year 8 information pack - welcome to astrea academy … · welcome to astrea academy sheffield ......
TRANSCRIPT
YEAR 8 INFORMATION PACK
2019 – 2020
1
Welcome to Astrea Academy Sheffield
‘A relentless commitment to excellence, every day’.
To help prepare for the transfer into year 8, we have put together
the information in this booklet. We hope you will find it useful.
If you have any queries or concerns, please do contact the
academy where staff will be available to help.
Phone Number: 0114 553 9110
Email: [email protected]
Address: Astrea Academy Sheffield
Andover Street
Sheffield, S3 9BE
All visitors to the academy (Pre-Prep & Senior) should report to the Senior Building Main Reception.
@AstreaAcadSheff
Astrea Academy Sheffield
@AstreaAcademySheffield
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Contents Letter from the Executive Principal ................................................................................................................... 3
Our Motto .......................................................................................................................................................... 5
Our Pledge, Our Promise, Our Affirmation ........................................................................................................ 5
Our Vision ........................................................................................................................................................... 5
Our Core Values ................................................................................................................................................. 5
Academy Staff .................................................................................................................................................... 6
Safeguarding Team ............................................................................................................................................ 9
The First Day .................................................................................................................................................... 10
Tutor Groups .................................................................................................................................................... 10
Tutor Time ........................................................................................................................................................ 10
Getting to School ............................................................................................................................................. 10
The Academy Day ............................................................................................................................................ 11
Electives ........................................................................................................................................................... 11
Term Dates ....................................................................................................................................................... 12
Uniform ............................................................................................................................................................ 13
Attendance ....................................................................................................................................................... 14
Illness ............................................................................................................................................................... 14
Leave of Absence ............................................................................................................................................. 14
Curriculum ........................................................................................................................................................ 15
Reading ............................................................................................................................................................ 15
Homework ........................................................................................................................................................ 15
Assessment ...................................................................................................................................................... 15
Rewards & Behaviour ...................................................................................................................................... 16
Equipment & Planner ....................................................................................................................................... 17
Food ................................................................................................................................................................. 17
Astrea Parent App ............................................................................................................................................ 18
Medical Requirements ..................................................................................................................................... 18
Mobile Phones ................................................................................................................................................. 18
Personal Property ............................................................................................................................................ 18
Academy Website ............................................................................................................................................ 19
3
Letter from the
Executive Principal
As we move towards the close of our first
ever school year, I would like to give my heartfelt thanks to you for your continued support.
We have made fantastic progress and achievement in opening Astrea Academy Sheffield and it has been
wonderful to receive so many positive comments from parents, carers and the local and wider community.
One measure of the confidence the community has in our school, was the overwhelming applications we
received for the 150 places in year 7 and 60 places in reception for 2019/20, especially as 132 were first
choices. This has proven to me that we are really are a school of choice for families.
We are hugely proud of the children who are a real credit to our school, & to you as parents and carers.
As this year comes to a close I cannot thank you all enough for coming on this amazing journey with us.
Likewise, our staff have tirelessly given their dedication with resilience, good humour and commitment to
doing their best. Outstanding teaching is evident in your children’s lessons and is testament to their hard
work and the skill and dedication of all the staff. We have also been incredibly proud of your child’s effort
and respect for a number of external educationalists that have delivered numerous elective sessions
including the Police Cadets, Active Fusion sports sessions, cheerleading and Grimm and Co Creative Writing.
So many exciting and amazing experiences have been provided for your child this year and I can honestly
say they have embraced each and every one of them. From our girls debating team reaching the National
finals in the summer term; the outstanding response to our fundraising efforts for the local food bank in
Burngreave in the autumn term and an amazing trip for our Early Years children to Canon Hall Farm in the
Spring to see the baby lambs being born! Your efforts in supporting us and your child in making a school
where ‘ambition has no limits’ has certainly been realised this year.
