Family Guide 2020 LOw Res (1)

Part of:

Families Guide

2020/21

2

I am delighted to be able to welcome you to Warden complete Year 11 having made outstanding progress

Park Secondary Academy. It is a real privilege to and feeling proud of their many achievements.

be Headteacher of a school with such a strong and My expectati ons of our students in terms of their

enviable traditi on for high standards in academic achievement and conduct are very high. I expect

achievement and excellence in sports, the arts and all students to work hard, to be ambassadors of

charitable community projects. the school, to wear their uniform and represent

As Headteacher my focus is on helping students the Academy with pride and to display the highest

achieve their potenti al. I strongly believe that standards of behaviour in and beyond the Academy

educati on has the power to transform lives and must and I look forward to working in partnership with you

therefore be focused on empowering young people; to achieve this.

developing them personally, socially and emot ionally, From September onwards I hope to meet many of

as well as academically, and crucially igniti ng in them a you at events throughout the school year and I look

passion for learning that will sustain them throughout forward to welcoming you and your child into the

their lives. Here at Warden Park Secondary Academy Academy.

we are therefore commit ted to of fering the highest

quality educati on to our students, an educati on that

is rich in variety and opportunity, that fully embraces

digital technologies and that develops our students

into confi dent and aspirati onal young adults ready to

thrive in their academic, work and personal lives in

the years beyond the Academy. Dom Kenrick

The outstanding relat ionships that exist between Headteacher

teachers, students, parents and carers and the local

community sit at the very heart of our successes

and this strong bond provides students with a fi rm

foundati on on which to grow and develop. Through

this relati onship we ensure that our students are fully

supported in their learning and development and

3

4

Contents

Introduction 6

Culture and Ethos 6

‘The Best from All' 6

Settling In 6

Academy Life 8

Absence from School 8

Academy day 8

Accidents 9

Class Organisation 9

Communication between home and the Academy 9

Go 4 Schools 9

Curriculum 10

Emergency closure information 10

Enrichment and extra curricular activities 11

Healthy eating with Parkes and the biometric payment system 13

Homework & individual study 16

Learning Resources Centre (LRC) 16

Medical Room 17

Partnership with families 17

Reception 18

Safety of personal property 18

Secure cloakroom: student services 18

Sports, music and the arts 19

Supporting your child’s education 20

Travelling to the academy 20

Uniform 22

Community 26

Former Students Network 26

Friends of Warden Park 26

Additional information 26

5

Introduction

Culture and Ethos The Best from All

As an academy we aim to: At Warden Park, you can be sure of the highest
• Achieve the highest academic standards across the standards of teaching and welfare for students. We
have a very professional, dedicated and capable
whole curriculum team of staff who work tirelessly to ensure that
• Develop the full potential of each child every student receives the best possible secondary
• Provide an ‘holistic’ education encompassing education and preparation for life. Staff, Governors
and Trustees are fully committed to success and
academia, morality, sporting participation and work hard to ensure that the aims of Warden Park
spiritual development. are embodied within the life of the Academy. Staff
are widely recognised for their professionalism,
Our students’ success is due to our insistence that commitment and enthusiasm. OFSTED inspectors
everything we do should be excellent. Lessons are have highlighted the Academy’s strong ethos and our
varied, enjoyable and challenging. Our national and high standards of student behaviour.
international links encourage students to understand
the wider world and communicate effectively.

Our curriculum is designed to prepare students for Sport and healthy eating are key features of Warden
further and higher education, apprenticeships and Park. OFSTED reported, “Students’ understanding of
the world of work by ensuring they achieve the best the importance of leading healthy lives is outstanding
possible GCSE outcomes and acquire a broad range as demonstrated by good eating habits and
of skills and attributes. Highly able students do well enthusiastic participation in sport”.
at Warden Park as do young people with special
educational needs and/or disabilities. We have a Your child will have access to an outstanding range of
proud record of GCSE success with both these groups. extra curricular activities. We have excellent facilities
and cater for all ages and abilities. All students are
Every student is encouraged to take an active role automatically eligible to join our supervised after
and make a positive contribution to academy life. This school study in the Homework Club in the Learning
may be representing Warden Park in sporting or other Resources Centre (LRC) until 4:10pm each day.
activities, performing on stage as part of a music or
drama production or being involved in our extensive Settling In
charity work. Through these Warden Park students
demonstrate a powerful commitment to the wider Many children are worried about transferring to a
community. large secondary academy, especially if they are on
their own or are used to a much smaller school. We
Our aim is for every student to do their best, stretch understand this and have developed an outstanding
themselves to achieve their full potential and to induction programme to make sure that children
be proud of their achievements. We believe good settle in quickly. Our aim is to make sure that all
qualifications, independence, confidence and good young people are happy and feel secure in their new
manners are key foundations to success in life. setting.

