Developing confident, respectful
and successful young people

MyChildAtSchool RM Unify Tucasi
T 0117 986 4751
E enquiries@wellswayschool.com

Developing confident, respectful and successful young people

T 0117 986 4751
E enquiries@wellswayschool.com
Parent and carer area

Parent and carer area

Home → Parent and carer area
Attendance

Attendance

Wellsway School expects the highest levels of attendance, and every student should aim for 100%. Full attendance is a critical factor in ensuring positive educational outcomes and that our students reach their social potential. We are committed to providing high quality inclusive learning opportunities for all students. Any problems that impede full attendance need to be identified and addressed as quickly as possible.

If a student at Wellsway School will be absent then we ask the parent or carer to contact us on each day of absence.

Tel: 0117 986 4751 Years 7-11 (option 2) and Sixth Form (option 1)
Email: attendance@wellswayschool.com for Years 7-11 and sixthform@wellswayschool.com for sixth form

In our experience:

  • If a student's attendance rate is 100% they are likely to achieve or exceed what we would normally predict.
  • If a student's attendance rate falls below 90% they are likely to achieve an average of one grade lower than expected in all subjects.
  • If a student's attendance rate falls below 80% they are likely to achieve an average of two grades lower than expected in all subjects.

‘Central to raising standards in education and ensuring all pupils can fulfil their potential is an assumption so widely understood that it is insufficiently stated – pupils need to attend school regularly to benefit from their education. Missing out on lessons leaves children vulnerable to falling behind. Children with poor attendance tend to achieve less in both primary and secondary school.’ (Department for Education, 2017)

Student absence request

REQUESTS MUST BE MADE AT LEAST 10 SCHOOL DAYS IN ADVANCE

Wellsway school can only grant leave of absence during term time for exceptional circumstances. Any request for leave must be made in writing for the attention of the Headteacher in advance. Wellsway School follows the Local Authority’s guidelines to address attendance which may include the use of statutory powers which involves the use of penalty notices and court prosecution.

Parent/carers wishing the school to consider granting leave of absence in school term time should read these notes carefully and then complete the absence request form. This form should be submitted to the school in time for the request to be considered well before the desired period of absence. Parent /carers are strongly advised not to finalise any arrangements before receiving the school’s decision on their request. In any event the request form must be received by the school at least 10 school days before the departure date to allow sufficient time for appropriate consideration.

The granting of leave of absence in school term time is, by law, a matter for consideration and decision by the school. There is no automatic right to any leave in term time. The Department for Education (DfE) and our policy is that family holidays should not be taken in school term time. Where such requests are made, for the leave to be granted, the Headteacher will decide if there are exceptional circumstances.

Each case will be considered individually and on its own merits. Parents/carers need, therefore, to consider very carefully before making any request for leave of absence the demands of the national and wider school curriculum especially around examination stages. In considering a request, the school will take account of:

  • the exceptional circumstances stated that have given rise to the request;
  • the age of the child;
  • the stage of the child’s education and progress and the effects of the requested absence on both elements;
  • the overall attendance pattern of the child;
  • the nature of the trip;
  • students on examination courses will not normally be granted leave of absence.

For more information please see our attendance and punctuality policy.

Absence request form

Catering service and free school meals

Catering service and free school meals

Catering service at Wellsway

Wellsway School's catering facility, Zest, uses a cashless system. For more details please see our cashless catering information guide (Pdf, 562kb) which parents/carers and students may helpful.

School meal deal: £2.85 for paying pupils.

If your child if entitled to free school meals their cashless catering account will be topped up with £2.85 at lunchtime each day.

Zest menus include British chicken, pork, turkey, fish from a sustainable source, free range eggs and locally produced fresh vegetables, and remains committed to providing a quality service and healthy meal to your child at lunchtime.

If you have any queries regarding the provision of school meals or allergens/dietary requirements, please email us zest@futuralearning.co.uk.

The menus currently available are included in the links below.  Please note that there is a two-weekly rotation of the menus 1, and 2. For ease, dates are provided at the top of each menu to assist you with meal planning for your child.

Allergies, intolerances and special dietary requirements

For pupils with food allergies, intolerances or special dietary requirements, parents/carers will need to complete the Zest's special dietary requirement form and provide a photo and medical evidence for us to risk assess their child's needs. Without this risk assessment we cannot safely feed any pupil. All of our school kitchens have been told not to feed anyone without having completed Zest's special dietary requirement form.

