Parent A-Z 2026-2027
kaa.org.uk
“Children show a preference for some kind of undisrupted routine or rhythm. They seem to want a predictable, lawful, orderly world. For instance, injustice, unfairness, or inconsistency seems to make a child feel anxious and unsafe. This attitude may be not so much because of the injustice per se or any particular pains involved, but rather because this treatment threatens to make the world look unreliable, or unsafe, or unpredictable.” Abraham Maslow
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Introduction from the Principal Dear Parents/Carers, I’m delighted to welcome you to this “A-Z” of everything you need to know as a parent about life at KAA. Our aim is for teachers and parents to work together, supporting each other and reinforcing the key expectations for our students as they move up through the school. Working in partnership with parents is key to our success, and this document is the best summary we can make of all the systems, procedures, routines, and responsibilities that will make this partnership work. It is, therefore, essential reading for all parents and carers, and please do keep it as a reference guide to refer back to over the year. This KAA A-Z is reviewed annually before the start of the new school year. Every effort is made to ensure that it is accurate and up-to-date; during the course of the year, however, it is inevitable that certain things will change mid-year in response to events and feedback. The Academy will always make every effort to communicate significant changes. The most up-to-date policies and information will always be available on the school website – www.kaa.org.uk – including any updates made mid-year to the KAA A-Z. I hope you will support us with all of our rules and routines on uniform, attendance, punctuality, behaviour, and the rest that follows in this A-Z. They all go together to allow for the smoothest running and therefore most successful Academy we could wish for. All our staff are committed to the highest standards of professional conduct, as outlined in our Staff Code of Conduct, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all students. With best wishes,
Anna Jordan Principal
This KAA A-Z is reviewed annually before the start of the new school year. Every effort is made to ensure that it is accurate and up-to-date; during the course of the year, however, it is inevitable that certain things will change mid-year in response to events and feedback. The Academy will always make every effort to communicate significant changes. The most up-to-date policies and information will always be available on the school website – www.kaa.org.uk – including any updates made mid-year to the KAA A-Z. Please note that all policy details contained within this document are subject to final ratification by the Senior Leadership Team and Trustees. For the most recent and authoritative versions of all Academy policies, parents should always refer to the school website.
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Contents Introduction from the Principal A Assessment (see also progress and targets) Attendance B Biometrics Break time Breakfast Club Bullying Bursary Contact Details (ours) Contact Details (yours) Contacting Staff Counselling & Student Therapy Curriculum D Detentions E End of the day Enrichment Equipment Exam entries F Food Form Tutors G Grandin Centre H Home / School Agreement Homework House System Internal Exclusion Intervention L Learning Support Medical Needs Medical appointments (external)
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MCAS Parent App Meetings with teachers Mentoring Mobile Phones O Online Safety Parents’ Evenings ParentPay Planners Performing & Creative Arts Personal, Social & Health Education Progress and targets Punctuality R Reception S Safeguarding Senior Leadership Team Sixth Form Admissions T Timings of the Day 2026/27 2026-27 Term Dates Travelling to and from school Uniform UCAS
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A Absence ● Excellent attendance is necessary if a child is to be successful in their education. However, if
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your child is ever too ill to come to school we request that you email the Attendance Officer via attendance@kaa.org.uk or on 0207 313 5800 ext.1, before 8am. Incidents of this should be rare and infrequent. Please leave a voicemail stating (clearly) your name and relation to the student, the student’s full name, year group, and the reason for the absence. Please ensure that you include any symptoms/details of the illness, rather than simply stating feeling unwell. If you would like to speak to the Attendance Office, please request a call back in your message or email attendance@kaa.org.uk (however note this is not always possible). In the event that a child’s absence is below 93% we are required to seek medical evidence justifying any sickness absence at all (even just one day) so we would ask in advance that parents support us with this. If your child has a medical appointment, please give 24 hours' notice of this and medical proof in order to authorise the absence. Medical proof can be either an appointment letter/card, a prescription or a text message from the medical professional. We cannot allow a student to leave the school without consent from the parent or written proof of a medical appointment. Under no circumstances will requests for holiday in term time be granted so please do not make them. We have a two-week half term in October, partly to support parents’ desire to take a holiday outside of the normal school term dates. If a student has an appointment they should; attend school, leave for the appointment at the correct time, and then return to school following the appointment. This will avoid any negative impact on the students' attendance data. There is no need to be off for a whole school day due to an appointment.
Please note, if there are legitimate reasons why a student’s attendance is low, the Academy retains the right to employ this policy with discretion – it is designed to motivate students, not punish them unreasonably. If you have any queries about attendance please contact the Attendance Officer on the details above or alternatively, please contact your child’s Director of Learning.
Assessment (see also progress and targets) There is a regular cycle of assessment at KAA, which aims to reinforce learning, provide an opportunity to identify areas of weakness and prepare students for public exams. In years 7 to 10, there is a formal cycle of assessment in the Autumn and Summer term. Within this cycle students have a technique/revision week, followed by assessment week and then finally a review
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week. After these assessments, parents will receive a parent report in January and July. In between these assessments students will sit end of topic assessments on a regular basis. In years 11, 12 and 13, there are regular assessments, which lead up to mock exams prior to the GCSE and A Level exams. More information can be found on the Assessment Page of our website.
Attendance Students are expected to maintain their attendance above 97%. Attendance at school is directly linked to student attainment, therefore regular attendance to school significantly increases your child's opportunity of reaching their full potential. The Academy will pursue those families not committed to sending their child to school regularly (less than 90%). This can include referrals to external services and court prosecution (including fines). We do not do this to be punitive, but to protect the long-term interests of the student. Support can be provided to families to address issues around attendance. It is important that this is a collaborative approach and there is a shared understanding of the value of attending school every day. In accordance with the 2026-27 policy framework, the Academy adheres to the 'Attendance Baseline Improvement Expectation (ABIE)' and the 'Information Sharing Duty' effective from 30 September 2026.
B Biometrics ● KAA uses a biometric system for staff and students to pay for food, and also use the printing facilities in the academy. Biometrics are used by nearly half of all schools in the UK and provide the quickest and safest means for running these systems. ● School based biometrics tend to take measurements from a scanner or reader that adequately capture the uniqueness of the source but do not capture a complete image. With such an approach the original cannot be reconstructed from the data. It is not possible to recreate a pupil’s actual fingerprint image from what is in effect a string of numbers. ● The fingerprint value is stored in a database on one computer at the school in a proprietary format (an actual copy of the fingerprint image itself is NOT stored). Only the fingerprint reader and storage computer can recognise this format. Fingerprints and their derived values are not transferred to any other systems. ● Biometric data is not stored in the same databases as all the personal information recorded by the school and anyone using those other databases will not have any access to the biometric data. When your child leaves KAA the data will be automatically deleted.
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Break time Students have a mid-morning break of 20 minutes every day. Food can be purchased from the Dining Hall or from the snack huts in the playground. Hot and cold snacks are available. Students cannot pay by cash but should instead “top-up” their biometric account in advance via ParentPay (see section below). Students are permitted to eat purchased food and packed lunches in the dining hall or in the playground only. Students will receive a 30-minute detention should they be found eating in another area of the school. Students are not permitted to go into a negative balance for break time snacks.
Breakfast Club Breakfast Club runs each morning for all students in the dining hall from 8.00am to 8.25am. Breakfast food is free for all students thanks to a charitable grant.
Bullying Pupils, staff and visitors to the Academy will be treated with respect, courtesy and consideration at all times. Physical or other forms of bullying, including cyberbullying, are not tolerated in or outside the academy and are dealt with in-line with the Academy’s Behaviour Policy. To prevent instances of bullying the Academy will: ● Seek to identify bullies ● Address the needs of individual children, both bullies and victims ● Provide a consistent response to bullies and their victims ● Implement a system to deal with different degrees of bullying ● Secure clear agreement among all the adults involved on the steps forward ● Provide time during the Academy's in-service training programme to discuss issues associated with children’s physical, social and educational well-being ● Disseminate the Academy’s anti-bullying policies and procedures throughout the Academy If parents suspect that their child is being bullied, the Academy would like to know as soon as possible; there are certain signs that a parent will spot before they become obvious in school. The first point of contact is the form tutor or the relevant Director of Learning. It is much better to raise an issue early, than to let it fester.