We are in the enviable position that we have no staff leaving us at the end of this academic year however,
with new nursery, reception and year 7 children starting in the new year we have been in the luxurious
position to recruit the most outstanding and passionate staff from September 2019, making us not only the
school of choice for our families, but also for employees.
We have extended our leadership staff here at Astrea Academy Sheffield and Mr Boyd joins us as an Assistant
Principal, Mr Harrop as Head of Humanities, Miss Power as Head of Performing Arts and Mr Birch as Head of
Art, Design and Technology. In addition, our existing Head of Languages Miss Muscroft will embark on a new
role as Special Educational Needs Coordinator and will continue to lead languages from September.
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Other staff joining us from September are below:
Miss Sergeant Teacher of English
Miss Howard Teacher of English
Mr O’Shea Teacher of Maths
Mr Earl Teacher of Maths
Miss Jarvis Teacher of Science
Mr Perez Burgeno Teacher of Spanish
Ms Yang Teacher of Mandarin
Mr Harrop Head of Humanities
Miss Dyer Teacher of Geography
Mr Wright Teacher of PE and STaRS
Miss Wright Year 1 Teacher
Miss Thorndyke Year 1 Teacher
Miss Boot Reception Teacher
I am also delighted to share with you that Mr Nicholson got married in the June Spring Bank holiday so I am
sure you will join me in congratulating him – we hope he has an amazing honeymoon in Florida this summer.
I will also be getting married this August therefore from September you will know me as Mrs Wilson.
Finally, I would like to say a huge thank you to you all. It has been a challenging but incredibly rewarding
year and your children have been a delight to work with. We feel we know them so well and we can only
continue to work tirelessly to ensure they reach their potential and gain the success they will go onto
achieve. We can only imagine how emotional we will be when they leave us at 18!
All that is left to say is that I hope you and your families have a wonderful summer break and we look
forward to greeting your child back with us on September 5th 2019 at 11am.
Yours Sincerely,
Miss Kim Walton
5
Our Motto ‘Sapienta Ducet Ad Astra’ – Wisdom Leads to the Stars
Our Pledge, Our Promise, Our Affirmation I am strong
I am successful
I am Astrea
Our Vision ‘A relentless commitment to excellence, every day’
Our Core Values
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Academy Staff Senior Leadership Team
Kim Wilson ~ Executive Principal Emma Glover ~ Vice Principal Ken Weed ~ Head of Pre Prep
Leanne Muscroft ~ SENDCO
English Department
Charlie Brennan ~ Head of English
Mathematics Department
Wasiq Rasaq ~ Head of Mathematics
Science Department
Adam Nicholson ~ Head of Science
Dave Boyd ~ Assistant Principal
Ashleigh Howard ~ Teacher of English
Francesca Sergeant ~ Teacher of English
Patrick O’Shea ~ Teacher of Mathematics
Andrew Earl ~ Teacher of Mathematics
Sophie Jarvis ~ Teacher of Science
7
Languages Department
Leanne Muscroft ~ Head of Languages
PE & STaRS Department
Sarah Naylor ~ Head of PE and STaRS
Humanities Department
Thomas Harrop ~ Head of Humanities
Lucy Dyer ~ Teacher of Geography (NQT)
Art, Design & Technology Department
Kier Birch ~ Head of Art, Design and Technology
Performing Arts Department
Charlotte Power ~ Head of Performing Arts
Pre-Prep
Ken Weed ~ Head of Pre-Prep Lucy Hartley ~ Teacher of Reception
Shanna Smith ~ Teacher of Nursery Lisa Boyer ~ Teacher of Reception
Luis Perez Burgeno ~ Teacher of Spanish
Matthew Wright ~ Teacher of PE and STaRS
Louise Wright
Teacher of Year 1
Lauren Thorndyke
Teacher of Year 1
Joanna Boot
Teacher of Reception
8
Associate Staff
Charlotte Reed Cheryl Tough Heather Crawshaw Academy Support Manager Office Manager Education Data Intelligence
Luke Cropper Leona Dodds Russell Jones Campus Manager Cleaner in Charge Science & ADT Technician
Martin Butler ~ Digital Support
Carla Sheldon ~ KS3 Pastoral Lead
Najma Khurshid ~ Cleaner
Ambreen Hussain ~ Cleaner
Saira Hussain ~ Cleaner
** Most staff members without a photo are due to start in September 2019 **
9
Safeguarding Team The academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. It is expected and
demanded that all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
10
The First Day Thursday 5th September 2019: Pupils should arrive at the school at 11.00am, in full uniform and with
a packed pencil case – they will not need their PE Kit during the first 2 days. Pupils should go to the main
pupil entrance at the top on Andover Street, and will be guided to their tutor rooms. Pupils will spend the
whole of the first day with their form tutors. Any worries or concerns will be addressed during this key time.
