Blessed Robert Sutton Catholic Voluntary Academy

PASTORAL GUIDE FOR PARENTS/CARERS

Dear Parent / carer The mission of BRS is to be a Catholic School that secures academic excellence, spiritual development and social awareness through Christ. A school where every individual is highly valued and where care and concern for others is central to our work. All our pupils are expected to achieve their full potential and become equipped with the right character attributes to go on to be successful adults. Central to this expectation is our belief that to achieve this all pupils have the right to be educated in an environment where there is mutual respect and co-operation, guided by the Gospel and Seven Heavenly Values. Starting with the basic processes and things you have to know, this guide offers the support needed in order to successfully support your child’s learning at secondary school.

Blessed Robert Sutton Catholic Voluntary Academy is committed to ensuring that every pupil matters and that every pupil is safe, happy and is making progress. Positive behaviour is key to this and our school this is based on ‘The Sutton Way’ and everyone having a shared understanding of the values and relationships that are needed for pupils to learn well and get on with their peers and staff.

Pupils and parents in each year group have access to a full-time Year Leader, the Pastoral Support Team and a member of the teaching staff as your child’s Form Tutor. The pastoral structure is based around the form tutor, who is a pupil’s and parent’s first point of contact and support in school. Form tutors see the pupils in their care every day and develop a strong and supportive relationship with them. Pupils’ success and wellbeing is a team effort which sees our pastoral teams work closely with subject departments to ensure pupils can reach their full potential. The pastoral team provides day to day and longer term support for any pupil who is experiencing any kind of difficulty in and beyond school. Our pastoral support system is designed to ensure that all barriers to a pupil’s continued wellbeing and progress are removed. We also ensure that we deal with low level disruption in class and have a rigorous behaviour policy which deals with this.

Thank you for taking the time to read through this guide. If have any queries regarding the contents of this guide please do get in touch office@robertsutton.staffs.sch.uk. I wish your child every success at Blessed Robert Sutton Catholic Voluntary Academy. Aidan Smith Headteacher

Parent Partnership We expect our pupils to follow The Sutton Way at all times and behave well, both inside and outside the school, by showing self-discipline and respect for both themselves and others. This will be their response to the Catholic ethos of Blessed Robert Sutton Catholic Voluntary Academy and the homes from which they come; by their conduct they are expected to bring credit to both. We insist on high standards of conduct, behaviour and appearance and count on parental support to achieve this. This document outlines and clarifies the key roles of the school and our expectations of parents and carers in helping Blessed Robert Sutton support your child in making the maximum academic and personal progress possible.

What you can expect from the school: We will always endeavour to provide a warm welcome for all and a safe environment where all of our pupils can thrive.

Develop each child through a focus on Christian values reflected by staff and pupils;

The best possible provision in the classroom will be provided to support your child’s academic performance;

Provide a full and balanced curriculum which, as far as is possible, allows each pupil to excel and to develop their interests further;

Provide an ordered, caring and supportive environment which celebrates diversity and equality. We will also provide for the academic, social, physical and personal development of each individual;

Set challenging but achievable targets for each pupils and regularly share and explain these with parents/carers and pupils;

Clear feedback given to pupils and parents/carers on how each child can improve their attitude to learning and academic performance;

Efficiently respond to parents’/carers’ enquiries promptly and justly;

Poor behaviour, when it occurs, will be challenged swiftly and according to school policies to ensure pupil safety and learning capacity is not compromised;

We will reward pupil success and create a culture of pride in achievement.

What the school expects from our parents/guardians: Show a supportive attitude to the value of education and academic success. Parental

opinion and support is one of the most important influences over exam success; Encourage their child to be positive about all aspects of school, including homework and

the many other opportunities offered; Ensure the school has your correct contact details and that you are signed into Firefly; Be proactive in contacting school if there are any external factors affecting the wellbeing

of your child; Support all the policies and strategies that the school uses to keep a positive working

atmosphere; Be aware and supportive of the school‘s mobile phone policy. We do not allow mobile

phones to be seen or heard at school as they are a barrier and distraction to learning; Ensure your child attends school regularly to make sure they have the best chance to

progress academically (good attendance is classed as 96% +) providing school with a note to cover any absence; holidays should not be taken during term time;

Ensure that their child wears full school uniform, takes pride in their appearance, and brings the correct equipment for each day;

Inform the school of any known concerns about their child’s education, attend meetings at school to discuss progress, to learn about the work of the school and regularly update school of any factors which may affect their child’s performance or participation;

Check and sign your child’s planner and regular check the school electronic system - Firefly to ensure your child is completing homework to the best of their ability.