Bursary Sixth-formers have access to a discretionary KAA bursary by request. If a student is considered disadvantaged (has been registered for free school meals in the last 6 years), then they are given priority. If a student is not disadvantaged or offers contextual information, they will be expected to contribute to the amount requested. Requests must be reasonable and remove barriers to education. The request can be made by completing a Google Form on the Sixth-Form student portal. The items must be specified with links to show the amount requested. General requests will not be actioned. Examples include clothing for school, stationery, books, courses, and transport to an
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educational event. There is a separate bursary for school travel which can also be requested in the same way.
C Contact Details (ours) Address: Kensington Aldridge Academy, 1 Silchester Road, London, W10 6EX Telephone: 0207 313 5800 Email: info@kaa.org.uk Website: www.kaa.org.uk Twitter: @KAA_Intrepidus Facebook: @KAAIntrepidus Instagram: kaa_intrepidus
Contact Details (yours) It is vital that we have accurate phone, email and postal address details for all of you. We send all important updates via email to parents, so it is vital that you keep your email address updated on our records. Please update us whenever anything changes by calling the school on 0207 313 5800 and asking for the School Registrar, or by emailing info@kaa.org.uk. You can also update your contact details directly via the MyChildAtSchool (MCAS) parent app.
Contacting Staff All staff emails can be found on our website (https://kaa.org.uk/the-academy/staff-list/). Please note that staff are teaching lessons during the school day and cannot respond immediately to parent queries. We aim to respond to written queries within 3 working days. Meetings are only available by appointment made in advance.
Counselling & Student Therapy As part of our pastoral support at KAA, we offer a range of counselling, therapeutic and psychological support to students and parents. Students are offered these services based on referrals by parents, Academy staff or care workers, or by self-referral from students themselves. If you think your child would benefit from the services available, please contact their Director of Learning initially.
Place2Be
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Talking therapy and other counselling services at the Academy are provided by Place2Be, the leading UK provider of school-based mental health support. Place2Be provides the Academy with clinical staff and highly trained volunteer counsellors to help students to achieve their full potential and deal positively with the challenges they face. They provide both universal and targeted services for our students, including: - One-to-one counselling (short and long-term) - A drop-in/self-referral service (Place2Talk) - Brief counselling (short, solution-focused sessions) - Parent support for parents of students being seen by Place2Be. - Group sessions and targeted support for students struggling with the transition to secondary. To find out more about the counselling and other support provided please visit the Place2Be website.
MIND MIND offers short term interventions for students identified as requiring Cognitive Behavioural Therapies. A MIND practitioner is on-site for one day per week and accepts referrals for students made by school staff and CAMHS. MIND also offers support to staff and parents in the form of signposting, resources, workshops and training opportunities.
LCAT Latimer Community Art Therapy (LCAT) is a grass roots community organisation that provides accessible professional mental health support through art psychotherapy as well as community services & activities, to support creativity, physical, social, and emotional development. The Current LCAT service at KAA is 3 days a week art psychotherapy this includes 15-17 individuals and space for 2 groups (one closed group 5 members and an open group co-facilitated by 2 art psychotherapists for up to 15)
External Partners The Academy also works closely with a range of external providers to provide more tailored support for those who require it. A selection of our external partners is listed below, however, this is by no means exhaustive and we are continually growing and building our community links for therapy and counselling. - - - - - - -
Child Bereavement UK Cruse Bereavement Service Winston’s Wish Jamie’s Farm – therapeutic residential breaks All Child – targeted mentoring programme Future Men – targeted mentoring programme Queens Park Rangers Football Club – targeted mentoring programme
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Specialist NHS Support Our therapy and counselling teams work closely with CAMHS, the Grenfell Education Hub and Grenfell, Health and Wellbeing Service to ensure that students who have been traumatised by the Grenfell tragedy are offered the right support. Students at the Academy may be referred to the GHWS assessment team if the need for additional support related to Grenfell is identified. If you are concerned about the emotional well-being of your child following the fire at Grenfell, you can also talk to the specialist NHS team via: - Grenfell Health and Well-Being Website www.grenfellwellbeing.com - By phoning the Grenfell Health & Well-Being Service on 0208 637 6279 and asking to speak to the children’s team - In a mental health crisis, young people and their parents can contact the CAMHS Single Point of Access line on 08000234650 for urgent support. - If concerned about the immediate safety of your child due to a mental health crisis, please urgently attend A&E at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. - Contacting the Grenfell Education Hub via their referral process: https://padlet.com/edfuturegrenfell/education-hub-ihm86t6fbw2gv6h9
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Curriculum KS3 Subject
Number of weekly lessons
English Mathematics Science Religious Education Geography History Modern Foreign Languages Design and Technology
4 4 3 2 2 2 2 2
Subject
Number of weekly lessons
Physical Education Art and Design Music Dance Drama Computer Science PSHE
2 1 1 1 1 1 1
GCSE
Compulsory Subjects
Number of weekly lessons
GCSE English (Literature & Language)
5
GCSE Mathematics
5
GCSE Science (Separate or Combined Sciences)
5
Subject Options (most students do 4 from the below list - 3 lessons of each a week) GCSE Art GCSE Computer Science GCSE Dance GCSE Design and Technology GCSE Drama GCSE Food and Nutrition GCSE French GCSE German GCSE History GCSE Geography GCSE Music GCSE Physical Education GCSE Psychology GCSE Religious Studies GCSE Statistics GCSE Textiles GCSE Citizenship GCSE Media Studies CNAT Sport Studies
More details about the curriculum at all Key Stages can be found on the school website.
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Sixth Form Students study a minimum of 3 subjects at Sixth Form unless taking further mathematics or request 4 A-levels with an average point score of 7.0 or above. The subjects available are below. (Please note, these option blocks will vary from year to year. The following example reflects Y12 option blocks for 2026/27.) Block A
Block B
Block C
Block D
Biology
Art
Biology
Chemistry
Chemistry
Biology
Chemistry
Economics
English literature
Computer science
Computer science
English literature
Further mathematics Mathematics
Economics
Dance
Further mathematics
History
English literature
Geography
Music
Physics
French
German
Physical education Drama
Politics
Geography
Maths
Mathematics
Politics
Psychology
Psychology
Psychology Spanish
Religious studies
D Detentions ● There are a variety of detentions implemented daily to sanction the appropriate level of behaviour displayed by a student: ● 30-minute detention (4.00 – 4.30 Mon – Thurs / 3.00 – 3.30 Fri) ● 45-minute detention (4.00 – 4.45 Mon – Thurs / 3.00 – 3.45 Fri) ● 60-minute detention (4.00 – 5.00 Mon – Thurs / 3.00 – 4.00 Fri) ● Friday leadership detention (3.00 - 5.00) ● We operate a policy of “same day detentions”. This is accepted as best practice as it ensures the sanction is clearly linked to the misdemeanour and issues are tackled without delay and do not roll over into the following day.
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● If a student is issued a detention for that day, their parent/carer will be sent a text message, typically between 2.00pm and 2.30pm. On Friday we aim to send texts before 2.30pm. ● If a student receives a detention after 1.30pm it is too late to notify you so it will roll-over to the following day in order to give you reasonable notice (unless you give your express consent for it to take place the same day or we contact you directly to arrange). ● Staff will notify parents of the specific details of a detention where they deem appropriate. This will occur via email, phone call or a note in their planner. For example; a staff member may not deem it necessary to alert you to a detention related to a student’s top button being undone. Students are responsible for informing their parents of the reasons for all detentions. Parents can also review all conduct via the MCAS parent app. Staff communication to home is unlikely to happen until the evening (as teachers are teaching during the day). We would ask that parents be patient to find out the reason behind the detention and do not call reception for the detention details unless there is an emergency. ● On rare occasions, some students receive two detentions on the same day. Where this happens, our Behaviour Policy states that the detentions ‘escalate’ to the higher level detention sanction that day. As a result, they will have a later finish time. The Behaviour Policy, and more explicit details, are available on our website. ● If a student truants any detention they will be placed in the higher level detention the following school day. Should a KS3 student truant a 60-minute detention, they will be placed in IE the following day. Should a KS4 student truant a 60-minute detention, they will be required to sit a Friday leadership detention. ● Lateness in the morning (arriving after 8:30am) results in a 20 minute lunchtime detention. For students who are persistently late to school, escalated sanctions apply. ● If your child is seen dropping litter around school, they may be given litter-picking duty (community service) in lieu of a detention. ● At the risk of stating the obvious, the best option here is for students to not get detentions! We set a high-bar for behaviour here at KAA and this disciplined, orderly environment benefits everyone. Schools in which poor or disruptive behaviour is tolerated quickly become dysfunctional and it is the students who suffer. By choosing KAA and signing our home / school agreement, parents have given their explicit support for these high expectations and, when detentions are issued, we ask you to trust and support the teacher who has issued it and to equally address the problem yourself with your child at home. We are extremely grateful for the support parents give us in this area and can see that it is making a massive difference each day. School and home working together is what is allowing standards of behaviour at KAA to be so high. ● Students who demonstrate consistent behaviour which goes against the Academy rules and expectations may be subject to a formal warning (see table below). For further details, please see the behaviour policy.