Applying for free school meals

Registering your child for free school meals (FSM) means that your child can buy food at break and/or lunch free (subject to a maximum of £2.85 per day) and that Wellsway School will also receive extra money as a result.

The Government is providing additional money to schools to help children from families who qualify for FSM. This funding is called the 'Pupil Premium'.

 If your child is registered to receive FSM:

  • Your child can use the school canteen at break and/or lunch for a set amount every day.

Please register to make sure that your child doesn’t miss out.

Check if you qualify:

Please see the list below to see if you qualify. Registering is quick and easy – if you think you qualify, contact the Bath & North East Somerset Free School Meals Team on 01225 394317 or e-mail: freeschoolmeals@bathnes.gov.uk. You may not even need to complete a form.

If you do want your child to have a free meal at lunch and/or break then this will save you around £400 a year and the school will also receive extra funds.

If your child is eligible for FSM but you don’t want him or her to have the meals that is fine but we would ask you to continue to apply anyway. This is so that the school still receives the Pupil Premium to which we are entitled through your child's eligibility.

Do you qualify?

You are entitled to apply to register for eligibility for FSM for your child(ren) if you are receiving one of the following benefits:

  • Income Support
  • Income Based Jobseekers Allowance
  • Income Related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Child Tax Credit, without any Working Tax Credit, and an annual household income (as assessed by Her Majesty's Revenues and Customs) that is not more than £16,190
  • Guaranteed Element of State Pension Credit
  • Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

If you do register for this service the school will not share this information with anyone else. This will not affect any other benefits that you claim.

Online Payments

Online Payments

Parents and carers can pay for school trips and visits with a debit or credit card via SCOPay

If you have any queries please contact the school.

Emergency closure

Emergency closure

Severe weather conditions

Severe weather conditions before departure for school (if for example, there is a heavy fall of snow during the night, the following arrangements will apply) 

  • In the unlikely event of a school closure, an announcement will be made via the school website and twitter, plus you will receive an email from MCAS/Parent Portal by 7.30am on the day.
  • If the school remains open but you decide, based on local road and weather conditions, not to send your son/daughter into school, you must telephone the school and leave a message on the student absence line as you would for any absence.

Severe or deteriorating weather conditions during the day (i.e. after students have arrived at school)

With our students’ safety in mind we shall keep a constant check on road condition reports and weather forecasts. If conditions worsen during the day or if bus operators advise on an early departure, it would normally be our policy:

  • To enable students to begin their journey home before buses are taken off the roads and before daylight fades;
  • To allow parents from outlying areas to pick up their children earlier in the day. You should call at reception in the main building and ask us to find your child. There is no need to telephone first.
  • To give students access to telephones to contact their parents.

It is absolutely essential that you give your child clear instructions now for use in this kind of emergency. Make sure they have up-to-date telephone numbers and that they know how to contact you or some other responsible person. Ensure, also, that your child can get into the house in your absence.

Extra-curricular clubs

Extra-curricular clubs

In order to grow as a person it's important to have a range of positive interests.  We all need to learn how to:

  • win and lose with equal grace.
  • cope with challenging circumstances in a safe environment
  • feel what it is like to perform in front of others
  • build new friendships

Our extra-curricular programme will help you to grow into a confident and mature young person who is ready to cope with challenge.

Typically, students have access to clubs outside of lessons in all major sports (e.g. netball, rugby, hockey, football, cricket, rounders, tennis and athletics).

We also run a varied programme of tuition and performance in music and drama.

Many subjects run clubs to promote intellectual growth and participation such as our debate club and politics.

For more information see the clubs and activities for this current academic year.

We have over a hundred students learning an instrument, or taking singing lessons, at Wellsway.  Lessons take place throughout the school day on a rotating basis.  We encourage all students who learn an instrument to take part in a weekly extra-curricular activity such as our orchestra, Year 7 music makers or choir.  We use West of England Music Alliance (WEMA) as our provider of instrumental and singing teachers.  This means that you will be directly invoiced for lessons via WEMA.  Students can sign up for shared lessons or individual lessons of varying lengths.  Please be aware that it is not always possible to facilitate shared lessons but we'll do our best!  You can hire instruments from WEMA.  If your child receives free school meals, they are entitled to free instrumental/singing lessons - simply tick the box when asked on the form, we will then confirm this is correct.  Students can learn the following instruments, violin, piano, flute, clarinet, sax, trumpet, trombone, tuba, drum kit, bass guitar, electric guitar, acoustic guitar and singing lessons.

