Common Concerns
Parents have many common concerns when their child starts secondary school. The Paddington Academy transition team have constructed this page so that we can reassure you.
Paddington Academy is so big. How will my child find their way around and get to where they need to be on time? Is there enough space for all of the students?
Yes, Paddington Academy is quite a big school but students soon learn to find their way around.Students are given a tour of the school on their induction day and members of staff are always there to help.
Is the handover from primary to secondary enough? With so many children how will the teachers at Paddington Academy get to know my child?
At Paddington Academy we really take the time to get your know your child while they are still in Year 6. Meetings occur with all of the primary teachers and headteachers throughout the year and we work in partnership with our primary schools regarding student achievement and attainment. This information is used together with Paddington Academy's own assessments in order to group your child for English, Maths and Science. Paddington Academy staff also come to meet with the students before the induction day and allow them to ask any questions that they may have
Is my child going to be with any of their friends and will they make new friends?
A lot of effort goes into making sure that students know and like at least one person in their tutor group and ideally more. Students meet in their new tutor groups on the Induction Day. It is vital that your child attends. They will form new friendship groups within those classes and their Tutor will be their new point of reference.
Making new friends takes time for many students and friends can change a lot in their first year.. There are a range of clubs and activities (see website) and you should encourage your child to take part in at least one. Tutor time activities encourage team building and relationship work throughout the year.
You should let the school know if you feel that your child is unhappy. At Paddington Academy, we would much rather know sooner rather than later if this is the case. Make opportunities for your child to meet both new and old friends outside of school.
What if my child is bullied. The older children are so much bigger?
Bullying is treated seriously and is dealt with promptly at Paddington Academy. Lots of work regularly goes into talking to students about bullying as part of their tutor time activities. We educate students about the difference between being unkind and bullying. Incidents of bullying are rare but are investigated thoroughly and will involve communication with parents.
I am worried about my child's personal safety. How do I know that they will be safe travelling to and from school? Inside the school? Will my child be able to access the internet easily and if so, how do I know that they are safe if I can't monitor it?
Your child's safety is of utmost importance to Paddington Academy. Initially new students can feel intimidated by the much larger/ louder students but they quickly adapt! The Student Ambassadors act as a bridgte between the older and the younger students and allow the Year 7's to build positive relationships and confidence around communicating with the older students.
Try practising the journey to and from school with your child before September. This will build their confidence and yours. Time it to see how long it takes and try it at the correct times of day.
Talk to your child to find out what they know already about keeping themself safe in different situations. Ask them 'What would you do if...?' If you are still concerned then you can contact Family Information Services to find out more.
I am worried that my child may be told off. What if they get a detention? How are children dealt with if they misbehave in lessons?
Staff understand that a new environment and new rules are hard for new students initially. They will be more lenient in certain situations, but they will also want to 'start as we mean to go on' - it is a difficult balancing act for staff but one that they endeavour to perform..
We do not tolerate unacceptable behaviour in any lesson or around the school site and we act upon it very quickly. Staff and students understand the clear systems that are in place at Paddington Academy and use them to quickly resolve situations. Talk to your child to ensure that they understand the Paddington Academy Way (our code of conduct). This is displayed in every classroom and in the front of the student's planners.
I won't feel involved in my child's learning anymore. How will I know of there are any problems? How can I help my child's learning now that the work is getting harder?
Your child may not want you to be involved in their immediate school life, however, Paddington Academy DO so this is actively encouraged. There is lots of reporting and academic monitoring so use opportunities to attend parents’ evenings and meetings.Look at information on the website regularly. There are plenty of tips on helping your child to learn on the website and there will be ongoing meetings at Paddington Academy in order to help you to stay involved.
What if I have any other questions?
You can come to our Year 6 Parents Information Evening on June 23rd or you can consult our Blue Book which you will find on this website and which will be given out to you on Parents Information Evening or sent to you if you do not attend. This is a Parents and students handbook which should help you with anything you need to know about Paddington Academy.