6

By getting to know as much as possible about Please contact Mrs O’Brien, Head of Year 7, should
the children before they join us, we are able to you need more detailed information about our well-
allocate tutor groups that provide the very best regarded and successful induction programme. Our
environment for a positive start at Warden Park. We experienced, caring staff are skilled at bringing out
seek information from previous primary schools and the best from young people. We recognise that all
parents as well as from the children themselves. students are individuals with different needs and
This helps us to keep young people together aspirations.
where relationships are already positive, but also While academic qualifications are important, we
to separate students where it would be in their also work hard to ensure that Warden Park is a
interests. happy, caring, inclusive school as well as a safe,
secure and stimulating environment in which to
Parents of students in Year 7 are invited to meet learn. All students are valued and we support each
their child's tutor during the first half term to review one to achieve their best. As part of our very strong
progress across the curriculum and agree strategies commitment to student welfare which OFSTED
to improve achievement. has recognised as “outstanding”, we run our own
catering service providing healthy snacks and meals
Each tutor group has its share of young people with made from ingredients obtained locally.
sporting, musical and different academic abilities.
Each tutor group is in one of our five Houses - “You are a wonderful school, a great team
Beacon, Coombe, Downs, Heath and Forest. Our and we have been delighted to have sent our
aim is to develop the distinctive Warden Park ethos
in which achievement, excellence, leadership and 3 children to Warden Park”.
teamwork are celebrated.
“The transition into his first year was very
well managed, having positive results and we
could not have expected better at this stage”.

7

Academy Life

Absence from School 7:45-8:50am Breakfast service available in

Sickness the dining hall

Student sickness can be reported either by following 8:00am LRC opens
the prompts on the school switchboard or by using
the “Studybugs” app, available at https://studybugs. 8:45am Students expected to be in
com/ which can be downloaded to your phone
or computer. This quick and easy app allows you school
to report sickness while you are on the move and
immediately informs our data systems. 8:50-9:15am Tutor Groups/Assembly

Special Leave 9:15-10:15am Period 1

Students cannot learn and succeed unless they attend 10:15-11:15am Period 2
the academy. Absence can only be authorised for
“exceptional circumstances” for example the illness/ 11:15-11:35am Break
death of a close relative or friend. Holiday in term
time for whatever reason does not meet the criteria 11:35am-12:35pm Period 3
of “exceptional circumstances”.
12:35-2:10pm Period 4
Requests for absence for exceptional circumstances
must be made in advance using the request form 12:35-1:10pm Lunch 1
which should be returned to Mr Sorrell, Deputy
Headteacher. 1:05-1:40pm Lunch 2

Please note that the nature of GCSE assessment 2:10-3:10pm Period 5
means that students have important assessments
throughout the academy year. Please ensure that your Students in Year 7 are dismissed slightly early in the
child's attendance is as good as it can be. first half term so they can collect any items from the
secure cloakroom.
Academy Day
Light refreshments are available in the dining hall
The Warden Park day contains five lessons of one during morning break. The two lunch sittings are
hour each. Some of these lessons are organised into 35 minutes each and students are able to bring in
“doubles” for practical work. We operate a fortnightly packed meals. Most prefer to buy their meals from
timetable in order to provide greater flexibility in Parkes, our own catering company. Students will be
the curriculum. Students quickly get used to this timetabled for different sittings throughout the week
system and have a clear reminder on their iPad about so they have turns at having Lunch 1 or Lunch 2.
whether it is week “A” or “B”. Timings for the day are:
Students are registered officially twice each day;
once in the Tutor Base at the beginning of the day
and once in their Period 4 lesson. However, there is a
register taken in each class throughout the day. They
are expected to arrive promptly at the start of the day
and at all lessons. Any student arriving after 8:50am
will be classified as ‘late’. The Head of Year and their
team examines reasons for late arrival.

8

Accidents

Accidents are rare at Warden Park. Students
should tell a member of staff about any accident
that occurs on the premises or during an academy
activity. We will arrange for medical treatment,
as necessary, and get in touch with you. Academy
insurance does not cover students for personal
accidents.

Class Organisation Communication between Home and
the Academy
During Year 7 students are placed in sets according
to ability for English and mathematics. For most At Warden park we believe that communication is
other subjects, learning takes place in mixed groups a key to successful partnership and we encourage
with tasks being made available for students of you to tap into all the latest information by regularly
different abilities as appropriate. Special provision visiting our website www.wardenpark.co.uk. The
is made for students who have made insufficient website, together with the weekly newsletter
progress in literacy or numeracy at their primary will keep you up to date with the most recent
school. Regular monitoring of progress allows us to achievements, news and forthcoming events. We
change a student’s set quite easily when necessary. would also encourage you to sign up to Twitter @
wardenpark and @wardenparkpe, a useful way to
Latin will be an available option for students get immediate updates on school life.
entering Year 7. Study will be based on the
Cambridge Latin course and the Cambridge tests, Go 4 Schools
leading to certificates when the children are ready.
The class is run as part of the twilight curriculum, At Warden Park we use an online system called Go
starting at 3:10 p.m. Information will be available 4 Schools (GO) to provide parents and carers with
when students start at the academy in September. a wide range of information about your child at
school. Through GO you will be able to view your
child’s homework record and their timetable which
shows teachers and rooming.

We also use GO to share reports with you, show
attendance details and progress data. On a daily
basis you will also see the House points your child is
awarded and this is summed up in a weekly email to
you thus giving parents and carers a regular insight
into your child’s attitude and behaviour at Warden
Park.

