August 2024
Dear Parents/Carers
Last year has been another busy year for the academy, amongst a hugely difficult year financially for you as families and as the country has struggled in the face of great adversity, education has had its fair share of difficulties also.
During the last term we have said our farewells to Year 11 students, the Year 10 prefect team has been elected and we have embraced a series of events that have created new and varied opportunities. Our new Year 7 students for the September, 2024, will start at the academy, following their transition events this summer on Wednesday 4th September, . I am sure the students are excited about starting at the academy and that they will be a huge success, as our class of 2029! Year 11 students will also return on Wednesday 4th September and all other students will return on Thursday 5th September.
We continue to be fully subscribed across almost all year groups, and we genuinely appreciate your desire to be with us and it does not go unnoticed. In September we will have our largest ever number of children at the academy taking us to full capacity with 165 students in each year group, around 825 in total.
As we welcome new students and say farewell to those who left us, we also do the same with our staff. Leaving us at the end of the year was:
- Adele Earnshaw who left us to pursue new opportunities at another local school after a number of years with the academy. We wish her well.
- We thank Emily Atkinson for her time at the academy and for her role as the Gold House Leader, and hope she has continued success pursuing her return to teaching A Levels at one of the local colleges.
- We also say a heartfelt thank you to Peter Short, who has been with us for a significant period of time for long term cover. Peter left us to enjoy retirement, but may still return from time to time. We wish him well.
- Our final thanks go to Matt Hire who has been with us as Headteacher for the last year, and who has made a significant contribution to the academy. We wish him all the best in his new post overseas.
I am sure you will join me in wishing these staff well and in thanking them for all the support and help they have given the students at the academy. This is also a time to welcome and celebrate some fantastic staff joining us this September:
We are excited to welcome to the academy:
- Kellie Mayes joins us as an Early Careers teacher in English at the start of her career.
- Aimee Garrod also joins the English department as an Early Careers teacher at the start of her career.
- Emily Taylor joins the Maths department at the start of her career as an Early Careers teacher
- Thomas Purbrick joins the Science department bringing his wealth of experience to the team.
- Lewis Nuttall has been appointed the SEND lead following his initial period of temporary cover. Lewis will bring his experience to the SEND team and support the SENDCo.
- Nina Islam has been appointed as a permanent member of staff as an LTA within our Alternative Provision.
Our staffing can always be viewed by clicking on this link and from here you can also make contact with staff via their email addresses.
GREAT Expectations
In addition to our 5 core values of Truth, Justice, Respect, Forgiveness and Generosity, we continue to promote and embed our 3 Academy GREAT Expectations for all our academy community.
- Be Ready – on time, correct equipment (minimum pen, pencil, ruler), uniform, attitude.
- Be Safe – being calm and thoughtful, keeping yourself and others safe.
- Be Respectful – this is an essential and core part of what we believe to be the basic expectation of all who are a part of the academy.
The St Lawrence Academy uniform
It is essential that we maintain high standards of appearance and uniform and the Uniform Policy can be viewed in the link above as a reminder about our expectations in relation to uniform.
- Uniform can be purchased at Shah’s uniform supplier on West Street, Scunthorpe. https://www.shahsuniform.co.uk/st-lawrence-academy. There is a small quantity of some items available online via Parentpay for collection at the academy.
- Skirts – If you choose to wear a skirt it must be the TSLA branded skirt available from Shah’s worn at an appropriate length – no stretch or other skirts are allowed.
- Black shoes and not trainers
- Please do not allow your child to have a new piercing towards the end of the holidays as there are no exceptions to our rule on jewellery, which is a maximum of one stud in each or one ear lobe and a watch.
- Long, painted or acrylic nails are not allowed at the academy
- Please ensure any extreme hairstyles/hair colours are reversed for the return to school in September.
- Hoodies/Non academy jumpers are NOT academy uniform and should not be worn under or over blazers inside/outside the building,
The academy PE kit is ESSENTIAL at all times and students must have the correct academy PE kit.
