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St Margaret Ward
Catholic Academy
St Margaret Ward
Catholic Academy
Change of Pupil Contact Details Form
In readiness for the Flu season, please see the attached video which gives information you may find useful: https://youtu.be/p8JYOcViblc
For paper copies of any of the information on this website, please contact the school.
We are urge 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.
| Autumn Term 2024 | |
| Inset Day (school closed to pupils) | Monday 2 September |
| Inset Day (school closed to pupils) | Tuesday 3 September |
| School opens to pupils | Wednesday 4 September |
| Half Term | Monday 28 October – Friday 1 November |
| Inset Day (school closed to pupils) | Monday 4 November |
| School opens to pupils | Tuesday 5 November |
| School closes | Friday 20 December |
| Spring Term 2025 | |
| School opens to pupils | Monday 6 January |
| Half Term | Monday 17 – Friday 21 February |
| Inset Day (school closed to pupils) | Monday 24 February |
| School opens to all | Tuesday 25 February |
| School closes | Friday 11 April |
| Summer Term 2025 | |
| School opens to all | Monday 28 April |
| May Day – school closed | Monday 5 May |
| Half Term | Monday 26 – Friday 30 May |
| School opens to all | Monday 2 June |
| School closes | Friday 18 July |
Term Dates – 2025-26
| Autumn Term 2025 | |
| Inset Day (school closed to pupils) | Monday 1 September |
| Inset Day (school closed to pupils) | Tuesday 2 September |
| School opens to pupils | Wednesday 3 September |
| Half Term | Monday 27 October – Friday 31 October |
| Inset Day (school closed to pupils) | Monday 3 November |
| School opens to pupils | Tuesday 4 November |
| School closes | Friday 19 December |
| Spring Term 2026 | |
| Inset Day (school closed to pupils) | Monday 5 January |
| School opens to pupils | Tuesday 6 January |
| Half Term | Monday 16 – Friday 20 February |
| School opens to all | Monday 23 February |
| School closes | Friday 27 March |
| Summer Term 2026 | |
| School opens to all | Monday 13 April |
| May Day – school closed | Monday 4 May |
| Half Term | Monday 25 – Friday 29 May |
| School opens to all | Monday 1 June |
| School closes | Friday 17 July |
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.
Hair
Hair should be conventionally cut and well groomed. Hair can be worn down, but must be neatly tied back and away from the face for Design and Technology, Food, Dance, Science Experiements and PE. Hair bands, head scarves, clips etc. must be black. No fashion accessories allowed. Hair must not be shaved or faded shorter than a UK grade 2. No lines or patterns are allowed to be cut into hair or eyebrows. No coloured braids, hair attachments or beads to be worn in the hair. Natural hair colours only are permitted in school.
Jewellery
Boys are not allowed to wear jewellery other than a watch. The only jewellery girls can wear is a watch and one small stud in each lower lobe (one earring per ear). No other jewellery may be worn. No rings, necklaces or wristbands. No other piercings are allowed. Clear studs in the face/nose are NOT allowed.
Make-up
The wearing of make-up, including nail polish, is not allowed. Noticeable make-up will have to be removed each morning. False nails are not allowed.
Top Coat
This must be plain, dark colour and conventional in style. The coat must be long enough to cover the blazer. No denim or leather coats to be worn. No sports tops or hoodies allowed in school or to be worn to and from school. Outdoor coats are not to be worn inside the school building.
We have three suppliers which are listed below
High Street, Tunstall, ST6 5TT
Tel: 01782 367629
Email: sales@supersport.co.uk
99/101 Stafford Street, Hanley, ST1 1LS
Tel: 01782 272991
Unit 2 Highgate Trade Park, Brownhills Road, Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 4JZ
Tel: 01782 713650
Email: shop@smartuniform.co.uk
Compulsory Items
Optional Items
Compulsary Items
Optional Items
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.
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
Please click the link below to book an appointment for parents evening
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
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 KS3 KS4 Education Tool
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.
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.
If the weather is particularly bad, please check the website for information on roads and school opening / closing.
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