Information for Parents

Attendance

As we move towards the new academic year, we are urging students, parents and carers, and families to think about the importance of school attendance. If a child is absent from school for an average of one day per week, they will miss two years of education between Reception and Year 11. Attendance is also linked with attainment. Students who leave Year 11 with 5 or more GCSEs grades 9-4 usually have excellent attendance records.

Only schools can authorise absence. Unauthorised absence from school is called truancy and parents of pupils whose absence is not authorised can be guilty of a criminal offence and may be liable to either a Fixed Penalty Notice or prosecution in the Magistrate’s Court.

For information on school attendance, Truancy Penalty Notices and support links for health issues please f0llow the link below.

Attendance Information

Term Dates

Term Dates – 2024-25

Term Dates – 2025-26

Uniform

We believe strongly in school uniform as it reflects our commitment to the equal worth of each individual. High standards of personal presentation reinforce our values of self respect and pride in our community.

All pupils in Years 7 to 11 are expected to wear correct academy uniform at all times, in strict adherence to our schools’s standard. In doing so, our students show that they are proud to be part of St. Margaret Ward Catholic Academy. In order to maintain a high standard of appearance no modification of uniform is acceptable.  Sanctions will be taken should any pupil not wear their uniform correctly.

Please label your child’s name inside their uniform and PE kit.

Approved Footwear

Please click the following link to view the shoes approved by St Margaret Ward Catholic Academy: SMWCA APPROVED SHOES 2023-2024

National Schoolwear Flyer and National Schoolwear & David Luke Flyer

Smart Uniform Shop who are located in Tunstall and see their Smart Uniform Flyer & Early Bird Discount

Supersport Schoolwear are also located in Tunstall.

Charging and Remissions

The below policy sets out what charges will be levied for academy activities, external lettings and extended provision, what remissions will be implemented and the circumstances under which voluntary contributions will be requested from parents.

Charging and Remissions Policy

EU Citizens

Letter on the Settlement Scheme for EU citizens

Statement on the Settlement Scheme for EU citizens

Leave of Absence

The Local Authority and the Newman Catholic Collegiate strongly discourages parents/carers from applying for leave of absence during term time. In line with Government and Local Authority guidance, authorised absence will only be given for exceptional circumstances.

All leave requests will be dealt with at the discretion of the Academy and the child’s period of attendance will be taken into account.

Please be aware that the Education Welfare Service will be informed of any unauthorised absence and it may result in a Local Authority Penalty Notice (fine) being sent to you in relation to your child’s absence from school.

The form below should be completed and sent to the Academy Principal in time for the request to be considered well before the desired period of absence.  Principals cannot authorise any leave of absence unless the request is received before the period of absence begins.  Schools cannot give retrospective approval

Exceptional Leave Form

Online Payments

Please click the below link to go to Scopay

Online Payments

Parents Evening Booking

Please click the link below to book an appointment for parents evening

SchoolCloud

Safeguarding and Child Protection

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead is Mr P Johnson (Vice Principal) and Mrs A Holdcroft is our Safeguarding Manager.

Please click the following link to view the schools Safeguarding Policy: Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy 2023

Please click the following link to view the Collegiate Sexual Violence and Harassment Policy: Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment policy

Please click the following link to view the Keeping Children Safe in Education Document: Keeping Children Safe in Education

Op Sceptre/ Ditch the Blade- mother impact

The following Staffordshire Police podcast  discusses the impact of knife crime on a mother who son was tragically killed through the use of a knife

The Beat Podcast

NSPCC – In Ctrl

More details on the NSPCC In Ctrl programme that can be offered to pupils up to the age of 13 years can be found on the following link In Ctrl information for parents

The service has been developed by the NSPCC to help children and young people to have happier and safer lives off and online.

Prevent

Please click the link below to view the Parent Pamphlet detailing information and guidance on The Prevent Strategy

Prevent Strategy Parent Pamphlet

If you have any questions or concerns about the Prevent strategy and what it means for your child, please do not hesitate to contact the Academy

Please follow the link below for useful information for parents who are helping their children to come to terms with terrorist attacks like the recent London Bridge attack in November 2019  https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-we-do/news-opinion/supporting-children-worried-about-terrorism/

County Lines

The term County Lines describes gangs and organised criminal networks involved in exporting illegal drugs into other areas of the country.  Dealers will exploit children and vulnerable people to move and store drugs and money.  Please click the following links to view information released by Staffordshire Police regarding County Lines.

County Lines Poster

County Lines Gang Leaflet

County Lines Leaflet

County Lines KS3 KS4 Education Tool

County Lines – schools letter for parents SOTFINAL

School Menu

Snow Closures

Here is the latest School Closures letter from Mr McKenna.

Closure before the school day starts

In the event of snow overnight, a decision about whether the school will open will be made as early as possible, hopefully by 7am.

• All parents will receive a Schoolcomms message (text and email) which includes appropriate information on the closure times and dates
• Information will be paced on the home page of our website
• BBC Radio Stoke (94.6 or 104.1 FM and 1503 MW) will announce it on their regular bulletins
• Stoke schools closure website   Stoke School Closures weblink

Closure during the school day

In the event of a severe snowfall during the school day (please do not assume that if it snows the school will close), the Principal will make the decision.

• All parents will receive a Schoolcomms message (text and email) which includes appropriate information on the closure times and dates
• Information will be placed on our website
• Stoke schools closure website   Stoke School Closures weblink
• Pupils will be dismissed to make their way home (other than those who have advised school in advance that they have alternative arrangements whereby such students will be kept at school until collected)

If the weather is particularly bad, please check the website for information on roads and school opening / closing.