https://wema.org.uk/young-people-and-families/learn-to-play-a-musical-instrument/

 

Home school agreement

Home school agreement

Home School Agreement  (Pdf)

Homework

Homework

We believe that homework makes an invaluable contribution to students’ progress and should be used to reinforce or extend what is learned in school as well as to support students to develop effective independent learning habits. Students are expected to undertake homework to the best of their ability and we hope that they will feel a sense of personal satisfaction after completing tasks and from these efforts recognised and celebrated. We ask parents and carers to support us in supporting their child’s independent learning by providing a suitable space for completion of tasks and ensuring that homework is completed on time and with maximum effort.

We understand that homework is often an area of anxiety for students starting at secondary school and we try to do everything we can to help them to manage this transition.

How much homework will my child get?

Students should expect to complete one to two homework activities each school day, students will be given guidance on how much time to spend on these according to year group .

What kinds of tasks will my child be set?

We want homework to be a productive use of students’ time and, where possible, for students to enjoy completing these tasks. Students have told us that they prefer variety in the tasks set and to have choice where possible and so a wide range of tasks and projects are set, ranging from interviews and experiments to research and essay writing. Where appropriate, homework will be adapted to student need.

How will my child record their homework?

We know that the vast majority of students prefer to use online platforms to manage their learning outside the classroom – this also allows parents/ carers to support their child with organising work and managing deadlines. All homework is set using our student portal (accessible to parents on My Child At School MCAS portal) so students and parents can easily see what has been set and access any necessary resources and we thank our parents for their support in checking deadlines and helping to ensure homework is completed and deadlines met.

For those students who need extra support with organisation or for where access to the student portal is more difficult, we provide physical personal homework organisers and extra support in time management and organisation. 

How will I know how to support my child with their homework?

We ask parents to check MCAS regularly to see what has been set and to have regular conversations with their children about what they are working on. We also provide a homework club after school from Monday to Thursday and our school library is open at break and lunch with access to IT facilities.

 What if I have a question about the amount of time my child is spending on their homework or the homework being set?

We ask parents to send any queries via enquiries@wellswayschool.com stating the nature of the query and the subject where there is a particular question. All email is directed to the relevant subject teacher for response.

Who can I talk to about worries with homework?

Parents are asked to speak to their child’s tutor for general worries and subject teachers for subject specific questions via enquiries@wellswayschool.com.

My Child At School

My Child At School

Access the My Child At School portal.

Wellsway School ID  12821
IKB School ID           12824

Reset password link: https://www.mychildatschool.com/MCAS/MCSForgottenLogin 

A guide for parents and carers on how to access the My Child at School portal (Pdf).

Access to the Student Portal https://wellswayschool.rmunify.com 

Student Portal guides: Student Guide - Logging into Bromcom  (Pdf)

Student Guide - Logging into Bromcom on a Mobile Device (Pdf)

 

 

Online safety: what do parents need to know?

Online safety: what do parents need to know?

The safety of the children in our care is of paramount importance to us. We foster a culture of vigilance among staff, students and parents/carers. We always listen to children and take their concerns seriously.

The internet is always changing, and being able to keep up to date with your children's use of technology can be a challenge, especially if you feel that your children may have better technical skills than you do. However, children and young people still need support and guidance when it comes to managing their lives online and using the internet positively and safely.

Wellsway School has shown our commitment to protecting our pupils online and have worked with National Online Safety to deliver an interactive online workshop for all of our parents and carers.

The course can be taken at your own convenience and covers:

  • Information about online dangers and the newest platforms
  • What online risks to look out for and how to protect your child
  • Interactive quizzes to check your understanding

Our partnership with National Online Safety means that all parents/carers at Wellsway School can access the most up to date guides for social media apps and platforms.  Click on the links below to find out more information about each app and to download our useful tips to help keep children safe:

 

Please see our child protection policy and anti-bullying policy for information here. about our current protocols and procedures or visit Childnet's hot topics for more detailed information on topics such as social networking, online grooming, gaming and downloading.

