Secondary Parent Handbook




Secondary Parent Handbook

Welcome to WSO Secondary Phase We are delighted to welcome you to the Secondary Phase at GEMS Wellington Academy – Silicon Oasis. Over the next seven years we want to build a close partnership with you so that you will feel part of the successful family that is WSO. You will be pleased to know that you are joining an outstanding community of learning.

The Secondary Phase has experienced rapid expansion because of its overwhelming popularity with parents and our commitment to providing the best possible education and experience for your children drives everything that we do.

Our GCSE and IB results were outstanding last year and exceeded international averages. This year our predictions show that we will do even better.

Our Sports and Performing Arts provision is exceptional and this year we have continued to add to our growing list of national and international awards and accolades. Our unique and proven pedagogical approach based on learning enquiry means that we provide a breadth and depth of curriculum that equips our students with the skills they need to be highly successful in the 21st century.

Blended learning is a key aspect of our curriculum. We use technology to move beyond the classroom walls and transform learning with new e-skills development.

Our Enrichment Programme offers a homogenous and holistic approach that nurtures individual talents and interests, and promotes the aesthetic well-being of all our students. Our Pastoral Care is outstanding and our students consistently state that they feel safe, secure and happy in the Academy.

WSO has an exciting and confident future. We guarantee to provide the very best education for your child over the next seven years.

I look forward to meeting you.

Yours sincerely, Damian Bacchoo
 Secondary Principal

The WSO Commitment In order to achieve the best for our students’ education, moral development and welfare, we as teachers, parents and students enter into the following agreement: In working together, we will help students to: • develop self-respect • develop tolerance for diversity • develop an appreciation for Islamic Values and how these influence their own lives • have concern for their Family, School and Community As an Academy, we will show this by: • treating each student as a unique individual, ensuring that your child is valued • creating a positive support environment for the students to work in; • by setting high expectations for work and behaviour to ensure that your child reaches their maximum potential • by building positive relationships through sharing common goals and expectations with each other • by being a welcoming place providing a safe and secure environment where children can grow and develop • providing a variety of opportunities for students to develop their individual talents by; • setting accurate targets • recognising and building on each child’s strengths • keeping you informed of your child’s progress and achievements

As a Family, you will: • make sure that your child attends school regularly • support the Academy Home Learning and Behaviour policies • attend Academy meetings and events where possible • ensure that your child wears full and correct school uniform • ensure that your child abides by the Internet and Mobile Phone policies • notify the Academy of any change in circumstances that may affect your child by ensuring that upto-date contact information is on file

Contacting Us At Gems WSO we pride ourselves on our close contacts with students and their parents / carers. Your child’s form tutor will be your main point of contact. All form tutors will formally introduce themselves to you via email during the first week of the new academic year. You will then be able to contact them by email or via the VLE whenever you require assistance.

There will also be an opportunity for you to visit the Academy on the first day of term in order to meet your child’s form tutor. Below we have provided you with some information you may wish to keep – this will assist you when you wish to contact other key members of the Secondary Team:

TELEPHONE: +971 (0) 4 515 9000 EMAIL: contactus_wso@gemsedu.com WEBSITE: www.gemswellingtonacademy-dso.com

Reporting Absence It is essential that you report your child’s absence via email to their form tutor before 08:00 each day that your child is absent. If we do not hear from you, your child’s absence will be recorded as unauthorised. Unauthorised absences will result in a meeting with the Head of House or Welfare Officer, and frequent or high numbers of unauthorised absences could affect your child’s progression.

Transport Information If you have registered for STS (School Transport Services), they will advise when the service for your son/daughter can start.

Timings of the Bus Service: During term time, buses will ensure that students arrive at school between 7:30-7:40am. Buses for secondary students will leave the Academy by 3:30pm. Please note that it is the students’ responsibility to ensure that they board their bus home by this time. The driver will not wait for ‘missing students’ who have not arrived by the bus departure time.

Exact times and locations covered by each trip must be confirmed by STS – please email our STS Manager here at WSO on syed@stss.ae

First Day Arrangements All Year 7 students and all new secondary students should arrive at the Academy no later than 07:40 and assemble in the Reception Area. We invite all parents and carers to accompany their child to the Academy on this morning. On arrival, you will be met by members of the Leadership Team who will escort you to the Auditorium for an official welcome from the Executive Principal and Secondary Principal.

Following this welcome, you will be directed to your child’s form room to meet their form tutor.

