Parent Handbook 2016

Welcome to North Birmingham Academy Parent/Carer Handbook

2016/17

NORTH BIRMINGHAM ACADEMY 395 College Road, Erdington Birmingham B44 0HF T: 0121 373 1647 F: 0121 382 2707 E: enquiry@nbacademy.org.uk W: www.nbacademy.org.uk E-ACT ‘A charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England & Wales’ Registration number 652 6376 Registered office address: 10 Queen Street Place, London EC4R 1BEE

WELCOME Dear Parent/Carer,

Welcome to North Birmingham Academy. This handbook provides a lot of information about all the different aspects of Academy life. Please read through the information and I hope it will answer the questions that you may have.

If you have any queries that are not answered in this pack please do not hesitate to contact us using the contact details provided.

I look forward to meeting with you again soon.

Philip Lloyd Principal Designate North Birmingham Academy

NORTH BIRMINGHAM ACADEMY 395 College Road, Erdington Birmingham B44 0HF T: 0121 373 1647 F: 0121 382 2707 E: enquiry@nbacademy.org.uk W: www.nbacademy.org.uk E-ACT ‘A charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England & Wales’ Registration number 652 6376 Registered office address: 10 Queen Street Place, London EC4R 1BEE

OUR STAFF

Philip Lloyd Principal Designate Mrs J Taylor Director of Transition/Community

Mrs R Franklin Year 7 Head of Year

Mrs S Islam AVP Behaviour/Community

Miss D Naven Year 7 Assistant Head of Year

Mrs R Franklin

Year 7 Head of Year

Email: rfranklin@nbacademy.org.uk

Miss D Naven

Assistant Head of Year

Email: dnaven@nbacademy.org.uk

Miss N Davies

Group 7X1 - 7ND

Email: ndavies@nbacademy.org.uk

Mr A Kalinda

Group 7X2 - 7AKA

Email: akalinda@nbacademy.org.uk

Miss J Lines

Group 7X3 - 7JL

Email: jlines@nbacademy.org.uk

Miss C Smith

Group 7X4 - 7CHS

Email: csmith@nbacademy.org.uk

Mrs N Bains

Group 7Y1 - 7NBA

Email: nbains@nbacademy.org.uk

Mr B Sturmey

Group 7Y2 - 7BST

Email: bsturmey@nbacademy.org.uk

Dr C Ieong

Group 7Y3 - 7CIE

Email: cieong@nbacademy.org.uk

Mrs L Meissner

Group 7Y4 - 7LA

Email: lmeissner@nbacademy.org.uk

ACADEMY DATES 2016/17 Autumn Term 2016 Monday 5 & Tuesday 6 September 2016 Academy closed to all students for Teacher Training Days Wednesday 7 September 2016

Academy opens to ALL students New Year 7 and 12 for Induction Day - Arrive 08:45 Years 8,9,10,11 &13 - Arrive 11.00am Year 6 Open Evening

Thursday 22 September 2016 5:30 - 7:30pm Monday 26 - Friday 30 September 2016 Year 6 Open Mornings - 9:30 - 10:30am Friday 21 October 2016

Students finish for half term

Half Term - Monday 24 October - Friday 28 October 2016 Monday 31October 2016

Training Day

Tuesday 1 November 2016

Academy re-opens

Friday 16 December 2016

Students finish for Christmas Break

Christmas Break - Monday 18 December - Friday 31 December 2016 Tuesday 3 January 2017

Training Day

Wednesday 4 January 2017

Academy re-opens

Friday 17 February 2017

Students finish for half term Spring Term 2017

Half Term - Monday 20 February - Friday 24 February 2017 Monday 27 February 2017

Academy re-opens

Friday 7 April 2017

Students finish for Easter break

Easter Break - Monday 10 April - Friday 21 April 2017 Monday 24 April 2017

Academy closed to all students for Teacher Training Day

Tuesday 25 April 2017

Academy re-opens

Monday 1 May 2017

May Day: Academy Closed

Friday 26 May 2017

Students finish for half term Summer Term 2017

Half term - Monday 29 May - Friday 2 June 2017 Monday 5 June 2017

Academy re-opens

Friday 23 June 2017

Academy closed to all students for Teacher Training Day

Summer Break Students finish the school year on Tuesday 25 July 2017—To be confirmed

