Welcome to Big School –your comprehensive guide to the next step of your child’seducation.
In this magazine you will find detailed advice on how to choose the perfect secondary school for your son or daughter.Thisis where they will spend alarge proportion of the next fiveyears and that’swhy it’ssoimportant tofind aplace wherethey will be happy and thrive.
Our guide details all of the factors you will need to consider when comparing different schools as well as information on the application process.
When looking at secondary schools, it is vital that you spend time researching the admission criteria for your area as some schools can often be over-subscribed. At the same time you will want to ensurethat you know the options available to you if you need to appeal an unsuccessful application.
Thereare also useful tips to help your child preparefor life in Year 7and to make it easier for them to settle in at secondary school so it’sas smooth atransition as possible. This includes the uniform they will need for the classroom as well as options for their lunchtime meals and how they will travel to school each day Thereisalso aspotlight on the broad range of schools across the region that areready to welcome you to their open days over the coming months.
The guide also looks to the futureand the qualifications your child will be working towards over the next few years as they continue their education. And thereisalso information on how you can get involved in their secondary school by becoming amember of the PTA.
Starting ‘Big School’ is ahuge milestone for both your child and you as parents and carers and we wish you all the best for the future.
Time to take thenextbig step in achild’s education
It will soon be time to embark on the next big stage of your child’slife: secondary school.
Choosing the perfect place for your child to start Year 7can be one of the most difficult decisions that you ever take as aparent.
It is important to thoroughly research all of the options available to you so you find the best fit for your son or daughter
Youwill want aschool wherethey are encouraged to achieve and reach their full potential. Councils allow parents to make up to six preferences of schools, depending on whereyou live, with the final decision made according to the criteria set by the local authority or individual schools.
Although this can feel like alot of pressure, how you end up choosing your secondary school preferences will probably be very similar to how you found your child’sfirst school –with some of the same factors influencing your decision.
And remember –getting this next step right can help them on the way later in life and in their futurecareers.
Youmight be wondering whether you want acommunity school or an academy? Do you want to pay for aprivate education or send your child to agrammar school?
During this important decision-making process, you will be looking at schools to see what teaching and sports facilities they offer pupils.
Youwillnodoubt also be examining the results they go on to achieve, as well as the support offered inside and outside of the classroom.
Schools will soon begin holding open days giving you the chance to have a proper look around and allow your child to get afeel forthe place.
Now they areolder,they will probably have views on wherethey want to go, which you will no doubt want to take into consideration.
Youmight want to consider whether the school caters for the things your child is interested in and what opportunities therewillbefor them to develop these interests further.
Think about the ethos of the school
–does it match your own cultureand values?
Morethan likely they will want to go wheretheir friends aregoing. While this probably shouldn’tbethe sole reason for choosing aschool, if your child struggles to make friends and you think they will find it difficult going alone then it can be a worthy consideration.
Above all, you will want to be able to ‘see’ your child fitting in there.
Proximity will always come into play as nearly all schools will use this as one of the main criteria when considering applications.
So you might have acertain school as number one on your preference list but it will depend on how many other parents have applied and how close they aretoits gates.
Having siblings at the school already will also give applications extra weight.
This means it’sessential to research your options well –soifyou miss out on your preferred choice you will be wellinformedonthe others.
What canyou do to help your childsettlein?
An important milestone in the parental journey is when your child starts at secondary school.
Youwill have mixed emotions and so will your son or daughter.Enjoy this transition together! Youwill soon come to miss the afternoon pick-up from the playground and all the snippets of information you can gather whilst in the company of other parents and the verbal reports, good and bad, from the Year 6 teacher
Your child is growing up and you will soon come to rely on them to share their day with you whilst you get used to the numerous apps and online reporting platforms shared by the school.
The induction days in July will have given you peace of mind with some of those important aspects of the new school. Youhave much information to digest whilst also containing the excitement, or nervousness, of your son or daughter!
We would like to sharesometips to help you support your child in that important first half term:
Adapting to your child’snew routines
Encourage your child to have their school bag and uniform ready the night before. They will need help with this to
Chris Green, Vice Principal –Quality of Educationat St Regis CofE Academyshareshis tips forparentsand children
begin with. Moving up to secondary school doesn’tmake ayoung person independent overnight so plan in time each day to encourage your child to talk about their day.Itwill be during this shared time that you can pick up on any issues, some of which you may need to raise with the school.
The importance of being equipped for learning
Make the habit of being ‘equipped for learning’ stick and ensureyour child has the equipment they need in their bag every day.You will need to make these checks initially and should then slowly step back.
Taking an interest in homework
“Areyou doing your homework?”. Iexpect you will come to find that you use this phrase far moreoften when your child has ten or moresubjects on their timetable! Take an interest in the content
of the homework (and provide the space and resources) and don’tallow homework to become anegative issue. Trust teachers to track homework completion and inform you when, and if, it’snot being done.
Mobile phones
Youshould make yourself awareofthe school policy and support the school with this. The distractions that mobile phones bring do not support learning. Remember that school receptions arealways staffed –this is the first point of contact.
Making the most of every opportunity to get into school
The engagement of parents is vital in ensuring pupils, and schools, flourish. When achild sees the school working with the parents it has avery positive impact on the child’sprogress.
Reading, reading, reading!
At every opportunity encourage your child to read. This will be happening in school across all subjects. What part can you play in this?
Always remember –donot be afraid to reach out and speak to the school if there areany worries or questions, we all want the best for your children.
FREQUENTLY ASKEDQUESTIONS
n Will my childautomatically transfer from primary into secondaryschool?
No, this is not thecase. All applications have to be considered in linewiththe admissions criteria forthe school they areapplyingto. There is normally no priority given to children attendingprimary schoolsassociatedwithparticular secondaryschools.
n What is thedeadlinefor applicationstobesubmitted?
Applications canbedone by post or online.The closing date for secondaryschoolapplicationsis statutory andisOctober 31
n What happensifI submit my application after thedeadline?
Unless therewere special circumstanceswhich stopped you from applying before theclosing date,thenyourapplication will only be consideredafter those that were receivedbeforethe deadline. If therewere special circumstances, then supportive evidencemustbeprovidedatthe time of your application.
n What happensifI don’t completeand return an application form?
Your childmay not be allocateda school placeuntil allthose who didhavebeen offeredplaces. It is then possiblethatyourpreferred schoolswillbetoo full to admit your child
n When will I find outwhich school my childhas been allocated?
Offerletters,oremails, will be sent outtoparents on March1,2025.
Theapplication processexplained
Applying to secondary school for the first time may seem abit daunting, so it helps to fully understand the process.
Letters will be sent out by councils detailing the steps you need to take. They always encourage parents to apply online, but paper applications will be available if you prefer.Each council co-ordinates admissions for all maintained schools in its area and will make the offer of places.
Up to six choices can be stated on the admissions application, depending on whereyou live, in order of preference and they can include schools outside the area in which you live.
Places arenot allocated on afirstcome, first-served basis. All schools will consider applicants on an equal basis and parents areadvised to put forwardmore than one choice. Also, all applications will be considered against the admissions policy of the school concerned, regardless of which borough or county the child resides in.
The entrance criteria will depend on how the school is run –whether it’sthe council, governing body or atrust
Faithschools are, as with other maintained schools, required tooffer
aplace to every child who applies, regardless of their faith, if thereare places available. Butwherethe school is oversubscribed, these schools allocate places by reference to faith based on their admissions criteria.
If achild meets the criteria for two or moreschools included on the application form, they will be allocated aplace at the school that the parent ranked highest.
For community or state schools, first priority is given to children in public care, or those who have been adopted or become subject to achild arrangement order or special guardianship order
Second priority will consider children with a‘serious ongoing medical condition’ and thirdpriority is given to children who have asibling or half-sibling or stepbrother/step sister,living at the same address and who will still be attending the preferred school in September 2023.
Any places that remain available once the above applicants have been admitted, will be filled according to those children who live closest, determined by a straight-line measurement in metres, from the home address to the entrance of the school.
Making sure allschools provide agoodeducation
Ofsted is anamethatwill already be familiar to most parents and it’sone you will continue to hear throughout your child’ssecondary school education.
Understanding the reasons for the checks and their impact, will give you peace of mind that your child’sschool is doing everything it can to ensurepupils receive ahigh quality education and may well help when you arechoosinga school in the first place.
All schools arerequired by law to be inspected, but how often it is visited will depend on how it has previously been judged. Afullinspection normally takes two days. When they arrive the inspectors will look at the school’sself-evaluation and analyse the pupils’ progress and attainment. They talk to the headteacher, governors, staffand pupils and consider your views as aparent.
Inspectors spend most of their time observing lessons and looking at the quality of teaching in the school, and its impact on learning and progress.
They also look at the personal development, behaviour and welfareof pupils, the promotion of spiritual, moral, social and cultural development; and how well the school is led and managed.
Parents aregiven the option of providing their views.
After the visit, the lead inspector reports her or his judgement to the headteacher and governors. The inspectors’ findings arepublished in a report for the school, parents and wider community.This provides information about the effectiveness of the school’s work and contains recommendations about what it should do to improve.
Ofsted has made changes to how school inspections arecarried out to reduce pressures on teachers and school leaders. These include:
n Changes to how Ofsted inspects safeguarding –Atthe moment, even when schools arerated mostly as Good, if the school is rated as Inadequate on safeguarding, the school will receive an Inadequate rating overall. This is due to the importance of keeping children safe.
But, in very rarecases whereaschool fails because of safeguarding issues
alone, Ofsted will now follow up with a monitoring visit within three months to provide an opportunity for regrading. If the school has been able to resolve the safeguarding concerns, it is likely to see its overall grade improve. Ofsted will also make safeguarding requirements as clear as possible for schools and parents.
n Clarity around confidentiality policies –Toreduce pressureonheadteachers, Ofsted will make it clear that they are allowed to sharethe provisional outcomes of inspections privately with colleagues and get support from them beforethe report is finalised and shared with parents.
Ofsted reports will also talk about what the school needs to do, to reduce public focus on individuals, including headteachers.
n Support for schools between inspections –Ofsted is giving schools moreinformation about the timing of their next inspection. Schools will still get one day’snotice, but they will have more clarity about the year they arelikely to be inspected. This will be particularly helpful for schools that have been exempt from inspection for many years.
Outstanding schools areinspected
less frequently than those with lower ratings. Outstanding schools that were last inspected beforeSeptember 2015 are already receiving face-to-face seminars, to support them when the time comes for a new inspection.
Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) reportsonindependent schools’ compliance with the DfE Education (Independent Schools Standards) Regulations.
The ISI inspects schools that belong to the Independent Schools Council (ISC), which has morethan 1,200 members. But ISI and Ofsted use adifferent framework and criteria for judging school quality and they use different judgement words too.
ISI uses excellent, good, sound and unsatisfactory and Ofsted uses outstanding, good, requires improvement and inadequate.
Another difference is that ISI inspection teams largely consist of practising senior leaders currently working in ISC schools. ISI inspectors judge ISC schools against the higher standards of academic achievement and extra-curricular activities in the sector as awhole as well as against national norms.
What type of schoolisthe rightone foryourchild?
These days thereare many different types of school that differ in how they arerun and funded as well as what they teach.
Gone arethe days of it being asimple choice between agrammar school and a comprehensive. Now thereare many types of schools, run and funded in different ways.
n State schools, also known as community schools, aremanaged and funded by the council. The local authority employs all of the staff, owns the land and buildings, and sets entrance criteria. Pupils follow the National Curriculum and the council provides support services that may be required for students, such as psychological and special educational needs. Students tend to be from arange of different backgrounds and have a mixtureofabilities.
n Almost two thirds of the country’s secondary schools areacademies. They arerun by agoverning body and are independent from the local council, with funding coming from central government. Academies control their own admissions process and have morefreedom in the classroom as they can opt out of the National Curriculum.
They also have morepower over pay, length of the school day and term times. But this freedom means thereisusually no support, management or oversight from the local authority
n Free schools arefundedbycentral government, but can be set up by groups of parents, teachers, charities, businesses, universities, trusts and religious or voluntary groups. They wereintroduced as away to drive up standards through increased competition and hand power to parents and teachers to be able to create anew school if they wereunhappy with the state ones in their area. They areexempt from teaching the National Curriculum.
To receive funding they must teach English, mathematics and science and ‘make provision for the teaching of religious education’. They arestill subject to inspections by Ofsted. If you’reinvolved with founding afreeschool, your children areguaranteed places. Morethan 300 free schools have opened since 2010, teaching morethan 150,000 pupils across the country
n Private schools, also known as independent schools, charge annual fees instead of being funded by the Government. Many offer scholarships or bursaries based on assessment tests so it’sworth looking into whether this is an option. They can be offered to academically bright children or youngsters with aspecial talent, such as music or art. These schools arefreetoset their own curriculum, but must be registered with the Government and areinspected regularly.They tend to offer high-quality facilities and class sizes arelikelytobe smaller.
n Aboarding school provides education for pupils who live on the premises, as opposed to aday school Thereare approximately 500 boarding schools across the UK. Children benefit
from small classes and heightened interaction between students and their teachers as well as abroader range of extra-curricular activities.
n Grammar schools have been around since the 16th century,but the modern model was created as aresult of the Education Act 1944. It was all decided by an entrance exam –the 11-plus –which is still around today.Pupilswho passed went to grammar school, those who didn’t went to secondary modern. Today,there arestill around 160 grammar schools across England. Aban preventing new grammars from opening has been in place since 1998. These schools tend to have astrong focus on academic achievement and select pupils on the basis of ability through an entrance exam taken at the start of year 6.
n Faith schools can be different kinds of schools, such as community,free schools or academies, but areassociated with aparticular religion. They have to follow the National Curriculum except for religious studies, wherethey arefree to only teach about their own religion. Anyone can apply for aplace.
n At Foundation schools, the land and buildings areowned by agoverning
body,who arealsoresponsible for running the school, employing staffand providing supportservices. Pupils have to follow the National Curriculum.
n Voluntary-aided schools tend be mostly religious or faith schools. Just like foundation schools, the governing body employs staffand sets entrance criteria. This means it has asubstantial influence on how the school is run. School buildings and land areusually owned by acharity, often achurch. They follow the National Curriculum but may teach religious education according to their own faith.
n Voluntary-controlled schools area cross between community and voluntaryaided schools. The council employs staff and sets entrance criteria.
The difference is that school land and buildings areowned by acharity, often achurch, which also appoints some members of the governing body Voluntary-controlled schools arealso required to follow the National Curriculum.
n Co-operative trust schools, are becoming morepopular.Although funded by the council, they aresupported by acharitable foundation, which means they can set their own admission arrangements.
PREPARINGOUR YOUNGSTERS FOR WORLDOFWORK
n University TechnicalColleges (UTCs) aregovernment-funded schoolswithaSTEMfocus.
Throughtheir association with employersand universities, throughproject-based learning, andthroughafocus on technical subjects,UTCsbridgethe gap between theworld of educationand theworld of work.
Today, thereare 48 UTCs open across England, educatingin theregionof17,500students, andsupportedbymorethan400 employersand universities.They aim to preparestudentsfor future careers in industries such as engineering,healthcare, social care andscience
They offerasecondary-age educationfor KeyStage 4and Key Stage5withsomestartingearlier at KeyStage 3.
n Some schools, academiesand colleges specialise in vocational subjects andoffer bespoke curriculums to help studentsonthe waytotheir chosen careers
Some have aSTEMorhealthfocus, whileothersspecialise in thelikes of music, danceand performing arts andbroadcastmedia.Students canchoose arange of subjects that arerelevanttotheir chosen future careerand cantakeadvantage of industry-standardfacilities.
Thesespecialist schools, academiesand colleges workin partnershipwiththe industries so that studentsare able to applytheir learning to theworld of work.
n There arealsoStudioSchools, whichseektoaddress the growinggap between theskills andknowledge that youngpeople require to succeed,and those that thetraditional educationsystem provides. They areusually small schoolsfor 300students; andwith year-round openingand a9-5 working day, they feel more like a workplace than aschool.
What to do if youmissout on your firstchoiceschool
It’sinevitable that not everyone will get their first choice of secondary school. And while you will be keeping your fingers crossed that your child gets a spot, you should be prepared in case your wish doesn’tcome true.
Popular schools will be oversubscribed so it’simportant to remain realistic when waiting to hear if you’ve been successful.
Also, it’svital to spend some time preparing yourself in case you want to appeal acouncil’sdecision.
It may well be that you arehappy to accept aplace at aschool further down on your list if you believe it is still agood option for your child.
But if you feel the decision made is not reasonable or the procedurehas not been followed correctly then you arewithin your rights to appeal.
Your case will be heardbyan independent appeals panel and the
system allows you to argue that thereare extra reasons why your child deserves a place at your top choice.
For anyone considering appealing the decision, hereissome moreinformation on the process:
n What arethe first steps? Parents areadvised to accept the place you have been allocated regardless of whether you want it –this is asafety net to ensureyou have aplace for September if the appeal is unsuccessful. It can always be rejected at alater date if aspace becomes available, or if the appeal is upheld.
Then you should contact your preferred school to be put on awaiting list should the school have one. This mayhappen automatically but it is always worth checking that it has been done. This could remove the need for an appeal hearing if aplace is freed up by other means, such as achange in circumstances for another pupil.
n How is an appeal lodged? Parents should lodge their intention to appeal with either the local authority or,ifit’safree school or academy,the governing body. Details of who to contact, instructions for beginning the appeal process and the deadline will normally be provided with the place offer letter sent to you by the council.
If morethan one school declinesto admit your child, you areallowed to make separate appeals.
n What happens next? If you think thereare good reasons why your child should go to your preferred school, then you can present your case to an independent appeal panel.
Focus on positive reasons why your child needs to attend that school as opposed to the allocated one. Don’tjust state why your child should not go to the allocated school. This might include the pupil’sspecifictalents if the chosen
school has specialist science or language facilities. It is recommended that parents take along evidence such as school reports to back up the argument.
n What happens at the hearing?
Appeals must be heardwithin 40 school days of the deadline for making an appeal. Either the school or council will give you at least 10 school days’ notice of the hearing. The panel is usually made up of three to five members of the public –both with and without experience of the education system.
Local authorities recommend that you provide evidence of why your child should attend your first choice and why it would be bad for them to go to another school.
The school will also present its case for why it cannot take extra children and why it would be bad for the school if they had to.
Youwill be able to pose questions to their representatives so think about what you may want to ask in advance.
Members will listen to both cases and ask questions. During the hearing, the panel will also check that the school’s admission arrangements comply with the Schools Admissions Code. If the admissions criteria arelegal and were properly followed, the panel must decide if
they werefollowedfairly and thoroughly.
If they weren’tproperly followed or are illegal, your appeal must be upheld. If your appeal has not already been upheld, the panel will decide if your reasons for your child to be admitted outweigh the school’s reasons for not admitting another child.
