Year 6 transition Important information for pupils, parents and carers April 2017
Welcome to the City of Peterborough Academy Welcome to the City of Peterborough Academy. I am delighted that you have chosen our school and believe that you have made a fantastic decision in shaping your child s future. At the city of Peterborough Academy we aim to provide outstanding, personalised support for every pupil which meets both their pastoral and academic needs. This will allow all pupils to achieve their full potential. The move from primary school to a large secondary can be daunting. We recognise this and understand that parents need to feel reassured that their child feels happy and safe during this transition period. This pack aims to provide information which will help you through this transition process. If you have any questions between now and the start of term in September, please do not hesitate to contact us at the Academy. Our contact details are on the back of this booklet. Page 2
Information about the Sponsor The Sponsor of the City of Peterborough Academy is the Greenwood Dale Foundation Trust. Information about the Trust can be found online at www.greenwoodacademies.org and the Chief Executive and the Director of Education can be contacted at cpa-admin@greenwoodacademies.org. The Greenwood Dale Foundation Trust is a not-for-profit educational organisation. The Trust offers high levels of educational expertise and we seek to deliver long-lasting and productive relationships with the communities we serve. Our sole purpose is to offer pupils in our academies an outstanding education. We believe all our pupils can achieve high levels of success and we create a culture where both our pupils and staff can thrive. Wayne Norrie Chief Executive Emma Hadley Regional Director Page 3
Our vision To create an outstanding Academy, which serves the needs of our local community and ensures that every pupil fulfils their potential, with no limit to what they can achieve. Year 7 base A unique feature of joining the City of Peterborough Academy is our Year 7 base, situated in a self-contained purpose-built facility. We believe this provision aids the transition into secondary school by providing a secure learning environment in which our pupils can build relationships with their peers, adapt to new routines and develop a support network. The pupils are taught in their own area of the Academy which is for their use only. In the base we provide a broad and balanced curriculum which challenges more able pupils and supports those with additional needs, including literacy, numeracy and handwriting. We also offer a bespoke provision for pupils who have English as an additional language (EAL). The Greenwood Dale Foundation Trust has adopted this approach in many of the secondary academies within the group. Our approach has proved very popular with pupils and parents alike, and has been praised by Ofsted as an example of national best practice. Page 4
Transition Day Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 July 2017 Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 July 2017 is Transition Day for all Year 6 pupils who are joining the City of Peterborough Academy in September 2017. The purpose of this day is to enable your child to become familiar with our site and the team of staff who will be teaching and supporting them next year. Your child will meet their new fellow pupils and take part in lessons and activities which will help them prepare for their move to the Academy. Should you require any further information about the day, please contact the Year 7 team; details can be found at the back of this booklet. September starting arrangements The new term, for Year 7 pupils, will start on Wednesday 6 September 2017. Pupils should arrive at the Academy site, in full school uniform, by 8.30am where they will be welcomed by Academy staff and senior pupils. Page 5
Arrangements for Transition Day 5 July 8:45am 9:00am 9:10am 9:50am 11:45am Pupils arrive at the Academy. Senior staff will welcome them at the front of the school and direct them to the main hall. All pupils should be equipped with a pen, pencil, eraser and ruler. Welcome by Principal Alex Emmerson and the Year 7 team. Year 6 pupils will be assigned a tutor group. They will work with their tutor on a range of getting-to-know-you activities. Pupils will be assigned to a teaching group for lessons. Senior pupils will be assigned to each group for the day. They will escort each group to lessons and support activities within these lessons. LUNCH At lunchtime all pupils will be provided with a free school meal. Pupils may bring a packed lunch if they wish. All pupils will be supervised on the school site throughout the lunch period in the Year 7 yard. 12:35pm Pupils will continue in their teaching group lessons. Uniform measuring for your child will happen during the day afternoon session. If your child s size is in stock, the uniform articles will be sent home with your child at the end of the day. 2:25pm Final gathering and question-and-answer session with our current Year 7 pupils. Pupils will leave at 3pm. Pupils can be collected from outside the main gates. Page 6
