Winifred Holtby Academy
FUTURES SHAPING POSITIVE
Shaping Positive Futures
Welcome to our new Winifred Holtby learners.
Winifred Holtby is part of The Consortium Academy Trust. At The Consortium Academy Trust, we are ambitious about the futurecreating learning environments and excellence in teaching and learning that provide our children and young people with the best chance at a successful future.
Our vision is Shaping Positive Futures as we strongly believe our sole purpose is supporting children and young people to achieve their ambitions. This vision gives us a shared sense of purpose and direction and is something we are all proud to be a part of.
Across our community of ten schools our people are doing remarkable things by being fully engaged in work that transforms lives, supporting children and young people to grow in confidence and develop into citizens we are proud of.
We are ambitious to shape positive futures so each young person can excel and achieve their goals in education and beyond and we welcome you as you begin to explore and develop your interests and passions at the start of your education journey with us.
Lizann Lowson, CEO, The Consortium Academy
Trust
“As a Trust we share resources and expertise, to ensure our young people experience inclusive learning opportunities alongside a challenging, fun and aspirant education.”
Welcome to WINIFRED HOLTBY
I would like to welcome you to Winifred Holtby Academy.
I am very much looking forward to working in partnership with you over the next few years.
By joining us here at Winifred Holtby Academy, your child has a bright and exciting future ahead of them with many opportunities to flourish. Our facilities are state-of-the-art and our dedicated team of staff are committed to providing the best education they can for every young person in their care.
At Winifred Holtby Academy we believe that every child can achieve great things and we will do our very best to support or guide your child towards that ambition.
Your child matters to us, and we will do everything we can each day to help them feel safe, valued and able to succeed.
Respect, Ambition, Achievement
“Please take the time to read this booklet carefully with your child so that they are very clear about our standards and expectations from day one.”
As we continue on the next phase of our development it is vital that all parents, carers and students understand what is acceptable and what is not within our academy.
The responsibility for every student’s education, personal development and well-being lies with three key partners; the parents/carers, the academy and the students themselves. Everyone has a key role to play and we are all as important as each other in this partnership. Students learn most effectively and make the best progress when this partnership is strong and all members play a full, positive and active role.
Our aim is for every learner to leave Winifred Holtby Academy as a successful and confident student who is well-equipped to move on to the next stage in their life, whether this be in further education, training or
employment. This will only be possible if all students are able to learn, develop and flourish in an academy that values mutual respect, academic ambitions and personal achievement.
Please take the time to read this booklet carefully with your child so that they are very clear about our standards and expectations from day one.
We look forward to working with you over the next five years of your child’s education.
Mrs K Farmer, Headteacher
Our Vision FUTURES SHAPING POSITIVE
Our Mission
We put our students first. We have a supportive, yet challenging environment to allow everyone in our school community to:
• Flourish and believe that they have every chance of success.
• Work together, through our values, so that they can achieve more than can be done individually.
• Work within a supportive culture where taking appropriate risk is seen as a strength.
• Be proud of themselves, their peers, our Trust, and our local communities.
Our Values
RESPECT AMBITION ACHIEVEMENT
'Shaping
Positive Futures.'
Key People
If you have any queries regarding your son/daughter's transition process into Year 7 please do not hesitate to contact us via email: enquiry@winifredholtbyacademy.com
Miss A Morris-Jarvis
Mr J Krebs
Mr J Nassau
Mr R Pindar
Year 7 Team
Mr Lightowler and Miss Thorley lead a team of dedicated Year 7 tutors who will ensure that your son/daughter settles into their new school smoothly.
Attendance
The academy day starts at 08:25 and therefore students should be in their tutor rooms by this time to ensure a prompt start to learning.
Any student that arrives after 09:05 will be classified as absent for the full morning session.
• All students are expected to attend school every day.
• Year teams and tutors will provide learners with data information relating to attendance on a weekly basis.
• Students will be required to record their own attendance in their planners.