The result is sent by post within seven days and the decision is legally binding –it can only be overturned by acourt.
If successful, your child will be allocated aplace at their preferred school regardless of the class size.
n What happens if Ilose the appeal? If the appeal is unsuccessful you can still put your child’sname on the waiting list in the hope of aplace becoming available. Thereisplenty of time for circumstances to change by September as families may move out of the area meaning spaces can free up.
But understand that you can move both up and down awaiting list. If afamily was to move into the area and be closer to the school, they could go above you.
If you’reunhappy about the way the appeal process was carried out, you can complain to your Local Government Ombudsman. They can recommend anew appeal, but they can’treview or overturn the appeal panel’sdecision.
IMPORTANT TO KEEP AN OPEN MIND ON OPTIONS
It’s easier said than done,but it’s worth rememberingtokeep an open mindthroughoutthe applicationprocess
If it doesn’tall go to plan,thenyou will need to remainpositive about theschoolyourchildhas been allocatedbecause that will make it easier forthem.
Children pickuponyourmood andiftheyknowyou’reunhappy with theirschoolitcould affect howtheysettlein.
Concentrate on allofits positive attributes. If youare still feeling uncertain, contactthe school to arrangeavisit andspeak to staff to allayany fears. Touringthe site forthe firsttimeorsecond,ifyou attended an open day, mayhelp yousee it in anew light.
Also,rememberthatyouropinions andprioritiesmay well change andthe reasonswhy youruled the school outmay notmattersomuch in thefuture.
Youmay be worriedabout how youare goingtomanagewithyour childattendingaschoolfurther away but then find it easier than youwere expecting
Maybeyou areconcerned about previousperformance figures, but then see test andexamresults start to improve.
It’s also very likely that afteryour sonordaughterstartsyou come to realiseitwas thebest fitfor them afterall
CONSIDER POLICY ONANY SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDSOFACHILD
Allchildren have aright to be educated in mainstreamschool.
Some mainstreamschools have specialunits attached to cater forchildren with particular types of need,suchasautismorvisual impairments.
Such unitsoffer children the opportunity to spendsome time in amainstreamsetting,but also to receivespecialist teaching.
Your childwillneed an EHCP (an education, health andcareplan) to be considered fora placeinone of theseunits
There arealsomaintainedspecial schoolswhich arestate-run andfor children with more complexneeds that cannot be met in mainstream. Your childwillneed an EHCP to be considered foraplace
Non-maintained specialschools arerun privatelyorbycharities, some of whichare residential. Asmall number of children with an EHCP maygotoone of theseschools,where it hasbeen establishedthatnolocal school canmeettheir needs. In the case of this type of school,the onus is on theparents to provethatno otherschoolcan meet theirchild’s needs.
TheBritish Dyslexia Association recommends checking the school’s prospectus andaskingfor acopyofits SpecialEducational NeedsPolicy(SEN).Itsuggests that parents askifthere arespecial needsstaff with qualificationsin SpecificLearningDifficulty(SpLD) andwhattraining do allstaff have
Theorganisation also suggests findingout whetherthere is a choice of foreign languagesthat includesmoredyslexia-friendly languages.
It recommends that youand your childmeetthe staffwho will give specialisthelpand find out what subjects thesupportwillbe available in.
Getting afeelfor your newschool
Attending an open day is one of the best ways to let your son or daughter get afeel for anew school.
Many will offer guided tours and theremay also be the option to view avirtual tour on the school’swebsite. Open days areusually held in September and October,but most schools will allow parents and children to book an appointment to visit if they can’tmake a scheduled event.
During an open day,you’ll be able to visit classrooms, and often pupils will show you around and talk to you about their school. Parents will probably be invited to hear atalk by the headteacher, the head of admissions or the head of the relevant section of the school.
Looking around the school will also enable you to discover morethan you would if you just read the prospectus. It’s an opportunity for you to speak to the staff, pupils and the headteacher
Feel free to ask questions if you want to, particularly of pupils –whatdothey think of the teaching? Do they enjoy life at the school? Look at the work on display Does it representabroad range of ability? Aschool should value every child. Does the school offer extra-curricular activities –suchassports and clubs –so your child candevelop their interests?
This also shows that the teachers are motivated and enthusiastic.
Make sureyou have afew key questions to ask in order to get the most out of the visit –you might want to find out how many children areinaclass, or how the school deals with bullying.
Often current pupils will be drafted in to show prospective students around their classrooms and this will give agood insight into what life is like at the school. If they areenthusiastic and motivated, then this agood sign that they arehappy
The events will also showcase what extra-curricular activities, such as sports and clubs, areonoffer
Remember to ask about transport –will your child have to make their own way there, or arethere buses? Find out about the lunch arrangements –are therehealthy school meals available?
Pay attention to the pupils themselves –dothey seem happy and motivated? Do they speak positively about their teachers and school life?
It’salso important to find out how the school seeks to work with parents. Ask how parents arekept informed on activities and achievements in school.
Make notes and watch your child’s reactions and ask them what they thought. Above all, listen to your gut instinct.
Giving children ataste of life at secondaryschool
The transition from Year 6toYear 7can be alittle daunting for students and parents.
When Year 6children say goodbye to primary school, it marks the end of an era in their educational journey.As it’ssuch abig change for them, pupils areoften given the opportunity to sample secondary school life beforethey begin Year 7.
Once you’ve accepted your child’s place next spring, the headteacher will often invite your son or daughter to one or moretaster days, normally beforethe end of the current school year
This day will give your child the chance to experience anormalday at the school as away of breaking them in and relieving anxiety over the summer holidays.
They may also get the chance to meet other children from different primary schools so they can start getting to know their new classmates. They will also try out new lessons such as science, PE, dance, music or French.
It will also give them the opportunity to find out wheretheir form room, canteen, lockers and toilets arelocated as it’slikely they will not remember this from when they attended the open day
They will also be able try out the lunch system, which may be different from the one they areusedtoatprimary school Andifyou’renot certain if they arehaving school dinners or taking apacked lunch, sampling the food will enable them to help you make adecision.
The whole idea of ataster day is to make their first day easier,asthey will already have arough idea of the layout of the school, and make the transition from primary school to secondary school as smooth as possible.
It also gives children the opportunity to meet plenty of new faces including the headteacher,the head of year,their form tutor,subject teachers and other school staff.
They will also meet other children who areabout to start Year 7, and possibly others who arealready at the school such as buddies or mentors from higher years.
During the summer holidays, their new school may give them tasks to complete beforethe new term begins.
Some also provide activity ideas such as recipes to try that will be similar to what pupils will be learning in food technology or simple science experiments they can do
at home to give them ataster of what their lessons will be like in Year 7.
Many parents also choose to set their children learning tasks to keep their brains ticking over during the break from school and avoid what has become known as the ‘summer slide’.
This might be activities such as taking part in the Reading Agency’sSummer Reading Challenge, maths quizzes or fun games like Boggle that help to build language skills.
Some schools may also offer a summer school with sessions aimed at giving teachers the opportunity to learn about your child, what their strengths are and what support, if any,theymight need.
Every school will operate differently so it’sworth asking what they offer when you attend an open day or look for any information in their prospectus.
Most of the time, taster days help to ease children’snerves about starting secondary school.
However,ifyour child does have worries following their induction day,you can always phone their new school and ask for moreinformation on the area that is concerning them or organise further visits.
Meetingthe costsofa privateschooleducation
Many parents will rule out fee-paying schools for their children because of the costs involved.
But most independent schools, often known as private schools, will offer financial assistance in the form of scholarships or bursaries for pupils.
Fee-paying schools tend to have small class sizes, excellent exam results and a good recordofentry to top universities.
Many devote asignificant amount of time to cultural activities, like art, drama and music, and most offer awide variety of sporting opportunities. They may also offer moreteachers per 100 pupils, pastoral careand provision forspecial needs.
Scholarship and bursary applicants will usually need to prove that they are very able and demonstrate the need for monetary support. It is estimated that almost athird of pupils educated in the private sector receives some form of financial assistance in the form of a scholarship or bursary
Not only do schools want to attract the most talented students, but many are also realising that having abroad social mix which reflects our society is incredibly important. This is why many have funding available for pupils whose families areon lower incomes.
According to the Independent Schools Council, the total value of means-tested bursaries and scholarships provided by schools has increased by over £195m since 2011, and currently stands at £455m per year
Scholarships arenot usually meanstested, but areinstead based on the child’sabilities in aparticular area. They areusually available to pupils who arevery strong either academically or in music, sport or art. Some scholarships offer other benefits such as extra coaching or tuition, additional trips, tours and mentoring for the duration of the pupil’stime at school.
Bursaries aremeans-assessed on a financial basis and will requireaparent or guardian to complete adeclaration
to establish whether the student meets the necessary criteria. This is usually re-assessed each year that the bursary is required. Theschool looks at what it is reasonable for you to affordand sets afee accordingly
Some schools areable to offer greater bursary provision than others and they can cover up to 100 per cent of fees.
They can also help with costs which arenot included in the normal school fee, such as uniform and school trips.
Thereare also charitable grant-making trusts who can help offer financial support to those who need it most.
They include The Royal National Children’sSpringBoard Foundation which provides bursaries to help disadvantaged children attend state or independent boarding schools.
Both scholarships and bursaries can be awarded to children at the same time.
n For moreinformation about the different types of support available, visit www.isc.co.uk
What subjects will your childbestudyingnow?
If your child’sschoolfollows the National Curriculum then therewill be compulsory subjects for them to be taught during the next five years.
They will vary depending on their age –Key Stage 3isfor years 7to9and Key Stage 4for years 10 and 11 when most pupils work towards national qualifications, usually GCSEs.
The majority of the National Curriculum was introduced in September 2014, with English and maths coming into force for all year groups from September 2016. The exception is the science curriculum which came into force for all year 10 pupils in September 2016, and applied to year 11 pupils from September 2017.
All local-authority-maintained schools in England must teach these programmes of study.Although academies and private schools do not always have to follow this, thereare still some subjects that arecompulsory for all students. If your child’snew school is following the National Curriculum, then they will have lessons in set subjects including English, mathematics, science, history,geography, modernforeign languages, physical
education, citizenship and computing.
In English classes, pupils will be taught to develop an appreciation and love of reading as well as to understand increasingly challenging texts. The programme also includes writing accurately,fluently,effectively and at length for pleasureand information as well as speaking confidently and effectively using various methods such as presentations and debates.
During Key Stage 3, the aim is for pupils to become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, including varied and frequent practice with increasingly complex problems over time. They will also learntoreason mathematically by following aline of enquiry and solving problems by applying their mathematics to avariety of routine and non-routine situations.
History lessons may include the development of church, state and society in Medieval Britain 1066-1509, challenges for Britain, Europe and the wider world 1901 to the present day and the Holocaust.
While science teachers will work to
ensurepupils develop their scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding in biology,chemistryand physics. They will also be taught nature, processes and methods of science through different types of enquiries that help them to answer questions about the world around them.
In geography sessions, they will work to extend their locational knowledge and deepen their spatial awareness of the world’scountries using maps of the world. Pupils will also be taught to understand geographical similarities, differences and links between places through the study of human and physical geography as well as geographical skills and fieldwork.
From Key Stage 3, schools arealso required toprovide lessons in religious education and sex education, but parents can sometimes choose whether children attend these classes.
Academies must teach abroad and balanced curriculum, which they can set themselves, but it must include English, mathematics and science. They mustalso teach religious education. Schools will be able to provide details on their specific curriculum if you areunsure
Workingtowards theend goal –qualifications
In abid to ensurepupils leave school better prepared for work or further study,GCSEand A-level qualifications have been overhauled in recent years.
Although thereisstill some time before your child will be ready to consider their options, it helps to understand what they will face in the future.
For the first time in 2017, students didn’tjust receive their grades in subjects in the usual A*-G format –inmathematics, English language and English literature they weregraded on ascale between 9 and 1instead.
These werefollowedbyafurther 20 subjects including history,geography, double science, PE and art and design with the remaining subjects getting the new grades after that.
A9isthe top grade, while 1isthe lowest pass possible,with an outright fail still graded as aU
The top grades of A**, A* and Aare broadly equivalent to anew grades of 9, 8
and 7, while pass marks of Band Chave been replaced by grades 4, 5and 6. At the lower end of the scale, grades D, E, Fand Gwill be graded 3, 2and 1.
The Department for Education (DfE) says its GCSEs aredesigned to match the
standards set by the strongest performing education systems in the world.
While exam regulator Ofqual said the 1 to 9scalehelps them to better differentiate between the highest performing pupils and distinguish clearly between the new and old exams.
Meanwhile, changes werealso introduced to the A-level system. The reforms saw aswitch to assessment being mainly by exam and have also led to some subjects such as applied science and creative writing being scrapped.
New style study programmes were introduced for some subjects in 2015 and since 2017 all courses have followed the same system.
Courses arenolonger divided into modules and all exams take place in the summer.The changes also mean that students have less coursework and fewer practical assessments.
TLevels, which areequivalent to three A-levels, have been introduced in
recent years. The two-year courses were developed in collaboration with employers and businesses so that the content meets the needs of industry and prepares students for work, further training or study
TLevels offer students amixture of classroom learning and ‘on-the-job’ experience during an industry placement. Subjects include in design, surveying and planning for construction; digital production, design and development; education and childcare; finance; hair, beauty and aesthetics; animal careand management; media, broadcast and production; and healthcarescience.
Apprenticeships arealso becoming an increasingly popular alternative to A-levels, with students looking to combine real work with academic study
It is also an opportunity for 16-yearolds to earnand learnatthe same time as getting afootinthe door of their chosen industry
Apprentices split their time between the workplace and atraining centreor college. They areexpected to work for at least 30 hours aweek and aretreated like apermanent employee, receiving asalary, holidays and other benefits.
Some programmes arestructured so that an apprentice will spend four days in aweek at work, and one day at college.
Other employers will retain an apprentice for weeks or months at atime, and then send them to college for an extended study period
Anyone interested in an intermediate, or level 2apprenticeship will usually require at least five GCSE passes. But thereare different entry requirements depending on the sector and job.
At any one time thereare up to 28,000 apprenticeship vacancies available online in avariety of careers and industries across England –fromaccounting and animal caretoplumbing and printing.
Other post-16 options, include Higher National Certificates (HNCs) and Higher National Diplomas (HNDs).
They areagreat way to preparefor acareer in aspecific industry and lead directly to the workplace.
Both qualifications areprovided by further and higher education colleges. HNCs take about one year to complete full-time and two years part-time. It is equivalent to the first year of adegree.
HNDs take two years full-time and can also be taken part-time, which takes longer.This is the equivalent to two years of adegree. Both HNCs and HNDs can be very practical qualifications, so they do not just involve theory.
PICK THERIGHT COURSE FORYOUR DREAMCAREER
When it comestoA-levels anda degree beyond that,there area wide rangeofsubjectstochoose from
If your childwants to study certain subjects at university,oriftheyhave acareerareainmind, it’s important to checkiftheyhaveany particular A-levelentry requirements.
They maynot yetknowwhatthey want to do afterA-levels,sohere’s a quickguide to making choices.
Themost importantcriteriafor a student choosingA-levelsubjects are:
n Arethere anyparticularsubjects andgradesyou mayneed?–Ifyou have aparticularcareer, jobor furtherstudy in mindyou mayneed to choose certainA-levelsinorder to meet entryrequirements
n Abilityand enjoyment–Think aboutthe subjectsyou aregoodat andlike. If youenjoywhatyou’re studyingyou arelikelytobemore motivated.Ifyou have abilityinyour chosensubjectsyou canincrease your chancesofsuccess
n Newsubjects –Schools and colleges mayoffer A-levels in subjects that youhavenot studied before –it’sreallyworth taking some time to find outwhat’s involved in newsubjects,talkto your teachers andtostaff at open days andopenevenings
n Subjectcombinations–Some subjects covercommon ground –suchasgeography and environmentalstudies,ormedia studiesand film studies. Youneed to checkthey’re not toosimilaras some colleges anduniversitiesmay not accept thecombination forentry to higher levelcourses.
Some subjectcombinations arecomplimentary and fitwell together–suchasdoing physics as well as mathematicsoranother science. This canhelpyou in your studiesand enable youtomeet entryrequirementsfor higher level coursesinfuture.
NHSSHARESTOP TIPS FORHEALTHY PACKED LUNCHES
TheNHS’s Better Health campaign hasprovidedthese top tips for healthylunches
n Freeze for variety–Keepa smallselection of differenttypes of breadinthe freezersoyou have avarietyofoptions –like bagels,pittas andwraps, granary, wholemeal andmultigrain.
n Cutbackonfat –Picklower-fat fillings,likeleanmeats (including chicken or turkey), fish (suchas tuna or salmon), lower-fatspread, reduced-fat creamcheeseand reduced-fat hard cheese. And trytoavoid usingmayonnaisein sandwiches
n Always addveg –Cherry tomatoes,orsticksofcarrot, cucumber,celeryand peppers allcount towardstheir 5ADay Addingasmall potofreduced-fat hummus or otherdipsmay help with getting kids to eatvegetables.
n Ever green–Alwaysadd salad to sandwiches andwraps too– it allcountstowards your child’s5A Day!
n Cheesydoes it… Cheese can be high in fatand salt,sochoose stronger-tasting ones– anduse less of it –ortry reduced-fat varieties.
n Cutdownoncrisps –Ifyour childreallylikes theircrisps try reducingthe number of timesyou include them in theirlunchbox, andswapfor homemade plain popcorn or plain rice cakes instead.
n Swap thefruit bars –Dried fruit like raisins, sultanas anddried apricots arenot only cheaper than processed fruitbarsand snacks but canbehealthier too. Just remember to keepdried fruit to mealtimesasitcan be badfor teeth.
n Switch thesweets– Swap cakes, chocolate, cereal bars andbiscuits formaltloaf, fruitedteacakes, fruit breads or fruit.
So importantto fuel theirstudies
Your child will need agood meal in the middle of the day to help them process all the new things they arelearning
Andthe choice is either they take in a packed lunch from home or they choose ahot dinner in the school canteen. Both have their pros and cons.
Sending your son and daughter to school every day with afulllunch box gives you control of the food they eat. But it’sanother job to do each morning when time is already precious and it can be hard to keep the options interesting for your child.
School dinners mean you know your child is getting ahot meal at lunchtime, but if you areleaving them to choose from the canteen menu you can’tbesurethey will select something nutritious.
For some of you the decision may be influenced by whether your child is entitled to free school meals. This is normally the case if you areinreceipt of benefits such as Income Support, Child TaxCredit and Universal Credit. The local council can tell you if your child is able to get free school meals.
