1. education
2. school

Welcome to Medway UTC
I am delighted that you have applied for a place for your child in Year 10 at Medway UTC.
Medway UTC is going to be a vibrant, high achieving school; a place where your child will have
the opportunity to excel in their chosen studies, because they will be at the centre of everything
we do. Being a new school, I know there will be lots of questions that you will want answered
before our start of term in September. I hope to provide some of that information in this
Welcome Pack, but will also be in contact with you throughout the coming months to ensure you
are regularly up-dated with our continued progress.
Important Information:
Timings of The Medway UTC Day
Our day will start at 08:30am every day; students should be in the building by 08:25am
The day will finish by 05:00pm.
The last 100 minutes of the day will be a time for enrichment activities and catch-up sessions,
and will provide flexibility for students and staff.
There will be an earlier finish on one day each week to allow for staff continued professional
development. Details of the day & time will be released nearer the start of term.
All Students will remain onsite during breaks and lunch.
Term Times
Monday 7th September 2015 will be the first day of the new academic year for all students.
Please see Appendix 1 for details of all term dates.
Absences
Students are expected to be in school at all times and will be rewarded for excellent
attendance. In the case of unavoidable sickness, please inform the school on the first day of
illness. Appointments should be avoided during school hours.
Options
There will be a Y10 Option Evening on Tuesday 21st April 2015 starting at 06:30pm.
Mr Walsh, Vice Principal with responsibility for Curriculum will send you further details of this
event nearer the time.
[email protected]
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Timetables
The first week of term will be an Induction Week called Medway UTC Springboard Week.
During this week students, staff and partner employers will get to know each other. Students
will have ‘taster lessons’ and be issued with their timetables. During this week we will also
assess all students and set their GCSE targets.
Supporting Students
Your child will be at the centre of everything we do at Medway UTC and we will support them
through every step, from their transition from their current school through their qualifications
to securing their university place, apprenticeship or first taste of employment.
Please see Appendix 2 for details of how we aim to support our students.
Information From Your Current School.
We would like to gather as much information as possible from your current school, but this
may take time; therefore we would appreciate it if you could provide us with as many details as
possible including a copy of their last two school reports. This should provide us with
information regarding their Key Stage 2 (Y6 SATs) levels, current working at grades/levels and
their expected targets. Of course, we will be reassessing all students, so previous data will be
just for information only, and you may find that targets may change due to our high aspirations
for your child.
Business Dress
All students are expected to wear smart Business Dress:
Boys
Dark suit
Shirt, worn with collar buttoned up
Tie
Black or brown leather shoes (not trainers/sport shoes)
UTC pin badge (provided by the school)
Girls
Dark suit (skirt or trousers with jacket)
Blouse or smart top (no strappy tops)
Black or brown leather, low-heeled shoes (not sandals, trainers of sport shoes)
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UTC pin badge (provided by the school)
For Health & Safety reasons (boys & girls):
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Long hair must be tied back during practical sessions
Jewellery should consist of stud earrings only. Bangles and rings are to be avoided.
Make-up, if worn, should be subtle. No false nails please.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
The school will provide the majority of PPE such as lab coats, high visibility jackets, safety
glasses and hard hats but, for hygiene reasons, we ask that every student has their own pair of
safety shoes/boots. (Please do not purchase these yet, as we will negotiate a reduced price
with our PPE provider and keep you informed about this).
PE Kit
All students will need a PE kit, details of this will be issued at a later date.
Equipment for Learning
All students will be expected to be equipped, at all times, with pens, pencils, a ruler, a scientific
calculator and a memory stick (at least 2GB)
Access Cards and Cashless Catering
All students will be issued with an access card that will allow them access into the building.
This card will also be used to pay for food and drinks in the refectory and money can be topped
up either on-line or using one of the top-up machines that will be in the reception and
refectory area.
Free School Meals (FSM)
If your child is entitled to FSM, please complete and return the attached FSM form (Appendix
3).
Lockers
Students will have access to a locker.
Personal Electronic Equipment, including mobile phones
If students bring electronic equipment into school they do so at their own risk. Mobile phones
should be switched off during the school day and are not allowed out during lessons or break
times, unless permission is given by a teacher, who wishes to use the technology as part of the
learning.
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Travel
Buses
We are working with Arriva Bus Company to ensure that buses regularly stop at Medway UTC
at the relevant times at the beginning and end of the day. We will publish bus timetables
nearer to September. Our students can apply for reduced rate bus travel through the council.
Bikes
Students travelling by bike will be able to lock their bikes to a bike rack in the school grounds.
Students will need to provide their own bike lock and we request that all students travelling by
bike wear the appropriate safety equipment including a good cycle helmet.
Car
Students arriving by car can be dropped off outside the school grounds, there will not be access
to the staff car park.
Keep-In-Touch Meetings
Between now and September I will be holding Keep-In-Touch Meetings, so that you can come
along to find out how things at Medway UTC are progressing, meet the teachers and staff, and
of course ask any questions you may have. The proposed dates for these meeting are below;
full details and any changes will be on the website:
Tuesday 21st April 2015 (Y10 Option Evening)
Wednesday 3rd June 2015
Thursday 9th July 2015
Wednesday 2nd September 2015
Parent Governors
During the first term (September - October) we will start the process of electing our two
Parent Governors.
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And finally for now …….
