This booklet will answer some of the questions you may have about your new school. It provides some useful tips and information, so that you can get the most out of your first term. Please read it carefully and share it with your parents. There is space at the back to note down any questions you may have. Your time at Wolverhampton Grammar School will be busy, exciting and challenging. Take advantage of all opportunities you are given, work hard and most of all, enjoy your time here.
We look forward to welcoming you to WGS!
Mr Anderson Head
The first day...
Friday 30th August will be the first day for Year 7 students. You will have the chance to settle in ahead of all students returning on Monday 2nd September. School will start at 8.45am. When you arrive, please come to the Derry Hall and you will then have a short assembly. Following this, you will spend the morning with your Form Tutor completing induction activities. You will be given your timetable, assigned your locker, walked around your classrooms and be given a lot of helpful information. Lunch will be provided for all students on the first day.
• Maths equipment - ruler 6”/15cm or 12”/30cm, pair of compasses, 360O protractor, and a scientific calculator. (We recommend purchasing a Casio FX-85GTX Classwiz.)
• Your ‘Welcome to Year 7’ booklet.
• Coach pass - if applicable.
• Headphones (they can be in-ear or over-ear). Please do not bring expensive headphones to school and make sure they can be used with your iPad or a desktop computer.
• A bottle of water and snack for break time or you can visit the tuck shop.
• PE & Games kit.
• School iPad.
There will be a morning break when you can visit the tuck shop. Lunch will be at around 1pm. You will be shown how the canteen works and have the opportunity for some free time until 2pm when a bell will sound telling you to return to your form room for afternoon registration. On the first day, you will have Games in the afternoon and School will end at 3.30pm.
The first week...
Homework
To help you settle in, we won’t be setting you homework during the first week. Homework will be slowly phased in during weeks 2 and 3. The homework timetable will then begin fully in week 4.
• Sometimes teachers will set ‘review’ work. This encourages you to review what you have learned during the last lesson. A good way of doing this is to create a revision card or poster about the topic you have studied during that lesson.
• All of your homework will be set on the Firefly Student Portal (don’t worry, we will show you how to use the Portal). When a teacher sets you homework you will receive a notification on your iPad. You should also ensure you check Firefly regularly.
In Year 7, you should spend up to 25 minutes on each set piece of homework.
• From time to time, homework may take a little longer than the suggested 25 minutes - this is normal, however, if you find that homework is regularly taking longer than the suggested time, please speak to your teacher or let your Form Tutor know.
• Homework Club is available after School, Monday - Friday. Here you can receive help with any aspect of your homework. (If you are on the School site after 4.15pm, you should be at an extra-curricular club or attend Homework Club. This is for your safety.)
• At home, try to establish a set time and place for homework to be done, ideally somewhere away from distractions and near enough to ask someone for help.
• We suggest you do homework on the night it is set so as to avoid a build-up of work.
• When you get home unpack your bag, check and complete your homework and then repack your bag ready for the next day.
• It can sometimes be difficult for Year 7 students to get into the habit of working unsupervised. A timer can sometimes help, as can focussing on what can be done after all homework has been completed!
• If you have a problem with homework, we encourage you to speak to your teacher and ask for support - all teachers will find the time to go through things with you that you are unsure of.
If you fail to hand in homework on time then you will be asked to hand it in to Reception by 8.45am on the following day.
Lunchtimes and Extra-Curricular Activities
Your parents can choose to pre-book a termly lunch pass, or you can ‘pay as you go’ using a scan of your fingerprint, or bring your own packed lunch. There are hot lunches served in the Derry Hall or sandwiches available from the ‘Grab & Go’ bar near the Sixth Form Centre. Don’t worry about lunch time at School - there are always lots of staff and older students on hand to make sure you are happy.
During the first week you will hear a lot about clubs and activities that will usually start in week 2; listen out for things that you might be interested in, but also aim to try new things. Clubs take place before school, at lunchtime and after school. You will receive your own personal guide to all the activities on offer. If you are not sure, ask your Form Tutor who is always on hand to help you find the right club for you. You can sign up to a club via Epraise under the ‘Activities’ tab.
At lunchtime you can also use the library and multimedia room; many students use the library to get ahead with homework, but you can also use it to sit quietly and read, play board games or take out a book.
iPads and School Computers
Every student in Year 7 has an iPad and Apple pencil to use in School. You will be invited into School during August along with your family to help you set up your new iPad and to introduce you to the core apps and features of the iPad. You will also receive your School network login during the induction enabling you to access the School computer network both here and at home. You may use the School computers for homework and research, but not for playing games.
You will be using a Student Portal called Firefly to receive your work, view your timetable and messages. If you are new to School, please don’t worry as we will show you how to use this.
iPad Etiquette
• iPads are to be put on the desk with the cover on until directed otherwise by your teacher.
• iPads should be on silent unless directed otherwise by a member of staff.
• Your iPad is to be used for educational purposes only while in School. Use outside of School is up to you and your parents.
• You should not send messages/documents to any other devices in a lesson unless your teacher has given permission.
• Photos and videos are only taken when you have permission from a member of staff.
• Do not walk around the School site with your device open.
Student Voice
Ensure you have your iPad in School every day and that it’s sufficiently charged for a full day’s use
Your Form Tutor will hold elections for Student Voice reps early in the Term. Perhaps you would like to represent your form by passing on their thoughts, ideas and suggestions? Student Voice provides a great opportunity to work with older students and contribute to the School community.
