2023 Year 7 Transition Arrangements
The First Day
Year 7 students are expected to start school on Wednesday 6th September 2023. Usually students will arrive at 8.45am and assemble in the Main Hall with their form group and form tutor. Students will also be given their timetable. There is no need for your child to bring their PE kit with them on the first Day.Â
Things to remember:
â They should be in their full Shevington High School uniform.
â Students will need to have their bag and pencil case for when their form tutor discusses what equipment they will need at school.
â We hope that every student will purchase lunch from the canteen on this day, so that they are aware of the options available, as well as the procedure for purchasing lunch. Please ensure that your child has funds on the dinner money section of your SCOPAY account or cash to upload onto their accounts. If you are having difficulties arranging this, then please do not hesitate to contact the School Finance Office. Of course, if you prefer, your child may bring a packed lunch on this day, and will still eat with the rest of the year group in the refectory.
The First Few Weeks:
Your child will be provided with all the information they need to enable a smooth transition in their first few weeks at Shevington High School.Â
CHROMEBOOK FOR LEARNING PROGRAM 2023Â
Our new Year 7 intake for September 2023 can now order Chromebooks via our Chromebook for Learning Program.
We have set up another ordering portal for the Chromebook for Learning Scheme for anyone who has missed the deadline.. This will be for outright purchases only.
Deadline to sign up for the scheme is 6:00pm on 1st September June 2023
https://shevington.parentportal.biz
Order code SHS19-19
Sharing Information About Your Child
We will receive lots of information about your child from their current primary school. We receive information about their academic performance, talents and special needs through a transfer form from their current school. We will also be speaking to your childâs current school by telephone to find out any relevant information to make their transition as smooth as possible. However, if there is any additional information that you think we need to know, you can let us know by emailing [email protected]. It is important to us that we have all the relevant information required to ensure a successful start to Year 7.
It is essential all parents return the data collection booklet as soon as possible . A copy of the booklet and guide are available below:
Transition Learning tasks
In July, you will receive details which introduce you to our online learning methods. This letter includes your school username, password and gmail address. You will also receive instructions about how to log on through our website. Once you have logged on, you will be able to work virtually. We want to make this possible as soon as we can as this will make it much easier for you to start working in the Shevington Way even before you officially start in Year 7. We will give you some online learning tasks through Google Classroom. There are tasks in a range of subjects and your very first mission. If you do not have a device of any kind use, please let us know and we will make alternative arrangements.
Uniform
Please see details of our Uniform on the school website about where to purchase our school uniform
Please click below to view full details on out School Uniform page.
Click here – Full Uniform information
Some providers have already shared information on their websites about how you can order school uniforms during the current lock down. Please pay particular attention to the types of school shoe we allow, and our âno jewelleryâ policy, that may differ from your childâs primary school. Below is the link for the current school uniform information
You can purchase our School Uniform from the official suppliers below.
AC Sports Pemberton
Impressions Standish ( formally known as Standish Sports)
Slaters Wigan
School Uniform Store
Here at Shevington High we run a quality seconds uniform store. This is free of charge for parents to use should you need any items of uniform for your child.
Please follow the link to make your request https://forms.gle/ZLtZkf8u7xesjJjQ7.
If you have any questions please call the school office, the store is open Tuesday to Friday 9am-2pm.
School Canteen
Shevington High School has a cashless catering system whereby students use face recognition system to pay for food in the Canteen. You are able to top up your childâs dinner account using SCOPAY. We recommend that parents set up an âemail reminderâ for when the dinner money balance reaches a certain level so that it can be topped up ready for their child to purchase lunch. Details of the canteen food on our website.
Travelling To and From School
Throughout the Induction process, our Year 7 team make it a priority to ensure that every student feels confident travelling to and from school. Your childâs form tutor will discuss walking safely to school and the importance of walking with a âbuddyâ who lives nearby, even if they arenât a friend. We consistently enforce road safety, and welcome contact from parents and members of the public if they observe students being particularly safe or unsafe on the local roads.