Parents will be invited to leave the Academy by 09:00 and students will remain with their form tutor for the rest of the day to undertake a range of ‘settling in’ activities. School will finish for students at the normal time of 15:20.

Standard break and lunch arrangements will operate on this day. Students may either bring a healthy packed lunch and snacks with them, or bring money to purchase food from the Student Restaurant.

Please note that secondary students are not permitted to leave the Academy site at break or lunch times.

Structure of the Day Sunday-Wednesday

Thursday

Lunch and Eating Arrangements All students have a mid-morning break, during which time they may wish to eat a nourishing and healthy snack. Students have a second break later in the day for lunch. Please ensure that any drink brought into school is in an unbreakable container. Water is always available to the students throughout the day to re-fill their water bottles.

At lunch time all students will be able to access Canteen facilities to buy hot or cold food, or eat their own packed lunch.

Food Restrictions and Healthy Eating • •

Nuts (including peanut butter) are not allowed in school, as we have a number of students with severe allergies If you choose to bring pork to school as part of a packed lunch, please be respectful to other cultures. For both of these reasons, students will not be allowed to share ‘snacks’ with friends.

We encourage a healthy eating policy and consequently do not permit chocolate, sweets or fizzy drinks in school. Thank you for supporting us in this approach. We believe that good habits learned early will benefit the students throughout their life. Younger students will come home with uneaten food in their lunch box so you know what has been consumed. The box will not be emptied by teachers.

Student and Parent ID Cards At WSO we operate an identity card system for students, parents and teachers. ID cards should be worn and visible at all times on the Academy site. A GEMS ID card is a single means of identifying those people who are permitted to be on the school site and forms a key part of our safeguarding strategy.

Student ID cards will be issued once students start at the Academy. Each family is eligible to receive two parent ID cards with lanyards. These will also be issued once your child starts at the Academy.

Additional adults who need to visit the Academy must sign in and obtain a visitor pass from the Security Gate. Our Security Team will challenge any person on site who is not displaying an ID card / lanyard.

Parents with ID cards are welcome to visit the Academy site during the working school day. Please note however that parent access is limited to the Phase 3 Reception area and Parent Café unless accompanied by a staff member. We politely request that parents do not accompany their children to classrooms in the Secondary Phase.

Student Identification A GEMS student ID card contains information such as the students’ name, photograph, year group, class details and transportation details, as well as parent contact information. The card also contains a barcode unique to each student which can be used to access school facilities such as transport, the Library and catering (where applicable).

Each student will be issued with a GEMS ID card, pouch and lanyard (with safety release).

STS Identification For those who use school-provided transport, the Student ID Card will be used as a means of identification and registration of each student passenger by means of barcode.

Personal Appearance Personal appearance is a matter of pride and professionalism. Whilst we are aware of current fashions and peer pressure, we expect all our students to present themselves in a smart and respectful manner at all times in school and when travelling to and from school.

Make-up, fake tan, artificial nails, nail varnish, rings, wrist bands, body piercings, tattoos, ear plugs or nose studs are not permitted in school.

Extreme hairstyles are not in keeping with our good standard of appearance. Judging whether a haircut is acceptable or not, is a subjective and difficult task. However, we are firm in our opinion that haircuts should not be ‘extreme’. As a general rule, we do not allow less than a number 3.

Also, haircuts with a ‘step’, shaving the sides of the head, long hair on boys, unkempt or spiky hairstyles are not acceptable. Nor are cuts to the eyebrows. Girls with hair that is longer than shoulder length should ensure that it is tied back at all times.

Jewellery is not allowed. Students may wear a watch; girls may wear one pair of plain stud earrings in the bottom of the ear lobe.

Boys ties must be worn to the top button and reach the waistband.

Shirts must be tucked in at all times and sleeves must not be rolled up.

‘Hoodies’ are not permissible in school. Any outer coat / jacket should preferably be black, grey or navy and must be removed inside the buildings. School zip-up fleece jackets may be worn outside the buildings only.

School shoes must be plain black leather. Trainers in any form or colour are not permitted. Visible logos are not permitted and girls cannot wear shoes with heels.

A suitable school bag must be used in the style of a traditional school bag (rucksack, satchel, portfolio), must be plain in design. School bags must be large enough to fit an A4 folder and fasten shut / zip up.

Fashion style bags are not allowed.

Please remember* We request that you clearly name all items of uniform, PE kit and equipment to help us with finding lost items.

Essential Equipment The following essential equipment should be provided by parents and brought to school each day.

