TRANSITION FAQS

My child has been awarded a place at IGS, what happens next?

• In March, there is the national release of primary school places, an exciting day for all! IGS have a Published admission number (PAN) of 300. This is always filled and often well over-subscribed. Our IGS admissions policy can be viewed here. Initially, IGS will work with primary schools to gather data before a parent/carer additional information form is also distributed.
• The IGS website holds a wealth of information and is a one-stop-shop for any queries with our Transtion roadmap, FAQ's section and various other areas of information.

I have additional information I would like to pass on to the school before my child starts. How can I do this?

• Please ensure you email transition@igs.mlt.co.uk and we will be able to process and input your child's relevant information into our school systems or forward it on to the relevant department.
• For any inclusive learning/SEN related queries, please email inclusivelearning@igs.mlt.co.uk

BMDC admissions boundaries

• The IGS admissions policy can be found here.
• The current admissions boundaries for priority 1 and 2 can be viewed on page 5 and 6.
• Click here for further Admissions information.

What happens on transition day?

In July, students who will make up the new Year 7 cohort attend Ilkley Grammar School for ‘Transition Day’. This is a chance for your child to experience their first full school day at IGS, following the school timings and being part of their tutor group. They will have an arrival assembly and head teacher welcome address, be released to their tutor group and meet their form tutor (where possible, new staff may not be present) and engage in a variety of challenges plus have lunch in one of the school catering outlets. They should attend dressed in their current primary school uniform.

What will my form tutor do?

Students are divided into 11 tutor groups of approximately 30 students. The students will see their tutor and form group for 20 minutes each day (40 minutes on a Wednesday) and this is the first point of contact for students each day. There is a different activity each day in tutor time.

These include:

• Student bulletins;
• Assembly in B hall once every two weeks;
• Personal Best Time on Wednesdays - an extended form time covering a wide range of PSHE and personal development topics;
• Timetable and homework support;
• Projects;
• Attendance and behaviour records check;
• Shared and individual reading;
• Giving out important information e.g. clubs, trips and after school activities

What information do you find out about my child prior to them starting at IGS?

We liaise closely with your child’s current primary school to gather as much information as possible about our new arrivals. We will be made aware of SATs scores, teacher assessments and any issues that the primary school feels we should know. The SENDCO and inclusive learning team at IGS will liaise with your child’s primary school liaise to find out about any particular special needs, this will be triangulated with IGS pastoral staff.

Will my child be taught in ability sets in Y7 at IGS?

• In the first half-term at IGS, the Y7 students will be taught in their form groups for most lessons. In Design Technology students are taught in mixed ability classes within their 'band' I, G or S. In Physical Education students are taught in mixed gender and mixed ability classes within their 'band' I, G or S.
• In the first half term, the Y7 cohort will be streamlined into ability sets in Maths within their 'bands' I, G or S after assessments.

Who will look after my child in Y7?

• Form tutor/s​
• Dedicated Head of Year: Mrs Hessey​
• Student Support and Transition Manager: Mrs Varley​
• Transition Lead: Mr Ewbank​
• Progress and Experience Leader (PrExL): Miss Allen​
• Assistant Headteacher (Student Experience: KS3) Mr Carr​
• Assistant Headteacher: Attendance and Safeguarding: Mr Calvert​
• Deputy Headteacher: Behaviour and Attitudes: Mr Ford​
• KS3 Inclusive learning Manager: Mrs Iliff
• Mental Health Lead​
• School Counsellors​
• Inclusive Learning Team​
• Safeguarding Officers​
• Nurture Lead​
• 100 trained staff Mental Health First Aiders

How do I found out more about school service buses?

• IGS buses run from Keighley and Addingham. Click here for our Transport webpage.

• Please visit the GenerationM website here to complete an application form for a bus pass for your son or daughter for September.
• New starters and students staying on to years 12 & 13 must complete a new application form which can be found here on our website.

Where can I purchase IGS uniform?

Click here to our Uniform page and scroll down for our list of recognised school uniform suppliers.

Where can I get pre-loved/second hand uniform?

The IGS Eco-iLeaders hold an annual pre-loved school stuff sale each July, where quality second-hand uniform, shoes, books and school equipment can be purchased at very reasonable prices. Click here for all the details.

There is also a facebook group for Ilkley Grammar School parents and staff to buy and sell second hand school uniform, sports wear and sports equipment, miscellaneous educational equipment, books etc, to raise funds for the PTA. Please provide a description, photo and asking price with your post. Once sold, we ask the sellers to make a donation (50% suggested minimum) to the PTA using Parentpay.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/IGSmarketplace

Where can I find the IGS policies (uniform, relationships)

• The IGS policies can be found here
• There are a variety of '1-minute guides' for various school policies which can be found Here

Do IGS provide lockers?