If your child ever has any difficulty getting home (cancellations/lift not arrived) there will always be a member of staff on hand to help, and ensure that they get home safely. Please encourage your child to speak to any member of staff in school if they are unsure of how to get home, and not to leave the school premises until any issues are resolved.
Travelling by Bicycle
Students may wish to travel to school by bicycle. We have a bicycle store on site, however it is essential that students secure their bicycle with a good quality bike lock. Please ensure your child has the correct fitting safety helmet if travelling by bicycle.
Travelling by Public Transport
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has a proof-of-age card that allows young people to pay the âchild fareâ when travelling on public transport. You will find a link to apply for the âigo passâ in the âUseful Linksâ section near the end of this page.
Travelling by Bus
Bus operators include Shevington High into their routes for use by students. Details of buses that travel to and from Shevington High School and their associated timetables, as well as information on how to purchase an IGOÂ pass, can be found by following the link below.
Updated information will be uploaded onto the School website in the Parents section when we receive the new timetable in July.
Up Holland Bus Service
The school provides a private bus service operated by Grayway Coaches for our students living in the Upholland/Roby Mill and Appley Bridge area.
Timetables will be shared very soon with the routes
Individual student passes will be available termly and are payable in advance . Cost ÂŁ140.00 approx
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the Finance Department at the school on 01257 400990.
Music at Shevington High School
At Shevington High School the music department is one of the thriving hubs of the school. We host a wide range of musical activities each week and support the school with many musical performances from small events like awards evenings to large concerts with 100âs of guests.
One area in which I am currently trying to develop is the uptake/continuation of woodwind, brass and classical string instruments. During primary school, many pupils have access to the âwider oppsâ schemes run by music hubs. These allow students to learn instruments in whole class or large group environments. This is fantastic but when they leave and come to Shevington, many students do not know they can continue with this amazing life altering talent.
The Wigan Music Service and myself work closely together and we currently have over 40 students a week learning an instrument in school with nearly half being strings, brass and woodwind. If you do not have access to an instrument the music service charge only ÂŁ60 a year for the rent of an instrument. We also have some instruments in school to borrow initially to get students up and running.
If your child currently plays or is wanting to play a string, brass or woodwind instrument please consider this with us at Shevington. It is an amazing experience and they get so much from it socially but also it improves academic ability, confidence, thinking skills and memory retention. Not only that, it is ace to be able to play and instrument!
Lessons are during school time and are either 20 minutes @ ÂŁ11 or 30 minutes @ ÂŁ16.50. To pay this is done on ScoPay and payments are a full term up front. If a child does wish to cancel at any point any remaining payments can be refunded.
For any more information on contact Mr Beaton via email or ring the school office and ask to speak to the finance team.
Moving on up! (Childnet)
A lot of work goes into helping young people make a smooth transition from primary to secondary education. To help with this Childnet has created a toolkit with videos and lesson plans for adults helping young people aged 10-13 with the online aspects of moving to secondary school.
See here: https://www.childnet.com/resources/moving-on-up/
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I request for my child to be absent from school, or attend a medical or dental appointment?
For medical or dental appointments, please simply write a note to be handed to the form tutor or main office. At the time they are due to leave, they must sign out at the School Reception and wait for you to collect them. We will not allow pupils to leave school without permission for the Parents/Carers.
For all other absences, please visit the Attendance and Absence page, under âParentsâ, on the main school website. Here you will be able to download a Leave of Absence form to complete and returned to the School reception, which will then be passed to the Headteacher for authorisation.
What if my child is ill?
If your child is too ill to come into school, please telephone the school on 01257 400990 and choose the option for Student Absence before 8.45am. You only need to do this on the first day of your childâs illness, however our Attendance Officer may contact you on subsequent days if your child does not return to school.
What should I do if my child isnât making friends?
