Emailed to parents and carers on 24/08/24
Behaviour and Culture at Westbourne Academy
As we approach the start of a new academic year, I hope this letter finds you well. My name is Jay Gill, and I would like to introduce myself as the new Head of Behaviour and Culture at Westbourne Academy, representing Academy Transformation Trust. I am deeply committed to this role, as I believe that cultivating a positive, disciplined, and respectful academy environment is crucial for the success of every student.
I believe in a warm-strict approach that combines supportive guidance with clear, firm boundaries, fostering an environment where students feel both encouraged and accountable. By consistently setting and maintaining high expectations, we nurture responsibility and discipline, which are vital for student development. This approach not only drives academic achievement but also supports holistic personal growth, embedding key values such as integrity, respect, and perseverance. It reinforces the academy’s STAR principles of being Safe, Thoughtful, Accountable, and Respectful across all aspects of our daily practices. Our goal is to equip students with the skills and mindset to succeed both within and beyond the classroom, preparing them to confidently navigate future challenges as responsible, capable individuals.
Uniform
Adhering to our uniform policy is essential as it reflects our academy’s identity and ethos. It is important that all students wear their uniform correctly, demonstrating their readiness to be part of the academy community. Please be aware that skirts or leggings are not permitted as part of the academy uniform. Students are required to wear trousers that meet the academy’s uniform standards.
Given that we have had six weeks over the summer to ensure uniform compliance, any issues with uniform will be expected to be resolved on the same day. Uniform checks will be conducted each morning as students enter the academy. Students who fail to rectify any uniform issues by the same day will be placed in seclusion until the matter is resolved.
We understand that there may be occasional challenges in meeting uniform requirements and we are committed to offering support where possible to help resolve any issues. Our goal is to ensure that every student is equipped and ready to start the Academy Day confidently and in full compliance with our uniform policy. Please see the Uniform Standards attached.
Jewellery
In line with our uniform policy, students are expected to adhere to strict guidelines regarding jewellery. The only jewellery permitted is a single pair of small, stud earrings, which must be worn in the earlobes. All other forms of jewellery, including rings, necklaces, bracelets, and additional piercings, are not allowed. Any student wearing jewellery that does not comply with these guidelines will be asked to remove it, and repeated violations will result in appropriate sanctions. We appreciate your support in upholding these standards.
Make-up
In addition to our uniform and jewellery expectations, Westbourne Academy has clear guidelines regarding personal appearance to ensure a professional and focused learning environment. Excessive makeup, including fake eyelashes, is not permitted. Students are expected to maintain a natural appearance whilst at the academy. Regarding nails, excessive false nails are not allowed; however, simple and short French manicures are acceptable. Students who do not comply with these expectations will be asked to make the necessary adjustments, and repeated non-compliance will lead to appropriate consequences. We ask for your cooperation in supporting these standards.
Equipment
It is essential that all students come to the academy fully equipped for their learning each day. This includes having basic stationery items such as pens and pencils, as well as any other direct items. Being prepared with the necessary tools ensures that students can fully engage in their lessons without unnecessary disruptions. We kindly ask parents and carers to check regularly that their child has all the required items for the academy. If there are any difficulties in providing these supplies, please reach out to your child’s form tutor so we can assist in ensuring your child is ready and prepared for every Academy Day. Morning standards checks will be conducted during tutor time to ensure that students are fully prepared for the day ahead.
Attendance
Excellent attendance and punctuality are crucial for ensuring that students make the most of their learning opportunities. Persistent lateness or internal truancy, where students miss lessons by remaining elsewhere in the academy, will not be tolerated. Students found to be truanting internally will face appropriate sanctions.
We will be closely monitoring attendance and punctuality throughout the year, and parents will be informed promptly if there are concerns. Westbourne Academy will always focus on a ‘support first’ model, looking to assist parents and carers with any barriers to pupil attendance. Appropriate interventions, including meetings with parents and attendance contracts, will be implemented to address these issues effectively, where necessary.
Behaviour Expectations
Maintaining high standards of behaviour is non-negotiable at Westbourne Academy. We will not accept students disrupting the learning of others under any circumstances. Teachers will enforce consistent behavioural expectations across all classrooms to create an environment where everyone can focus on their learning.
Our seclusion room will continue to function as it currently does, serving as a space where students who fail to meet the academy’s expectations are temporarily removed to. This space is intended to help students reflect on their behaviour and understand the impact of their actions before returning to their regular classes.
Suspensions are always considered a last resort; however, should a student consistently fail to follow or meet the academy’s expectations, or in cases of serious misconduct, suspensions will be issued. Our goal is to correct behaviour through supportive measures, but we must also maintain a safe and conducive learning environment for all students.
Detentions
As part of our commitment to maintaining high standards of behaviour and accountability, we will be reinstating lunch and after-school detentions this academic year. Lunchtime detentions will last for 20 minutes. If a student fails to attend a lunchtime detention, it will be escalated to a 30-minute after-school detention on the same day. Should a student then fail to attend the after-school detention, it will be escalated further to a one-hour Senior Leadership Team (SLT) after-school detention. This system ensures that students understand the importance of adhering to the academy’s rules and expectations. Again, we appreciate your support in helping us reinforce these standards.
Mobile Phones
In line with government guidelines on mobile phones in the academy, we will be strictly enforcing a “See it, Hear it, Take it” policy. This means that if a mobile phone is seen or heard during academy hours, it will be confiscated immediately. Mobile phones are a distraction and can disrupt the learning environment. Confiscated phones will be returned at the end of the Academy Day and repeat offences may result in further sanctions. We appreciate your support in reinforcing this policy at home.
MyChildAtSchool (MCAS)
We strongly encourage all parents and carers to register for the MyChildAtSchool (MCAS) app, which will serve as our main point of communication. Through the MCAS app, you will receive important updates, announcements, and information about your child’s progress. Additionally, the app will be the primary method for adding money to your child’s lunch account, ensuring a convenient and secure way to manage school meal payments. By using the MCAS app, you can stay informed and engaged with your child’s education.
If you have not yet registered, please do so at your earliest convenience to ensure you have access to all the academy’s communications and services. A copy of the email and instructions sent to parents and carers can be found here on our website latest news page:
Change to Online Payment System from September 2024 – Westbourne Academy (attrust.org.uk)
Respect and Communication
We expect all members of our academy community to treat one another with respect, and this extends to interactions between staff and parents. While we are committed to working with parents and carers to support their children, we will not tolerate any verbal or aggressive behaviour directed at our staff. Mutual respect is fundamental to creating a positive and supportive environment for our students.
Commitment to Student Success
At Westbourne Academy, our primary goal is to see every student succeed and thrive. By establishing high standards and clear expectations, we believe we can foster the skills, discipline, and mindset essential for success both in the academy and in life beyond the academy. We are dedicated to working in partnership with parents, carers and students to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
I am confident that by working together, we can make Westbourne Academy a place where all students feel supported and empowered to reach their full potential. I look forward to meeting and working with you throughout the year. Thank you for your continued support.
Regards
Miss J Gill
Associate Senior Leader
Head of Behaviour & Culture
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
Online payments and data information queries to: wes-data@attrust.org.uk
