Year 9

Welcome to Year 9

Year 9 is an exciting and important transitional year for all students as they embark on the third phase of their journey through secondary school. It is the year when they finish their Key Stage Three journey and get ready for Key Stage Four. It is the expectation that by the end of the year, all students in year 9 will have developed the necessary skills to become strong, resilient and independent learners – ready for the challenges of the year ahead.

All students in Year 9 are seen as young adults, capable of making the right informed decisions about their behaviour and learning. We believe that every student has a part to play in building a strong foundation, we believe that every student has the right to learn, we believe in creating a strong working partnership between home and the school in order for the student to thrive.

Year 9 is the time to pause and reflect on the learning journey thus far – it is an opportunity to take control of your education move forward as powerful independent leaners. It is also a time to think about future careers and to make informed choices about future subjects and career paths.

Making the right curriculum choices in Year 9 is an important part of the transitional journey. It is important to choose subjects that will interest and motivate you. With the support of the Achievement Team Leader, the Curriculum Team Leaders and the respective Form Tutor, students will be supported in making several curriculum decisions that will affect the rest of their educational career. This comes in the form of the options process, whereby students will be given the opportunity to consider which specific subject areas they wish to specialise in, whilst still gaining qualifications in the Core subjects (English, Mathematics and Science). The choices made may also influence what course or job is available after Year 11. It is important to think long and hard about such decisions and ask for help where it is required to do so. Loxford School prides itself on its ability to provide all students with guidance and academic preparation in order to be successful and make well informed decisions. Students will be provided with all necessary information with regards to the Options process nearer to the time.

The Achievement Team Leader, Ms Geke, is responsible for learning and achievement of the year group. The Year Care Team, Ms Colls is responsible for student welfare.  All students are placed in tutor groups and together with their tutor, they will continue developing the foundations for them to excel in their education and to achieve their goal – excellent results.

The year 9 team insist on the highest standards of work and behaviour at all times. It is the expectation that all students are respectful of both staff and their peers. We believe that through establishing and stabilising strong foundations, students are given every opportunity to work together for the common good of all. Every student must follow the school Code of Conduct and must be in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing. Letters, certificates and prizes are given for outstanding work and sanctions are used when students do not meet our high standards. Students are encouraged to have a say in the life of the school through Student Council meetings.

Your child should expect to get homework every day. This must be written clearly in their homework diary; therefore it is essential that homework is recorded neatly and brought to school every day. It is expected that diaries will be checked by parents every week.  We expect homework to be completed in a timely manner as per the instructions given by their subject teachers. Any student failing to adhere to school policy will be issued with the necessary sanction by the subject staff and/or the Achievement team Leader. Therefore, it is imperative that students check their diary on a daily basis.

We believe in healthy competition between tutor groups: each week points are given for attendance, punctuality, behaviour and achievement. Every term, an award is made to the ‘Tutor Group of the Term’ and, at the end of the year the ‘Tutor Group of the Year’ is announced. There are regular competitions, quizzes and contests which are held throughout the year that all tutor groups are expected to take part in. Learning how to work in a team and becoming an effective team player are essential life skills

As an award winning Reading School, we place the skills connected to reading at the heart of our values.  Reading develops confidence, improves communication skills and encourages our readers to become inquisitive creative learners.  We insist that all students have a reading book with them every day. As a school, it is part of our policy that we all read together for Whole School Reading every Thursday.

It is important that students are awarded for their excellences in achievement and behaviour. Your child will have the opportunity to carry out the role of being a student ambassador. In addition to the PSHCE curriculum, students will have the opportunity to work on extended projects which will help them to develop their independent learning skills and develop their empathy skills.

It will be the goal of every year 9 student to provide evidence that they have worked towards being a team player and how they have contributed to the idea of unity, leadership and responsibility be it through academic excellence or participation in extra-curricular activities.

Please do contact the school if there are any issues or concerns that you have.

I look forward to another successful year with lots to celebrate from every member of Year 9.

Ms Geke

Achievement Team Leader

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