9

Schoolcomms, our electronic mail service is our Curriculum
preferred method of sending home information,
including reports and we would encourage you to Warden Park provides a broad, balanced and relevant
subscribe to ensure you are kept up to date. If you curriculum with opportunities for every student to
are the Priority 1 contact on the Data Collection follow courses appropriate to their aspirations and
Sheet and have given us an email address, ability. Please refer to our prospectus for full details.
you will automatically start receiving academy
communication, including our newsletter in your Emergency Closure Information
normal email in-box, unless you tell us otherwise –
see further information included in the New Parents’ If we have to close the Academy due to adverse
Pack. weather, heating malfunction or other unforeseen
circumstances, the following procedure will apply:
Should there be an emergency involving your child,
we will send the ‘Priority 1’ contact (as disclosed on CLOSURE DURING THE COURSE OF THE DAY:
the ‘Data Collection Sheet’ in your New Parents’ Pack) FOR ACTION PLEASE
a text, providing you have included a ‘mobile’ number With a school of 1500 students, it is important to
accordingly. ensure their safe dismissal if the decision to close
the school has to be made once the day has begun.
You are welcome to contact your child's Form Tutor It is not possible to ensure children’s safety if parents
or Head of Year to discuss any matter. Heads of Year arrive on site to take their child home without some
will involve subject teachers or Curriculum Leaders as control by ourselves. We therefore ask you to refrain
necessary. from coming to the school unless invited to do so via
our email/ texting system or updates on our web site.
If you wish to contact us about something other than
your child's progress, please be aware that our main CLOSURE AT THE START OF THE DAY:
phone lines are busy at peak times. Contact email FOR INFORMATION
addresses for key members of staff are listed on Snowfall: If there is a heavy snowfall overnight
our website or you can send a message to admin@ making the access to school, roads and the site
wardenpark.co.uk, but please let us know who your unsafe we will post details of our arrangements on
message is for or give a clear indication of its purpose. our website by 7:00am. We will also use our Twitter
Please leave daytime and evening contact details so account to update you. Please follow @wardenpark.
we can get back to you.
We believe an early notice is beneficial for many who
While we aim to return calls during the working travel long distances to school but does mean that we
day we receive them, we will always respond to an may be caught out by unexpected weather changes.
emergency as quickly as possible. In such cases please We monitor weather forecasts very carefully, take
ask to speak to a senior member of staff. soundings from members of staff local to the school
and speak with other Headteachers in order to try
“I am always very impressed how quickly all the and make the right decision as early as possible.
teachers in Warden Park reply to emails and follow up Please do not rely on local radio for announcements.
on any issues. It certainly sets an excellent example to
other organisations and also to the students.”

10

Heating: Schools cannot open without heating • O pportunities to run a business as part of our
and/or water. Clearly this will be an unforeseen Young Enterprise scheme.
eventuality, i.e. breakdown of boilers. In this case
we will send out an email. Again, our website and • A variety of visits linked to careers.
Twitter account will be updated. • Enrichment days in the summer when the

Other unforeseen eventualities: We will normal timetable is suspended.
communicate via text and email, along with updates • A twilight curriculum for students in Years 9
on our website and Twitter account.
and 10 provides the opportunity for students
Any help and support you can give us by to obtain additional qualifications, at present
disseminating closure notices to other parents this includes GCSE Latin, AS Level Computer
would be greatly appreciated Science and a Higher Project Qualification.

If you are not on our system of emails and text We organise an extensive extra curricular
messages please reconsider, or if you have changed programme each year that includes: art, athletics,
your details, please let us know by contacting the badminton, basketball, chess, choirs, cookery,
office. cricket, cross country, dance, drama, Duke
of Edinburgh, enrichment courses, football,
We hold on file your instructions to us in terms of information technology, jazz band, languages club,
permission to leave the site or remain with us. LRC (break, lunchtime and after school, with support
provided by teaching assistants at homework club),
Enrichment and Extra-Curricular netball, orchestra, peer support, revision classes,
Activities rounders, rugby (boys and girls), table tennis,
technology, theatre visits, trampoline, year books,
Many special activities, day excursions and Young Enterprise and many more.
residential visits are arranged to add to the
educational experience of students. A full list may be obtained from our website and
These include: from our reception in September. The programme is
• A n extensive range of foreign residential also emailed home via our school communications
system at the beginning of each term. The list is
visits. updated at the beginning of Autumn, Spring and
• S pecial enrichment activities and master Summer terms. Note, some of the sporting activities
where there is a specialist coach may incur a charge.
classes for able students.
• " Appreciation Visits" - art department.
• F ield visits - various departments, including

art, science, geography, history and
technology.
• Author visits.
• Many theatre visits, including trips to the
West End
• T he annual expedition for the Duke of
Edinburgh Award.