Formal Warning Thresholds <100 BP
Form Tutor Meeting
100 BP
DOL Warning
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200 BP
Principal’s Warning
300 BP
Trustee’s Warning
E End of the day ● Students must go straight home and not ‘hang about’ outside the Academy or near local shops / bus stops. This is both for their own safety and out of courtesy to our neighbours. ● Staff wardens monitor the immediate area and will sanction students who breach expectations. ● Students are not allowed into local parks and shops in uniform, either before or after school. ● Any parents who wish to collect their child should wait outside the relevant entrance and should not ask to wait in the Academy itself. ● If parents wish to collect their child by car they must not park in front of the school as it will cause a significant road safety risk but instead arrange to meet them at a predetermined place on one of the local streets.
Enrichment ● KAA students benefit from a comprehensive programme of enrichment activities designed to stretch their thinking, broaden their horizons and teach them more about the world. ● Enrichment takes place at lunchtime and after school, Monday to Thursday, from 4.00 pm - 4.45 pm (or 5.00 pm for certain activities) and Friday 3:00-3:45 PM. ● Students in years 7 and 8 must take part in one enrichment. For all other students, it is strongly encouraged. This is separate from Intervention (see section below) which is compulsory. ● Students can choose what they want at the start of each term, but they need to commit to turning up for the full term to ensure they benefit fully from everything on offer. ● To get the most from all enrichment sessions, behaviour, punctuality and effort must be exemplary at all times. Any lapses in behaviour will be dealt with in the same way as during normal lesson time. ● The range of Enrichments on offer can be found here: https://sites.google.com/a/kaa.org.uk/kaa-student-portal/enrichment
Equipment Students should have the following equipment with them every day at school: ● Current reading book ● Student planner ● 1 x water bottle – full
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● Books/folders for that day ● PE kit if required ● 1 x clear pencil case with the following contents: ● 2 x black or blue writing pens ● 1 x green writing pen ● 1 x highlighter pen ● 1 x HB pencil ● 1x rubber ● 1 x 30cm ruler ● 1 x Casio Scientific calculator ● Colour pencils (preferred not compulsory) ● Provided by the Academy and to be kept updated by parents: ● Clear plastic zip folder containing; ● Mini-whiteboard ● Whiteboard pen (black), Whiteboard rubber Student equipment is checked weekly by their form tutor. In the event a student does not have the required equipment for learning, a charge may be applied to their ParentPay account if the Academy is required to provide them with an item. All charges will be at the cost price to the Academy.
Exam entries ● Entries for public exams take place in late January for the following summer, via our exams officer. Non-taught subjects (for example home languages) can be taken at KAA; the Director of Learning and Head of Department for MfL will compile a list of entries in January. ● GCSEs are examined in Year 11, and linear A-level courses are examined in Year 13. In some cases, home language exams can sit the exam a year before, either in Year 10 for GCSE or Year 12 for A-level. Please contact your child’s Director of Learning if you are interested in entering your child for a home language exam. ● Admissions tests for Oxbridge and other institutions are now typically taken at Pearson VUE test centres. This includes UCAT, LNAT, TMUA, and ESAT, all of which must be booked and sat at external testing centres. As outlined on the official admissions websites, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure they are registered and that all entry deadlines are met. ● As stated in the section on progress and targets, A-level candidates will not be entered for exams where there is a high probability of failure; E/U grades on a student’s permanent academic record only make future applications harder. This will be determined from reports throughout each year. ● Certain courses contain an element of non-exam assessment (coursework). Milestones and submission deadlines are published well in advance, and must be adhered to. If the submission deadline is missed, candidates will either have to pay for their exam entry, or will not be entered at all.
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F Food ● Breakfast Club See Breakfast for details. ● Break time: Students can purchase food using a ParentPay account, see ‘Break Time’ for details. ● Lunch: We offer students a range of hot and cold options during lunch service which can be paid for in the same way as break time food by topping up on ParentPay in advance. You can pay on ParentPay anytime or apply for Free School Meals (FSM) - email finance@kaa.org.uk for advice regarding a Free School Meals (FSM) application. ● Packed lunch: If you prefer, your child can bring a packed lunch to school with them. However, please be aware that we do not allow any form of nuts in packed lunches due to student allergies. ● Banned items: Fizzy drinks, chewing gum, and sweets are banned from KAA (for obvious reasons). Thank you for your support on this. At the end of the day, students shouldn’t visit local shops to buy sweets or junk food, instead, they should go straight home. ● Dietary Requirements: The Academy is committed to accommodating different dietary requirements. For example, we offer vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options. If your child has an allergy or special dietary requirement, please email our Catering Manager Mr Delfs directly with this information (f.delfs@kaa.org.uk) and he will do his very best to accommodate. ● Halal meat: In order to support a smooth dining service, we serve Halal meat during lunch hour. This is a decision we have taken in consultation with the governing body and after careful consideration and research. If any of you have further questions or concerns on this matter, please don’t hesitate to contact Mr. Delfs and he will be more than happy to provide you with more details on the quality and sourcing of all ingredients in KAA meals. ● Weekly menus: You can view the menu each week on our website at www.kaa.org.uk/students-parents/menu.
Form Tutors The form tutor should be your first port of call for any queries regarding your child’s academic progress or other school issues. If you wish to email them just use their initial.surname@kaa.org.uk (for example, Mr Bernard’s email is r.bernard@kaa.org.uk).