Attend parent’s evenings and read pupil reports. Keep aware of support provided by the school for pupils and parents/carers through the school website and the Firefly system;

Understand that the school will tackle defiant behaviour, verbal and physical abuse and anti-social behaviour severely, in accordance with our school policies whenever a child is wearing the Blessed Robert Sutton uniform.

General Behaviour: Rules for Pupils

1. First and foremost you should follow The Sutton Way. 2. A School is a community of young people and adults working together. What you learn

about living and working with other people is as important as your timetabled lessons. An essential part of your education is the development of courtesy and good manners.

3. You must adhere to the uniform expectations. 4. At lesson changeover, breaks and lunchtimes, the corridors are very busy places;

hundreds of people are on the move. WALK and keep to the LEFT. NEVER RUN. You should be punctual to lessons.

5. At the beginning of a lesson line up quietly outside the classroom and do not enter until instructed to do so by the teacher. You should enter lessons in silence, getting you equipment out on the desk and completing the ‘Do now’ starter.

6. You should not normally need to use the toilets during lesson time. When you have to use the toilet facilities you should do so with care and tidiness.

7. If you are out of a lesson you must have a valid note in your planner from a member of staff.

8. You will not be allowed to leave a lesson to fill up water bottles. This must be done before school or during lunch/break times.

9. Everyone in School, including yourself, benefits from a friendly and good-natured attitude. Avoid and discourage bullying which has no place whatsoever in School.

10. Chewing/bubble gum, fizzy drinks (Coke Cola, Fanta etc.) and energy drinks (Monster etc.) should not be brought into School. They are forbidden and will be confiscated.

11. All food (hot food purchasing hot food from the canteen and pack-up brought in from home) should be eaten in the designated eating areas only. Not taken onto the field.

12. Keeping the School buildings and grounds looking attractive and tidy is EVERYONE'S responsibility. We all work better in a pleasant environment. You can play your part by always treating School property with consideration. USE THE LITTER BINS TO DISPOSE OF RUBBISH.

13. Whilst travelling to and from School you are expected to show good manners and courtesy at all times. Good behaviour and politeness are expected in school, to and from school and on Public Transport.

14. Some areas in school are 'Out of Bounds' and you must not go there. 15. Smoking is forbidden as is the possession of tobacco, vape pens, lighters and other

similar equipment. Similarly, possession or use of illegal substances is forbidden.

16. The bringing of dangerous weapons or anything that could be deemed ‘dangerous’ is forbidden. If there is reason to suspect that you are carrying any prohibited items bags will be searched.

17. All damage to school property and equipment (including ICT equipment) should be reported immediately; care should be school taken with all property.

18. During lunch and break pupils in Key Stage 3 and 4 may not leave the premises.

19. Mobile phones (including ear phones) should not be seen or heard. There is no need to bring electronic devices into school. Mobile phones must be switched off (not just on silent) and remain in the pupil’s bag whilst on the school site. If mobile phones are seen or heard they will be confiscated. Mobile phones are not to be used in lesson other than for educational apps at the discretion of the teacher.

Uniform and Equipment for Learning

We appreciate the support that we receive from parents, carers and pupils to maintain the high standard of uniform at Blessed Robert Sutton. Our school uniform is functional for everyday use, promotes a community identity and helps keep pupils safe. School uniform also promotes equality, as the same standards apply for all pupils. If your child experiences difficulties with wearing the correct school uniform, please inform your child’s Form Tutor.

Blazer Black blazer with school logo. Blazers must be worn at all times, unless permission has been given by a member of staff to remove it.

Shirt and Tie Plain white shirt or blouse with collar, tucked into waistband of trousers/skirt - must be worn with a school tie knotted to the neck. School Tie appropriate for Lower School (Y7-9) and Upper School (Y10-11).

Trousers / Skirts Plain black straight leg tailored (loose fit) school trousers. (Denim/jeans/tight fit/cropped trousers/turn ups/low slung or Lycra based trousers are not allowed). Plain black knee length, tailored, straight skirt (Lycra, tight fit skirts are not allowed)

Optional Jumper Black v-neck jumper with school logo.

Footwear Smart black polishable shoes (no high heels, boots, fashion shoes, trainers, sandals or Converse type pumps).

Jewellery A wrist watch. A light chain crucifix. A single stud earring. A set of plain stud earrings, one in each ear, worn in the lower ear lobe. No other piercings/jewellery is permitted. Nose-ring or earring retainers are not permitted.

