Year 6 Transition Portal 2024

Every child's educational journey is unique, and I am delighted that you have chosen Kirk Hallam Community Academy to share that journey with you. We are a proud and aspirational school at the heart of our community and look forward to working in partnership with you to ensure your child reaches their potential.  

As a proud member of the Nova Education Trust, we firmly believe that we embody the trust motto 'Work Hard, Be Kind'. This simple message lies at the heart of everything we do. 

All our children deserve the very best educational experience and our ambitious curriculum and holistic pastoral care provide excellent foundations for learning and success. At Kirk Hallam, we are passionate about the development of the 'whole child', where pupils can reach their academic potential and develop their character skills and leadership qualities in equal measure.  

As year 6 progresses, you may have lots of questions about what's to come next year and how secondary education compares to primary school. I hope that the information here in the portal will help develop your understanding of life at Kirk Hallam  Community Academy and we look forward to welcoming our new year 7s during the summer term and getting to know lots more about them.  

Mr C Turner 
Head Teacher

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We eagerly anticipate your arrival at Kirk Hallam Community Academy and extend a warm welcome to all prospective students and families. Embarking on the journey to secondary school marks a significant milestone, one filled with excitement and perhaps a hint of apprehension, especially when transitioning from a smaller to a larger school environment.

Rest assured, our dedicated team is here to guide and support you every step of the way. Our priority is to ensure a seamless transition, equipping you with the necessary tools and resources to settle into life at Kirk Hallam Community Academy with ease and enthusiasm.

Understanding that transitioning to a new school often comes with questions and uncertainties, we are committed to providing comprehensive support. You'll find lots of information readily available on our website, and your Head of Year, Miss Kingham, or myself - Miss Cassidy, will be visiting you at your primary school to answer any questions you might have and prepare you for this exciting chapter.

As you prepare for this journey, know that we are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to meet each and every one of you. Until then, take care, stay connected with our website for updates, and rest assured that we are here to support you in making your transition a successful and fulfilling experience.

Take care and we can’t wait to meet you all soon!

Miss Cassidy
Assistant Headteacher

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Learning Support is open to everyone that needs any support with their learning. Classes take place in Learning Support and some students receive extra help with their reading or spelling. If you have help at your primary school then do not worry, we know about you and we are here to support you. We are really looking forward to meeting you soon.

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Attendance

Attendance is the foundation on which a positive school experience is built. The Department for Education expects all students to have a minimum of 95% attendance throughout the school year.

It is expected that all students attend the academy every day unless there are exceptional circumstances. Any absence must be accounted for to be authorised and it is expected that parents and carers notify the academy via the main school number on the morning of any absence.

Students must be on site by 8.30am each morning, so they can be in their seat at tutor time or in assembly at 8.35am.

The gates will open to students at 8am, at the same time as our breakfast club in the canteen starts. Please note that students will not be able to access the site before 8am.

Medical Appointments

Appointments should be made before/after school or during the school holidays. Where this is not possible, we expect students to be in school prior to and after their appointments. If you need to remove your child for an appointment, we will need to see an appointment card. Your child will need to collect a sign-out slip from the Attendance team and show this at main reception in order to be signed out. 

Holidays 

All absences from school decrease your child’s attendance levels. Requests to take children out on holidays during term time will be recorded as unauthorised unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Permission should be sought via an absence request form if you intend on taking your child out of school during term time and must be submitted to the attendance team with at least 28 days’ notice of intention to travel. You must be a parent that the child normally lives with and there must be evidence of exceptional circumstances.

Local Authority Code of Conduct for issuing of Fixed Penalty Notices will be followed in cases of holidays taken without prior authorisation.

Sickness/illness

If your child is too unwell to attend school, please contact the Main Office on the morning of every day of absence unless an  end date is communicated to the Attendance Team. If you have not made contact with school to inform us of the reason, we will make every effort to contact you firstly by telephone/text and then by letter. A home visit may also be made by the Attendance Team.