11

12

Healthy Eating with Parkes and the Typical Weekly Lunchtime Menu
Biometric Payment System
Breakfast
Students learn best when they have good food
and plenty to drink. To guarantee good food at Bacon roll £1.05
fair prices, we operate our own catering service
(Parkes). Parkes provides refreshments to students Fruit yoghurt £0.56
and staff at breakfast, break and lunch times. Parkes
has a reputation for providing healthy food options Fruit juice £0.46
which appeal to students and has maintained a 5
star rating for food hygiene from the Mid Sussex Milk £0.39
District Council Food Safety Office.
Parkes break time service offers a selection of
We aim to: savoury snacks, including hot panini’s, pizza baps
• Provide healthy and attractive meals and bacon rolls.
• I nvolve students and staff in menu planning
Each lunchtime, we offer a fully stocked salad
via the School Council bar, jacket potatoes, with a variety of fillings, and
• Buy fresh local produce when available sandwiches and baguettes.
• Offer excellent value for money
• Always provide free drinking water Parkes offers two main meals every lunchtime, one
• M ake food allergy information readily of which is a vegetarian option. A dessert, fresh fruit
and fruit salad are always available.
available
Menus are displayed weekly on our website.
Parkes operates a cashless payment system. This
means that students do not have to bring money Typical Weekly Lunchtime Menu
to school. Instead they identify themselves through
a fingertip scan at the food tills and this links to Dinner Dessert
their personal credit account. You can put “money”
on student accounts online or by sending cheques Beef Chilli Nachos Apple and cherry crumble
to the school. Please sign up in advance to use and custard
ParentPay® for online payments. We have a cash
loading machine for students who need to top Vegetable Lasagne Millionaire shortbread
up their account with small amounts of cash. We
prevent overspending by setting a reasonable daily Chicken Fajitas St Clements sponge
limit of £5 for student purchases. It is possible to
reduce this limit if required, by application. Spinach and Ricotta Baked rice pudding and jam
Cannelloni
Parkes breakfast service is available from 7:45 am
each morning. Tuna Pasta Bake Chocolate crunch and custard

Vegetable Toad in the Hole

Allergy Awareness

Parkes holds information on food allergies for all
food provided in school. The information is updated
for each menu cycle including special events. Parkes
staff will be able to provide this and by appointment
with Mr. Stedman, Parkes Catering Manager as well
as on the website www.wardenpark.co.uk/parents/
school-life/catering

13

Your guide to making sure your child Different approaches to advance
enjoys their meals at Parkes payment

• The Academy preferred method of payment is The recommended payments below may change
ParentPay® or you may send a cheque payable nominally should there be a change in the Free School
to Warden Park Academy, to Finance Manager Meal allowance as we always provide our Meal Deal
in the Finance office. for the whole academy for the same cost as the Free
School Meal allowance.
• Y our child's account is automatically credited
with the money. For £2.15 per day which is sufficient to purchase a hot
main course.
• T hey select their meal (spending limit £5.00 • £79.55 for the first half of the Autumn term by
per day, which can be reduced, but not
increased, by request). 3rd September.
• £75.25 or the second half of the Autumn term
• They go to the till and place their fingertip
on the reader. Payment for the meal will by 26th October.
automatically be taken from their account.
For £2.30 per day which is sufficient to purchase the
• Students can check the balance in their Meal Deal (main course and pudding)
account at the point of sale. • £85.10 for the first half of the Autumn term by

• Free drinking water is available at our drinking 3rd September.
fountains. Students must bring their own • £87.40 for the second half of the Autumn term
water bottles
by 19th October.
£2.15 per day £2.30 per day Advance Option 3 (Payment monthly by cheque in
advance.)
September £43.00 £46.00

October £36.55 £39.10

November £45.15 £48.30

December £30.10 £32.20

Any money that your child has not spent at the end of
the term will be carried over to the next term.

Please pay through ParentPay® via their website,
wherever possible. Most parents find this the most
convenient method. Payments made via ParentPay®
are credited to student accounts in close to real time.

Pay each half term in advance

Please use this option to reduce the Academy’s admin
costs. (Minimum payment for lunches via ParentPay®
is £20.00).

14

Frequently Asked Questions

How will my child's account be credited? How will my child claim their free school
meal?
You may use one of the following methods:
1. Use ParentPay® to credit their account via Free school meal allowance will be added to your
child's account automatically on a daily basis. At
the internet with a debit/credit card. present the allowance is £2.30 per day, enough to
2. For small amounts of cash only, the students purchase a main course and pudding. This money
will be available for lunchtime only. Free School
may use the cash loading machine in the Meal application forms are available from the
dining hall Finance office. If your child is already in receipt of
free meals at a school in WSCC, WSCC will inform us
What if my son or daughter goes to the till in time for the transfer. Please refer to the academy
and does not have enough money on my website to see if you are eligible.
account?
How do I apply for free school meals?
Leave your food with the cashier and go to the cash
loading machine to top up your account. If you do The easiest way to apply is online via the West
not have any money, see Mrs Pearce or Mrs Birch on Sussex County Council website. Application forms
the mezzanine in the dining hall. for free meals are available from Laura Verney in the
Finance office. Application forms have previously
How will my child be identified? been sent with information regarding new parents’
evening and induction days. If your child is already
Students and staff have a record of biometric in receipt of free meals and attends a school in West
identification held on the school server. This is Sussex, WSCC will inform us in time for the transfer
not a fingerprint and a fingerprint cannot be to Warden Park.
reconstructed from the data. Your child will place
their finger on the scanner and the system will
identify them.

If I am unhappy with biometric information? For more information contact Laura Verney ,
Assistant Business Manager lverney@wardenpark.
Parents need to ‘opt in’ to our payment scheme but co.uk or 01444 457881.
if you later become unhappy with us recording your
child's biometric information, please contact Laura
Verney, Assistant Business Manager.