Detentions
We run a detention system and this is a whole academy system and detentions will be held every day after school up to 45 minutes. These will be communicated to you and we will be expecting the support from our families in students attending these. Refusing to attend detentions will mean an increase in sanction.
Mobile phones
Mobile phones should not be seen in the academy; if they are seen or heard they will be confiscated and a parent will be required to collect it. If a student brings one into the academy, and it is lost or stolen, we will not take any responsibility. If a student needs to contact home during the day they can use one of our telephones. The use of mobile phones is a distraction to learning and there are serious consequences for students who take photos or videos in and around the academy and in addition then share them on social media.
Smoking or Vaping
We would like to remind you that the academy is a smoke free zone anywhere on the premises or academy site. This also includes vapes, which may be confiscated if a student brings one on site or if caught smoking or vaping this will lead to further consequences.
The Academy Day
The end of the day times can be seen below. The important thing to note here is the start of the day for all year groups is now 8.15am. Students should be in their line up by 8.10am. Students who arrive late will be issued a detention for the end of the day.
Students will be dismissed from the academy at the following times:
- Monday 3.45pm
- Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 2.45pm
- Friday 1.15pm (lunch is available at break time)
GDPR/Data Protection Act
Throughout the year we encourage staff to take photographs of our students learning or when they are out on school trips. We like to put up displays around the academy to celebrate student achievements and we also want to continue developing our website/social media platforms.
You need to give your permission to display images for celebratory purposes of your child. We are regularly visited by the media to celebrate the talents of your children as we always try to promote their successes when we can. Please ensure you have completed or updated the consent form which we send to you, or you can update your preference on the Arbor APP.
Use of technologies
Can I please ask you all to monitor your child’s use of their phone/computer at home in relation to social media, as sometimes they may use it inappropriately or they may be sharing too much personal information. It would be wise to check their privacy settings so that they are not sharing information too widely, as sometimes this can result in safeguarding concerns.
TikTok in particular continues to be an increasing point of concern. We have worked tirelessly nationally and with the Police this year and we will not hesitate to take the appropriate forms of action if social media use is abused.
Social media is not appropriate for young children. We ask that although difficult, if you allow your child to use it prior to them reaching the age related criteria that you carefully help them navigate what can be a dangerous and problematic culture.
Medical information
Our Student Services provide a basic first aid service for all students but they cannot give specific medical advice and you should contact your GP if this is required. If an illness or injury occurs outside of academy hours it is your responsibility to follow this up, please do not rely on us to do so. We can only administer any essential medication and this is required to be in the original packaging and clearly labelled, and a consent form completed. Antibiotics must be managed at home, not in the academy. If your child is unwell during the day, we will contact you to discuss this and to seek your consent. The school nurse, via the NHS, does offer a 2 weekly drop in service. If you believe your child requires a specific Health Care Plan for school and this is not already in place, please contact student services to discuss.
Attendance
As the parent / carer you have a legal obligation and the parental responsibility to secure your child’s regular school attendance. Under Section 444(1/1A) of the Education Act 1996, it is an offence for a parent / carer to fail to secure the regular school attendance of their child. If your child’s attendance is a concern we will contact you to discuss how we can support you and your child.
Operation Encompass
We are an Operation Encompass School. Operation Encompass is a partnership between police and schools. One of the principles of Operation Encompass is that all incidents of domestic abuse are shared with schools, not just those where an offence can be identified. Mrs Pattinson / Mrs West, DSL, will be informed of all domestic instances that the police have attended.
Food Bank
We are a distributor of Food Bank Vouchers. Please contact us if you need this support.
Parent App through Arbor
Communications are also sent electronically via the Arbor App, but also on occasion by text or email, including but is not limited to, reports, letters, attendance letters, suspension letters, timetables. Please ensure your contacts are up to date on our records via the Arbor APP. Please download this if you have not already done so.
Evolve
We are now using Evolve for permissions for academy trips/fixtures. You will therefore receive notifications via email from Evolve for you to click on regarding trips, events and fixtures to give consent for your child to attend and participate in these. You are not required to create an account but you can do so if you wish. If you are unable to access these, please contact us to ensure your child does not miss these opportunities.