Year 7 Tutor Team Directors of Learning Year 7 – Ms L Duckworth
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Form
Room
7 Attenborough 7 Mandela 7 Burke 7 Theresa 7 Hockney 7 Omari 7 Gorman 7 Seacole
Form Tutor
Co-tutor
House
Ms N Chiang Mr M Villar Ms E Metcalfe Ms L Jordan Ms E Cannan Mr A Nicoll Mr R Gordon Ms Yasmin Miah
Mr L Enright
ANGELOU ANGELOU FRANKLIN FRANKLIN HONEYBALL HONEYBALL PANKHURST PANKHURST
Ms I Dewes Ms L Scofana
Year 8 Tutor Team Co-Directors of Learning Year 8 – Ms L Campbell / Mr T Dickinson Form
Room
8 Biles 8 Bolt 8 Copeland 8 Daley 8 Ennis Hill 8 Mardini 8 Rashford 8 Storey
Form Tutor
Co-tutor
Mr R Gairy Ms Q Ahmed Ms M Mukari Mr J Murphy Mr N Elliott Mr L Hetherington Ms F Holland-King Ms C Godwin
House ANGELOU ANGELOU FRANKLIN FRANKLIN HONEYBALL HONEYBALL PANKHURST PANKHURST
Year 9 Tutor Team Co-Director of Learning Year 9 – Ms B Gogarty / Ms D Rudkin Form 9 Adichie 9 Carty-Williams 9 Manzoor-Khan 9 Blackman 9 Zephaniah 9 Sissay 9 Agard 9 Wilson
Room
Form Tutor Ms F Hellel Ms I Davies
Co-tutor
House
Ms M Chaaban
ANGELOU ANGELOU
Ms A Osman
FRANKLIN
Ms S Wing Ms Z Pomphrett Ms P Orgill Mr E Wicken Mr B Gurney
FRANKLIN HONEYBALL HONEYBALL PANKHURST PANKHURST
Ms Y Fang Mr M Yates
Year 10 Tutor Team Co-Director of Learning Year 10 – Ms I Madill / Ms V Matthews
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Form
Room
10 Bolton 10 Jeffrey 10 Kenrick 10 Laslett 10 Palmer 10 Portlock 10 Talsi 10 Williams
Form Tutor
Co-tutor
Mr J Gibbs Mr M Ali Ms M Gostelow Ms C Simmons Mr K Hajjaj Ms E Robertson Mr A Varatharasan Mr D Tamang
House ANGELOU ANGELOU FRANKLIN FRANKLIN HONEYBALL HONEYBALL PANKHURST PANKHURST
Year 11 Tutor Team Co-Director of Learning Year 11 – Ms N Kruk / Ms M Sadaty Form
Room
11 McQueen 11 Goldberg 11 Berry 11 Kaluuya 11 Freeman 11 Zhao 11 Andrews 11 Ali
Form Tutor
Co-tutor
House
Mr A Crook Ms E Cooke Ms L Ellington Ms V Parker Mr L Lo Ms O Curtis Ms S Redford Mr L Codrington
Mr B Scholl
ANGELOU ANGELOU FRANKLIN FRANKLIN HONEYBALL HONEYBALL PANKHURST PANKHURST
6F Tutor Team Director of Learning Year 12 – Ms G Hayward Director of Learning Year 13 – Mr R Jones Form Room Form Tutor 12/13 Atlee 12 13 Fry 12/13 Ibrahim 12/13 Ebadi 12/13 Nightingale 12/13 Roosevelt 12/13 Maathai 12/13 Tubman 12/13 Wilberforce 12/13 Gladstone 12 / 13 Sirleaf 12 / 13 Tutu
Free School Meals 21 | Page
Ms V Yoganathan Ms O Birks Ms H Rees Ms C Cope Ms S Harrison Ms M Bakx Ms S Sesay Ms A Kang Mr F Ivett Ms F Hahnefeld Mr L Kargbo Ms A Brill
Ms R King Ms N Marks Ms S White Mr G Skrine Ms N Block
Co-tutor
House ANGELOU
Ms O Kwiatkowska Ms C Peers
Ms X Prebibaj Ms C Peers Mr X Prebibaj
ANGELOU ANGELOU FRANKLIN FRANKLIN FRANKLIN HONEYBALL HONEYBALL HONEYBALL PANKHURST PANKHURST PANKHURST
● A number of families at KAA qualify for what is known as “Free School Meals”. Like all academies, it is very important for us that we have the maximum number of eligible families registered for FSM because it will increase the funding we receive from the central government and local authority. From the start of the 2026 academic year, the government has expanded FSM so that all children from households receiving Universal Credit are entitled to a free, healthy school meal every day, regardless of household earnings. ● Why we still need you to apply: While the meal itself is now widely available, it is very important for us that eligible parents formally register. If your household receives Universal Credit and earns £7,400 or less per year, your child qualifies for Targeted FSM. This specific category unlocks vital additional funding (Pupil Premium) from the central government for our school. Across London, millions of pounds in this funding go unclaimed each year. This money allows us to buy additional classroom resources that support learning for all children at KAA. ● Re-registering for 2026: Please note that government "transitional protections" for FSM end this academic year. This means all families must have their eligibility rechecked, even if you have received FSM in the past. ● University benefits: It is also worth noting for sixth formers that if a student has been registered for Targeted FSM at any point in the last 6 years, they may be eligible for contextual (lower) grade offers from universities. ● Your child qualifies for Free School Meals if you or their other parent/carer are receiving: o Universal Credit (Note: to trigger the extra funding for KAA, your annual net earned income must be no more than £7,400 as assessed by your recent assessment periods) o Income Support o Income-based Jobseekers Allowance o Income-related Employment and Support Allowance o The Guarantee element of State Pension Credit o Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 o Child Tax Credit (provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income that does not exceed £16,190 as assessed by HM Revenue & Customs) We encourage all parents who believe they might be eligible to make a claim. ● How to apply for FSM? o Please contact our Finance Officer by emailing finance@kaa.org.uk who will send you our application form to complete.
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G Grandin Centre The Grandin Centre is one of the most distinctive features of Kensington Aldridge Academy. It is a dedicated resource base for up to five students each year who have a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder. These students with Autism are often capable of high academic achievement but can suffer from anxiety at having to respond to certain social cues in a large mainstream secondary school. Grandin provides them with an emotionally secure base within the school and the personalised support both in and out of lessons. The Grandin Centre follows a separate admissions process to the main school. All students who attend the Grandin Centre must have an autism diagnosis and be in receipt of an Education Health and Care Plan. For more information regarding the Grandin centre, please contact Jenny Donaldson, Director of Inclusion, at j.donaldson@kaa.org.uk or 0207 313 5800.
H Home / School Agreement This is a very important document that all students and parents have signed prior to joining KAA. It sets out what can be expected from all parties and will be kept on a student’s file and referred to as necessary.
Homework Homework is important for two key reasons. 1) It supplements and reinforces the academic content students cover in lessons, and 2) good independent study habits are essential to succeed when students reach key stages 4 and 5. It’s vital that students take homework seriously and complete it to the best of their ability.
KS3 Not all subjects will set homework at KS3. As you can see below, only English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, MFL and RE will set homework. Homework tasks should be 15-20 minutes long, and used to practise, retrieve and embed core knowledge.
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To keep things simple for students, in most subjects, homework is set on a specific day of the week, and due in at the same time a week later. Some subjects set homework online; any log-ins and passwords they need will be recorded in their planner. It might be worth making a note of these at home in case they get lost.
Mon
Tues
Wed
Thurs
Hist - online Set: Mon Due: Mon
English - booklet Set: Tues Due: Tues* *Wed if no lesson on Tues
Sci: Online Set: Wed Due: Wed
Maths, MFL & RE: Online Set: Thurs Due: Thurs
Fri None
Geography is set in the second lesson of the week and due in for the first lesson the week after.
KS4 Teachers will set homework in a way that best suits the subject. This will take around 30-minutes to complete and students should make sure they are aware of the deadlines. Students who do not submit their homework, or do not complete homework to a high enough standard, will receive a detention as per the KAA behaviour policy. We want to avoid this wherever possible, and offer a daily H/W club during enrichment from 4-5pm in the KS3 library where students can access Chromebooks and work with teacher supervision and support.
House System Every student and member of staff belongs to one of our four houses, each of which is named after a trailblazing woman from history. ● ● ● ●
Angelou (purple) – named after writer, poet and activist Maya Angelou Franklin (yellow) – named after pioneering scientist Rosalind Franklin Honeyball (blue) – named after political activist and footballer Nettie Honeyball Pankhurst (green) – named after political activist Emmeline Pankhurst.
Every year, the houses compete for the KAA House Cup, which is awarded to one winner at the end of the Summer Term. Students can earn house points in every area of school life. The merits they receive in lessons add up to commendations, and these carry house points. Silver and Gold Merits (awarded for exceptional contribution to school life) also come with points. Consistently demonstrating the Academy’s core values is the most straightforward way an individual student can support their house.
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In addition, there is a busy calendar of house competitions: interims are smaller competitions that happen during the term, and majors are big competitions that happen at the end of each term. In these house major competitions, students from the whole range of year groups form a team, and prepare their entry. They are long-standing traditions and culminate in exciting performances in front of the rest of the school. All students should make it a target to represent their house in at least one of these.
Term
Competition
Overview
Autumn 1 Autumn 2 Spring 1 Spring 2
House Music House Art and Design House Dance House Debating
Summer 1 Summer 2
House Drama Sports Day
Individuals from each house take part in a music competition Pupils work individually or collectively to create an art and design project Group competition as explained by the Head of Dance. Teams of students debate motions across a range of political and ethical topics. Small group competition as explained by the Head of Drama All pupils in the house take part in sports day as explained by the Head of PE
We record and publish these performances on our website. Please keep an eye out for the latest videos at the end of each half-term, and to keep track of which house is in the lead overall.
