Dear Parent/Carer,
Thank you for choosing Darwen Aldridge Community Academy for your child’s secondary education; I am very pleased that your child will be joining us in September 2010. This is a special year to be joining the Academy as we will be moving to our new premises in Darwen Town Centre and will start the Academic year 2010-2011 in the new Academy building. I can assure you that the relocation to our new building at the end of the summer term is guaranteed and we can take full advantage of the purpose built, fully equipped, first rate facilities to enable high quality teaching and learning in state of the art teaching areas and modern specialist facilities.
I appreciate that it is vital to ensure that every child has a positive experience on the transition to secondary phase and we have a transition team who engage with partner primary schools; students and parents to ensure a smooth transition. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce the team.
Mrs Lisa Stanway – Assistant Principal
Mrs Louise Whittaker – Pastoral Manager Year 7
Mrs Heather Worden – Primary Liaison and Transition Officer (MOTHS)
Mrs Margaret Bradshaw – Head of Student Services
Mrs Deborah Huddleston – Academy EWO
During the summer term we meet with Year 6 teachers in all feeder primary schools and discuss academic and pastoral information and this enables us to place your child into appropriate teaching groups and tutor groups. If you would like to discuss any issues with the Academy to support this process then please contact Louise Whittaker – Pastoral Manager Year 7.
The Academy Induction day will take place on Wednesday 7th July. The handover date for the new academy building is guaranteed for Monday 5th July but due to minor commissioning works we will be unable to use the new building on that day. Therefore the Academy Induction day will take place at the Holden Fold site. Your child needs to arrive at the Main Entrance of the Academy between 9.00-9.30 for a prompt start in the Main Hall at 9.30. Your child will need to make (his/her) own arrangements to travel to and from the Academy. During the Induction day (name) will meet (his/her) tutor and the transition team; meet new friends; take part in team building activities; develop an understanding of the Academy’s specialism of Entrepreneurship; sample lessons and gain an insight into a day in the Academy. Students will be dismissed at 3.30.
The Academy Intake Evening will take place on the same day, Wednesday 7th July at 4.00pm. There will be refreshments available from 3.30-4.00 for students and parents. This will give both your child an opportunity to find out more about the Academy, to meet with (his/her) form tutor and other teaching and non teaching staff, and ask any questions you may have. At this evening, items of uniform and school equipment will be on sale.
I hope you will be able to attend this important meeting as it represents the first step in fostering positive, working relationships between the Academy and home. Information about the first day in our new building will be given at the Intake Evening, but brief details are included here.
Your child will attend an induction meeting on the 3rd September 2010 at the new Academy building in Darwen Town Centre. The meeting has a number of purposes:
• To sign the Home-Academy Agreement.
• To have the student photograph taken.
• To provide the student identity badge.
• To provide the new student planner.
• To provide student timetables.
• To check contact details.
• To check that the new Academy uniform is in order.
• To have a tour of the new build
You will receive a letter stating the appointment time nearer the date.
The first Academy term starts on Monday 6th September for all students and your child should be in full Academy uniform by 8.40 in time for the first lesson at 8.45.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding transition to the Academy and any information in this letter then please do not hesitate to contact any member of the transition team. Alternatively, please visit our website www.daca.uk.com and visit our transition pages for parents and students and please feel free to ask any questions via our transition blog page.
The Academy staff look forward to meeting with you on Wednesday 7th July.