15

Homework and Individual Study iPads and Digital Learning

We believe that homework encourages good Our one to one iPad scheme greatly enhances
organisation and self-reliance. It also increases the students' learning. Students and parents who need
time available for learning. Homework may be in the help or advice with regards to their iPad should
form of reading, learning key points or vocabulary, contact the Digital Services team.
a written exercise, an investigation, a long term
project or item of research. In some subjects such as Learning Resources Centre (LRC)
Information and Communications Technology, it may
be advisable for students to access computers outside At Warden Park we are proud to be able to offer this
the normal teaching day. Students who do not have invaluable study facility from 8:00am to 4:10pm. The
access to a computer at home can make use of the LRC can provide:
supervised study facility in the Learning Resource • Over 16,000 fiction and non fiction titles
Centre from 8:00am, at morning break, lunchtime and
up to 4:15pm. selected to support the curriculum and
encourage reading for pleasure.
All teachers will set subject specific homework for • Literacy based games such as Top Trumps,
each student they teach. Homework will be discussed Scrabble and Bananagrams along with chess
with the students in class and the details, including sets.
due date, resources and relevant web links, will be • C omputers – all with a range of software,
shared with students using the web based platform printing and filtered internet access.
“Go 4 Schools ”. Students will be shown how to log on • Careers information – a range of age
and navigate around their Go 4 Schools account. appropriate materials for student access.
• S tationery shop selling a range of items at
As a parent you will also be given the opportunity to competitive prices.
play an active role in your child’s home learning by • Revision and dictionary guide ordering facility
having access to their set homework calendar via your organised on a termly basis.
own account, which we will set up and send to you • A fter school drop-in homework club in the LRC
along with further advice during September. from 3:10pm – 4:10pm.
Students in Years 7-9 may borrow up to four items at
When students have food technology lessons they a time; students in Years 10 and 11 may borrow up to
are expected to bring the ingredients and a suitable six items at a time. Books are issued for three weeks
container to school, which should be stored in the at a time and may be renewed.
food technology room.
Access to the LRC is also available to students via an
Your support for homework is vitally important. app on their iPads.
Parents can help enormously by showing interest in
the work and giving praise where it is due. Please As part of Year 7 lessons, students undertake a series
establish a regular routine and ensure that your child of LRC induction lessons and as part of those lessons
has a quiet place for homework. they are taught vital information literacy skills.
The LRC also offers a range of opportunities for

16

students to assist as Student Librarians, Paired Medical Room
Reading partners or organisers of other activities
relating to the LRC. The Medical Room is staffed by a trained Medical
A number of competitions are organised throughout Welfare Officer between 9:00am and 3:15pm to
the year and all students are encouraged to assist students with ongoing medical conditions and
participate. to help if a student feels unwell or sustains an injury
during the school day. If your child feels ill during
Reading school hours, he/she should report to the Medical
Room where he/she will be assessed and a call
There is an expectation that every child will have made to home, if appropriate. Students should not
a reading book with them in their school bag at all phone home themselves asking to be collected.
times.

We encourage a whole school reading community Paracetamol can be administered between 10:45am
at Warden Park Academy and reading is often the and 1:45pm. Consent for this can be given /
focus of school events and visits from authors. withheld on the Medical Information Form within
We run initiatives to promote reading throughout the New Starters pack.
the school which aims to help students with their
reading choices and also encourage you to support If your child holds an Adrenaline Auto-Injector (e.g.
your child’s reading at home. Epipen), requires prescribed medicine, is diabetic,
epileptic or has any specific needs please contact
Students are expected to have a book to read with the medical room directly.
them and time is allocated to reading during tutor [email protected]
time. The LRC has an extensive collection of books Telephone 01444 457881 Ext 265
available for students to borrow, via their library
borrowing account which is opened on their first Partnership with Families
day at school.
A strong partnership between teachers, families and
For more information about reading initiatives, students is an essential ingredient for happiness and
opportunities for student involvement and the LRC success.
in general, please see the leaflet provided or email
[email protected] Staff are available to help whenever required.
Students’ progress is monitored regularly to
ensure they are on track and know how to improve
their learning. Reports are sent home regularly
throughout the year so that you know exactly how
your child is progressing and parents of students
in all years are invited to meet subject teachers to
discuss issues such as coursework, exam preparation
and courses that may be appropriate beyond GCSE.
The dates each Year group receives these reports
can be found on our website.