In recent years, schools have put a lot of effort into revamping their dinners, especially after celebrity chef Jamie Oliver highlighted the issue in 2005. He started his Feed Me Better campaign because
he was appalled by the junk food being served at many schools in England. It led to new guidelines for school dinners and the Government investing £280 million on improving menus for youngsters.
Now all schools have healthy eating policies, which arereflected in the menus on offer for pupils. They also cater for different diets and allergies as well as for different religious faiths and beliefs.
Some have cashless systems where children use acardoreven theirfingerprint to buy their food each day after parents have paid money into their account at the start of term. The benefits of this arethatit meanschildren do not have to carry cash on them each day.Italso allows parents to monitor what their child is eating at school because they will know what has been purchased on their account.
Many parents still choose to send their children to school with apacked lunch, especially if they prefer to eat ahot meal together as afamily in the evening.
It also means they know exactly what their child is eating each day and they don’thave to leave it up to them to make healthy choices.
Thereare plenty of ideas online if you’renot sure what to give your child for lunch and suggestions to shake things up if they get tired of sandwiches each day
Helping your childcope with theextra homework
The amount of homework your child has to do will almost certainly increase significantly when they start Year 7.
It’sadaily part of secondary school life and your child will be expected to complete it all and meet any deadlines they areset.
Homework helps to build on what your child is learning at school so plays an important role in their education.
It’sofcourse only natural that they may struggle to adjust to this increased workload at first.
But thereare plenty of ways you can help them settle into this new routine.
Encourage them to be organised by helping them to get used to checking their timetables and packing their bags the night before. It may help to draw up alist of items needed for each subject together so that they always have that to refer to.
As well as books and equipment, make surethey know when they will need their sports kit, whether for lessons or after-school activities. This will lead to less panicking and reduce the chances of anything being forgotten in the mornings –well, in theory anyway!
Children areusually given aplanner to help them manage their homework. They’ll
be expected to use it every lesson to write down the details of their homework. Youwillprobably be asked to sign their planner every week to confirm that they’ve completed their homework
Take time to talk to your child about each day’shomeworkassignments and make surethat they arekeeping their planner up-to-date with what is required and when.
Youmay wish to provide them with wall space to hang aplanner at home, such as awhiteboard, to also write their assignments on.
While you don’twant to nag them, you don’twant them falling behind either Teach them to prioritise their work so that
they aredoing the tasks in the correct order according to the deadlines they have been set by their teachers. Ensurethat they have somewhere quiet to complete their work without any tempting distractions like the television or their tablet.
Encourage them to speak up if they arestruggling, and if you have real concerns that they arefinding it difficult to cope persuade them to speak to their form or subject tutor.Ifthey areworried or unwilling, then you may want to do it yourself.
If you think they aretaking longer to complete an assignment than they should, then wait to see if it’sjust aone-off–it may be that it’sone particular topic or task they’ve found morechallenging. But if it becomes aregular occurrence you may wish to raise it with the school.
Schools will have different policies concerning what happens if homework isn’thanded in, but it’susual for pupils to have to complete the work in detention. Reminding your child of this may be useful if they areshowing signs of wanting to ignoreanassignment, or put it offfor another day.But once they get into a routine, they’ll be fine.
Achance to make friends andlearn anew skilltoo
From playing in the band to being part of asports team, thereismoreto school life than just what goes on in the classroom.
In addition to their lessons, your son or daughter will have the chance to join in awhole host of extra-curricular activities. Every school will offer apacked programme to ensurethereissomething to suit all interests.
Maybe your child will already have afavourite sport or other interest they want to continue or they might choose to try something new.Your child will no doubt have plenty of opportunities and it is something that should always be encouraged.
Joining after-school clubs can make it easier for them to settle in to their new surroundings and make friends. Children, especially those that areshy,may be concerned about how they aregoing to get to know their new classmates. They will be moving from aschool wherethey knew everybody’snameand now they could be in aclass with children they have never seen before.
It is also agreat chance for your
child to develop an existing interest or start anew hobby,which could turninto alife-long passion. All schools will offer sessions, with meetings taking place either beforelessons, during lunch breaks and at the end of the day
If your child doesn’thave aparticular interest already,encourage them to try something new.Ifitturns out it’snot for them, they can always try something else. Make surethey don’tjust give up after the first attempt as it could take them awhile to find anew interest and it may be that it’ssomething they had never considered before. Once your child has found an activity that they enjoy,succeeding in that activity could build their confidence and self-esteem.
As well as all kinds of sports, they could get involved in special-interest clubs such as science or computing, music tuition and modernforeign languages, as well as homework clubs. Popular extracurricular activities include book groups, creative writing, and performing arts such as drama or choir groups.
Another benefit of extra-curricular activities is that they allow your children
to make acontribution to their school or community,helping to preparethem for later in life. For example, if they play in a school band they may stage aconcert that is open for the public to enjoy
Activities can also teach them time management because children will be expected to get to sessions on time and be ready to start as soon as they arrive. They also present opportunities for your child to set goals for themselves such as passing amusic exam, or being picked for the lead role in aplay.Itwill give them something to work towards.
Sports teams, clubs and activities, like dancing and music, all requirechildren to work together towards acommon goal. This will teach them the benefit of teamwork, which will be useful to them when they get their first job. By joining an after-school club, they will also have the chance to mix with children of other age groups and outside their own circle of friends.
When you attend an open day,make suretofind out what is on offer,especially if your child already has aparticular interest.
Couldyou getinvolved with theschool’sPTA?
When your child starts Year 7, you may decide it’stime to play amoreactive role in their school.
Most schools will have aPTA,Parents Association or Friends of… group, which can be agreat way of getting to know staffand other families while making areal contribution to the quality of school life for all.
Fundraising remains amajor part of a PTAorsimilar organisation’sactivities and directly contributes to improvements from new books and computers to covering the cost of field trips.
But they can also help to improve the school’slinks with the wider community which can bring many benefits.
Parentkind, which is the largest network of PTAfundraisers in the UK, says: “PTAmembers also provide awilling workforce for the school when extra hands areneeded, hold social events to bond the school community,run extra-curricular clubs for children and adults, and support parents through times of change.”
Thereare said to be many benefits from joining aPTA –both for you and your son or daughter
Firstly,becoming amember makes it easy to get to know people at the school, from the headteacher and teachers, to other parents. Events run by the PTA, from adisco for pupils to the annual summer fete, areusually funand are great for bringing the school together as a community.Teachers, parents and pupils alike get stuck in and enjoy themselves.
According to Parentkind, being part of the PTAhelps parents to understand how things in the school work.
If the PTAiswell supported by the teachers, you will realise how much they value the support it brings to the school.
There’salot of evidence to suggest that when parents areengaged in a
school, achild’s attainment is improved because being involved in school shows that you think it’simportant.
Parentkind says that it’snot uncommon for parents to feel unsure about getting involved with the PTA, there’s an assumption that you will be expected to commit large chunks of time to the school, but that’snot thecase.
Any help you can provide is usually very much appreciated, and in returnyou will receive ahugesense of satisfaction and most likely anew group of friends.
Therecould be other ways for you to get involved in your child’sschool, so it’s worth asking about any schemes they run.
Some schools recruit parent helpers to help children with reading or maths, sharetheir skills and interests and provide careers advice.
They may also be involved in running after-school clubs or wider fundraising such as grant applications.
n For moreinformation about Parentkind, which provides specialist fundraising support and advice to parent volunteers and PTAs, go to parentkind. org.uk
Howwillyouryoungster gettotheir newschool?
Once you know whereyourchild will be studying next September,you willneed to consider how they aregoing to get to school.
Arethey going to walk, catch abus or be dropped offbycar?
If their new secondary is just around the corner then it should be within easy walking distance of your home. But if it’s further away it may mean your child will be catching the bus for the first time by themselves. Or,you mightfind it’seasier for you to drop them offinthe car on the way to work.
If your child will be walking to their new school, you will need to think about whether they will go alone, with friends, or whether someone will walk them. As the nights start drawing in, make surethey can be clearly seen when they’rewalking to and from school. It’sworth buying reflective high-visibility stickers to put on their school bags.
It may be that you want to accompany
your child at the start until they areused to the routeand you arehappy to let them go by themselves, or with their friends.
If the school is further away,your child may be automatically entitled to free transport up to the age of 16. To qualify they need to attend the nearest suitable school, which must be further away than statutory walking distance of three miles for pupils aged eight or more. Statutory walking distance is measured by the shortest routeachild, accompanied if necessary,can walk with reasonable safety.Ifthereisnosuch route, the local authority must provide free transport no matter what distance you live from the school.
The local education authority or governing body will either provide its own transport, hirecoaches, or provide free bus or train passes for use on public transport.
In some cases, atravellingallowance may be paid to pupils who provide their
own transport, for example, acycle allowance. Pupils who do not qualify for free transport may be allowed to travel on spareseats on school buses for afee. Your local council will be able to tell you about what transport options areavailable in your area and what support is on offer
If your child will be taking public transport, it may help to calm any nerves by practising their routebeforethe start of term. This will help them to get used to getting out of the door,and to thebus stop, on time.
Whether it’spublic transport or abus provided by the council or school, it’s worth having aPlanBincase your child misses their lift. Make surethey know what they need to do if this happens, whether they should call you or another relative, or get ataxi. If it’sthe latter,make surethatthey have ‘emergency money’ to pay for it and that they know what it’s for and that it should be kept it in asecure place in their bag.
Kittingyourchild outfor themovetoanew school
Thereisnogetting around it. Kitting out children for their first year of secondary school can be expensive, but thereare ways to keep the costs down.
According to research conducted by The Children’sSociety, whichsurveyed 2,000 parents across the UK in May,on average they arespending £422 per year on uniforms and £287 for primary school children. So how can you save money on school uniforms?
n Buy secondhand –Sometimes there’saway to buy secondhand uniforms at the school through the Parent Teacher Association, Matthew Easter,chairman of The Schoolwear Association, says.
“Have alook on local Facebook sites or sometimes schools have secondhand sales themselves,” advises teacher, mother and money saving expert Sophie Bradbury
“Sometimes you can get uniform that’s barely been wornassomeone’sgrown out of it too quickly.Ifyou know anyone with children in their older years, ask them. Chances arethey’ve still got some old jumpers or polo shirts hanging around.
“Also check out your local charity shops and make suretoask if they have any uniform out the back. Charity shops don’tput everything out straight away,so it’salways worth an ask. [You can also try] car boot sales. Ialways see old uniforms going for pennies.”
It’sgreat when siblings attend the same school too, because you can pass down their old items.
n Buy good quality uniform that lasts –It’stempting to buy cheap school uniforms, but Easter suggests it’sbetter to focus on quality over quantity
Matthew is aparent of two girls aged seven and 10, and understands the strain it can put on families.
“School uniforms areunique pieces of clothing, because pupils wear it for at least 196 days every year.Ithardly changes too and doesn’tget lost as much as parents think –it’sonly asmall proportion. So why not invest in quality branded clothing that will last your child for afew years?
“It means you can focus on purchasing the quality staple branded items, including ablazer,jumper –depending on the school –and tie from recommended
retailers and then get skirts, trousers, white shirts, shoes and anything else required from independent retailers or supermarkets on the high street.”
In reality,Matthew suggests parents end up spending moreinashorter space of time buying lower quality uniforms, because they might need to be replaced.
n Buy it big so you get moreout of it –Uniforms tend not to be aone-time cost: you’ll have to buy replacements whenever you child has agrowth spurt and the garments no longer fit.
An easy hack to minimising the amount of new uniforms you have to buy? Buy the items abit toobig, giving your child time to grow into it.
n Recycle or upcycle –Clothingisone of the world’smost polluting industries, so don’tthrow your old uniform away
Many schools, parents groups and local charities will run uniform swap shops but in many cases if you areinneed of uniform, you can turnupwithout having anything to swap.
If they arenolonger good enough to wear again, you can always donate them to organisations that upcycle and recycle school uniforms. An example is the Re:Form scheme (run by Trutex), which sells pre-owned uniforms at reduced prices.
Spotting thesigns your childisbeing bullied
Knowing or suspecting that your child is being bullied can be very upsetting, but there’slots you can do to help tackle the problem.
Although you hope it never happens to your son or daughter,thereisachance it might so it helps to be prepared to recognise the signs so you can help.
The good news is that most schools arevery pro-active when it comes to preventing and dealing with this problem.
Bullying can take many shapes and forms and sadly technology and social media have also made it easier for those who want to cause trouble for others.
n Cyber bullying –usually carried out online, via smartphones and tablets –isbecoming increasingly common and can cause the same emotional and physiological stress as the conventional kind.
However,one of the biggest challenges posed is that it can be harder to detect because it only takes place via phones and other electronic devices.
The charity Family Lives recommends parents make note of everything that happened, including who was involved, when it occurred and who witnessed it, beforeapproaching the school.
Cyber bullying, unfortunately,can be harder to spot, and with mobile technology being so freely available it can seem never-ending as the taunting can continue at any time of the day or night.
It can also be made worse if taunts aremade via social networking sites and messaging apps because anything posted can often be seen by lots of people and easily shared.
n Make an appointment with the class teacher or head of year –they will want to see you if you have concerns. All state schools arerequired to have an anti-bullying policy by law.Work together with the school and make it clear you are seeking their help in finding asolution.
n Avoid accusing the school –remember that teachers areusually the last to find out that bullying is happening.
n As difficult as it may be, try to be patient –allow the school time to deal with the problem but stay in touch with them and arrange afollow-up meeting to see how the situation is being resolved.
If things don’timprove, keep abullying diary and write down every incident as soon as possible after it happens making suretotell the school each time.
n Look for changes in your child’s behaviour –theymay be less talkative and appear secretive. They may suddenly be unwilling to go out with friends or stop doing an activity they have always enjoyed.
Once they have confirmed your suspicions –keep alog of what’s happened, get screen grabs of texts or messages on social media and then go to the school for help.
What to do if your child has bullied someone:
No parent wants to find out that their child is bullying another pupil and it’slikely that you will feel angry,disappointed or any number of other strong emotions.
The NSPCC recommends that you should explain that what they’redoing is unacceptable.
Children and young people don’t always realise what they’redoing is bullying, or understand how much their actions have hurt someone.
Childline has lots of great advice specially designed for childen and young people.
The NSPCC says it’simportant to help them realise how what they’ve done will have affected the other person. Youcould ask them how they think the other child is feeling, and to remember how they’ve felt when someone has said or done something unkind to them.
Explain what you’regoing to do next, such as telling their school, and what you expect your child to do now
Ask them whether they have any questions about why their actions need to change.
Keep your childsafefrom harm when they go online
Once your child starts secondary school it’slikely that they will become moreexposed to smartphones and social media.
And they arenever too young to start developing good online habits.
One of the best ways to start is to encourage your child to talk to you about how they use the internet and show you what they do. Agood time to do this might be if they mention anew websiteor arestarting amajor project at school.
Setting afew ground rules can also be away to ensurethey aresurfingsafely This might include asking them to use their tech devices in acommunal area such as the living room or kitchen.
Another important step is to activate all of the parental controls on your home broadband and all devices including mobile phones and games consoles. Safe searching features can also be set up on websites such as Google to help them avoid any adult content.
Your home Wi-Fi network and TV settings should be passwordprotected.
Think about setting up accounts for your children so they’reonly seeing ageappropriate content. For example, on TV
streaming services like Netflix.
As they get older your child may want to have asocial networking profile on sites such as Facebook and Instagram.
The age limit is 13 for these sites and many games, apps, films and other social networks will have age ratings.
When they areold enough, talk to them about the benefits and risks before they join and ensurethey understand that anything they upload, email or message is out of their control as soon as they press the button. Remind them they should only
do things online that they wouldn’tmind you, ateacher or afutureemployer seeing. It’salsoimportant that they know how to block or ignorepeople and how to set strict privacy settings.
Children often feel they can say things online that they wouldn’tsay face-to-face, so it’simportant to teach them to always have respect for themselves and others online.
They also need to know thereis nothing wrong in NOT giving in to peer pressuretosend inappropriate comments or images.
Technology can move at an extraordinarily fast pace so it’salways a good idea to check in with your child from time to time, to make surethat they are using the internet appropriately and you areconfident they arestaying safe.
The NSPCC says: “Talking regularly with your child is the greatest tool to help keep them safe online. Talking regularly and making it part of daily conversation, like you would about their day at school, will help your child feel relaxed. It also means when they do have any worries, they’remorelikely to come and speak to you.”
Chance for youtoget a tasteofthe worldofwork
One of the secondary school milestones your child can look forward to is their first work experience placement, usually in Year 10.
This is achance for your son or daughter to get out and explorethe world of work and gain some invaluable insight which could inspiretheir futurecareer choice.
Their teachers will no doubt explain moreabout the process when the time comes, but it doesn’thurt to have an early understanding of what they will be required to do.
And some early planning may also help to ensurethey secureaplacement in their preferred industry,especiallyifit’sone that’sgoing to be popular
If you know wherethey want to work or what sector they would like to work in, then you can start making enquiries ahead of time.
For pupils who don’tknow what career they might like in the future, experts recommend they think about what they arepassionate about as that should spark some ideas. If they like animals then they
may want to look into options that will enable them to work closer with them. If they enjoy looking after younger siblings or babysitting, then childcareorteaching might be agood fit.
Nearer the time, pupils should speak to their teachers or careers advisor at school as they will be able to help with organising the placement and with speaking to the correct people, as well as dealing with the logistics.
Work experienceissaid to offer many benefits to teenagers such as boosting their confidence and inspiring their futurecareer goals. Placements will also help them to develop skills such as communicating with others, working in a team and problem solving, which will be beneficial to their studies.
If your child wants to enter the world of work after leaving school, then work experience can also be aroute to landing ajob. Impressing an employer during a work experience placement could mean they think of your child when they are looking to recruit in the future. Many companies will offer opportunities to
people who areknown to them or they know already have an insight into the business.
If your child plans to go to university or start an apprenticeship, then having completed work experience in asector related to their course or preferred place of work will show that they have enthusiasm for that industry and it also shows that they have made an effort to get abetter understanding of what the job involves and what is required fromthem
Competitionfor university places in areas such as medicine or veterinary practice can be tough, so having already secured work experience can help to make their UCAS application stand out.
Although it’susually atwo-week work experience placement in Year 10, many companies will allow students to return during school holidays so they can build on their skills and learning.
For many employers, nothing is more impressive than acandidate with relevant workexperience, and having this on their CV can put them acut above other applicants.
WolverhamptonGrammar School
DISCOVER HOWWOLVERHAMPTONGRAMMAR SCHOOL PREPARES PUPILS FORA BRIGHT FUTURE AT THEIROPENDAY
On Saturday 5th October, Wolverhampton Grammar School (WGS) invites families from across the region to experience its inspirational and exciting learning environment during its annual Open Day
This event is an excellent opportunity for families to exploreour school and learn moreabout what we can offer students aged 4-18.