• Students identified as having falling attendance or attendance below 96% will be required to follow an individual attendance plan with a key worker identified within the academy.
• Parents/carers of students who are deemed as persistent absentees (90% attendance or less) will be required to work with the academy to improve attendance.
• The academy will not authorise any holidays in term time as per DFE guidance.
• The academy is required to use the fixed penalty system and the courts in extreme cases to ensure student attendance.
Punctuality
The academy places great emphasis on our Classroom charter - Prepared, Polite, Punctual and Productive:
• Regular attendance
• Punctuality
• Smart appearance
• Being prepared for learning
• The need to show courtesy, consideration and respect to others
• Students arriving late will enter via the Attendance Office doors, where their attendance will be noted and parent/carers will be informed by text, of their late arrival
• Students will be required to undertake a 15-minute after school detention
• Year Teams/Tutors will be informed of the late arrival
• Parents have a legal responsibility to ensure their children receive a suitable, full-time education
Mr J Nassau
Attendance Lead
Absence
Parents/carers are asked to notify the academy on the first morning before 08:00 of a student’s first day of unexpected absence through the app/email or phone call.
Parents/carers should advise the academy of planned absences.
If the whereabouts of a student is unknown, then you will be contacted as soon as possible; this may be in the form of a text message or phone call.
If your child is returning to the academy with an injury that may cause difficulties in allowing them to access the curriculum or an injury that may hinder their mobility, it is essential that you contact your child’s Year Team. A risk assessment will be conducted and any additional support or alternative arrangements can be implemented.
Download the Arbor Parent Portal to access all of your information in one place and improve home school communication.
Contact can be made via the app, call 01482 826207 (dial 1 for attendance) or email attendance@winifredholtbyacademy.com
Parents have a legal responsibility to ensure their children receive a suitable, full-time education.
BE HERE, ON TIME, EVERY DAY!
MOMENTS MATTER, ATTENDANCE COUNTS
STUDENTS WITH
97% attendance
95-97% attendance
ARE LIKELY TO EXCEED THEIR EXPECTED GRADES
90-95% attendance
ARE LIKELY TO MEET THEIR EXPECTED GRADES
ARE LIKELY TO FALL BELOW THEIR EXPECTED GRADES
80% attendance below
ACHIEVE, ON AVERAGE 2 GRADES WORSE PER SUBJECT THAN THOSE WITH 97% ATTENDANCE
Transition and Induction
We believe that students benefit greatly by getting to know us prior to their official start in September.
Our induction process has been designed to ensure students adjust well into the school setting, encouraging them to begin secondary education with a positive attitude to learning.
The highlight of the induction process is Transition Week, W/C 6 July 2026.
Over this week learners will attend Winifred Holtby Academy in their primary school uniform, going to lessons, meeting their new tutor and finding their way around.
Students will get to know lots of new people and find out just what it is like to be a learner at their new school.
We are very excited about it – we hope you are too!
Communication
Effective communication between Winifred Holtby Academy and the parents/carers of our students is extremely important.
Our main method of communication is through the Arbor app which enables us to communicate more regularly with you regarding your child’s achievements, attendance and academic progress.
You are also able to check and update your contact details in a more convenient way than contacting the school.
Parents/carers/students are able to download the Arbor app for free via the app stores. If you haven’t already provided us with your email address, we encourage you to inform us of it for any future communications we send by this system.
Introducing Fusion Online
We’re excited to introduce Fusion Online, our new pre-ordering service that allows you to purchase items from your school canteen directly from your mobile phone from home. Say goodbye to queuing and enjoy a faster, more convenient lunchtime experience!
What can you do with Fusion Online?
Check your account balance anytime
Stay in control of your spending by viewing your balance whenever you need it.
Order food in advance
Use your mobile device to pre-order meals, saving time during busy lunch periods.
View upcoming orders
Easily keep track of your meal selections and see what you’ve planned ahead.
Keep up to date with school life and activities by regularly visiting our Facebook page, Instagram and website.
