Year 8 Information Evening Tuesday 7 th October – 6pm

Programme for this evening Welcome and Introduction Behaviour and Expectations Key Stage 4 Options Standards and Achievements Closing Remarks

Welcome and Introduction Mr Barrow - Headteacher KS4 – 83% students 5xA*-C – 97% 5xA*-G Grades – Highest Performers Mia Stoces-Brown 12A*/A (14 A*-C) Demitris Nathanael 9A*/A (13 A*-C) KS5 – 325 Average UCAS Point Score – Highest Performers Fabienne Ware AAA + A(EPQ) Becky Ward AABB – Top 10% of sixth forms/ colleges for value added 2014 Key Statistics

Behaviour and Expectations Mr Daniels Head of Year 8

The ABC of Success We believe that students will be successful if they focus on their ABC: – A ttendance – B ehaviour – C ommitment

Attendance The biggest barrier to achievement at school is non- attendance (including poor punctuality). Please remember ….. We do not authorise any absence during the academic year unless a Student Absence Request Form has been completed and is accompanied by the evidence required e.g. an Order of Service for attendance at a funeral, details of when the flight was booked for unforeseen emergencies requiring overseas travel etc. We do not allow time off for holidays during term time as they have a detrimental effect on learning.

Attendance Research suggests that 20 missed school days a year i.e. 10% non attendance = 1 GCSE grade drop in achievement. 100% = no days absence from school (Sept to July) 95% = 10 days absence (2 weeks) from school (Sept to July) 90% = 20 days absence (4 weeks) from school (Sept to July) 85% = 30 days absence (6 weeks) from school (Sept to July) 80% = 40 days absence (8 weeks) from school (Sept to July) Students falling below 92% will be subject to monitoring. Students falling below 85% fall into the Persistent Absence category and could be subject to; Parenting contracts and orders or penalty notices or prosecution.

Punctuality Punctuality to school is equally important. Arriving to school on time sets our students up well for the day ahead as well as ensuring they access tutor time with their form tutors, which is where a lot of our pastoral work is undertaken. Poor punctuality has a detrimental effect on achievement as well as general organisation.

Punctuality Our students are expected to be on the school premises by 8.20am. Students are marked late if they arrive to their Form room after the 8.30am bell. Please support your child with his/her education by making sure he/she attends school regularly and on time.

Attendance If there are problems, queries or questions regarding attendance and/or punctuality please contact: Ms Stewart (Attendance and Welfare Officer) Mrs Dye (Attendance and Welfare Assistant) , extension 163

Behaviour We expect all students to follow our GOLDEN RULE: Shirley High School students are expected to show consideration and respect to all members of the school and local community at all times.

Behaviour It is very important to all of us that we have good behaviour throughout the school thereby promoting a learning environment where everyone can ‘strive for excellence’. Parents / Carers have a vital role to play in promoting a positive attitude to school and together with the school, celebrating achievement at all levels and in all areas of school life. The school will work with parents / carers and the student to resolve any difficulties that may affect a student’s behaviour. This ‘partnership’ is cemented through the Home School Agreement.

Bullying We take bullying VERY seriously however we can only address it when we know about it. Bullying should ALWAYS be reported. This should be to the form tutor in the first instance. Safeguard you child’s online access to protect them from Cyber bullying. Legally, students should not have Facebook or Twitter accounts until they are 13. If they are of age encourage them to be safe. Profile should not be open to anyone who is not a friend. A friend is someone you actually know, have met and talk to regularly!

Uniform All uniform should be bought from Hewitts of Croydon, including skirts and trousers which must be mid to dark grey. We ask you to follow the school uniform policy to ensure uniform is consistent throughout the school. Plimsolls and trainers are not part of the school uniform. Students wearing incorrect footwear will be asked to change. Hair accessories should be navy blue, black, grey or white. Hats and hoodies should not be worn on the school site at any time and will be confiscated. This is for the safety and security of all members of the school community.

