WELCOME TO

YEAR 6 TRANSITION

A very warm welcome to parents, carers and the newest members of our

Priesthorpe community , the students who, in September, will embark on their

exciting new journey into secondary school education when they start Year 7.

‘Relationships’ and ‘Resilience’ , two of the golden strands that underpin what

parents continue to tell us is a special ethos at Priesthorpe, play a significant part in

the transition process from Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 3. They are central to our focus

on:

Social adjustment (developing new friendships and maintain / building self -

esteem);

Institutional adjustment (settling well and getting used to new routines);

During their first half-term at Priesthorpe, all students take part in an off-site activity

programme focused on ‘Mindsets’. This is a fantastic experience, fully funded by the

school, which helps students develop new friendships whilst at the same time enjoy

tackling new challenges head-on that will help to improve their self-confidence and

resilience.

You and your child join our community at a very exciting time. In July, 2017,

Priesthorpe joined the Cooperative Academies Trust (CAT). In the summers of 2018

and 2019 we realised strong progress outcomes at Key Stage 4. The progress

students realise at Key Stage 3 provides the ideal platform for these achievements;

achievements which are underpinned by high expectations, no excuses, and excellent

teaching and learning.

Thank you for choosing Priesthorpe. It is a responsibility we take very seriously. We

very much look forward to working with you closely over the coming years, as we work

together to nurture, develop and support your child

in helping them become the best they can be.

Martin Blacoe

Principal

CONTENTS:

Iintroduction to the Staff

Pages 3-4

Supporting Your Child

Page 5

Growth Mindsets

Page 5

Students Experiences

Page 6

Rewards

Page 7

Extra Curricular Activities

Page 8-9

Expectations and

Communication

Pages 10-11

School Day and Calendar

Page 12

The Curriculum

Page 13

Monitoring Progress

Page 14

The School Uniform

Pages 15-16

Attendance

Pages 17-18-19

CONTACT DETAILS :

prie-info@coopacademies.co.uk

0113 257 4115

WEBSITE:

priesthorpe.coopacademies.co.uk

Twitter:

@cooppriesthorpe

Welcome to Priesthorpe

Mrs C Wakefield

Year 7 Manager

The Year 7 Manager ensures that all students in the year group feel happy, safe

and secure whilst at school. Pastoral care is central to building confidence in

students’ learning environment so they can thrive.

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INTRODUCTION TO THE YEAR 7 SUPPORT TEAM

Mrs J Newsome

Assistant Key Stage Leader

Mrs Newsome supports the transition team in ensuring that all students feel

confident and comfortable when making the transition to high school. Mrs

Newsome will also monitor the academic progress of the students in the year

group and leads interventions and support to ensure the achievement of high

quality outcomes for all.

Mrs L Blackburn

Emotional Wellbeing Officer

The Emotional Wellbeing Officer is there to support any student in school making them feel happy, safe and

confident to handle any challenges within school. They will provide lots of emotional and safeguarding support

to ensure all students are safe at school and at home.

Mrs J Cronshaw

Key Stage Leader

Mrs Cronshaw’s role includes co-ordinating the programme of academic and

pastoral support, working closely with a team of staff in Year 6, 7 and 8 which

secures high outcomes for all. Part of this role is to ensure that that students in

Year 6 feel confident and comfortable when making the transition to high school.

We also have

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THE ACADEMY LEADERSHIP TEAM AND THEIR ROLES

Miss E Moss

Leader of Teaching and Learning

Miss Moss’ role is to lead the continued professional development of staff to

ensure all students have access to high quality teaching and learning. This

includes supporting staff to develop their classroom practise in a creative and

inspiring way and is underpinned by a determination to maintain the highest

standards in teaching and learning.