Basic classroom equipment…

• A good quality writing pen. Black ink is preferred although blue is acceptable. Other colours e.g. red will be used for self-assessment. Students should ensure that they also carry a spare pen.

• At least one pencil, eraser, a sharpener and a short ruler which will fit inside a pencil case and/or a long ruler, highlighters and a glue stick.

• Coloured pencils for use in exercise books.

To constantly improve numeracy and literacy skills, students are required to have the following with them every day: calculator and reading book.

Specialist subjects may need additional equipment e.g. Maths – protractor, compass, set squares etc All students will be provided with a planner at the start of the year. Students must have their planner in school every day and use them to record home learning and other important information. Parents should check and sign the planner each week to acknowledge that they have seen it.

BYOD… All students should bring their own device to school for use in lessons each day. Some parents have asked about an approved device for students in secondary. iPad, though useful, are not particularly helpful tools to make full use of MyLearning and the tools we use in the secondary school at WSO. The best devices are those that can make full use of MS Office applications; can be fully integrated with a stylus allowing students to draw and write on their device, and has the freedom for files to be uploaded/ downloaded from a browser then edited or shared.

Unfortunately, the iPads versatility with these functions is not as good as with other devices, and its reliance on app purchases makes it difficult for us to ensure consistency. However, any brand of laptop including Apple is suitable. In Secondary, we recommend touch screen hybrid with a stylus that has palm rejection is probably the very best for students.

All students have access to Office 365 applications, including the permissions to download desktop versions, as part of their membership of GEMS. To log in they must do this either via MyLearning or via Office 365 for business. To log in students must use their username and password from MyLearning in the following format: username@gemslearning.com

Storing and Carrying It is essential that every student has a means of carrying equipment and sports kit to school. Therefore, every student must have a sensible study bag capable of holding an A4 size file.

All students must have a suitable plain, dark coloured bag that tones with the uniform.

Lockers Lockers are available for a rental of AED 1 per day. The secondary phase has enough lockers to accommodate all students. Please ensure that your child carries a coin if they wish to rent a locker for the day.

Security To assist with the identification of missing items, please help us by ensuring that ALL clothing and equipment is clearly named.

Attendance and Punctuality Students should aim to be on the Academy site by 07:40. Lessons begin at 07:45. Students should not arrive earlier than 07:00. The Academy cannot accept responsibility for students who arrive before this time unless they are in extra-curricular activities.

In an effort to account for absences, we ask that parents email their child’s form tutor on the first day of absence no later than 08:00. A clear explanation for the absence should be provided. Parents should email the form tutor on each subsequent day of absence in the same way. Planned absence should be applied for via the form tutor.

During breaks and lunchtimes all students must remain on the Academy site and are not permitted to leave for any reason. Should you need to collect your child during the school day for any reason, please report to the Phase 3 Reception who will be happy to assist in signing your child out of the building.

Punctuality We expect students to arrive punctually to school and we place importance on developing punctuality as a sign of respect towards others in the community. Persistent lateness will be followed up by the Academy. We understand that there may be infrequent unavoidable situations where you are delayed.

If a student arrives late at school he/she must report to the Pastoral Assistant based in the Phase 3 Reception to collect a ‘late slip’ before going to tutor time. This will ensure that the student is marked correctly in the registers. If the student arrives late at tutor time without this essential slip, they will be sent back to Reception to collect it.

Medical Appointments All medical appointments should be arranged outside of school hours where possible to ensure minimum disruption to your child’s education. When appointments have to be made in school hours, an email should be sent to your child’s form tutor and Head of House requesting release. They can then arrange for your child to be signed out of the building at the relevant time.

School Clinic Should your child feel unwell during the school day, they may attend the Secondary Clinic located on the ground floor in Phase 3. If your child needs to leave a lesson to do this, they must obtain permission from the class teacher. In most cases, injuries and illness is minor and the Clinic will offer the required treatment, and students will be able to return to lessons.

Where illness or injury is more serious, the Clinic will offer the relevant first aid and will then contact parents to collect their child with the recommendation for follow up with a hospital/doctor. Please note that children who are sick and need to leave the Academy must be collected by an adult and cannot leave unaccompanied.

Routines for the Beginning and End of the Academy Day Beginning of the Day

‘Drop off’ by car is available from 07:00 around the back of the building. Students must wait in the main Reception area or Canteen until the corridors open at 07:30. The Academy gates are open at 07:25 for all other students.

In order to fulfil health and safety requirements parents are not permitted to park their cars in the drop off zone, one of the two designated car parks should be used, or the marked bays on the roadside.

