Sent to parents and carers on 27/08/2025
Reminders & Expectations for the New Academic Year
I hope you and your families have had a restful and enjoyable summer. As the new academic year approaches, I would like to remind you of our standards and expectations.
Westbourne Academy follows a warm-strict approach, combining supportive guidance with clear, firm boundaries. Our STAR principles are embedded in everything we do: we expect our young people to be Safe, Thoughtful, Accountable, and Respectful in all aspects of daily academy life. This fosters an environment where students feel both encouraged and accountable. This approach not only drives academic achievement but also supports holistic personal growth. Our goal is to equip students with the skills and mindset to succeed both inside and outside the classroom, preparing them to confidently face future challenges as responsible, capable individuals.
During the summer term, to develop further support for our young people, we adapted our pastoral structure by introducing a new system of five Year Leaders, supported by Assistant Heads of Year, replacing the previous system of four Houses. This additional capacity is intended to improve the lines of communication for each student, fostering consistent relationships between students, parents/carers and the pastoral team. Clear communication and connection with our high expectations are essential to support both a safe, calm and productive learning environment within the academy as well as your child’s personal and academic development.
Uniform
Wearing our uniform smartly allows our young people to feel like they belong to our community. Learning to connect with a dress code is an important part of many roles within the adult world and it is important that all our students take their place in our community by wearing their uniform correctly. Please note that hoodies, skirts, leggings, black trousers and fabric trainers are not part of our uniform: students must wear charcoal grey trousers, and hoodies must not be worn on school premises. We will check students’ uniform each morning as they enter the academy, with any student not in correct uniform being expected to rectify the issue immediately. A member of staff will contact you if necessary to work together to ensure students are appropriately dressed. Students unwilling to meet our uniform standards may be removed from circulation until the issue is resolved. Please see the academy website for full details of our uniform code.
Jewellery
In line with our uniform policy, only a single pair of small stud earrings worn in the earlobes is permitted. A single necklace and a single bracelet may be worn but must not be visible. Students wearing jewellery outside these guidelines will be asked to remove it, with repeated violations resulting in sanctions. Your support in maintaining these standards is appreciated.
Make-up
To maintain a professional and focused learning environment, excessive make-up, including false eyelashes, is not permitted. Students should maintain a natural appearance. False nails are not allowed, except for simple, short French manicures. Students who do not comply will be asked to make adjustments, with repeated non-compliance leading to consequences. We appreciate your cooperation.
Equipment
It is essential that all students come fully equipped for learning each day, including basic stationery, a school bag and a reusable water bottle. Being prepared ensures students can engage fully in lessons without disruption, so we will check equipment during tutor time. We ask parents and carers to regularly check that their child has the necessary items. If there are difficulties in providing equipment, please contact us for support. A full equipment list can be found on our website here:
Mobile Phones
We will be consulting during this half term on the best way to remove the distraction of mobile phones from the school day. Schools that have already done this, report more focussed students and improved behaviour, including fewer lates, less truancy and reductions in conflict between students. Whilst the consultation is ongoing, and in line with government guidelines, we will be strictly enforcing a ‘See it, Hear it, Take it’ policy regarding mobile phones with Years 8 to 11. Phones seen or heard during academy hours will be confiscated and returned at the end of the day. Repeat offences may lead to further sanctions, such as parents/carers being asked to collect the phone, or a student being required to leave their phone in the office for the day. Year 7 students will be asked to hand their phones in at the start of the day and they will be able to collect them at the end of the day.
Your support in reinforcing this at home is appreciated – urgent messages can be relayed to students via the school office or their Assistant Head of Year.
Attendance
Punctuality is crucial for maximising learning opportunities. Persistent lateness or internal truancy – where students miss lessons by remaining elsewhere in the academy—will result in sanctions. Attendance will be closely monitored, and parents will be informed promptly of any concerns. Interventions such as meetings and attendance contracts will be used to address issues effectively.
Behaviour Expectations
High standards of behaviour are non-negotiable. Disruption to learning will not be accepted under any circumstances. To support a calm and consistent start to lessons and reduce cognitive load, we will be introducing class line-ups at key points during the day (start of day, end of break and end of lunch). Lessons will begin with a “Do Now” task to help students recall prior learning and allow teachers to complete administrative tasks such as registers. Further communication and assemblies will provide details and an opportunity for classes to practice of these new procedures.
Our primary goal at Westbourne Academy is to help every student to achieve their potential and unlock the full range of opportunities that are available to a young person in modern Britain. By establishing high standards and clear expectations, we help our young people make the most of the education on offer at Westbourne. We help them develop the knowledge, skills, discipline and mindset that are essential for success both at school and as they take up their places in the wider world. We are dedicated to working in partnership with parents, carers and students to accomplish this. I look forward to working with you throughout the year.
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
SEND queries to: willow.piper@attrust.org.uk