Mrs L Pratt

Vice Principal—Standards and Achievement

Key responsibilities of Mrs Pratt include planning a school curriculum that is fully

inclusive and meets the needs of all our learners. The curriculum in Year 7 is

planned to aid transition from primary. From this foundation students are

introduced to new subjects and helped to develop skills in the context of more

specialist areas. Literacy and numeracy are essential for preparing students for

Key Stage 4 and beyond and therefore supporting and developing students’ skills

in these areas is a central focus.

Mr L King

Leader of Behaviour and Inclusion

Mr King works closely with pastoral and curriculum leaders to maintain a fully

inclusive learning community for all of our students. Working with our SEND Coor-

dinator to develop personalised programmes that support individual learning needs

providing a safe and inclusive learning community.

Mrs R Gupta

Personal Development

Mrs Gupta leads on the coaching and House System, which underpins our

commitment to positive relationships. This involves the co-ordination of PSHCE

and Personal Development Days to create a cohesive programme that support

students’ personal development.

SUPPORTING YOUR CHILD AND USING THIS BOOKLET

Transition to high school is a time when new students and parents/carers can have mixed emotions

including excitement, pride and trepidation.

Your child will be given lots of information from their coach when they arrive and lots of help to settle in. You

can also use this booklet to explain some of the things they can expect in September.

Please encourage your child to tell their coach if they have any worries or problems.

We welcome personal visits from parents so please do not hesitate to contact the school if you need further

information which you feel will help your child to settle in quickly.

HOW WILL A GROWTH MINDSET HELP YOU?

Growth Mindset is a fundamental principle in Priesthorpe’s ethos. It is a straightforward idea

underpinned by the work of an eminent psychologist called Carol Dweck.

In a fixed mindset, people believe their basic qualities, like their intelligence or talent, are simple fixed traits

that cannot be changed. They spend their time proving their intelligence or talent instead of developing

them. They also believe that talent alone creates success, without effort. They’re wrong.

In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and

hard work - brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience

that is essential for great accomplishment. Virtually all successful people have a growth mindset.

5

“I was the only person to come to Priesthorpe from my primary...I didn’t

know anyone, and didn’t know if anyone would speak to me on the

Transition Day... lots of them did, especially the boys and girls in my

coaching group. Two of the first people I ever talked to are still my best

friends now.”

Hussain, Year 8

STUDENTS SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCEOF STARTING AT PRIESTHORPE

6

“I came to Priesthorpe with lots of my friends from primary

school; but I made friends with many more Year 7’s from other primaries which was

nice...”

Mary, Year 7

“The school seemed so big on my first day... I was a little nervous

about getting lost. But spending the Transition Day exploring

gave me more confidence about where I was going to go when

I arrived on my first day in September... and anyway if I did

forget in the first week where I was going all the teachers and

other students helped me by telling me which direction to go...”

David, Year 7

“We have coaching groups here at Priesthorpe. We have 10 people

plus Miss in ours. We meet 3 times a week and get the chance to talk

about any issues we are having in school, or we might discuss a

community issue... I really enjoy meeting my coaching group, we are

like a little mini-family who help each other out.”

Simran, Year 7

“I didn’t know what it would be like to have so many teachers as I had

only had Mrs Vincent teach me in Year 6...I really like going to different

subjects with different teachers now as they all have interesting,

different and fun things for me to learn.”

Jack, Year 7

WHAT DOES BEING REWARDED MEAN AT PRIESTHORPE?

WHOLE SCHOOL PRESENTATION EVENING

This is Priesthorpe’s blue-ribbon event where students are rewarded for their effort and resilience over

the course of the year.

7

At Priesthorpe we see the process of rewarding

students as essential in encouraging positive mind-

sets towards learning. All students are encouraged to

collect class charts and house merits which are

totalled up by every half term. Praise and rewards

are then given to students. These include positive

postcards, phone calls from staff, in school reward

experiences, out of school reward trips

The school has a strong tradition of Performing Arts. Drama is extended

beyond lessons, through visiting theatre groups, theatre trips and clubs.

