Sent to parents and carers on 22/07/25
Arrangements for the Start of Term
Wednesday 3 September is the first day of the new academic year for our new Year 7 students. Students in Years 8, 9, 10 and 11 will return on Thursday 4 September at the usual time. This will be week 1 of timetables. The gates will be open at 8:15 ready for the start of school at 8:30. All students will need to please enter via Student Gates A and B (at the front of school). For new students, please note that the bike racks are accessible via B gate which is nearest the park.
On Wednesday 3 September, only new Year 7 students will be in school with an extended tutor time and assembly from 8:30 – 9:55. On arrival, new Year 7 students will need to report directly to the main hall where they will be sorted into their respective tutor groups.
On Thursday 4 September, all students in all years should please arrive at the normal time. Students in Years 8, 9, 10 and 11 will all have an extended tutor time with an assembly between 8:30 – 9:55. The rest of the day will be as normal except for Year 8 who will be taken to assembly during Period 2.
The Academy Day
08:15 School gates open
08:27 School gates close
08:30 – 08:55 Tutor time – 25 mins
08:55 – 09:55 Period 1 – 60 mins
09:55 – 10:55 Period 2 – 60 mins
10:55 – 11:20 Morning break – 25 mins
11:20 – 12:20 Period 3 – 60 mins
12:20 – 13:20 Period 4 – 60 mins
13:20 – 14:00 Lunch – 40 mins
14:00 – 15:00 Period 5 – 60 mins
15:00 End of the school day
Personal Organisation
It is imperative that all students have a school bag. We still have students coming to school not fully prepared to reach their potential. They need a school bag for their equipment, personal effects, packed lunch, water to drink and to carry their PE kit.
Biometrics Consent
On Wednesday 3 September, we will be collecting biometrics data from all new Year 7 students for whom parental consent has been given in advance via the Admission & Consent Forms that were returned to us.
If any parents and carers have not yet given consent for their child to use biometrics data (fingerprint data) at the Food Hall tills to pay for their food/drink then please collect a Biometrics Data Consent Form from Reception and return it for the attention of Mr Thorpe. This is the most secure and efficient method for students to pay for food/drink in the food hall, the alternative is a 6-digit PIN.
Key Dates for the Autumn Term
For your diary, please note the following key dates:
Monday 1st September Staff PD day (closed to students)
Tuesday 2nd September Staff PD day (closed to students)
Wednesday 3 September 1st day of term for all new Year 7 students
Thursday 4 September 1st day of term for Years 8, 9, 10 & 11 students
Wednesday 10 September Ofsted Parent/Carer Forum 16:00-17:00 (Main Hall)
Wednesday 24 September Monthly Parent/Carer Forum 16:00-17:00 (Main Hall)
Friday 26 September School photos for all students/staff
Friday 26 September Community Event: Bake sale in aid of MacMillan
Monday 29 September WA Community Hub 15:15-16:00 (Foyer)
Thursday 2 October Open evening for Year 6 pupils 16:00-18:30
Monday 3 November Staff PD day (closed to students)
Uniform & Equipment
Students must please wear their full and complete academy uniform when they return in September and be properly equipped for learning in terms of pens, pencils, a ruler, a Casio calculator, headphones for music/computing and a reading book. If the weather remains warm at the start of term we will move to warm weather rules where jumpers are optional.
Casio calculators are available to buy on MCAS at the subsidised price of £5. Clear pencil cases complete with a 30cm rule are available for £1 on MCAS or in cash on the first day of term.
When buying new school shoes this summer, please remember to abide by our rule that shoes must be plain black and made from leather/leather-look materials. Canvas shoes are not permitted because they do not protect your child’s feet in wet weather.
For a reminder of our expectations with regards to equipment, academy uniform, shoes, trousers and accessories, please refer to the following document:
WA Uniform Standards English SEP25
In September, students will need to wear a clip-on year group tie. A reminder of the colours for each year group are below:
- Current Y6, next year’s Y7 – Blue (Head of Year Miss Farr)
- Current Y7, next year’s Y8 – Yellow (Head of Year Mr Perry)
- Current Y8, next year’s Y9 – Green (Head of Year Mr Agate)
- Current Y9, next year’s Y10 – Purple (Head of Year Mr Durrant)
- Current Y10, next year’s Y11 – Red (Head of Year Mr Payne)
Families who find themselves in financial hardship and who are struggling to cover the costs of uniform should contact Mrs Clarke at the school in the first instance to discuss the support available (carol.clarke@attrust.org.uk)
PMG will have the new blue tie for new Year 7 students in stock by the end of July.
School Photos
The school photographers will be with us on Friday 26 September to photograph students in all year groups. Academy jumpers need to be brought to school and worn for the photographs please. Students will be given a unique and named QR code to bring home so that you can view photographs on the Kittle website and place orders for free delivery to school by half term.
Out of Hours Help & Support
Below are details of the various agencies who are available to give out of hours help and support over the summer holiday if you or a member of your family is in crisis:
Finally, may we take this opportunity to wish you and your family a safe and restful summer. We look forward to seeing all of our students again in September and to welcoming our new Year 7 students.
Kind regards
Mr M Higgon
Principal
Academy vision: Westbourne is an inclusive academy. We support all students, regardless of starting point, to achieve their potential and develop the skills necessary for employment and life.
Academy values: Be Safe, Be Thoughtful, Be Accountable and Be Respectful.
General queries to: wes-office@attrust.org.uk or 01473 742315
Attendance or Absence queries to: wes-attendance@attrust.org.uk
Complaints to: wes-complaints@attrust.org.uk
Exam queries to: anna.fulcher@attrust.org.uk
Lettings queries to wes-lettings@attrust.org.uk
MCAS and data information queries to: wes-data@attrust.org.uk
Safeguarding queries to: wes-safe@attrust.org.uk