• There are no individual locked lockers in Ilkley Grammar school due to the number of students.
• Open lockers and pegs are available for students to leave their bags over lunch
• Students are expected to show responsibility for their belongings and keep them on their person during their time at school

The parent/carer 'jargon  buster'

Term	Meaning
9-1 Grades	These are the new GCSE grades that have replaced the old A*-G grades.  9 is the highest grade.  A grade 4 is roughly the equivalent of an old grade C; a grade 7 is roughly the equivalent of an old grade A
Commitment to learning (CtL)
Personal best (Pb)
Awarding Bodies	Another term for the Exam boards.  Typical ones we use include AQA, OCR, and Edexcel
CLA	A child is classed as ‘Child Looked after’ if they are in foster care. If a child is adopted they are no longer classed as CLA.
DfE	The Government’s Department for Education, who govern schools, the curriculum and the exam system
EBACC	The English Baccalaureate is a measure of school performance which takes into account the number of students who gain a grade 4/ grade C in English, maths, two sciences, a modern foreign language (French or Spanish) and a humanity subject (History or Geography)
EHCP	Education and health care plan. The new version of the old statement of SEND, This is a multi-agency document with regular review meetings, outlining the needs of the child. It supports them until the age of 25
EHP-Early Help plan	This has replaced the previous ‘common assessment framework’ (CAF) and is put in place to support students and families. This is usually led by someone in school or from the cluster.
FE	Further Education, typically college courses after GCSEs which are not A levels
OneDrive	We are a Microsoft School, meaning that all students have an Microsoft OneDrive, access to a range of free online software including Word on their ipads. Teachers may also use OneDrive as a way of sharing collaborative resources or ‘live documents’ such as coursework.
Showbie	A sharing platform accessed through the students ipad app, or online website. Students will engage in learning activities and consolidation work in a variety of different ways dependent on subject.
Growth Mindsets	This is a current issue in education internationally, based on the work of Psychologist Carol Dwek, whose work suggests the ways achievement can be boosted by improved self-belief
The Hub	The Hub is a pastoral office in school, year 7 have their own Hub on P floor in Bronte building where they can go to and will find their Head of Year and Student support and transition manager.
KS3	Key Stage 3: Years 7, 8 and 9
KS4	Key Stage 4: Years 10 and 11 when students do GCSEs
Target grade	These are targets that we set for students to aim for in order to make good progress
Ofqual	The group that is responsible for ensuring that all exams in the country meet shared standards
Ofsted	The group who have responsibility for inspecting school to ensure they are meeting standards
Progress 8	Progress is what is measured nationally as the improvement students make from their KS2 tests to their GCSEs.  Progress 8 is a score given to the school to show how the progress our students make in 8 GCSE compares to the progress made by all other students in the same year group.  A score of 0.00 means that our students do as well as similar students nationally
Pupil Premium	The Pupil Premium is additional funding the school receives to support students who are on Free School Meals or who have received them within the last six years.  We also receive other similar funding for the children of armed service personnel, children who have been adopted from care.  We also get some funding for students who were not working at expected levels at the end of primary school while they are in Year 7
Reception	We have two reception desks in school: Visitors’ Reception is at the front doors.  Student Reception is now in the entrance hall after the main doors.  If you need to come to school for any reason, you should come to Visitors’ Reception
SEMH	SEMH means Social, Emotional and Mental Health
SEND	SEND refers to students with Special Educational Needs and/or Disability.  They are students who need something additional to or different from other students in order to access the curriculum. Students may just receive additional support or they may have an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP)
SMART Target	A short-term target which students are given when marked ‘D’ for developing at Progress Review, to help them get back on track. These also feature on your son/daughter’s school report
Specifications	The modern term for an exam syllabus: the documents which detail what should be taught and what assessments will be used for each different subject at GCSE and A level
Technical Awards	A more practical alternative to a GCSE, which is more focused on practical skills for work and has a greater degree of coursework than GCSE exams.  They are assessed using Distinction, Merit and Pass rather than the 1-9 GCSE grades

My child has forgotten something for school, what should I do?

• If your child has forgotten any items for school such as their PE kit, drama pumps or a book, they can be dropped off at the IGS main reception.
• Your child will be able to collect these from reception at a break time or lesson changeover, it will be their responsibility to collect their items unless it is needed urgently for factors such as medical needs.

My child is unable to participate in PE, what should we do?

• Your child should be sent with a written note excusing them from PE or an email sent to their PE teacher (note: not to be sent from the student email account). For serious injuries affecting mobility or illnesses, students may be kept in their Key Stage hub for the lesson.
• PE kits should still be brought so students can keep their uniform clean and dry
• Students will be invovled in the lesson where possible with leadership, assessment and organisation roles

What do we do if we feel out child needs some extra support in lessons?

• Please email transition@igs.mlt.co.uk and inclusivelearing@igs.mlt.co.uk with a clear overview of the support you would like to enquire about.

Where can we find the extensive list of IGS extra curricular clubs on offer?

• You can see the extensive list of IGS clubs HERE
• In 2024 our extracurricular highlights were:
• £14,210 raised for charity last year  +2,000 items donated to local food banks 
• 96 extra-curricular clubs and activities on offer 
• 15 Performing Arts  events 
• 32 various iLeader  opportunities 
• 50 students awarded SSAT Gold Accreditation for Student Leadership 
• 57 separate trips/visits , 8 overseas trips 
• +70 students participating in the Duke of Edinburgh awards 

What are the policies, procedures and expectations surrounding ipads?