17

Appointments are made with parents by the • Large musical instruments and cricket bags
pastoral team if we have general concerns about a cannot be left at Reception due to a lack of
student’s progress and need to agree a strategy for space. Instruments must be taken to the music
improvement. We also organise a series of special room and locked in a cupboard. Cricket bags
partnership evenings for parents and students. These must be taken to the PE department and
include: locked in a cupboard.
• A n introduction to homework, monitoring and
• If a student loses anything, they should check
tracking using GO4Schools, assessment and with the secure cloakroom first.
reporting at Warden Park (Year 7).
• C hoosing options for Key Stage 4 (Year 8). • If a student forgets their packed lunch, parents
• Choosing A levels and university courses (Year can leave it at Reception but should inform
10). their child, who will need to collect it from the
• E ffective revision and exam preparation (Year Year Office.
11).
Safety of Personal Property
Reception
Warden Park accepts no liability for loss, damage, or
Hours of Opening: 8:15am.- 4:45 pm. term time. theft of personal property left on our premises. We
advise you to insure your child's personal property.
Reception at Warden Park is often the first point of This can often be done as an extension to your
contact for both visitors and students alike. In order to household policy.
make the process run as efficiently as possible, please
note the following procedures and routines: Secure Cloakroom: Student Services
• Students leaving the academy during the
Student services based in the secure cloakroom is a
day for an appointment must bring in a key interface for students and the academy.
signed letter from their parents or an email
from parents, a few days in advance of the Students may leave bags, coats and other belongings
appointment, then get a ‘Permission to be in the secure cloakroom in exchange for a tag. They
out of school’ form from the Year Office to can place items in the cloakroom from 8:30 am until
be handed into reception as they leave. It is 3:30pm during the open times below. Items cannot
the student’s responsibility to make their way be collected during lessons or after 3:30pm. Items
to Reception in time for departure to their not collected by 3:30pm will have to remain in the
appointment. cloakroom until the next opening time. Please ensure
• Items for collection by students may be that your child takes all property (especially PE kits)
brought to Reception who will notify the home at weekends and before a holiday.
appropriate Year Office. Parents should advise
students via mobile phone to go to the Year Cloakroom Opening Times
office to collect their belongings.
• iPads left at reception are collected and taken Before school: 8:30 am to 8:50am
to Digital Services for secure purposes. Your Break time: 11:15 am to 11:35 am
child will need to collect their iPad from there Lunches: 12:35 am to 1:45 pm
and parents should inform their child of this After school: 3:10 pm to 3:30 pm
where possible.

18

The secure cloakroom also acts as a central drop including set design, lighting and sound. Recent
off point for letters that need to be returned to the improvements to facilities have included a new
academy and is a collection point for lost property. music suite, a refurbished assembly hall and plans
Please encourage your child to visit the secure for a new drama studio. Our GCSE examination
cloakroom if an item has been lost. results in PE, art, music and drama have reflected
the consistently high standards reached in these
Students can also borrow basketballs and footballs areas of the curriculum over a number of years.
for use at break or lunchtime. If you have a query
relating to the services provided by Student Instrumental Tuition
Services in the secure cloakroom, please email
[email protected] West Sussex Music provides the instrumental tuition
offered at Warden Park. They provide tuition in a
Students should have a book bag or appropriate wide range of instruments including: violin, viola,
backpack in which to carry their iPad and books ‘cello, double bass, flute, clarinet, saxophones,
home carefully. Books and PE kit should be kept oboe, bassoon, trumpet, French horn, trombone,
separate. piano, euphonium, tuba, keyboard, guitar and voice.

Students are required to use the pegs and bag • L essons last for 30 minutes each and take
stores outside the Assembly Hall and Dining hall place during the school day (students use 30
during break or lunch at all times. minutes of a regular timetabled lesson and
catch up anything missed).
Sports, Music and the Arts
• T he lesson time rotates each week to avoid
Sport and the arts are a vital part of life at Warden students having to miss part of the same
Park for all students. We promote sport and the lesson.
arts with all students as an important ingredient
of their future life, health and well-being as well • Lessons are usually conducted in small
as an opportunity to develop skills of cooperation, groups of between 2 – 4 students, although
teambuilding and leadership. We promote one-to- one lessons are available for a
participation and healthy competition both within greater cost.
the academy, between Houses, and with other
schools. Students have the opportunity to join • 10 lessons are given each term (making a
academy teams and clubs in a wide variety of total of 30 lessons for the year).
activities.
• Year 6 students currently already receiving
We are all committed to success in music and the lessons from West Sussex Music should
arts and encourage all students to develop their automatically receive letters inviting them to
skills and talents in at least one arts subject. Our continue with those lessons when they come
commitment has been recognised through our to Warden Park Senior Academy.
Artsmark Award. There are also opportunities for
students to become involved in the more technical In addition to the tuition offered by West Sussex
aspects of our highly successful productions Music, we also employ a specialist teacher who
offers one-to-one lessons in drumming.

Whatever kind of tuition you prefer, letters and
application forms will be made available for all
students in their first week at Warden Park.

19

Supporting your Child’s Education Cyclists
• Cycles may only be brought on to our site if
There are several ways you can make a real difference
to the quality of the education at Warden Park. Giving permission has been sought from the Head of
a small cash sum to Warden Park each year (normally Year.
people donate between £25 and £100 per year) • Cycle storage is available to students in our
means that we can arrange for your donation to be secure cycle storage area between the tennis
topped up by the Government through the Gift Aid courts and the assembly hall.
scheme. • Students should use their own lock to secure
their own cycle.
Travelling to the Academy • C ycles must be kept in a roadworthy condition
and we encourage students to wear a helmet.
Warden Park actively promotes Safe and Sustainable • Students who bring cycles to Warden Park
Travel. The academy is served by a number of public do so at their own risk. We do not accept
and contract buses, and we encourage students to responsibility for any loss or damage to cycles
walk, cycle and car share when appropriate. while on the premises.
• No cycling is permitted on the drive or
The main road at the bottom of the drive (Broad pavement.
Street) and the drive itself are both extremely busy • Students must dismount and walk with the
roads. It is with this in mind that we ask everyone to cycle along the footpath on their way in and
follow these simple safety rules.
out of Warden Park.

