warden-park-family-guide-2021-v1_web

Part of:

Families Guide

2021/22

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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 all

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

charitable community projects. to wear their uniform and represent the Academy with

As Headteacher my focus is on helping students pride and to display the highest standards of behaviour

achieve their potent ial. I strongly believe that in and beyond the Academy and I look forward to

educati on has the power to transform lives and must working in partnership with you to achieve this.

therefore be focused on empowering young people; From September onwards I hope to meet many of

developing them personally, socially and emot ionally, you at events throughout the school year and I look

as well as academically, and crucially igniti ng in them a forward to welcoming you and your child into the

passion for learning that will sustain them throughout Academy.

their lives. Here at Warden Park Secondary 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 aspirat ional young adults ready to

thrive in their academic, work and personal lives in the Dom Kenrick

years beyond the Academy. Headteacher

The outstanding relati onships that exist between

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

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

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.

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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 where aspirations.
relationships are already positive, but also to separate
students where it would be in their interests. While academic qualifications are important, we
also work hard to ensure that Warden Park is a
Parents of students in Year 7 are invited to meet happy, caring, inclusive school as well as a safe,
their child's tutor during the first half term to review secure and stimulating environment in which to
progress across the curriculum and agree strategies to learn. All students are valued and we support each
improve achievement. one to achieve their best. As part of our very strong
commitment to student welfare which OFSTED has
Each tutor group has its share of young people with recognised as “outstanding”, we run our own catering
sporting, musical and different academic abilities. service providing healthy snacks and meals made
Each tutor group is in one of our five Houses - Beacon, from ingredients obtained locally.
Coombe, Downs, Heath and Forest. Our aim is to
develop the distinctive Warden Park ethos in which “You are a wonderful school, a great team
achievement, excellence, leadership and teamwork and we have been delighted to have sent our
are celebrated.
3 children to Warden Park”.

“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 8:45am Students expected to be in

Sickness school

Student sickness can be reported either by following 8:50-9:15am Tutor Groups/Assembly
the prompts on the school switchboard or by using
the “Studybugs” app, available at https://studybugs. 9:15-10:15am Period 1
com/ which can be downloaded to your phone
or computer. This quick and easy app allows you 10.15-10.30am Break
to report sickness while you are on the move and
immediately informs our data systems. 10:30-11:30am Period 2

11:30-12:30pm Period 3

12:30am-12:55pm Lunch

12:55-1:55pm Period 4

1:55-2:55pm Period 5

Special Leave Students in Year 7 are dismissed slightly early in the
first half term so they can collect any items from the
Students cannot learn and succeed unless they attend secure cloakroom.
the academy. Absence can only be authorised for
“exceptional circumstances” for example the illness/ Light refreshments are available in the dining hall
death of a close relative or friend. Holiday in term during morning break. The two lunch sittings are 25
time for whatever reason does not meet the criteria minutes each and students are able to bring in packed
of “exceptional circumstances”. meals. Most prefer to buy their meals from Parkes,
our own catering company.
Requests for absence for exceptional circumstances
must be made in advance using the request form Students are registered officially twice each day;
which should be returned to Mr Sorrell, Deputy once in the Tutor Base at the beginning of the day
Headteacher. and once in their Period 4 lesson. However, there is a
register taken in each class throughout the day. They
Please note that the nature of GCSE assessment are expected to arrive promptly at the start of the day
means that students have important assessments and at all lessons. Any student arriving after 8:50am
throughout the academy year. Please ensure that your will be classified as ‘late’. The Head of Year and their
child's attendance is as good as it can be. team examines reasons for late arrival.

Academy Day Accidents

The Warden Park day contains five lessons of one Accidents are rare at Warden Park. Students should
hour each. Some of these lessons are organised into tell a member of staff about any accident that occurs
“doubles” for practical work. We operate a fortnightly on the premises or during an academy activity. We
timetable in order to provide greater flexibility in will arrange for medical treatment, as necessary, and
the curriculum. Students quickly get used to this get in touch with you. Academy insurance does not
system and have a clear reminder on their iPad about cover students for personal accidents.
whether it is week “A” or “B”. Timings for the day are:

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Class Organisation would also encourage you to sign up to Twitter
@wardenpark, a useful way to get immediate updates
In most subjects during Year 7 learning takes place on school life.
in mixed groups with tasks being made available for
students of different abilities as appropriate. Special
provision is made for students who have made
insufficient progress in literacy or numeracy at their
primary school. In set subjects, regular monitoring
of progress allows us to change a student’s set quite
easily when necessary.

