Starting secondary school is an exciting step, but there is a lot for students to get used to: new teachers, different classrooms, homework systems, clubs and greater independence.
At Central Foundation Boys’ School, we want students to develop good habits from the very beginning. The school, with the support of parents’ and carers, will help these habits become well established.
This guide provides practical advice to support your son at the start of his secondary school journey.
1. Getting Organised
One of the biggest changes in Year 7 is moving around the school for different lessons.
Your son has a two-week timetable and may be taught in different buildings and classrooms throughout the day.
What you can do
- Check the timetable on Satchel One each evening.
- Encourage your son to pack his bag for the following day.
- Check whether they need any specialist equipment, particularly their PE kit.
Equipment
Students should come to school ready to learn. They should have:
- black pen
- green pen
- ruler
- the books and equipment needed for their lessons
- their PE kit whenever they have Games (PE)
Students should bring their full PE kit to every PE lesson, even if they are injured or unable to participate fully. There is a role for everyone!
2. Understanding your son’s classes
Students will not necessarily be with the same students for every subject.
For English, Maths and Science, students are placed into a core class for English, Maths and Science. Some students also do Latin.
Students are also grouped according to the language they study, and this grouping is also used for Humanities.
These groups are reviewed following school assessments, so they may change as students’ progress.
3. Learning at Central Foundation Boys’ School
Lessons at CFBS follow clear and consistent routines so that students can concentrate on learning.
Students should expect to:
- enter lessons calmly and silently
- sit in their assigned seat
- have a black pen, green pen and ruler ready
- begin the Do Now activity immediately
- listen carefully to teacher explanations
- answer questions and contribute to lessons
- practise independently
- leave the classroom calmly when dismissed by their teacher
Teachers use ‘no hands up’ and cold calling, which means any student may be asked to answer a question. This is not designed to catch students out. It means everyone should be thinking, participating and ready to contribute.
Students are also expected to follow SLANT:
S – Sat appropriately
L – Listening
A – Answering questions
N – Never interrupting
T – Tracking the speaker
4. Supporting homework
Homework is a central part of learning at CFBS.
Students will receive homework across their subjects using platforms including:
- Satchel One
- Sparx
- Bedrock
- Tassomai
Homework is more demanding at secondary school but it is a vital part of your son’s learning. It allows students to practise what they have learnt so that teachers can review this and identify any gaps that need to be addressed. Our homework is planned carefully to prepare students for their assessment; homework is the revision for each assessment.
What you can do
- Check Satchel One regularly to see tasks that are due
- Agree a regular time and place for homework
- Reduce distractions such as phones, television and gaming while homework is being completed
- Ask your child to show you what they have completed
- Encourage your child to seek help from their teacher or Director of Learning before a deadline if they have issues with completing or submitting the homework
5. Set up your Satchel One parent account
- Go to the Satchel One Login Page or open the mobile app.
- Select the Student tab.
- Click I don’t have an account yet.
- Search for your school by typing its name or postcode.
- Enter your school email address
- Type in the student PIN
- Complete the “I am not a robot” security check.
- Click Sign up.
- Create a new password for future logins
- For Parent Login, follow the steps above on the parent tab with your personal email and the parent PIN
If you need your parent pin again, please contact the school and we can share this with you again.
More than one parent or carer can have access, making it easier for everyone supporting your child to understand what homework has been set.
Once logged in, you can view:
- Your son’s timetable
- Upcoming homework
- Previous homework
- Overdue tasks
- Task instructions
- Assessment topic lists
6. Excellent attendance
Being in school every day is one of the most important things your child can do to succeed.
Every absence means missed lessons, explanations, practice and opportunities to learn. Even small amounts of absence can add up to a significant amount of lost learning.
What you can do
- Make excellent attendance the expectation at home
- Establish good routines around sleep, food and getting ready for school
- Make sure your child arrives early / on time
- Arrange routine appointments outside school hours
Every day in school matters so we will always arrange a call or meeting to discuss any absence.
7. Co-Curriculum
Education at CFBS extends well beyond the classroom.
Students have access to a wide range of opportunities including:
Students should try different activities before choosing the ones they particularly enjoy. They have the opportunity to do this during the week commencing 7th September.
We encourage students to participate in at least two clubs each week.
Co-curricular activities allow students to make friends, discover new interests, develop confidence and build skills that will be valuable later in school, sixth form, university and employment.
8. Using SOCS – our co-curriculum platform
The school uses SOCS to help students and families manage co-curricular participation. SOCS is accessed through our co-curriculum page on the CFBS website.
Once SOCS goes live on 7th September, parents can create their own SOCS account using the same email address that they have provided to the school.
Students access SOCS using their school email address.
SOCS allows families and students to:
- sign up for clubs
- keep track of participation
- monitor co-curricular hours.
9. Music
Year 7 students have significant opportunities to get involved in the wider life of the school.
Music
At CFBS, as part of the MiSST programme, all students receive a musical instrument. Students have opportunities to learn and practise instruments, participate in ensembles and take part in the wider music programme.
Regular practice is important. Students are encouraged to practise their instrument three times each week.