I Internal Exclusion ● As part of an effective behaviour management system, KAA, like all successful academies, runs an Internal Exclusion (IE) room. The purpose of this room is to isolate students from their peers when they have committed a serious breach of the behaviour code, sending a clear message to them and to their classmates that the Academy will not tolerate such behaviour and that the choices they have made have consequences. ● Students in IE will be expected to complete work throughout the day, so as not to fall behind in their learning. ● IE is typically for one full day (so if a student is internally excluded in, for example, P4 on a Tuesday they will remain there until P4 on the Wednesday). ● Any student sent to IE will also automatically receive a 60-minute detention that day. ● In the highly unlikely event that a student behaves badly within IE their stay will be extended or they may even be subject to a suspension (which IE is of course designed to avoid where possible).
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● This may be used for students who miss a 60-minute detention or accrue more than 5 behaviour points in a day. Students in II attend lessons but must report to the Internal Exclusion room during break and lunch times for a behaviour assessment. If students receive further lesson behaviour sanctions while subject to II, they will be required to remain in the Internal Exclusion room for a full day (6 lessons).
Intervention ● Interventions are compulsory after-school sessions that take place in Year 11, with the purpose of helping students reach their full potential at GCSE. ● Parents should promote full attendance to these sessions as they will provide additional support, revision strategies and specific exam knowledge that is of high benefit to students. ● The Intervention sessions will appear on students’ timetables and failure to attend will result in a detention.
L Learning Support ● At KAA we believe all children can meet and exceed expectations, no matter what their prior attainment and experiences. In order for this to happen, some children will require further support. For some the support needed will be clear from day one. For others, individual needs may surface as the weeks progress. We are committed to ensuring all students’ needs are met and will routinely assess this throughout the year. ● In order to establish initial levels of need, the Academy will refer to the data provided by feeder schools, the KS2 SATs results, GCSE results for Sixth Formers, and our own internal baseline assessments and observations. ● Where a student has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) prior to entry to KAA, we plan tailored support and the student is assigned a keyworker from the Learning Support team. The keyworker works closely with the SEND Management team and regularly liaises with parents, teachers and the students themselves to ensure any issues are picked up and resolved quickly. ● For a very small minority of students, it may be necessary to apply for an EHCP to facilitate access to a higher level of support. KAA is obliged, in line with the SEND Code of Practice, to ensure that we have attempted various forms of support prior to applying for an EHCP, and cannot initiate an EHCP request until appropriate evidence has been gathered and other forms of support have been trialled. ● At KAA we are committed to inclusion for all. This includes students for whom English is an Additional Language (EAL). We believe that students from all backgrounds have a right to an outstanding education and should be able to take part in the full range of social, educational, sporting, creative and academic activities on offer at KAA. Where support is needed for this we assess the student and put together a programme of language intervention tailored to them.
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● To understand the support we offer at KAA, please view the SEND Information Report on our policies page. The RBKC local offer can be found on their website too. ● If you wish to discuss your child’s needs directly with the Learning Support department, you can contact the Academy and speak to our SENCO team: senmanagement@kaa.org.uk
M Medical Needs ●
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Your child’s medical welfare is of paramount importance to all staff at KAA. If your child has a medical condition this must be declared to the school through the admissions forms. If your child develops a new medical condition while at school, you should contact reception, the relevant Director of Learning and our Student Support Officer. If your child has a more serious medical condition this may require a referral to the school nurse or development of an individual healthcare plan. Individual healthcare plans are reviewed on an annual basis and will be shared with all staff working with your child at the Academy. If your child has allergies or food intolerances, you should notify the school in the same way as above. Our school canteen caters to all allergies and intolerances; however, your child will be responsible for making an appropriate choice based on the listed allergens. At KAA, we are a “nut aware” school and request that students do not bring any nut-based products on-site. All medication taken on site must be signed in to student reception with a signed consent letter from the parent. If a consent letter is not provided one will be sent home. Students who require an asthma inhaler or auto-injector must carry these with them at all times on-site. A spare should be given to the Student Support Officer at student reception. The Academy carries its own spare supplies of inhalers and auto-injectors for use in an emergency. Please note, parents may be charged for usage where a student has not got their medication available. Depending on their need, your child’s picture and details may be added to the ‘high needs medical list’. This list is a safeguarding measure to ensure full staff awareness of serious medical needs onsite. It may be displayed in staff areas of the Academy and will routinely be sent out to all teachers. Please note that bathroom passes will only be issued to students who can provide explicit medical evidence (e.g. a doctor or consultant letter) supporting the request. If you have any queries or concerns regarding the medical provision at KAA, please do not hesitate to contact Ryan Bernard – Senior Vice Principal at r.bernard@kaa.org.uk.
Medical appointments (external) ● It is always best to make medical appointments outside Academy hours. If this is not possible, parents should email the Attendance Officer at attendance@kaa.org.uk and provide a copy or screenshot of the appointment card/letter from their GP, hospital or other medical professional, as soon as they are aware of the appointment. Alternatively, students can bring the information
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to school and inform the reception team. It must be noted this will count towards an authorised absence and will negatively affect the student’s overall attendance percentage as they are out of school. ● Please note that the reception team cannot collect students from lessons for appointments. Please ensure your child is aware of their appointment time prior to the start of the school day and email their Director of Learning with confirmation of the appointment. ● The Attendance Officer, can be contacted on 0207 313 5800 ext. 1 or via email at attendance@kaa.org.uk.
MyChildAtSchool (MCAS) Parent App The relationship and communication between school and home are crucial to the success of each student. The MCAS Parent App allows parents/carers to track details related to your child. The MCAS App will allow you to:
● See real-time information regarding behaviour, detentions, attendance, punctuality and rewards ● View school term dates ● Update your contact details, so we always have the most up-to-date information in case of emergency
How to register All new parents and parents who are yet to register for the App will receive an email with instructions on 2nd September to invite you to register. You can then log in using your normal Facebook, Twitter, Google or Microsoft username and password. To start using the MCAS App:
● You can download the app from the Google Play or Apple App Store - search for “MCAS Parent” on your phone/tablet. ● From a PC or Windows phone, login online at www.mychildatschool.com ● Should you be unable to register for the app via this link, you can contact our support team by email at IT@support.kaa.org.uk to get assistance. Please contact your child’s Director of Learning if you have any questions or queries about the data displayed via the MCAS App.
Meetings with teachers All appointments with teachers must be made in advance and requests for ad hoc meetings will not be granted. This has always been our policy and is standard practice in secondary schools. To promote transparency and communication all staff names are listed on the website so parents can contact people directly to arrange meetings. If you wish to email a member of staff just use their first initial.surname@kaa.org.uk.
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Mentoring Our Learning Mentor team provides Social, Emotional and Pastoral support for targeted students within the Academy. Priority is given to Children Looked After (CLA), students with EHCP objectives and students on the SEN register for Social, Emotional or Mental Health (SEMH) needs. In addition, we have extensive support from a range of high-quality external partners such as Future Men and All Child. Mentoring support at KAA primarily lasts for 6 or 12 weeks and is focused on developing skills to succeed through the demands of everyday life independently. Mentoring sessions are scheduled 1:1 or small group sessions occurring once per week for each student on the mentoring register. Each session takes place in the 1st half of a lesson and lasts 25 minutes. Sessions are scheduled in advance. In addition to mentoring sessions, Learning Mentors may recommend further interventions including homework support club, restorative conversations with students or staff, in-lesson support, and social and emotional support via Place2Be or social skills programme.
Mobile Phones ● Mobile phones are expected not to be seen or heard at KAA. The Trustees have set this policy in light of the serious behavioural and safeguarding risks to the students that using phones in school will create. This also applies to our sixth form students. ● Should a mobile phone be seen or heard, it will be confiscated for a set period and a mobile phone detention issued. ● Refusal to hand-over a mobile phone will result in escalated sanctions as per our behaviour policy. ● All of the above also pertains to smart watches and any other device which has the capability to be used as a communication tool. Sixth Form Policy on Mobile Phones We have adopted a no-phones rule in-line with lower school policies. This means that students are not permitted to be seen with a phone around the building. We understand that at their own risk and discretion, they may choose to carry a phone, however, this should not be seen or used at any time when in school. If they need to make an urgent phone call or parents need to contact students, then the phone in reception can be used. There is also an opportunity at lunchtime, when sixth form students can leave the site, to use a phone outside. This also applies to the use of headphones/Airpods outside of designated 6F study spaces. The aim is to ensure a conducive learning environment with minimal distractions from study.