Skateboards, roller skates, rollerblades or mini

scooters are not allowed on our site.

Pedestrians Motorcycles
• Always use the pelican crossing to cross Broad Motorcycles may only be brought onto our site if
permission has been sought from the Head of Year.
Street. Special regulations exist, a copy of which is available
• Students must use the pavements adjacent to from the Head of Year. There is a dry storage area
where scooters and motorcycles can be safely parked
the drive and not stray into the roadway. – this area is located opposite the main entrance to
• Students must leave our site via the North the sports halls.

Playground and must not walk between cars Buses
or across the staff car park outside Technology. All students who board buses must assemble at their
• S tudents walking into Cuckfield or using the designated bus waiting area. They must only board
pelican crossing must use the pavement to buses when instructed by school staff.
the west side (left) of the driveway. The zebra
crossing point is at the top of the school drive Students living in the Warden Park catchment area,
by the exit from the tennis courts. and entitled to free coach transport, will be issued
• Students walking to the Wheatsheaf Pub must with bus passes by West Sussex County Council. All
use the pavement to the east side (right) of other students will be able to purchase weekly or
the driveway. daily return tickets. In addition, a number of coach
• Pedestrians must not cross the school operators operate a service to and from Warden Park,
driveway at any point.

20

including public service vehicles. All vehicles drop
students off on the academy site in the morning and
collect at the end of the day as follows:

Contract buses (West Sussex Transport)

586 Crawley Luxury Balcombe

587 Crawley Luxury Bolney

(Both coaches normally positioned at the front of

the bus lane)

Public Service Buses

31 Compass Bolnore and

Haywards Heath

33A Compass Burgess Hill,Haywards

Heath, Hurst

33 Compass Haywards Heath

62 Compass Balcombe

62 Compass Walstead

89 Compass Warninglid, Mannings

Heath, Horsham

166 Compass Haywards Heath,

Princess Royal,

Wivelsfield, Lewes

271 Metrobus Handcross, Pease

Pottage, Crawley

Privately Operated Buses
523 Sussex Coaches Burgess Hill

Any problems regarding the use of County Buses If you wish to discuss any other aspect of school
(including the issue of bus passes), refer directly transport, please contact Mr Sorrell, Deputy
to Schools’ Transport or write to Transport Co- Headteacher at the Academy (01444 457881).
ordination Group, The Grange, Tower Street,
Chichester, PO19 1RH. Please note replacement bus Please note bus routes and numbers are often
passes will incur a cost of £12.00, but this is subject subject to change.
to change. Any problems regarding use of public
service buses, refer directly to the relevant bus Further information, including detailed timetables
company. can be found on bus company websites. Details are
correct at time of printing.

A number of county routes are due for contract
renewal. Operators may therefore change.

21

Uniform • No other jewellery may be worn, including
any jewellery that necessitates facial or body
Warden Park prides itself on the quality of the piercing.
academy uniform provided by parents. Uniform is
stocked by Broadbridges of Haywards Heath and • Retainers are not permitted, i.e. to maintain
Horsham and by Sussex Uniforms of Haywards Heath. hole openings.
Both suppliers also operate a mail order service for
Warden Park parents. • All jewellery is to be removed during PE lessons
or in Technology lessons when directed by the
Parents who need assistance with the purchase or teacher.
provision of uniform should contact the relevant Head
of Year in the first instance to discuss what assistance • Sensible light make up and clear nail varnish
can be offered. Parents should consult the academy in only may be worn. No nail extensions. No false
advance if they have any doubt about the suitability eyelashes or eyelash extensions. No nail varnish
of any uniform that is not purchased from our official to be worn when cooking (Food Technology).
stockists.
• Navy blue blazer with Warden Park crest. • H air must be worn in a conventional style and
• P lain black formal straight-legged school type within the natural colour range. Minimum
grade 2. No extreme styles ‘mohican/mohawk’.
trousers with plain black belt (if required), The definition of ‘extreme’ rests with the
buckle of a standard size, OR school tartan skirt Headteacher
(new longer style compulsory for Year 7 from
September 2020 and for all other year groups • Outside coats should not be worn inside the
from September 2021). buildings. A supervised cloakroom is available
• P lain ‘cornflower blue’ formal shirt (polycotton). for the storage of outdoor wear.
All shirts must be tucked in, collars are to be
fastened. • Hooded jumpers or hoodies are not allowed
• A cademy tie (tied with gold bands and shield to be worn in combination with the academy
visible beneath knot). uniform at any time.
• Optional navy blue ‘v’ neck jumper with Warden
Park crest. Jumpers are not to be tucked into • O nly badges associated with the academy’s
skirts/trousers. reward system or badges affiliated to an
• Plain dark socks with trousers OR plain black or academy club may be worn on academy
natural tights with skirt. White ankle socks may clothing.
be worn with a skirt in the summer term only.
• Formal black shoes made of leather or similar • B lazers are to be worn at all times with the
synthetic material with a clearly defined heel. following exceptions :
Trainers (including leather ones) or canvas shoes
are not permitted unless certified by a doctor. • A teacher gives permission in a classroom.
• Jewellery – the following may be worn : • At break/lunch times (they are to be worn when
• One thin chain worn inside shirt
• O ne simple flat ring moving around the school/movement to/from
• One charity band lessons).
• Maximum of one matching stud earring per ear • Earphones may only be worn before school, at
(no stretchers, hoops etc) break, lunch or after school. They are not to be
visible at any other time, including movement
around the school/to and from lessons.
Teachers may instruct their usage when attaching
sound files or watching video clips etc in lesson.
● W ater bottles - we encourage all students to
bring a reusable water bottle to school and
make use of the water fountains here in the
Academy.