For any attendance issues, please contact us on 0115 9301522

All parents/guardians of Kirk Hallam Community Academy students should:

• provide the academy with up to date contact details
• ensure their child attends the academy regularly and punctually, as is their legal duty as parents
• contact the academy on the first and each subsequent day of absence, unless a definite date of return is known
• ensure their child arrives on time and well prepared for the academy day
• contact the academy whenever any problems occur that may affect their child’s attendance or performance
• contact the academy with any queries regarding attendance

Contact Details

Parents can help ensure that the school has accurate contact details by informing us if there are any changes to phone numbers, email addresses etc. during the year. We need an email address from you as this will be our primary method of sending out news and information, as well as being able to access information about your child via programs that we use in school such as ClassCharts for homework and behaviour.

School Main Reception

Our school main office opening hours are:

• Monday 08:00 - 16:00
• Tuesday 08:00 - 16:00
• Wednesday 08:00 - 16:00
• Thursday 08:00 - 16:30
• Friday 08:00 - 16:30

You can contact us at 0115 930 1522 or office@kirkhallamacademy.co.uk

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At Kirk Hallam, we have high expectations of all our students and we are a truly ambitious learning community. To be the best we can be, we all uphold the ‘Culture Code’, which provides absolute clarity of expectations.

We truly believe that an empowering and positive culture across our school is the key to its continued improvement. This all begins with taking responsibility, communicating positively, working hard and being kind.

You can view the Culture Code in its entirety here on our website.

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Evidence suggests that children who read for enjoyment every day develop a broader vocabulary, increased general knowledge and a better understanding of other cultures.

Reading is a priority here at Kirk Hallam Community Academy, and we have recently relaunched our Learning Resource Centre (Library) as 'The Nest' where students can become reading ambassadors and library volunteers, as well as borrow books to read for pleasure or further study. 

In addition, if you have any free time over the summer term or during the summer holidays, we have listed a selection of excellent books we recommend for Year 6 students. 

Check out the list below:

• Wonder by R.J. Palacio
• The Goldfish Boy by Lisa Thompson
• The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne
• A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
• The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
• Kick by Mitch Johnson
• Murder Most Unladylike by Robin Stevens
• The Legend of Podkin One Ear by Kieran Larwood
• Things a Bright Girl Can Do by Sally Nicholls
• A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
• Five Children on the Western Front by Kate Saunders
• Seven Letter Word by Kim Slater

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The transition from primary school to secondary school is an exciting time of life, but for many children it can also be a daunting prospect.

We are proud that we have Changing Lives on site, a mental health support team that helps support young children and young people’s mental health. Changing Lives offers confidential emotional health and wellbeing support for children and young people with mild to moderate emotional health and wellbeing needs.

During October, we hold a Year 7 Wellbeing Welcome Evening for families to parents and carers with the questions that they may have regarding all aspects of their child’s wellbeing, both inside and outside of school.

External advice and guidance can be found at Starting secondary school - BBC Bitesize and at the Anna Freud Centre. 

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Q: How does school communicate with parents?

A: Much communication with parents is done via the telephone and email. It is therefore very important that we have your accurate telephone number and email address. You will be sent our half termly newsletter, video newsletters, emails and letters electronically. There are opportunities for you to visit school for parents' evenings, coffee mornings and pre-arranged staff meetings. 

You will need to download ClassCharts to keep up to date with your child's home learning and behaviour information. It can be downloaded on the AppStore and GooglePlay. Invitation emails with login details will be sent early in September. 

Q: How do I buy uniform for my child?
A: Uniform can be purchased online from JustSchoolWear or Hamilton's Schoolwear. We also have a comprehensive section on the school website outlining our uniform policy.  Please join us for our Year 7 welcome evening where we will outline expectations & there will be an opportunity to size up for uniform. This will be on Wednesday 10th July 2024 at  3.30pm - 5.30pm. 

Q: How do I set up a ParentPay account (cashless payment system) for my child to purchase food at break and lunch?
A: On the first day of your child starting at our academy, your child’s fingerprint will be registered (if you have consented on the form below, which is part of the application process).  Your child will then bring a letter of registration home with details of how to add money to your child’s account.