Latin will be an available option for students entering Go 4 Schools
Year 7. Study will be based on the Cambridge
Latin course and the Cambridge tests, leading to At Warden Park we use an online system called Go
certificates when the children are ready. The class is 4 Schools (GO) to provide parents and carers with a
run as part of the twilight curriculum after school. wide range of information about your child at school.
Information will be available when students start at Through GO you will be able to view your child’s
the academy in September. homework record and their timetable which shows
teachers and rooming.
Communication between Home and the
Academy We also use GO to share reports with you, show
attendance details and progress data. On a daily
At Warden park we believe that communication is basis you will also see the House points your child is
a key to successful partnership and we encourage awarded and this is summed up in a weekly email to
you to tap into all the latest information by regularly you thus giving parents and carers a regular insight
visiting our website www.wardenpark.co.uk. The into your child’s attitude and behaviour at Warden
website, together with the weekly newsletter Park.
will keep you up to date with the most recent
achievements, news and forthcoming events. We

Schoolcomms, our electronic mail service is our
preferred method of sending home information,
including reports and we would encourage you to
subscribe to ensure you are kept up to date. If you
are the Priority 1 contact on the Data Collection
Sheet and have given us an email address,
you will automatically start receiving academy
communication, including our newsletter in your
normal email in-box, unless you tell us otherwise.

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Should there be an emergency involving your child, CLOSURE DURING THE COURSE OF THE DAY: FOR
we will send the ‘Priority 1’ contact a text, providing ACTION PLEASE
you have included a ‘mobile’ number accordingly.
With a school of 1500 students, it is important to
You are welcome to contact your child's Form Tutor ensure their safe dismissal if the decision to close
or Head of Year to discuss any matter. Heads of Year the school has to be made once the day has begun.
will involve subject teachers or Curriculum Leaders as It is not possible to ensure children’s safety if parents
necessary. arrive on site to take their child home without some
control by ourselves. We therefore ask you to refrain
If you wish to contact us about something other than from coming to the school unless invited to do so via
your child's progress, please be aware that our main our email/ texting system or updates on our web site.
phone lines are busy at peak times. Contact email
addresses for key members of staff are listed on CLOSURE AT THE START OF THE DAY: FOR
our website or you can send a message to admin@ INFORMATION
wardenpark.co.uk, but please let us know who your
message is for or give a clear indication of its purpose. Snowfall: If there is a heavy snowfall overnight
Please leave daytime and evening contact details so making the access to school, roads and the site
we can get back to you. unsafe we will post details of our arrangements on
our website by 7:00am. We will also use our Twitter
While we aim to return calls during the working account to update you. Please follow @wardenpark.
day we receive them, we will always respond to an
emergency as quickly as possible. In such cases please We believe an early notice is beneficial for many who
ask to speak to a senior member of staff. travel long distances to school but does mean that we
may be caught out by unexpected weather changes.
“I am always very impressed how quickly all We monitor weather forecasts very carefully, take
the teachers in Warden Park reply to emails soundings from members of staff local to the school
and follow up on any issues. It certainly sets an and speak with other Headteachers in order to try
excellent example to other organisations and and make the right decision as early as possible.
Please do not rely on local radio for announcements.
also to the students.”

Curriculum Heating: Schools cannot open without heating and/or
water. Clearly this will be an unforeseen eventuality,
Warden Park provides a broad, balanced and relevant i.e. breakdown of boilers. In this case we will send out
curriculum with opportunities for every student to an email. Again, our website and Twitter account will
follow courses appropriate to their aspirations and be updated.
ability. Please refer to our prospectus for full details.

