Welcome to Year 9

Year 9 is an important year for all students at BISR. Students will transition from Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 4 and will be required to make difficult decisions about their GCSE options. They will be supported and given guidance throughout this process in order to make choices that will affect their education path and future careers, such as through assemblies, meetings, parents’ evenings, and events, where we hope that parents and carers can also attend in order to support us and their child. As they choose their options this year, a one-to-one meeting will be held between the pupil and Head of Year or our Careers and Higher Education Advisor Mr Hind during the Autumn Term.

The form tutors are first point of contact between home and school. To support students and parents in addressing issues that may arise over school year e.g.

§  long term absences

§  Issues affecting happiness in school

§  Ongoing organisation problems

§  Regular behaviour points and how to help avoid them

Head of Year 9   Mrs Hafsa Wilson

§  9I       Mrs Kawkab Sobh 

§  9R               Ms Jennifer Crowden

§  9E                   Mr Danny Marquis and Ms Sara Rahim

§  9A                   Mr Alistair Pearson 

§  9C               Ms Maria Cristina Cobo 

§  9H                  Mr Stuart Lunn-Walker

Form Time/Well-Being

Within Year 9 form time and Well-Being lessons, students will also discuss academic targets and extra-curricular achievements; plan and participate in a year assembly; and, through discussion, embrace some of the key themes of the Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (such as: social skills and empathy, motivation and managing feelings). Such themes will be addressed through a range of Well-Being tasks.

The Desert Camp

The Desert Camp is set up as a facility for BISR students to engage in various outdoor pursuits that complement or extend the school curriculum. The response to the camp from students and adults alike has been inspiring. Especially, from those individuals who don’t normal see themselves as “outdoors types”. After experiencing the wonderful peace and space that Thumamah offers, most people are always keen to return!

Rewards

In addition to the termly commendations, which are awarded for excellent academic achievement and progress across the school, Year 9 pupils may be awarded a Head of Year Commendation for a range of achievements.

Mrs Hafsa Wilson

Head of Year 9