Dear Parents/Carers,
Re: Welcome Back – Module 6
We hope you and your family had a restful half-term break and are ready for the final and significant Module 6. As we begin the last phase of the academic year, it is vital that students return with a clear focus on high standards, academic excellence, and personal growth.
At The Leigh UTC, we are committed to developing future STEM professionals who demonstrate the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. As such, we ask for your continued support in ensuring that the following expectations are upheld throughout Module 6:
Professional Habits
We will continue to emphasise our three professional habits of Respect, Relationships, and Responsibility. These guide all student interactions and underpin a calm, safe and purposeful environment. We encourage students to:
- Be respectful in their words and actions at all times
- Build positive relationships with peers and staff
- Take responsibility for their choices and learning
Uniform and Equipment
We expect all students to arrive fully equipped and dressed professionally every day. This includes:
- Blazers worn at all times in corridors and between lessons
- Shirts tucked in with top buttons fastened
- Appropriate length skirts and formal shoes (no trainers unless for PE)
- College ties/lanyards around the neck as they move around the academy.
- A charged Chromebook, along with pens, pencils, ruler, and scientific calculator
Please note: False eyelashes, acrylic nails, and painted nails are not permitted at The Leigh UTC. These do not align with our professional standards. Students wearing any of the above will be asked to remove them and if unable to do so will be asked to remain in the Realignment room until this is resolved. We appreciate parental support in ensuring students meet these expectations before returning to school.
PE Uniform
We wanted to provide some further clarity in relation to PE kit for female students to ensure comfort, practicality, and consistency during physical education lessons.
Students should be in either tracksuit bottoms, leggings or sports shorts. These should be navy or black in colour with minimal logos on show. Please note that cycling shorts are not permitted as part of the PE kit. They can be worn underneath if required.
Any student attending PE lessons in cycling shorts will be issued a sanction in line with our behaviour policy. We appreciate your support in reinforcing these expectations at home to ensure students are prepared for their lessons and dressed professionally.
Mobile Phones
Our mobile phone policy remains: “On site, out of sight.” Phones and headphones must not be seen or used during the school day. Confiscated devices will be held in line with our behaviour policy.
Attendance and Punctuality
Every lesson counts. Excellent attendance and punctuality remain crucial, especially as we approach exams and end-of-year assessments. Absences should be reported by 8:30am via:
- Phone: 01322 626600 (Option 1) or Text: 07860 054465
- Please include your child’s full name, year group, and reason for absence.
Behaviour and Detentions
Our staged response to behaviour continues to be enforced consistently. Detentions will be held daily and students are expected to attend without issue. Failure to do so may result in escalation. Parents will be informed of detentions via student email, parent text/email and academy displays.
Realignment and Refocus Room Expectations
To ensure a consistent and purposeful approach to behaviour management, we have updated the realignment and refocus room and our expectations for students placed in isolation.
Upon entry, students will be required to hand in their mobile phone at the first time of asking. Phones will be securely stored and returned once the student has successfully completed their time in the room. If a student refuses to hand in their phone, we will contact home to confirm whether they are in possession of it, and we will seek parental support to encourage compliance. If a student is later found to be in possession of a phone after denying they had one, the phone will be confiscated and will only be returned once a parent or guardian collects it from school.
Students placed in the room for a full day are expected to engage fully with their work on their Chromebook during every lesson period, remain silent, and follow instructions first time. Failure to meet these expectations may result in the student failing the day and needing to repeat it in full the following day. In such cases, a meeting with parents or carers may be arranged on the morning of the second day to reset expectations. If a student fails to meet expectations again, they will be placed in another school to complete their isolation externally.
Students must arrive in full school uniform, with their Chromebook and charger. They will be assigned a specific space, which will be checked for damage upon entry and exit; both staff and students will sign to confirm its condition. Any damage caused will result in further sanctions and families may be charged for repairs.
We appreciate your support in reinforcing these expectations at home and ask that you discuss them with your child to ensure clarity and understanding.
Road Safety
We were pleased to welcome a guest speaker from Kent County Council’s Road Safety Team this module, who delivered an important and engaging presentation to our Year 7 and Year 9 students. The sessions focused on promoting safe and responsible travel, particularly for those who cycle to school.
We would like to take this opportunity to remind all students and families of the expectations around cycling to school:
- Ride safely at all times, being mindful of traffic and pedestrians and have only one person bike.
- Wear a helmet – this is essential for protecting against head injuries.
- Bring a bike lock – students are responsible for securing their own bikes during the school day.
- Keep two wheels on the ground – stunts such as wheelies are not permitted in or around the local community
- No electric bikes or scooters are allowed on the journey to or from school.
- No riding on school premises – students must dismount at the school gates and walk their bikes to the designated storage areas.
These expectations align with the Highway Code and are in place to ensure the safety of all students, staff, and members of our wider community.
Please note: Any student who fails to follow these safety expectations may lose the privilege of cycling to school and will need to make alternative arrangements to get to school.
Thank you for your continued support in reinforcing these important safety messages at home.
Looking Ahead
Module 6 is an opportunity for students to reflect on their achievements and make a strong finish to the year. For some, it will include key exams or coursework deadlines. For all, it is a chance to demonstrate maturity, focus and commitment. We look forward to celebrating their successes with you in the coming weeks.
Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s tutor or college team. Thank you for your ongoing partnership.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs K Pamphlett | Vice Principal for Behaviour and Safeguarding Head of Turing College