Emergency Closure Information Other unforeseen eventualities: We will
communicate via text and email, along with updates
If we have to close the Academy due to adverse on our website and Twitter account.
weather, heating malfunction or other unforeseen
circumstances, the following procedure will apply:

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Any help and support you can give us by We organise an extensive extra curricular programme
disseminating closure notices to other parents would each year that includes: art, athletics, badminton,
be greatly appreciated basketball, chess, choirs, cookery, cricket, cross
country, dance, drama, Duke of Edinburgh, football,
If you are not on our system of emails and text information technology, jazz band, languages club,
messages please reconsider, or if you have changed LRC homework club, netball, orchestra, peer support,
your details, please let us know by contacting the revision classes, rounders, rugby , table tennis,
office. technology, theatre visits, trampoline, year books,
Young Enterprise and many more.
We hold on file your instructions to us in terms of
permission to leave the site or remain with us. The programme is also emailed home via our school
communications system at the beginning of each
Enrichment and Extra-Curricular term. The list is updated at the beginning of Autumn,
Activities Spring and Summer terms. Note, some of the sporting
activities where there is a specialist coach may incur a
Many special activities, day excursions and residential charge.
visits are arranged to add to the educational
experience of students.
These include:
• An extensive range of foreign residential visits.
• Special enrichment activities and master

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
• The annual expedition for the Duke of
Edinburgh Award.
• O pportunities to run a business as part of our
Young Enterprise scheme.
• A variety of visits linked to careers.
• Enrichment days in the summer when the
normal timetable is suspended.
• A twilight curriculum for students in Years 9
and 10 provides the opportunity for students
to obtain additional qualifications, at present
this includes GCSE Latin, AS Level Computer
Science and a Higher Project Qualification.

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Healthy Eating with Parkes and the Parkes break time service offers a selection of savoury
Biometric Payment System snacks, including hot panini’s, pizza baps and bacon
rolls.
Students learn best when they have good food and
plenty to drink. To guarantee good food and service Each lunchtime, we offer a selection of salad bar,
at fair prices, we operate our own catering service jacket potatoes, with a variety of fillings, pasta,
(Parkes). Parkes provides refreshments to students noodles and sandwiches and baguettes.
and staff at break and lunch times. Parkes has a
reputation for providing healthy food options which Parkes offers two main meals every lunchtime, one of
appeal to students and has maintained a 5 star rating which is a vegetarian option. A dessert, fresh fruit and
for food hygiene from the Mid Sussex District Council fruit salad are always available.
Food Safety Office.

We aim to: Menus are displayed weekly on our website.
• Provide healthy and attractive meals
• Involve students and staff in menu planning Typical Weekly Lunchtime Menu

via the Student Voice Dinner Dessert
• Buy fresh local produce when available
• Offer excellent value for money Beef Chilli Nachos Apple and cherry crumble and
• A lways provide access to top up water bottles custard
• Make food allergy information readily
Vegetable Lasagne Millionaire shortbread
available
Chicken Fajitas St Clements sponge
Parkes operates a cashless payment system. This
means that students do not have to bring money Spinach and Ricotta Baked rice pudding and jam
to school. Instead they identify themselves through Cannelloni
a photo identity card at the food tills and this
links to their personal credit account. You can put Tuna Pasta Bake Chocolate crunch and custard
“money” on student accounts online or by sending
cheques to the school. Please sign up in advance to Vegetable Toad in the Hole
use ParentPay® for online payments. We prevent
overspending by setting a reasonable daily limit of Allergy Awareness
£6 for student purchases. It is possible to reduce this
limit if required, by application. 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 Parkes Catering

Typical Weekly Breakfast Menu

Breakfast

Bacon roll £1.20

Fruit yoghurt £0.65

Fruit juice £0.60

Milk £0.43

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Your guide to making sure your child
enjoys their meals at Parkes

• The Academy preferred method of payment is
ParentPay® or you may send a cheque payable
to Warden Park Academy, to the Finance
Manager in the Finance office.

• Y our child's account is automatically credited
with the money.

• T hey select their meal (spending limit £6.00
per day, which can be reduced, but not
increased, by request).

• T hey go to the till and use their ID card to
trigger an automatic payment for the meal
from their account.

• Students can check the balance in their
account at the point of sale.

• Free drinking water is available at our
drinking fountains. Students must bring
their own water bottles from home

£2.60 per day £2.90 per day

September £52.00 £58.00

October £42.00 £47.00

November £58.00 £64.00

December £34.00 £38.00

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).