End of the Day The Parent CafĂŠ in the Phase 3 Reception is open all day and parents can wait here at the end of the school day to meet their children. The Academy Canteen is also a recommended meeting area to meet children who are dismissed from class.

Please note that if your child has not been collected from the Academy by 4:00pm, the Academy will no longer be responsible for the child and staff may not be available to supervise on site. The only exception to this is where your child is taking part in an organised extra-curricular activity.

Students Travelling to and From the Academy by Bicycle Bike racks are available in front of the Phase 3 Reception. We recommend that parents supply a bike lock. The Academy cannot be held responsible for bicycles parked in the bike racks. Students must wear helmets at all times.

Home Learning The amount of home learning is graded according to the students’ position within the Academy. For the first two years, home learning should not exceed one to two hours per night. Usually one or two subjects will set home learning each evening and this will be recorded on MyLearning. Home learning is differentiated to cater for different abilities.

Home learning is given throughout the year. Parents will be informed if home learning is not completed regularly.

A student planner is issued to all Year 7 students at no cost to assist with personal organisation.

Although home learning is recorded and set via MyLearning, many students also find the planner a useful organisational tool when settling into life in the Secondary School. The planner should be checked and signed by a parent each week.

Library The Academy Libraries have an impressive collection of over 23,000 books. All students have the opportunity to visit the Library as part of their curriculum time, to peruse the collection and borrow books.

When going on extended leave, we request that students return their library books before leaving the Academy. Parents are requested to ensure that their children handle library books with care.

Lost, overdue or damaged books Please encourage your children to respect and care for the books. The correct handling and usage of a book contribute to its longevity. However careful we are, there will be instances of loss or damage. For those occurrences we have created the following procedure for replacing lost or damaged books.

Book Return Procedure When students enter the Library, the loaned books will be handed to the Library Assistant. The books will then be inspected for damage and returned in the system. Books that are not returned on their due date will be considered overdue. Overdue notices will then be generated and handed to the students.

When a book is three weeks late, the Library Assistant will assume that the book is lost. An invoice will then be prepared and presented to the student. The student will not be allowed to borrow a new book until the book is returned or the invoice paid in full.

Invoicing for lost or damaged books The invoiced amount for lost and damaged books will be calculated as follows: The price; RRP (Recommended Retail Price) noted on book + AED 15 Administrative Costs. If the RRP is absent, an internet search will be done to find the current price of the book. This will then be converted to local currency.

Payment to Cashier The parent or carer must present the invoice and payment to the Cashier. The original receipt must then be taken to the Library to allow the staff to reinstate borrowing privileges. If, however, a book deemed lost is found, the book and the invoice must be presented to the Library Assistant, to reinstate borrowing.

To collect a refund for a book that has been found If the lost book has already been paid for and is found, you may be refunded. Present the book and the original receipt to the Library Assistant who will then endorse the receipt for presentation to the Cashier for a refund.

Extra-Curricular Activities At WSO, we are extremely proud of the opportunities that we offer, whether these are part of our curriculum or through the wide range of activities, clubs, trips, fixtures, residential trips and Enrichment Programme. Details of the Enrichment Programme will be posted termly on MyLearning and all other opportunities will be communicated via the weekly Parent Bulletin.

Houses All students and staff are allocated into one of four Houses, and their whole tutor group will belong to the same House. The Houses and their colours are: Onyx (Black), Emerald (Green), Ruby (Red) and Diamond (White) – the colours represent the colours of the UAE flag.

House Points are earned for good work in any area of the Academy curriculum and positive aspects of social / personal behaviour. Sporting events and other inter-House competitions are organised to foster a spirit of belonging and build relationships between students from different year groups.

House Points are totalled and the winning House applauded at the end of the week, term and year. We aim to place siblings in the same House, but there may be times when this is not possible.

Developing Student Leadership Skills As the year progresses, our students will have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills by taking on a wide range of responsibilities including being a Student Ambassador, House Ambassador, Sports Leader or Lead Learner.

Code of Conduct WSO has high expectations of all those who work and learn within the Academy. Our ethos at GEMS Wellington Academy - Silicon Oasis embodies GEMS core values: We will act with courtesy and consideration to others at all times. We will strive to always achieve our best in our learning.

In the secondary phase students adhere to this through the application of the ‘5 Ps’: • • • • •

Polite Patient Prompt Prepared Productive

We expect our students to consistently demonstrate high standards of good behaviour. They will be encouraged from the first day they enter WSO to be cooperative and responsible individuals. We seek to praise good behaviour in order to foster their self-esteem.