Arrangements for Transition Day 6 July 8:45am 9:00am 9:10am 9:50am 11.45pm 12:35pm 2:25pm Pupils arrive at the Academy. Tutor Group activities. Tutor Group activities Lessons LUNCH Pupils will continue in their teaching group lessons. Pupils will leave at 3pm. Pupils can be collected from outside the main gates. Please complete your child s personal details and the consent form in the pack and return them to the Academy by Friday 26 May. We look forward to meeting your child. Page 7
Uniform For September 2017 we will provide a pack of uniform items and sportswear for Year 6 pupils joining the City of Peterborough Academy. This pack of uniform items is worth around 60 and we are sure you will find it practical, hard-wearing and smart. The pack will include: one Academy tie one Academy v-necked jumper, in purple, with an Academy logo one Academy short-sleeved sports polo shirt one pair of black shorts Parents will need to provide: suitable black trousers or a skirt suitable socks or tights sensible black school shoes suitable footwear for physical education a dark-coloured rucksack bag suitable for carrying A4-sized books, equipment and PE kit a warm, dark-coloured coat for travelling to and from the Academy We enforce a strict uniform and presentation policy at the City of Peterborough Academy. Full details can be found in the Standards, Expectations and Pastoral Support booklet which can be found in the Transition Pack or on the Academy website at cityofpeterboroughacademy.org/uniform. The completed uniform order form, from the transition pack, should be returned to the Academy by Friday 26th May 2017. Page 8
Year 6 Parents Evening - 5 July 2017 On the evening of 5 July at 6.00pm, there is the Year 6 Parents Evening. The success of our Academy is built upon the partnerships we build with parents and carers. This evening is an opportunity for us to begin this process. During the evening you will be given detailed pupil support information and members of the Year 7 team will be available to answer any questions you may have. We would encourage all pupils to attend with their parents. We look forward to meeting you. The programme will include: a short welcome by the Principal, Mrs A Emmerson presentations by the Assistant Principal and Head of Year 7 a question-and-answer forum the opportunity to meet your child s form tutor Key dates From 23 May 2017 Transition team - visit to primary schools being 5 July 2017 Year 6 Transition Day 1 5 July 2017 Year 6 Parents Evening at 6.00pm 6 July 2017 Year 6 Transition Day 2 6 September 2017 First day of term Page 9
Academy day Years 7 & 8 08.35 08.40 Warning Bell 08.45 09.00 AM Tutorial 09.00 09.50 Period 1 (50 mins) 09.50 10.40 Period 2 (50 mins) 10.40 10.55 Break (15 mins) 10.55 11.45 Period 3 (50 mins) 11.45 12.35 Lunch (50 mins) 12.35 13.25 Period 4 (50 mins) 13.25 13.35 PM tutorial 13.35 14.25 Period 5 (50 mins) 14.25 15.10 Period 6 ( 45 mins) Teachers escort pupils to the front of the Academy.
Curriculum The curriculum for Year 7 is designed to challenge pupils to make rapid progress, improve their literacy and numeracy skills and develop a love of learning. We aim to provide a wide range of practical, academic, personal, social and performance skills. In order to support this, pupils are set by ability from the start of the year. Key Stage 2 data from primary schools is used to support this setting along with the City of Peterborough Academy diagnostic testing. The groups are actively reviewed throughout the year to ensure pupils are correctly placed. Our curriculum has an emphasis on stimulating pupil motivation, raising aspirations and lifting expectations. As well as developing team spirit among pupils to value each other's contribution and to develop in the Academy. Page 10
Year 7 example timetable The following table gives an example of a Year 7 timetable: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Tutorial Tutorial 1 Tutorial 1 Tutorial 1 Tutorial 1 Tutorial 1 Period 1 Science Languages Maths English PE Period 2 Science English Science Maths PE Break Period 3 Discover ADT Discover Discover Maths Period 4 Maths ADT English Languages English Period 5 Period 6 English Science Computer Science ADT Music Period 7 English Maths Computer Science ADT Discover 1 Citizenship and personal, social and health education are delivered during tutorial time and on specific days throughout the year where the timetable is changed so that pupils can study a theme in depth. The example timetable above is subject to change. Page 11
Catering We do not allow pupils to leave the Academy site during the school day. Pupils are encouraged to eat either a school lunch or a packed lunch in our spacious purpose-built dining facilities. At the City of Peterborough Academy we provide high-quality, reasonably-priced, healthy food options at both break and lunchtime. Our food is cooked on site, using high-quality ingredients, by our committed catering team, led by our Catering Manager Mrs E Scott. We will provide a free school meal for all pupils on Transition Day. The Transition day menu can be found on page 13. Page 12