Outdoor Wear Outdoor waterproof coats, capable of being worn over the blazer. Hoodies or tracksuit style tops are not permitted.

Belts Plain black (without studs).

Hair/Make-up Hair should be neat and tidy without decorative attachments. Extreme styles, unnatural hair colours, tramlines, shaved shapes in the hair or eyebrows are not permitted. If make-up is worn, it should be moderate and unobtrusive. False eyelashes, nail polish, false/acrylic nails are not permitted.

School Bags These should be of a suitable size to accommodate A4 sized books, folders and sports equipment, e.g. rucksack, satchel, messenger bag. Handbags are not appropriate as a school bag.

Socks / Tights Black or charcoal school socks. Pupils should not wear white socks. Black or natural coloured tights (not patterned).

Mobile Phones & other Electronic Devices:

There is no need to bring electronic devices into school. Mobile phones must be switched off (not just on silent) and remain in the pupil’s bag whilst on the school site. If mobile phones are seen or heard they will be confiscated. If a pupil has a mobile phone, visible on the school site, it will be confiscated as per the Mobile phone policy. The same applies to gaming devices, earphones, speakers and any other music device.

If a pupil’s uniform or appearance does not match our expectations they will have to

correct it before being allowed into lessons.

PE Kit

Girls Boys

Black shorts or skort with white piping Red collared t-shirt Black hooded jumper with BRS logo White ankle/trainer socks Red long socks Optional black base layer

Black shorts with white piping Red collared t-shirt Red rugby shirt Black long socks Football boots Trainers (either Astroturf trainers or rubber moulded studs – not blades) Optional black hooded jumper with BRS logo Optional black base layer

No logo other than the school badge allowed on clothing

Black tracksuit bottoms (no logo) for Year 10 and Year 11 only

Please note no pumps or high top trainers

It is compulsory that boys and girls wear shin pads and gum shields for rugby, football and hockey lessons.

Injured pupils – if for any reason a pupil is not able to participate in PE they are still required to bring in and wear their red PE top to allow them to take a role within the lesson. For example, role of coach or official.

Equipment for Learning

To ensure that all pupils are ready and equipped to learn there is compulsory school equipment list.

The items on this list (see below) are required at all times and regular checks will be made to ensure that pupils have the correct equipment they need for their lessons.

The school stationery shop is open from 8.15am to 8.30am and 3.00pm to 3.20pm. The shop sells all the items on the stationery list at cost price and pupils are encouraged to use the shop if they have any missing or broken equipment.

School Day 08.25 – 8.55 Form time

08.55 – 9.55 Lesson 1

09.55 – 10.55 Lesson 2

10.55 – 11.10 Break

11.10 – 12.10 Lesson 3

12.10 – 13.10 Lesson 4

13.10 – 13.55 Lunch

13.55 – 14.55 Lesson 5

14.55 onwards Extended learning and enrichment opportunities

Why Attendance Matters

At Blessed Robert Sutton we have the highest aspirations for all our young people and good attendance and punctuality is a key part of this.

If pupils do not attend school regularly or miss the start of lessons and/or form times they cannot successfully access the education available to them which has the potential to limit their success.

Attendance directly impacts on achievement

To this end, we will to all we can to ensure that our pupils achieve maximum possible attendance and that any problems that prevent full attendance are identified and acted upon promptly.

In order for an attendance record to be deemed very good, it must be 96% or above.

When your child is absent By law, schools must record absences and the reasons given. Only the Headteacher can officially authorise an absence but, unless there is a concern, the staff will usually do this on the Headteacher’s behalf. Parents/carers should provide reasons for absences and the school must decide whether or not they justify authorisation according to government guidelines. Whenever a child is absent the parent should:

Contact the school on the first day of absence. If no notification is received, the school will contact parents/carers to ascertain the reason. Contact the school before 8.25am on the morning of each day of the pupil’s absence by calling the 24-hour attendance line (01283 749450). Any unexplained absence is treated as unauthorised absence. We would ask that parents contact the school promptly whenever any problem occurs that may keep the child away from school;

We may ask for medical evidence to be provided for any period of absence that exceeds three days;

Let the school know in advance of any planned appointments;

Where possible, make medical appointments out of school hours;

School endeavours to work with parents to ensure attendance however, failure to comply with the expectations set by the Education Welfare Service may result in further actions including fixed penalty notices will be issued for poor attendance and/or unauthorised absences. Holidays in term-time will not be authorised;

Encourage regular school attendance and be aware of their legal responsibilities.