Biometric recognition / Parentpay
The St Lawrence Academy uses a fingerprint recognition system for our cashless catering and printing solutions. This removes the need for the students to have to use a student ID card system. The move is part of a project to improve the catering solution and help to enhance the students’ experience. In order for your child to opt in to biometric recognition, we require your consent via the Arbor APP if not yet done so or by completing the attached CONSENT FORM as detailed in the letter on our website.
The academy operates a cashless system in the diner. Funds should be added to the dinner account by purchasing school meals using your ParentPay account, If your child is entitled to Free School Meals they can access this up to their daily allowance. All payments for trips, visits and resources are also cashless and paid online. If you need your Parentpay login details please contact us.
Water
Our academy is taking a big step towards becoming more eco-friendly. As part of this initiative we have installed two new water machines which will dispense free water. The machines also dispense juice that is chargeable and tokens can be bought at break and lunch from the diner. During this academic year plastic bottles of water purchased at the diner will be phased out.
Students will therefore need to bring their own water bottles to use at the water stations within the academy as no cups will be provided. This simple change will significantly reduce our plastic waste and make a positive impact on the environment. Thank you for your support and cooperation in making our school a more sustainable and eco-conscious place.
Bikes / Scooters
Whilst we welcome children to cycle to school and park their bikes in the bike store during the day, however E-Scooters are not allowed on school grounds.
Website
Our main areas of information on our website are listed below and you should use these to reference where to get the appropriate help or details from,
Meet our Senior Team & Key Contacts – https://tsla.co.uk/about-us/staff/
Our Parent App (Arbor) –https://tsla.co.uk/parents/arbor-parent-portal/
Our Prospectus – https://tsla.co.uk/about-us/prospectus/
Curriculum – https://tsla.co.uk/student-experience/curriculum/
Attendance/Absence – https://tsla.co.uk/parents/attendance-absence/
Safeguarding –https://tsla.co.uk/parents/safeguarding/
Latest news – https://tsla.co.uk/category/front-page-news/
On the homepage, you can click on the “pink” icons down the right hand side to quickly get to Calendar, term dates, Uniform, Prospectus, Parentpay.
Communicating with us
If you need to get in touch with a staff member around either a subject or a year group matter then please see the Contact List where a list of staff contacts are supplied. Please go through these channels to speak with the relevant person or people. Below are the main contact details for us in terms of telephone number, email address, website and social media accounts. Please be advised our social media channels are not manned continually & messages not always responded to
Moving forwards
We have appointed some fantastic staff at the academy for the start of the new academic year who are very excited about their new roles and being part of The St Lawrence Academy. We believe we have an excellent team of staff who will inspire your children to do their best.
In September, students will need to be organised and plan in advance. They will need to:
- be on time for the start of the day and arrive in good time.
- have the correct uniform including shoes and not trainers.
- bring the correct equipment for learning (pen, pencil and ruler as a minimum expectation).
- bring their PE kit (The St Lawrence Academy PE kit only) on PE days.
- be prepared to complete homework when it is set.
As you are aware Matt Hire has now left the academy and that I have been appointed as the new Headteacher. I am delighted and privileged to lead such a fantastic academy and I look forward to meeting you throughout the course of the year. I will give you regular updates about life at The St Lawrence Academy through half termly letters .
In September, we aim for a good start to enable the focus for our children’s futures moving forward. A school community needs a community and a community needs a school that works hard together through times that are good and also tough.
We want to work in partnership with you to make sure that the academy can provide the best possible education for your children. We recognise how important it is to have the support of all the staff, parents, carers and students and we hope that our partnership with you will continue to grow over the coming years. Our mission statement reflects our vision: Treasuring Everyone, Transforming Communities and we are very optimistic about the future, especially after having had another very successful year.
I hope you enjoyed the summer and your children are ready for a new year.
Yours sincerely
Michael McCluskie
Headteacher