Online safety: key information about social media (Twitter, Facebook and other social media applications)

Twitter and Facebook provide opportunities for students to communicate with friends, family and with new friends/contacts. There are also other applications which are similar to Facebook or Twitter, such as Instagram, designed for those aged 13 plus where children can make immediate connection with contacts (friends, family, aquaintances) using computers, tablets and suitably equipped mobile telephones (e.g. smart phones and iPhones).  These sites allow children to view videos, images and text and write messages and to upload their own images (photos) which can be seen by the public or by selected groups depending on the security settings your child (or you) has/have chosen.

Twitter, Facebook and other similar sites are blocked on the Wellsway internet.

Although there are many positive aspects to social media, there are important things for parents to be aware of:

  • Everything your child writes or uploads will be accessible and available to view depending on the security settings selected by your child. This could involve personal photographs/ images, comments etc.
  • It is possible to make an unpleasant comment about someone else which everyone can see.
  • It is possible to make a defamatory comment about an organisation or individual.
  • It is possible to easily view graphic pornography, violence, disturbing images, sexism, or other forms of hate speech on Facebook and/or Twitter. This is also the case on other types of social media such as Instagram.
  • If your child has a Smartphone with 3G or 4G technology they will be able to access the internet and in school internet filtering will not have any effect on what a student can see on their personal device.

If a Wellsway student is found to have made an unpleasant remark/comment about another student then they will be punished even if this has taken place outside of school. If a student makes an inappropriate or unpleasant remark about the school or a member of staff then the student will be punished for this gross lack of respect.  Parents/carers will always be involved if we ever have to deal with these issues.

Here a number of useful social media sitesguides for parents and carers

Parents’ online safety helpline (Pdf, 357kb) gives parents and carers ideas to consider and useful links about gaming, bullying, live streaming, apps and instant messaging.

Online safety: what can parents do to keep their children safe?

A simple and effective way to get involved with your children and their lives online is through discussion. Consider using these conversation starters for parents and carers to get the ball rolling: 

  1. Ask your children to tell you about the sites they like to visit and what they enjoy doing online.
  2. Ask them about how they stay safe online. What tips do they have for you, and where did they learn them? What is OK and not OK to share?
  3. Ask them if they know where to go for help, where to find the safety advice, privacy settings and how to report or block on the services they use.
  4. Encourage them to help. Perhaps they can show you how to do something better online or they might have a friend who would benefit from their help and support.
  5. Think about how you use the internet as a family. What could you do to get more out of the internet together and further enjoy your lives online?

Adults can approach your children online in order to make contact with them.  Sometimes these adults will pretend to be children in order to build trust.  When trust has been established your child may be asked to send a picture or to speak online using a camera or other device. In the worst cases adults can pose as children and arrange to meet in public without you being aware.   Adults and sometimes, other children, have been known to ask children to send indecent images (naked pictures) using Facebook, Twitter or email.   To receive these images is a criminal offence for any individual and punishable in law.

We take measures to educate all students about these possibilities through our curriculum but, of course, supervising students outside of school requires parents/carers to make their own arrangements, and for children and young people to make the right choices.

Sadly, on-line predators are at work across the region attempting to lure children and young people every day of every week.   One of the best way to stop this is for parents/carers to carefully monitor activities at home and to never allow children to use computers and electronic devices without appropriate supervision. Parents/carers must also ensure that all devices have appropriate security settings to make sure that children do not see things that they should not and so that they can be well protected from predatory adults.

Information on sexting and online sexual exploitation

The Lucy Faithful Foundation is the only UK-wide charity focused solely on reducing the risk of children being sexually abused and exploited and as part of their work they offer support for parents whose children have been affected by these issues.

The guide, What's the problem? is aimed at supporting parents whose children have already got into trouble online – helping them to understand what has happened, why and how parents can talk to their children and get further support.

The guide explains to parents: 

  • What the law in the UK says about children accessing sexual material online, including taking, distributing and posting indecent images and video of themselves or of other children (under 18)
  • How to respond to children who have produced, shared or viewed illegal images online.
  • The consequences of illegal online sexual behaviour on work, family and social life
  • The possible impact of regular access to adult sexual material on relationships.
  • How to help their children cope with peer pressure to share indecent material online
  • Where to access support to prevent a repeat of their child’s worrying online sexual behaviour.
  • Additional resources include literature and video materials aimed at young people who have been involved in ‘sexting’
  • The guide also alerts parents to the most popular sites used by children to access adult sexual materials as well as to send and receive sexual images of themselves.

Online safety: what can parents do if they have any concerns?