ACADEMY EXPECTATIONS 

Everyone in the Academy speaks politely and has mutual respect for one another

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To attain 100% attendance and be punctual at all times

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All students will strive for excellence and aim to meet or exceed their targets

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To ensure that the Academy is tidy and litter free

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All students will have access to well planned, well resourced, interactive and fun lessons that are delivered enthusiastically

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Everyone will take responsibility for their own behaviour and the consequences of their behaviour

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All students will display acceptable behaviour at all times. Corridors will be safe with teachers visible

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Everyone in the Academy will wear a high standard of professional dress, adhere to the uniform code and always have the correct equipment

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All students will make the most of opportunities offered to them

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No chewing gum

REWARDS There are lots of ways our students can earn rewards. Each year group has attendance & punctuality rewards and the best performing forms across the term get group rewards such as pizza parties.

Students can also earn Vivos. Vivo is an online points system. Teachers give out the rewards electronically and students can spend them on various items using the Vivo Miles online catalogue, and on vouchers for shops such as Argos, New Look and WH Smiths and Sports Direct. Students can also buy top up cards for their mobile phones and cinema and bowling tickets with the Vivos they have each individually earned.

Students are issued with a Vivo card and an individual log-in to their accounts when they start in September. They can then check their accounts online at any time to see how many Vivos they have, what they received them for and from which teachers.

ACADEMY UNIFORM North Birmingham Academy has a policy that all students wear full Academy uniform. If it is adhered to by all, the students have a sense of belonging. A uniform encourages pride and creates a good image inside and outside the building. Students dressed incorrectly may be withdrawn from lessons or sent home until their appearance is acceptable. If there are problems, we request you contact the Group Tutor for help and advice.

All items are compulsory unless marked otherwise. Variations are NOT ALLOWED Boys:  North Birmingham Academy black blazer with trim • White shirt (regulation short/long sleeves) • Academy tie • NBA V-neck black sweater with logo • Plain black (no logos) or NBA reversible coat  Black tailored trousers  Plain black socks  Sensible black shoes - No trainers - No Logos Girls: • Black blazer with trim, Academy badge  White shirt/ blouse and Academy tie - KS3 Girls • White opened neck NBA shirt - KS4 Girls • NBA V-neck black sweater with logo • Plain black (no logos) or NBA Reversible Coat  ‘A’ line or straight skirt that falls no shorter than 3 inches above the mid line of the knee OR Tailored Black trousers – not lycra or jean material/ no exposed zips.

• Sensible low heeled black shoes - No trainers - No Logos • Plain black socks or black tights PLEASE NOTE:  Make up is NOT allowed (including nail varnish)  Only thin, purple, black or brown hair bands are allowed  Trainers are NOT allowed, except for P.E. lessons • Studs and sleepers are NOT allowed in any other part of the body.  Extremes of hairstyle, especially those likely to cause offence to other members of the community, are not allowed. Students will be sent home until they conform  NO unnatural hair colours • NO patterned or shaved eyebrows • Religious headwear MUST be black • NO hats, caps, scarves, gloves and hoodies worn inside the Academy building  NO visible tattoos  No long nails or false nails - No nail polish Jewellery: • 1 plain ring with no setting • 1 pair simple gold or silver ear studs. Stretchers are NOT allowed due to Health and Safety.

• 1 watch • NO bracelets

All uniform and kit MUST be clearly marked with the student’s name

ACADEMY UNIFORM PE KIT Boys:

Girls:

• • • • • • • • • •

• • • • • •

NBA polo shirt with logo NBA sports shirt NBA Shorts with purple trim Black football socks Plain Black Tracksuit bottoms Trainers Football boots Shin pads Towel Shin pads (optional)

 

NBA polo shirt with logo NBA sports shirt NBA Shorts with purple trim Plain black tracksuit bottoms/ leggings Black football socks Trainers Football boots (optional) Towel

All uniform and kit MUST be clearly marked with the student’s name

EXAMPLES OF ACCEPTABLE FOOTWEAR Sensible Black Shoes

EXAMPLES OF UNACCEPTABLE FOOTWEAR No Trainers, Boots or Footwear with a Logo

EXAMPLES OF UNACCEPTABLE HAIR STYLES Extremes of hairstyle, especially those likely to cause offence to other members of the community, are not allowed. Students will be sent home until they conform