Music is also a very popular subject with lessons both inside and outside

of the curriculum and opportunities to join the school choir or band. There

are also regular school productions and an annual dance festival.

ACTIVITIES BEYOND THE SCHOOL DAY AT PRIESTHORPE

8

A successful House System operate at Priesthorpe; houses Jones-Buchanan, Tomlinson, Hockney and

Ennis-Hill participate in our 6 compulsory House competitions which occur each half -term. Students

compete in activities such as creative arts, computer programming, and traditional quill writing, to name but a

few, as well as many sporting activities, to gain points for their house.

Priesthorpe offers numerous opportunities in many sporting

and physical activities for both boys and girls. School teams

are run throughout the year in football (boys and girls),

rugby, netball, cross-country, rounders and athletics.

Additionally, there are sports clubs in a number of other

activities including; dance, badminton, fitness, cricket, table

tennis and basketball. Beyond performing, sport at

Priesthorpe offers a number of leadership opportunities. Students are involved with organising and

officiating numerous primary school events across the city. The school has developed many links

with local sports clubs and signposts interested pupils into these clubs with the support of PE staff.

Many students go on to represent the city and some at county and even national levels.

SPORT AT PRIESTHORPE

HOUSE SYSTEM

EXPRESSIVE ARTS

ACTIVITIES BEYOND THE SCHOOL DAY AT PRIESTHORPE CONTINUED...

9

Opportunities to take part in trips and visits have been a

strength of Co-op Academy Priesthorpe for many years.

Year 7s will be invited to attend a one day off-site activity

programme focused on ‘Mindsets’. This is a fantastic

experience, fully funded by the school, which will help

students develop new friendships whilst at the same time

enjoy tackling new challenges head-on that will help to

improve their self-confidence and resilience.

We run a range of experiences abroad during students time at Priesthorpe. Recent trips have included trips to the

Trenches, ski trips to Europe as well as very successful Year 7/8 French trips. All these experiences are designed to

further enrich the out of lesson learning opportunities for our students.

TRIPS AND VISITS

STUDY SUPPORT

Study support clubs are run by a number of subject areas includ-

ing booster English, Maths and Science sessions. The OLC/

Library is also available for study out of school hours and is

equipped with computers for any online home learning.

EXPECTATIONS AND COMMUNICATION

10

MEET YOUR COACH DAY (MYCD)

MY ED AND CLASS CHARTS APP

MYCD takes place in September. MYCD gives the opportunity to build a three way relationship between staff,

students and parents. Its purpose is to meet together to discuss the overall progress that students are making in

school and to disseminate vital information.

We believe that this relationship is key in ensuring that communication between home and school is effective. A

student’s coach is an additional point of contact for parents beyond the student’s Year Manager, Key Stage Leader

and Assistant Key Stage Leader. On MYCD you will be asked to read and sign the home school agreement. This is

an important document that outlines how we can work together to support your child’s learning.

As a school we are committed to being a paper free organisation. Due to us making this commitment we use My-Ed and

Class Charts as a method of communication with students and parents/guardians. The parent app can be found using the

following link https://priesthorpe.coopacademies.co.uk/parents/my-ed-app On this app you will be able to track your

child’s behaviour, attendance and also their rewards.

Class Charts is the way we track and monitor our students’ Engagement in Learning (EIL), log homework, make

announcements and show their timetables. For this system there are two apps available for both parents and students.

School will give you access codes on MYCD and the apps can be downloaded from the relevant Apple or Android app

stores.

In our community of over a thousand people, everyone is expected to show courtesy and consideration in caring for

others, for the school and for our local environment.

These expectations are based on communication skills such as, active listening and respectful speaking taking

responsibility for one’s own actions, respect and courtesy for others. Engagement In Learning in the classroom through

to out of class behaviour between lessons and at social times should see consistency in pupils attitude and

relationships. We are committed to the principles of restorative practice to address concerns in any of these areas.

