Welcome Back

Dear Parents/Carers,

We hope that you had a restful summer break. We are delighted by the way students have returned to the school in a calm and purposeful manner.

This letter sets out a range of updates with regards to teaching and learning, standards, information with regards to extra curricular activities.

Knowledge Organisers/Homework

The knowledge organisers for Module 1 can be found on this link. Please ensure that your son/daughter is reviewing their knowledge organiser for each subject as this is their homework for the module. These are used as a basis for the ‘do it now’ activity at the start of every lesson, which helps your son’s/daughter’s knowledge to improve over time.

Punctuality

Part of our role at the academy is to prepare students for their futures and help them get into the right habits, including the importance of punctuality. The students first lesson starts at 8.30am every day, therefore students should arrive at their class in plenty of time for the start of the lesson, ideally no later than 8.20am. Unless there are extenuating circumstances that we are made aware of, if a student is late to school, they will be issued with a 15 minute detention on the same day.

Standards & Uniform

Please find below a table as a polite reminder of the standard required for both uniform and equipment at the academy.

• Jewellery – Students are NOT allowed to wear jewellery. Rings are dangerous for many activities and therefore unsuitable for the academy. Necklaces and bracelets are similarly unsuitable; however, an exception may be made for religious bangles. One pair of small stud earrings may be worn, one in each ear. No facial jewellery (including clear studs) or piercings are permitted. Students will be asked to remove the items and they will be confiscated for parents/carers to collect and a log on Bromcom.
• Watches may be worn and handed to a teacher during certain activities such as PE. The Academy is not responsible for the loss or damage of any jewellery.
• Nails – fake nails of any kind, including tips are not permitted. Nail varnish is not suitable and not permitted. Students will be required to remove nail varnish or lose all social time if wearing fake nails.
• Make-up – fake tan, fake eyelashes, lipstick, mascara and excessive make up is not suitable for the Academy. Students in Year 7 and 8 are not allowed to wear make-up of any kind. Students in Year 9-11 may wear subtle, natural make-up. Students wearing excessive make-up will be required to remove it.
• Hair – Extreme hair colours are not permitted and hair must be one tone and a natural colour. Unusual hairstyles, including tram lines are not permitted.
• Trainers – are not permitted. Smart, formal, plain shoes only. Students who do not have the correct footwear will lose their social time.

The Academy has the final decision on uniform. Students who do not comply with the above standards & uniform will be sanctioned accordingly. This could be losing all social time or isolation for standards that are not addressed (such as false eye lashes or incorrect footwear).

Equipment

On-Site Conduct

We are delighted with the positive start that our students have made, with over 6,000 merits awarded in the first week. Our students will be working closely with leaders to devise a new, whole academy, rewards programme called the Olympic League. Our aim is to launch our new programme in module 3 once the programme has been finalised.

As you may be aware, we update all policies at least once per year to reflect the evolution of the education and wider societal landscape. We wish to highlight the fact that energy drinks (including Prime) are prohibited items and not allowed on site at any stage. If students are caught with them, they will be confiscated. Vapes are also prohibited and any student caught in possession of a vape will be sanctioned in line with our behaviour policy.

Off-Site Conduct

All students represent the academy at all times, as part of our community. This includes when wearing the academy uniform, particularly to and from the academy. Students must conduct themselves in a positive manner at all times and ensure that they uphold the values of our academy as a member of our community. These expectations also extend into the wider community and online.

Parent/Carer Parking

With the timings of the academy day changing, we appreciate the challenges that transport can provide. However we have received multiple concerns from staff, students and local residents regarding the parking on pavements in the local community. We would like to remind all parents/carers that pavements should not be blocked so pedestrians have full access to pathways. We have been proactive to ensure that more staff are placed on duty at the start and end of the day. The academy is also working with the local council regarding the congestion in the local community.

Extra-Curricular Clubs and Activities

A full range of extra-curricular activities are available, please encourage your son/daughter to take part in some of the activities on offer. Please click on this link for more information.

Should you have any queries in relation to this communication, in the first instance please contact your child’s College Admin Office (see contact details further below).

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Yours sincerely,

Mr M Gore
Principal

Apollo College – apollo-admin@wilmingtonacademy.org.uk
Minerva College – minerva-admin@wilmingtonacademy.org.uk
Jupiter College – jupiter-admin@wilmingtonacademy.org.uk