FAQs

Are there clubs I can join?

There are many activities going on after school and also during lunchtimes. A timetable of clubs can be found on the school website, it is also available for tutors to display in your classroom. It is the responsibility of the students parents/carers to arrange pick up at the end of the activity.

When will I get my timetable?

Your tutor will give you your timetable on your first day. You will be asked to write this down so that you do not lose it. Your timetable will show your class name,  subject, teacher and room number. Form Tutors can remind you of your timetable on a daily basis.

What if I don’t know anybody when I start school?

In every new year group there are always new students who come from their primary school without knowing anybody, they might be the only person from their year 6 class who comes to Burnside. Moving to secondary school can be a very anxious time for all new students, we appreciate that those who may not know anybody can be feeling particularly anxious and a little scared. We have transition days to help you make some new friends and get to know your tutor group. You will be encouraged to make as many new friends as you can during these visits, and hopefully by September you will be feeling more excited about starting Burnsid

What should I do if I have lost something in school? Where can I find lost property?

You are responsible for all your belongings in school, you should look after them at all times. Try to retrace your steps if you can. You can check at breaktime/lunchtime and after school to see if anything has been handed in. Any lost equipment pens, pencils etc will need to be replaced.

What if I am late for school?

It is your responsibility to ensure you arrive at school on time and fully prepared for the day ahead. You should always be in school before the start of Lesson Zero at 8:40. The doors to the student entrance will lock at 8:40. Should you arrive to school late you will need to enter via the late door next to Main Reception at the front of the school. You will be asked to sign in as late and give your reasons for being late. This ‘late’ mark is recorded on your attendance record and a lunchtime detention will be set for that day.

What should I do if my child is ill?

From September 2025, you must report a student absence through the ClassCharts app. The ClassCharts app is available to download and you will receive an email with a parent access code next week.

You will also be able to track your child’s attendance across the year and their behaviour in school. It is quick and easy to report an absence via ClassCharts.

Please follow the instructions below:

1. Open ClassCharts app

2. Click on the student that you are reporting the absence for

3. Click on Report Absence found in green tab at the top of the page

4. Enter date of absence

5. Provide reason for absence

6. Submit

When reporting absence for more than one child please click on the second child and repeat the process above.

Students will also be able to download a ClassCharts app to track their own attendance and behaviour and they will be emailed a student access code next week. Please encourage your child to do this.

How do I pay for school lunches?

We operate a cashless system for school meals. You will need to pay via ‘ParentPay’. This is a secure site used for online payments from home to school. You will be issued with login credentials before September in time to make payments ready for the new term. It is also useful to note that by using ParentPay you will be able to monitor how much your child spends each day, set daily limits and also view what they have purchased for their lunch. ParentPay will also be available to make payments for other activities such as school trips.

Please email support@burnsidecollege.org.uk if you have any issues with ParentPay.

My child receives free school meals at primary school do I need to apply for secondary school?

No.  You do not need to apply if your child is in receipt of free school meals. The local authority will be aware of the secondary school your child is transferring to and they will notify us accordingly. Credit will be assigned to your child’s account on a daily basis. If you think you may be entitled to free school meals that you are not already accessing, please check this with your local authority.

How can I find out how my child is getting on in school?

You will be given access to ClassCharts which is a portal you can login and view various information about your child, such as their attendance, merits, concerns and homework. This is an excellent way to see how your child is progressing. Login credentials for this will be sent to you during the Autumn Term.

What should I do if I have any concerns about my child?

Your first point of contact for any concerns you may have will be your child’s Progress Leader. You should ring the Main Reception in the first instance. If you are not sure which member of staff you need to speak to, our Receptionists are happy to help.

How is homework set?

At Burnside College, we believe homework is a key part of your child’s learning journey. It is designed to boost their achievement, with research showing it can significantly improve a student’s progress. We integrate homework directly into our curriculum to help students recall and solidify what they’ve learned in class.

This approach offers many benefits:

• It helps students become more independent, organised, and disciplined learners.

• It strengthens their understanding of topics, building a stronger knowledge base.

• For younger students, it prepares them for the demands of their future exams and education.

We use Seneca and Sparks to set all homework, making it easy for students and parents to see what needs to be done. The homework is designed to be completed independently, but we also offer opportunities for students to challenge themselves. We expect homework to be completed regularly: weekly for most subjects in Key Stages 3 and 4, and weekly for each teacher at Key Stage 5.

For many subjects, we use online platforms that give students instant feedback, helping them learn more effectively. If your child ever needs support, a weekly Homework Club is available after school. This provides a quiet space to work and gives them access to computers and staff support if they need it. We’re committed to making sure homework is a positive and successful experience for all our students.

If you have any issue please contact support@burnsidecollege.org.uk

Please see the full policy here