1. Welcome Introductions Format of evening

2. Year 8 Team Mrs Sue Calvert -Director of Year 8 (Maths) Miss Mel Yuill – Deputy Director of Year 8 (Science) Mr Dave Robson – Keystage 2/3 teacher (Technology) Mrs Becky Fletcher – Keystage 2/3 teacher (MFL) Mr Carl Johnson – Keystage 3 teacher (Maths/Computing) Mrs Vicky Salter – Keystage 2/3 teacher (Art) Mr Neil Marshall - Keystage 3 teacher (English/Drama) Mr Mark Walker - Key Stage 2/3 (PE) Mrs Elizabeth Blackburn – SEN coordinator

3. Format of evening Basic information (Dining hall) Pastoral role of the Keystage 3 form tutor (classrooms)/opportunity to talk to the Form Tutor/SEN Coordinator/Head of Year

4. Year 8 Learner-Building independence Is responsible for having full equipment (full pencil case, planner, diary, appropriate kit for PE and Technology) Has excellent attendance and punctuality to school and lessons Completes tasks set in lessons to the best of their ability & asks for help if unsure Completes homework on time Meets deadlines for returning letters, trip payments etc. Sets an example to the younger pupils in school Seeks opportunities to improve in all aspects of school life

5.  Core Subjects: 5 English, 4 Maths, 3 Science  2 French, 1 History, 1 Geography, 1 Computing  1 Music, 3 PE, 2 Technology (rotation),  1 Recite (RE & Citizenship), 1 Drama = 25 x 1 hour lessons per week

6.  Extra curricular clubs weekly clubs list-  Netball: Monday  Shakespeare in Schools: Monday & Tuesday  Girls/Boys Rugby: Tuesday  Girls/Boys Basketball & Girls Football: Wednesday  ALL CLUBS FINISH AT 4:45  Morning clubs: 8am Badminton (Mon/Tues)£1.50  Eagles Basketball: 8am (Thurs/Fri) £2

7.  Music tuition  Prefects & readers with Year 5 & 6  Science trip to Newcastle University Summer term & Holmes lectures after Christmas  Peace Poster competition in Art  Maths Challenge in Spring term  Business Enterprise  Trip to Keswick  Ski trip

8.  The government introduced a new curriculum in 2014 which advised the removal of levels for assessment & encouraged greater depth of understanding  We have developed an age related expectation system where pupils will be assessed against the curriculum for their year group. Some pupils may fall below, at or above their age expectation.  End of Year 7 reports reflected this new system

9. Homework set will follow the work done in class or may be preparation for the next lesson. Maths & English set weekly; Science & computing on 3 week rotation. French will be set most weeks. History, Geography & Technology as needed but these may be extended projects. Teachers write the homework; what is expected; and when it is due on the board in the lesson. Children are asked to copy this exactly into their diaries. Format of the diary has changed. The children are asked to put any sheets into their diaries.

10. If your child finds the homework too hard, try asking them to recall what they did in the lesson. If you think they are spending an excessive/limited amount of time on it, write a note to this effect in their diary. If you have exceptional family circumstances which means your child cannot complete the homework, e.g. Granny’s 70 th birthday party, put a note in the diary ahead of this and we will endeavour to arrange for them to do it in school or extend the deadline. Children are expected to meet homework deadlines. We appreciate your support with these routines.

11. Strategies to Support at Home Talk to your child about their homework (not ‘have you done it?!’) Encourage reading....(any reading is better than none!) Surf the net with them! Research topics together Encourage your child to attend extra- curricular clubs & trips Recognise achievement and progress Keep in contact with subject teachers – we are here to help

12. The Diary Home school agreement/Emergency contact information etc. To be signed each week by parent/carer and form tutor Use for notes between parent/carer and teaching staff Children log all homework and important information

13. School uniform Specific details are contained in the diary, especially with regard to haircuts and ear piercing. Make-up & hair colouring is not allowed & skirts should be just above the knee (The Breakaway Challenge!) Please NAME ALL your child’s uniform, PE kit and equipment. This means any lost items will be easier for your child to find; not get mixed up with other children’s; and reduce anxiety for your child.

14. Contacting school Diary – notes about medical appointments, music exams and any issues with homework Telephone – Anything too sensitive for the diary, worries or concerns. Staff are informed you have called via a green slip. They will call back ASAP.

15. Absences from school Authorised absences for music exams, school sporting fixtures. Please try to make medical and dental appointments outside of schools hours (we understand this is not always possible; just put a note in the diary). Holidays should be taken in school holiday time. The demands and pace of the curriculum means that your child will miss vital teaching and learning.

16. Attendance over One School Year If a student had: 98% attendance = less than 4 days absent from school 95% attendance = less than 10 days absent from school 90% attendance = 4 weeks absent from school 85% attendance = 5 ½ weeks absent from school 80% attendance = 7 ½ weeks absent from school Attendance over 5 years (Years 7-11) … If a student had: 85-90% attendance = having about half a year off school! 80% attendance = 38 weeks off school = one whole school year missed

18. Support from staff A listening ear should your child need to talk Year 8 questionnaire & follow up Intervention groups (Mathletics, Self Learn, small group support) Mentoring to support organisational, behavioural and emotional needs Referral to outside agencies for further support Parents’ Evenings (please bring your child along)

19. Social media

20. In Computing lessons children learn about staying safe online. They learn that: Anything posted online is there forever They should not say anything online that they would not say face to face Children must be at least 13 to have a Facebook account Any issues with using social networking that impact on school will be dealt with A reminder that the pupils should not bring mobile phones into school Social media

21. Please help your child to be responsible online Do not condone them lying about their age (Facebook) Ensure their privacy settings on any account they do have are set at the highest level Help the teaching staff to focus on teaching your child and not spending their time sorting out issues which have occurred outside of school time Social media

22. Friday 16 th September Keswick weekend 1 Friday 23 rd September Keswick weekend 2 Monday 17 th & Wednesday 19th October form tutor PCE Saturday January 21st Ski Trip Thursday 9 th February & Monday 13 th February Subject PCE following mid-year reports Transition with PCHS starts in the summer term Online admissions now open: deadline 31 st October

23.  Feel free to speak to any member of staff if you have a question.  Mrs Calvert/Miss Yuill/Mr Robson/: Dining Hall  Mrs Salter/Miss Fletcher/ Mrs Blackburn : Room 11  Mr Marshall/Mr Johnson: Room 9