P7 to S1 Transitions Frequently Asked Questions

1. How is it decided which class they are in?

• Several factors are taken into consideration to assign classes, the most relevant being the wealth of information we receive from the feeder primary, to ensure pupils are in a suitable tutor class.

2. Will pupils from the same feeder primary school be kept together in their new classes?

• All pupils will have at least one other pupil from their primary school in their S1 tutor class. The number of pupils in each tutor class from the feeder primary largely depends upon the size of the primary school.

3. Will pupils start getting the bus on day 1 at Whitburn Academy?

• Yes. 

4. Will there be a teacher to ensure they arrive and get their way to school ok for the first week?

• Whitburn Academy staff will be on hand in and around the school entrance and foyer to meet the new S1 pupils and direct them into the Assembly Hall for their welcome assembly.
• For the first week as S1 pupils a senior guide will work with the S1 classes to help out with orientation around the school.

5. How will they know where to go when they arrive at the high school?

• See above

6. What time is the bus?

• All details relating to the pupils' travel to and from Whitburn Academy will be sent directly to the pupils' home addresses during the summer holiday from Public Transport Unit at West Lothian Council.

7. How do they get their bus pass?

• See Above

8. Where does the bus collect them for coming home and at what time does it leave?

• From the school bus bay after the school finishes at 3.25pm / 12.15pm (Fri) - once all pupils have finished for the day.

9. What is the school uniform including PE kit?

For all year groups (S1-S6):  

• Plain white shirt, short or long sleeved
• All S1-S6 pupils to wear the appropriate school tie (S1-4 wear a Junior tie, S5-6 wear a Senior tie). It is not acceptable to remove the tie when on the school site, other than to take part in PE lessons
• Black v-neck sweater or cardigan (plain - no logos are permitted). No other colour than black permitted.
• Trousers - plain, ordinary black school trousers are expected to be worn, and no other
• Skirt - plain, ordinary black school skirt, of an appropriate length for school
• Shoes - black school shoes are expected to be worn

Please note: pupils arriving at school without the correct uniform will be expected to wear uniform offered by the school - shirt, sweater, tie, trousers, skirt and/or shoes. Refusal to wear school items offered may lead to isolation and further consequences

• Jewellery - simple and plain (ie maximum one plain ring, one plain bracelet, one pair of plain earrings and one plain necklace). Pupils will be strongly discouraged from wearing any other visible piercings. Any hair accessories should be small and plain.
• Make-up - this should be kept to an absolute minimum 
• PE kit of t-shirt, shorts, and/or black tracksuit bottoms, with appropriate footwear

Please note: we do not require a note to excuse pupils from PE. In all cases, pupils are expected to bring and to wear their PE kit, whether or not they can take an active role in class. Pupils unable to take a full part will be given lighter duties (including scoring, refereeing etc).

10. Will the school still issue or present them their high school tie?

Usually, school ties can be bought for the school office during term time and also during the summer holidays.  Details will go out via primary schools when we have them. 

11. Do pupils need an online account for school lunches?

• Pupils will be given a code when they join us which they will use to purchase food from the Academy Café.

The accounts can be topped up via several machines which are located in the school's foyer and also within the Academy Café.

Parents/ carers can also top up pupils' lunch accounts via the ipay account on the Parent Portal.

12. If so how do we get that and put money in

• See above

13. Do they need laptops for classes?

• No. IT resources are provided as required by Whitburn Academy. However Laptops / devices would be useful to be able to access online learning form home and arrangements can be made for those unable to do so.

14. Are mobile phones allowed in school?

• Whitburn Academy promotes digital learning and we recognise that mobile phones play a part in this, so they are allowed in school. They should however only be used in classes when instructed by a member of staff to do so. Otherwise they should be turned off and kept in a bag or jacket. Pupils are permitted to use mobile phones responsibly at break and lunch times.

Should you have any other questions which have not been answered here, please contact the school via the following email address and we will endeavour to answer your question as soon as possible: wlwhitburn-ac@westlothian.org.uk (opens new window)