If you have a concern of any kind, please do not ‘wait and see’ or assume that someone else is dealing with it. Please contact the school immediately or see the sources of additional information below:

Parents’ and carers’ evenings

Parents’ and carers’ evenings

Schools across the Futura Learning Partnership use an application called School Cloud to manage parents’ and carers' evenings. This application allows users to book appointments online and conduct appointments remotely via video communication.

Each of the schools within the Futura Learning Partnership have their own School Cloud website.

Sixth form students attending classes in different schools will need to book appointments and attend video conferences using each of the schools’ websites.

Instructions and guidance

The system will work on a wide range of devices including smartphones, tablets, laptops as well as desktop computers. To make video calls, parents and carers will need to use a device with a camera, microphone and one of the following compatible web browsers:

iPhone/iPad: Safari
Android: Chrome or Firefox
Windows: Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge
Mac: Safari, Chrome or Firefox
Linux: Chrome or Firefox

Parent/Carer Evenings

Year 10        9th November 2023
Year 12/13   23rd November 2023
Year 11        11th January 2024
Year 9          22nd February 2024
Year 8          7th March 2024
Year 12/13   27th March 2024
Year 7          25th April 2024

Parent/Carer information evenings

Results of the parent and carer survey

Results of the parent and carer survey

Many thanks to all of our parents/carers who took the time to fill in a survey form recently.  We received an incredible response, with almost four hundred families expressing their views, approximately one third of our school community.

The anonymous questionnaire was based closely on the questions which Ofsted, the body responsible for monitoring standards in schools, use to judge parental satisfaction at schools across England.

We received a huge endorsement for the culture of confidence, respect and success that lies at the core of our school.  This was demonstrated by the fact that:

  • 95% of our students are happy at school
  • 95% of our parents/carers would recommend us to another family
  • 90% feel the school is well led and managed

Teaching and learning was also noted as a strength, with responses showing that:

  • 96% notice their son or daughter making good progress
  • 97% believe they are taught well
  • 92% agree the standard of homework is appropriate

Safeguarding and welfare are our very highest priorities at Wellsway, and we were delighted to be told that:

  • 96% of parents/carers believe their children are safe
  • 96% feel their children are well looked after

In addition to this, we were really pleased to find that satisfaction in our communication systems has continued to improve, with 91% feeling that they receive valuable information in relation to progress.

The survey has also helped us to identify areas for development.  Whilst the majority of parents are either unaware of bullying incidents at Wellsway, or are satisfied with their knowledge of how we deal with them, 15% of our parents and carers voiced concerns.  Likewise, 15% of our parents felt that behaviour is not always good.  We have recently reviewed and improved our behaviour systems and will continue to seek the opinions of students, parents and carers to ensure that these changes have a positive impact.  The number of bullying incidents reported at Wellsway is extremely low and we therefore urge you to contact us at enquiries@wellswayschool.com if you have any concerns in relation to your child or another individual.

Finally it was really helpful to read the comments which some parents and carers chose to add at the end of the survey.  We are particularly grateful for the many comments thanking our staff for their dedication and hard work.

  • “All of my children have been happy at Wellsway and receive a high level of education”
  • “We are pleased that the most able children are being challenged”
  • “Thank you for all the hard work of teachers and their commitment”
  • “My child is thriving at this school and being offered lots of opportunity”
  • “We are extremely happy with Wellsway and looking forward to our youngest child starting this September”    
Safeguarding in schools

Safeguarding in schools

Wellsway School takes seriously its responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of the children and young people in its care. The welfare and safety of the children in our care is of paramount importance to us and we foster a culture of vigilance among staff, students and parents/carers. We always listen to children and take their concerns seriously. To help us do so, we stay well informed about both national and local issues and are proud to have taken part in both national and local campaigns and training programmes to develop systems to positively promote student welfare alongside staff understanding and knowledge around key issues our young people may be facing.

Please feel free to contact Mr Steve Ive (Designated Safeguarding Lead) email: sive@wellswayschool.com or contact the school if you have any concerns in relation to students wellbeing.

The information outlined here aims to provide parents and carers with key information, advice and guidance and includes links to outside agencies and useful reference sites.

Further guidance for parents and carers is available from the child protection and safeguarding policy or from the sites below:

School nursing service

If you would like more information on the B&NES School Nursing Service, then please click on the link below. Students can book an appointment with school nurse Fiona McGlynn through their Tutor, Learning Mentor or Head of House.