• Ilkley Grammar School uses Ed Tech skillfully to enhance teaching and learning
• Our eLearning scheme has two main aims. The first is to ensure that all of our students achieve their Personal Best by providing the opportunities to regulate and organise their own learning, access knowledge at the touch of a button, collaborate with peers and to provide a creative platform to further engage and motivate learners. The second aim is to prepare all students for life and work in the 21st Century, ensuring they are digitally literate,  media consumers and technology users who can receive and produce media accurately, safely and creatively.
• The iPad is not a replacement for traditional, effective and evidence-informed teaching and learning strategies but rather a way to enable teachers to respond to learners’ needs in real time, scaffold effectively and provide efficient and personalised assessment and feedback. Technology has now reached a level of development with regards to the functionality, reliability and affordability which can means all students can benefit from technology in the classroom and at home.
• Our iPad scheme details can be found HERE

When will I receive my ParentPay log in

• ParentPay details will be sent out once all students info are on Arbor and then be uploaded to ParentPay in the summer term
• When students are uploaded to ParentPay, an individual letter will be emailed out to the 1st Parent/Carer on Arbor with ParentPay Activation details - if a parent who is 2nd or 3rd etc on Arbor wishes to have a log in they need to email me requesting an additional log in.
• Once you have activated your account, you will be able to add money to the student's dinner money account, purchase a calculator (one school recommend), and a maths 'Bag of Bits' - both these will be ordered in bulk a week after we're back to school in September and given to the tutors to give out to the students who purchased them.

How does my child purchase lunch?

• Parents need to consent for their child to have their thumb print to be taken so they can purchase items quicker BUT if they don't consent then the child either gives their name at the till OR they can be given a pin number.

Can we view lunch menus?

• Yes, all menus are available HERE

Can I set a spend limit?

• Yes – The daily ‘Spend Limit’ has a default of £5.00 but this may be changed by written request to catering.team@igs.mlt.co.uk.

How do I add money and top up?

• Parentpay is the cashless system we use to manage payments for visits, school meals and music lessons. Each student is provided with unique logon details which enable the parent/carer to add funds online via the Parentpaywebsite. 
• How do we top up our ParentPay account?
• If you log into your personal ParentPay account you can top up by paying with either a debit or credit card.
• If you haven't set up your ParentPay account please email catering.team@igs.mlt.co.ukand she will send you details with a personal username and password to enable you to activate your account.

What happens if my child’s account is not in credit?

• The school has a policy of not refusing any child a meal at lunchtime. They will be offered a main meal only
• The cashless system allows a member of the catering team to administer a ‘Lend’ at the till point. This means that a single meal can be taken. This will not include any drinks or desserts. This will create a negative balance on the account which will need to be cleared next time payment is made.
• Steps taken when a student’s account is in arrears:
• An email requesting parents to ‘top up’ is sent out. These are sent out on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
• If a student’s account goes over a negative balance of more than £2.00 a ‘Debt’ letter is emailed on a Monday.  
• If the account is still in arrears after the 3rd ‘Debt Letter’ the child will no longer be served and parents/carers will have to organise a packed lunch for their child with the exception of those eligible for Free School Meals.  
• Once the debt is cleared the student will then be able to access school meals again.
• If you have any other queries regarding ParentPay please send an email to catering.team@igs.mlt.co.uk

What subject will I study?

The Core Curriculum: Year 7
English	Geography	PE
	History	Art
Mathematics	RE	Drama
	PSHE and Citizenship	Music
Science	French or Spanish	ICT
		Technology

Since September 2016, students in Year 7 study either French or Spanish in the first two years to build up their proficiency in one language. This is in response to the demands of the new and more challenging GCSEs in languages. There is an option for some students to pick up an additional second language at the start of Year 9.

What happens with mobile phones?

• You are allowed to bring them to school but it be must be switched off and out of sight at all times from 8:20am-3pm (2:35pm on Wednesdays). This includes at breaktime and lunchtime If you need to contact home during the school day, you can use the phone in the main reception. If you parents/carers need to contact you, they will phone the main reception and ask for a message to be passed onto you.

Will I get a detention if I forget something?

• You will accrue 'Behaviour' points for misdemeanors in line with the IGS behaviour policy. Certain behaviours trigger detentions immediately, others accumulate and when you hit a certain threshold of incidences, a curriculum or pastoral detention will be issued.

Can I have musical instrument lessons?

• Yes there are a variety of peripatetic Musical instrument and singing lessons available, find more details HERE and various FAQ's answered

Do Year 7 have their own playground?

• Yes, you will be based on the Armitage court at the bottom end of school. You are the only year group lucky enough to have your own court space at lunch.

Can I bring my bike to school?

• Yes, we have a lock up facility at the top of school behind the Specialist Resourced Provision and at the bottom of school at the back of the Armitage building. You will need to bring your own lock.