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O Online Safety It is vital that parents and staff work together to safeguard our students, to educate them on the dangers that come with being online, and be aware of the repercussions that come with being involved in cyber bullying either directly or on the periphery.
Definition Cyberbullying is bullying through the use of communication technology such as mobile phone text messages, social media apps, e-mails or websites. This can take many forms, for example: ● Sending threatening or abusive text/instant messages or e-mails, personally or anonymously ● Making insulting comments about someone on a website, social networking site (e.g. Facebook, Instagram. TikTok and Snapchat) or online (blog or YouTube) ● Making or sharing derogatory, inflammatory or embarrassing videos of someone via mobile phone or email (such as ‘Happy Slapping’ videos or physical/verbal assaults). Cyberbullying is a critical issue which can be harmful to the young person involved. It is important that parents and carers understand the way young people communicate with others, and the potential risks and implications of online behaviour.
Signs of Cyberbullying ● Secretive behaviour as you approach the computer, such as rapidly switching off screens, or attempts to hide online behaviour, such as empty file history ● Appears nervous when receiving a text, instant message, or email ● Difficulty sleeping ● Unexplained weight loss and gain ● Spending much more or much less time texting, gaming or using social media ● Low self-esteem ● Avoiding formerly enjoyable social events ● Not wanting to go to school and/or avoiding meeting friends and schoolmates ● Suddenly behaving differently at home ● Not doing as well in school The following guidelines outline how parents/carers can talk to their child about online safety: ● Always use privacy settings ● Always respect others - be careful what you say online
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● Be careful what pictures and videos you upload. Once a picture is shared online it cannot be taken back. ● Only add people you know and trust to friends/follower lists online. When talking to strangers, keep your personal information safe and location hidden. ● Save the evidence. Always keep a copy of offending emails, text messages or a screen grab of online conversations and pass them to a parent or a teacher. ● Make sure you tell an adult you trust, for example, a parent, a teacher or the safeguarding lead, or call a helpline on 0800 1111 in confidence. ● Learn the functions of how to block someone ● Most social media services and other sites have a button you can click on to report bullying. Doing this can prevent a bully from targeting you and others in the future.
Advice to Parents/Carers: Cyberbullying can be really difficult for a child to deal with therefore it is important that parents/carers keep calm and listen to their child about any concerns they may be experiencing. It is important to regularly check-in with your child. If they are experiencing cyberbullying you should contact external organisations that can provide help and support such as Childline, and contact KAA to report it as soon as possible.
E-safety at Home ● Discuss with your child what sites and apps they like and explore them together ● Discuss with your child what sites and apps are age-appropriate ● Be positive about what you see online but also be open about any concerns that you may have as a parent/carer ● Keep the computer in a public place in the house Parent controls are software and tools that you can install on your phone or tablet, game consoles or laptops and your home broadband. Parent controls help you to: ● ● ● ●
Plan what time of day your child can go online and how long for Stop them from downloading apps they are too young for Manage the content different members of the family can see Help you block or filter the content you see when you’re searching online
There are always different methods to keep your child safe online. KAA will ensure that all parents and carers are informed of the procedures in place in the Anti-Bullying Policy to deal with all forms of bullying including cyber-bullying. It is essential that all parents and carers are involved in resolving the issues that stem from cyberbullying because this can help to strengthen their child’s self-confidence and restore a sense of emotional safety. Important and useful information can be found on the following sites to provide support to parents, carers and children: Cybersmile Foundation: https://www.cybersmile.org/
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Thinkuknow: https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/ NSPCC: www.nspcc.org.uk- 0808 800 5002 Childnet: www.childnet.com The Anti-Bullying Alliance: www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk Kidscape: https://www.kidscape.org.uk/ Childline: https://www.childline.org.uk/ Young Minds: https://youngminds.org.uk/
P Parents’ Evenings Parents’ evenings are compulsory for parents to attend, as directed by the Department for Education, and they are a vital part of the partnership between school and home. Parents’ Evenings will either involve individual meetings with your child’s teachers or a presentation from senior staff. Parents will be contacted by email and letter in advance of their child’s parents’ evening, but the dates for the year are provided below: Year 7 ● Welcome to Year 7 Information Evening – Thursday 10th September 2026, 6pm-7pm ● Year 7 Progress Meetings – Thursday 21st January 2027, 4.30pm-7.30pm Year 8 ● Year 8 Progress Meetings – Thursday 18th March 2027, 4.30pm-7.30pm Year 9 ● GCSE Options Evening – Thursday 12th November 2026, 5pm-7.00pm ● Y9 Progress Meetings - Thursday 4th February 2027, 4.30pm-7.30pm Year 10 ● Year 10 Progress Meetings - Thursday 29th April 2027, 4.30pm-7.30pm Year 11 ● Y11 Parents’ Information Evening - Tuesday 8th September 2027, 6pm-7pm ● Y11 Progress Meetings & Mock Results Evening - Thursday 7th January 2027, 4.30pm-7.30pm ● Y11 “Crunch Time” Parents’ Evening - Thursday 15th April 2027, 6pm-7.00pm Years 12 & 13
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● Sixth Form Progress Meetings – Thursday 3rd December 2026 (virtual), 5pm-8pm
ParentPay KAA operates a cashless e-payment system – ParentPay – for morning break, lunch, classroom activities requiring special equipment, and extra-curricular activities such as school trips. Therefore, students should never need to bring money into the Academy or have money on their person which means that the risk of loss is greatly reduced. With ParentPay you know that your money has reached your child’s account safely, you can view your account statement and payment history, check when payments need to be made and set alerts to tell you when to pay online. This ePayment system allows parents and carers to pay online by debit & credit card or in cash at local PayPoint stores. Each parent has a secure online account, activated using a unique activation username and password. ParentPay holds an electronic record of your payments to view at a later date. A detailed ParentPay user guide can be downloaded from the ParentPay website (www.parentpay.com) or in the introductory ParentPay letter sent to all Year 7 parents and carers. Please do not hesitate to contact the school finance office if you need assistance, at finance@kaa.org.uk.
Planners Each student in KS3 and KS4 will be issued with a planner at the start of the academic year. As this is an essential educational tool the Academy will provide it for free though any replacement planners will be charged at £10.00 (the cost of a replacement). We ask that parents review their child’s planner each day to check HW is written in clearly, and sign it on a weekly basis. Any messages for your child’s Form Tutor should also be recorded in the planner in the “Parents Communication” section. For the Sixth Form, please email your child’s form tutor directly. Failure to have your planner on any given day will result in a 30-minute immediate sanction. Planners are expected to be kept in good condition or they will need to be replaced.
Performing & Creative Arts KAA is proud to be a Performing and Creative Arts (PCA) specialist Academy, which means our students benefit from exceptional opportunities and teaching in drama, music, dance, art, and design technology. We believe that creativity should be at the heart of education, and our PCA curriculum and enrichment programme reflect this ethos in every year group. In addition to their weekly lessons, students can take part in a wide range of enrichment activities, all designed to stretch their talents, nurture their confidence, and inspire a lifelong love of the arts. Many of these are led by our talented KAA staff, while others are delivered by world-class external partners. Each year, students participate in a vibrant calendar of performances and showcases, including: ● Our hugely popular Christmas pantomime
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The large-scale annual school musical Recital Evenings, for soloists and small ensembles House competitions in music, dance, drama, and art Informal concerts, exhibitions, and events throughout the year
We also believe it’s important that students experience the arts beyond the classroom. KAA regularly organises trips to museums, galleries, and live performances-from the West End to fringe theatres, from local exhibitions to world-renowned institutions-ensuring students are immersed in a rich cultural education. KAA’s PCA specialism is strengthened by our partnerships with leading arts institutions: The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) provides expert workshops and dance exams. The Royal College of Music (RCM) supports trips and masterclasses. LAMDA offers drama qualifications and coaching in performance and communication. Our partnership with ITV opens doors to the world of media and broadcasting through behind-the-scenes workshops with industry professionals. ● Additional links with ArtsEd and the Sylvia Young Theatre School provide further access to elite-level training and development. ● ● ● ●
We also offer a Performing & Creative Arts Scholarship Programme, open to up to 10% of our Year 7 intake each year. Students are selected based on an aptitude test and join a community of PCA Scholars, with access to: ● Subsidised instrumental tuition ● Accredited external qualifications (e.g. RAD or LAMDA) ● Mentorship and additional rehearsal time to develop their talents Many of our PCA Scholars go on to represent the school in high-profile productions, competitions, and showcases across London and beyond. To stay up to date with all PCA news and events, follow us on social media or visit the dedicated PCA section of the website: kaa.org.uk/performing-creative-arts
Personal, Social & Health Education PSHE is integral to the curriculum at KAA and all students, year 7-13, will study a vast array of topics during their designated PSHE. This covers both statutory content and content that we believe is contextually applicable to our students. Further details regarding our PSHE curriculum can be found in the subject area on the Academy’s website and in the PSHE and RSE policies. For more information regarding PSHE, you can contact your child’s DOL or Jazmin Speakman (Assistant Principal - Personal Development).