Curriculum
Our curriculum is designed with all our students in mind, irrespective of social background, culture, race, gender or sexuality, differences in ability/ disabilities.
We strive to provide a rich and appropriately challenging learning experience from day one; an experience that is stimulating and engaging, one that provides students with the opportunity to excel, to be successful and be ready and equipped to take on the next stage of their life.
Our curriculum is built on our solid core values but allows a flexibility of approach to ensure that all groups of students can access the most appropriate learning pathways and courses that will prepare them for a future of further learning, training and employment. At Winifred Holtby Academy, every student has a right to access the course or learning pathway that is ‘appropriate’ for them and allows them to flourish in a culture of high aspirations and achievement.
At the heart of our curriculum is a strong core of traditional and academic subjects. We are very proud of the substantial range of creative, vocational and sporting subjects that add great breadth and depth to our curriculum offer. In addition, a varied programme of extracurricular opportunities further enhances our curriculum and provides all students with the opportunity to participate, perform and excel, further developing character and employability skills. Our enrichment programme ensures that students have access to appropriate and impartial Careers Information, Advice and Guidance.
“We are very proud of the substantial range of creative, vocational and sporting subjects that add great breadth and depth to our curriculum offer.”
“Our
enrichment programme ensures that students have access to appropriate and impartial Careers Information, Advice and Guidance.”
“Parents/carers can arrange visits to look around and discuss their child’s needs in more detail.”
SEND and Inclusion
As an academy we strive to bring out the best in our students as every child matters, regardless of academic or physical difficulties.
We are determined that no child should be left behind as we provide a learning culture in which all students can flourish and achieve their potential.
Winifred Holtby Academy has transition sessions to help students transition successfully. Parents/carers can
Ms E Wilkie Director of Learning Support (SENDCO)
Miss Y Jackson SEN Coordinator
arrange visits to look around and discuss their child’s needs in more detail.
If a child has been identified as needing additional transition arrangements, a personalised programme is created based on their needs. These can be visits after the academy day has finished, for example, walking around the site with a camera to make a memory booklet. Other visits could be across lunchtime, to gauge the volume level or how busy it is. These visits can be with parents/carers or organised with the academy/Teaching Assistants/outside agencies.
Mrs N Drury Deputy SENDCO
Mrs K Jennison Inclusion Manager
“Parents/carers are asked to monitor homework completion by regularly checking the planner and or through our Arbor app function for Homework tracking.”
Assessment and Homework
Key Stage 3 Assessment
Key stage 3 students will take 2 two formal assessments where we would appreciate parental support.
Parents/carers will receive assessment data twice during the academic year. This will include progress data from the core curriculum, attitude to learning information and improvement targets. The progress data will indicate if a student is working above, at or below the level that we expect at a particular time. We base our expectations on Key Stage 2 data and what we know about the student.
Homework
At the academy, all students are expected to complete homework as part of their learning and development.
Students can record all homework set in their planner, which they are expected to carry at all times.
Parents/carers are asked to monitor homework completion by regularly checking the planner and/or through our Arbor app function for homework tracking. Homework will be monitored and evaluated to support student success and recorded via the Arbor App to allow parents/carers to track it.
Key Information:
• Students will receive one stamp for every three pieces of completed homework
• Core subjects are required to set homework every week
• Non-core subjects are required to set homework every four lessons.*
• Each week, the highest quality homework will be recognised with a postcard home
• Homework tasks, deadlines, and completion status will be communicated to parents/carers via Arbor
Consequences for Missed Homework:
• A missed homework will result in a 15-minute faculty detention, organised and run by the relevant faculty.
• Failure to attend the 15-minute detention will escalate to a 30-minute detention
• Continued non-attendance will result in a 60-minute detention and may lead to a parent/carer meeting with the Faculty Leader.
• Negative behaviour detentions take priority over other detentions.
*Subjects with high numbers of students at Key Stage 3, such as Core PE, are exempt from the standard homework setting expectations.