NO TRAM LINES IN HAIR NO PATTERNED OR SHAVED EYEBROWS NO UNNATURAL HAIR COLOURS HAIR SHOULD BE EVENLY CUT AND NOT SHAVED AT THE SIDES

STUDENT PLANNERS AND HOMEWORK Students will be issued with an Academy planner which must be kept with them at all times as part of their equipment. The planner is laid out in diary form in order to enable students to plan their homework. The Planner also contains a map of the Academy, term dates, an attendance log, their homework timetable, Academy Timetable, a calendar and absence notes for parents to fill in should the student be unable to attend. Please check and sign the planner each week. The planner has been designed to be part of daily Academy life and there are many parts of the planner that will be expected to be used on a regular basis.

Homework which is relevant, purposeful and contributes to learning will be set on a regular basis.

Staff will set homework on assigned days (in order to allow students opportunities to complete the homework) which will give students time to plan and organise themselves in advance.

Key Stage 3 students will have a maximum of 4 pieces of homework per evening totalling no more than 60 minutes in year 7 and 80 minutes in year 8 per evening.

Homework days for each Zone are identified in green on the sample timetable below.

Students and parents will be given a copy of the homework timetables. These will also be available on FROG and on the Academy website.

Sample Timetable

1

x band y band x band Tuesday y band x band Wednesday y band x band Thursday y band x band Friday y band Monday

PE IT History Geography DT French Arts / L4L

2 RE

3

4

Science Arts / L4L IT PE

RE

Literacy

Science

English Mathematics Numeracy Mathematics Numeracy English

5 6 Mathematics English English Mathematics Geography History French DT

ACADEMY DAY Students are expected to be on the Academy site at 08:45 every day. A Breakfast Club takes place for students before school from 07:45 in the Atrium where tea and toast is available free of charge.

Time

Period

08:45 - 09:00

AM Reg

09:00 - 09:50

Period 1

09:50 - 10:40

Period 2

10:40 - 11:00

Break

11:00 - 11:50

Period 3

11:50 - 12:40

Period 4

KS3

KS4

12:40-1:10

Lunch

12:40-1:30

Period 5

1:10-2:00

Period 5

1:30-2:00

Lunch

2:00 - 2:50

Period 6

2:50 - 3:00

PM Reg

ABSENCE If your child is absent for any reason, please use the number below to contact the Academy before 10am with the following information: Who is calling A contact number The student's name The student's year group or form group Reason for absence

Student Absence number: 0121 386 6510

ACADEMY AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS We have a a huge range of clubs and activities for students to take part in after school.

Some clubs are run by outside organisations and provide excellent skills and resources for students.

Below is a sample list of just some of our exciting and informative after school clubs.

Badminton Basketball Bike Maintenance Cheerleading Cookery Creative Writing Film Club Fitness Friendship Homework Club ICT Music PS3 Rocket Club Textiles Xbox

MOBILE PHONES/ELECTRONIC DEVICES The Academy rule is that students are NOT allowed to bring any type of mobile telephone or electronic device, onto the Academy Site. The Academy will not accept responsibility for their loss, damage or theft.

There is no need, in terms of communicating with home, for any student to have his or her own personal telephone. Students are all aware, that if the need arises to contact home, then we are more than happy to make that contact.

More recently, it has become apparent that a number of students have come into Academy with telephones capable of taking substantial video clips and still images. These telephones contravene human rights if they are used inappropriately. Their use will not be tolerated.

The bringing of mobile phones/electronic devices into examinations is also prohibited. Any student found in possession of a phone has to be reported to the examination board, they have the authority to disqualify the student not only for that exam but prohibit any further examinations being taken.

If we see students with mobile telephones/electronic devices we will confiscate them and they will usually be returned at the end of the day. If a second incident arises then mobile phones/electronic devices can ONLY BE COLLECTED BY PARENTS OR CARERS, during term time. An appointment MUST be made through the Academy Office on 0121 373 1647 prior to collection. The Academy office is open between 8.00am and 4.00pm Monday to Friday. Unclaimed items will be returned to students at the end of the last day of term.

