1. Year 7 Parents’ Conference
Tuesday 4th October 2016
Welcome!
Lorna Pountney
Head of Lower School (Year 7-9)
Louise Headland
KS3 Teaching and Learning
Rhiannon Spear
Head of Year 7
Dave Unwin
Pastoral Assistant Year 7

2. Learning in Key Stage 3. How is it different from Key Stage 2?
Subject specific teaching and learning.
Knowledge of subject content and skills in a range of subjects.
Individual responsibility for organisation and learning, books, folders, resources come home.
Homework is compulsory.

3. Learning in Key Stage 3. How can you help?
Subject specific teaching and learning.
Encourage reading about a subject.
Ask about what is being studied.
Knowledge of subject content and skills in a range of subjects.
Look at books and folders and ask what has gone really well and what might be more of a challenge.
Encourage students to read over content and teachers’ comments to help progress.
Encourage students to ask for help from teachers if they are unsure of what they need to do next to progress.
Individual responsibility for organisation and learning books, folders, resources come home.
Make sure bags are packed the night before.
Check and sign the planner.

4. Homework F.A.Q.
You can find this on the website in KS3 learning homework section. Students
also have a homework
timetable in their planner.
How do I know what subjects are setting homework for each night of the week and for how much time?
If a student has spent the allocated time for homework in that subject, let them stop, then write in their book the time they have spent on the activity.
They are spending hours on their homework. Surely that can’t be right?
What can I do if my child is not sure of what to do for their homework?
Ask your child to speak to the teacher or write a note in their planner. I

5. Ashlawn expects every student in
Key Stage 3 to…
The basic expectations for all students in KS3 are in the planner on Page 22.
Students are expected to have the basic equipment of a black pen, pencil, ruler, rubber, sharpener.
Students are expected to find out what work was studied if lessons were missed and complete the activities so there are no gaps in students’ knowledge.
Students are expected to complete all homework for the deadlines set.

6. ATTENDANCE IS KEY……
Each month, all students with 100% attendance will have names drawn from a hat and two winners will be drawn, each will receive a prize of a £10 gift voucher.
Each half term, form attendances will be shown in a table of results on the Y7 notice board and this is highlighted in assembly, with a prize given to the form with the highest attendance.

7. MENTORING & PARENT CONSULTATION
Each student is allocated an academic mentor, typically this will be the form tutor, with whom they will meet 2 times during the year to review learning and set targets. These meetings will be recorded in planners.
On June 8th parents are invited to meet with their child's subject teachers. This will give parents the opportunity to discuss what has gone well during the year and to decide on what targets need to met for the following year.

8. Rewards
There are many ways in which we celebrate and reward success throughout the year. These include:
Credits, which are recorded in the credit pages of students’ planners.
Positive points on SIMS.
Certificates for attendance, achievement and progress.
Sports Awards and ‘Celebration Evening.’
Tutor Awards.
Celebration assemblies at Christmas, Easter and at the end of the academic year.
Trophies and vouchers.

9. Ashlawn’s Website Academic, Outstanding and Unique
Our school website aims to provide a ‘Snapshot’ of Ashlawn, enable better communication and for all to access key details.
You will find:
Key contacts/ s
A calendar of forthcoming events
‘Latest News’ about events and achievements
Updates on our results
Details on Learning across KS3-5
Key Policies...and much more
Should you wish to make any suggestions or have any queries, please contact: or

10. Google Apps for Education (GAfE)
GAfE is a set of online tools that help teachers and students work more effectively.
Our main tool is called Classroom. Classroom is a central place where teachers can set assignments and share resources. Students can then use the other GAfE tools to complete work and submit for marking in Classroom.
So a lot of work will now be cloud based, meaning students can access it anywhere!

11. Extra curricular activities
Performing Arts including, music lessons, choir, orchestra, drama, theatre trips, dance.
Clubs and societies, including science, photography, debating, reading, information technology, design technology, cheerleading.
Leadership opportunities including ‘The Duke of Edinburgh’ awards, school council, librarians, sport leaders.

12. Sports
Each term students compete in inter-form games, where they represent their form in a variety of different sports such as netball, badminton, rugby and football. Prizes are awarded to
the winning form! We also offer a wide range of extra
curricular sports at Ashlawn which changes every half term
as well as competing in Local, Regional and National competitions! The current timetable for this half term can be found on the Website or you can follow the PE Department
on twitter using
@AshXtraCurri
Our clubs are advertised in form, in the changing rooms, on twitter, and messages are read out to the students before each of their PE lessons. It is the department's expectation that students should be informing parents, obtaining permission and arranging transport home when they plan on attending extra-curricular activities. Those students representing the school in fixtures & competitions will need to complete and return the Extra-Curricular Charter.

13. Achievements and interests
We would like to give you the opportunity to tell us about the achievements and interests of your children.
This information will be shared with their tutor and subject teachers where relevant.

14. SCHOOL TRIPS
If we want to truly educate our students into being well rounded individuals then experiencing activities outside of Ashlawn is key. We run many trips from those on enrichment days to larger trips such as the ski trip, sports tour or world challenge. We also run targeted intervention trips such as sailing, climbing and other outdoor adventurous activities including the DofE Award. There are also many trips run by each department to supplement learning.

15. How to get started with ParentPay…
What are the benefits to parents and pupils?
ParentPay is easy-to-use and will offer you the freedom to make online payments whenever and wherever you like, 24/7
The technology used is of the highest internet security available ensuring that your money will reach school safely – offering you peace of mind
Payments can be made by credit or debit card
Your children won’t have to worry about losing money at school.
Parents can choose to be alerted when their balances are low via and/or SMS text
How to get started with ParentPay…
You should by now have received your account activation username and password, once you receive these:
Visit

16. Contact
By telephone:
Form Tutor:
7A Mr May
7B Miss Bliss
7C Mrs Colbourne
7F Miss Ferguson
7G Miss Gorman
7I Mr Wilkes
7M Mr Massey
7O Dr Powell
7P Mrs Perrett
7R Miss Preston
7S Miss Simms 7W Mrs Williams
Mr Unwin, Lower School Pastoral Assistant:
Miss Spear, Head of Year 7:
Mrs Pountney , Head of Lower School (Year 7-9)
Mrs Headland, i/c KS3 Teaching and Learning
Please note – the school may text you via the following numbers, please ensure you have these saved:
Ashlawn attendance:
Ashlawn General Admin:

17. Thank you!
ANY QUESTIONS…..