If you are due to start at The Burgess Hill Academy, then this page is just for you. We know how daunting starting secondary school can be so we have put together some important pieces of information to support you along the way.
Whether you are worried about making new friends, finding your way around, or even having to remember all the names of your new teachers, we want to make the process as smooth and easy as possible. Ultimately it is a very exciting time, and we hope the information you find on this page can be of support to you.
Year 6-into-7 Key Dates
March – Offer letter received
March – Welcome letter sent from principal
March – Deadline for accepting school place
June – School visit from transition leader and Year 7 buddies
July – Year 6 parents information evening
Transition Tips
Moving from primary school to secondary school can be scary.
Here are our top tips to help you with your transition to The Burgess Hill Academy in September:
Visit the School
Before you start in September make sure you have taken the opportunity to visit us and look around the school. This could be at the open evening, a planned visit with your family or at the Year 6 transition day in July.
Talk to your friends
Find out which of your friends from different primary schools will also be starting at The Burgess Hill Academy. Remember, a new school is also a fantastic opportunity to make new friends.
Plan your route to school
Before you start in September it’s a good idea to know how you will be travelling to school each day. You will want to know how long it takes so you are on time every day.
Be prepared
Find out what equipment you will need . Spend the summer getting all your equipment together and practice packing your bag so you can take everything you will need each day. Don’t forget you can get a locker at school to leave everything in!
A Familiar Face
We know taking that first step into the unknown can be tough and how important it can be to welcomed to your new school family by a familiar face.
Mr Pownceby is our Assistant Principal, and he looks forward to meeting all of you in September.
Useful Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the school day?
Our school day runs from 8.25am to 3pm. You can find detailed timings on The Academy Day webpage.
Can I ride my bike to school?
Yes you can. You must enter school via the small gate at the end of the driveway and leave your bike in the bike sheds. All bikes should be secured using a padlock or security chain.
How long are lessons?
All lessons are 1 hour long.
How many lessons are there?
There are 5 lessons in each day. The Burgess Hill Academy has a two week timetable – Week A & B.
What lessons will I have?
In Year 7 you will have lessons in the following subjects:
- Tech rotation (Food Preparation / Textiles / Design Technology)
- Art
- Computer Science
- Drama
- English
- Geography
- History
- Maths
- Modern Foreign Languages (MFL – This is split as 3 half terms of Spanish, then 3 half terms of French)
- Music
- PE
- Personal Development
- Science
How will I find my way around?
On your first day we run an Orienteering activity for Year 7 students to allow students to explore the school site completing activities to build up an awareness and familiarity of the school’s lay-out.
What are older students like?
Many of our older students are supportive of our younger students and are happy to guide you when needed. You will have key students on hand in the first two weeks to help guide you around the building.
How long is break and lunchtime?
Break is for 25 minutes between 11:00 – 11:25am and Lunch is 35mins between 1:25 – 2pm.
What kind of food is there in the Canteen?
Hot meals, baguettes/sandwiches/wraps, salads, desserts and drinks.
How do I pay for my lunch?
As our canteen is a cashless outlet. All students have their fingerprint taken in the first few days, which is then used to pay for anything from the canteen using a fingerprint reader. This is linked to their ParentPay account which is topped up by parent/carers. Details of how to set this up will be sent to you.
Am I allowed to wear jewellery?
Students may wear a watch and a single simple stud in each ear.
Where can I get the Uniform and PE Kit from?
All details can be found on our Uniform page.
What equipment do I need?
All students are expected to bring the following equipment to school each day:
- Sketching pencils (containing 2H, HB, 2B, 4B, 6B)
- 2 x Pen (Black/Blue)
- 2 x Pencil
- 1 x Green Pen
- Highlighters (optional)
- Pencil Sharpener
- Ruler (30cm)
- Rubber
- Compass
- Protractor or angle measure
- Scientific calculator (We recommend students have the Casio FX-85GTCW)
What do I need to bring on my first day?
Bring your school bag with a full pencil case and packed lunch if you would prefer it to canteen food. You will NOT need your PE kit on your first day.
Do I have a locker I can leave items in?
A limited number of Lockers will be available to Year 7 students for use throughout KS3. There is a small charge made for this and students will need to provide their own padlock. Details will be available mid-September.
Do I wear my PE kit on days I have PE?
No, we have changing facilities for students to use for PE.
Can I use my phone in school?
No. Phones should be switched off and in your bag. If you need to check something i.e. your electronic timetable, you must ask permission from a teacher before using it.
What if I get bullied at school?
If a member of our community behaves in an inappropriate way to you it is important that you tell somebody, whether that is a friend, parents/carers, your tutor, or member of staff. You must tell somebody to enable the problem to be dealt with as quickly as possible. Please see our safeguarding pages for further advice.
What do I do if I am not feeling well?
If you are feeling unwell during the school day, you must report to the Medical Room in the Pastoral Corridor in B Block. If staff in the Medical Room feel that you need to go home they will contact your parents or carers. Please do not contact your parents before you go to the Medical Room.
If you feel unwell and are unable to attend school, your parent/carer should notify us via the Studybugs App or by contacting the Attendance Team on absence@theburgesshillacademy.org.uk before 8:30am.
Where do I go if I need help?
If you feel you need to speak to someone or any additional information please speak to your Tutor. Your Tutor is your initial support for all your questions and they can support you or direct you to the appropriate member of staff.
How many students are at the academy?
In your year group there will be approx 200 students. There are just over 1000 students across the school in Years 7-11.
How do I find out what my homework is?
Both you and your parent/carer will be set up with a login to an app called ClassCharts, where you can see all of your homework that has been set. Your teachers will also show you the homework in class when it is set, and show you what you have to do.
Who do I speak to if I can’t do my homework?
If you cannot do your homework, you need to speak to your teacher who set it. You can choose to speak to them at the end of a lesson, breaktime, lunchtime or you can email them. All teacher emails are available on our website.
What happens if I’m late for school?
You will be signed in by the Attendance Manager or Receptionist and informed that you will have a 15-minute detention at breaktime. If you have a legitimate reason for being late i.e. appointment, please ensure your parent/carer has informed us via Studybugs
What clubs are there?
Please see our Extracurricular page for an up-to-date list of our clubs and activities on offer.
Can I learn a musical instrument?
Yes, we have visiting teachers offering weekly lessons on the following instruments: trumpet, trombone, tenor horn, baritone, violin, cello, saxophone, clarinet, and flute. We also offer a bursary scheme from the Humphrey Richardson Taylor Trust (HRTT) which allows group lessons to be from £6 per 30 minute lesson.
Please contact our Music Subject Lead – Mrs Hannah Frean on h.frean@theburgesshillacademy.org.uk if you are interested.