Paddington Academy is so big. How will my child find their way around and get to where they need to be on time? Is there enough space for all of the students?
Yes, Paddington Academy is quite a big school but students soon learn to find their way around.Students are given a tour of the school on their induction day and members of staff are always there to help.
Is the handover from primary to secondary enough? With so many children how will the teachers at Paddington Academy get to know my child?
At Paddington Academy we really take the time to get your know your child while they are still in Year 6. Meetings occur with all of the primary teachers and headteachers throughout the year and we work in partnership with our primary schools regarding student achievement and attainment. This information is used together with Paddington Academy's own assessments in order to group your child for English, Maths and Science. Paddington Academy staff also come to meet with the students before the induction day and allow them to ask any questions that they may have
Is my child going to be with any of their friends and will they make new friends?
A lot of effort goes into making sure that students know and like at least one person in their tutor group and ideally more. Students meet in their new tutor groups on the Induction Day. It is vital that your child attends. They will form new friendship groups within those classes and their Tutor will be their new point of reference.
Making new friends takes time for many students and friends can change a lot in their first year.. There are a range of clubs and activities (see website) and you should encourage your child to take part in at least one. Tutor time activities encourage team building and relationship work throughout the year.
You should let the school know if you feel that your child is unhappy. At Paddington Academy, we would much rather know sooner rather than later if this is the case. Make opportunities for your child to meet both new and old friends outside of school.
What if my child is bullied. The older children are so much bigger?
Bullying is treated seriously and is dealt with promptly at Paddington Academy. Lots of work regularly goes into talking to students about bullying as part of their tutor time activities. We educate students about the difference between being unkind and bullying. Incidents of bullying are rare but are investigated thoroughly and will involve communication with parents.
I am worried about my child's personal safety. How do I know that they will be safe travelling to and from school? Inside the school? Will my child be able to access the internet easily and if so, how do I know that they are safe if I can't monitor it?
Your child's safety is of utmost importance to Paddington Academy. Initially new students can feel intimidated by the much larger/ louder students but they quickly adapt! The Student Ambassadors act as a bridgte between the older and the younger students and allow the Year 7's to build positive relationships and confidence around communicating with the older students.
Try practising the journey to and from school with your child before September. This will build their confidence and yours. Time it to see how long it takes and try it at the correct times of day.
Talk to your child to find out what they know already about keeping themself safe in different situations. Ask them 'What would you do if...?' If you are still concerned then you can contact Family Information Services to find out more.
I am worried that my child may be told off. What if they get a detention? How are children dealt with if they misbehave in lessons?
Staff understand that a new environment and new rules are hard for new students initially. They will be more lenient in certain situations, but they will also want to 'start as we mean to go on' - it is a difficult balancing act for staff but one that they endeavour to perform..
We do not tolerate unacceptable behaviour in any lesson or around the school site and we act upon it very quickly. Staff and students understand the clear systems that are in place at Paddington Academy and use them to quickly resolve situations. Talk to your child to ensure that they understand the Paddington Academy Way (our code of conduct). This is displayed in every classroom and in the front of the student's planners.
I won't feel involved in my child's learning anymore. How will I know of there are any problems? How can I help my child's learning now that the work is getting harder?
Your child may not want you to be involved in their immediate school life, however, Paddington Academy DO so this is actively encouraged. There is lots of reporting and academic monitoring so use opportunities to attend parents’ evenings and meetings.Look at information on the website regularly. There are plenty of tips on helping your child to learn on the website and there will be ongoing meetings at Paddington Academy in order to help you to stay involved.
What if I have any other questions?
You can come to our Year 6 Parents Information Evening on June 23rd or you can consult our Blue Book which you will find on this website and which will be given out to you on Parents Information Evening or sent to you if you do not attend. This is a Parents and students handbook which should help you with anything you need to know about Paddington Academy.