We understand that choosing the right education for your child is not easy,and attending an Open Day allows you to gain acomprehensive understandingofwhat your child’snextsteps would look like.
Renowned for its academic excellence and inclusive community,WGS provides an enriching education from Reception through to Sixth Form, ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed in all aspects of school life.
Our commitment to fostering a nurturing and supportive environment is reflected in the achievements and personal growth of our students.
As one of the region’sleading independent schools, WGS was founded in 1512, making it one of the oldest independent schools in the country.The school consistently achieves outstanding exam results and contributes significantly to the local community
Additionally,our small class sizes ensurepersonalised attention, enabling every child to reach their full potential. We also offer an extensive range of extracurricular activities, with over 100 clubs available to enrich the educational experience of your child.
During your visit, you will be welcomed
by the Head, Nic Anderson, and have the opportunity to meet current students and teachers. Student-led tours will enable you to enjoy our 25-acresite, including the impressive sports grounds, arts centre, and purpose-built music block.
Therewillalso be arange of fun and engaging activities for you and your family to take part in as you make your way around our school.
Head Nic Anderson says ‘WGS offers an education that transforms lives as well as minds.
“Our unique approach to learning allows your child to develop skills in
resilience, independence, and confidence. They will form friendships and new interests and become morecurious about the world around them.”
Don’tmissthis opportunity to visit Wolverhampton Grammar School and learnmoreabout the entry process.
Please register for the Open Day at wgs.org.uk/whole-school-open-day to secureaplace.
This event is not only an insight into the academic offerings but also aglimpse into the dynamic and inclusive culturethat WGS prides itself on, preparing students for asuccessful and fulfilling future.
OldSwinfordHospital
OLDSWINFORDHOSPITALISAHAPPY,VIBRANT
ANDDISTINCTIVE STATEBOARDING SCHOOL WHERETRADITION,COMMUNITY ANDVALUESSIT COMFORTABLY ALONGSIDEINNOVATION.
Rated ‘Outstanding for boarding’ by Ofsted and bringing together boarders and day students, Old Swinford Hospital (OSH for short) prides itself on aunique educational experience where learning doesn’tend at the afternoon school bell.
As astate boarding school, OSH offers the academic and co-curricular facilities of an independent school at afraction of the fee; fees which arenot subject to VAT.
OSH is acommunity of many parts whereeachstudent is encouraged to be themselves, and to make their own contribution. As such we welcome an eclectic mix of ambitious students from all over the UK and overseas. Diversity of life is embraced, and learning to live –not simply work –alongside one another is a life skill that cannot be underestimated.
‘Pupils live together,learn together and thrive at Old SwinfordHospital’ –
Ofsted
For nearly 360 years, OSH has held values deeply rooted in the beliefs of our founder,industrialist and MP Thomas Foley.Heopenedthe School in 1667 to develop the skills and attributes required for young people to make adifference in the wider world. An ethos the School continues to this day
Preparing pupils for the future underpins everything we do. Staff understand and respond to the individual and collective personalities of students, and help each find and develop his or her own voice. Through abroad academic curriculum and co-curricular opportunities, OSH encourages pupils to ‘discover who they can be’.
Academically,OSH ranks highly nationally in terms of progress, attainment and educational performance. All pupils
FACTFILE:
Admissions: Tailored Boarding, Flexi-Boarding and Day places available for boys and girls aged 11-18
Rated ‘Outstanding’ for boarding by Ofsted (2019 and 2022).
Fees per term: Tailored Boarding £4,440 and Flexi-Boarding £2,220. Thereare no fees for Day Places For moreinformation, visit www oshsch.com
encounter great variety in their day; from sports to Shakespeare, coding to Mandarin; tech to music, drama and dance. Students take end of year exams as well as regular topic tests to assess personal learning and academic development. Complimented with focussed careers guidance and work experience, and later tailored support for university,apprenticeship or employment applications.
There’sopportunity at OSH with Tailored Boarding
Designed with busy families in mind, Tailored Boarding allows the flexibility to fit school and your son or daughter’sextracurricular activities around your working patterns and family lifestyle, in asafe, shared community whereyour child will grow in independence and confidence.
Tailored Boarding allows boarders to stay over whenever they like. Youand your child have the opportunity to choose when and how often you access boarding facilities and associated co-curricular activities.
Youhave the freedom to decide whether your child stays over,orcomes and goes beforeand after the school day,tofitwiththeir busy club and social schedules both in and out of school, integrated with your home life. Plus, all meals areincluded in the fees and our expert boarding teams will ensure homework is done, on time!
OSH’sco-curriculum offers breadth and inventiveness with afull programme of
sporting, creative, cultural and intellectual pursuits. Students have morethan45 activities on offer –most of which are included in the boarding fees. They will find themselves stimulated and stretched, and regularly introduced to new activities so they can prove to themselves that they can ventureinto the unknown and achieve what they once thought was beyond them. They can develop their adventure skills through the Combined Cadet Force or Duke of Edinburgh Award; nurturetheir performing arts talents in Music, and our new Drama and Dance studios; or extend their sporting ability with national and regional champion teams. Not to mention the many inter-house competitions for some friendly rivalry
Importantly,the School has astrong cultureofpastoral care for all students. In boarding, our dedicated teams provide auniquely stimulating and supportive environment in which all can flourish.
Boys and girls each have their own space in the boarding houses which we encourage they make their own so they can feel at home, away from home
We welcome all families interested in boarding to see for yourselves what adistinctive community OSH is. Come to our Open Morning on Saturday, September 14, or if you can’tmake that we’d be happy to give you apersonaltour of our houses and facilities. Taster stays arealsoavailable.
n To arrange your boarding tour, contact admissions@oshsch.com or 01384 817325.
Join us on Open Morning 9:30am-12pm Saturday 14 September
Awarded triple 'Outstanding' for boardingbyOfsted, OldSwinford Hospital offers an independent schoolexperience at afraction of the fee;fees which arenot subject to VAT. We offer Tailored Boarding, Flexi-Boarding and Day Placesfor boysand girls aged 11-18.
Extensivesports facilities mean many teamshold regional or national titles. Pluswith 45 co-curricular clubs and 10 music ensembles; excellent STEMlaboratories; teaching kitchen and two climbing walls; and newart, drama and dance studios, there’s plenty to get involvedwith.
Boarding is at the heart of the community where students live together, learn together and thrive.The impact on the individual is threefold: boarders develop great resilience, independence and genuine confidence; show humilityalongsideaspiration;and grow lifelongfriendships.
As Year 7student Maisie-Grace says “No matter who you are, you always haveaplace at OSH.”
+44(0)1384 817300
admissions@oshsch.com
WestMidlandsDY8 1QX
www.oshsch.com
LichfieldCathedral School
HELPINGYOU SETTLE INTO YOUR NEWSCHOOL ANDMAKE NEWFRIENDS
Starting anew school can be daunting, so staffatLichfield Cathedral School work hardtoensureyou starttomake new friends beforeyou joinus.
While in Year 6, we invite you to spend aday in school doing normal lessons, getting to know our pupils at break and lunchtime, and even trying our afterschool clubs if you areinterested.
The assessment day in November seems quite long, but actually the English and Maths tests arequickly completed in the morning, then we have adelicious lunch, followed by fun workshops in the afternoon, including exciting experiments in our science labs.
Our current Year 7pupils have this advice: “The assessment day was so much fun and the teachers werereally nice and helpful. Just enjoy it –noone is trying to catch you out, they want you to do your best, that’sall.”
In the summer term, you’ll come to aseries of events designed to familiarise you (and your parents) with the school, the
teachers and the support staffwho you will be seeing everyday.You can swap contact details with other new joiners and our current pupils, so that you can keep in touch over the summer holiday
The advice from our pupils is: “Don’tover think it –you will naturally make friends with the people in your class. Ithought it would be hard, but just remember everyone is in the same
position.” Our Year 8pupils will be your mentors and if you get lost at any point, therewillbelotsofhelpful pupils and staff around to show you the way
When you start Year 7, one of the first things we do is go on aresidential trip to York,sothat you can make new friends and have great adventures together
Call 01543 306168 to book aplace on the assessment day
Agroup of Lichfield Cathedral School’sYear 7students enjoying aresidential visit
TheRoyal School
ENCOURAGINGBOARDINGSTUDENTSTOASPIREAND ACHIEVE HIGH ACADEMIC STANDARDS, WHILEHELPING TO PREPARETHEMFOR THEIRFUTURELIFE ANDCAREER
The Royal School is part of the dynamic state boarding sector, combining the advantage of affordable fees, yet still holding on to its independent feel.
Located in aleafy suburb of Wolverhampton, The Royal School is conveniently situated between countryside and the UK’ssecond largest city,Birmingham, allowing students to experience the rich contrasts of British life. This also makes travel to other UK cities straightforward, and we have recently had day trips to London, Manchester,Liverpool, and Oxford.
Family is at the heart of everything we do at The Royal School and all our boarders benefit from astructured and vibrant daily routine.
It is no surprise that while many busy families may struggle with homework and
other day school aspects, our boarders excel. Boarders quickly adapt to their routines and areconsistently amongst the top achievers in their respective year groups.
They also have the advantage of the use of the expansive school grounds ensuring their wellbeing by playing games outside whether it be football, tennis or
basketball, crafting, cooking and enjoying film nights.
Developing the allaround individual is another key theme that runs throughout boarding at The Royal.
While we encourage all our boarders to aspire and achieve high academic standards, we also believe we have aduty to prepare them for their futurelifeand career.Thereisalso an emphasis on celebration and learning from other cultures, which all our boarders get simply from the number of countries and social backgrounds that they come from.
Being part of boarding at The Royal School means being part of anurturing community whereour boarders flourish. So why not join us hereand become part of the Royal Family?
Hydesville TowerSchool
ADVENTUREBEGINS AT HYDESVILLE TOWERSCHOOL
It is no surprise that Hydesville Tower School consistently ranks at the top of GCSE performance tables.
Unlike selective schools that rely on an 11-plus entry mechanism, their success is driven by highly qualified, inspiring teachers, small class sizes that allow for personalised learning, exceptional pastoral care, and aflexible curriculum tailored to each student’sneeds.
Hydesville Tower School’sSenior School is celebrated as the bestperforming non-selective secondary school in Walsall, according to the DfE. Their approach focuses not just on performance tables but also on the remarkable progress our pupils make.
Headteacher Mrs Samra highlights the importance of aspirational ‘value added’; targets to help each child reach their full potential: “In an environment whereevery child is well-known, education becomes incredibly powerful. No one slips through the net because we understand their aptitudes and attitudes.”
The school’sgenuine family atmosphereensuresparents can trust that their child will be supported and encouraged to flourish throughout their adolescence. An individualised learning model is adopted, whereteachers provide atailored program for every pupil.
Regular assessments build a comprehensive pictureofeach pupil’s abilities and progress, helping them
understand their personal learning journey This is supported by arobust system of pastoral and academic mentoring, challenge, and support.
Visit the school to see how Hydesville Tower School can exceed your child’s expectations. Request aprospectus on the website or attend the next Open Morning on Saturday,September 28th. Visit www.hydesville.com
City of WolverhamptonCouncil
HELP YOUR CHILDTOMAKEANIMPORTANT DECISION ABOUTTHEIR FUTURE
The application window is now open for secondary schools in the City of Wolverhampton for students starting Year 7in2025.
Prospective pupils and parents areencouraged to explorewhat theschools have to offer
The transition from primary to secondary school is asignificant and sometimes daunting time for both parents and children. Attending open days before submitting your application is an essential step in applying for the right school for your child.
These visits provide an opportunity to tour the school, speak with the headteacher,and meet current students and teachers. It’sa great chance to get afeel for the school’s environment and their facilities.
Afulllist of the city’ssecondary schools, including contact details and dates and times areavailable to view at
Parents areencouraged to carefully review each school’sadmissions criteria and to list all five preferences on their application.
The application deadline is 31 October, which is anational deadline. Applications submitted after this date will be considered
only after all on-time applications have been processed.
Councillor Jacqui Coogan, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: “As the new school year begins, many children across the City of Wolverhampton will enter their final year of primary school. If your child is among them, it’s time to start considering their secondary school options for next year
“Submitting applications by the end of October significantly increases the chances of securing aplace at apreferred school. This is one of the most important decisions you can make for your child’sfuture, so be surenot to miss the deadline.”
To apply,log on to wolverhampton.gov uk/make-your-application and complete the short application process.
SCHOOL OPENDAYS
Highfields School
WHEREEVERY CHILDMATTERS ANDEVERY CHILDACHIEVES
At Highfields we believe that every child really matters. We aremorethan just aschool; we area community where every child’spotential is nurtured and realised.
We arecommitted to creating ahappy and harmonious learning environment whereevery child can thrive; enjoy academic success and become wellrounded individuals who can contribute positively to our community and beyond.
We understand that each child is unique and our excellent curriculum, combined with high-quality teaching and learning, enables all students to develop apassion for learning.
From the arts and sports to science and technology,our wide range of extracurricular activities ensures that students can exploretheir interests and develop their talents.
We firmly believe that our holistic
approach to learning fosters students’ creativity,confidence and resilience.
We pride ourselves on providing exceptional support and challenge for students of all abilities, strengths and talents.
Together with our dedicated and award-winning safeguarding and inclusion teams, we ensureasafeand caring community whereevery child can flourish.
We emphasise the values of honesty
and integrity,creating an environment wherestudents feel valued and respected.
The transition to anew school can be an exciting yet sometimes daunting experience for students.
Our Lower School pastoral team will ensurethat each student feels welcomed and supported from day one at Highfields. Your child’sYear Manager will move through the school with them, providing both you and your child with ongoing and unparalleled support during their time with us.
We invite youtovisit our vibrant community on our Open Morning on Saturday 21st September,where you can meet our dedicated staff, tour our exceptional and modernschool and see our commitment to every child in action.
Come and see how we can make a difference to your child’seducation and to their future.
Thomas TelfordUTC
THOMAS TELFORDUTC PROVIDES THEYOUNG PEOPLE OF WOLVERHAMPTONAND THESURROUNDING AREA WITH AUNIQUECOMBINATION OF EXCELLENTACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT ANDFIRST CLASSPREPARATION FORTHEIR FUTURE
The futureislooking bright with anew school from the Thomas TelfordMulti Academy Trust.
Itisthe collaboration of the Outstanding Thomas TelfordSchool with the West Midlands UTC, judged by Ofsted to be Good with Outstanding features. We believe that the strengths of the two schools unite to offer our students atruly ground-breaking opportunity
Ofsted reported that Thomas Telford School is “a remarkable school and a beacon of excellence”. It adds: “The essence of why teaching leads to such effective learning is that so much detailed planning goes into the curriculum, so much effort goes into regularly checking how students aredoing, and so much careand guidance is given to individuals to ensurethey achieve their best.”
Equally,Ofsted has praised West Midlands UTC noting that: “Employers contribute impressively to many aspects of school life and areextensively involved in the school as patrons, partners and mentors.
“The school’swork to develop students’ employability skills is particularly successful. Through regularemployer-led group projects students develop highorder communication skills and learnto work as part of ateam.”
Thomas TelfordUTC prides itself on offeringa:
n Broad and balanced curriculum
n Placing astrong emphasis on
STEAM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art &Maths)
n Superb learning environment with stateof-the-art facilities
n Excellent enrichment opportunities
n First-class employer engagement
n Unrivalled academic and technical education
n Extensive support from the University of Wolverhampton and The Thomas Telford Multi Academy Trust
The Principal Av Gill said: “I am honoured to be entrusted with leading
Thomas TelfordUTC on ajourney that Iamconfident will see this flagship establishment become the gold standardfor secondary education in Wolverhampton.
“I want every child that comes to Thomas TelfordUTC to be part of the fabric of the school, and to come home every day fulfilled and happy that they have made progress in their learning and development.
“In collaboration with our sponsors and industry leading employer partners, we are able to offer unrivalled opportunities for 11-18 year-olds in the region that will allow them to go beyond their expectations.
“Our partners at Thomas TelfordSchool and the University of Wolverhampton believe that all students deserve the chance to flourish in an exceptional environment that offers access to cutting-edge technology and unique, hands-on experiences.
“Together,wewillprovide our students with the perfect combination of academic and technical excellence in preparation for the world of work and the fantastic opportunities that await them.”
Key dates: Parent Information Evenings will take place on September 12, 19 and October 1, book via the website thomastelfordutc.com
The closing date for applications is October 31.
St RegisCofEAcademy
SCHOOL COMMITTEDTOPROVIDING ITSSTUDENTSWITH ATOP-TIEREDUCATION WHILE FOSTERING VALUES OF LOVE ANDRESPECT.
St Regis Church of England Academy continues to thrive as part of Three Spires Trust, embarking on an exciting journey of development.
Recently dedicated a‘Good’and ‘Excellent’ school by Ofsted and SIAMs inspections, affirming its commitment to providing atop-tier education while fostering values of love and respect.
Our close partnership with St Peter’s Collegiate Academy has led to the establishment of Three Spires Sixth Form, our joint sixth form provision.
This partnership offers adiverse range of enrichment ‘Academies’ including Basketball, Cricket and e-Sports. The collaboration between the two schools will also see the creation of an On-Site Appropriate Provision at St Regis, ensuring we can suitably meet the needs of all of our students.
In addition, 2024 marked the completion of amulti-million-pound upgrade to our school building. The enhancements include abrand-new roof spanning the entireschool, astate-ofthe-art fitness suite, increased investment in ICT provision and refurbishment of our unique on-site naturereserve.
Starting in September 2024, this reserve will host timetabled Forest School and Bushcraft lessons for all Key Stage 3 students. These facilities areinaddition to our existing swimming pool, faith centre, specialist Design Technology centreand extensive library
Our school values of “Sow,Nurture, Grow and Flourish” reflects the
environment we create at St Regis where our young people can grow into happy and successful adults.
We nurtureopportunities to learn through curiosity; to exploretheir faith through understanding; and to flourish in acompassionate and thriving community, whereall arewelcome. We expect all
students to embody The St Regis Wayby respecting others, being ready to learn, and reaching their potential.
St Regis is an exciting and inspirational place to work and study –pleasecome and see for yourself!
Join us as we Grow Together at St Regis.
Wednesday2nd October
Open Morning 9.30am–11pm
Thursday10thOctober
Open Evening5pm –7pm
Saturday12thOctober
Open Morning 9.30am–11pm
Tuesday22nd October
Open Morning 9.30am–11pm
Scan to register your attendance
“The kingdom of heavenislikeamustard seed... Though it is thesmallestofall seeds,yet when it grows, it is thelargestofgarden plantsand become atree, so that thebirds come andperch in itsbranches”Matthew 13 31-22
St Peter’s Collegiate Academy
RESPECT,SERVE
St Peter’sCollegiate Academy is a co-educational, Church of England Academy for students up to the age of 18 that has been serving the city of Wolverhampton since 1847.
