Year 9 Parent Information Pack 2020 21 - Updated June 2020 following Covid 19 Shutdown
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Year 9
Parent Information Pack
2020‐21
Updated June 2020 following Covid‐19 Shutdown
Welcome to Q3 Academy Tipton. Thank you for selecting Q3 Academy Tipton as the secondary school
provider for your child. Enclosed in this pack is some vital information. If you have any questions
regarding the information contained within this pack, please do not hesitate to speak to a member of
staff during any of our intake evenings, or contact the Academy directly.
At Q3 Academy Tipton, our ethos has an important role to play in helping shape an understanding of
appropriate behaviour, meaningful relationships and family values; it is the cornerstone of a
commitment to care, compassion and contribution. The Academy has a passion to encourage students
to build firm foundations for their lives where respect, trust, determination, responsibility and creativity
will be valued as drivers for educational success.
The name of our Academy is derived from the Latin “Quaerere” meaning to seek for. Three ideals have
been chosen:
To seek for that which is good
To seek for that which is right
To seek for that which is true
Ms Featherstone Mrs Haughton Mrs Rhode
Head of School Vice Principal Vice Principal
Mr Hamilton Ms Clegg Mr Patel
Assistant Vice Principal Assistant Vice Principal Assistant Vice Principal
Supporting You and Your Child – Key Contacts
Telephone: (0121) 521 1540 Email: hello@q3tipton.org.uk
Year Director
Mrs Bullas
c.bullas@q3tipton.org.uk
Year Manager
Mr Turpin
j.turpin@q3tipton.org.uk
SENDCo
Ms Higgs
SEND@q3tipton.org.uk
Attendance Team
attendance@q3tipton.org.uk
Welfare Team
Leigh Turner & Kimberley Maynard
Welfare@q3tipton.org.uk
Anti‐Bully Committee
ABC@q3tipton.org.uk or text 07508 127 561
ParentPay
www.parentpay.com
Login: Password:
Parents’ Evening Booking System
https://q3tipton.parentseveningsystem.co.uk/
Login: Password:
ClassCharts
https://www.classcharts.com/parent/login
Login: Password:
Your Child’s Tutor
Unlike primary school, your child will not spend the majority of the day being taught by
his/her Tutor. Tutors meet and greet their tutees every day and deliver Life Lessons in the
morning. They are also your first point of contact should you have any questions or
queries.
9A1 9A2
Ms Dhaliwal Ms Jones
j.dhaliwal@q3tipton.org.uk m.jones@q3tipton.org.uk
Arts
9C1 9C2
Mr Finch Mr Dean Richards
a.finch@q3tipton.org.uk w.deanrichards@q3tipton.org.uk
Communications
9AD1 9D2
Ms Thomas Ms Bartlett
c.thomas@q3tipton.org.uk s.bartlett@q3tipton.org.uk
Discovery
9L1 9L2
Mr Bird Mr Green
m.bird@q3tipton.org.uk p.green@q3tipton.org.uk
Lifestyle
9S1 9S2
Mr Hughes Ms Whitehouse
d.hughes@q3tipton.org.uk l.whitehouse@q3tipton.org.uk
Social Design
9S3
Ms McIntosh
h.mcintosh@q3tipton.org.uk
Our Business Wear Expectations
GIRLS BOYS
EITHER Navy Blue Trousers Skirt Navy Blue Trousers
Navy Blue Blazer with Q3 logo Navy Blue Blazer with Q3 logo
V‐neck Navy Blue Jumper (optional) V‐neck Navy Blue Jumper (optional)
Cravat (with company colour motif) Silver Tie (with company colour motif)
White Blouse White shirts
Lanyard with ID badge Lanyard with ID badge
EITHER Black or Navy Socks (ankle or knee White shirts
length with no frills or patterns) OR Black, Navy Black or Navy Socks (no patterns)
or Opaque/Flesh coloured Tights (no patterns)
Sports Kit as listed
School Shoes (see below)
School Bag (we suggest a strong rucksack)
Pencil Case with Black or Blue Pens, Pencil, Ruler, Eraser and a Scientific Calculator
The School Uniform Merchant, 127 High Street, Tipton, DY4 9JE Tel: 0121 520 3120
Web: https://www.theschooluniformmerchant.co.uk
