Dear Parents and Carers
I hope that Year 7 have a wonderful time on their Team building trip to Go Ape today – fingers crossed the weather continues to be kind.
It has been lovely to welcome our first Year 5 visitors this week to start thinking about their secondary school choice for September 2028!
Thank you to all of you that have attended PIAGs over the last couple of weeks either online or in person. I hope that these have been useful and please do let us know if there are topics you would like included in future sessions.
Have a good weekend.
Lisa Percy
Headteacher
News Items
Focus on ..Tutor Check In
At Hardenhuish, we know that strong relationships make a real difference to pupils’ wellbeing, confidence and success. A pupil’s tutor is the adult they see most regularly and is often the first person they will speak to in the morning. They are the key person if they need support, advice or help with a concern. Tutors play an important role in getting pupils off to a positive start each day, checking in on their wellbeing and helping them make the most of school life.
To help strengthen the partnership between home and school, our Tutor Check-In Evening will take place on Thursday 8th October. This will be an online meeting or phone call between parents and tutors.
The meeting is an opportunity to discuss how your child has settled into the year, share any important information that may help us support them, ask any questions you may have, and look ahead to the opportunities and challenges of the year ahead.
You should have already received information about how to book your appointment, but in the meantime, if there is anything you would like us to know, or if you have any concerns about your child, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We would much rather have a conversation early than wait until a small issue becomes a bigger one.
Fingernail Length and PE Safety
As part of our uniform expectations, we would like to remind families that fingernails should be kept at a suitable length to allow pupils to participate safely in PE lessons and sporting activities.
Long fingernails can present a health and safety risk during physical activity, increasing the likelihood of accidental scratches and injuries to both the pupil and others. They can also be more prone to breaking during sport, which can be painful and may require first aid treatment.
Keeping nails at a sensible length helps ensure that all pupils can take part safely and fully in PE lessons, fixtures and extracurricular sport. As a guide, nails should be short and smooth, with no visible nail extending beyond the fingertip when viewed from the underside of the finger. This helps students participate fully in lessons while reducing the risk of injury to themselves and others.
Thank you for your support in helping us maintain a safe environment for all pupils.
Apple Screen Time, Google Family Link and School-Time Settings: A Guide for Parents
As part of our updated Mobile Device Policy, we have produced a new parent guide explaining how families can use Apple Screen Time, Apple Schooltime and Google Family Link to help support our expectations around the use of mobile phones and smart devices during the school day.
Many families will already use these features, but others may not be aware that smartphones and smartwatches include built-in tools that can restrict access to apps and notifications during school hours. Enabling these features can remove temptation, support students in meeting school expectations and help prevent issues before they arise.
Many of the same tools can also be used at home to set limits on apps such as TikTok and Instagram, manage screen time and create device-free periods at bedtime or before school.
Students are expected to keep mobile phones turned off and in their bag throughout the school day. Parents and carers should contact the school if they need to get a message to their child during the school day. Please see the Mobile Device Policy for full details.
Interested in Support with Apple Screen Time, Apple Schooltime or Google Family Link?
We are considering running an optional parent workshop to help families set up these features. To help us gauge demand and plan the appropriate space and staffing, please complete our Expression of Interest form. Parent Workshop: Screen Time and School-Time Settings – Fill in form
Completing the form does not commit you to attending. It simply helps us understand whether a workshop would be helpful.
Set up Screen Time Schedules and Time Allowances on your kid’s device – Apple Support (UK)
Set a schedule on your child’s device – Google For Families Help
Mental Health Support Team Parent Webinars
We work closely with the NHS Mental Health Support Team, who provide support for some of our young people experiencing difficulties with their mental health and wellbeing.
They are running the parent webinars below, which are free to attend. Sign up through the QR code or these links:
Understanding your child’s anxiety
Recognising and Understanding Barriers to School Attendance