As afaith-based comprehensive academy,weboast an inclusive community that mirrors the richness and diversity of Wolverhampton.
Accessible Education for All
Our academy is conveniently located and accessible via the 1, 10, and 11 bus routes from the city centre, allowing students from across Wolverhampton to attend. While we offer foundational places to students practising their faith, the majority of our places areallocated based on need and proximity to the academy, without requiring afaith reference.
Empowering Students to Thrive
Our coreaim is to support our students in their pursuit of knowledge and wisdom, enabling them to flourish as lifelong learners who seek to love God and serve our community.Wecontinually adapt our curriculum to ensureour students are fully prepared for their next life stage.
Our knowledge-rich curriculum empowers students to become curious, independent, and proactive members of society
Through abroad and balanced curriculum offer,our teachers extend students’ cultural experiences, explore contemporary issues, and work diligently to develop independent learners.
Excellence in Sports and the Arts
Sport, music, and the arts are cornerstones of our enrichment provision.
Recently,wehave heavily invested in basketball, establishing asuccessful basketball academy.Along with football, netball, and athletics, basketball has
become ahigh-quality provision at our academy,withour teams regularly winning local leagues.
Many of our students areselected to represent their city,county,orcountry, atestament to our commitment to excellence.
Heavily Subsidised Music Programme
Similarly,our music provision is highly regarded, with many students performing at events across the city
Our experienced and talented music teachers, alongside peripatetic instructors, offer awiderange of music lessons and experiences.
St Peter’siscommitted to reducing the cost of music tuition, with one in five
students playing an instrument at aheavily subsidised rate.
Comprehensive Career Guidance
From the moment they join us, students begin using the Unifrog Careers Platform and receive regular careers guidance. This guidance adapts to changes in sectors, courses, and policies, ensuring our students have access to the latest opportunities. We also host careers events to further support their future aspirations.
Community Partnerships for Holistic Development
We aim to collaborate with leaders across the city to support the community we serve. By fostering effective partnerships, we provide the necessary careand challenges to help your child reach their God-given potential, positively impacting our community and society as a whole. At St Peter’s, we arecommitted to making this vision areality
Visit Us
We warmly invite parents and carers to experience St Peter’sCollegiate Academy firsthand at our upcoming open events. Discover the vibrant community, innovative programmes, and exceptional opportunities that await your child. Visit our website for dates and details: www.stpetersacademy.org.uk
MoretonSchool
EMBARK ON AN EXCITING JOURNEY:DISCOVER
At Moreton School, we believe that every student deserves to be treated as aunique individual, fostering an environment wheretheir potential can truly flourish.
Our dedicated staffare committed to delivering afirst-class, knowledgerich education that extends beyond the confines of the classroom, offering awealth of enriching experiences to students.
From day one, students are encouraged to preparefor their future lives through aseries of exceptional opportunities. They will visit universities, connect with local businesses, and meet inspiring individuals, all while developing vital life and social skills. We firmly believe that holistic growth is the key to success, and we’rethrilled to be part of Amethyst Academies Trust, working in collaboration with Aldersley High School and sharing the joint Amethyst Sixth Form and the Moreton Sixth Form.
Achieving Excellence Together
“Our school is avery special place,
whererelationships lie at the coreof everything we do,” says our dedicated headteacher.The strong bond between parents, students, and staffforms an unbreakable team, ensuring that each young person reaches their full potential. The happiness, safety,and supportour new Year 7students experience from the outset is truly heartwarming. Building on our previous achievements, we celebrated our best results ever last summer,and we’reconfidently propelling our current Year 11 students towardevengreater heights in the coming year Moreton School continues its
Moreton School
incredible transformation year on year
Our brand new Multi-Use Gaming Area is now available for students throughout the year.Through it all, one thing remains constant: the warm and inviting Moreton family feeling that defines our community As we strive to become the best school in the Midlands, we remain devoted to maintaining this unique atmosphereof belongingand camaraderie.
Witness Education Come to Life
We extend awarm invitation to all who wish to exploreour vibrant learning environment. Come and visit us at any time to experience firsthand how we bring education to life, shaping confident, capable, and compassionate individuals ready to conquer their futures. Moreton School welcomes you with open arms! Join us for our Open Days on Saturday,21st September 2024 from 10am to 12.30pm and Monday,30th September 2024 from 4pm to 6.30pm. Book your tickets now and find out why Moreton School should be the first choice in education for you and your child.
AldersleyHigh School
You’relooking for the best education possible for your child, and we’ve got the recipe.
AHS stands for Aldersley High School, but those three letters also summarise our plan for your child: Ambition. Hard Work. Success. We believe that agreat education starts with Ambition, is only achieved through HardWork, and ultimately,weare here to work with you to make Success inevitable.
Aldersley High School continues to be one of the strongest schools in the city, consistently judged as ‘Good’ for more than adecade, with results that arealways among the highest. But we’rehungry for more, and AHS also stands for Always Higher Still, our commitment to continually improving to better serve our community
Aldersley benefits from fantastic facilities, excellent teaching, and limitless opportunities for its students. Situated in extensive and attractive grounds, we have outstanding music, performing arts,
and sports facilities, along with great spaces for art, design, and the sciences. We believe that secondary school should be challenging but enjoyable, enriching the whole child. Our comprehensive curriculum and extracurricular activities aim to cultivate cultural capital and enrichment, ensuring that every student progresses and attains their full potential. We start and finish with our highest priority: to ensurethat children achieve well. We arerelentless in pursuing success for your child, from even beforetheir first
day to their potential stay with us into Sixth Form in our outstanding, purposebuilt facility.Weemphasise the importance of fostering asafe, harmonious, and inclusive environment wherestudents feel valued and respected. Our commitment extends to supporting students with special educational needs, ensuring they arechallenged and stretched to achieve their best.
At Aldersley,webelieve in preparing students for adult life by instilling in them the values of responsibility,respect, and active participation in the wider community.Our dedicated staffare continuously supported with professional development opportunities, ensuring they can provide the best education and guidance for our students.
Aldersley has something for everyone, and we look forwardtoshowing you more soon. Join us in our journey of ambition, hardwork, and success, and let’smake the futurebrightfor your childtogether
TheKhalsaAcademy
ACADEMYOFFERS OUTSTANDINGFACILITIESAND AN AMBITIOUSCURRICULUMTO
CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERESTUDENTSCAN THRIVE ANDREACH THEIRPOTENTIAL
The Khalsa Academy Wolverhampton (TKAW) is aSikh ethos school that seamlessly combines academic excellence with student wellbeing, welcoming children from all faiths and backgrounds.
Led by Principal, Mr Sukhdev Shoker, TKAWensures that students gain the knowledge, skills, and values essential for success in their communities and beyond.
TKAW’sexceptional GCSE results place it as the top non-selective school in Wolverhampton for progress (P8 +0.68), and the school continues to achieve strong A-level results at Khalsa Sixth.
With an inclusive environment, outstanding facilities, and an ambitious curriculum, particularly in digital and STEM skills, students arewell-prepared for future success.
“Our school is dedicated to providing unparalleled opportunities for our students,” said Mr Shoker
“Westrivetofoster alearning environment whereevery student can
thrive and reach their full potential.”
At TKAW, students areset ambitious targets within abroad and balanced curriculum, empowering them to excel academically and pursue higher education or high-level apprenticeships.
The school is also acentreof excellence for computer science, hosting the Computing at Schools (CAS) Hub and
With high expectations, exemplary student behaviour,and arobust pastoral system, TKAWnurtures well-rounded individuals ready to contribute to their communities. Join us at TKAW, where we create endless opportunities for our students and nurturethe leaders of tomorrow
offering first-class teacher training.
At Our Lady and St Chad Catholic Academy,weare Christ-like in virtue and areproud tooffer our students a learning environment that is inclusive to all wherethey can feel valued for who they areand what they achieve. We strive to create young people who arecompassionate, curious and aspirational.
Our students areunique and have a sense of moral integrity and respect for one another.They aretaught, throughout their time with us, the importance of being agood person and understanding the importance of learning and growing in an environment wheregospel values areimplicit to academy expectations and achievement.
Academy staffdemand high academic expectations of their students and have established apositive ethos that encourages students to achieve success within the context of the Christian gospel values of respect, truth, justice, peace,
St Chad Catholic Academy
charity and forgiveness. Staffinspire curiosity and develop resilience in their students to support families with nurturing young adults in both integrity and academic excellence.
We provide Catholic education to students aged 11-18 from different backgrounds and faiths and celebrate a tradition of developing the whole person. We passionately believe that we arestrong alone and unstoppable together and this philosophy permeates throughout our
academy,both inside and outside of the classroom.
Our Lady and St Chad Catholic Academy prides itself on astrong pastoral team that is provided for all community members. Relationships between students and staffare strong –this has created afamily environment wherestudents canlearnpurposefully.Our staffactively encourage students to try their best and achieve excellent outcomes. This underpins the belief that each student has gifts and talents that areunique to our academy
If you want your child to enjoy their secondary education in an atmosphere that is full of opportunities, whereteachers build their confidence in every class and everyone helps each other to achieve the grades they need, then we look forward to welcoming you to one of our open evenings and introducing you to your huge new family!
Visit olsc.org.uk to learnmore.
ANDTHE WYRE FOREST
Dudley AcademiesTrust
The four secondary schools that are members of Dudley Academies Trust arenow above the national Progress 8measure, and they arethe top four schools in the borough for the most improved schools compared with 2019 outcomes; they have come averylong waysince 2017.
Six years of progress and success
Jo Higgins, Chief Executive Officer of Dudey Academies Trust, expressed her delight at the advances the Trust has made, she said: “I am extremely proud of the immense progress our secondary academies have made in the seven years that we have been operational. All four secondary academies have significantly boosted their results and arebetter than 2019.
Gold standard
All four have improved on the gold standardGCSEmeasureofGrade 5plus in both English and Mathematics and in one case by amassive 21 per cent.
Therehas also been aclear improvement in the number of learners achieving the higher grades, seven to nine. In two academies, almost 20 per cent of learners achieved this in English.
This is an incredible achievement for our young people and the staffwho have supported them through two years of disruption and uncertainty.
It is absolutely tremendous to see learners gaining up to nine Grade 9s or equivalent.
Looking ahead
Both of the Trust’sprimary schools have achieved SATS results at or above the national benchmark for expected
progress and Blowers Green is one of the top performing schools in the borough.
As we welcome additional primary schools in years to come, we will be able to greatly increase our contribution to the educational outcomes and life chances of children in Dudley and the surrounding areas.
Meanwhile, we have successfully worked with the Department for Education to prioritise the rebuilding of Beacon Hill Academy,and we hope to announce the start of this scheme later in the year.
In addition, The Link Academy has been awarded £100,000 grant by the Wolfson Foundation to transform its Science and Design Technology facilities.
One project from which Iam
particularly keen to see the results is the Sherwood Ranger light aircraft that our learners arebuilding at the Institute of Technology
When it is finished, it will have arange of 200 miles, so we really will be able to say that our learners can go alongway in life!
Iamconfident that our academies will continue to make great strides forward over the coming years and that your child will find every opportunity to thrive with us and to develop as arounded and confident young person. We want your child to ‘dream big’ and to know that many positive life choices arewithin reach.”
MORETHAN ATRUST
TheLinkAcademy
ACADEMYAIMSTOGOFROM‘GOOD’TO‘OUTSTANDING’
The Link Academy is led by Emma Edwards-Morgan, who attended the school when it was judged ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.
She and her strong Senior Leadership Team aredetermined to regain that status and are committed to changing lives among the young people of Netherton and the surrounding area. Now that the academy has been judged ‘Good’ in all areas, parents can be assured that The Link Academy gives every child the best possible opportunities to progress.
The Principal summarises the approach at The Link Academy as follows, “Webuild on areas of strength to improve outcomes for all learners, quickly identifying and dealing with any areas of weakness and accelerating learner attainment.
“Wehave steadily increased the levels of outstanding teaching in the academy
and have placed astrong emphasis on the English and Mathematics skills that underpin every subject. A£100,000 grant from the Wolfsonfoundation for the refurbishment of Science and Design Technology facilities will enable us to make even greater strides forwardinthese subjects.”
Akey part of the recipe is raising
learner confidence, developing their futurecareer aspirations and increasing their knowledge of career options.
Understanding what they are aiming for in the futuremotivates learners and helps them to dream big about what they can achieve in life.
Learners arerewarded for their efforts to realise their ambitions on adaily basis. They arealso rewarded for acts of kindness and helpfulness and for anything that upholds the academy’svalues.
The Link has excellent sporting and performing arts facilities that support abroad range of extra-curricular clubs, teams and other activities. As Ofsted said, pupils access “a wide and rich set of experiences” as well as “highquality careers advice and guidance”.
In the words of the principal –“We are very confident that this academy has a great future.”
Beacon Hill Academy
THESCHOOLHAS DESIGNED AN INCREASINGLYAMBITIOUS CURRICULUMWHICH IS TAUGHT WITH HIGH LEVELS OF CONSISTENCY
Beacon Hill Academy is on a continued mission to develop an inspirational school that instils ambition and desire in its learners, opens their minds, widens their horizons, and equips them to succeed in achallenging world.
The marked rise in the proportion of learners achieving Grade 5orhigher in both English and Mathematics is avery good indicator of the advances made across the academy
Having made significant improvements to every aspect of academy life and performance over the last five years, the Senior Management Team at Beacon Hill is determined to ensurethat the academy continues to ensurethe academy goes from strength to strength.
Staffwant learners to enjoy their time at the academy,tofeel safe, to feel
supported and to make excellent progress as aresult.
Thereisapassionate belief that every young person matters and that every learner has awide array of talents that must be identified and nurtured.
This is an academy with amission to give each individual learner achoice of ways forwardinlife. It runs awide
rangeofprogrammes focusing on careers, leadership, volunteering, personal and social responsibility,confidence building and personal development.
Recently,learners have participated in public speaking and poetry recitation competitions, full-scale dramas, musicals, dance, STEM competitions, entrepreneurship competitions and abroad range extra-curricular clubs, teams and activities.
Learners areable to participate in additional activities including engineering, art, science, dance, the Duke of Edinburgh scheme and avariety of sports.
Beacon Hill Academy offers arounded education that will open young people’s eyes to the opportunities available in the wider world if they study hardand give themselves something to aim for
PegasusAcademy
APLACE WHEREPUPILSCAN DREAMBIG ANDACHIEVE
The six consecutive years of improved GCSE results at Pegasus Academy would be amajor achievement for any school.
Results have made big advances in the coresubjects of English, mathematics and science, with improvements being made across the board.
Results though, only tell half of the story.The leadership team at Pegasus Academy is on aclear mission to continue transforming the school by appointing the very best teaching staff, pushing for improvement in every area and encouraging their learners to ‘dream big’ about their futures.
Staffare determined to broaden learners’ horizons, increase their selfconfidence and strengthen their life skills. They aim to encourage and help each child to be the best that they can be.
Good behaviour is akey ingredient. Every school has abehaviour model, but this one is different. It focuses on opportunities for learners to be rewarded. Perhaps that is why attendance at Pegasus has been less affected by
Covid than some other Dudley secondary schools.
Of course, thereare sanctions for learners who break the rules. This cuts out the behaviour that prevents learners from learning, that wastes time in the classroom and distracts attention from the subject being studied.
In and out of the classroom, learners and teachers agree that the behaviour model is amassive plus point for Pegasus Academy At the same time, aconsiderable effort has gone into making the academy environment into something that inspires and motivates our learners, with improvements having been made to the classrooms in every block of the school.
Thereisanew attitude among learners at Pegasus and aconviction across the academy that will continue to make good progress over the years to come.
St JamesAcademy
THECAREERS PROGRAMME IS ASTRENGTHOFTHE SCHOOL ANDREFLECTS THE SCHOOL’SAMBITIONOF‘DREAMINGBIG’
Principal Ian MooreatSt James Academy takes a personal approach, making an effort to learnthe names andpersonalities of each and every learner,atask made possible by the school’s modest size.
The performance of each learner is recorded and actively monitored on aweek-by-week basis.
Staffknowalmost immediately which learners might need moresupport and which ones can be pushed to ahigher level of achievement.
This is regularly reviewed and discussed by the Senior Leadership Team; in this way,everychild is helped to be the best that they can be.
This approach has transformed learner performance, but many other aspects of what learners experience areequally positive.
Staffare passionate about rewarding learners who make an extra effort, show kindness, display great teamwork or achieve beyond expectations.
Learners arechallenged to extend their interests through awide programme of extra-curricular activities, sports teams, trips and visits.
The careers programme helps learners to focus on their futures and motivates them to work hardand develop their selfconfidence.
Every learner is encouraged to become astudent leader, contribute to charity awareness initiatives, participate in debating and reciting competitions and join in with science projects and business presentations.
Visitors to St James Academy often remark on the politeness they encounter in their corridors and classrooms.
Senior leaders areconsistently walking around the school, talking to learners about their lessons, their other activities and whatever is on their minds.
Learners have plenty of opportunities to let offsteam and pursue their interests, as the academy has large playing fields and excellent facilities for sport and drama.
St James Academy makes areal difference to the lives of young people and their families.
Dormston School
ASCHOOL WHEREEVERYONEISDESERVING OF AN EXCELLENTEDUCATION,SHOULD AIMHIGHAND BE GIVENTHE
OPPORTUNITIES TO BE THEVERYBESTTHATTHEYCAN BE
At Dormston, the basics underpin everything that they do.
Their philosophy is simple. If all partners –students, parents and carers work together then every child will be able to attain their absolute best.
Leaders and teachers sharecommon values of Effort, Knowledge, Respect, Responsibility and Resilience with students. They work together to ensure that students achieve their best.
Headteacher Caroline Sutton fully believes that partnership in all its guises is the key to success.
She said: “I am certain that parents and carers will sharethe high hopes and aspirations that the school has for its students. Ibelieve that irrespective of background, everyone is deserving of an excellent education, should aim high and be given the opportunities to be the very best that they can be.
“If you always try your best, no one will ask moreofyou. We expect Dormston students to be proud of what they achieve during their time with us and be proud of who they are.
“Wewant every student to be the very best version of themselves and uphold our corevalues of Knowledge, Effort, Respect, Resilience and Responsibility
“Teaching staffworkhardtoensure that they plan and teach lessons that arechallenging and engaging. Staffare monitored regularly and work hardto ensurethat the students receive the education that is appropriate for them.
“Attendance is vital. If children aren’t in school, they can’tmake the most of the learning and enrichment opportunities
on offer to them. Our expectation is high. Poor attendence is always challenged. We encourage every student to be above 97% attendance and all pupils to aim for 100%.