Q: My child is eligible for a Free School Meal (FSM)- how will the school canteen know?
A: Our Catering Manager has a list of all students eligible for a FSM and loads the cashless system with their daily allowance which is available to students ready for the start of lunch. They will put their finger on the scanner the same as all children to purchase their lunch.

Q: Is there an easy way to check if my child is eligible for Free School Meals? 
A: With the growing cost of living crisis being felt both locally and nationally, we are aware that families are facing increasing financial difficulties to make ends meet. To offer some assistance, you can check online whether your child might be entitled to ‘free school meals’.

If your child is eligible for ‘free school meals’ and you register them for this, we’ll also receive extra funding called ‘pupil premium’. We use this extra money to improve the educational provision and resources at the school.

Q: What does my child need to bring to school on their first day?

As we continue to drive standards in the academy there is a ‘Ready to Learn’ elements in our Culture Code.

An important part to this is ensuring that students are equipped with the right equipment. As a minimum, this should be:

• their Character Card (issued to them on their first day)
• black pen
• green pen
• rubber
• ruler
• pencil
• suitably sized school bag

Should a student not have an item of equipment, we will provide it to them but should they then lose equipment, it will be noted as a negative point in their Character Card.

Q: Who do I contact if I’ve got an issue, query or concern?
A: The Year 7 Team is Miss Kingham (Head of Year 7) and Miss Cassidy (Assistant Headteacher). You will also be part of a tutor group, with a personal tutor who will offer support and guidance. I

I am really looking forward to meeting you all! We will work together over the next year (students, parents/carers and teachers) to make sure you have a successful and enriching first year at Kirk Hallam Community Academy. We will all "work hard" and "be kind" to become the best Year 7 cohort KHCA has ever seen! - Miss Cassidy.

Q: My child will need to catch a public bus to travel to school, how do we find out details?

A: Information is on our website on the transport page.

Q: What date does my child start school?
A: Tuesday 3rd September 2024 is the first day for Year 7 students. 

Q: What subjects will my child learn?
A: Kirk Hallam Community Academy aims to offer a broad and comprehensive curriculum.  Subjects studied in Year 7 are as follows:

• Maths
• English
• Science
• History
• Geography
• MFL
• PE
• Music
• Drama
• Art
• Design and Technology

Q: My child is worried about being bullied at secondary school: how can I reassure them?
A: We have zero tolerance for any form of bullying within our academy, but can only deal with issues we are informed about.  Please see our anti-bullying policy and reassure your child that if they let a teacher or parent know if they feel they are being bullied, then it will be investigated promptly and discretely. 

Q: My child is worried about getting a detention, what is the behaviour policy?
A: Kirk Hallam Community Academy has a clear behaviour policy which your child will learn within the first week of starting our academy.  We aim to ensure that:

• Positive behaviour is rewarded
• Inappropriate behaviour is dealt with fairly, consistently and with dignity

Q: My child is worried they will get lost trying to find their classroom- how will they know where to go?
A: During the first week of your child starting at Kirk Hallam Community Academy they will have lots of opportunities to practice finding their way around school and get used to life at Kirk Hallam Community Academy. This means they will be given all the information they need to know what is expected of them and how to navigate around the academy. Everyone is very friendly at Kirk Hallam Community Academy, both teachers and other students will help to direct any students not sure of where to go!

Q: My child will be travelling to school on their bike, where will they leave it and will it be safe?
A: We have a bike shed on site. It is advised that children securely lock their bikes and take responsibility for keeping their keys safe. Students should also remember to always wear a suitable cycle helmet, and to dismount their bikes and walk/wheel them into school. 

Q: When will my child receive home learning?
A: We have a clear home learning schedule for our students which we will share with them during their first week. Teachers will support students with this. Home learning will be set on ClassCharts app, an additional communication tool which will work alongside emails and video newsletters so that parents can monitor aspects of their child’s school life at Kirk Hallam.

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Follow us on Twitter @KirkHallamCA

Student & Parent Portal | Kirk Hallam Community Academy (kirkhallamacademy.co.uk)  

Keep an eye on our latest news and updates on our website using the link above. 