22

Physical Education Kit List

• Navy PE shirt with House colours and
academy crest.

• Reversible games shirt with academy crest.
This shirt is suitable for all games and
outdoor activities.

• Plain navy blue shorts or skort.
• Rugby shorts (optional extra).
• Navy blue football socks.
• White sports socks.
• Football/rugby boots.
• Trainers (see 3G Pitch Footwear).
• O ptional navy blue tracksuit (to keep warm

when not participating).
• Leotard or one-piece swimming costume for

gymnastics and dance.

All items must be clearly labelled with the student’s
name on the inside.

All jewellery is to be removed during PE lessons.

3G Pitch Footwear

• Appropriate footwear must be worn by all
students when accessing this facility.

• T he following are permitted:
• Molded football boots
• Multi-studded trainers
• Molded blade football boots
• The following are not permitted:
• Flat soled trainers/shoes
• Metal studded footwear

23

We are delighted that so many parents/carers want to Guidance from the Department for Education allows
“buy into” the ethos and standards of Warden Park. for “the Headteacher to ask a student to go home to
This is evidenced in the large number of students remedy a breach of the school’s rules on appearance
applying, and waiting, for places in each year group. or uniform... if the student repeatedly infringes the
We believe that the way students dress and appear is school rules on uniform or appearance this may
critical to demonstrating their support for all that the constitute a disciplinary offence and may be grounds
school stands for. This booklet is intended to reinforce for exclusion”.
our expectations in this area.
Please ensure that you read our uniform policy before
At Warden Park, we continually talk about wanting buying any new uniform items and if in doubt, contact
the “Best from All”. This is not just academically but your child’s form tutor in the first instance (current
in everything that students say and do. Therefore, we students) or contact school reception (current Year 6
do set high standards but nevertheless, standards that students).
are achievable.
We expect our students to be outstanding in
By taking pride in their appearance, students are everything that they do, say and in how they look.
showing that they are taking their education seriously With your support, they will be!
and showing that they want to be at Warden Park.
Please ensure that you help your child achieve this by As you will see from reading this booklet, we place a
sending them to school wearing the correct uniform high value on the appearance of all of our students.
and taking time to ensure that they wear it correctly It is essential that in choosing to send your child to
and adhere to the guidelines for other aspects of their Warden Park that you recognise that we expect your
appearance. full support on this issue.

24

25

Community

Former Student Network • A great way to get to know staff and the
academy.
Warden Park Academy has a thriving former pupils’
network, supported by Future First. We currently have • All monies raised directly support our
over 600 alumni signed up, offering help ranging from children’s learning.
work experience placements, mentoring, talks and
assemblies to current students and donating funds. • Research has shown that children whose
parents are actively involved with their school
For further details please email formerpupils@ do better.
wardenpark.co.uk or sign up at networks.futurefirst.
org.uk/former-student/wardenpark • We need you, whether it is to organise or help
at events, to bake or donate a cake on request,
Friends of Warden Park - parent or with financial contributions by buying raffle
fundraising and school focus group tickets or attending events, or join the 300
club lottery (the joining form can be found in
• T his is the parent fund-raising group who your pack).
support a wide range of events at Warden
Park. To get in touch, please email: friendsofwardenpark@
gmail.com
• P arents are automatically members and we
warmly welcome your active involvement and 300 Club
input.
You may also wish to join the 300 Club with the
• We meet at the academy, to discuss chance of a cash prize each half term. Joining is easy.
developments at the academy and arrange We enclose a form in your new parents’ pack for you
fund-raising activities. to sign and return to us. Look out for details of events
in the weekly newsletter.

Letting Warden Park Facilities

The academy is available for community use outside of normal school hours and we have a wide range of
organisations who regularly use the school for their clubs and activities during evenings and weekends. If you
are interested in hiring our facilities on a regular or one-off basis, please email us on [email protected]
We can offer:
• A floodlit 3G All Weather Playing Surface suitable for football, rugby etc.
• Sports Halls suitable for basketball, badminton, yoga, dance and martial arts etc.
• A 300 seat capacity Hall suitable for lectures, public meetings etc.
• A wide range of other spaces including Classrooms, Meeting Rooms, Dining Hall etc.

26 Information correct at time of going to press (June 2020)

27

Warden Park Secondary Academy

Broad Street, Cuckfi eld, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 5DP
Tel: 01444 457881
Fax: 01444 417024
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.wardenpark.co.uk
 @wardenpark