One important point to note concerns our location. Students crossing the Ring Road or Leeds-Bradford Road must use

the footbridge over the ring road and the pelican crossing on the Leeds-Bradford Road.

Behaviour both to and from school should be of a high standard and respect our local community and residents.

EXPECTATIONS AND COMMUNICATION

11

HOW DO WE EXPECT STUDENTS TO CONDUCT THEMSELVES IN SCHOOL

OUR ANTI-BULLYING POLICY

Incidents of bullying at the Co-operative Academy Priesthorpe are rare

but we do not expect any member of our community to put up with any

form of bullying behaviour. If an incident is brought to our attention appropriate actions will be taken. Both the

person being bullied and the bully will be supported using a restorative approach following any incidents.

Behaviour will be closely monitored following any concerns. Parental involvement and the use of Priesthorpe

Pathways will take place if further incidents occur.

Poor behaviour/ bullying against ‘vulnerable students’ is

monitored very carefully and acted upon quickly by the

pastoral and welfare team. Restorative meetings often play

a key role in moving such situations forward positively.

HOW WILL THE SCHOOL DAY LOOK IN SEPTEMBER?

12

The above dates were correct at the time of printing but may be subject to change. The school’s website is kept up to date with a live calendar.

The school runs a two week timetable. These are known as ‘Week One’ and ‘Week Two’.

Pupils will study different subjects at different times of the week dependent on which week it is.

DATES FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR

Monday, Wednesday, Friday Tuesday & Thursday

Times 7&8 9&10 11& Post

16 Times 7&8 9&10

11& Post

16

8.30 - 9.30

Period 1 Period 1 Period 1 8.30 -

9.30 Period 1 Period 1 Period 1

9.30 - 10.30

Period 2 Period 2 Period 2 9.30 -

10.30 Period 2 Period 2 Period 2

10.30 - 11.00

Break Coaching Break 10.30 -

10.50 Break Break Break

11.00 - 11.30

Coaching Break Coaching 10.50 –

11.00 ERIC ERIC ERIC

11.30 - 12.30

Period 3 Period 3 Period 3 11.00 –

12.00 Period 3 Period 3 Period 3

12.30 - 1.00

Period 4 Period 4 Lunch 12.00 -

12.30 Period 4 Period 4 Lunch

1.00 - 1.30

Lunch Period 4 Period 4 12.30 –

1.00 Lunch Period 4 Period 4

1.30 - 2.00

Period 4 Lunch Period 4 1.00 -

1.30 Period 4 Lunch Period 4

2.00 - 3.00

Period 5 Period 5 Period 5 1.30 -

2.30 Period 5 Period 5 Period 5

HOLIDAY SCHOOL CLOSE SCHOOL OPEN

Summer break Tuesday 8th September 2020

Autumn mid-term Friday 23rd October 2020 Monday 2nd November 2020

Christmas break Friday 18th December 2020 Monday 4th January 2021

Spring mid-term Friday 12th February 2021 Monday 22nd February 2021

Easter break Thursday 1st April 2021 Monday 19th April 2021

May Bank Holiday Friday 30th April 2021 Tuesday 4th May 2021

Summer mid-term Friday 28th May 2021 Monday 7th June 2021

Summer Friday 23rd July 2021

Priesthorpe follows the statutory National Curriculum with an exciting range of options at KS4

in GCSEs and vocational courses. At post 16 we are part of the Pudsey Confederation, offering a

wide variety of courses. The curriculum in Year 7 allows the opportunity for the development of

personal learning and thinking skills and Growth Mindset philosophy.

WHAT IS THE CURRICULUM?

13

SUBJECTS STUDIED IN KEY STAGE 3

SCHOOL LUNCHTIMES

Students must stay on school site during

lunchtime and may bring their own food

or buy meals from the school canteen.