Transition Day menu Lunch will be provided free to all Year 6 pupils. Meal Deals Minced Beef Lasagne with salad and garlic bread Breaded Haddock, cauliflower cheese or mashed potato and peas Quorn jalfrezi with vegetable rice Vegetable lasagne with salad and garlic bread Potatoes, sandwiches and salad options A selection of jacket potato with a variety of fillings, sandwich/ roll/ baguette/ pasta pot and salad selection will be available. Dessert choice Fruit pots Selection of cakes Drinks A selection of mineral water, fruit juice and flavoured milk is available. Page 13
Extended opportunities At the City of Peterborough Academy we aim to develop all aspects of a pupil s wider education by providing a programme of extended opportunities. We encourage all pupils to take an active part in our extensive range of extra-curricular activities, which run every day at lunchtime and after school. We would encourage every pupil to get involved in at least one activity. Our PE team offer a diverse range of sporting opportunities for pupils to develop healthy and active lifestyles. Many get involved for fun and recreation, but, in addition, competitive sport has a high profile at the City of Peterborough Academy. A large number of pupils represent the Academy in individual and team sports and have had success at regional and national level. An example of our extracurricular sports programme is included in this booklet. In addition to this we also offer a planned programme of trips and visits to support our curriculum. Year 7 pupils will develop team building skills in a visit to the outdoor centre at Grafham Water during the second term. Page 14
Friday Thursday Wednesday Tuesday Monday Example of PE Enrichment All clubs are free Day Lunchtime 12.45pm-1.30pm After school 3.15pm-4.15pm Football Mr Vaughan 3G Astroturf Yr7 Netball Miss Convertino 3G Astroturf Badminton Mr Morris Develop your skills in a fun session. Sports hall Table Tennis Mr Morris Gymnastics Miss Convertino Rounders Club Mr Morris Girls Football Ms O Sullivan Yr7 & 8 Netball Miss Convertino Basketball Mr Ferrara Girls Basketball Mr Vaughan Gymnastics Mr Morris Year 7 Football Mr Wilkinson None Yr7 & Yr8 Basketball Mr Morris Young Leaders Mr Morris All Years Hockey Miss Convertino Badminton Mr Morris Girls Football Steve Wilkinson 3G Astroturf
Peripatetic Music lessons At the City of Peterborough Academy we offer free instrumental lessons to all Year 7 pupils in one instrument only, enabling your child the opportunity to try a new instrument or continue with lessons they enjoyed in primary school. Lessons are provided by a number of expert music tutors and take place during school hours. To make progress on any instrument it is important to practise regularly. In the beginning 10 to 15 minutes a day is appropriate. As pupils make progress they should expect to practise for longer each day. Should a pupil fail to show the appropriate commitment, either in attendance or practising, the Academy reserves the right to remove them from the programme. The City of Peterborough Academy received significant interest for this amongst Year 7 pupils last year. Please note the lessons are offered on a first-come first-served basis. Page 16
Quotes from the current Year 7 I ve met loads of new friends through my form and classes. The best thing about the City of Peterborough Academy is how many fun lunch and afterschool clubs there are. In the City of Peterborough Academy the best thing is PE because those activities are fun and exciting like running, hockey, basketball, football, cricket and lots more. Try hard and you will get rewarded. Be kind and be yourself. My advice would be to always pack your bag the night before. My advice would be not to worry, it s easy to settle in because everyone is in the same position you re not the only one who doesn t know people. I thought it would be difficult to make friends but I ve made friends quickly. The thing I like best about the City of Peterborough Academy is how nice the teachers are. They re fun, enthusiastic and friendly. Page 17
Term Dates 2017/2018 Page 18
Got a question? During the transition period we have set up a dedicated email account to allow Year 6 pupils to ask any questions they may have. A team of our current Year 7 pupils, under the direction of the Year 7 team, will respond to every query. The email address is transition@cityofpeterboroughacademy.org Page 19
Contacting us Address: City of Peterborough Academy Reeves Way Peterborough PE1 5LQ Telephone: 01733 821440 Email: cpa-admin@cityofpeterboroughacademy.org Website: www.cityofpeterboroughacademy.org Follow us on Twitter: @CityofPeterAcad Principal Mrs A Emmerson PA to Principal Miss H Best Year 7 Pastoral Team Mrs S Ellwood-Jeal Mrs A Brown Page 20