Behaviour and family mentoring 

Mental health

Safeguarding newsletters

Substance misuse 

Parent/carer PSHE curriculum evening

Student wellbeing evening for parents and carers 2022

Student wellbeing evening for parents and carers 2023

Further information

School buses

School buses

Admissions and transport

It is the B&NES admissions and transport team who are responsible for determining entitlement to school transport.

Email: admissions_transport@bathnes.gov.uk
Tel: 01225 394312

Further details are on B&NES home to school transport

 

 

School day

School day

We expect all students to be on the premises for 8.40am to ensure they have time to get to lessons. Students are not permitted on the school site before 8.20am, unless they are involved in a pre-arranged, supervised activity.

 

School Day timings (Pdf)

 

 

 

Our uniform requirements

Our uniform requirements

Wellsway School requires all students in Years 7-11 to wear uniform.

Our uniform promotes a distinctive and smart appearance both inside and outside school, identifying the wearer as a student of Wellsway School. Our uniform requirements are intended to be clear and unambiguous.

Our policy on school uniform is based on the notion that school uniform:

  • promotes a sense of pride in the school
  • Engenders a sense of community and belonging towards the school
  • Is practical and smart
  • Identifies the children with the School
  • Prevents children from coming to school in fashion clothes that could be distracting in class
  • Makes children feel equal to their peers in terms of appearance
  • Is regarded as suitable wear for School and good value for money by most parents.

Please note that only uniform styles specified by the school, available through our uniform stockists, are acceptable.

The school uniform supplier is Scholars, Bath Outlet Shop, 4 Terrace Walk, Bath, BA1 1LN. Tel: (01225) 462206.

More information

Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

Learning and progress for all, regardless of need and supporting everyone.

At Wellsway our aim is for all learners will access a broad and balanced curriculum in a safe learning environment and there will be clarity of provision for them.  All learners are valued, no matter what the differences are in their abilities or behaviours and every child matters. 

Director of Inclusion (SENCo): Mr Christopher Cooke
Deputy Curriculum Director: Inclusion - Miss Victoria Smith

Assistance (SENCo): Mrs Sophie Razgui 
High Learning Support Assistants: Lindsay Flower, Richard Gascoyne and Laura Roberts

SEMH Manager: Mrs Jane Uren

We also have a team of dedicated SEND Keyworkers who support students across the curriculum

The five areas of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) are:

  • Cognition and Learning
  • Social, emotional and Mental Health
  • Communication and Interaction
  • Sensory and Physical Impairments
  • Medical conditions which may affect learning

Students have a Special Educational Need or Disability if they need support in or have difficulty in accessing the curriculum that is in addition to or different from other students of their age. This can be a temporary or long term issue. We support students in the context of their own individual needs and in liaison with parents, carers and other professional organisations.

  • Support and counselling for students suffering with anxieties, social, emotional and mental health needs and a safe space (The Haven) for those students to thrive
  • Needs to be changed to Support and counselling for students suffering with anxieties, social, emotional and mental health needs.
  • A specialist ASD Keyworker for students on the Autistic Spectrum
  • Needs to be changed to A specialist ASC Keyworker for students on the Autistic Spectrum

 What does inclusion look like at Wellsway School?

We pride ourselves on catering for a wide variety of needs by using effective differentiation in the classroom.  In some cases, the Inclusion team will provide extra support in class for our most vulnerable learners.  Wellsway provides:

  • Swift and effective interventions for students with additional needs
  • Support and counselling for students suffering with anxieties, social, emotional and mental health needs and a safe space (The Haven) for those students to thrive
  • Key Workers for students with Educational Health Care Plans
  • Regular contact with parents and outside agencies to ensure the best outcomes for students
  • A specialist ASD Keyworker for students on the Autistic Spectrum
  • Dyslexic friendly learning environments with teachers who know how to help students with dyslexia in their learning
  • Support and training in SEND for all staff and a range of on-going CPD opportunities
  • A focus on Integration not Exclusion for students with SEND.

The Wellsway Inclusion Centre

The Wellsway Inclusion Centre is a lively hub of activity where dedicated professionals aim to support students in the very best way possible by providing:

  • Literacy and numeracy support in small groups
  • Social Skills groups to support vulnerable students
  • Innovative interventions to support students with social, emotional and mental health issues
  • A safe space that students can access during break and lunchtimes
  • Close links with other professionals from outside agencies

 FAQs

How can I talk to the Director of Inclusion about my son / daughter?