For any homework-related enquires, please contact the relevant subject teacher in the first instance.
Students are awarded points for displaying: Respect, Ambition and Achievement
WHOLE SCHOOL REWARDS
• Sweet Treat
• Spot Prizes
• Attendance Streak
• Tutor Attendance Knockout
• Spin the Wheel
• Hot Chocolate and Muffin
• Spot Prizes
• Attendance Awards
• Termly House Competition
• Celebration Assembly
• Spin the Wheel
• Silent Christmas Disco
• Hot Chocolate and Cake
• Celebration Assembly
• Spot Prizes
• Termly House Competition
• Attendance Awards
• Summer Party
• Ice-pops Drinks and Music
• Spot Prizes
• Attendance Awards
• Wini's Bingo Bash
• Attendance Awards
• Spot Prizes
• Roof Top BBQ
• Spin the Wheel
• Celebration Assembly
• Termly House Competition
• Presentation Evening
• Big Day Out
• Spot Prizes
• Attendance Awards
Earn Your Rewards!
Follow the 4 Ps to earn 1 reward point per lesson.
Prepared Punctual Polite Productive
Be on time and equipped for each lesson.
Have the right equipment and be ready to learn.
Stay focused and make the most of every lesson.
Rewards and Expectations
Students have various opportunities to celebrate their achievements - both individually and as part of their tutor group teams.
Students can earn rewards in every lesson by demonstrating the 4 Ps: Punctual, Prepared, Productive, and Polite. For each lesson where these expectations are met, students receive one reward point, which is recorded by the teacher.
Students are encouraged to aim for 5 points each day, 1 per lesson leading to a target of 25 points across the week.
Additional rewards are available for demonstrating the academy’s values of Respect, Ambition, and Achievement. Faculty Leads can award 3 extra points, while SLT and Year Teams can award 5 extra points
Recognition for consistent effort and positive behaviour includes commendation postcards sent home to celebrate success.
Show respect to staff and other students.
Aim for 5 Points a Day...25 Points Across the Week!
At the end of each term, a celebration assembly is held to honour academic accomplishments, strong attendance, and contributions to the wider school community. Students are rewarded with Year Group awards, special brunches, reward trips and pathways towards student leadership roles.
All students with excellent attendance and a positive attitude are invited to exclusive events like the ‘WHA Big Day Out’ and the summer ‘Rooftop BBQ’.
Tutor groups compete in the Attendance League, while House teams battle it out in various events to win House Cups. Success can be achieved in many ways - from charity fundraisers to sporting competitions—allowing every student to contribute to team victories.
Attendance Stickers
Attendance stickers are distributed for full attendance in a morning and afternoon session leading to a target of 10 stickers per week.
Each academic year concludes with a Presentation Evening to celebrate student success. During this event, special awards are presented to those who exemplify the school’s core values.
The Winifred Holtby
Classroom Charter
Your Actions
Respect all members of staff and other learners, following instructions without question or answering back. This includes respecting the right of others to learn. Be on time and equipped for each day.
Be hard working and put 100% effort into everything you do.
The gates to the academy open at 08:05. The school gates will be locked at 08:20.
1
Academy Day Equipment
(including movement time)
Lesson 2 Lesson 3 08:25 – 08:55 08:55 – 09:55 09:55 – 10:15 10:15 – 11:15 11:15 – 12:15
It is essential that learners get into the habit of taking responsibility for bringing the right equipment at the right time and keeping it in good condition.
On a daily basis it is expected that every student will come to the academy with the necessary small items of equipment.
Equipment List - as an absolute minimum!
bag
pencil case
pencil • black/blue pen
green pen
eraser
calculator
Lunch and clubs (including movement time)
4 12:15 – 13:05 13:05 – 14:05 Lesson 5 14:05 – 15:05
End of the Day/ Lesson 6 15:05
“All rewards are logged through the planner. If the planner is lost, the rewards are too.”
We will run a morning shop for students to buy missing stationery items. The cost of these will be added to Arbor pay.