Our Main Academy Rules play a key role in ensuring that our students show respect for one another and the environment they work in. The rules emphasise the importance of consideration for others and the need to strive to do our best at all times.

Form tutors and class teachers are largely responsible for the behaviour of students within the classroom. The high standards of behaviour we expect at WSO require self-discipline and an understanding that the atmosphere we wish to create demands mutual respect and is the responsibility of all of us involved with the Academy. We encourage our students to develop sensible attitudes and to think about others as they learn within the classroom, move about the Academy and playground.

Where there might be cases of misbehaviour, we will ensure that the student understands why their behaviour is unacceptable.

The staff are guided in their dealings of misconduct by the Academy’s Behaviour Policy (available on the VLE). Parents are informed if behavioural problems are causing concern, and are asked to work together with us so that any problems may be resolved as soon as possible.

Rewards A conscious attempt is made by all staff to recognise individual effort and achievement throughout the secondary phase.

Good work and regular attendance are rewarded through the awarding of House Points, Director & Head of House Commendations, Principal’s Commendations, and special reward trips and events.

Termly reward certificates are given for 100% attendance. Positive communication will be sent to parents where possible in recognition of good work and effort (e.g. email, letter home, phone call home etc.).

House Assemblies take place each week and Celebration Assemblies are held at the end of every term.

During these assemblies certificates are presented and achievements highlighted.

Students are also encouraged to track their own progress and successes through the Student Led Conference. Throughout the year students develop an online portfolio that highlights good examples of work and learning, and where they have made progress. Students also gather evidence to support their development across the WSO Competences. Students who can evidence progress in all competences will receive a special reward at the end of the academic year.

Sanctions We operate the normal school sanctions including detentions at break time, lunch times and after school. A full copy of our Behaviour Policy is available on VLE. A serious view is taken of any anti-social behaviour committed by our students on the way to and from school. We will always respond to and act upon information from students, parents and our neighbours about incidents that involve our students.

We believe that the standards of behaviour expected in school are the same as those expected by parents at home. We firmly believe that a strong partnership forged between parents and teachers can overcome most behavioural problems. We expect decisions made in school to receive full parental support.

Sanctions taken against those students who commit minor acts of misbehaviour: • Verbal warnings • Detentions at break and lunchtime • Community service based activities at lunchtime • Temporary exclusion from certain lessons • Placing the student on report In accordance with our code of practice, parents will always be kept informed of serious and other regular patterns of misbehaviour.

Sanctions against serious acts of anti-social behaviour could lead to a fixed term exclusion. These include: • Fighting • Smoking or possession of smoking paraphernalia • Possession of drugs or alcohol • Persistent bullying • Cyber bullying or inappropriate use of technology • Theft – of any property of students, staff or the Academy • Vandalism – to Academy property or the property of another student or staff member • Repeated disruptive behaviour – that leads to the teacher having to spend a disproportionate amount of time with one student at the expense of others

Summary of Methods of Communication: • • • • • • • • • • •

Student planner A weekly newsletter is published electronically. Its purpose is to communicate with parents on Academy organisational matters and to share the many positive experiences and successes of WSO students.

Academy screens display a lot of useful information about upcoming events and reminders.

GEMS Oasis, ISAMS and the VLE (see separate section) Two interim reports and one full report are sent home to each year group Each year has Academic Review Days and Parent Consultation Evenings where parents meet with form tutors and subject teachers to discuss overall student progress You will be invited to meet your child’s form tutor on the first day of term Parent Engagement Sessions are held for different year groups on a rotating basis. They are an opportunity for parents to meet with the Leadership Team and other relevant members of staff to discuss teaching and learning related issues.

Parents Handbook Curriculum Information Booklets for each year group Options Booklet

Communication There is a clear line of communication within the Academy. First contact your son/daughter’s form tutor; if the issue requires further discussion the Head of House will be the next link in the chain of communication. Following this, the relevant Director will be involved.

Good communication between home and school are vital for the smooth running of the Academy. We ask parents to use email, the VLE/MyLearning or the Student Planner to communicate with us. Staff members will acknowledge receipt of your communication within 24 hours.

Parents are very welcome to contact form tutors or class teachers if they are concerned about something. Discussions are most valuable when appointments are made in advance with the teacher. If you need to see a teacher, please request an after-school appointment either via the Student Planner, VLE/MyLearning or via email. Emails are a very good method of contacting staff. The staff email addresses are made up of the teacher’s first initial.Surname_wso@gemsedu.com - email is encouraged!