Under the school’s Punctuality focus:

Pupils will be expected to be in school no later than 08.25am.

Any pupil arriving after 08.25am will be marked as late and will be issued with a detention.

The school is open from 08.15am to pupils. We understand that there may be rare occasions when lateness is unavoidable due to unforeseen circumstances. On these occasions parents will need to contact school to inform the school of when their child will arrive and the reason for the lateness.

School endeavours to work with parents to ensure attendance however, failure to comply with the expectations set by the Education Welfare Service may result in further actions.

Signing Out It is best to make medical appointments outside of school hours. If you need to leave school during the day, you must bring a letter from home. The letter should be signed by your Year Leader at morning registration. When it is time for you to leave, you must show your letter to reception and sign out. If you return to school later in the day, you must sign in at the reception.

Achievement

At Blessed Robert Sutton we recognise and value all pupil achievements. This includes success in academic subjects and in following ‘The Sutton Way’, extra-curricular activities, sporting activities or activities at home.

The purpose of rewarding students at Robert Sutton is to ensure that our learners’ resilience and academic self-esteem is developed. Pupils will be rewarded in a variety of ways, including achievement points recorded on SIMS, positive phone calls home, letters or emails of praise to a pupil’s family, and visits to lessons from form tutors and other members of staff.

Next year (2019/2020) will see our first annual awards evening recognising a wide variety of achievement rewarded in specific subject areas, and across the school community. We also run an annual sports awards ceremony at the end of the summer term where school teams celebrate their achievements.

Praise can be given in many ways and as often as possible through:

• A quiet word or encouraging smile.

• A written comment on pupils’ work, in a more detailed way, picking out specific points or ideas.

• Stickers and stamps – recognition of excellent effort in a lesson.

• A written comment via email to pupil/parent/form tutor.

• Letter, postcard or phone call home.

• A visit to another member of staff, which may include the Subject Leader, Year Leader or Headteacher.

• A public word of praise in front of a group, a form, a year or the whole school.

• Displaying the pupils’ work in the classroom, corridor, reception, hall, Headteacher’s newsletter or on the website.

• Public acknowledgement by presentation at an assembly or by giving some special responsibility. Achievement assembly – half termly recognition of achievements in attendance, punctuality and effort.

Your child’s progress Every term you will receive a report outlining the progress your child is making towards their

targets and during the year you will also have the opportunity to attend a parents’ evening. One

of the best ways to check the progress that your child is making in individual subjects more

frequently, is to look through their exercise books with them on a regular basis. It is important

that you talk to your child about their levels of Effort, Behaviour & Engagement, Homework and

Response to Feedback. Below is a breakdown of what the Attitude to Learning data means. You

can support your child’s progress by reinforcing how a positive attitude to learning / school has

a direct impact on results.

Homework

We absolutely believe that homework has a significant part to play in our pupils developing independence and a strong work ethic.

Children who regularly complete homework have better school outcomes than children who do not. This association is stronger at secondary school than primary school, where the evidence base is also more secure. Homework has a number of potential benefits including consolidation of what has been learned in lessons, preparation for subsequent lessons and tests, and the development of independent learning skills.

We particularly want homework that:

Enables pupils to consolidate and reinforce their skills and understanding, particularly in literacy and numeracy.

Can become part of the family routine; developing positive study skills and habits that will serve pupils well throughout life.

Is likely to be completed, which means getting the difficulty and interest level right so that pupils can complete this independently.

Builds an effective partnership between home and school and enables parents to be involved in their child's education.

As pupil’s progress through the school, the amount of homework each week increases and the nature of the homework will reflect the stage they have reached. At Key Stage 3, there is a focus on knowledge and establishing a routine of completing homework on time and to the required standard. At Key Stage 4, the focus shifts to extending the knowledge gained in the classroom and applying this in different ways. Our homework cycle is Monday to Sunday. Pupils should record homework in their planner and they may need to check Firefly for additional resources.

How can I support my child with homework tasks?

Help your child by going through homework tasks and checking he/she understands what has to be done;

Reinforce and discuss the importance of completing homework in order to make progress; Provide a suitable environment in which work can be done; Encourage pupils to attend after school intervention sessions or homework club e.g. P6,

where pupils can work in a learning environment with accessible support and resources; Monitor the completion of homework and contact your s child’s form tutor if they are having

difficulties completing set work.

How and where should extended learning be recorded?