At the end of the first day, form tutors will be on the main gate, dismissing pupils.
Tutor Groups Year 7 Year 8
7AHO Miss Howard
8FSE Miss Sergeant
7POS Mr O’Shea
8AER Mr Earl
7THA Mr Harrop
8LPE Mr Pérez-Burgueńo
7LDY Miss Dyer
8ANI Mr Nicholson
7KBI Mr Birch
8SJA Miss Jarvis
7CPO Miss Power
8MWR Mr Wright
Tutor Time The first point of contact for pupils and parents is always the form tutor. They have the oversight of the tutor
group and are the key worker for all allocated pupils.
All pupils begin their day with an extended session with their form tutor – this is where they will check that
all pupils are ready for the day ahead, for example, by checking uniform and equipment, reviewing rewards
and behaviour, sharing messages and a review of the focus at that time.
Pupils will also meet their form tutor at the start of the afternoon session. This is a mid-point check in, to
continue to provide the high level of pastoral support that the academy truly believes in. Pupils may also
spend some of this time completing reading exercises and private study.
Parents will have the opportunity to meet with form tutors during the transition days on the 10th and 11th
July.
Getting to School Where possible, we would encourage all pupils to walk to school. Andover Street is predominantly marked
with double yellow lines, and it is important to keep this area clear (both before school and after school) to
allow pupils to enter the site safely. Parents should not park on any of the school safety markings (zig zags)
at any time. The academy works closely with Sheffield City Council and parents who choose to ignore the
parking restrictions are likely to receive a fine.
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The Academy Day
Monday / Tuesday / Thursday
Wednesday Friday
8.15am = Breakfast (enter through
Main Reception) =
8.30am = Gate Open for Pupils
(Andover Street) =
8.40am = Tutor Time / Assembly =
9.05am = Lesson 1 =
9.55am = Lesson 2 =
10.45am = Break =
11.00am = Lesson 3 =
11.50am = Lesson 4 =
12.40pm = Lunch =
1.40pm = Tutor Time =
2.00pm Lesson 5
Electives
End of School Day
2.50pm Lesson 6
3.40pm End of School Day End of School Day
Electives As part of the academies broad and balanced curriculum, pupils have the opportunity to take part in activities
that are a little bit different on a Wednesday afternoon. Activities may include creative writing, sports
activities, gymnastics, art, photography,
skate boarding and rock climbing…. to name
a few!
During the first 2 weeks of the term, pupils
will be invited to decide on their top three
choices. Effort will always be made to
ensure everyone gets one of these choices,
but it does always depend on numbers.
Elective classes will be mixed to include Year
7 and Year 8.
