What should we expect on the first day of school and what time should my child arrive?
Our school day starts at 8.50am with students’ first lesson of the day and students must therefore be through the gate by 8.45am. They enter through the gate closest to the sixth form block off The Green. Students must never enter the site through the double gates off the turning circle. On the first day, our new Year 7s will make their way to the area outside the sports hall ready to greet their tutor at 8.50am (they will no where to go as we will practise this during their transition days and staff will be on hand to guide them) where their tutor will register them. They will then be taken into the dining room for an assembly with a member of the Leadership Team and the Year 7 Team.
During their first day (and first couple of days) with us, Year 7 will:
- Receive their timetable and be talked through where to go and when (this can be a scary thing for students coming from primary but they are well supported!)
- Have their finger print taken so they can use the dining room
- Have their photo taken so we know what they look like
- Be given their login details for the important apps we use in school
- Be settled in to their lessons and meet their subject teachers!
We will take a great deal of care of them!
What uniform and equipment will my child need?
Students must be in full school uniform and have all the required equipment on their first day. The only thing they won’t need is their PE kit (this will be needed for their first PE lesson on their timetable). All of our equipment and uniform requirements can be found on our school website via the following link: https://www.swanwickhall.ttct.co.uk/culture/ready-to-learn/
How can I help my child prepare for the transition to secondary school?
We understand that this can be a worrying time for Year 6 students and their families, however, we work really hard to support you in the process. We have a team of experienced staff who support students from Miss Owen, the Assistant Headteacher for Pastoral, who has now led Transition for a number of years to Miss Barnsley, the Head of Year 7, who is employed as a static Head of Year for Year 7 meaning she has a great deal of knowledge of and experience with Transition. In a survey which went out to families and students of current Year 7, the overwhelming majority stated that the Transition process had been successful and they were fully settled into secondary school.
A few practical things that families can do to help:
- Ensure your child attends the Transition days in July 2025
- Ensure you attend any after-school events on offer to current Year 6 parents
- Try to attend events put on by Swanwick Hall School such as the Summer Fayre
- Check the letter section of our website as a parent/carer letter is posted on there every week: https://www.swanwickhall.ttct.co.uk/?s=letter
- Show your child the route to get to school and walk them through it so they are confident on where to go and how long it will take to walk
- Ensure you look out for messages or literature regarding Transition – you will receive more of these in the Spring term as we build up to the Transition days
- Of course, get in touch with us on enquiries@swanwickhall.ttct.co.uk if you require anything further, for example, a tour or a meeting with the Year 7 team
Here are a few websites that our families might find useful for Year 6 Transition:
What support is available if my child struggles to adjust to secondary school?
Our Transition process and our Transition days are designed to support students in adjusting to and settling in to secondary school. However, where there are concerns, families can liaise with either the Form Tutor, the Non-Teaching Head of Year, Miss Barnsley who is the Head of Year or Miss Owen who is the Assistant Headteacher. We work with students and families to triangulate our support, all three of us (families, students and school) working together to find a solution. We will always be happy to meet and communicate with families where needed.
Who should I contact if I’m concerned about my child’s academic progress or wellbeing?
You can either telephone us on 01773 602106 or email us via enquiries@swanwickhall.ttct.co.uk. You can also ask to speak with your child’s Form Tutor, Non-Teaching Head of Year or Head of Year. We will share these names and contact details with you before your child starts with us in Year 7.
What are the school’s expectations for homework in Year 7?
We set our homework on an app called Satchel:One and our students receive a login for this in the first few days in September. Parents/carers will also receive a login meaning they can monitor their child’s homework. Year 7 will be set 15 minutes’ worth of homework per subject per week. We also encourage students to complete independent revision or read for pleasure.
What is the process for signing up for school meals?
Our dining room runs a cashless service and we use a system called ParentPay. Your child will have their fingerprint scanned on their first day and will be issued with login details to enable you to create and credit their account. If your child is eligible for Free School Meals, this information will be transferred over from their primary school so we will already have this on record. The FSM allocation is currently £2.80; your child will be able to use the dining room at lunchtime and this amount will be credited to their account each day. If your child wishes to purchase food at breaktime then you will need to ensure that their account does have credit.
