September 2022 Reopening – 26th August 2022

Dear Parents/Carers

Return to the Academy: September 2022 arrangements

As we look to the next academic year, I am writing to inform you of the arrangements for our students’ return. We are very much looking forward to returning and continuing the learning journey with our students. This letter contains some information with the intention of reminding you of our high expectations that we know we share with you for the benefit of the students.

Arrival and Dismissal

A reminder that students in Years 7-9 enter and exit via the front gate on Corelli Road, and students in Years 10-13 and the Infinity Hub enter and exit through the gate on Holburne Road. 

Academy gates will open at 8am and students will be able to purchase breakfast from our Restaurant at this time.  As we are located in a residential area, students should not arrive before 8am nor congregate around the gates.

At the end of the academy day (2:45pm and 2pm on a Wednesday), students must leave the academy site immediately unless they have been directed to remain behind or are attending an enrichment club. A reminder that students in Years 11 and 13 have an extended Period 5 lesson each day and will leave 30 minutes later at 3:15pm and at 2:30pm on a Wednesday.

Lessons and Transitions

All students will move around the site to different classrooms for their lessons. This will allow for students to enjoy their learning in subject specific spaces. We will have a 3 minute transition period to allow students to arrive at their lessons.  Any student who is persistently late to their lesson, without good reason, will be placed on a punctuality report. It is important that students have good attendance and punctuality in order to maximise their learning. We will operate a ‘keep left, keep moving’ policy to ensure students arrive punctually.  Please discuss this with your child so they are clear on our expectations.

Break and Lunch time

Students will be able to move freely across our outside spaces for their break and lunch times, and have access to all toilets. Spaces for ball games will be allocated to specific year groups, as will an area for Year 7 only to use should they wish. Refreshments can be purchased from the Restaurant and Street Kitchen and students are to use our biometric payment system. Please ensure that your child’s account has sufficient funds which can be topped up via ParentPay.  Students who are entitled to Free School Meals will be able to use this entitlement at lunch time only.  If you have any questions or need some further support regarding either Free School Meals or ParentPay, please contact admissions@thehalleyacademy.org.uk. 

Students are able to bring their own food items with them to consume at break and lunch. These items should be healthy and support sustaining good learning habits. Fizzy drinks are not allowed onsite nor are sugary sweets.

Equipment and Uniform

Please ensure that your child attends the Academy each day in the correct uniform and with the correct equipment. This ensures that there is no disruption to their learning.  Students should have at least one pen, one pencil, a rubber, and a ruler, although it is advisable they have more than one pen for a replacement. Students must also bring their Chromebook with them each day, fully charged and their PE kit on their allocated PE days. In addition, students must bring with them a refillable water bottle to ensure that students can keep hydrated throughout the day. We will no longer be providing disposable cups for students to use as we look to become a more sustainable academy.

Our high expectations of student uniform remain and our students should look smart at all times, wearing their uniform with pride. Coats must be plain black in colour and hoodies, tracksuit tops and all non-uniform items must not be brought to the Academy. In reference to jewellery, students are only allowed to wear a maximum of one small stud (no stone) in each ear, worn in the lower lobe, and a wrist watch only, no other jewellery is permitted. Students must wear formal plain black leather or leather-look shoes – trainers, boots, non-leather shoes or shoes with branding or coloured stitching are not to be worn. Furthermore, the wearing of false eyelashes, acrylic nails and nail varnish is not allowed. A reminder that students must not be in possession of e-cigarettes/vapes and, if found to be, we will apply our policy consistently.

Face coverings and masks

Masks are not compulsory however, if students wish to wear one, this is permitted. 

Parent Pay

Particularly for our new parents, and a reminder for returning parents, please ensure that you have activated your ParentPay login and that your son’s/daughter’s meal account is in credit ready for the start of term. Please allow 12 hours for payments to go through to the account and the account will need to remain in credit in order to purchase food in the academy.

• A reminder that Year 7 and Year 12 students return on Friday 2nd September at 8.25am and students in Years 8, 9, 10, 11 and 13 return to the Academy on Monday 5th September at 8.25am.
• On Friday 2nd September, our Year 7 students will be provided with a breaktime snack and their lunchtime meal. 
• On Monday 5th September, all students should go to their tutor base at 8.25am.

Tutor groups

We appreciate that there is a lot of information in this letter and, should you require further information or clarification, please do not hesitate to contact the Academy at admin@thehalleyacademy.org.uk. In order to ensure that students are able to settle back into our routines and expectations, please discuss this letter with your son/daughter. We will consistently maintain our commitment to high standards of safety for the wellbeing of all, and students will be expected to assume their responsibility in this. Please find our Community Code of Conduct here and also our Behaviour Policy.

Thank you for your support with this information as we welcome the return to school for everyone. We hope that you and your families have a restful summer break and we look forward to working with you next academic year to achieve the best outcomes for our students.

Yours faithfully

John Dixon
Principal