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Term Dates
INSET Day School Holiday Community or Open Events
September 2019 Week M T W T F
1 2 3 4 5 6
2 9 10 11 12 13
3 16 17 18 19 20
4 23 24 25 26 27
5 30
March 2020 Week M T W T F
23 2 3 4 5 6
24 9 10 11 12 13
25 16 17 18 19 20
26 23 24 25 26 27
30 31
October 2019 Week M T W T F
5 1 2 3 4
6 7 8 9 10 11
7 14 15 16 17 18
8 21 22 23 24 25
28 29 30 31
April 2020 Week M T W T F
1 2 3
6 7 8 9 10
27 13 14 15 16 17
28 20 21 22 23 24
29 27 28 29 30
November 2019 Week M T W T F
1
9 4 5 6 7 8
10 11 12 13 14 15
11 18 19 20 21 22
12 25 26 27 28 29
May 2020 Week M T W T F
29 1
30 4 5 6 7 8
31 11 12 13 14 15
32 18 19 20 21 22
25 26 27 28 29
December 2019 Week M T W T F
13 2 3 4 5 6
14 9 10 11 12 13
15 16 17 18 19 20
23 24 25 26 27
30 31
June 2020 Week M T W T F
33 1 2 3 4 5
34 8 9 10 11 12
35 15 16 17 18 19
36 22 23 24 25 26
37 29 30
January 2020 Week M T W T F
1 2 3
16 6 7 8 9 10
17 13 14 15 16 17
18 20 21 22 23 24
19 27 28 29 30 31
July 2020 Week M T W T F
37 1 2 3
38 6 7 8 9 10
39 13 14 15 16 17
20 21 22 23 24
27 28 29 30 31
February 2020 Week M T W T F
20 3 4 5 6 7
21 10 11 12 13 14
17 18 19 20 21
22 24 25 26 27 28
Year 7 Parents Evenings
3rd October 2019
30th April 2020 Year 8 Parents Evenings
24th October 2019
14th May 2020
27th Last Day
14th Back to School
30th Y7 Parents Evening
(4.30 – 7.30pm)
8th Early May Bank Holiday –
Academy Closed
14th Y8 Parents Evening
(4.30 – 7.30pm)
22nd Last Day
1st Back to School
24th Y6-7 Transition Day & Info Evening (5.30 – 7.30pm)
25th Y6-7 Transition Day
17th Last Day
20th INSET Day – Closed
21st INSET Day – Closed
2nd INSET Day – Closed
3rd INSET Day – Closed
4th INSET Day – Closed
5th First Day of School
19th Prospective Parents Info
Evening (Y5/6 Pupils) (4.30 – 7.30pm)
3rd Y7 Parents Evening
(4.30 – 7.30pm)
24th Y8 Parents Evening
(4.30 – 7.30pm)
25th Last Day
4th Back to School
20th Last Day
6th Back to School
6th Community Open Evening
(4.30 – 6.30pm)
14th Last Day
24th Back to School
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Uniform Uniform can be ordered from Logo Leisurewear.
https://www.logoleisurewear.com/astrea-acad/astrea-senior
Academy Uniform
Boys Girls
ACADEMY dark blue blazer
White long or short sleeved shirt (not polo shirt)
ACADEMY tie
Black school shoes (not boots or trainers)
Dark grey trousers or dark grey shorts Dark grey trousers or dark grey knee or ankle
length skirt
Dark grey or black socks Dark grey or black socks or tights
Optional items: ACADEMY burgundy V Neck tank top or ACADEMY burgundy V Neck jumper
All religious headwear should be black, navy blue, dark grey or burgundy and contain no embellishments.
Sports
Kit
(for all)
ACADEMY dark grey sports sweatshirt White polo shirt
Dark blue jogging bottoms Short plain white socks
White soled trainers Dark blue or black P.E. shorts
Black cotton leggings for girls
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Attendance All pupils are expected to attend school every day. Whilst occasional sickness is unavoidable, it is of key
importance that the attendance of every pupil is kept above 98%.
Attendance is a key focus for the academy and each and every pupil’s attendance will be monitored every
week by their form tutor. Where attendance issues are identified, parents will be invited in for meetings
with form tutors or a member of the senior leadership team.