You can also sign up to, and view in real time, our calendar which will tell you what exciting events, trips and visits are planned.  

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Our website is full of useful information for parents and pupils. Here are a few links to some of the most important for new Year 7s.

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• Geography Transition PowerPoint

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During a pupil’s time with us we will gather information about them which we will use for various purposes. A Privacy Notice in relation to the use of this information is available on the school website.

There are some things that we cannot do without the consent of parents/carers or pupils and we have set these out below. This form should be read very carefully and the appropriate options ticked. This informs us which of these things we are permitted to do, and which we are not.

No pupil’s place with us will be affected by the decisions made on this form. Parents or carers / pupils are completely free to refuse to provide consent to any of these things and do not have to provide reasons for refusing consent. However, we are happy for parents or carers / pupils to give us additional information if they choose to so that we understand their concerns and can take appropriate steps where necessary.

We will gather consent from parents or carers to use their child’s information in the ways detailed below until their child reaches the end of Year 8. We have deemed the start of Year 9 as an appropriate threshold at which to seek consent directly from pupils regarding the ways in which we use their information. This decision to renew consent at this point will be taken on a case-by-case basis.

Photographs and Videos

Some of the information below includes photographs and videos of our pupils. We take very seriously the issue of potential misuse of photographs and videos of our pupils, and have the following measures in place:

• Images taken by a professional photographer for marketing purposes (school / trust websites, prospectuses, adverts etc.) are stored in a secure online gallery for a maximum of six months following a photo shoot, after which they are deleted
• Professional images are also stored on an encrypted hard drive for sole use by the trust’s marketing department
• Access to professional images and videos is limited and only provided to selected members of staff by the trust’s marketing department upon request by the school
• Students who have consent to appear in the professional images are required to be appropriately dressed in full / correct school uniform while being photographed
• Use of professional images is limited to marketing materials only, for which special consent is sought

The school / trust may provide photographs and videos to the media, or the school / trust may be visited by the media who will take videos and photographs. When these have been submitted to—or taken by—the media, the school / trust has no control over these.

Image Rights

Please see the Privacy Notice provided on the school website for more information regarding school photographs.

The school may take photos and / or videos of students during normal school activities (e.g. class work, trips etc.) for use in displays for public areas of the school (e.g. reception) and in school newsletters distributed directly to named contacts. Occasionally these displays may include the name of the student.

The school may take photos and / or videos of students during normal school activities (e.g. class work, trips etc.) for use in publicly-accessible media (e.g. newsletters on school websites, social media, television news articles, local press stories etc.)

Consent for use of any images in promotional campaigns (e.g. on the main pages of school websites, school prospectus etc.) or public events (e.g. awards evenings) will be sought prior to any images being used.

Biometrics (Cashless Catering)

The current Data Protection legislation requires that we obtain explicit consent to use your child’s biometric (fingerprint) data in school. If you have any questions or queries please do not hesitate to contact the school.

There are several forms of characteristics that can be used to identify a student, but the biometric data we use is the fingerprint.

What will we use the information for?

Biometric information will only be used to identify the student when purchasing food at school. It enables us to provide a faster service than traditional cash tills and the technology works in the following way:

• The technology uses biometric fingerprint recognition and no image of a fingerprint is ever stored
• The reader creates a mathematical template that is a fully secure identifying information system, just like any other identity number
• The data is ID encrypted for further security and cannot be used in any other database
• It is not possible to recreate an image of the original scan for the data that is stored
• Once a student leaves the school their record is deleted from the database

It is possible to purchase food from the school without giving your fingerprint information. Should you feel you do not wish for your child to be registered on the fingerprint system please indicate below and your child shall be issued with a PIN instead.

Parents or Carers / pupils may change their mind in relation to any of the consents that have provided at any time. This includes withdrawing consent to anything that has been agreed to here.

To withdraw consent to any of the above, or otherwise amend their position, parents or carers / pupils should write to us at the address shown on the contact page of the school website.

This consent will otherwise continue until the pupil leaves the school / trust.

Once the pupil ceases to use the biometric recognition system, his/her biometric information will be securely deleted by the school.