Homework should be recorded in pupils’ planners. It should be recorded when the work is set and the date is due. This is so management of time can be planned very carefully and will enable both students and parents/carers to review the planner each evening to ensure that students meet each deadline for the following day.

What type of work is set?

Homework will always be meaningful, interesting and worthwhile. Homework tasks will vary between subjects and may include;

Consolidation of learning by applying knowledge and using skills to answer set tasks Learning and revision for class tests and examinations Improving work and responding to teacher feedback Learning the spelling and key subject terminology Research in preparation for future tasks Practise and develop skills

To practise examination questions. Completion of controlled assessment and Non Examination Assessment tasks Comprehension questions related to key learning etc.

08:00 – 08:30 10:55 – 11:10

13:10 – 13:50 Closed After school for staff training

08:00 – 08:30 10:55 – 11:10 13:10 – 13:50 15:00 – 16:00 (after school)

08:00 – 08:30 10:55 – 11:10

13:10 – 13:50 15:00 – 16:00 (after school)

08:00 – 08:30 10:55 – 11:10 13:10 – 13:50 15:00 – 16:00 (after school)

08:00 – 08:30 10:55 – 11:10 13:10 – 13:50 15:00 – 15:30 (after school)

We run a Homework Club every day in Learning Support at the following times:

Any pupil can use Homework Club to work on classwork or homework.

There are computers for pupils to use. Staff are also available to help pupils with individual problems.

Behaviour for Learning We want to establish the highest possible standards of behaviour at Blessed Robert Sutton. It is vitally important that the school is always a warm, caring and happy place where learners can thrive. Pupils’ behaviour around the school should always be of the highest standard; every lesson should be characterised by a relentless focus on learning, free from distractions. Positive behaviour should be recognised and rewarded. Behaviour that disrupts a pupil’s own learning or that of others cannot be accepted. Teachers have a right to teach and students have a right to learn. The new School Behaviour Policy shown below (September 2019) is focused on escalation of sanctions through a Level 1 – 6 system. In order to apply proportional but increasing levels of disciplinary pressure the School supports the use of a range of sanctions and a systematic and planned process of referrals by following the sanctions system.

Restorative justice In addition to appropriate sanctions, the school operates a supportive approach to Restorative Justice in line with Gospel values. While a sanction may be required, the ability to reflect and communicate to find a positive way forward is an essential part of developing each and every one of us. Restorative practice can involve both a proactive approach to preventing harm and conflict and activities to repair relationships where conflicts have already arisen. Where the latter is required, a restorative meeting is held. The purpose is to support and encourage the recognition that all activities impact others and that people are responsible for the choices they make and can be held accountable for them. It enables pupils to reflect on how they interact with each other and consider how best to prevent harm and conflict.

Anti-bullying Any form of bullying or intimidation, whether verbal, physical or cyber (via mobile or internet) is unacceptable at Blessed Robert Sutton. It is contrary to our positive behaviour approach and we do everything possible to discourage it. We are a telling school and this is culture is promoted through, form time discussions, assembly time. We expect that all students by their actions and attitudes will make it clear that:

• They will not tolerate bullying

• They will not stand by and watch someone else being bullied

• They will not retaliate this will only make things worse

• They will immediately inform a teacher or other adult of any bullying known to them

• They will give support to victims of bullying whenever they can

With regards to responding to reported cases of bullying:

• We guarantee that all reported cases of bullying will be investigated

• Any student who bullies another student will be dealt with appropriately

• Sanctions include detentions (lunchtime and after school) and internal suspensions

• Parents will be informed where appropriate

• Exclusion may be used in extreme cases where all other strategies have failed.

All efforts are made to support all those involved and to reconcile any differences.

Blessed Robert Sutton will not tolerate bullying of any kind as we believe that all members of the school community have the right to learn and work free from intimidation and fear.

All bullying that the school is made aware of will be investigated thoroughly and action taken.