Illness If a pupil is going to be absent, it is vital
that a parent contacts the school at the
earliest opportunity to provide a
sufficient reason for absence. This
should be by telephone in the first
instance supported by a written note
on the pupil’s return.
Absence can only be authorised where
there is good cause. If no sufficient
reason for absence is provided,
attendance will be recorded as
unauthorised. All absences should be
evidenced by the parent either
telephoning the doctors or by a medical
note.
Parents cannot authorise absence. This
is a decision which rests with Astrea
Academy Sheffield in accordance within
the boundaries set by The Education
(Pupil Registration) Regulations 1996.
TO REPORT ILLNESS: 0114 553 9110
Leave of Absence Holidays will not be authorised during term time and will likely result in a fixed penalty notice.
The decision to record a holiday as unauthorised rests with Astrea Academy Sheffield.
For extreme circumstances only, to apply for a pupil leave of absence, parents should complete the form in
Appendix C of the Attendance Policy (a form can be collected from the main office) and return to the school
office for consideration by the Executive Principal.
15
Curriculum At Astrea Academy Sheffield, all pupils have an entitlement to a broad and balanced curriculum. They will
follow a knowledge rich curriculum which aims to develop their learning by providing pupils with the key
knowledge, skills and attitudes to be successful.
All pupils in Year 8 will study the following discipline areas:
English 5 Lessons per week
Mathematics 5 Lessons per week
Science 4 Lessons per week
History 2 Lessons per week
Geography 2 Lessons per week
Spanish 2 Lessons per week
Physical Education 2 Lessons per week
Art, Design & Technology 1 Lesson per week
Performing Arts 1 Lesson per week
STaRS 1 Lesson per week
Computing 1 Lesson per week
Electives 2 Lessons per week
Reading At Astrea Academy Sheffield, we know that reading is fundamental to academic success. Therefore, reading
is central to the curriculum. All pupils are expected to read for at least 20 minutes daily and are given time
during the school day to meet this expectation.
The academy has a fantastically well-stocked library which is open every lunchtime and staffed by both
teachers and pupil librarians. We use Accelerated Reader to track every pupils’ reading successes and will
share information about your child’s reading with you throughout the year.
Homework Pupils will be set homework for each subject once per week. A homework schedule will be published in
planners in early in September.
Assessment During the first parents evening in October, parents will be invited to a session where assessment will be
explained in depth. We will share the methods of assessment that the academy will use to measure the
progress that pupils make.
As a brief overview, pupils will sit a number of baseline assessments on entry to the academy. This will enable
teachers to set targets for pupils and to understand their abilities and identify any specific needs.
Throughout the year, pupils will sit a written assessment in each subject each term. For each of these
assessments, pupils will be given a percentage score. This score will be reported to parents through a formal
report which parents will receive three times throughout the academic year.
Pupils will be assessed in their reading ability continually throughout the year.
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Rewards & Behaviour The academy uses a system called Class Charts to award and monitor both positive achievements and
negative behaviour points.
In September, all pupils and parents will be given a login for Class Charts, which will enable them to see live
information about the conduct of their child during the school day.
Rewards
Positive Astras will be awarded by subject teachers and form tutors for demonstrations of positive
behaviour.
1 or 2 or 3 Astras Awarded by subject teachers for positive performance.
5 Astras 100% attendance for the week
5 Astras Form Tutor Star of the week
5 Astras Electives Star
5 Astras Subject Star of the Week
Negative Behaviour Points
Negative Behaviour points will be allocated by teachers during lessons and tutor time for unwelcome
behaviour that is not in line with academy expectations. Sanctions will be awarded for points during one
day, reaching a certain level.