Who do I talk to if my child has additional needs?
The Transition team will work closely with the junior and primary schools to ensure that we have all of the information we need about each child. Included in this will be any SEND concerns or provision. For any student with SEND or suspected SEND, our SEND team will work with the student and the families during the Transition process and into Year 7. For more information about SEND at Swanwick Hall School including who to contact, please see our SEND section: https://www.swanwickhall.ttct.co.uk/?s=SEND
When will my child find out which form group or house they are in?
During the Transition days, your child will spend all day with their form groups in order to build strong relationships prior to starting with us in September. Our families will receive a letter before the Transition days to inform them of their child’s form and house.
To ensure that we have as much information as possible before your child starts with us in September, we ask that you complete our admission form. This can either be posted back to us or emailed on enquiries@swanwickhall.ttct.co.uk.
Aspens, our catering company, also request details of any dietary requirements or food allergens. If your child has either, please complete and submit the form below in the same way, post or email.
Aspens Special Diets Parent Letter
Aspens Alternative Menu Form (Allergy & Lifestyle Notification And Medical Diet Request)
At Swanwick Hall School we ensure that all students have full access to all educational provision, opportunities and experiences. In order to provide all young people with the same chance of success, we deploy strategies to enhance equitable access and opportunity.
We aim to quickly identify students who require additional support and provide targeted interventions to meet their needs. We ensure that families are fully aware of the SEND process and informed of their child’s learning regularly throughout the year.
We value the diversity within our school and provide opportunities for all to flourish and achieve their potential in a safe and happy environment. The school is committed to delivering an inclusive, wide ranging education for all students. Our own principles and practice are underpinned by the SEND Code of Practice, 2014 and we aim to make all possible ‘reasonable adjustments’ in order to meet the needs of students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
We have an experienced Inclusion Team, led by Shane Worrall, Deputy Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead:
Helen Vladimirovs Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Kate Parkin Attendance Officer
Rachel Christian Family Support Worker
The school is committed to delivering an inclusive, wide ranging education for all students. Our own principles and practice are underpinned by the SEND Code of Practice, 2014 and we aim to make all possible ‘reasonable adjustments’ in order to meet the needs of students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
Our team is committed to supporting all individual needs and in line with the graduated response to SEND, we have a tiered approach to our support. Teaching Assistants give support in lessons and also deliver intervention packages based around identified needs of individuals and small groups. Some students are offered a range of interventions to help meet their needs, and the effectiveness and suitability of these interventions will be reviewed at least once a term.
To view our SEND Policy and SEN report, please see our policies and documents page here.
If you have any concerns or wish to discuss, SEND at our school, please do not hesitate a member of the team.
Most students will have their special educational needs met through good classroom practice. This is called Quality First Teaching.
Where a student is identified as having a special educational need we follow a graduated approach which takes the form of cycles of ‘Assess, Plan, Do, Review’.
Assess: a child’s special educational needs
Plan: the provision to meet your targets aspirations and agreed outcomes
Do: put the provision in place to meet those outcomes
Review: the support and progress.
As part of this approach ever child accessing an intervention will have individualised SEN Support Plan that describes the child’s needs, outcomes and provision to meet those needs. Families and student’s views are integral to this process.
Each year team is led by a Head of Year, a member of teaching staff who ensures that the ethos, behaviours and engagement with learning meet our expected standards and who oversees student progress towards ambitious targets. The HOY is supported by a Non Teaching Head of Year, a member of support staff who manages the year group on a day-to-day basis and is often the first point of contact for home. Each year team also has a group of tutors who oversee the learning and wellbeing of approximately 25-30 students in each tutor group.
We also have a team of highly trained and qualified Teaching Assistants who help the students in a variety of learning situations, provide in-class support and act as key-workers.
All young people are entitled to an education that enables them to make progress so that they:
- Achieve their best
- Become confident individuals living fulfilling lives, and
- Make a successful transition into adulthood, whether into employment, further or higher education or training.
When students arrive at Swanwick Hall School, they are initially tested to give us their base or starting level. This assessment along with transition information enables us to identify students who may need extra input or support to access the curriculum.
