Y6 Frequently Asked Questions
What time does school start and finish?
The school day starts at 8.40am and finishes at 2.50pm. Year 7 students enter through the main doors next to reception and go straight to their tutor base which will be in the Maths department.
Does school have a breakfast club?
When not restricted by COVID we also have an early breakfast club which starts at 7.35am and finishes at 8.10am. You can buy breakfast here for 75p, the early breakfast club is based in the kitchen area of Nurture. The school canteen is normally also open from 8.00am when we are not restricted by COVID procedures. We hope these will be available again from September.
Will anyone from my primary school be in my form with me?
The Year Team speak to your Primary School Teachers who let them know about friendship matches. They then use this information when placing each student in their forms and where possible place students with a friend from primary school.
What is ‘tutor time’?
Tutor time takes place at the beginning of each day and gives each student the chance to take part in activities for learning. Registers are taken, equipment checks are done and there are a few activities to complete to help you with personal, social and health education. Tutor time gives you the chance to make friends in Year 7 and your form tutor is the main point of contact for your parents.
How many forms are in Year 7?
There are 8 forms in Year 7.
How many lessons do we have in each day?
Each day you have 5 lessons which are an hour each. You also have form time which lasts for 15 minutes.
What might I need in my pencil case?
Two black or blue pens, a red pen, a pencil, a ruler and a scientific calculator. Highlighters are also handy in lessons and perhaps some colouring pencils. You will also be given the option to buy an Art Kit in September.
What time is break and lunch?
Break is at 11.00 -11.15 and lunch is at 12.20 -12.50 for Year 7 students.
What can I buy for break time snack?
There are lots of different options for break time snacks. Sandwiches, toast, beans on toast, hash browns, pizza slices and waffles etc.
What can I buy for my dinner and how much will it cost me?
You can choose from a number of options for dinner; this is a set hot meal which includes a main course, pudding and a drink. This menu changes daily and is £2.40.
A range of cold sandwiches are available, hot panini’s, hot and cold wraps, salads, pasta or noodle pots. As well as the set hot meal you can also buy a meal deal which includes a sandwich, snack and a bottle of water.
What happens at lunchtime?
Each year group has a separate lunchtime. For the first 15 minutes there is an indoor sitting, followed by 15 minutes of outdoor play. When not restricted by covid procedures there are clubs on at lunchtime which students can attend. The library is also open for students to complete homework or read. Nurture Club is also an option for vulnerable students in school who may benefit from a quieter space to enjoy their lunch.
Clubs include: Dodgeball, Girls indoor football, Boys indoor football, Drama Club, Ukulele club and Choir.
What drinks can I bring with me?
Water or diluted juice. No fizzy drinks or energy drinks are allowed.
Where can I buy a Charlton uniform?
Charlton uniform can be bought from Bakers and Sons in Wellington. We also have a school uniform bank where items can be requested in return for a small voluntary donation, depending on availability.
What is the Charlton uniform?
A Charlton tie (this will be one of four colours depending on which house you are in), black trousers for boys, navy trousers for girls, blue shirt, Charlton blazer and an optional Charlton V necked navy jumper.
Can girls wear skirts?
Yes, but they must be pleated navy skirts which are no more than an inch above the knee. These can be purchased from Bakers and Sons.
Am I allowed to wear jewellery?
Small plain stud earrings in silver or gold (no diamante) worn in the lobe of the ear are allowed. No other jewellery. Multiple ear piercings or other piercings are not permitted. Earrings must be removed during PE Lessons
What footwear can I wear?
Black school shoes, no trainers or pumps.
Can students wear make-up?
We encourage students to be make up free for school. Heavy makeup including false eyelashes are not allowed.
Are there after school clubs?
There are lots of clubs available after school. The extra-curricular timetable is displayed in the canteen and on the school website. Clubs include Choir, Dance, Drama, School Show, Sports, Chess, Girls’ Football, Boys’ Football, Dance Company, The Shakespeare Schools Festival, Minecraft, Girls’ Rugby, Boys’ Rugby, Basketball and Handball and many more. In later years you will also be able to take part in other activities such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award and Young Enterprise.
Am I allowed to bring my phone into school?
We encourage students to leave their phones at home. If you do need to bring in a phone, it needs to be switched off and left in your bag. The phone needs to remain off and away from when you enter the building until the end of the day. If a student is caught with a phone in a lesson, on the corridor or anywhere in school, this will be removed, and a parent will have to collect it from the finance office.
How many times will I have PE each week?
Four times over the two-week timetable. Each lesson is an hour.
Is PE gender separated?
Yes. Boys and girls are separated and have separate changing rooms. Students are not expected to shower after PE lessons, although facilities are available should they wish to.
What can I do if I get lost?