You can contact the Director of Inclusion by telephone or email: enquiries@wellswayschool.com FAO Director of Inclusion.

How will Wellsway support our son / daughter’s transition to and from school?

Wellsway liaises closely with the feeder primary schools.  As soon as we know who is coming to us we ensure that every child is visited in their primary setting, provided they are living within reasonable distance of the B&NES / Bristol / South Gloucester areas. 

Should your child require extra support for transition, this can be arranged in collaboration with the primary school.

How does Wellsway know if a student needs help?

There are various approaches that Wellsway uses to establish the needs of learners.  In the majority of cases this is addressed by the class teachers who will employ a variety of teaching techniques in order to meet each student’s individual needs. We establish the level of support required for our learners through the following:

  • If a concern is raised by the teachers who then build evidence to demonstrate that a student requires intervention which is in addition to and different from other students of the same age group
  • Where student attainment and progress is significantly below expectations
  • There is a significant or prolonged change in behaviour
  • If a concern is raised by parents of a student that their child is struggling.

How is the decision made about what type and how much support my son/daughter will receive?

Each student is assessed individually and a personalised package of support is put in to place, dependent on need.  Meetings are held between the Director of Inclusion and parents when a need has been identified.  These will then be implemented and teaching staff will be advised of a students’ need.  This will also be reviewed regularly.

Additional assessments from outside agencies are used for students with complex needs.  This will be done when a full and comprehensive range of support in school has been pursued.

How can I find out whether my son / daughter is dyslexic and how will s/he be supported?

Provided evidence has been submitted by your child’s subject teachers that suggest that s/he struggles with reading, writing and/or processing, we can carry out tests which indicate whether your child has dyslexic tendencies.  However, we cannot provide a diagnosis of dyslexia.  This can be organised by parents /carer though external organisations such as dyslexia action.  Students who are dyslexic may receive targeted intervention work through small groups or access to a word processor. Coloured overlays are also available from the Inclusion Centre if a student finds this helpful for reading.  Regular strategies are also discussed with staff to support students with dyslexia.

How do I know if my son / daughter requires special consideration for exams?

In exceptional circumstances, some students require access for exams such as extra time, a scribe or a word processor.  Some students also require rest breaks.

In order for these access arrangements to be granted, evidence needs to be collected from subject teachers by the Inclusion team that proves that the nature of the special consideration is the student’s normal way of working.  Wellsway School has to follow criteria set out by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ).  A learning need such as dyslexia does not automatically mean that a student is automatically entitled to access arrangements and in cases where a student does not use the arrangement provided, then it is rescinded.  Further information can be found on the JCQ website.

What support will there be for my son / daughter’s wellbeing?

Your child’s tutor will be the first port of call for any issues that may arise and our tutors are well trained in offering high quality help and advice.  We offer a comprehensive and supportive pastoral system with dedicated House teams who support young people through what can be a difficult time in their lives such as the transition from childhood to adulthood and the pressures that that will bring.  Student Support is positioned in the centre of the school and the Head of House and Learning Mentors can be found there along side our Attendance Improvement Officer, the School Nurse and our voluntary counsellors.  For students with complex emotional needs we have The Haven which is run by our SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) manager who offers therapeutic help and advice.

What if my son / daughter has a medical condition?

You can contact our School Health Nurse to discuss any medical conditions or queries you may have prior to them starting at Wellsway. Please contact: enquiries@wellswayschool.com

Students with a disability or who are taking regular medication during the school day will have a Health Care Plan that is overseen by the school nurse.

Students who are struggling to access school due to illness may need a Medical Action Plan. This is created by our Attendance Improvement Officer in liaison with parents, medical professionals and a member of your child’s House team.

In the rare case of a child being too ill to attend school or recovering from an operation, we may refer to the Hospital Reintegration Service (HERS)

What do I do if I have a concern or a complaint relating to the SEND support provided for my child?

Where a parent of a child with SEND has concerns about the provision or support for their child, we would hope to be able to answer and resolve any issues quickly to support the progress and welfare of the student. In the first instance, any concerns should be directed to our Director of Inclusion & SENCo, Mr Chris Cooke. In the unfortunate and rare case that these concerns cannot be resolved and a parent remains dissatisfied with the outcome or support, they should follow the complaint procedure as outlined on the school website.