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Frequently Asked Questions

How will my child's account be credited? purchase a main course and desert item. This money
will be available for lunchtime only. Free School
You will need to use ParentPay® to credit the account Meal applications can be made online via the WSCC
via the internet with a debit/credit card. website; alternatively forms are available from the
Finance office. If your child is already in receipt of free
What if my son or daughter goes to the till meals at a school in WSCC, they will inform us in time
and does not have enough money on my for the transfer. Please refer to the academy website
account? to see if you are eligible.

Please encourage your child to check their lunch How do I apply for free school meals?
account balance at the beginning of each week to
ensure they have sufficient funds. Should they not The easiest way to apply for free school meals is
have enough money, students should leave their food online via the West Sussex County Council website.
with the cashier and go to see staff who can help in Hard copy application forms are also available from
the Secure Cloakroom near the assembly hall dining Laura Verney in the Finance office. Application forms
area or on the mezzanine in the dining hall. have previously been sent with information regarding
the new parents’ evening and induction days. If your
How will my child be identified? child is already in receipt of free meals and attends
a school in West Sussex, WSCC will inform us in
Students and staff have a photo ID card which links to time for the transfer to Warden Park. If your child
their account. On the first few days of term there will is transferring from another Local Authority, please
be a temporary card with name on until the cards are contact Laura Verney who will provide you with an
printed. Out of County Transfer Form.
Prior to Covid 19 and the pandemic Warden Park used
a biometric information system for lunch service. This For more information contact Laura Verney, Assistant
has been suspended. Business Manager [email protected] or
01444 457881.
How will my child claim their free school
meal?

Free school meal allowance will be added to your
child's account automatically on a daily basis. At
present the allowance is £2.30 per day, enough to

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Homework and Individual Study Learning Resources Centre (LRC)

We believe that homework encourages good At Warden Park we are proud to be able to offer
organisation and self-reliance. It also increases the this invaluable study facility. There will be different
time available for learning. Homework may be in the activities on offer throughout the week during lunch
form of reading, learning key points or vocabulary, and break.
a written exercise, an investigation, a long term
project or item of research. In some subjects such as The LRC can provide:
Information and Communications Technology, it may • O ver 16,000 fiction and non fiction titles
be advisable for students to access computers outside
the normal teaching day. 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 • C areers 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
When students have food technology lessons they competitive prices.
are expected to bring the ingredients and a suitable • A fter school homework/study club in the LRC
container to school, which should be stored in the from 3:10pm – 4:10pm.
food technology room.
Students in Years 7-9 may borrow up to four items at
Your support for homework is vitally important. a time; students in Years 10 and 11 may borrow up to
Parents can help enormously by showing interest in six items at a time. Books are issued for three weeks
the work and giving praise where it is due. Please at a time and may be renewed.
establish a regular routine and ensure that your child
has a quiet place for homework. Access to the LRC is also available to students via an
app on their iPads called ‘Accessit’, where students
iPads and Digital Learning can browse and reserve items.

Our one to one iPad scheme greatly enhances As part of Year 7 lessons, students undertake a series
students' learning. Students and parents who need of LRC induction lessons and as part of those lessons
help or advice with regards to their iPad should they are taught vital information literacy skills.
contact the Digital Services team.
The LRC also offers a range of opportunities for
students to assist as: Student Librarians, Paired
Reading Partners, or organisers of other activities
relating to the LRC.

16

A number of competitions are organised throughout If your child holds an Adrenaline Auto-Injector (e.g.
the year and all students are encouraged to Epipen), requires prescribed medicine, is diabetic,
participate. epileptic or has any specific needs please contact the
medical room directly. [email protected]
Reading Telephone 01444 457881 Ext 265