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Progress and targets ● In KS3, students are given a target band to work within, based on data from the end of primary school (SATs / KS2 tests). We also use internal assessments at the beginning of Year 7, plus nationally recognised Cognitive Ability Tests (CATS) and Reading Tests, to check the accuracy of the data we are given. Students are issued with their new band in October of each year, once we have had time to assess and analyse student data. ● At each assessment, students will be compared to their target band in order to assess progress. Bands can be revised, usually at the end of an academic year. Students get individual feedback after each assessment, which shows their progress in each aspect of that subject/unit. ● In KS4, students will get a GCSE style target based on performance over KS3. At each assessment point, students will again be able to see their progress against their target. In Year 11, there are two sets of mocks in the lead up to the real GCSE exams, which will give students and parents a very clear idea of likely attainment, and therefore of the best next steps, after GCSE. ● Parents of KS3 and KS4 students will receive two Parent Reports a year. These reports will explain how each child is doing in each subject, relative to their targets. It will also show their child’s attitude to learning (AtL) towards that subject and provide context where their attitude to learning is deemed ‘concerning’ or ‘poor’. ● In the Sixth Form, targets are created using ALPS from attainment at GCSE. ALPS is a nationally validated system, using the data from millions of exam entries over 15 years. It is therefore statistically very reliable. It predicts the likely attainment at A Level based on GCSE scores, and pitches the target grades at the top 25% of progress from GCSE. These targets are ambitious, but achievable. ● Success depends on doing the right course, as well as hard work. A level and GCSE options are therefore very important, and every student will have personalised advice on which subjects to take. Sometimes this advice is not what students want to hear, but we always promise to give the best possible advice and guidance to our students; this includes telling them unwelcome news if necessary. Occasionally, this will mean refusing entry to a course, or not entering a student for an exam if our professional judgement tells us that a student is on the wrong track. ● Progression to Year 13 from Year 12 depends on students passing their end of year exams. If students do not receive a grade D or above in their forecasts and do not show enough foundational knowledge at Year 12, they will not be allowed to re-enrol in Year 13. It is unlikely that students will be able to re-take Year 12 at KAA, as this would take a space away from a Year 11 student (only students with a strong case for mitigating circumstances may repeat Year 12 at the senior team’s discretion). Students and parents will always be consulted fully on such issues. ● In addition, we will not allow students to sit public exams where there is a high probability of failure; getting E/U grades on their permanent academic record is not in a student’s best interest, and is likely to make future applications harder. This will be flagged up well in advance, in reports following assessments, in letters home, in meetings with parents, and conversations with students.
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Punctuality Students must arrive at the Academy by the correct time each day. Our doors open to students at 8.00am and the school day begins for Years 7 to 11 at 8.30am. Sixth form students are required to be on site by 9am, ready for period 1. Any student arriving after that time will be issued with a lunchtime detention for the same day (after school detention for the sixth form). Please make sure students do not arrive at school earlier than 8.00am. If early, students will be told to wait outside until the school opens.
R Reception Parents cannot wait in reception for their child at the end of the school day. This is for the safety of the whole school community, but also because it is not sustainable in a school of 1,250+ students. Instead, we ask that you wait outside for your child at a spot that you pre-arrange with them. The school would be very grateful if parents could avoid asking us to deliver messages and items to their children during the school day, except where there is an urgent medical or safeguarding reason. It absorbs a significant amount of staff time and our numbers are too big to accommodate these requests. It is also not teaching students the important life-skills of organisation and planning. Students must learn to pack their bags carefully the night before and make any after school arrangements with their parents in advance.
S Safeguarding Safeguarding is a critical part of keeping your child safe. The Academy has a very comprehensive safeguarding policy, which outlines all the actions we will take to help all our young people. To help support your child in the Academy, please be aware of the following avenues for your child to inform us of any safeguarding issues: ● Concern box – secure green box readily available outside of the medical room for students to express worries or concerns ● Email – students can report directly to the safeguarding team via safeguarding@kaa.org.uk
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● PSHE - We have a personal, social and health education curriculum that addresses many aspects of safeguarding, including cyberbullying, but more importantly how your child can develop their understanding, skills and knowledge to minimise risk in many different situations ● Pastoral system - Our pastoral care, led by Mr Bernard and Miss Gurnell, has an excellent team of Directors of Learning, Learning Mentors, and Form Tutors readily available to help. The Form Tutor will always work on developing an excellent relationship with students and parents / carers to be the first port of call. ● Supporting vulnerable students - we understand that there are certain cohorts in the student body who are more vulnerable and we provide exceptional inclusion support to help them throughout their time at KAA, with a generous allocation of therapists, learning support assistants, and learning mentors. ● Involvement with external agencies - We work closely with a number of organisations, which includes Place2Be, Early Help, social services and the police to provide additional support The Academy's designated safeguarding lead is Miss Gurnell (Vice Principal - Pastoral). Miss Gurnell can be contacted via email at a.gurnell@kaa.org.uk.
Senior Leadership Team Role Principal Senior Vice Principal Vice Principal
Area of responsibility Whole school Pastoral / School Operations Pastoral / Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Vice Principal Teaching & Learning Assistant Principal Assessment Assistant Principal Curriculum Assistant Principal Assistant Principal Assistant Principal Assistant Principal
Sixth Form Teacher Development Timetable Personal Development
Finance Director
Finance & Resources
Name Anna Jordan Ryan Bernard
Email a.jordan@kaa.org.uk r.bernard@kaa.org.uk
Amy Gurnell
a.gurnell@kaa.org.uk
James Waller Ross Dunning Clare Kitteringham Robert Davies Lisa Blount Sophie Pedley Jazmin Speakman Natasha Page
j.waller@kaa.org.uk r.dunning@kaa.org.uk c.kitteringham@kaa.org.uk r.davies@kaa.org.uk l.blount@kaa.org.uk s.pedley@kaa.org.uk j.speakman@kaa.org.uk n.page@kaa.org.uk
Sixth Form Admissions The admissions criteria for admission to the Sixth Form are published in the prospectus and on the website. Careful attention should be paid to the overall grade requirement and also the requirement for individual subjects, which vary for some subjects. For example, mathematics requires a grade of 7 at GCSE, but further mathematics requires a grade of 8. We usually expect a grade 6 in English language and literature for all humanities subjects (politics, RS, geography and history). Current Year
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11 students are encouraged to attend our Sixth Form open evening, on Thursday the 2nd of October from 5 pm-7.30 pm. Applications for KAA Sixth Form should be made via the online application portal (Applicaa) by Friday 5th December midnight, where the link can be found on the school website from the autumn term. Conditional offers will be made from January based on predictions and references and late applications will be considered with offer holders taking priority on enrolment day in August. Progression to the Sixth Form from Year 11 is not automatic, and progression from Year 12 to Year 13 depends on students meeting the attendance and assessment points criteria by the end of the year. Please note: Unlike the lower school, behaviour points for Sixth Formers are not linked to the fixed number of behaviour points required to attain a formal warning due to the accelerated academic timeline. Please refer to the full behaviour policy for details on Sixth Form disciplinary procedures.