Issues with uniform If, for whatever reason, your son/daughter is not able to wear correct uniform please ensure they have a note from you in their planner. This note must then be shown to the Form Tutor who will counter sign their agreement. Serious or continued breaches of uniform will be referred to the Head of Year.

Policies School policies are available on the school website. Please take the time to read these documents.

Equipment Pencil case – minimum expectations: Pens (minimum x 4) Pencil (minimum x 2) Colouring pencils Rubber Pencil sharpener Ruler Glue Calculator

Student Planners Students are expected to have their planner with them at all times. Planners must be produced immediately if requested by any member of staff. The planner is the simplest form of home/school communication. Please check and sign it weekly and contact your son/daughter's tutor if you have any concerns.

Homework Year 8 students should be completing

Concerns If you are concerned that your son/daughter is not receiving enough homework in a subject please contact the subject teacher.

Valuables Students must not bring valuables (including mobile phones, tablets etc) to school. We cannot take responsibility for any valuables that go missing. Remember that students may use the office phone if they need to contact home urgently. If there are exceptional circumstances where a valuable item has to be brought into school please contact me via phone.

Communication Please feel free to your son/daughter’s form tutor in the first instance or myself on croydon.sch.uk if you have any questions or concerns. Alternatively , extension 165

KS4 Options/ Standards and Achievement Ms Fair Assistant Headteacher

Some important dates in the process The Options Process When “Striving for Excellence” Information e-booklet goes on-Line25/02/15 Information Assemblies with HODs 25/02/15 – 22/04/15 (Students Only) Combined Y8 Parents ’ Evening and Options Evening 28/04/15 (Parents/Carers and Students) The Application Window28/04/15 – 05/05/15 Confirmation LetterJuly 2015 Exit  Previous Page Previous Page  The Timeline  Home Home  The EBacc  Subject Pages  FAQs Next Page Next Page  Application  Contact us  About  The Curriculum

Standards and Achievement How do we do it – strategies that deliver success for all? – PiXL (Performance in Excellence) membership x 800+ = schools – Our targets for students come from ‘FFT D’ estimates (top 25% Nationally). – Individual one to one meetings with students x 2 per year to review progress. The Year 8 students will have their 1 st 1:1 meeting with me before half term. – We issue grade reports x 3 per year to monitor and report progress. We state ‘current performance’ and targets – all parties should know where their child was at the end of Year 7. – We have introduced one additional literacy and numeracy lesson per week for all year 8 students. – In addition we offer: Small group teaching and support; in-class support; additional clubs and lessons during lunchtimes and after school, and a whole school commitment to achieving success.

Standards and Achievement National Curriculum Levels to GCSE Grades L3 = GCSE G L4 = GCSE F L5 = GCSE E L6 = GCSE D L7 = GCSE C L8 = GCSE B 3 levels of progress factor

Standards and Achievement National Curriculum Levels – Progress Expected L4 L5 L6 L7 = GCSE C L8 = GCSE B L9 = GCSE A

Standards and Achievement National Curriculum Levels Sub-Levels to show progression – minimum rate of progress = 2 sub levels per year Low MiddleHigh 4c 4b 4a 5c 5b 5a 6c 6b 6a

Standards and Achievement – We focus on reporting ‘indicative’ levels i.e. 5c, 5b, 5a – We focus on a minimum of two sub-levels progression per year e.g. Student ‘A’ in July of Year 7 = English 5c Student ‘A’ in July of Year 8 = 5a Student ‘A’ in July of Year 9 = 6b Student ‘A’ in July of Year 10 = 7c Student ‘A’ in July of Year 11 = 7a = top ‘C’ / low ‘B’ GCSE grade – We expect students to: complete all set homework, read and action all assessment comments by their teachers, attend extra classes, complete all classwork and ask for help. It is a positively interactive learning collaboration to ensure all students make a minimum of 3 levels of progress between KS2 (L5 – E grade) and KS4 (L8 -B grade).

Standards and Achievement

Progress Range (8-3, 9-2, 10-1, 11- 0)

Closing Remarks Ms Fair Assistant Headteacher