Sent to parents and carers of Year 6 pupils starting at Westbourne in September on 23/05/25
Year 6 Transition Days at Westbourne Academy
Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 June 2025
We have arranged with your child’s primary school for Year 6 pupils to spend two days with us on Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 June 2025. It is intended that these should resemble typical days at Westbourne Academy with students arriving via main reception at 8:15am for an 8.30am start and staying with us until 3.00pm on Wednesday and Thursday.
During the two days, pupils will experience a variety of different lessons. There will be a session of PE on the first day, Wednesday 25 June. Therefore, your child will need to arrive in their current primary school PE kit for the day. On day two, students will need to wear their usual primary school uniform.
Year 6 pupils should enter school on both transition days through the main gates in front of Reception so they can be directed straight to the main hall for registration and a welcome assembly. Please be aware that if older siblings are walking your child home, Year 6 pupils will be dismissed through the student gates on A block (left-hand side nearest to Whitehouse Primary School) on both days.
All students will need to bring a packed lunch with them on the transition days and suitable refreshment (bottled drinking water/no fizzy drinks) on both days, particularly for the PE lesson Wednesday and if the weather is warm. If your child is eligible for Free School Meals at primary school, a packed lunch will be provided here. Year 6 pupils will break for lunch a bit earlier than the rest of the school and they will not be able to purchase food in the food hall at break or lunch.
Please be aware the timings of the school transition days are as follows. On arrival each day, Year 6 pupils will all be taken straight into the Main Hall for a welcome talk by Mr Hawkes and introductions to key members of staff. From there, they will be taken to their classroom by our student transition guides and teaching assistants. They do not need to worry about finding their way around school by themselves on these transition days because their class will be supported by staff and student guides.
Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 June
School Day from September 2025
Monday 1st and Tuesday 2nd September are staff PD days and the academy is closed.
On Wednesday 3rd September, Year 7 need to arrive at 8:15 – 08:25 for an 08:30 start. All Year 7 students will be directed to the Main Hall on arrival for introductions and announcements by key staff. They will then be taken to their tutor base by their tutors where they will have their timetable explained to them. There will also be an opportunity for them to be shown around key areas related to their timetable as a reminder.
How to Purchase Uniform
At Westbourne Academy, we believe the smartness of our students adds to the academy’s prestige and encourages a positive attitude to work and learning. All students are expected to wear the correct uniform. Tutors will check their students daily in Tutor Time to ensure all students are correctly dressed and equipped for learning.
Uniform items are available to buy from in the town centre or online from PMG Schoolwear. There will be a new Year 7 colour tie (blue) which will be available for order through PMG by mid-July 2025. This tie colour will stay with the year group as they move up through the academy until they reach Year 11. Full details about our uniform expectations and a link to the online shop can be found on our website here:
https://www.westbourne.attrust.org.uk/Parents/Uniform/
PMG Schoolwear would encourage parents to please shop early for uniform for September and to avoid leaving it to the last minute. Their cut-off date is usually around Friday 8 August. Whilst PMG invests heavily in stock, some sizes do inevitably run out.
Please remember that items without a logo, such as shirts, socks and trousers are available from other high street shops, supermarkets and online retail outlets. Please first check our website to ensure the style, fit and colour comply with our uniform standards and expectations.
When they start in September, students will be using the new 3G pitch to take part in multiple sporting activities in their PE lessons and after school clubs. This means that students must wear football boots with moulded studs or blades. Students cannot use the 3G pitch wearing trainers or ‘Astro’ trainers or it will damage the surface. Trainers are still required for indoor PE and the all-weather area.
Admissions Documentation
Thank you to those of you who have already returned your child’s completed Admissions Documentation. If you have not yet done so, please complete it and email it to us on wes-admissions@attrust.org.uk without delay. Printed copies of the admission and consent forms are available to collect from our Receptionist if required or you can download an editable Word copy here:
New Y7 WA Student Admission Form MAY25
It is essential that we have completed admission documents before your child attends the transition days in June. Please be aware that your child cannot start at Westbourne in September without our completed admission and consent forms being received in advance.
If you no longer wish to accept your child’s place at Westbourne for September 2025, please contact the admission team at Suffolk County Council so that the place can be offered to somebody else on our waiting list.
If you have any queries about the two transition days please feel free to contact us by emailing wes-admissions@attrust.org.uk and we will endeavour to respond without delay.
Regards
Mr M Agate
Head of Churchill House & Year 6 Transition Lead
Email: matthew.agate@attrust.org.uk
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