We believe that every child should be given the opportunity to achieve their potential in learning. Students with special educational needs (SEN) are fully included in all aspects of school life.
Students with identified difficulties receive extra help which can be:
- “In-class” support, allowing students to access the curriculum alongside their peers.
- Individual withdrawal, working on a one-to-one basis.
- In small groups, for catch-up work in literacy, social behaviour etc…
Progress is continually monitored and appropriate individual development goals are set.
Swanwick Hall School is fully committed to the inclusion of students with SEND providing that the School is compatible for the child’s age, ability and aptitude and that their attendance is not incompatible with the efficient education of other students in the School and is an efficient use of the Local Authority’s resources.
If you would like to speak to a member of staff within our SEND team, to arrange a meeting or to request specific information about specific needs, please contact Louise Nicholls on extension 5042 or email louise.nicholls@swanwickhall.ttct.co.uk
Governor Link: Mrs Andrea Robinson oversees the SEND provision within our school.
Rob Warren, Assistant Headteacher
Louise Gregory, SENDCo
Kayleigh Barnett, Assistant SENDCo
All students have different strengths and needs. At the Swanwick Hall School, we ensure that support is tailored so that everyone can succeed. We recognise that people, situations and circumstances often need to be treated individually ensuring that all students are ready to learn, can access the curriculum and can make outstanding progress.
The essence of equity versus equality is highlighted in the picture below.
Year 6 to Year 7 Applications
Admissions to Swanwick Hall School into year 7, up until the academic year starts, are managed by Derbyshire County Council. To apply for a place at Swanwick Hall or for more information on Derbyshire County Council’s school admissions procedures – click here(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab).
The deadline for an on-time application for entry into year 7 in September 2025 is 31st October 2024.
Applications for in-year places should be made directly to Swanwick Hall School, click here to complete the application form. You will usually be advised in writing whether a place can be offered within ten school days of making your application and at the very latest within fifteen school days.
When an application for a place at this school is unsuccessful, families are able to appeal the decision by completing this Admissions Appeals Form, click here.
Secondary application and appeals timetable
| National Closing date for on-time applications | 31 October 2024 |
| National Offer date for all Secondary Schools | 3 March 2025 |
| Closing Date for on-time appeals | 31 March 2025 |
|
On-time appeals will be heard by
Late appeals will be heard at the same time as online appeals wherever possible or within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged. |
18 June 2025
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| Last Date to submit any additional information in support of your appeal | The independent Clerk will notify you of this date, which is usually 5 days before the date of your appeal hearing |
| Decisions will be communicated in writing from the independent clerk, within 5 working days of the date of your appeal |
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| In-year appeals will be heard within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged. |
All pupils who have an Education Health Care Plan which names the school will follow the SEND Consultation process.
If you are interested in a tour please contact Mrs Hollingsworth, the Headteacher’s PA, on 01773 602106 ext. 5023 or email andrea.hollingsworth@swanwickhall.ttct.co.uk. If you have mobility issues please advise us prior to your visit so that we can make the necessary arrangements to accommodate you.
Please click here for our Admissions Policies
Catchment Area
Policies
Data will be processed in line with the requirements and protections set out in the UK General Data Protection Regulation.
Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy 2024-25 (September)
Please click on the button below to view The Two Counties Trust Policies, that include some of the following:
- Anti-Bullying Policy
- Attendance Policy
- Behaviour Policy
- Charging & Remissions Policy
- Children with Medical Needs Policy
- Complaints Procedure
- Data Protection/UK GDPR (including CCTV) Policy
- External Lettings Policy
- Online Safety Policy
- Private Notice for School Visits
- Remote Education Policy
- RSE Policy
- SEND Policy
- Suspensions and Exclusions Policy
- Whistleblowing Policy
Documents
To access The Two Counties Trust documents please click the button below. They include:
- Financial Statements
- Key Reports
- Subject Access Request
Please follow the link to view all GDPR policies on The Two Counties Trust website: TTCT Data Protection
Post 16 And Post 18 Destination Data Consent Form