Payment for food is made through our

biometric recognition system. The system

creates accounts for students. Payment

can be made through Parent Pay on the

school website therefore no cash is taken

in the canteen. Biometric scans of all

the students will be taken on Transition

Day. Students eligible for free school

meals will be issued with a credit against

their account.

There are

a variety of

different types of meal available. The

meals include pizza and pasta, jacket

potatoes and salads, soups, sandwiches

and vegetarian options. Co-op Academy

Priesthorpe is proud to acknowledge that

we have been awarded National Healthy

Schools Status and the Healthy Schools

HOME LEARNING AND WHAT IS EXPECTED?

14

A programme of home learning is given to all students from Year 7 onwards. Home learning is a vitally important

aspect of improving the progress of students. The Government Paper ‘Excellence in Schools’ states ‘home

learning is not an optional extra but an essential part of good education’. There is clear evidence that it helps

students reach higher standards. It also allows more effective use to be made of lesson times and improves

students’ study skills and attitudes to learning. ‘”...it is encouraging that, according to recent research, 90% of

parents believe home learning is important.”

Teachers assign home learning tasks using the ClassCharts app which makes it

possible for parents/carers to see what home learning has been given to students and

when it is due to be handed in.

HOW IS ASSESSMENT USED?

MONITORING PROGRESS AND ENGAGEMENT IN LEARNING

We carry out regular assessments and keep parents informed of progress through the MyEd App.

Students and parents are also able to reflect on progress made and set targets during consultation evenings with

teaching staff once a year and Meet Your Coach Day. Progress data is provided up to 3 times a year.

We feel that our Academy uniform helps to set good standards. The uniform for the main school is clearly defined

in Year 7 to 11. In the 6th Form choice is allowed.

Extremes should be avoided in all matters relating to uniform. Hairstyles, shoes, skirt length and jewellery must be

suitable for the school environment.

Think! ‘Would I attend a job interview dressed like this?’ if the answer is no, then it is not suitable for school.

Uniform for Year 7-11

Black shoes (not trainer, pumps or boots)

Black skirt (of a sensible length and not over tight) or full length black trousers. (not any type or colour of jeans)

Plain white shirt/ blouse (with a top button)

Co– op Academy Priesthorpe Black Blazer with Academy logo (in white). All students must have one of

these, it is not an optional item. It must be worn at all times. Students must ask the classroom teacher if they

wish to take it off

Black V-neck jumper with Academy logo (optional)

Co-op Academy Priesthorpe tie with house colour stripe

SCHOOL UNIFORM AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION KIT

15

UNIFORM SUPPLIERS

All of the above items are available from:

Rawcliffes Ltd

42-44 Darley Street,

Bradford

BD1 3HN

Tel: 01274 730846

E: rawcliffesbradford@gmail.com

Online ordering www.emblazon.biz

Whittakers Schoolwear

3/5 Town Street,

Farsley

Leeds

LS28 5EN

Tel:0113 2566020

Online ordering https://www.whittakersschoolwear.co.uk/product-category/leeds/.

SCHOOL UNIFORM CONTINUED...

16

School Bags

School bags must be big enough to enable students to carry their equipment needed for that day.

Hair

We expect hairstyles to be neat and suitable for the classroom, workshop and for physical education. Hair

colours that are not of a natural shade will not be allowed.

Jewellery and Make up

Jewellery should be kept to a minimum in the interest of security and safety. Stud earrings are permitted but

students must remove these if, in the interests of safety a member of staff requests them to do so. Nose studs

and body piercing are not permitted. Make up is not appropriate for school.

Protective Clothing

An apron will be required for use in Design lessons (Art and D&T)

A separate one is desirable for use in Food Technology

PHYSICAL EDUCATION KIT

For students in Key Stage 3

Boys

Reversible Games shirt with Co-op Academy

Priesthorpe logo

Polo shirt (Blue and white polo shirt with Academy

logo)

Football shorts (navy)

Football socks (House colours)

White sports socks

Football boots (moulded studs/ blades)

Training shoes suitable for indoor use

Shin-pads

Black hooded sweatshirt with Academy logo

(optional).

