Shared with parents and carers on 19/08/26
Arrangements of the Start of Term: September 2026
To support student awareness of expectations, uphold new uniform standards and ensure a controlled return to the academy, students will return on a staggered basis. This is summarised below.
Thursday 3 September:
8:15 New Year 7 students arrive through A gate (nearest to Whitehouse PS)
9:00 Year 11 students arrive through A gate and line-up in A playground
Only new Year 11 and new Year 7 students will be in school on this date, with an extended tutor time and an assembly during Periods 1 and 2.
On arrival on the first day, new Year 7 students will be greeted by staff and directed to A playground where they will be sorted into their respective tutor groups ready for line-ups.
Year 11 will follow their new timetable from Period 3 onwards. Year 7 students will be given copies of their new timetable in tutor time.
Friday 4 September:
8:15 Year 7 & 11 students arrive via A gate and line-up in A playground as before
8:15 Year 10 students arrive via B gate and line-up in B playground
Monday 7 September:
8:15 Year 7 & 11 students arrive via A gate and line-up in A playground as before
8:15 Year 10 students arrive via B gate and line-up in B playground as before
8:15 Year 9 students arrive via B gate and line-up in B playground
Tuesday 8 September:
8:15 Year 7 & 11 students arrive via A gate and line-up in A playground as before
8:15 Year 9 & 10 students arrive via B gate and line-up in B playground as before
8:15 Year 8 students arrive via B gate and line-up in B playground
Wednesday 9 September Onwards
As above, all students in all year groups need to arrive at 8:15 via their designated entry gate and proceed to the year group line-up area.
The first week of the new term will be week 1 of timetables. Student gates A and B will open at 8:15 ready for the start of school at 8:30. All students will need to please enter and exit through their designated Student Gate on Marlow Road.
A Gate: Years 7 and 11
B Gate: Years 8, 9 and 10
The Academy Day
08:15 School gates A (Y7 &11) & B (Y8-9-10) open
08:25 School gates A & B 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
15:15 School gates close: A Gate: Years 7 and 11 / B Gate: Years 8, 9 and 10
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 Thursday 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.
Co-Curricular Clubs & Activities
We will share our new autumn term programme of free clubs and activities in September. No lunchtime or after school clubs or activities will start until week commencing Monday 14 September, due to the staggered return dates of our students.
Key Dates for the Autumn Term
For your diary, please note the following key dates:
Tuesday 1st September Staff PD day (closed to students)
Wednesday 2nd September Staff PD day (closed to students)
Thursday 3 September 1st day for Year 7 & 11 students
Friday 4 September 1st day back for Year 10
Monday 7 September 1st day back for Year 9
Tuesday 8 September 1st day back for Year 8
Wednesday 9 September All students as normal
Friday 18 September School photos for all students/staff
Wednesday 23 September Y11 Geo field trip to Felixstowe
Thursday 24 September Y11 Geo field trip to Felixstowe
Thursday 1st October Open Evening for Year 6 16:00-18:30
Monday 12 October Flu vaccines
Monday 26 – Friday 30 October Half term holiday
Friday 27 November Staff PD day (closed to students)
Monday 30 November Flu vaccines
Monday 4 December Flu vaccines
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. Please remember that academy jumpers are optional going forwards, from September.
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 and neither are Air Force Ones.
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 September 26
Further specific guidance on the expectations around shoes is available here:
https://sway.cloud.microsoft/TdIyTOV48bfTOOLP?ref=Link&loc=mysways
In September, students will continue 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 – Red (Head of Year: Mr D Payne)
- Current Y7, next year’s Y8 – Blue (Head of Year: Mr J McLean)
- Current Y8, next year’s Y9 – Yellow (Head of Year: Mr C Compton)
- Current Y9, next year’s Y10 – Green (Head of Year: Mr M Agate)
- Current Y10, next year’s Y11 – Purple (Head of Year: Miss S Bird)
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)
School Photos
The school photographers will be with us on Friday 18 September to photograph students in all year groups. 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 remainder of the 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