We will do baseline tests during the autumn term, however the majority of teaching will be in mixed ability groups with staff differentiating their lessons to stretch and challenge all learners, pupils will only be set in Maths.

Arden does not provide any school buses.  Please contact your home Local Authority to enquire about transport and bus passes.

Your child may have 14 or more teachers as there are a lot of subjects on the curriculum and some groups might be shared between two staff.

Pupils may bring their phone but it must be turned off and put in their bag or zipped blazer pocket. If their phone is seen or heard, it will be confiscated and it can only be collected by a named contact.

• Colours are awarded during the end of year celebration assembly and we give 10 colours per subject, 5 for effort and determination and 5 for academic progress/achievement. Very few sports colours are awarded in year 7, only for exceptional performance, and half colours are awarded in Year 8 for two years of commitment and dedication. 

• In Year 7, before starting at Arden, we ask the new pupils which language they would prefer to learn in Year 7, from a choice of French, German and Spanish.  We try to allocate their first choice where possible.  

• In Year 8 they continue to study the same language as in Year 7

• In Years 7 & 8 we run a co-curricular club to give pupils the opportunity to take on a second language

• In Year 9 the pupils continue with the language studied in Years 7 & 8.  During the process of choosing their GCSE options in Year 9, pupils may choose to take a langauge at GCSE (this can only be a language studied in Years 7-9 or at the co-curricular club)

Information about the MFL offer will be shared with the parents/guardians of new Year 7 pupils prior to joining us in September.

Bullying is minimal at Arden and we have a strong Anti-Bullying policy. Any incidents of perceived bullying should be reported immediately to the Head of Year 7 in order for it to be investigated. Our Policy is on our website. We cannot police social media and strongly encourage parents to monitor their children's use of platforms and ensure they have privacy settings on their accounts. 

Arden uses Edulink as a tool for communicating information with parents and pupils. It contains pupils’ timetables, attendance, achievement and behaviour points, school reports etc.

We email Edulink login details during the first week in September.

If you have any concerns about your child once they have started at Arden, in the first instance, please contact their Form Tutor.  

The Form Tutors are led by the Head of Year, and the Heads of Year rare led by the Director of Pastoral Care (KS3 & KS4)

All contact should be made by email to the school office and messages will be sent on to the applicable member of staff.