Social Media & Internet Use As outlined in the KAA behaviour policy, inappropriate social media use or online activity can result in internal exclusion (I.E.), suspensions, or Permanent Exclusion (PEX) depending on the severity of the incident. Misuse of social media instances includes but is not limited to: ● Personal comments about teachers or students ● Misappropriation of photographs of teachers or students ● Impersonating staff or students on social media ● Posting malicious accusations about staff members ● Posting homophobic remarks ● Posting racist remarks ● Sharing images which depict drug use or the possession of offensive weapons ● Creating anonymous accounts with the intention to cause harm or distress ● Posting sexual remarks or images Whilst instances such as the above may occur via fake accounts or accounts created by non-KAA students, this won’t matter when it comes to disciplinary action, as knowledge of these accounts without reporting them, or any active agency at all (even just following the account) is strictly against the Academy behaviour policy.
Suspensions Students who have committed a serious breach of the Academy behaviour policy, may be subject to suspension for a set number of days. Details of what constitutes suspension level conduct can be found in our full behaviour policy. The length of the suspension will be determined by the severity of the incident, as well as any evidence in regard to previous conduct of the same manner or level. For
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example, It is likely that a student who has previously been subject to a 1-day suspension and repeats a similar level of behaviour, will be subject to a longer period of suspension as an escalation of sanction. Students are expected to complete work at home during the suspension period, and are not permitted to be in the vicinity of the Academy during school hours (8am to 5pm). Failing to comply may result in the suspension being re-issued. The student and a parent/carer will be expected to attend a reintegration meeting with the relevant Director of Learning, ahead of the student returning to lessons, to discuss the incident and to outline expectations moving forward. The Academy has a partnership agreement with other local secondary schools, as part of a behaviour management strategy. As a result, the Academy may deem it appropriate to direct a student to one of these other mainstream provisions to complete an intervention placement for a set period of days. This may be considered instead of a suspension process being applied. The student attends the school in KAA uniform and completes work set by KAA in the host school’s isolation area. A senior leader will report back to KAA in regard to the placement and completion of the sanction. For further details regarding procedures, please refer to the full 'Suspension and Permanent Exclusion Policy' available on the school website.
T Timings of the Day 2026/27 Monday to Thursday Prep Lesson 1 Lesson 2 Break Tutor Period Lesson 3 Lesson 4 Lunch Lesson 5 Lesson 6 ENR/Intervention/Academy Society/Detention
Start 08:30 09:00 09:55 10:50 11:10 11:30 12:25 13:20 14:00 14:55 16:00
Finish 09:00 09:55 10:50 11:10 11:30 12:25 13:20 14:00 14:55 15:50 16:30 / 16:45 / 17:00
Start 08:30
Finish 09:00
Friday Prep
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Lesson 1 Lesson 2 Break Tutor Period Lesson 3 Lesson 4 Lunch Lesson 5 Detention
09:00 09:55 10:50 11:10 11:30 12:25 13:20 14:00 15:00
09:55 10:50 11:10 11:30 12:25 13:20 14:00 14:55 15:30 / 15:45 / 16:00
2026-27 Term Dates Autumn Term 2026 FIRST DAY OF AUT1 TERM: 4 September 2026 (Y7 & Y12 only), 7 September 2026 (for Y8, Y9, Y10, Y11 & Y13). HALF TERM: 19 October 2026 – 30 October 2026 FIRST DAY OF AUT2 TERM: 2 November 2026 LAST DAY OF TERM: 18 December 2026 (half day) FURTHER INFORMATION: Staff Planning Days (school closed to students): 28 August 2026, 30 October 2026 & 11 December 2026 Staff Training Days (school closed to students): 1 September 2026, 2 September 2026, 3 September 2026 & 4 September 2026 Spring Term 2027 FIRST DAY OF SPR1 TERM: 5 January 2027 HALF TERM: 15 February 2027 – 19 February 2027 FIRST DAY OF SPR2 TERM: 23 February 2027 LAST DAY OF TERM: 25 March 2027 (half day) FURTHER INFORMATION: Staff Training Days (school closed to students): 4 January 2027, & 22 February 2027 Summer Term 2027 FIRST DAY OF SUM1 TERM: 13 April 2027 HALF TERM: 31 May 2027 – 4 June 2027 FIRST DAY OF SUM2 TERM: 8 June 2027 LAST DAY OF TERM: 20 July 2027 (half day)
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FURTHER INFORMATION: Bank holiday (school closed to students & staff): 3 May 2027 Staff Planning Days (school closed to students): 22 July 2027 & 23 July 2027 Staff Training Days (school closed to students): 12 April 2027, 7 June 2027 & 21 July 2027
Travelling to and from school Having a safe journey to and from school is important for all KAA staff and students. Students are encouraged to make this journey by foot or by bike. We have secure bike storage facilities outside KAA (via the community entrance) but students should bring their own bike lock.
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U Uniform We are proud of our young people and encourage them to be proud of their school and their community. One key aspect of this is that all of our students in KS3 and KS4 will wear a smart uniform. This promotes safety, a sense of community and demonstrates that students are ready to work. Students must be impeccably presented in the correct school uniform at all times. If a student arrives at school with the incorrect uniform we will aim to resolve the issue with items from lost property. If this can be achieved, no sanction will be applied. Failing that, we will contact you and, with your permission, send the student home to resolve the issue. Should the student refuse the borrowed item they will be placed in internal exclusion. We cannot have students in incorrect uniform in lessons and around the school for the obvious reason that it will lead to more general slippage in uniform standards.
KS3 & KS4 Uniform Compulsory Branded KAA grey blazer with logo KAA burgundy jumper with logo KAA PE t-shirt with logo KAA house tie Optional Compulsory (you don’t have to buy these, but if students want an item of this nature, it must be this one) KAA grey tartan kilt style skirt (the only skirt acceptable) KAA PE jumper with logo Non-branded items White, buttoned shirt (hard-collared, not polo shirt) Dark grey trousers (black or flared trousers not permitted) Black leather school shoes Black rucksack/backpack (tote bags/handbags not permitted)*
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Navy shorts or jogging bottoms (required for PE, no logos permitted)* Navy leggings (permitted, but not required for dance lessons, no logos permitted)* PE trainers (any colour) Sports underlay (permitted, but not required for PE)
Where can I buy the uniform? You can purchase your child’s uniform from our supplier at School Uniform Direct, 343 North End Road, London, SW6 1NN or online at: https://www.schooluniformdirect.co.uk/schools/119/kensington-aldridge-academy
Ties When a student first joins the Academy in year 7, they will be issued a tie on their induction in September once their house has been allocated. This charge will be automatically added to their ParentPay account – you do not need to purchase your child’s school tie before they begin school. If a student misplaces their tie, they will be required to purchase a new one from the Academy via the School Shop.
Uniform Pointers: Students must have their shirts tucked in at all times Ties must be tied professionally (6 buttons in length) Leather school shoes are compulsory - no trainers, ballet-pumps or canvas shoes. Trainers cannot be worn at any time except in PE lessons. ● No jewellery (except watches and one small stud earring - ‘one small stud up to 5mm in diameter is permitted in each ear). To be clear, the following things are not permitted and will be subject to sanction and confiscation: ● Multiple studs in a single ear ● Face piercings inc. nose, lip, eyebrow etc. ● Hooped or pendant earrings in each ear ● Teeth gems ● Nail polish and make-up are not allowed ● Students are permitted to have the hairstyles of their choice ● School bags must be the official KAA version ● Only religious headwear is permitted to be worn during lessons ● ● ●
Sixth Form Uniform Sixth form students are expected to wear smart, professional business dress for the workplace. Please refer to the table below for what we expect and what not to wear.
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What we expect Smart tailored trousers/skirt Blouse/shirt (ties are encouraged)/polo shirt Jumper/cardigan Smart shoes Blazer/smart jacket
What not to wear Trainers Jeans UGGs Crocs Birkenstocks Hats/durags T-shirts Cropped tops Untucked shirts Sweatshirts/hoodies Tracksuit bottoms Leggings/Loungewear Mini skirts Cargo trousers Items with bold logos
UCAS Students are helped to research and choose the right course throughout Year 12, and submit their applications by December of Year 13. Additional training is provided for candidates applying for courses with an earlier deadline of mid-October, such as courses at Oxford or Cambridge, medicine, and dentistry. Advice is also available on US university applications via the Common App with further support from the Fulbright Commission and our partner school, Godolphin and Latymer. In addition, there is dedicated support available through our Careers Lead, Mr Gibbins. More information is available through Dr Davies (Assistant Principal - Sixth Form).
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