Mobile Phones
At Wolverhampton Grammar School, students are permitted to bring mobile phones into School though you must remember that they are your responsibility. You are also expected to use them appropriately and sensibly. For example, during lesson times, unless a teacher specifically gives you permission, they should be in your pocket or bag and on silent. Mobile phones or any other electrical device must not be used in School toilets, changing rooms, whilst walking in between lessons or in the Derry Hall during lunch.
Lockers
Each student has their own locker to store their bags, books, PE kit etc. We will talk you through how to open and lock your locker on your first day.
Sports lockers
Larger lockers in the Sports Hall are also available to keep PE and Games kit in. These will be available from the first week on a rental basis. A locker can be rented for £5 (refundable at the end of the School year upon return of the key) either individually or students do sometimes pair up and rent a locker together. If you think you may need/ want a sports locker, remember to bring your £5 into School when you hear the notice.
Reading
In Year 7, we ask that all students have a reading book with them at all times; this can be a School library book, or a book from home. All students in Year 7 also take part in an Accelerated Reading Programme - you will receive more details in September.
Fingerprint access
Your parents have been asked if they would like us to record your fingerprint to help you get quick access through doors around School. If they have given their permission, we will scan your fingerprint so that you can use this system. If they haven’t, or you’re not sure - don’t worry, you will also have a number code given to you so that you can access all our buildings. You will quickly see how all our students and staff use this system.
The first term...
Sports
Sports fixtures are a great opportunity, and no matter what your experience or fitness level, there is something for everyone. If you are part of a School team, or would like to be, firstly, make sure you go to practice regularly: it is important to show commitment if you wish to be selected to represent the School. Secondly, have a look at the fixture list on the website - we have after school and Saturday fixtures; it is a privilege to be selected to represent your School and you will be expected to prioritise that above other activities. Even if you are not selected, consider coming along to support your team mates.
Reports and Parents’ Evening
Half term may seem like a long way off, but the weeks will fly by, and your teachers will be grading you on your approach to work over the first half term - try your very best in all subjects and keep on top of your homework. There will also be a Parents’ Information Evening in the first term, followed by a Parents’ Evening before Christmas where your teachers will give a more detailed account of your first few months at School. Neither of these things are anything to worry about, but worth bearing in mind.
Rewards and sanctions
There are lots of ways that you can be rewarded for your hard work and excellent behaviour or performance (in and out of the classroom). Rewards (celebrating academic excellence and good behaviour) and Sanctions (where there needs to be improvement) are issued to students by staff. Everything is recorded on a system called Epraise. Aim to get at least one Good Conduct or Commendation reward by half term in October.
Peer Support
If you feel unhappy at any time or under pressure with School work, the School Peer Supporters will be on hand to help. Each tutor group in Year 7 is assigned a Peer Supporter to whom you can talk at any time about anything - they will identify themselves during the first week. There is information about Peer Support on Firefly, including how to contact them. They are also on duty during lunchtimes. Peer Supporters can be identified by the badge they are wearing; they are keen for you to talk to them.
Head Prefects and the Sixth Form Prefect Team
All our students are always happy to help or give you support if you need it, particularly the Head Prefects and their Sixth Form Prefect team. You will also have a Sixth Form mentor during your time in Year 7 - someone older who is there to help with any questions you have about School life.
Assessments
During the first few weeks there will be several occasions when we will complete some assessments with you and your class - this is nothing to be worried about, we run them every year. One will be an assessment on the computer and one will be some written assessments evaluating your reading, writing and spelling.
Head Prefects: Nacardo Lewis and Kyla Robinson
Useful information...What should I do if...
...I get lost?
Ask someone for help or go to Reception. WGS is a large place but you will soon find your way around with the help of other students or teachers.
..I am late?
If you arrive before 8.50am, go to registration as normal. If you arrive after 8.50am, go to Reception to sign in.
..I am too ill to come to School?
If you are ill, ask your parents to call School on 01902 421326 or email reception@wgs-sch.net. Please bring a note with you when you return so your Form Tutor knows why you were absent.
..I feel ill or hurt myself at School?
If you are in a lesson, tell the teacher. You may be sent to Reception to see a First Aider who will look after you. School will call your parents if required. If you use an inhaler, make sure you have it with you; if you realise that you have forgotten it, please let the staff at Reception know.
...Something is making me unhappy?
Talk to your Form Tutor, Mr Birch (your Head of Year), your family, Peer Supporters, or any teacher in School. Miss Jones, our Assistant Head is always available to talk to if you are unhappy about anything. Do not bottle things up, everyone is here to help and listen.
..I forget my homework?
Go and find the teacher whose homework you have forgotten as early as possible, ideally before registration in the Staff Common Room (you will usually be able to find most of your teachers here at this time).
..I lose something?
Make sure your name is on all of your belongings (including your iPad and Apple pencil). Check the classrooms and places that you have been. Check with your Form Tutor - they will be happy to help you. Check at Reception - valuable items that are lost are stored there.
Any questions?
Contact Mr Birch, Head of Year 7
Email: jmb@wgs-sch.net
Who’s Who?
There are lots of staff to get to know but the following faces will soon become very familiar to you and will be useful to know in your first few weeks.
Year 7 Form Tutors - September 2024
Dr Green
Dr Pounder
Mrs Fellows Mrs Rowley
Mr Anderson Head
Mr Yarnley Assistant Head (Academic)
Mr Wood Assistant Head (Operations)
Mrs Hemmings Finance Director
Mrs Griffiths Wyant
Mrs Jones
Mr Peters Senior Deputy Head
Dr Bradley
Mrs Thomas Miss Kailey
Mrs Forrest
Mr Hughes Deputy Head (Academic)
Miss Jones Assistant Head (Student Welfare & Safeguarding)