Shoes Black; material must be able to be polished (so no canvas, suede or velvet). These should be worn at all times with the student’s Business Dress. Students must wear their shoes to and from the Academy at all times when in Business Dress. There can be many interpretations of “school shoes” and many shops label unsuitable products as “school shoes.” Please, do not waste your money, avoid fashion items and buy simple shoes. With regard to appropriate shoes, the Head of School’s decision is final in all situations. Girls ‐ Low heel; black only; no boots; plain (no logos). Boys ‐ Durable shoes; lace‐up or slip on; black only; plain (no logos). A guide to what is acceptable and what is not can be found below. Please remember that websites and shops often market footwear as school shoes but they are not acceptable at Q3 Academy Tipton. Please do not spend a lot of money on footwear students will not be allowed to wear. Sports Kit The following items are compulsory sportswear for Year 7 – these must be ordered online OR via the MACRON stall during New Intake Evenings. Please allow 4‐6 weeks for delivery. 1 Navy Blue Tracksuit (with Q3 motif) 1 Pair of Navy Blue Shorts (with Q3 motif) 1 Navy Blue round neck Shirt (with Q3 motif) 1 Pair of Navy Blue Long Sports Socks
This sportswear can only be purchased online from MACRON – the link is on our website. Dressed for Success As with all things, the Q3 Academies philosophy with regards to uniform and appearance is that we are preparing our students for the world of work. In all matters relating to Business Wear, the Head of School’s decision is final. Hair: brightly coloured hair dyes and totally shaved, decorated scalps or extreme styles are unacceptable. Headscarves: should be plain blue or black. Jewellery: one small (no wider than 5mm) pair of plain gold or silver studs, one in each earlobe only. No other piercings are allowed including nose piercings, tongue or lip piercings or ear spacers; this includes “clear” or “invisible” piercings. Rings, bracelets and necklaces are not to be worn for health and safety reasons. Make‐Up: students are not permitted to wear make‐up at the Academy. Nails: no nail varnish or nail extensions.
Shape of the Day for Year 9
Time Activity
8:45 – 8:50am Arrival to the Academy
8:50 – 9:20am Registration, Assemblies & Life Lessons
9:20 – 10:20am Lesson 1
10:20 – 10:35am Break
10:35 – 11:35am Lesson 2
11:35 – 12:35pm Lesson 3
12:35 – 2:05pm Lesson 4 & Lunch
2:05 – 3:05pm Lesson 5
3:05pm Official end of the Academy Day
All students must be on‐site by 8:40am and be in their Tutor Room by 8:50am. During
Registration students will have their uniform and equipment checked by Tutors.
Provisional Term Dates 2019‐20
Term 1: Tuesday 1st September to Friday 23rd October 2020
INSETs: Tuesday 1st September, Thursday 22nd & Friday 23rd October 2020
One Week Break
Term 2: Monday 2nd November to Friday 11th December 2020
Three Week Break
Term 3: Monday 4th January to Friday 12th February 2021
INSET: Monday 4th January 2021
Review Week: Monday 8th to Friday 12th February 2021
One Week Break
Term 4: Monday 22nd February to Thursday 1st April 2021
Two Week Break
Term 5: Monday 19th April to Friday 28th May 2021
One Week Break
Term 6: Monday 7th June to 28th July 20201
INSET: Friday 2nd July 2021
Five Week Break
Please note these dates ARE subject to change but we will notify you in good time.
The Year 9 Curriculum : A Bridging Year
In Year 9, the final year of Key Stage 3 before GCSEs start, students continue with a “core” of subjects
but can choose various subjects to try, before making final choices for Key Stage 4. We break the
academic year up into four nine‐week long curriculum cycles during which subjects teach different
topics.
Curriculum Cycle 1 Curriculum Cycle 2 Curriculum Cycle 3 Curriculum Cycle 4
English The Gothic Blood Brothers Transactional Writing Good vs Evil Poetry
Maths Various skills and activities during the academic year
Science Biology, Chemistry & Physics Modules
Core PE Various skills and activities during the academic year
Mini‐Options Rotation A: students will study two subjects for two rotations each
Curriculum Cycle 1 & 2 Curriculum Cycle 3 & 4
French Les Choristes Change Your World
History Changing Nature of the Twentieth Century Anglo‐Saxon & Norman England
Geography The Changing Landscape of the UK Changing Cities
Mini‐Options Rotation B: students will study two subjects for two rotations each
Curriculum Cycle 1 & 2 Curriculum Cycle 3 & 4
Art Developing artist knowledge Experimenting and planning
Business Studies What does it take to plan and run a How do I plan for my own
successful business? enterprise?
