Advice Year 7 2022
This page contains information for the parents of pupils due to start at Balcarras in September 2022.
Pre-admission form
As stated in the welcome letter sent to you by Mr Burke, we would be grateful if you could complete our online pre-admission form for child who is starting with us in September.
We would be grateful if this form could be completed by Friday 29th April.
If you have any questions or queries about the form, please email chb@balcarras.gloucs.sch.uk
Important dates for the diary
Taster day for Year 6 pupils - Wednesday 6th July 2022
All parents/guardians will receive a letter in the post confirming arrangements for Taster day.
Timings for the day will be 8.50am - 3.20pm.
Parents Evening - Thursday 7th July 2022 - 6-8pm
If you have any questions about the Year 6 to Year 7 transition please email Mrs Cathryn Saunders on cs@balcarras.gloucs.sch.uk
Primary Visits
All Primary Schools and Year 6 pupils will be visited at their school.
Helping your child become secondary ready
If you were looking for information on how to help settle your child into Year 7, we have put together some resources to support and guide you. The presentations that follow are in four parts which can be watched with your child at your own convenience. There is also a useful BBC Bitesize quiz below.
Are you secondary school ready? - BBC Bitesize Secondary school can be very different to primary school, so it's good to be prepared for the change. Take this quick quiz to find out how to get ready. JavaScript is required to view this activity. www.bbc.co.uk |
Secondary Ready Meeting Information
Part 1 - Introduction – outlining relationship skills, making friends, meeting new people and being an inclusive school
Part 2 - The importance of sleep and social media use
Part 3 - Sharing ideas to develop resilience skills in our child
Part 4 - The role of the tutor and supporting your child at home
Part 5 - What parents can do next to support their child
School Uniform Update & Knowing which House your child is in
Your child will receive a letter at the end of June / early July which will inform them which tutor group and house they are in. At the moment the only part of the uniform that will need to be in House colours, is the school badge. These are not only available from our uniform suppliers but are also available directly from Balcarras School (through reception).
Click here for a full school uniform list.
We have two uniform suppliers:
Monkhouse (formerly School Togs)
https://www.monkhouse.com/catalog/category/view/s/balcarras-school-urn-136474/id/5255/
252 High Street, opposite Wilkinsons
For further information click here.
The Schoolwear Company
https://theschoolwearcompany.co.uk/find-your-school/balcarras-school-uniform-cheltenham.html
Universal Uniform Ltd, Unit V1 Kingsville Road, Kingsditch Trade Park
For further information click here.
PE Kit
Click here for the instructions on how to order PE Kit. Please note that all PE kit that has been ordered through school using Scopay will be issued in September in PE lessons directly to the pupils.
Music
Click here for the Music booklet including instructions on how to book Music lessons for your child using Scopay.
Maths Kit, Lockers, Ties and Badges
Click here for the information on how to order a Maths Equipment Kit (optional), a locker in school and School ties and badges. If a badge is ordered through school we will know which colour to issue.
Medical Information
All information regarding pupils with can be found here.
PTFA
Balcarras PTFA is a committee whose purpose is to raise money to support the School. The committee organises a number of events during the school year to raise the funds requires. We use these funds towards equipment and materials for departments and extracurricular clubs. In the past we have been lucky enough to provide every request made. In addition, we also each year provide financial assistance towards the Year 11 & Year 13 annual prom and the Year 11 leavers book.
The PTFA is a necessary & essential part of enabling the school to function at its current level.
We welcome further support and assistance from parents either as a member of the committee or just helping for an hour or longer at one or more of the numerous events we hold to raise funds. All meetings are held in the staff room from 7pm on the following dates. We welcome all.