Students must have a bag or holdall in which to carry books and equipment. We also recommend purchasing a subsidised scientific maths calculator which is available to buy through the academy’s online payment system.
Normally all the necessary exercise books and textbooks will be issued to the student, by each faculty.
An academy planner, lanyard and ID card are provided to each student free of charge at the beginning of the academic year. Replacements are available at a charge.
All rewards are logged through the planner. If the planner is lost, the rewards are too. • red pen
Our Uniform
The wearing of uniform gives every student a sense of identity, equality and discipline as a member of the academy community.
The uniform encourages students to feel a sense of pride and a sense of belonging to the academy.
In addition, the uniform sets clear expectations, ensures health and safety and provides a conducive learning environment for all students in preparation for their future working life.
If at any time there are any queries regarding permitted styles, parents/carers should contact the academy, particularly prior to purchasing garments via email: enquiry@winifredholtbyacademy.com
If any parents/carers are experiencing difficulties regarding the uniform, please contact the academy without delay.
• Blazer: Black with official academy logo.
• Jumper: Plain black v-neck, with or without academy logo. (Optional)
• Trousers: Smart, tailored, plain black, formal uniform type. No Lycra, jean, cotton, or cord type material (worn with black socks).
• Black Box Pleated skirt: Worn with black tights at least 60 denier or black socks. Skirts must sit no more than just above the knee.
• Shirt: Plain white, long or short sleeved, formal uniform type of standard length to tuck in and with standard shirt type collar.
• Academy tie: (applicable to each year group)
• Footwear: Plain black, black laces, polishable leather or leather-look shoes or ankle boots with flat or low heels. Shoes with logos in contrasting colours are not permitted. No other type of shoe (e.g., fabric, sandals) is allowed.
Our PE Kit
All students will be expected to wear the academy PE kit in all of their PE lessons.
• Navy blue polo shirt with the academy logo
• Quarter zipped outdoor games top with academy logo (optional)
• Plain navy blue sports shorts or skort
• Navy blue tracksuit bottoms or sports leggings (optional)
• Navy base layer top and bottoms (optional)
• Navy sports socks
• Trainers and football boots
Our uniform supplier is Steady Schoolwear. www.steadyschoolwear.co.uk
Uniform items can be purchased from Steady Schoolwear, either online or in store.
17 Savile Street, Hull, East Yorkshire, HU1 3EF.
Tel: 01482 322982
Email: sales@steadyschoolwear.co.uk
Anyone who does not have their PE kit for a lesson will be loaned items and expected to participate.
We have a stock of uniform that we will loan out should a student not have all uniform items. Any items not returned at the end of the day will be invoiced to parents on arbor pay.
Jewellery/Piercing: Not allowed. Skin coloured retainers (nose and ears only) are permitted. One pair of studs in the earlobes and a watch (not a Smart watch) are permitted.
Makeup: Must be discreet. Nail varnish, acrylic or false nails, false eyelashes and fake tan is not allowed.
Hairstyles: Including unnatural colour and patterns such as tramlines are not permitted.
Extracurricular and lunchtime activities
We have an extensive range of lunchtime and after school activities that all students will have the opportunity to participate in.
We also have a fantastic sports department who provide a diverse range of sporting activities for students to engage in both for fun and also at a competitive level.
Some of the clubs we offer are:
Lunchtime: Book, Careers, Computing, Craft, Darts, Debate, Drama, Dungeons and Dragons, Foreign Language, Maths, Music and Nature.
After School: Art club, Animation club, Athletics, Basketball, Cooking club, Craft club, Dance classes, Dodgeball, Knitting club, Netball, Rounders, Science club, Sherlock Holmes club, Soccer Kings club, Swimming sessions and Wheelchair basketball.
“We also have a fantastic sports department who provide a diverse range of sporting activities for students to engage in both for fun and also at a competitive level.”
The House System
Within your child’s Year Team they will be allocated a House.