You might get lost in school on your first week, but don’t panic. There are always staff around school who can help and point you in the right direction. Teachers expect students to be slightly slow at getting to lessons in the first week as they are still getting to know the building. Peer mentors will help you find your way around school during the transition days.
Who can I go to if I am worried, upset or unhappy?
There are lots of people in school who can help you if you’re worried or upset. Firstly, your form tutor can help you as they see you each day and will be more than happy to listen and support you. Your Head of Year and Pastoral Manager are also available to speak to before and after school, at lunch or during break time. If your concern is really urgent, they may also be able to help during the school day.
There is also an Emotional Health and Wellbeing Drop in at Charlton who are there to help; they along with your Pastoral Manager can put support in place such as counselling, group work, nurture and referrals to other support networks such as the School Nurse.
How do I know what classes I have at what times?
Each Year 7 is given their own timetable. This states the lessons you have and at what times. The classroom number and teacher is also noted on the timetable.
How will I find my class?
Your lesson will be shown on your timetable, along with a room number which you will need to go to. Each room number starts with the department the classroom is in and then a number of the room. For example, EN9 is English Department, room 9.
What classes will I have in Year 7?
Maths, English, Science, PE, Geography, History, Technology, Art, Religious Education, Drama, Music, Dance, PSHE, and a modern foreign language. Some students may also have Nurture in their timetable.
What school trips can I go on?
Each year in Year 7 we have a residential to the Pioneer Centre. We also have celebration trips at the end of the year, students can choose where to go from a list of possibilities: Drayton Manor, Chester Zoo or Aberystwyth.
There are also trips within the school year which are run by subject areas such as: Art Galleries, Ski Trip, Disneyland and Carding Mill Valley.
Do you have a rewards system?
Yes, house points are awarded by staff when students show Respect, Responsibility and Resilience. They are given out mainly during lesson time to reward good work and effort. When you reach 50 house points you receive a bronze badge and certificate, 100 is silver and 150 for gold.
What can I do if I feel like I am being bullied?
If you feel like you could be a victim of bullying it is important to speak out. Your Form Tutor, Head of Year or the Pastoral Team are the best people to help you. You could also speak to any member of staff you feel comfortable with or one of our Y11 peer mentors. They wear a green circle badge on their blazer so that you know who they are. We also have an anonymous reporting app called Toottoot which can be accessed from home.
Are there lockers at Charlton?
No, you need to carry your belongings with you throughout the school day. Having a backpack will make this easier.
Parents Frequently Asked Questions
How do I arrange transport for my child?
Your child should be entitled to school transport if you live in the villages of Roden, Poynton, High Ercall, Walton, Cotwall, Osbaston, Ellerdine, Ellerdine Heath, Eyton upon the Weald Moors, Cold Hatton, Cold Hatton Heath, Waters Upton, Great Bolas, Bolas Heath, Shirlowe, Rodington Heath, Rodington, Rodway, Crudgington, Longdon-on–Tern, Kynnersley, Preston-upon-the-Weald-Moors, Wrockwardine and Walcot, encompassing parts of the civil parishes of Bolas Magna and Ercall Magna. Please note transport is provided by the Local Authority, not the school. All applications must be made online at:
http://www.telford.gov.uk/info/20025/school_information/10/home_to_school_transport
Please note that applications can take 20 working days to process so please apply as soon as you can.
Towards the end of the summer holidays, the Transport Department should send you your child’s bus pass, along with details of pick up points and times. If the passes are not sent out to you by the end of the holidays, they will be sent directly to us, and we will make sure that these passes are handed out on the first day of term.
Does the school offer any private transport arrangements (shared taxi etc) for students who may travel in from out of catchment area where the route into school may involve a transfer of bus?
No, the school does not offer private transport arrangements. All transport requests are managed through Telford & Wrekin. If a parent prefers to send their child to a school which is not the designated or nearest school for the home address the parent will assume provision of transport and associated costs. However, if such arrangements were appropriate and part of Telford and Wrekin provision, then we would do what we can to support.
My child will be receiving free school meals. What is the spend limit for the free school meal?
£2.40 which can be spent at lunchtime or breaktime (Best value is to buy a hot or cold meal deal).
Are parents able to access information about how groups are organised across the school?
This information is available on the school website. Subject areas do group in different ways, dependant on the nature of the course. If you need any confirmation following September, then Curriculum Leaders contact details are also available for further information. It should be noted that setting models may change, depending on the attainment profile of different cohorts of students.
At primary we have provision for children from 8.00am to 5.00pm, is there any similar provision available at Charlton?
When not restricted by COVID the school canteen is open from 8.00am every morning, prior to the formal start of the school day at 8.40am. Many students remain in school at the end of the day to attend clubs and activities, or work in the library area which is open until 4.30pm Monday to Thursday.
What is the start date in September for students?
Tuesday 7th September 2021 is first day in school for students.