Thank you if you have already sent your acceptance form to me and if not, I look forward to
receiving yours as soon as possible.
I look forward to working with you over the coming years as, together, we achieve the very
best for your child.
Kind regards.
Dr Karon Buck.
Principal.
[email protected]
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Appendix 1
Term Dates
Term Dates 2015-16*
Staff INSET
Tuesday 1st September 2015 to Friday 4th September 2015
Autumn Term
Monday 7th September 2015 to Friday 16th October 2015
Break
Monday 19th October 2015 to Friday 30th October 2015
Christmas Term
Monday 2nd November 2105 to Friday 18th December 2015
Break
Monday 21st December 2015 – Friday 1st January 2016
Winter Term
Monday 4th January 2016 to Friday 12th February 2016
Break
Monday 15th February 2016 to Friday 19th February 2106
Easter Term
Monday 22nd February 2016 to Thursday 24th March 2016
Break
Monday 28th March 2016 to Friday 8th April 2016
(Good Friday 25th March 2016, Easter Monday 28th March 2016)
Spring Term
Monday 11th April 2016 to Friday 27th May 2016
Bank Holiday
Monday 2nd May 2016
Break
Monday 30th May 2016 (Bank Holiday) to Friday 3rd June 2016
Summer Term
Monday 6th June 2016 to Friday 15th July 2016
Summer School
Dates to be confirmed (Optional/By Invitation)
(* There will be additional staff inset days taken during the academic year, dates of these are tbc)
Staff INSET
Tuesday 30th August 2016 & Wednesday 31st August 2016
Autumn Term
Thursday 1st September 2016 – start of the new academic year for all.
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Appendix 2
Supporting Students
At some point in our lives we all need additional guidance. Medway UTC believes in collaboration
and building strong links with students, parents and other agencies. We want every young person
to have the opportunities to reach their full potential, and minimise barriers so each young
person can develop into a successful, independent adult.
"Coming together is a beginning, Keeping together is progress, Working together is success." (Henry Ford)
Before starting at Medway UTC
Information will be requested from you and the previous educational establishment. We will be
in contact with you so we can begin to plan together for the future; but please do not hesitate
to contact us in the meantime to make us aware of any additional needs.
The first few weeks
During the induction period all students will undergo baseline cognitive abilities and
achievement tests which will create a profile indicating areas of strengths and weaknesses. We
will be in contact if the profile indicates difficulties or gifted and talented potential.
What we offer at Medway
Our staff are experienced in SEND, intervention and extension, educational and psychometric
testing, therapeutic work and trans disciplinary working. We have the advantage of world class
business partners to offer their experience and guidance in preparing students with skills for the
work place, and amazing work experience opportunities.
As a relatively small school we offer the benefit of bespoke programmes to help young people
make their dreams reality, take responsibility and develop confidence to communicate their
needs, and take ownership in the strategies and solutions to address these.
"Knowledge is having the right answers. Intelligence is asking the right questions."
We aim to develop well rounded individuals who are ready to succeed in the world. Each student
will have a mentor with whom they will meet on a daily basis to set personal targets, explore
ethics, current affairs and receive careers guidance to help prepare them for the world beyond
school.
"People who are crazy enough to believe they can change the world are the ones who do." (Steve Jobs)
I look forward to working with you.
Su Quye
Assistant Principal - Pastoral, SEND and Student Welfare
[email protected]
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Appendix 3
Applying for Free School Meals
Confidential
APPLICATION FOR FREE SCHOOL MEALS
If your child is eligible to receive free school meals, please fill in this form (using CAPITAL
letters) and return it to Medway UTC:
Your details
Your first name
Title (Mr, Mrs, Miss, Ms)
Your last name
Date of birth
Your National insurance / NASS Reference number
Your address
Postcode
Contact details
Telephone number
Mobile
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Email
Please tick the income you/your partner receive
Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
The Guarantee Credit element of State Pension Credit
Support from the National Asylum Support Service (NASS)
Support from the local authority Social Services Asylum Team (SSAT)
Child Tax Credit provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have
an annual income (as assessed by HM Revenue & Customs) that is £16,190
or less - this figure changes each year
Working Tax Credit for four weeks after your employment finishes
Continued on next page
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Child / Children’s details
1. Child’s first name
Child’s sex
Child’s last name
Male
Female
Do you get child benefit for this child?
Name of school
2. Child’s first name
Yes
No
Is this full time
or part time?
Secondary
Child’s last name
Male
Female
Do you get child benefit for this child?
Name of school
Relationship to you
Medway UTC
Is this nursery, primary or
secondary?
Child’s sex
Child’s date of birth
Full time
Child’s date of birth
Relationship to you
Yes
No
Medway UTC
Is this nursery, primary or
secondary?
Secondary
Is this full time
or part time?
Full Time
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Declaration – please read this declaration carefully before you sign and date it
I understand that:
I declare the information I have given on this form is correct and complete.
I agree that you will use the information I have provided to process my claim for free school
meals and will contact other sources as allowed by law to verify my initial, and on-going,
entitlement.
I agree that you can inform the school attended by my child / children of their initial and ongoing entitlement to free school meals.
You may give some information to other government organisations if the law allows or
requires this.
I will tell the benefits service about any change in my circumstances, which might affect my
entitlement to free school meals.
Signature of person
claiming
Date
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