Sent to parents and carers on 18/09/2025
Year 6 Open Evening & Early Close: Thursday 2 October 2025
We are delighted that we are able to host our annual open evening for Year 6 pupils and their parents on Thursday 2 October starting at 16:00 – 18:30. The main purpose of the evening is to give prospective pupils and parents an opportunity to visit the academy, meet with our staff and students and experience many aspects of the life and work of Westbourne. We are a rapidly improving, which is celebrating improved GCSE results and significant progress year on year.
In July, we have delivered copies of our open evening invite and information to all new Year 6 pupils at Castle Hill Juniors, Dale Hall, Handford Hall, Springfield Juniors, St Matthews, Whitehouse and The Beeches. If you have younger children, at other primary schools, who are currently in Year 6 and who are moving up to secondary school in September 2025, then please do come and see us at open evening.
For the safety of our staff, students and other parents, younger and older siblings (unless they are student guides/helpers) should please remain at home. Between 16:00 – 1630, we are opening entrance points to the academy on A and B gates, as well as main Reception, to ease congestion at the start.
Once again, we are also offering parents of Year 6 pupils an opportunity to have a tour of the academy during the school day. These will take place daily up until half term, starting on Monday 13 October and will start at 9.00 or 10.00am, lasting just under one hour. To book a place, please email the PA, Mrs Cooper on leah.cooper@attrust.org.uk. Due to the fact that Year 6 pupils would normally be in school at this time, the school day tours are for parents/carers only.
Applications for transfer to high school in the normal year of admission are dealt with through Suffolk County Council’s Admissions Team. Further details and guidance on applying for a high school place can be found on our academy website on our Admissions page. Pupils who are subsequently offered a place at Westbourne Academy by the local authority will be invited to take part in two taster days on Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 June 2026.
Student Helpers & Guides
During the evening, pupils and parents will be able to visit displays and exhibitions, as well as see students working with teachers in classrooms and other areas. Student guides will be available to show visitors around and to give them their perspective of life at the academy.
Subject areas will be inviting students to act as helpers for them during the evening and we will also be recruiting over 100 student guides. Subject ambassadors will be given subject specific consent letters to take home for parents. Consent for student guides will be sent by email as and when we have collected expressions of interest in tutor time this week. If you have a younger sibling that your older child would like to show around, please encourage them to put their name forward with their form tutor.
Early Close
So that academy staff and our estates team can prepare and clean all facilities and classrooms, the academy day will end at the slightly earlier time of 13:20 on Thursday 2 October. There will be no after school clubs or detentions. If your child is collected from school, please note the change of time. Students who are eligible for FSM will need to get this at morning break as there will be no lunchtime service.
Thank you for your support and understanding and, if you are considering Westbourne Academy for September 2026 for your child, my colleagues and I look forward to seeing you on the night.
Regards
Mrs M Woodhouse
Vice 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