As with all bullying, we will not tolerate cyber-bullying and would encourage young people and their parents to report any such issues to the school, either to the Safeguarding Designate, the Year Team or Form Tutor. A full copy of our Anti-bullying policy can be found online. http://www.robertsutton.staffs.sch.uk/documents/Policies_&_Standards/Anti%20Bullying%20Policy.pdf

How you can support your child’s studies Try to support your child’s studies in any way you can. Some recommended ways are: Support your child with homework Your child should have homework set by every subject each week and this should always be recorded in their planner as well as on Firefly. To help your child stay on top of homework it is useful to check their organiser on a nightly basis to ensure that they are doing the homework that has been set. Also it is helpful if you check over your child’s work to ensure that an adequate amount of time and effort has gone into it. Often pupils rush through homework to spend more time on other pursuits, so parents/carers can play an important role in ensuring that independent work at home is done properly. If there appears to be little homework recorded in your child’s planner it may be that they are not writing their work down. It may be useful to contact school if you feel your child is not spending enough time on homework. Attend Parents Evening This is a very important evening where you can discuss your child’s progress with each of their teachers and you may find some useful information about the performance and attitude to learning of your child within school. Your child’s teachers will have some useful ideas on how you can help your child raise their achievement in each subject. Provide an appropriate learning environment

Pupils are able to concentrate on their work better in quiet and well-lit places away from distractions such as TV and social media. Try to support your child’s independent learning by ensuring they have, where possible, a table/desk with a supply of stationery and ICT access if at all possible, as this is often required for research. If appropriate, check-in times may be a useful way to see how your child is progressing with their studies and you may wish to read through their homework to check on quality. Folders and shelves to help your child organise their books and notes are also

important to purchase, as neatly stored books and resources are less likely to get lost and can be found easily when revising.

Ask Questions You should ask your child about their learning whenever possible. This will help you get a picture of your child’s interests but also may give you clues about their study habits and areas where they feel less confident and need support. If you can establish any problems your child is having with school or particular subjects you can then provide support by working through tasks together, buying study aids such as revision guides or by contacting your child’s teacher for advice.

Read in front of your child Pupils need positive role models when it comes to reading. Try and nurture an interest in reading within your child by reading in front of them and buying books (often books linked to film, sport and TV appeal to boys initially) for your child. The same applies for expanding your child’s interest in current affairs by watching the news together or buying newspapers and discussing the contents with your child. There is a clear link between children’s literacy skills and the amount of independent reading they do, so if you can support this in any way that would be beneficial. Boys in particular value male role models with regards to reading. Encourage your child to take up outside interests

Outside hobbies can have a positive impact on a child’s self-esteem and in turn a positive knock-on effect on their studies. Hobbies such as sports, music, art, drama or languages can help your child be creative, inquisitive and develop their independent thinking skills. The confidence that children get from participating in an outside interest can make them a more resilient learner and effective problem solver, which will help them with the demands placed on them in different subjects.

Show a positive attitude to education A positive attitude to education shown in the home can have a valuable impact on your child. If a pupil understands the value of education and the opportunities it can bring then they are more likely to strive for success. Talk to your child about their ambitions and potential careers and start to research with them the academic qualifications they may need and any outside experiences that could help them work towards their goal. Positive role models amongst friends and family may also be a method to raise your child’s motivation for learning, by seeing examples of where people have become successful through their application to education. Give your child the chance to be independent Encourage your child to be responsible for organising themselves for school by making them sort out their equipment and school bag in the evening. It may be useful to make a list of what needs to be packed each day by looking at your child’s timetable so they can see the books they need. Also giving chores around the home or a part-time job, such as a paper round, can help build up your child’s sense of independence and belief that they can take responsibility for things. This can then have a positive impact with pupils showing a more responsible academic attitude in relation to completing independent learning activities.

Attendance It is essential that your child attends school as much as possible so they do not fall behind with the content in each subject. If your child is off school for any reason then actively encourage them to collect the work they have missed and catch it up. Avoid holidays in term time as this will mean your child missing large sections of their syllabus which can be especially damaging to exam performance in Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5.

Useful guidance

http://parentinfo.org/

Parent Info provides high quality information to parents and carers about their children's wellbeing and resilience. This service is free and ranges across a wide range of subject matter, from difficult topics about sex, relationships and the internet or body image and peer pressure to broader parenting topics like ‘how much sleep do teenagers need?’

https://www.internetmatters.org/

Internet Matters is a not-for-profit organisation which provides advice for parents on a number of e-safety matters.

https://www.familylives.org.uk/advice/teenagers/

Family Lives is a charity with over three decades of experience helping parents to deal with the changes that are a constant part of family life.

https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/for-parents/parents-guide-to-support-a-z/parents-guide-to-support-exam-time/

Supporting Your Child During Exam Time

If you're worried about how your child is coping with exams at school, here is our advice and information on where you can get help.

We are looking forward to welcoming your child at Blessed Robert Sutton on

Tuesday 3rd September at 8.25 am for the new academic year.

Over the holidays if you have any last minute questions or concerns, please email:

office@robertsutton.staffs.sch.uk