Abbs Cross School and Arts College

Abbs Cross School, Commitment to Opportunity and Excellence

Year Six FAQs

This part of the website maybe useful for any Year 6 students on their way up from a primary school to Abbs Cross. It answers the most common questions asked.

If you have any other questions that have not been answered on this page then do not hesitate to contact the school. The contact information is available from the home page.

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What do I do on the first day?

Please arrive at school no earlier then 9.00am


Remember to bring your yellow ‘Pupil handbook’ with you.


Enter the school by the Abbs Cross Lane visitor entrance. A member of staff and student leaders will be there to greet you. You will be directed to the Hall where you choose where you sit.

9.15 - 9.15 Mr Mayoh will welcome you to Abbs Cross and introduce senior staff. Yuor Head of College will then take you from the Hall to meet your form tutor.
9.30 to 10.30 am - Your form tutor will take you to your form room (there will only be five Year 7s in each tutor group). This time will be spent settling in and getting to know the Abbs Cross routine. The Year 11s in your tutor group will arrive too to meet you. .
10.30 to 11.00 am - Break (time to go to the toilet/have a snack). Café Abbs will be open to puchase drinks and snack food. The Year 11s will escort you back to the form room. .
11.00 to 12.15 pm -Students from Years 8,9 and 10 will join your tutor group (there will be students in each one). Your tutor will give out timetables, diaries and allocate lockers. There will also be a short College assembly to attend.
12.15 pm – You will be accompanied to Lesson 4.
12.45-1.45 pm Lunchtime – Go to Café Abbs, eat your packed lunch or buy a lunch. You may go to the playground after you have eaten. .
1.45 pm - 2.00 pm - Go to the Hall where staff will seat you in your teaching groups. The teacher who is teaching you lesson 5 will collect you and take you to your lesson.
2.00 -3.00 pm Lesson 5
3.00-3.15 pm Go back to your form room and your form tutor will dismiss you after checking you know what to do the following morning.

Who will I meet at Abbs Cross in my first week?

Mr Mayoh - Head Master
Mr Franceschi and Mr Holland - Deputy Head Masters
Ms Barnes, Mrs Draper and Mrs Washington - Assistant Heads
Mr. Line, Mr. Hubbard, Mrs Coy and Mrs Groves - The Heads of Colleges.
Your Form Tutor - Will see you every day and will be your first contact with any problems or questions.
Mrs Clark - Director of Progress and Attainment, and responisble for the transition of pupils from Year 6 to 7

What should I bring with me on the first day?

Pen - A good ink pen plus roller pens or biros.
Pencils - Make sure that they are well sharpened.
Rulers - A long ruler is best.
Rubbers - Keep them clean.
A reading book - A library book or one of your own.
A scientific calculator -
A small dictionary A padlock for your locker.

Other things that you may find useful:
Coloured pencils, a compass, a set square, a protractor.

PLEASE DO NOT BRING YOUR PE KIT WITH YOU ON THE FIRST DAY.
PLEASE BRING YOUR 'PUPIL HANDBOOK' WITH YOU.

What do I do if I lose my way around the school?

Look at your map; ask an adult; ask another pupil.

Remember that the room numbers indicate the subjects taught in them, eg A = Art, S = Science, E and H rooms are located outside the main block.

What do I do if I lose something?

It is important to remember to mark as many items of equipment and clothing with your name.

Go back to where you last had the item you have lost. Retrace your movements. Ask other people in your class. See your Form Tutor. Ask at the school Site Team office.

What do I do if I feel unwell?

In a lesson - tell the teacher, who will give you permission to go to the Office. At any other time go straight to the office.

NEVER go to the Medical Room without FIRST going to the Office.
NEVER go home or contact home yourself without a teacher or the Office giving you permission.

What do I do if I have to go out of school, eg the dentist?

Show your Form Tutor at registration your note or appointment card. Tell the class teacher concerned at the start of the lesson. Go to the Office (with your note). Sign out in the special book. Sign in again if you come back to school afterwards.

What do I do if I arrive at school late?

Report to the Office and sign a late slip.
You must say why you were late.
Go immediately to the lesson you should be in, again apologising to the member of staff.

What do I do when I return to school after an absence?

Ensure that you bring a letter for your Form Tutor from your parents. If they have previously telephoned the school you must still bring a note.

Why do we have homework?

Some reasons are:

  • It helps you to work on your own.
  • It enables you to do research and thus learn things for yourself.
  • It helps you to apply ideas which you have learnt at school.
  • It allows you to complete work started in class.

What is homework?

It may be of different types but may include:

  • research
  • practising something for the next lesson
  • problem solving exercises
  • writing tasks
  • continuing classwork

How much homework do I have?

Homework is set according to the needs of individual subjects. Year 7 usually have about one hour of homework per day

Can you give me any advice for doing homework?

Write down the details of what you have to do.
Make sure you know when it has to be done by.
Do your homework as soon as you can.
Do it in a quiet place at a table or desk.
Do it as soon as it is set.
Ask your parents if you have problems.
Use the Learning Resource Centre at break, lunchtimes or before and after school.
See the teacher BEFORE the next lesson if you have difficulties.

What will help me be successful at Abbs Cross?

Here are a few suggestions from teaches and pupils:

  • Make sure that before you leave home you have all the correct equipment and books for the correct week.
  • Label all clothing and equipment.
  • Listen to instructions carefully
  • Make sure you record what you have to do for homework clearly and when work has to be completed by.
  • Always concentrate in class and refrain from behaviour which may interfere with other pupils' learning.
  • Get work up to date after absence.
  • Talk to parents - they can often help you.
  • Do not do anything to put yourself and others into danger,
  • Walk around school on the left, quietly.
  • Be polite to everyone.
  • Get involved in class discussions and answer questions.
  • Help others in your class to learn.
  • Tell teachers if you are having problems with the work and other pupils.
  • MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL - WORK AS HARD AS YOU CAN!