The points are assigned as below:
(Please note, these may slightly change due to a review in September 2019)
Points Reason
1 No reading book
1 Planner is not on the desk at the start of the lesson
1 Missing Equipment (pen, pencil etc.)
1 Chewing Gum / Eating in the classroom
2 Poor Manners
2 Talking when asked to be silent
2 Wasting learning time
2 Ignoring academy bells or not going straight to lesson during change over
2 Shouting (in class or during changeover/lunch)
2 Running in corridors / dining room
3 Ignoring instructions from a member of staff
3 Answering back to a member of staff
3 Late to lesson
3 Arrived after 8.40am
3 Disrupting other learners
3 Inadequate work completed
3 Incomplete home learning task
5 Mobile Phone seen
5 Rudeness to a member of staff / Swearing
5 Leaving a lesson without the teachers permission
5 Unkind behaviour towards another pupil
10 Intentional damage to property
10 Homophobic Comments
10 Racist Comments
10 Severe disruptive behaviour leading to removal from the lesson
For more serious events, higher value behaviour points will be issued by Senior Leaders.
17
Equipment & Planner Pupils will be allocated a Pupil Planner in September. This is a key piece of equipment for pupils and they
are expected to have it with them at all times. The Pupil Planner is also a key home school communication
tool, and the academy expects all parents to check the planner daily and monitor homework tasks, along
with any key dates.
In order to effectively learn, pupils need to be prepared for lessons.
As a minimum, pupils should have the following items with them each and every lesson.
Pupil Planner Pencil Case 2 Black Pens 1 Red Pen 2 Highlighter Pens 2 Sharpened Pencils 15cm/30cm Ruler Casio FX83 or FX85 Scientific Calculator Eraser 180° Protractor Coloured pencils School Bag (big enough to carry all equipment and book). Reusable water bottle PE Kit (if required) Current Reading Book
NOTE: White eraser fluid is banned from the academy
Food Aspens are the chosen catering service to provide breakfast, snacks and lunchtime meals to all our pupils.
Breakfast starts from 8.15am each morning, hot snacks and drinks are available at break time and a full hot
and cold lunchtime service is in operation. All food served is Halal.
A cashless till system is used so pupils can pay for their food safely and efficiently. In September, pupils will
set up a ‘fingerprint account’. Pupils will add money to their accounts through a machine within the dining
room which will be assigned to their fingerprints. This ensures that only the pupil can access their money.
Pupils who are eligible for free school meals will have £2.00 per day added to their account.
The academy is hoping to launch ParentPay by September, which will allow parents to add funds to their
childs account electronically.
18
Astrea Parent App The Astrea Parent App allows two-way communication between the Academy and parents through your
smartphone free of charge. For example, the academy will be able to send (and receive) messages; share
important Academy news and updates; share key dates which can be added to your personal calendar and
provide live attendance information for your child and details of upcoming events and trips.
The app can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store now.
Search for ‘Astrea App’ and download to your phone or use this link
https://astreaacademytrust.org/astrea-app/
Please note – until your child in on roll at the school, no information will be live through the App. The App
will automatically go live in September if parents have already downloaded it.
Medical Requirements Any medical information that the academy needs to be aware of should be disclosed on the forms which are
part of the admissions pack.
Any medical information that the academy needs to be aware of that arises throughout the academic year
should be passed through the main office, either in person, by phone or by email (details on the front cover).
Mobile Phones Mobile phone use is not permitted on the academy site at any time. Mobile phones should not be seen.
Whilst it is understood that parents may wish their child to have a phone with them, in this case they should
be turned off and remain in the pupil’s bag at all times. Should a mobile phone be seen it will be confiscated
and returned at a later date.
Astrea Academy Sheffield will not take responsibility for the loss or damage, however caused, to mobile
phones.
Personal Property Parents and pupils should be mindful of the appropriateness of the items that are brought into the academy.
Astrea Academy Sheffield will not take responsibility for the loss or damage, however caused, to items of
personal property.
19
Academy Website astreasheffield.org
The website is constantly being updated to contain the most up to date information. As a new academy,
this is constantly being developed and will be in full operation within the academic year.
Notes