Child Care How do children grow and develop from How do children learn through
birth to five years? play?
Design Technology Identity Through Design Exploring Contrasts
Food Technology Identity through Food Exploring Contrasts
ICT Developing & Improving Skills Serif Web Plus & Excel
Photography Introduction to Photography Mini Photography Projects
Religious Studies Religion and the Media The only way is Ethics
Sociology Media & Politics: Who got the
Culture & Identity: What makes me, me?
power?
Mini‐Options Rotation C: students will study two subjects for two rotations each
Curriculum Cycle 1 & 2 Curriculum Cycle 3 & 4
Business Studies What does it take to plan and run a How do I plan for my own
successful business? enterprise?
Performing Arts Introduction to Drama Developing Skills
Health & Social Care What are the growth and development
How do we look after others?
milestones?
ICT Developing & Improving Skills Serif Web Plus & Excel
Music Introduction to Music Developing Skills
Photography Introduction to Photography Mini Photography Projects
Sports What are the fitness components? What are the training principles?
Sociology Media & Politics: Who go the
Culture & Identity: What makes me, me?
power?
Travel & Tourism What features are important when
What makes popular tourist attractions?
planning a UK holiday?Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I pay for school lunches?
Food and refreshments can be purchased before the school day, during break time and at lunch
time from the dining area. The Academy Catering provider, Autograph, runs a 'cashless' system;
this means that all students must use their ID card to purchase any food or refreshments.
Student ID cards can only be topped up with funds via ParentPay (which can be topped up via
PayPoint).
Parent Pay ‐ You can register/log in to ParentPay using any internet
accessible device to top up your child's food fund. You will receive further
information about how to register for ParentPay separately once your
child has started with us.
Any student who is entitled to free school meals will not need to top‐up their card but will still
need to use their ID card to take their meal. Your child will be allocated £2.20 per day which can
be used at both break time and lunch time (not before school); if you would like your child to be
able to spend more than this you will need to top‐up their card using one of the methods
detailed above.
Q: I want to take my child on holiday within term time – is this authorised?
Unfortunately, no holiday that falls within the Academy term time can be authorised. Head
Teachers, including Ms Featherstone, have no authority to authorise ANY holidays. As an
Academy we discourage holidays being booked during term time. Students have five sixty‐
minute lessons per day and any learning time lost can be detrimental to your child’s education.
Q. Are mobile phones allowed?
No – we do not allow mobile phones on‐site.
This is because our lessons are for learning
and should not be interrupted by beeps.
Phones are expensive and can be lost or
stolen. In addition, sadly phones are often
used in a negative way – hurtful messages
sent via social media and unauthorised
photos being taken.
If you believe it is essential that your child brings a mobile phone with them to the Academy, it
must be switched OFF and placed at the bottom of their school bag.
Please do not call or message your child on their phone and do not answer calls from them. In
an emergency please contact Reception; if there is a problem at the Academy WE will contact
you.If students are caught using their mobile phones during the day, they will be confiscated and held in the Reception Safe until the end of the Academy Day. The second time the phone is confiscated only a parent can collect it. On the third occasion, we will keep it in the safe for five days before parents are allowed to collect. For repeat offenders, we keep the phones longer. It is essential you support us with this. Q. What happens if my child is not equipped, dressed and ready for the Academy day? Obviously this sometimes happens and we aim to be as helpful as possible. Not wearing uniform is not an option and we have a few spare pieces we loan out, and should there be problems with shoes we have a stock of deodorised plimsolls we loan out. The wearing of non‐statutory items, including jewellery, is not allowed and these pieces will be confiscated. Q. How will my child be rewarded? We believe that all students should be rewarded as a thank you for doing the right thing. Therefore we award Q‐Points to students every lesson for arriving on time and in full uniform with all the required equipment. Additional Q‐Points are awarded for impeccable behaviour, outstanding effort or exemplary learning. Q‐Points can also be awarded out of lessons for commitment to the Q3 ethos of seeking for that which is good, right and true which might mean community service, kindness to others or representing the school in sport or music, etc. We also run Celebration Assemblies for students nominated by staff for brilliant work; we like to invite parents and carers to these and we also present special badges for each subject. In addition, we like to send postcards home, make phone calls and simply say thank you. Q. How is my child expected to behave? We don’t have lots of complicated rules at Q3 Academy Tipton. We expect students to be polite, kind and honest. We expect them to respect everyone else as well as respecting property and the Academy site. Essentially to only do what is good, right and true. Every child makes mistakes – but we will guide them back onto the right path – and your support with this is essential. In no circumstances will parents over rule the decisions of the Academy. Q. How will my child be sanctioned? We really hope no child will be sanctioned at Q3 Academy Tipton. Sadly, however, children sometimes don’t follow all the rules and therefore it is our responsibility to guide them back into line. We don’t sanction for the sake of it – and we always try to find out if there is a cause to the behaviour and try to help. Sanctions may include The Right Path time, detentions, community service, learning time in the Right Path Room and, in extreme cases, fixed term or permanent exclusions.