There is an expectation that every child will have Partnership with Families
a reading book with them in their school bag at all
times. A strong partnership between teachers, families and
students is an essential ingredient for happiness and
We encourage a whole school reading community success.
at Warden Park Academy and reading is often the
focus of school events and visits from authors. We Staff are available to help whenever required.
run initiatives to promote reading throughout the Students’ progress is monitored regularly to ensure
school which aims to help students with their reading they are on track and know how to improve their
choices and also encourage you to support your learning. Reports are sent home regularly throughout
child’s reading at home. the year so that you know exactly how your child is
progressing and parents of students in all years are
Students are expected to have a book to read with invited to meet subject teachers to discuss issues
them and time is allocated to reading during tutor such as coursework, exam preparation and courses
time. The LRC has an extensive collection of books that may be appropriate beyond GCSE.
available for students to borrow, via their library
borrowing account which is opened on their first day Appointments are made with parents by the
at school. pastoral team if we have general concerns about a
student’s progress and need to agree a strategy for
Medical Room improvement. We also organise a series of special
partnership evenings for parents and students. These
The Medical Room is staffed by a trained Medical include:
Welfare Officer between 9:00am and 3:15pm to • A n introduction to homework, monitoring and
assist students with ongoing medical conditions and
to help if a student feels unwell or sustains an injury tracking using GO4Schools, assessment and
during the school day. If your child feels ill during reporting at Warden Park (Year 7).
school hours, they should report to the Medical Room • C hoosing options for Key Stage 4 (Year 8).
where they will be assessed and a call made to home, • Choosing A levels and university courses
if appropriate. Students should not phone home (Year 10).
themselves asking to be collected. • Effective revision and exam preparation
(Year 11).

Paracetamol can be administered at break/lunch
times. Consent for this can be given / withheld on the
Medical Information Form.

17

Reception Safety of Personal Property

Hours of Opening: 8:15am.- 4:45 pm. term time. Warden Park accepts no liability for loss, damage, or
theft of personal property left on our premises. We
Reception at Warden Park is often the first point of advise you to insure your child's personal property.
contact for both visitors and students alike. In order to This can often be done as an extension to your
make the process run as efficiently as possible, please household policy.
note the following procedures and routines:
• Students leaving the academy during the Secure Cloakroom: Student Services

day for an appointment must bring in a Student services based in the secure cloakroom is a
signed letter from their parents or an email key interface for students and the academy.
from parents, a few days in advance of the
appointment, then get a ‘Permission to be Students may leave bags, coats and other belongings
out of school’ form from the Year Office to in the secure cloakroom in exchange for a tag. They
be handed into reception as they leave. It is can place items in the cloakroom on arrival in the
the student’s responsibility to make their way morning and at break and lunch times. Items cannot
to Reception in time for departure to their be collected during lessons or after 3:30pm. Items
appointment. not collected by 3:30pm will have to remain in the
• Items for collection by students may be cloakroom until the next opening time. Please ensure
brought to Reception who will notify the that your child takes all property (especially PE kits)
appropriate Year Office. Parents should advise home at the weekend and before a holiday.
students via mobile phone to go to the Year
office to collect their belongings. The secure cloakroom also acts as a central drop
• iPads left at reception are collected and taken off point for letters that need to be returned to the
to Digital Services for secure purposes. Your academy and is a collection point for lost property.
child will need to collect their iPad from there Please encourage your child to visit the secure
and parents should inform their child of this cloakroom if an item has been lost.
where possible.
• Large musical instruments and cricket bags Students can also borrow basketballs and footballs for
cannot be left at Reception due to a lack of use at break or lunchtime. If you have a query relating
space. Instruments must be taken to the music to the services provided by Student Services in the
room and locked in a cupboard. Cricket bags secure cloakroom, please email studentservices@
must be taken to the PE department and wardenpark.co.uk
locked in a cupboard.
• If a student loses anything, they should check Students should have a book bag or appropriate
with the secure cloakroom first. backpack in which to carry their iPad and books home
• If a student forgets their packed lunch, parents carefully. Books and PE kit should be kept separate.
can leave it at Reception but should inform
their child, who will need to collect it from the Students are required to use the pegs and bag stores
Year Office. outside the Assembly Hall and Dining hall during
break or lunch at all times.

