUBS Listen for notices in seminar time about the different clubs you can join. They meet at dinner time or after school. You can, for example, join clubs for art and craft, cooking, drama, computers and many more.

LIBRARY You can borrow books from the library and also use the library for homework before school, at break, at lunch and after school.

LOST AND FOUND If you lose something, report the loss at once to your form tutor, to the Year office or to the class teacher. General lost property will be the reponsibility of reception. It is a really good idea to have everything labelled with your name and form.

ILLNESS If you are unwell during the school day, in lesson time, you should ask your teacher for a note to go to the Year Office.

If you feel unwell during break or lunch, you should find your Head of Year.

DO NOT CALL YOUR PARENTS YOURSELF OR LEAVE THE SCHOOL

What happens if you find things tough?

Sometimes things happen in a school which make life tough. It may be that your work in lessons is a cause for concern or your behaviour prevents the best possible work being done. There are some important points to remember: •

•

No one should ever feel alone. We want to help because we care about you. There is no reason why your life in school should be made uncomfortable by the actions of others. If you are worried or concerned you must talk to your Teacher, Form Tutor or Head of Year.

No one should interfere with the right of everyone to get on with his or her work in school. People who make threats, prevent people from studying or make fun of other people can expect to be punished for their actions.

Who will listen to your concerns in the Academy?

Apart from your tutor, every form has older students in who are always willing to help and listen.

This could be with school work or any problem that you may have.

Another group of people are the LISTENERS. These are made up of staff and sixth form students – look for their display board that shows you who they are.

What about bullying?

King Edward VII Academy does not tolerate any form of bullying. If you feel you are being bullied tell your Form Tutor.

We have an excellent Anti-Bullying Policy at KES which sets out exactly what we think about bullying and what will happen if bullying is discovered. DO NOT BULLY ANYONE! Anti-Bullying Help – hopefully you won’t need it!

Beat Bullying www.beatbullying.org Bullying Online www.bullying.co.uk Don’t suffer in silence www.dfes.gov.uk/bullying

We all create a great place to learn - Attitudes towards learning Everyone at King Edward VII Academy tries their very best to create a great place to learn. This means that everyone has responsibilities to ensure that this happens. Students are expected to maintain the following expectations in all of their lessons.

We celebrate our successes – Achievements and Rewards

We run a positive achievement culture within the academy. A fundamental part of our ethos is celebrating our successes. We believe that if you work hard then you deserve to be rewarded.

Therefore you will have countless opportunities to earn achievement points. There are numerous ways you can earn achievement points; producing a good piece of work in class, contributing to our ethos, representing our academy in sport, music or drama – the list is almost endless.

These points are celebrated on a weekly basis in assemblies and on our notice boards around the academy. Students can earn one of five different certificates on a weekly basis. Achievement challenges are set each half term and those who are successful celebrate their achievements with senior members of staff.

All your points are added together at the end of the year where you have the opportunity to earn a gold, silver or bronze award for that year. Each award comes with it’s own unique prizes. So the more opportunities to take part in will give you more chances of achieving great things!

What will happen if I get into trouble because of my behaviour?

No one is perfect, but you should all aim to think about the way you conduct yourself. We have high expectations here at KES and you will be expected to follow the standards that we expect.

Class teachers will deal with your behaviour or the Head of that Department may become involved. Your seminar tutor and Head of Year will both hear of any poor behaviour and you will be questioned and possibly sanctioned accordingly. In serious cases, pupils may be removed from their class by a senior teacher. There is a school behaviour policy that everyone must follow.

We record what has happened and your Year Office or seminar tutor may wish to discuss your future actions with you. Your behaviour will remain on your record and your parents may even be called in to discuss what further action may need to be taken.

Our KESA diploma

During you time as a student in Year 7 and 8 you have the opportunity to work towards a unique diploma. This challenges you to do a number of different activities across the year. Full details of our diploma can be found http://kesacademy.co.uk/current-parents-carers/ks3-diploma/

Parents/carers and students

Your parents will be invited in to the Academy throughout the year to discuss your progress.

You will receive Interim reports throughout the year as well as a full report at the end of the year.

We will communicate with your parents/ carers on a regular basis. We believe that working together is essential, in order for each of you to achieve the very best education and to enjoy the learning that takes place!

Both you and your parents/carers can check your school profile on the school Internet site, just make sure you remember your password. They can even check any homework that has been set.

Attendance

Attendance Matters: Every Day Counts!

At King Edward VII Academy, we understand that students with excellent levels of attendance are far more likely to achieve their academic potential than students who have poor levels of attendance. At KESA we believe having good attendance and good levels of punctuality are very important life skills and, as such, we instil in our students that it is the right thing to do.

Students are encouraged to achieve the highest standards of attendance and punctuality through the awarding of half-termly certificates, prize draws for cinema and restaurant vouchers.

Working in partnership with our Parents/Carers we are a school on a mission to be an outstanding school for attendance and punctuality.

We look forward to welcoming our new Yr 6 students into KESA in September.

Mr S Ibbitson Attendance Lead

Frequently asked questions Can I bring a mobile phone to school?

Yes, but it is your responsibility if it gets lost or damaged. It must always be switched off in lessons – and teachers may confiscate it. A mobile phone should not be seen or heard, unless you have permission to use. Be warned!

Do I have the same timetable each week?

Yes. It is a good idea to copy your timetable into your planner.

What time does school start?

School starts at 8.40am and finishes at 3pm How long is lunch break?

Lunch break is 30 minutes. Years 7 and 8 starts at 12.00 and for Years 9, 10 and 11 starts at 12.50 What if I am bullied?

King Edward VII Academy does not allow bullying. If you feel you are being bullied tell your Form Tutor.

Where is the canteen? What can I get?

The canteen is by the Main Academy gates. It serves healthy hot and cold food and drinks and has a daily special meal. It is open before school, at break time and lunch time. There is also a Snack Shacks outside A block, where sandwiches and fruit can be purchased.

Everyone at KES Academy is looking forward to working with you to enable you to fulfil your potential.

Good luck!

What if you need help?

• Your Head of Year can help if you are ill, if you need to phone home or if you have lost something. They will help with most things!

• Your form tutors will try and help you with any worries. Go and see them first.

General information Principal:

Craig Morrison

Chair of Governors:

Mr Keith Willey

Head of School:

Mr Lloyd Brown

Address:

King Edward VII Academy, Gaywood Road, King’s Lynn, PE30 2QB.

Telephone Number:

01553 773606

Email:

office@kesacademy.co.uk

Please visit our website at:

www.kesacademy.co.uk