Above all, the rights of all students and staff to be allowed to work without interference and in a
culture of safety and appreciation is paramount. We hope that you support us in this endeavour.
Q. I’m worried my child is being bullied?
This is obviously an extremely upsetting position to be in. Children fall out from time to time but
we define bullying as unwanted, aggressive behaviour among children that involves a real or
perceived power imbalance. The behaviour is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated,
over time. If the bullying is happening online, please capture screenshots as
evidence – malicious communication is a crime. Either telephone your child’s
Year Team Mrs Bullas and Mr Turpin, email ABC@q3tipton.org.uk or text 07508
127 561 and reassure your child that we take these matters very seriously.
Our Anti‐Bully Champion (ABC) is Ms Allen and she can be contacted by email or text as above.
Q. What is ClassCharts?
ClassCharts is a website and an app that we use to inform parents/carers
about your child’s day at school – his/her rewards, sanctions, attendance
and homework. Once your child has started with us in September, we will share with you how
you can log on and use ClassCharts more effectively. If you already have children with us, you
can add your new children onto your existing account. All homework will be recorded on
ClassCharts. For a reminder of your ClassCharts login please email hello@q3tipton.org.uk
Q. When are Parents’ Evenings?
We hold one main parents’ evenings for Year 9:
Tutor Group Parents’ Evening with Tutors on Monday 14th
September 2020 3:15 – 6:45pm
Year 9 progress evening, meeting with subject teachers on Monday 22nd March 2021 3:15
– 6:45pm
There is an additional Year 9 Options Information (for Year 10) Evening on Thursday 14th January
2021.
Appointments are made on the Parents’ Evening Booking System and a login will be sent out to
you (please ensure we have your most up to date email address).Things that might surprise you
We always aim to work in collaboration with students, parents and carers.
However, there are some non‐negotiables where we have to draw a line so that we
can run the Academy safely and securely for all on site – most importantly your
children.
We will not tolerate swearing, aggressive behaviour or abusive language. These are
offences under the Public Order Act of 1986 (Section 4, Section 4a and Section 5).
Parents and carers may only come into the Academy when they have an
appointment or a pre‐arranged meeting with a member of staff. We do not operate
a waiting policy. Under Section 547 of the Education Act 1996 it is unlawful for
people to be on the premises if we have asked them to leave. In extreme
circumstances we may ban people from the Academy site.
Many items are prohibited from the Academy site and students will face sanctions
even if brought onto site mistakenly or unknowingly. As well as obvious illegal items
such as weapons (or objects that could be used as weapons), drugs, cigarettes,
lighters and matches, it also includes items such as vapes, medicines (unless the
school nurse knows about them and looks after them).
As we do not authorise students to bring in mobile phones, we may confiscate
them and we are not liable if they are lost or damaged OR if they are lost or
damaged in other ways whilst on the property; this is stated in Section 94 of the
Education and Inspections Act 2006.
The entirety of the Academy buildings and grounds are smoke‐free premises – this
applies to all staff, visitors and students. Q3 Academies Trust have legal
responsibilities to prevent people from smoking under the Smoke‐free Regulations
2007. A fixed penalty notice of £50 can be imposed on the person smoking or a
maximum fine of £200 if prosecuted and convicted by a court.
Any school or academy may keep students behind the end of the day for detentions
without permission from parents/carers so long as parents/carers are notified that
detentions are one of sanctions used at the school. Q3 Academy Tipton does issue
detentions. Some are held during the compulsory “Interventions” time Monday –
Thursday 3:05‐3:25pm; for any detentions issued that finish after 3:25pm we will
give 24hrs notice via ClassCharts. It is parents’/carers’ responsibility to check this
means of communication.You can also read