18

Sports, Music and the Arts their iPads.
• Instrumental lessons are organised directly
Sport and the arts are a vital part of life at Warden
Park for all students. We promote sport and the between the instrumental tutors and parents.
arts with all students as an important ingredient • L essons are typically 20, or 30 minutes and
of their future life, health and well-being as well
as an opportunity to develop skills of cooperation, take place during the school day. Some lessons
teambuilding and leadership. We promote may operate outside of these times at the
participation and healthy competition both within the discretion of the tutor.
academy, between Houses, and with other schools. • Lessons are usually on a one to one basis but
Students have the opportunity to join academy teams group lessons are sometimes available.
and clubs in a wide variety of activities. • L esson times during the day will rotate so that
the same lesson is not repeatedly missed.
We are all committed to success in music and the arts • Year 6 students who are currently learning
and encourage all students to develop their skills and with West Sussex Music should discuss
talents in at least one arts subject. Our commitment their transition with their existing tutor to
has been recognised through our Artsmark Award. ensure their lessons continue at Warden Park
There are also opportunities for students to become Secondary Academy
involved in the more technical aspects of our highly • A dditional funding may be available to
successful productions including set design, lighting support your child accessing music tuition, if
and sound. Recent improvements to facilities have they qualify for Pupil Premium, for example.
included a new music suite, a refurbished assembly If you require assistance finding an appropriate
hall and plans for a new drama studio. Our GCSE teacher for your child, or have any further questions,
examination results in PE, art, music and drama have then please do not hesitate to contact lhood@
reflected the consistently high standards reached in wardenpark.co.uk.
these areas of the curriculum over a number of years.

Instrumental Tuition

At Warden Park, we encourage all students to pursue
learning a musical instrument and are fortunate to
have a range of highly qualified peripatetic tutors.
Our local music service, West Sussex Music, provides
high quality tuition on a wide range of instruments
including instruments of the orchestra, and facilitates
the vast majority of instrumental lessons at Warden
Park. We also work with a small selection of private
tutors.
Links to the relevant information can be found on our
Music department website and will also be available
on students’ ‘Google Classroom' when they receive

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 must use their own lock to secure
their own cycle.
Travelling to the Academy • Cycles must be kept in a roadworthy condition
and we strongly encourage all students to
Warden Park actively promotes Safe and Sustainable wear a helmet and high visibility clothing for
Travel. The academy is served by a number of public cycling.
and contract buses, and we encourage students to • Students who bring cycles to Warden Park
walk, cycle and car share when appropriate. do so at their own risk. We do not accept
responsibility for any loss or damage to cycles
The main road at the bottom of the drive (Broad while on the premises.
Street) and the drive itself are both extremely busy • No cycling is permitted on the drive or
roads. It is with this in mind that we ask everyone to pavement.
follow these simple safety rules. • Students must dismount and walk with the
cycle along the footpath on their way in and
Pedestrians out of Warden Park.
• Always use the pelican crossing to cross Broad
Skateboards, roller skates, rollerblades or mini
Street. scooters are not allowed on our site.
• Students must use the pavements adjacent to
Motorcycles
the drive and not stray into the roadway. Motorcycles may only be brought onto our site if
• Students must leave our site via the North permission has been sought from the Head of Year.
Special regulations exist, a copy of which is available
Playground and must not walk between cars from the Head of Year. There is a dry storage area
or across the staff car park outside Technology. where scooters and motorcycles can be safely parked
• Students walking into Cuckfield or using the – this area is located opposite the main entrance to
pelican crossing must use the pavement to the sports halls.
the west side (left) of the driveway. The zebra
crossing point is at the top of the school drive Buses
by the exit from the tennis courts. All students who board buses must assemble at their
• Students walking to the Wheatsheaf Pub must designated bus waiting area. They must only board
use the pavement to the east side (right) of buses when instructed by school staff.
the driveway.
• Pedestrians must not cross the school Students living in the Warden Park catchment area,
driveway at any point. and entitled to free coach transport, will be issued

20

with bus passes by West Sussex County Council. All
other students will be able to purchase weekly or
daily return tickets. In addition, a number of coach
operators operate a service to and from Warden Park,
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 Burgess Hill If you wish to discuss any other aspect of school
523 Sussex Coaches transport, please contact Mr Sorrell, Deputy
Headteacher at the Academy (01444 457881).