“As always we expect the highest standards of behaviour.Behaviour for learning is paramount. We areproud of our strong climate for learning.
“Students being polite and respectful to their peers is agiven. We will not tolerate aggressive, abusive or disrespectful behaviour in any form.
“Students at Dormston have the right to feel safe and happy and know that their learning is of the highest importance without disturbance or interruption from others.
“Our facilities areoutstanding and complement our safe and supportive learning environment. Our theatre and sporting facilities areheldinhigh regardbothwithinschool and the local community
“Webelieve that learning should extend beyond the classroom. To support this, we have awide variety of extra curricula opportunities on offer to students.
“Duke of Edinburgh, house competitions, school productions and sports clubs give aflavour of what is on offer
“Welook forwardtowelcoming you to Dormston!”
Invictus EducationTrust
WE AREPROUD TO BE ALEADING EDUCATIONALINSTITUTIONTHATISDEDICATED TO PROVIDINGPUPILSWITHANEXCEPTIONAL EDUCATIONAND ELITE EXPERIENCES
Invictus Education Trustwas created in March 2015 by agroup oflike-minded schools: Crestwood School, Ellowes Hall Sports College, Kinver High School and Wombourne High School. Leasowes High School joined us in Autumn 2016 and PedmoreHigh School in September 2018, further strengthening an already thriving Trust. In 2021 RuffordPrimary School and Nursery became the first primary school to join our Trust.
Invictus Education Trust is proud to be aleading educational institution that is dedicated to providing our pupils with an exceptional education, unique opportunities and elite experiences.
With afocus on academic excellence, holistic development and apassion for unlocking our students’ limitless potential, we stand at the forefront of educational innovation. Through our commitment to personalised learning, awide array of enriching experiences, and acollaborative Sixth Form, Invictus Education Trust offers atransformative educational journey that puts our pupils at the heart of everything we do.
Academic Excellence:
As aTrust, we arecommittedto maintainingthe highest standards of academic excellence. We take great pride in the fact that ALL of our schools have achieved an Ofsted rating of ‘Good’. This recognition reflects our unwavering
dedication to providing our pupils with an outstanding education that equips them with the knowledge, skills, and resilience needed to succeed in their future endeavors.
Unique Experiences and Opportunities:
What sets Invictus Education Trust apart is our commitment to offering unique experiences and opportunities that go beyond the traditional classroom setting. We areproud to be thefirstF1in Schools Academy in the UK, providing our students with an extraordinary opportunity to engage in the thrilling world of Formula One and STEM.
We believe in fostering well-rounded individuals, which is why we provide an array of enriching experiences. From the
Duke of Edinburgh Awardtointernational trips, we empower our pupils to explore their interests, discover new passions, and develop vital life skills that will serve them well beyond their academic journey
Collaborative Sixth Form:
We understand the importance of a smooth transition from secondary school to higher education. This is why we offer acollaborative SixthForm, providing our pupils with asupportive and seamless continuation of their educational journey
Our Sixth Form combines a comprehensive range of A-level and vocational subjects with personalised guidance and support, ensuring that pupils receive the education and preparation they need to excel in their chosen paths.
Our Commitment to Our Pupils:
At Invictus Education Trust, our students areatthe heart of everything we do. We understand that each pupil is unique, with individual strengths, aspirations and challenges.
That’swhy we prioritise their holistic development, offering aperfect mix of academic challenge, pastoral care, and enriching experiences. Our dedicated team of educators and staffare proud to representour schools and the Trust, creating anurturing and inclusive environment whereour pupils can thrive.
By joining Invictus Education Trust, pupils have access to exceptional education, unique experiences and opportunities that will empower them to become confident, capable and compassionate individuals ready to make apositive impact in the world.
Located in the beautiful, rural village setting of Kinver,weservea wide catchment area and currently have students who travel to us from across the region.
Whilst we areanon-selective school, students and their parents choose us, because of our discerning traditional values, making us the non-selective, selective school of South Staffordshire.
As an Invictus School, we believe and uphold the values of the Trust. Our most important value: that ‘every day in every way our students come first’ is embodied by all who work at Kinver and ensures that all of our students arerecognised, valued and successful. This coupled with Kinver’s friendly atmosphere, unique ‘family feel’ ethos and wider opportunities, mean that our students areholistically nurtured as individuals, to stand out from the crowd.
Reassuringly,our priorities areclear as to what we feel makes us, asuccessful school.
We believe that:
n Pupils need to feel safe and happy
Telephone:01384686900
n Pupils should be fully engaged and immersed into awiderange of learning activities
n Opportunities should be provided both in and out of the classroom
n All pupils, regardless of ability, should be given every opportunity to achieve their full potential.
Engage |Succeed |AspiretoLead
Our dictum guides all that we do and by choosing Kinver High, you can be assured that your child will be challenged to achieve their very best academically,as well as being supported and encouraged
to develop the moral, social and emotional intelligence to succeed outside of the classroom in awide variety of ways.
Kinver High is aschool that uses its relatively small size to great effect. Our students arenot lost in thecrowd. We recognise the need to personalise our teaching to get the very best out of each individual. Our classrooms provide engaging opportunities to work and learn in groups and we believe that effective and regular feedback helps our students to improve and make good progress.
Our ambitious curriculum and wider opportunities for enrichment, leadership and personal development ensures that all of our students areequipped with the skills and acumen to become tomorrow’s leaders and to continue to always aim, to be the best that they can be.
We look forwardtomeeting you at our Open Day on Saturday,September 21st and invite you to visit us at our ‘warm and welcoming school’ where‘pupils behave well in lessons’ and ‘arepolite and courteous’ (Ofsted ‘Good’ Dec 21).
Email:o e inverhi h o Address: inver i h hooland i h orm inver o r rid e D 6AA
Leasowes High School
Leasowes is an oversubscribed Ofsted ‘Good’ school.
Our motto of ‘Aspireand Achieve’ underpins all aspects of student’slife at Leasowes High School.
To ‘Aspire’ is to direct our students’ hopes and ambitions towards achieving their highest academic results and fulfilment of potential. To ‘Achieve’ is to successfully bring about the end results of that aspiration through their hardwork, effort, skill and courage.
As acommunity,weare working together to become an outstanding school within Invictus Education Trust. Currently we areoversubscribed due to our popularity and the fact we arethe firstchoice secondary school for many
Our aim is to help each and every student to understand and reach their potential by offering arange of opportunities and approaches to learning, supported by acaring pastoral team, dedicated to the health, emotional wellbeing and personal development
of each individual. We areaschool committed to providing arigorous academic curriculum wherestudents gain knowledge, skills and understanding through outstanding teaching. Our curriculum provides breadth across all subjects, including the arts, technology, and languages. Areading programme which is followed across the school, aids students with comprehension and literacy skills.
Leasowes’ curriculum supports the needs of all; students from Year 7are
taught in amix of form groups and abilitybased groups, with emphasis on progress and achievement, however no child is overlooked or undervalued in our desireto Aspireand Achieve.
At Leasowes each student is challenged to bring moretotheir education than a‘lesson by lesson’ experience.The range of activities offered to students is varied, with extracurricular clubs and enrichment opportunities available for all.
Students have the chance to participate in arange of after-school clubs, both on arecreational and competitive level. We enter teams into leagues and tournaments in awidearray of sports.
Every year the Arts team work with our students in the school production and they have the opportunity to take part in the show.This year the school’sshow is ‘We Will Rock You!’
We aredelighted to welcome you to our open events throughout September 2024. We look forwardtomeeting you!
Crestwood School
ASCHOOL WITH HIGH EXPECTATIONSAND STAFFTHATHELPSTUDENTSTOACHIEVE
AMBITIOUSGOALS IN ASUPPORTIVE,POSITIVEAND INCLUSIVEENVIRONMENT
Crestwood School was delighted to receivea ‘Good’ Ofsted rating following an inspection in June 2023.
Ofsted said: ‘Pupils feel happy and safe at school’ and ‘Staff expect pupils to work hard, behave well and participate in school life’.
As part of Invictus Education Trust, ‘every day in every way our students come first’. We want pupils to believe ‘anything is possible’ and achieve ambitious goals in asupportive, positive and inclusive environment.
Our expectations and standards arehigh. As aresult, students arestretched in their learning to ensure they achieve the very best qualifications. They aresupported by our hard-working staffteam, who go above and beyond so students feel happy,safe and successful during their time at Crestwood.
We have avibrant curriculum with
access to awide range of opportunities that allow all students, regardless of their ability,tofulfil their potential.
Our excellent reputation means that we continue to be oversubscribed.
Students who show an aptitude for either sport or performing arts can apply for one of our additional places offered through our ‘Olympian’ and ‘Performing
Arts’ programme. It is important to us that students at Crestwood feel valued and know they can make adifference. An extensive extracurricular programme, alongside opportunities for leadership and personal development, exposes students to experiences that will enrich their lives.
We areaschool in the heart of the community we serve. We recognise the importance of working alongside parents, community and local primary schools.
The state-of-the-art science block, alongside our swimming pool, 4G sports pitches and professional theatre, means that students have access to the very best facilities of any school in the area.
We aredelighted to welcome you to our open events throughout September 2024. We look forwardtomeeting you!
BELONGING BEGINS WITH OPEN EVENTS 2024
Wordsley School
ASCHOOL WHICH CARESABOUT PEOPLE ANDAIMSFOR YOUR CHILDTOENJOY SCHOOL ANDBESUCCESSFUL
The Wordsley School will be hosting its 2024 open evening on Thursday 26th September 2024, which will support prospective parents/carers of pupils who may wish to join in September 2025.
Wordsley School aims to be aschool which focuses of people and relationships. We arevery inclusive and have high expectations for pupils, both academically and behaviourally.Staffatthe school are committed to providing ahigh standard of education and carepassionately about the academic and wider development of pupils.
At Wordsley,our aim is to find what each student loves to do and give them the opportunity to do moreofit.
We expect alot of ourpupils in terms of their behaviour and uphold standards, as we believe every child deserves acalm and purposeful environment in which to learn.
Wordsley offers afullrange of subjects at Key Stage 3, with the opportunity to then specialise at Key Stage 4. While academic at its core, the curriculum offers opportunities to study the performing arts, sport and technological subjects.
Athriving extra-curricular programme further develops pupils’ talents and interests. Awide range of trips and visits also provide opportunities beyond the classroom. This includes trips within the West Midlands, wider UK and abroad (e.g. Spain and USA).
Children at The Wordsley School are happy and well supported. We focus on
understanding every individual’sstrengths and challenges so they can quickly and happily feel part of our school community. This is why we focus on transition between Years 6and 7, as we know how scary the move to ‘big’ school can be.
From the moment school places are offered, we areintouch. Visits to primary schools, transition days and summer school areoffered to help pupils be ready to join us.
Pupils with SEND arealsooffered
additional opportunities to help them integrate and feel settled in their new environment. We want to make pupils feel part of our community beforethey even join us.
We aresoexcited to be welcoming parents and carers to our school, so that you can truly capturethe essence of what makes The Wordsley School so very special within our community.The open evening will provide you with an opportunity to meet with the Headteacher, Ashley Weatherhogg, awide range of staff and pupils and to see the amazing things that our young people achieve whilst they arewithus.
This is such an exciting time to be joining our school and owing to the school’ssuccess and popularity,2021 saw the opening of our new English block, library and sports centre, which has been built to support the increasing number of pupils who wish to be part of our thriving school community
In addition to the formal open evening, we arealsooffering open morning tours from Monday 30th September to Friday 4th October 2024. To reserve aplace on one of our tours, please contact our school reception from Monday 9th September 2024 onwards. We look forwardtowelcoming you to our school.
HaybridgeHigh School
ACARINGSCHOOL WITH HIGH STANDARDSWHERE WE BUILDCHARACTERTHROUGH OUR VALUES OF AMBITION,CREATIVITY, COMMITMENTAND INTEGRITY
Haybridge High School is ahappy school wherewe careabout our students and support them to achieve their potential; our students leave us well qualified and well prepared for their next steps.
We believe that an education is morethan just aset of qualifications. Our curriculum allows students to succeed academically; our enrichment and extracurricular offer through the ‘Character Academy’ gives them the confidence and resilience to be good people with astrong moral compass that will guide them through their future.
House Points and engaging in awide range of House Events.
Our ‘Character Academy’ includes a range of sports, extensive musical groups and clubs such as Gardening Club, Eco Club, Lego Robotics, Warhammer… there is something for everyone! All students are part of aHouse and compete throughout the year for the House Cup, winning
Our approach to behaviour allows students to develop excellent learning habits and reinforces the importance of being kind. We areclear about our expectations of students and support them to meet these with kindness and warmth. As aresult, at Haybridge, all
teachers can teach so all that students can learn.
Ofsted describes Haybridge as aschool with ‘high academic achievement, respectful behaviour and positive, caring relationships’ where‘pupils areadelight’ (September 2022).
Our school values underpin everything we do. In our community at Haybridge we show:
n Ambition by having a growth mindset
n Creativity by thinking outside the box
n Commitment by showing up physically and mentally
n Integrity by doing the right thing
The calm corridors, high standards and warm relationships make Haybridge a unique and special place. Come and find out for yourself!
King CharlesI School
King Charles ISchool is part of The Four Stones Multi Academy Trust (MAT). We believe it is an inspiring place to study and work.
We areproud of our caring, academic ethos and how we develop students’ character through our core values of ambition, commitment, creativity and integrity
The achievement of our students is paramount, but we also know all our students as individuals. We are ambitious for every student, no matter what their background, prior attainment or needs.
We take great pride in developing strong relationships between students, staffand families, in order that we can ensurethat success is desirable, demanded and achievable. Our coreaim is to help students achieve their best and so access university or ahigh-quality alternative.
We complement our academic
curriculum with an extensive enrichment programme –‘The Character Academy.’
From after-school sports activities and fixtures to avariety of House events, revision clubs and international trips, we endeavour to cater for all interests and experiences.
We operate with awarm but firm approach to discipline ensuring our students develop the habits that will be necessary to be successful independent adults. Our students areacredit to us,
and we arevery proud of the example they set both in school and in the wider community.
OFSTED recently stated that ‘Students behave well in lessons and at social times and they take apositive approach to their studies. Staffresolve any bullying incidents quickly and students know who to turnto, and they feel safe.’ (March 2023)
At King Charles ISchool the caring cultureenables students to do their best. We expect our students to:
n Work hardand do their schoolwork to the best of their ability
n Get involved in all that the school has to offer both in and out of the classroom.
n Attend school punctually,every day and in full school uniform.
n Show respect and courtesy to those around them and to our school.
We look forwardtowelcoming you to experience what we have to offer during our open evening!
“My son has gone from strength to strength sincehestarted at Windsor and Icannot wait to see what he achievesnext.” -Year 7Parent Part of Visit: www.windsorhighschool.org.uk
‘EXCELLENCEFOR
environment for students built on traditional values and excellent pastoral support.
OpenEvenings - 23rd and 25th September 2024
Open Evenings -26th &28th Sept
OpenMornings - 24th and 26th September 2024
Open Mornings -27th &29th Sept
Visit our School @windsor_tweets
Windsor High School and Sixth Form is aschool committed to delivering the very best education for all students.
The school encourages every student to ASPIRE in their learning and lives so that they unlock their academic and personal potential.
Alongside inspiring teaching and learning and brilliant facilities, the school offers awelcoming
Aspire to Excellence at Kingswinford Academy!
Join our vibrant communityatKingswinfordAcademy! Since becoming apartofthe Windsor Academy Trust in 2016,wehavestrived to offer an exceptional environment for young people to learn, grow,and develop.Our rich blend of academically broad education and fulfilling extracurricular activities prepares our students for their future. Join our open events and witnesshow we unlock students’academic and personal potential every day.
Begin afulfilling educational journey at KingswinfordAcademy. Register for our Open Events today at www.kingswinfordacademy.org.uk/ news-and-events/open-events/
Windsor High School andSixth Form Kingswinford Academy
Well known for its strong performance, the school was judged ‘Good’ by Ofsted at its latest inspection in May 2022. During the visit, inspectors found the school to be exceeding standards in many areas to suggest the school could now be ‘Outstanding’.
Find out moreat windsorhighschool.org.uk
EVERYSTUDENT DESERVES THEVERYBEST
“Welcome to Kingswinford Academy,abeacon of academic and personal excellence,” says headteacher,Ian Moreton.
“I am incredibly proud to lead aschool that is committed to unlocking the potential of every student.
“It’saprivilegetowork alongside our young people and see them blossom into confident, successful individuals every day
“Our school has experienced considerable growth and development since joining WindsorAcademy Trust in 2016. Our exam results have seen aremarkable upwardtrend, and the range of extracurricular activities has broadened significantly, fostering avibrant, dynamic learning environment. Our site and facilities have been revamped andexpanded,
reflectingour commitment to provide the best learning conditions for our students.
“At KingswinfordAcademy, we firmly believe that every student deserves the very best start in life. Our dedicated team works tirelessly to ensure our students receive just that. We have upheld astrong reputation for high academic standards and the wellbeing of our students.”
Make most of experiences outsideofthe schoolday
When your child starts secondary school, thereare awealthof opportunities open to them.
From the age of 14, young people can work towards earning The Duke of Edinburgh’sAward.
Whatever their ability,interest or background, DofE offers young people the chance to strive for achievement, overcome obstacles, and set their minds to apersonal challenge.
Many schools will run aDofE programme with three progressive levels which, when successfully completed, lead to aBronze, Silver or Gold award.
Not only is it an opportunity to discover new interests and talents but it’s also arecognised mark of achievement; respected by employers.
Any young person can do their DofE –regardless of ability,gender,background or location. Each young person builds their own DofE programmes –picking their own activities and choosing which cause to volunteer for –inorder to achieve aBronze, Silver or Gold DofE Award. The DofE is run in schools, youth clubs,
hospitals, fostering agencies, prisons, sports clubs and more, all over the UK and internationally
Thereare four sections to complete at Bronze and Silver level and five at Gold. They involve helping the community/ environment, becoming fitter,developing new skills, planning, training for and completing an expedition and, for Gold only,working with ateam on aresidential activity
In 2023/24, 330,984 young people started their DofE, giving 4.7 million hours of volunteering to their communities.
The DofE charity has increased its target to give 1.6 million young people the chance to participate in alife-changing DofE programme by 2026.
Other extra-curricular activities include the Army Cadets, Sea Cadets and RAF Air Cadets, which all offer awide range of adventurous and educational activities and opportunities.
Again, some schools have their own squadrons, but if not, thereare many opportunites in the community
The Army Cadets is anational
voluntary youth organisation sponsored and supported by the Army but not part of it –there is no requirementfor cadets to join the Army when they leave. It’sopen to young people from 12 to 17 years old.