Please remember that our teachers are very busy before school preparing for the day ahead. After school appointments, allow teachers to give you their undivided attention.

Response to Complaints Although we receive very few, if you have a complaint or a concern – do not keep it to yourself. Please let us know.

All complaints will be responded to by a member of the Leadership Team within 24 hours. A member of the Leadership Team is usually available for immediate telephone contact. Emails will be responded to within 24 hours.

Appointments can be made to suit your convenience.

The main Academy telephone number is usually staffed between 07:15 and 16:30 each day.

The Principal is pleased to discuss with parents any criticisms of the Academy. If problems remain unsolved there is a documented procedure, available to parents, to deal with such complaints.

GEMS Oasis, ISAMS and the VLE GEMS Oasis Parent Portal is our secure parent website that can only be accessed by enrolled parents, and a unique username will be issued to you.

OASIS – this holds all your personal information: • Upload a photo of your child for use on their student ID card • Pay/view online fees • Change personal contact details ISAMS is a secure parent portal that again can only be accessed by enrolled parents and a unique username / password will be issued to you.

• ISAMS – this holds the following information: • Students’ school reports • Timetables • Attendance information The VLE (MyLearning) is an online secure student, teacher and parent website. Secondary students are issued with a login to create their own account profile. Secondary students can also join each of their classes. Parents can also create their own account. OASIS and MyLearning are synchronised and parents can access both with a single login.

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VLE/MyLearning – this is where teachers post communications to students and parents: • Home learning for each year group • Announcements • Learning resources and useful links • Weekly newsletters • Student activity details

Oasis usernames for parents will be issued just prior to their child starting school. If you forget this username, this can be retrieved by emailing pre_wso@gemsedu.com

Internet Access Use Policy The Internet offers a huge resource in multimedia formats, which can greatly enhance your child’s learning. However, the Internet is a reflection of the people who make up our society. It is not

controlled by any particular organisation and the standard of source information cannot always be guaranteed. While GEMS WSO and parents need to exercise caution in the Internet access they allow students, students should not be deterred from using the Internet as we feel that the educational benefits far outweigh the possible dangers.

The Parent-Academy Internet Partnership Many students are likely to have access to the Internet at home as well as at school, and it therefore becomes important for parents to work in partnership with the Academy if a responsible attitude to the Internet is to be engendered towards our students.

Attached for your perusal is a copy of the GEMS Wellington Academy Internet Access Policy and Permission letter. Please indicate on the attached Internet Permission Form whether you wish your child to have Internet access at the Academy and return it to the Academy Reception Desk. Please contact the Leadership Team directly if you wish to discuss any aspect of your child’s Internet use.

Policy on Mobile Telephones The Academy recognises that there may be genuine reasons for some students to have a mobile phone at school. However, students are discouraged from bringing their phones to school.

As a working community, we do need to have regulations governing the use of mobile phones in order that lessons are not interrupted, and students do not use the phone unnecessarily.

We are asking for a common-sense approach to the use of mobile phones and so we are issuing the following guidelines: •

The Academy does not accept any responsibility for mobile phones. Students must take full responsibility for their safe-keeping, and they bring them into school at their own personal risk. If phones go missing, we cannot be expected to take time to search for them. May we suggest that parents take out insurance cover for mobile phones that are being brought into school.

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It is advisable to protect phones with security markings and codes, and keep them locked in a locker during the school day.

• Mobile phones must be switched off at all times during lessons and in the corridors. If a phone rings or is visible during lesson time or on the corridor, members of staff are instructed to confiscate them.

• Mobile phones may be used at break and lunchtimes in the Canteen and outside areas only.

• All confiscated items can be collected from the Head of House at the end of the school day. If a phone is confiscated for a second time, the Head of House will telephone parents to ask them to come and collect the phone in person.

• If parents need to contact students in an emergency, they should do this via the Phase 3 Reception by telephoning the main number. All emergency messages will be passed on.

• Mobile phones must never be taken into examinations.

• The Academy will not accept any responsibility for lost or stolen items.

These rules form part of the Academy’s Code of Conduct and are non-negotiable.

How can I get involved as a parent or carer?

There are many ways that you can get involved in the life of the Academy: • Let us know when we have made a mistake • Let us know when we have made a difference • Join our Secondary Parent Ambassadors • Attend our Parent Consultation Evenings • Attend and support our events