First Day Back Arrangements – Sept 2021

20 Jul 2021

Dear Parent

You will have hopefully by now have heard the good news that, with the lifting of all remaining Covid restrictions, schools will no longer be expected to maintain year-group bubbles. This means that from September we will be able to revert to our normal school day for all students (8.45 am to 3.05 pm) and allow the year groups to mix at break, lunchtime and in their vertical tutor-groups. 

However, the first day back after the summer term is always slightly different with a slightly later start for some year groups so please check the arrangements below carefully.

In addition, on the reverse of this letter is a reminder of the school’s uniform guidelines for the coming year.

For the time being, thank you all for your fantastic support in what has obviously been a challenging year and all the best for a pleasant and enjoyable summer.

Yours sincerely

Mr S Bowhay

Headteacher

Arrangements for the first day of the new academic year for students:

Thursday 2 September 2021

As usual, we will have a staggered start for different year groups on the first day back to provide a smooth and organised first morning in school for all students. The start times and locations will be as follows:

Year 7:                 Arrive at 8.45am and go directly to the Main Hall

Year 11:               Arrive at 8.45am and go directly to Tutor Rooms 

Years 8, 9, 10:      Arrive at 9.45am and go directly to Tutor Rooms

Uniform Expectations

All students at Park Vale Academy, from Year 7 to Year 11, wear uniform.  The wearing of a uniform makes an important contribution to the tone and reputation of the academy.  We like students to come here looking smart and business-like and ready to work.  Wearing a uniform also solves the problem of what to wear!

Official skirts, trousers, ties, blazers, school badges and colours are available from Just Schoolwear or Schoolwear Solutions. Just Schoolwear can be found at 289 Main Street, Bulwell, Nottingham NG6 8ED. Their contact number is 0115 9652869. Items can also be ordered online from www.just–schoolwear.co.uk.  Schoolwear Solutions are based at Morleys, 116-118 Bramcote Avenue, Chilwell, Nottingham, NG9 4DR. Their contact number is 01159 258046.

 All other uniform items should be plain with no logos or decoration.   

 Daily Uniform

Blazer:	Navy school blazer with school logo and House colour pin badge.
Trousers:	Official school trousers branded with the school logo.
Skirt:	Official school skirt branded with the school logo.
Shirt:	Plain white with a collar and top button appropriate for use with a school tie.  Soft collared sports shirts are not acceptable, i.e. polo shirts.  No t-shirts are to be worn.  There should be no badges or motifs on shirts.  Shirts must be tucked in at all times.
School Tie:	All students in Years 7 to 11 are required to wear a clip-on school tie.  School ties need to be in immaculate condition. If your son/daughter’s tie has threads pulled or ink marks on it then this will need to be replaced in time for the start of the new term.
Jumper:	Only the official school jumper/cardigan may be worn (grey, with the school logo).  The school jumper is an optional uniform item but advisable during the colder months of the year.
Socks/Tights:	Plain black.
Shoes:	Plain black shoes. The wearing of fashion shoes, particularly those without backs or with high/stiletto heels is not permitted.   Boots, canvas-style pumps, trainers or trainer-like shoes should not be worn.
School Coat:	Students should wear plain water-resistant coats or jackets. Hoodies, tracksuit tops, bomber jackets or sports coats with large logos are not allowed. Fashion coats such as leather/denim jackets or body-warmers are also not permitted.
Jewellery:	Jewellery can be a safety hazard; it gets lost easily. Students may wear one pair of small studs in the lower earlobe and a single small nose-stud only. Any other visible piercing is not permitted. Students are also not allowed to wear rings, bracelets or necklaces in school.
Hairstyles:	We expect hair styles to be neat and tidy and not extreme in any way. This includes tramlines, shaved images, brightly-coloured decoration/ braiding or the use of unnatural shades of hair dye. In the interest of student safety, long hair must be tied back in PE lessons.
Headwear: Make-Up/	Headwear of any kind is banned inside the school buildings except that which is worn for religious reasons and which be plain black. Students are free to wear appropriate head-coverings outside during inclement weather. Baseball caps are banned entirely on school premises.
Nail Varnish:	Make-Up, false nails and nail varnish are not allowed.

If you are unclear regarding any of these expectations, please contact your child’s Head of House for further information.