More information

Term dates

Term dates

TERM DATES 2023-24

Term 1

Inset days: Friday 1, Monday 4, Tuesday 5 September 2023
Starts: Year 7 and 12 only - Wednesday 6 September 2023
All year groups: Thursday 7 September 2023
Ends: Friday 20 October 2023

Term 2

Starts: Monday 30 October 2023
Ends: Friday 15 December 2023

Term 3

Inset day: Tuesday 2 January 2024
Starts: Wednesday 3 January 2024
Ends: Friday 9 February 2024

Term 4

Inset day: Monday 19 February 2024
Starts: Tuesday 20 February 2024
Ends: Thursday 28 March 2024

Term 5

Starts: Monday 15 April 2024
Ends: Friday 24 May 2024

Term 6

Starts: Monday 3 June 2024
Inset day: Friday 21 June 2024
Inset day: Monday 8 July 2024
Ends: Tuesday 23 July 2024

Printer friendly version of the term dates 2023-24 (Pdf)

TERM DATES 2024-25

Term 1

Inset days: Monday 2, Tuesday 3 September 2024
Starts: Year 7 and 12 only - Wednesday 4 September 2024
All year groups: Thursday 5 September 2024
Ends: Friday 25 October 2024

Term 2:

Starts: Monday 4 November 2024
Inset day: Friday 29th November 2024
Ends: Friday 20 December 2024 - early closure 

Term 3

Starts: Monday 6 January 2025
Ends: Thursday 13 February 2025
Inset day: Friday 14 February 2025

Term 4

Starts: Monday 24 February 2025
Ends: Friday 4 April 2025

Term 5

Starts: Tuesday 22 April 2025
Ends: Friday 23 May 2025

Term 6

Starts: Monday 2 June 2025
Inset day: Friday 20 June 2025

Inset day: Friday 4th July 2025 
Inset day: Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 July 2025

Ends:  Friday 18 July 2025

Printer friendly version of the term dates 2024-2025 (Pdf)

 

Transition to Wellsway 2024

Transition to Wellsway 2024

Year 6 to 7 transition information

 

8 Things I'd wish I'd known before starting Secondary School: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zhb9382

Celebrity Tips for starting Secondary School: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/znvwgwx

Myths about Secondary School: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/znkqgwx

Parental survival guide: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zbr7rj6

Uniform information

Wellsway School requires all students in Years 7-11 to wear uniform.

Our uniform promotes a distinctive and smart appearance both inside and outside school, identifying the wearer as a student of Wellsway School. Our uniform requirements are intended to be clear and unambiguous.

Our policy on school uniform is based on the notion that school uniform:

  • promotes a sense of pride in the school
  • Engenders a sense of community and belonging towards the school
  • Is practical and smart
  • Identifies the children with the School
  • Prevents children from coming to school in fashion clothes that could be distracting in class
  • Makes children feel equal to their peers in terms of appearance
  • Is regarded as suitable wear for School and good value for money by most parents.

Please note that only uniform styles specified by the school, available through our uniform stockists, are acceptable.

The school uniform supplier is Scholars, Bath Outlet Shop, 4 Terrace Walk, Bath, BA1 1LN. Tel: (01225) 462206.

 

PTA / Friends of Wellsway

PTA / Friends of Wellsway

We are an organisation of parents and teachers working hard to raise money for Wellsway School. We meet every second Wednesday of the school term in the evening at 7pm.

Over the years we've bought all sorts of things to improve the school environment including: bird-watching cameras; library furniture; digital projectors; a smoke machine; and keyboards for the Music Department to name just a few!

We run a variety of events including used uniform sales and the annual Wellsway Artisan Craft Fair in November: www.wellswaypta.co.uk

We are always looking for new members to give a little time or lend their expertise; so if you are interested in joining us, please send us a message at pta@wellswayschool.com or via Facebook: www.facebook.com/wellswaypta/

We’d love to hear from you!

Friends of Wellsway PTA

News and Events

News and Events
Ofsted Report

Ofsted Report
News and Events

News and Events
Wellsway Active - Sport Community Letting

“Teachers have a real sense of care for us to progress.”

Year 11 student
QUICK LINKS

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Wellsway School, Chandag Road, Keynsham, Bristol BS31 1PH

T: 0117 986 4751 E: enquiries@wellswayschool.com

Headteacher: Mr R. Pearsall

A Futura Learning Partnership school

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