The Sea Cadets aim to equip teenagers with all the things they need to cope with and enjoy the big and changing world they’regoing into.
Sea Cadets welcomes young people as ajunior cadet when they are10, where they can enjoy summer camps and making new friends as they head towards becoming aSea Cadet at 12, or aRoyal MarinesCadet at 13.
The RAF Air Cadets offer youngsters the opportunity to have agoata range of activities including flying, sports, target shooting, adventuretraining –and to make friends and have fun.
The air cadet experience is open to everyone, if they’reagedbetween 13 (or at age 12 when beginning school year 8) and 17 years old. Air cadets is sponsored and supported by the RAF and cadets can attend camps on RAF bases in this country and abroad.
WEST BROMWICH
ThePhoenix Collegiate
BUILDING ON STRENGTHS OF STUDENTS TO ENSURE THAT THEY REACHTHEIR POTENTIAL, WORK TOWARDSTHEIR AMBITION ANDMAKE APOSITIVECONTRIBUTIONTOSOCIETY
Phoenix is a‘great’ school, with an ever-improving reputation within the West Midlands.
As aschool, stafffollowour motto ‘Broadening Horizons to Aspire, Believe, Succeed’ to build on the strengths of our students to ensurethat every student reaches their full potential, work towards their ambitions and make apositive contribution to society
We areone of the top performing schools in Sandwell, with exceptional GCSE results over the past few years.
For Phoenix to continue its work towards being outstanding, currently we are‘good’ in every Ofsted area, staff will be looking at creating ever greater partnerships with parents/carers, as well as the whole community including enhanced links with local businesses.
Head teacher Mike Smith said: “I would encourage all members of the community,potential students and parents/carers, to visit the school during our September open events, to see our wonderful facilities and experience the special atmospherehereatPhoenix.”
Our population is approximately 1950 and is genuinely comprehensive. Almost 50% of students come from ethnic minority groups. By placing your children with Phoenix you arechoosingan environment which mirrors, as closely as possible, the diverse society in which we live and work.
Facilities
The general facilities have improved tremendously and arenow in state-of-theart buildings fit for an ever-changing world. These include:
n General teaching rooms enhanced by specialist rooms
n 15 science laboratories
n 16 ICT suites
n Drama studios
n Ahall with well-equipped retractable bleacher seating with sound and lighting systems
n Aspacious sports hall plus two activity studios and afully equipped dance studio
n 7floodlit multi-use games areas
n 2FAstandardfootball pitches
n Arefurbished all-weather running track and extensive playing fields.
Thereare plans aretofurther develop the site over the next two years with additional classrooms, a3Gall weather pitch, changing rooms andagym
Staffing
We have an exceptional team of teaching and support staffhereatPhoenix who pride themselves on developing strong relationships with our students.
We areaschool which prides itself on ahighstaffmorale and very low staffturnover as we invest heavily in their ongoing training and professional development.
Curriculum
Our curriculum offer hereatPhoenix is broad and balanced and wheremany schools have cut back on the arts, sports and vocational curriculum, this is something we continue to invest in.
Our offer consists of arich and varied extra-curricular programme that includes academic opportunities alongside avast array of others such as many sports and performing arts. At Phoenix we provide free music peripatetic lessons to our students.
As part of our enrichment offer,we have the fastest growing Combined Cadet Force in the country with aRoyal Navy, Royal Air Force and Royal Marine section at the school.
We also offer the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awardwhich gives our students many skills and attributes that the job’smarket looks for.Tosupport this we deliverour Phoenix Challenge which enables students to develop their character education through acertified programme.
Transition
We recognise that any transition can be an anxious time and this is never truer than when starting anew school.
At Phoenix we aim to empower students to positively manage all transition phases by making surethat they areinformed and have appropriate experiences beforestarting secondary school with us. For new students coming into Year 7, we work closely with their primary schools. We invite all students to a two-day transition event during July along with their parents/carers.
We have adedicated primary transition transfer team of staff. Youcan contact this team by e-mailing transition@phoenix. sandwell.sch.uk
We look forwardtowelcoming you to one of our Open events in September n Open Evening –Thursday 19th September 2024 4pm –7.30pm n Open mornings –Monday16th –Friday 20th September 2024 (9am –11am by appointment only)
Al-BurhanGrammar School
ASCHOOLTHATISPASSIONATEABOUT LEARNING,AIMING TO NURTUREINTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY, ANDDEDICATED TO PROVIDINGEDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE
Al-Burhan opened its doors in September 2002 in asmall five-roomed house with one overarching aim: to make adifference to the upbringing of children, better their educational prospects and help them succeed in all aspects of their lives.
Since then, Al-Burhan has successfully built up arecordofhelping each pupil to fulfil their potential and achieve their best.
Pupils follow an ambitious and rich curriculum, gaining deep knowledge and understanding in awide range of subjects.
Staffare passionate about learning and seek to ensurethat pupils become lifelong learners. They arekeen to equip pupils not only with knowledge to pass exams, but with understanding and transferable life skills which will help them to be successful in their personal lives and careers.
The deep cultureoflearning and strong work ethos helps students make excellent progress. As aconsequence, pupils have very positive attitudes to learning and have high aspirations. Al-
Burhan has consistently been graded “Outstanding” by Ofsted for the quality of education. An excellent GCSE recordhas been maintained over the years, with more than half of all grades achieved by pupils in summer 2023 being Grades 7-9 and a consistent pass rate of 100%.
Beyond educational achievement, AlBurhan has an equal if not greater focus on supporting pupils’ personal growth and development. An emphasis on personal responsibility and self-reflection enables girls to develop self-discipline and asense of justice, fairness and equality
Consistently rated “Outstanding” by Ofsted with regardtopupil’s personal development, welfareand behaviour, they noted that “behaviour is exemplary”, “pupils areconsiderate and respectful”, “bullying is rare” and that pupils look out for each other
The school is always forward-looking, proactively looking for ways to further improve the school experience and education quality for their pupils, and they try to instil this proactive and positive attitude in their pupils. The next exciting development is abuilding project to expand the school facilities, including a purpose-built sports hall.
For moreinformation, head to the website at www.alburhan.org.uk
They welcome visits for tours; simply call or email to book an appointment.
For September 2025 entry,contact the school to arrange amutually convenient test date. Entrance tests for September 2025 entry will be held on 7th December 2024.
Sign up forour Open Eventstoday at https://www.olympusacademy.org.uk/apply/open-events/
Experience afresh approach to learningatour new school in Winson Green.AtWindsor Olympus Academy, eachstudentreceives apersonal iPad, embodying ourcommitment to technology-driven education. Join us forour open events anddiscoverhow we blend tradition andinnovation, shaping abrighter future. at Windsor Olympus Academy
info@olympus.windsoracademytrust.org.uk
Discover afresh wave of education at Windsor Olympus Academy,our new school located in the heart of Winson Green.
As we set the foundation for our futureleaders, our mission is clear –“Thriving Together”. We understand theimportance of equipping students with the tools they need to succeed in the modern world, and that’swhy each student at our academy is provided with a1:1 iPad.
This initiative symbolises our commitment to an interactive and technologicallydriven learning environment.
In addition to academic rigour,wefocus on fostering an inclusive and nurturing community whereevery student feels valued and motivated to reach their full potential. Our open events provide afantastic opportunity
to exploreour state-of-the-art facilities, meet our dedicated staff, and get asense of the dynamic and enriching experiences that await at Windsor Olympus Academy Immerse yourself in our vibrant school community and experience first-hand how we’remaking strides in contemporary education. Join us at our open events and take the first step in this exciting educational journey.
Outstanding in 3categories.
Perryfields Academy
AVIBRANT ANDINCLUSIVE SCHOOLWHERE STAFFAIM TO BUILDCHARACTERAND
Perryfields Academy passionately believes in serving our community and investing in our children’sfuture.
Whether it be through free uniform, breakfast or one-to-one access with the latest technology,weaim to provide everything needed to learnina vibrant and inclusive school.
Whilst we go through the process of redeveloping our site and building anew school fit for the future, we also aim to build character and develop opportunity for everyone, laying the foundations for a bright future.
Our vision is one wherestudents aim to achieve the very highest standard they can and everyone is supported to maximise their potential, with guidance to develop and maintain positive personal values whilst enhancing their individual skills and qualities.
Our proactive and caring approach to developing positive outcomes for our students has been recognised by Ofsted,
our approach to international cultural understanding recognised by the British Council, and our dedication to nurturing the sports our students love by Basketball England, who named us their ‘West Midlands Education Institution of the Year’.
Perryfields students areencouraged to be creative thinkers who areimaginative, resourceful and resilient. We support their desires to be moresustainable through our Eco Club initiatives, to support others through fundraising efforts and donations to Black Country Foodbank, we even
have arepresentative on the UK Youth Parliament
They receive an inspiring and engaging education, supported by passionate and committed teachers who understand the needs of our community,delivering a broad and balanced curriculum designed to enhance the development of our students with both subject specific and transferable skills, preparing them for the futureand wider-world.
Underpinning our cultureofambition is astrong and supportive pastoral system. The promotion of positive mental health and wellbeing encourages our learners to unlock their potential. Our extra-curricular timetable is extensive and includes opportunities for all.
We welcome students of all abilities to become part of aculturewhereambition and the values of good behaviour,honesty and mutual respect arethe hallmarks of school life. We’reinvesting in our children and our community,let us invest in you.
Sandwell Academy
SCHOOL MAINTAINS HIGH STANDARDSOFEDUCATION WITH AN INSPIRING CURRICULUM, STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES ANDAWIDERANGE OF ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Offering an exceptional education in an inspiring environment, Sandwell Academy has established itself as one of the leading schools in the region.
Students benefit from state-of-theart facilities and modernequipment in all areas, especially Science, Sport, Business and ICT
The Academy’sinclusive ethos means it caters for all abilities, with opportunities at every level and helps every individual child fulfil their potential.
Headteacher James Saunders said: “A blend of academic and vocational qualifications ensurethat students benefit from apersonalised and tailored curriculum which meets their needs and aspirations.
“Our pupils’ consistently high results reflect the passion and drive of our staff. Our focus on careers and strong industry links give pupils bespoke support for a successful future, from starting in Year 7to completing A-levels in our Sixth Form.
“Sandwell Academy maintains high standards for its staffand pupils and we have created an inspiring and aspirational curriculum, as well as special extracurricular and enrichment opportunities.
“Weare proud to offer an extensive cultural, sporting and performing arts programme alongside our academic provision and encourage participation at all levels.
“Tosupport these activities, we are fortunate to have our own theatre, athletics track, fitness centre, dance studios and recording studio, as well as excellent curriculum facilities.”
The Academy opened in 2006 and now educates over 1,400 students, welcoming 200 students each year into Year 7and 200 students into Year 12. Sandwell Academy works closely with partner schools, and is part of the Thomas TelfordMulti Academy Trust
Mr Saunders added: “Students receive encouragement to help them achieve their dreams, and we provide asafe and caring environment with high levels of pastoral careand an emphasis on traditional values of excellent behaviour and mutual respect.
“Our expectations of students are
unwavering and astrong work ethic pervades what we do at all levels.
Teachers and parents must work together in partnership to ensurechildrenmake excellent progress.
“Wepride ourselvesonmaking a positive contribution to the lives of young people in Sandwell and to help them become confident, roundedindividuals who areanasset to the community.”
If you areinterested in finding out more about life at Sandwell Academy,then please visit www.sandwellacademy.com for moreinformation.
BOA Digital Technologies is an academy specialising in creative and digital technologies in abrand-new state-of-the-art school.
BOA Digital aims to develop students academically and socially so they leave as responsible, creative young people who will be well-rounded and ambitious to both learnand work in the related digital technologies.
BOA Digital Technologies has a vision to offer anew and distinctive way of learning. We will create aspace that celebrates innovative approaches to education and encourages creativity.It will be astimulating environment at every level, pushing the boundaries of traditional teaching.
Principal Paul Averis said: “As Principal, Ibelieve that BOA Digital Technologies offers atruly unique and distinctive vision for education. The academy welcomed its first intake of Year 7students in September 2022
and provides anew model of teaching underpinned by digital skills and learning.
“Located in the very heart of Birmingham’sburgeoning digital and technology hub, we will maximise future opportunities for all our students by providing them with abroad range of digital skills and industry experience. This will be supported by challenging technology projects which will promote the
learning and development of higher-level digital skills.”
We will be accepting applications for students who wish to join Year 7in2025.
Open Events will take place at BOA Digital Technologies Academy,47Barrack Street, Birmingham, B7 4EU on: n Thursday 26th September,5.30pm –7.30pm n Wednesday 23rdOctober,5.30pm –7.30pm
As part of the Open Events, parents and children will be able to tour the state-of-the-art academy,hear from the principal, talk to teachers and students, see some sample lessons and have atour of the building. Therewillalsobea chance to get involved in some exciting digital activities.
Youcan register your interest by scanning the QR code on our advert or email info@boa-digital.co.uk. For more information you can visit www.boa-digital. co.uk
TheHartSchool
THEHARTSCHOOL OFFERS ACAREFULLY CRAFTEDCURRICULUMTOENABLEPUPILSTO SUCCEEDASINDIVIDUALS BOTH WITHIN ANDBEYONDITS NURTURINGWALLS
The Hart School has an ambitious vision: To deliver an educational experience which empowers all pupils to step confidently into the world of work and further education armed with the knowledge and skills to succeed.
As it continues on its steadfast journey to being brilliant, the Creative Education Trust school on the edge of Cannock Chase in Rugeley has alot to be proud of.
With an enviable reputation built upon its motto of “WeCan, We Will, We Do”, it takes great pride in nurturing and developing pupils’ strengths, skills and talents, both inside and outside the classroom, to enable every student to succeed as individuals within and beyond its nurturing walls.
Not one to rest on its laurels, it has continued to significantly invest in improving what is already an impressive offer year on year,and the coming academic year is no different with two major projects already in the pipeline.
An extensive landscaping project behind the main school building is due for completion this Autumn, and, as its reputation for excellence in dance continues to flourish, it expects to unveil new purpose-built dance studios in the Spring.
The Hart School is proud to empower students to be the very best that they can be
Apopular choice of secondary school for Year 6parents in Staffordshire, it not only continues to win high praise for creating acarefully crafted curriculum across all year groups, but also for delivering abespoke curriculum for every
sixth form intake to ensurestudents excel on their chosen career path.
Principal Ms Rachael Sandham said: “It’sanhonour to be The Hart School Principal. Every day I’m impressed with the hardwork and commitment of our staff, students and whole school community
“Our vision at the Hart School is ‘WeCan, We Will,WeDo’ and together we work to our corevalues of happy, ambitious, resilient and tolerant.
“This personal growth empowers each student to be the very best they can be, attaining the highest possible academic standards as happy,well-rounded young people ready to make apositive
contribution to our global community
“I’m incredibly proud of our carefully crafted curriculum and extensive extracurricular opportunities that provide the opportunity for all pupils to succeed within their own skills, talents and strengths.”
Passionate about helping all pupils to achieve their full potential
She added: “Weare very passionate about providing the best possible learning opportunities and experiences for all students irrespective of their strengths, challenges or needs so that all pupils can achieve their full potential in aharmonious, inclusive and welcoming environment.
“I’m looking forwardtocontinuing to work alongside our pupils, parents and stafftoensurethat we continue to build on all our successes as we work towards being abrilliant school.”
Prospective parents areinvited to attend its open day event to see the breadth of what it has to offer on Thursday,October 10, with three sessions for visitors to look around at 4pm, 5pm or 6pm.
For moreonThe Hart School,rated good by Ofsted, please visit www hartschool.org.uk, email enquiries@ hartschool.org.uk or stay updated with the school and pupils’ ongoing successes on Facebook @thehartschool
High Expectation High Achievement
“My daughter lovesschool. There are so manyopportunities forthe children and she’s thriving.” -Year 8Parent
Cheslyn Hay Academy is an 11 to 18 school of approximately 1,300 students, including 200 in the Sixth Form.
Cheslyn Hay Academy’s large catchment area includes the villages of Cheslyn Hay, Essington and Featherstone, and the school has along tradition of taking students from further afield.
The school has astrong reputation for enabling the young people in its care to flourish, believing in unconditional positive regard and high expectations for all members of its school family
The school believes that high expectations lead to high levels of achievement and thereforesets high standards for its staffand students.
Cheslyn Hay Academy strives to ensurethat every lesson counts, for every child, every day –both in and outside
CheslynHay Academy GreatWyrleyAcademy
the classroom. The school believes in astrong moral purpose and ensuring that the whole child is developed so they can realise their aspirations and ambitions.
Cheslyn Hay Academy wants students to aspire to unlock their personal and academic potential and positively impact their communities.
Find out moreat cheslynhayacademy.org.uk
UNLOCKINGSTUDENTS’ POTENTIAL
Great Wyrley Academy is a school that helps students achieve their full potential.
The school focuses on morethan just academic success.
It aims to unlock students’ academic and personal potential, encouraging students to participate in a huge range of extracurricular activities that inspirethem to follow their passions and develop new skills.
Great Wyrley Academy offers awarm and welcoming environment built upon a cultureofrespect, responsibility and shared values.
Students settle in quickly, make friends and enjoy their time at school.
This was one of many strengths highlighted in the recent Ofsted report whereit was noted that “Pupils feel safe at school. They build strong, positive relationships with their
peers and their teachers”.
Great Wyrley Academy continues to empower students to strive for excellence.
The Academy’s“Good” Ofsted rating serves as a testament to its success in creating awelcoming and enriching educational environment.
Visit greatwyrleyacademy org.uk
RuralEnterpriseAcademy
ATOTALLY UNIQUE SECONDARY SCHOOL WHICHENGAGES AFULLAND CHALLENGING, ENVIRONMENTALLY-FOCUSEDCURRICULUM.
“I helped my parents pick this school. I love the active side and getting to learn outside the classroom. Ihave made lots of friends who Iwill be friends with for life. The teachers have really made me feel welcome.” Ellie-Mae Wall, Year 8 student.
Our curriculum offers lessons in traditional academic subjects such as English, maths, science, humanities, and PE as well as creative, technological (including IT) and environmental studies. Environmental studies include aspects of forest school, agriculture, and animal care. These subjects aredesigned to develop our pupils’ understanding of land-based and environmental sectors: the school’sspecialisms.
Our pupils choose us as they have an interest in environmental issues. We offer abroad and ambitious curriculum to all our pupils, which is focused on preparing them for their futurecareer choices, as well as challenging and informing them
about current issues within these sectors. At KS3 all students study a countryside and environmental subject which then leads them on to aland-based qualification in Year 11. In addition, KS4, pupils will complete seven compulsory
GCSEs: English Literature, English Language, Maths, Science (double award), Geography and R.E.; as well as aBTEC in Enterprise. They will also have the choice of an additional subject: Engineering Design, IT,P.E. or Travel &Tourism.