The House System is designed to embody the values and ethos of the academy. It is an integral part of our academy community.
Our House names are based on five ancient settlements within the local area. Students are placed into: Hedoncrofte, Riseholme, Sefholme, Sudtone and Wawne. All Houses support a local charity, for which they fundraise throughout the
academic year. This enables students to develop a sense of charity and local community involvement.
Mr R Pindar
House Pastoral Lead
Each House Team has its own identity including: House emblem and core values. House Teams provide a sense of belonging. All students are encouraged to participate in the life of their House beyond the classroom and a calendar of events creates healthy competition between Houses.
Students compete to win Achievement/ House points, which are displayed on our digital screens around the academy.
“The House System is designed to embody the values and ethos of the academy. It is an integral part of our academy community.”
Hedoncrofte
Riseholme
Sefholme
Sudtone
Wawne
House charity:
Student Voice
At Winifred Holtby we believe that all members of our academy have a voice.
Everyone in the academy can and should contribute to the running of the academy and have a say in the decisions that affect their learning and well-being.
We have a structure in place that ensures students from all year groups are able to participate in meaningful discussions and that their issues are listened to and acted upon.
“Everyone in the academy can and should contribute to the running of the academy and have a say in the decisions that affect their learning and well-being.”
Senior House Leaders:
Apply and are voted in during Year 10. Senior House Leaders support with organising and running events. They are the primary student representative for their House, embodying leadership, responsibility, and the school core values.
House Leaders:
Are role models and ambassadors for their House. They assist with charity and House events, encourage students to participate in activities, promote leadership and a sense of community within their House.
FREE Breakfast Club:
opens at 07:45 and the last entry is 08:05 Toast, cereal, bagels and juices. Plus board games.
We are a nut free academy.
School Payments
Arbor Pay is the academy’s online payment system that lets you make the secure online payments by credit and debit card.
Paying online, credits your child’s account with lunch money. In addition to lunch money, Arbor Pay can be used to pay for all academy activities, trips, visits, ties, planners, basic equipment and uniform items not returned when loaned out.
In order for your child to obtain lunch from one of our catering outlets, they will need their student ID CARD.
Free School Meals
The Government’s transitional protection arrangements for means tested Free School Meals has ended.
This means that any students who are finishing primary school this year will need to re-apply, ready for their start at Winifred Holtby Academy in September.
We encourage parents/carers to apply for free school meals as we know that this both saves parents money and encourages students to eat healthy food. Some parents may be reluctant to apply because they are
concerned about any stigma attached to students receiving free school meals. However, because this system is automatic, students are not personally identified as receiving a free school meal and as such anonymity is ensured.
For more details: www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals
Healthy Living
The academy prides itself in offering a range of healthy living opportunities to our students.
A whole-academy approach to food and health goes beyond teaching in the classroom. Our good academy food culture helps develop healthy eating habits so our students can live healthier, longer lives. We have had everything from a mini farm, teachers and students cooking competitions as well as hosting celebrity chefs to help turn the academy into a restaurant for parents/carers.
In addition to this, we have a Breakfast Club which is free for all students and is an excellent place to socialise, make new friends and set themselves up for a successful day. The Breakfast Club gives students the opportunity to learn about healthy options, to have a healthy breakfast, socialise and to be ready for learning.
Term Dates 2026-27
Autumn Term
School re-opens for students: Wednesday 9 September 2026
School closes: Thursday 22 October 2026
School re-opens for students: Monday 2 November 2026
School closes: Friday 18 December 2026
Spring Term
School re-opens for students: Tuesday 5 January 2027
School closes: Friday 5 February 2027
School re-opens for students: Monday 15 February 2027
School closes: Friday 19 March 2027
Summer Term
School re-opens for students: Tuesday 6 April 2027
May Day Bank Holiday: Monday 3 May 2027
School closes: Friday 28 May 2027
School re-opens for students: Monday 7 June 2027
School closes: Thursday 22 July 2027
Winifred Holtby Academy
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