Girls

Polo shirt (Blue and white polo shirt with Academy

Priesthorpe logo)

Football shorts (navy)

Football socks (House colours)

Football boots (moulded studs/ blades)

Training shoes suitable for indoor use

Shin-pads

Black hooded sweatshirt with Academy logo

(compulsory).

We know that high attendance at school and achieving target grades are linked. Punctuality is also very

important at school. All students must arrive on time and be ready for learning with the correct equipment, e.g.

pencil case and PE kit. For students who have not had breakfast this is available in the

canteen from 8:00am – 8:25am.

ATTENDANCE AT A GLANCE FOR PARENTS AND CARERS

17

THE START OF THE SCHOOL DAY

All students should arrive on site by 8:25am - any student arriving between 8:30am and 9:00am

will be marked as late. Any student arriving after 9:00am will be marked as Unauthorised Late; this

is when the school closes its register. All students arriving late will make up the time by attending

a one hour detention at the end of the day. Parents will receive a text message informing parents/ carers of their

child’s lateness.

ILLNESS

Should your child be too ill to attend school would you please contact us on the first day of absence before

8:30am. You can do this via text - 07624 810846 or leave a voicemail at 0845 3558167. If you would like to

speak to one of our attendance team please contact the school on 01132574115. Please keep us informed of

your child’s progress. If you expect your child to be absent will you please send in evidence of medication

prescribed by your doctor or hospital. The school has a right to request evidence of illness or appointments to

authorise the absence. This can be the school medical card stamped by your G.P or a letter from your G.P or

medical centre. Should we not receive medical evidence absences will be noted as unauthorised. Where

attendance levels are of concern (usually below 97%) and monitoring is in place medical evidence will be

required for all absences. Telephone calls are made to every parent/carer of a student who is absent from

school every morning. If we cannot make contact, a text message will be sent. In some cases a follow up home

visit may be made by a representative from school.

ATTENDANCE CONTINUED...

18

The school closes for 70 days of holidays each academic year and we expect all parents/carers will

take their family holidays whilst school is closed. Any parent wanting to take their child on a leave

of absence from school should inform the Principal in writing. The application will be looked

at on an individual basis and you will be informed by letter of the outcome. However, it is highly

unusual to grant leave of absence during term time. Any holiday or leave taken without permission

from the Principal will be unauthorised and legal action will be sought from the Local Authority

LEAVE IN TERM TIME

PERSISTENT ABSENCE

If we have tried and your child’s absence continues

to be a problem, this is called Persistent Absence.

Any child who has 3 days absence or 6 sessions in a 30 day period

Any child who has below 90% absence

1 session is the equivalent of a half day in school. If our efforts have not had an effect then you will be

asked to attend a meeting with the Attendance Improvement Manager, Family Support Worker,

Year Leader or other relevant staff (Penalty Notice Warnings are issued to parents & carers after

10 sessions (5 days) of unauthorised absence).

See https://priesthorpe.coopacademies.co.uk and twitter @cooppriesthorpe for all the latest information.

You can also download a free smartphone app to keep you fully up to date with information

about your child, including attendance, messages and news from school.

Download ‘MyEd’ for iPhone or Android.

19

ILLNESS WHILST AT SCHOOL

KEEPING IN TOUCH

The school asks each family to provide a telephone number or other contact for cases of illness, accident or emergency. Please help us to keep these records up-to-date and notify us of anychanges. Your child’s Year Manager should be informed of any special medical conditions or medicines needed whilst they are in school We have trained first aiders in school. If a student is unwell or has an accident whilst in school a member of staff will contact you if they consider them too unwell to remain in school. Any students who need medical help should report to the main reception after gaining permission from a member of staff.

ATTENDANCE CONTINUED...