Thursday3rdOctober5pmto7pm
StaffordshireUniversityAcademy
ACADEMYAIMSTOENSUREALL STUDENTS ACHIEVE THEIRVERYBESTBYMAINTAINING THEHIGHEST STANDARDSOFEDUCATION,BEHAVIOUR ANDATTENDANCE
StaffordshireUniversity Academy is a ‘Good’ school, as recognised in their recent Ofsted inspection.
Inspectors reported, ‘Leaders have driven significant improvements, including in the curriculum, behaviour and attendance’.
‘The school has high expectations for pupils’ behaviour and pupils live up to these. They arerespectful and well mannered.’ October 2023
Their mission is to ensurethat all students areable to achieve the very best life chances. Standards arehigh and students follow asimple RESPECT code which instils the right level of focus for the very best learning to occur
Personal Development coupled with strong pastoral careisrecognised as an important strength for students, providing families with the confidence to consider SUA as the right choice of secondary school.
Morechildrenthan ever beforeare joining Team SUA from across Cannock
and Rugeley.The daily bus and minibus services have offered an opportunity for morefamiliestoconsider SUA.
These areexciting times to join and be part of Team SUA! Numbers joining SUA areatarecordhigh, with our incoming Year 7being our largest this September with over 175 students.
The academy values ‘Aspire, Believe, Achieve!’ and their innovative approaches to teaching and learning underpin everything at SUA. It’sworking too as Ofsted stated, ‘The curriculum has
undergone significant positive change and careful consideration has been given to what pupils will learnand when .pupils benefit from awell-sequenced curriculum.’
SUA students areengaged with the curriculum, in acreative and innovative way,but not forgetting about the core values of education, ensuring they are equipped with skills necessary in today’s modernworld.
Successful learning is supported by having strong partnerships and SUA works to achieve this through excellent communication between the academy, parents, governors and the local community.Italso has strong links with the Birmingham Repertory Theatreand many local businesses, enriching the experiences of students with once-in-alifetime opportunities, such as the chance to take part in visits to London, Barcelona, France, New York and Washington.
The academy welcomes visitors to come and see why they should consider joining Team SUA.
CannockChase High School
AVIBRANT ANDAMBITIOUS LEARNING
HIGHESTSTANDARDS OF ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT ANDPERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Cannock Chase High School is an 1119 state-funded comprehensive school with Academy Status and over a1,100 students on roll.
Our school is avibrant and ambitious learning community with arelentless focus on the highest standards of academic achievement, personal development and equality of opportunity.Ineverything we do, we arededicated to reaching our school goal –‘Achievement for All’.
Underpinning everything we do at Cannock Chase High School areour values that we expect all members of our community to demonstrate in all they do: Integrity,Teamwork, Responsibility, Excellence and Resilience.
The corebusiness at Cannock Chase High School is putting the best teachers in front of our students to ensure the best academic standards. We are passionate about teaching and learning and believe that subject expertise and high expectations areatthe heart of effective practice.
Key elements of our teaching strategy include:
n Highly personalised training programmes based on the very best research to ensureteaching practice is evidence-informed, reflective and effective;
n Offering acurriculum that is broad, balanced and fully inclusive, with awide range of appropriate and challenging courses to suit the needs of our students;
n Ensuring students areknowledgerich by continually revisiting ideas so that learning is long-term;
n Fostering confident, independent
learners by providing regular opportunities for students to deliberately practise in lessons;
n Providing effective assessment feedback wherestudentshave the opportunity to respond to and engage with the feedback to improve their work;
Cannock Chase High School operates astrong and effective pastoral system based upon traditional values of respect, manners and good behaviour.
The Pastoral Team is theretosupport students to ensureevery student feels valued and supported, academically achieves and holistically grows and develops.
To help with transition, we have planned extensive KS2 to KS3 events such as visits to and from primary schools, two transition days and aone-week free summer school.
For enquiries email j.simpson@ cannockchase-high.staffs.sch.uk or call 01543 502450 or visit www cannockchasehigh.com
RugeleyJohnTaylorSchool
RUGELEYJOHNTAYLORSCHOOL WILL BE STAFFORDSHIRE’SFIRST
FORCHILDREN FROM 3–18YEARS,OFFERING ABROAD ANDBALANCEDCURRICULUM
John Taylor MATisdelighted to introduce anew school, from Nursery to Post 16 –the first of its kind in Staffordshire– to the town of Rugeley
The school is planned to open in phases; the secondary phase will open with 150 places for Year 7students (5 Form Entry) in September 2025, and the primary phase with Nursery and Reception places will open in September 2026.
John Taylor MATisawell-established Trust, with adecade of experience in serving anumberofschools across Staffordshireand Derbyshire.
The Trust was borninJohn Taylor High School, an Ofsted Outstanding Academy in Barton-Under-Needwood and also the home of John Taylor Teaching School Hub and StaffordshireResearch School.
Alongside our established and thriving schools, we have astrong track record of free school success. We opened John Taylor Free School in September 2018, Fradley Park Primary and Nursery School in September 2022 and most recently Branston Locks Primary and Nursery School this September
“Webelieveinthe power of education to improve lives –and the world.”
This statement is at the heart of the John Taylor story.Weare driven to ensure that our communities can realise their true potential through learning. This is our mission. To that end, we provide the experiences, resources, structures and systems to enable all to engage, all to progress, all to achieve.
Schools within our Trust arestaffed with colleagues –teaching and support –who sharethis belief and aresupported by governors and trustees who underpin it.
The outcomes of our children –consistently amongst the highest in Staffordshirefor both primary and secondary age pupils –are testament to it also.
Our schools thereforevalue
educational trips and visits, performances and events and the interaction and collaboration of children and adults beyond the formality of the timetable. We believe that this sets us apart.
Our ambition is to bring this educational excellence, leadership and free school experience to create aleading school within Rugeley
Therewillbeabroad and balanced curriculum consistent with all John Taylor MATschools, including the Ofsted praised STRIPE (Self Manager,Team Player, Reflective and Resilient, Innovative & Create, Participator and Enquirer) skillsbased curriculum developed at John Taylor High School and implemented at John Taylor Free School also.
In addition, Rugeley John Taylor will also have aSTEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) focus from Early Years to Post 16, woven through the school journey.Webelieve that the skills, knowledge and understanding of the
subjects involved in STEM arevital for young people in an increasingly science and technology-driven society
We would encourage you to attend one of our planned open events to hear moreabout our ambition for the school, as well as to meet key members of the Trust and learnhow to apply for aYear 7place foryour child for September 2025.
Details of this can be found on the opposite page. We look forwardto meeting you.
When your child starts secondary school, you will probably be wondering how to encourage them to take responsibility for revision and get into good habits for the years ahead.
Starting revision can be morethan a little daunting and, let’sbehonest, poring over piles of notes and textbooks is probably the last thing they will want to do.
But don’tforget it’sall for agood cause –their future–and thereare many ways to help them make the task more manageable and less overwhelming.
n Allow plenty of time. The later they leave it to begin their revision, the more they arelikely to panic as their end of year tests and exams draw near.
They should speak to their teachers as they will be able to advise them on a suitable time to start hitting the books.
n Make surethey have somewhereat home wherethey feel comfortable to work and make sureit’squiet and uncluttered as this will help them to focus.
But make surethey don’trevise in front of the television or computer as these distractions arebound to prove too tempting.
n Draw up arevision schedule. They should set aside certain times and days for their revision and stick to them.
It can help to plan to revise at atime when they know they work well –ifthey’re not amorning person then they shouldn’t schedule early sessions.
n Split revision into small chunks –they can’texpect to concentrate for hours and take everything in. Set an alarm for 45 minutes and then encourage them take ashort break away from the books. Keep repeating to make surethey are taking frequent breaks during their revision session.
n Review and summarise notes. Pupils should pick out the key points and write them down again. One of the best ways ways to memorise information is by making notes over and over again.
n Organise astudy group. If their friends aretaking the same exams then they can arrange to get together to do some occasional group revision. They will be able to review notes and test each other.Talking to their mates, who understand what they’regoing through,
will make them feel less stressed.
n Do plenty of past papers This will help to familiarise them with the exam style and the type of wording used for the questions.
If they get these checked by ateacher, they will learnhow they aremarked too.
n Keep testing them. Once they have completed atopic,they shouldn’tjust put it to one side. They must keep going back and reviewing it again as repetition will improve their memory
n Eat well and drink lots of water Keeping blood sugars level will help their concentration and motivation.
n Get plenty of sleep. Make surethey arewell-rested because being tired will not help them perform at their best.
n Allow time to exercise. Keeping active is important and will provide them
with agood break away from their revision.
Even if they just go for aquick walk –the fresh air will clear their head and perk them up.
n Find ways to relax. When they are planning their revision schedule, they should leave some time for their hobbies or seeing their friends because this will help them to switch offtheir brain for abit and properly unwind
n And finally,stay positive. If they go into it expecting to fail and letting themselves get stressed, they aregoing to find the whole experience thoroughly miserable.
They need to put it all into perspective, they can only do their best and as long as they do that everyone will be proud of them, no matter what happens.
Results day itself can play on their mind, not just the idea of collecting results that impact their future.
One way to help them feel morein control, is to make aback-up plan. Even if they don’tend up using it, knowing thereis plan Binplacewill help to make them feel moreatease. It also gives them something to focus on, rather than panicking.
If your child is feeling stressed, make surethey know they can talk to you about their concerns. Getting it all offtheir chest will also make them feel better
Including: BROWNHILLS ALDRIDGE
Blue Coat CofE Academy
Blue Coat Church of England Academy has along-standing and proud history in Walsall, with the school’sorigins dating back to 1656.
The Blue Coat Foundation has an impressive recordofproviding excellent Christian education for students. In the modernworld,the lives of young people may be completely different, but the desire to be well educated within acaring family lives on in the heart of staff, students and their families and friends.
We serve awideand diverse community and arerecognised as a good and continually improving school, committed to developing children as individuals whilst promoting our Christian values of wisdom, endurance, service, kindness and hope.
Our strong Christian ethos is central to all we aspiretoachieve and as a community we thrive on developing positive relationships and building mutual respect. This was recognised during an Ofsted inspection in January 2023 which
reported: “Blue Coat Church of England Academy is an inclusive school where kindness flourishes. The school’svalues include wisdom, service, endurance and hope. The school’sculture is rooted in these values.”
We hold high expectations for all students and encourage students to make the most of their talents, whilst also enjoying the challenge of mastering new or existing skills.
The Christian values on which the school is founded, underpin all aspects of our work and form the basis of
our academic and behavioural standards. We continually enhance the Academy as alearning community,looking for ways to develop and improve, embracing new technology and adapting to the demands of the modernworld.Weare always looking for ways to learnfrompast experiences to build abetter future. This is the basis of our motto, “Respice Prospice” meaning “Look backward. Look forward”.
Blue Coat Academy is confident that the Christian ethos and values, on which the school is founded, provide asecure foundation for success and fulfilment.
We understand the difficulty of choosing the right secondary school for your child and we firmly believe that our family ethos provides strong foundations for asmooth transition from primary school into asecondary setting geared towards promoting the academic, personal and spiritual development of all young people. We would be delighted to welcome you to our Open Evening on Thursday 3rdOctober 2024 (5.30 –8pm)
Brownhills Ormiston Academy
Brownhills Ormiston Academy is asuccessful 11-16 academy and we areextremely proud to serve our community.
We areanacademy with traditional values but amodern approach, which combines formality with friendliness to create aculture whereour young people become independent, resilient and hard-working.
The BOA values are‘ready, respect, safe’ and these are embedded in our culture. Everyone is ready to learn, mutual respect is the tone of every interaction and safety is of paramount importance to us. It should be clear from our values that our academy will suit those who shareour desiretosucceed, have high expectations of their own behaviour and want to work hard.
student should achieve their potential, alongside our belief that everyone who works hardwill do well with the right support and guidance.
At BOA, students follow arichand ambitious curriculum that is taught by subject specialists. Our staffare experienced, talented and dedicated.
We areaninclusive academy that thrives due to our commitment that every
We areproud to be part of Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT), anationwide
educational network that shares our values. Both Brownhills Ormiston Academy and OATare committed to providing adiverse range of enrichment opportunities that make attending our academy an unforgettable experience filled with lifelong memories.
BOA has along history of excellence in Music, Drama and Sport. Our facilities include two fully equipped sports halls, a swimming pool and a350-seater theatre. Our staffinclude industry experts who have worked professionally in Performing Arts and Sports. Annual productions, concerts, fixtures, competitions, and festivals are part of the fantastic opportunities for Brownhills students.
We warmly invite you to see the academy in action. Our students and staff areour best advert, and we would love to show you around.
Walsall Academy
AHAPPY PLACETOBE, WHERESTUDENTSAND
At Walsall Academy,weempower our students through engagement in education, to unlock their full personal and academic potential, to become positive leaders of their own learning and valued citizens.
We areawelcoming and oversubscribed school, with high expectations of what our students can achieve both personally and academically.Ofsted recently noted that our students ‘respect the individual differences of their peers and treat each other fairly’.
Our school is ahappy place to be, wherestudents and staffhave mutual respect, collaborate effectively and have a passion for teaching and learning.
We offeranambitious curriculum for all to achieve their potential and are immensely proud to have Oxbridge, Arkwright and Rank Foundation scholars amongst our inclusive and aspirational community.Many of our ex-alumni relish the opportunity to return to us to inspire and enthuse younger learners, either as
guests or as members of our own staff.
We work closely with local employers and businesses to offer aunique careers advice and work experience programme, with 98% of our Year 13 leavers in employment or further training (2% are embarking on aplanned gap-year). Nationally,only 79% of students are entering work or further study and locally this figuredrops to 77%.
Our curriculum is underpinned by abespoke Character Education programme, which develops our
students’ resilience, teamwork, problem solving, communication, creativity and digital fluency.These strands are further enhanced by the vast array of opportunities we offer for learning outside of the classroom with experiences such as expeditions, residential trips and theatre visits, as well as sporting competitions, performing arts and environmental actions. We strongly believe that embracing new experiences raises students’ aspirations and motivates them to achieve their best.
Arecent Oxfordundergraduate commented: “Tome, Walsall Academy means acommunity of wonderful staff and students that has enabled me to reach my academic potential, pursue my passions and interests and develop myself as aperson. This has prepared me for the future.”
Don’tjust take our wordfor it, come and see for yourself! Full admissions information can be found at www walsallacademy.com and the closing date for registrations is October 31, 2024.
ASCHOOL THAT STRIVESFOR EXCELLENCE ANDTAKES PRIDEINITS
At E-ACT West Walsall Academy we pride ourselves on ensuring that every student ‘Strives for Excellence’.
We want to develop our students into good, kind, creative, and ambitious young people, not only through providing aquality academic provision but also seeking out opportunities for our students to excel and develop their cultural capital and pursue their interests.
Our students areencouraged to ‘Do the Right Thing’ through supporting each other,showkindness towards one another and to promote integrity
Our students ‘Show Team Spirit’ through celebrating our diversity,taking on leadership roles within the academy and participating in regularinter-form competitions.
Our value of ‘Think Big’ reminds us of the importance of being ambitious and enterprising to really achieve the very best that we possibly can, and we believe that
everyone can achieve!
Our final value of ‘Be Proud’ ensures that our students arealways reminded of the community we serve, the academy they attend and strive every day to ensure that both staffand students areproud to be members of our E-ACT family
This permeates through pride in our uniform, pride in our work and pride in our community
Our curriculum is broad and balanced.
We offerarange of subjects across all stages including Post 16, where our students have access to arange of opportunities that enable them to make informed decisions about their next steps in their education and learning, whether this be university or an apprenticeship, we strive to ensurethat they have choice.
We have athrivingextra-curricular programme that further widens the opportunities available to our students including (but not limited to) Duke of Edinburgh, sports clubs and arts clubs.
We have apassionate belief that every student, no matter who they areor wherethey arefrom, deserves the very best education for them to follow their aspirations and goals. The staffatE-ACT West WalsallAcademy have agenuine careabout our students and the families we serve and go above and beyond to ensurethat every student receives the very best they can.
Theatreall setfor season full of sensationalshows
Wolverhampton Grand Theatre prepares for GIANT panto Beauty and The Beast with aseason of sensational shows to come!
For the first time in its 130-year history, Wolverhampton Grand Theatrepresents BEAUTY AND THE BEAST as the annual pantomime. With tickets flying out of the Box Office even faster than last year’s award-winning Snow White, ashow that received morefive-star reviews than ever before–it’stime to start thinking about this year’sGIANT pantomime spectacular, starring one of everyone’sfavourite Gladiators, GIANT! Giant stars alongside Grand Theatrefavourites TamRyan and Ian Adams from November 30 –January 5.
This Autumn also sees some highlights for the family with WONDER BOY from October 3to5,taking the pages of a comic book and making them burst into life with twelve-year old Sonny
Sonny is aboy living with astammer, he’sfinding his way in aworld ruled by vicious vowels, confusing consonants, and let’snot forget the biggest beast of them all –small talk.
Sonny’sonly friend is Captain Chatter, acomicbook heroofhis own creation, but in the real world language is power
and Sonny must find away to be heard. When cast in the school production of Hamlet by the headteacher,hefinds the real heroes arecloserthanhethinks.
Bilston Operatic Company present NATIVITY THE MUSICAL, 13 –17 November and it’sfun for all the family
Set close to home, the story starts with aMidlands-based primary school, St Bernadette’s, and ateacher,MrMaddens, who is attempting to put together a musical version of the nativity with the help of his goofy and hilarious teaching assistant, Mr Poppy.
Chaos ensues when Mr Poppy
overhears Mr Maddens saying that a Hollywood producer will be coming to see the nativity and turnitinto afilm!
From 3– 8February, HAIRSPRAY bursts back onto our stage. Featuring some of musical theatre’sbiggest hit songs, Welcome to the 60s, YouCan’t Stop the Beat, Good Morning Baltimore and many more.
HAIRSPRAYisthe hilarious, joyous, and inspiring musical for all! HAIRSPRAY has wowed audiences in The West End and on Broadway and sees big-hearted Tracy Turnblad and her new friends, the spirited Seaweed and his sister Little Inez, heartthrob Link Larkin and the resolute Motormouth Maybelle, strive to change the world.
AN INSPECTOR CALLS from 4 –8March sees Inspector Goole arrive unexpectedly at the prosperous Birling family home; their peaceful dinner party is shattered by his investigations into the death of ayoung woman.
His startling revelations shake the very foundations of their lives and challenge us all to examine our consciences. More relevant now than ever,this is amust-see for awhole new generation.
n All of these shows and moreare on sale now at grandtheatre.co.uk