Transition can be a difficult time for any child, especially if they are struggling to make friends. It is important to realise that many of our new students are the only child from their Primary School in their year at Shevington High School, so if your child feels as though they havenât made any friends yet then they certainly arenât alone. Naturally, some pupils may take a little longer than other to settle into the routines of secondary school and to cement their long-term friendships. Friendship groups often change regularly, which is completely normal. Most children end Year 7 with totally different friendship groups than those they may have expected as they leave Year 6. Encourage your child to join as many extra-curricular clubs as possible, and not to hide away if they are on their own at break and lunchtimes. If they are really struggling, advise that they speak to their Form Tutor or Head of Year and for further guidance.
How can I help my child with their organisation?
It is important that we allow students to develop their organisational skills independently, and to learn from their mistakes, however it is understandably difficult for a parent not to intervene if they notice that their child is getting notes in their planner for missing equipment. Rather than organising for your child, perhaps provide them with a checklist of things to do each night, with a gentle reminder from you to check the checklist! It can take a while for Year 7s to develop organisational skills, particularly if they havenât had experience of this in Primary School, but most will get there eventually. It is important for students to realise that it is ok to make mistakes, as long as we learn from them and know what to do next time.
How do I find out about Extra-curricular clubs?
Extra-curricular activities are usually advertised directly to students or on our school Website. Additionally, staff may make students aware of extra-curricular clubs during lesson time. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that you are aware if they are staying at an after-school club, and they are expected to make their own way home afterwards.
Frequently Asked Questions from our Year 7 Pupils and Parents
These are some of the questions that you have been asking us and the answers.
Q: Can girls wear their hair down? Or does it need to be tied up?
Any pupil with hair longer than shoulder length will need to keep their hair tied up. Hair should be tied back with a natural colour bobble. This is explained in the school uniform policy.
Q: Is there a bus pass that you can buy for your child? And where do you do this?
You will need to look into which bus your child is going to use. Most pupils that travel on buses have an Igo Pass. Details about this can be found on our website. Pupils who pay for a ticket on the private Upholland Bus which leaves from the school should contact school to arrange payment for this service and a pass will be issued through school.
Q:What type of work that pupils will be using their âdeviceâ for? Will an iPad be suitable or will they need a device with a keyboard- for example the Chromebook mentioned via the school?
Pupils do lots of different tasks using a device. Pupils can use an Ipad so long as they have a keyboard attached to it. Any device that has a keyboard will work. We do like the chromebooks as they have a really long battery life and work very well with the Google Education Suite such as Google Docs, Google Forms, Google Slides and Google Meet.
Q:What time does school finish each day?
The school day ends at 3pm. Â
Q:When do we get the timetable?
We usually give out timetables on the first day of school. Â
Q:What sort of school equipment will I need to bring with me on my first few weeks.
When pupils return to school it is important that you have your own equipment as we are not supposed to share equipment. Â Our basic equipment list is:
School bag, Black pen and spare pen, Pencil, Ruler, Eraser, Pencil sharpener, Scientific calculator, Pack of coloured pencils, Reading book of pupils choice for form time, Ear phones (only for use at the direction of the teacher). You will also need you PE kits on the days that you have PE.Â
Q: When will I know which form I am in?
We will be in touch in July with your form groups. We have worked hard with your primary schools to try to make sure you will be in a group with at least one person that you know and feel comfortable around if this is possible. The language you have shown a preference in also affects which groups you are placed in as different forms do different languages. As we are full to capacity this year, every form group will be full, so once places are allocated it is very difficult to move one student without moving another, so we will ask you to give your form a really good chance. If you are not happy with your group, we ask everyone to remember that everyone makes new friends at secondary school (even if you think you wonât). We ask that you try your hardest in your new class but talk to us if you are really worried about anything as we will support you as you get used to your new class and new school. Some lessons will not be taught in form groups, so you will mix with different pupils in those. This includes subjects like Maths, English, Technology and PE. Â
Q:Which subjects will I be studying in Year 7?
You will study a full range of subjects when school returns to some kind of normal situation (or you will do these via google classroom if we are still working remotely)
You will study: Maths, English, Science, a modern language, history, geography, art, drama, PE, PSHE, Technology, Computer Science and RE. You will also have a workshop lesson where you work on your termly mission, or any work for other subjects that you need to develop or improve.
Useful Links