Any problems regarding the use of County Buses Please note bus routes and numbers are often
(including the issue of bus passes), refer directly to subject to change.
Schools’ Transport or write to Transport Co-ordination
Group, The Grange, Tower Street, Chichester, PO19 Further information, including detailed timetables
1RH. Please note replacement bus passes will incur can be found on bus company websites. Details are
a cost of £12.00, but this is subject to change. Any correct at time of printing.
problems regarding use of public service buses, refer
directly to the relevant bus company. A number of county routes are due for contract
renewal. Operators may therefore change.

21

Uniform Guidance from the Department for Education allows
for “the Headteacher to ask a student to go home to
Warden Park prides itself on the quality of the remedy a breach of the school’s rules on appearance
academy uniform provided by parents. Uniform is or uniform... if the student repeatedly infringes the
stocked by Broadbridges of Haywards Heath and school rules on uniform or appearance this may
Horsham and by Sussex Uniforms of Haywards Heath. constitute a disciplinary offence and may be grounds
Both suppliers also operate a mail order service for for exclusion”.
Warden Park parents.

Parents who need assistance with the purchase or Please ensure that you read our uniform policy before
provision of uniform should contact the relevant Head buying any new uniform items and if in doubt, contact
of Year in the first instance to discuss what assistance your child’s form tutor in the first instance (current
can be offered. Parents should consult the academy in students) or contact school reception (current Year 6
advance if they have any doubt about the suitability students).
of any uniform that is not purchased from our official
stockists. We expect our students to be outstanding in
everything that they do, say and in how they look.
Full details of all of our uniforms can be found in our With your support, they will be!
Uniform and Appearance guide.
As you will see from reading this booklet, we place a
We are delighted that so many parents/carers want to high value on the appearance of all of our students.
“buy into” the ethos and standards of Warden Park. It is essential that in choosing to send your child to
This is evidenced in the large number of students Warden Park that you recognise that we expect your
applying, and waiting, for places in each year group. full support on this issue.
We believe that the way students dress and appear is
critical to demonstrating their support for all that the
school stands for. This booklet is intended to reinforce
our expectations in this area.

At Warden Park, we continually talk about wanting
the “Best from All”. This is not just academically but
in everything that students say and do. Therefore, we
do set high standards but nevertheless, standards that
are achievable.

By taking pride in their appearance, students are
showing that they are taking their education seriously
and showing that they want to be at Warden Park.
Please ensure that you help your child achieve this by
sending them to school wearing the correct uniform
and taking time to ensure that they wear it correctly
and adhere to the guidelines for other aspects of their
appearance.

22

Community 300 Club

Former Student Network

Warden Park Academy has a thriving former pupils’ You may also wish to join the 300 Club with the
network, supported by Future First. We currently have chance of a cash prize each half term. Joining is easy.
over 600 alumni signed up, offering help ranging from We enclose a form in your new parents’ pack for you
work experience placements, mentoring, talks and to sign and return to us. Look out for details of events
assemblies to current students and donating funds. in the weekly newsletter.

For further details please email formerpupils@ Letting Warden Park Facilities
wardenpark.co.uk or sign up at networks.futurefirst.
org.uk/former-student/wardenpark The academy is available for community use outside
of normal school hours and we have a wide range of
Friends of Warden Park - parent organisations who regularly use the school for their
fundraising and school focus group clubs and activities during evenings and weekends.
We can offer:
• T his is the parent fund-raising group who • A floodlit 3G All Weather Playing Surface suitable for
support a wide range of events at Warden football, rugby etc.
Park. • Sports Halls suitable for basketball, badminton,
yoga, dance and martial arts etc.
• Parents are automatically members and we • A 300 seat capacity Hall suitable for lectures, public
warmly welcome your active involvement and meetings etc.
input. • A wide range of other spaces including Classrooms,
Meeting Rooms, Dining Hall etc.
• We meet at the academy, to discuss
developments at the academy and arrange If you are interested in hiring our facilities on a
fund-raising activities. regular or one-off basis, please email us on admin@
wardenpark.co.uk
• A great way to get to know staff and the
academy.

• All monies raised directly support our
children’s learning.

• Research has shown that children whose
parents are actively involved with their school
do better.

• We need you, whether it is to organise or help
at events, to bake or donate a cake on request,
or with financial contributions by buying raffle
tickets or attending events, or join the 300
club lottery (the joining form can be found in
your pack).

To get in touch, please email:
[email protected]

23

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