We are concerned that mobile telephones/electronic devices are being used inappropriately, and we feel that you will support us in removing the threat they pose.

Certainly, any student found using them for any illegal purpose would be subject to the Academy’s Code of Conduct. This is likely to result in exclusion and, in serious cases, referred to the police.

Under the Education Act 2011, the Act allows staff to examine or erase any data or files on an electronic device if the person has reasonable grounds to suspect that the device has been, or is likely to be used for purposes which are unlawful or contrary to the Academy’s rules before returning to the owner.

CASHLESS CATERING PAYMENT SYSTEM At North Birmingham Academy we have a cashless catering payment system. This has many benefits including:

A faster lunch and break time service   

The money that is on your child’s account can only be spent on meals Only your child can access their money If your child is eligible for free school meals no one is aware of this as the money is automatically credited onto their account each day

The cashless system will use biometrics based on fingerprint recognition technology (finger scans).

This is not a fingerprint How does finger scan technology work?

A numerical value is derived from points on the child’s finger when it is placed on a reading device. This is a set of numbers (usually 16) that is stored. Every time your child has his/her finger re-read, a numerical value is generated again unique to your child.

Please Note: • • •

Schools do not keep an image of the fingerprint The biometric data is securely stored and will not be shared with any other agency The biometric data will be destroyed when your child leaves the Academy

Cashless catering systems are very common in schools and workplaces and are extremely popular. Your child will have their account created in the first week of September. If you have any further queries about the system or object to your child being part of this process please contact us.

ACADEMY SUPPORT Working together to support success The Access to Learning team supports students to reach their full potential.

Working alongside teachers and support staff, the A2L team provide support, advice and mentoring to young people and their families. We have strong links with outside agencies that also work with and support students.

Working with Students At North Birmingham Academy we believe that all our students should fulfil their potential. We encourage and support them to remove barriers to learning, believe in themselves and pursue their aspirations.

The A2L zone is a student friendly environment where we encourage our young people to access support and advice when needed. We have two SENCO’s Jonathan Hickman (KS3) and Reah Reid -Hamilton (KS4) and a team that work in partnership with outside agencies and we are able to offer the following services:             

Counselling Psychologist Mentoring Behaviour management workshops Pupil in school support services Learning support service Self-esteem workshops Positive choices Health Drop in - NHS Anti-Bullying advice – use of the SHARP system Numeracy support Literacy support Agencies: CAMHs, Communication Autism Team, City Of Birmingham Schools

Working with Parents The academy is committed to developing a strong partnership with families and carers; therefore we have a dedicated family support worker within the A2L zone. We strongly encourage all parents and carers to take an active part in academy life and their child’s education.

We offer:  Family and parenting support  Advise, information and guidance  Sign posting for additional support  Coffee mornings  Parent/carers engagement  Involvement in F.O.N.B.A and its associates  Participation in the Parents Forum NBA Parents Forum is a group of parents/carers who meet regularly each term to discuss Academy related issues. The forum provides valuable ideas and discusses any concerns. It enables parents to participate in consultations and assist in making positive changes within the Academy.

North Birmingham Academy

Our Vision At the heart of North Birmingham Academy is our commitment to excellence; not just a vision but a commitment that is woven into every aspect of what we do.

We are committed to:

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Providing a caring and structured environment within which each student is individually nurtured and motivated to reach their full potential

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Offering a broad, balanced and challenging curriculum through innovative and quality teaching, strengthened by the Academy's exciting and stimulating specialisms of English and the Arts

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Inspiring confident young people with a 'can do' attitude

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Encouraging students to become responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to society

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The continuous development of our staff to ensure that the best professional practice underpins our drive for student success

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Working in close partnership with parents, governors and the wider community

It is our aim to become one of the best educational establishments in Birmingham, based at the heart of our community, offering a high-quality and inspiring education for all.

NORTH BIRMINGHAM ACADEMY 395 College Road, Erdington Birmingham B44 0HF T: 0121 373 1647 F: 0121 382 2707 E: enquiry@nbacademy.org.uk W: www.nbacademy.org.uk E-ACT ‘A charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England & Wales’ Registration number 652 6376 Registered office address: 10 Queen Street Place, London EC4R 1BE