Parent/Carers Information

Our school day begins at 8.45 with breakfast. Our registers officially open at 8.45 and close for most children at 9.10. We have a morning break at 10.30, and lunch is at 12.00. The school day finishes at 3.30pm. Our staff then stay on site to prepare and set up our learning activities for the following day.

The school day typically starts with core subject lessons – English and maths – followed by topic/science/PSHE, and in the afternoon we deliver an intervention-needs based curriculum, alongside outdoor & PE based activities. We also offer enrichment and engagement sessions, such as cookery, art, horticulture and off-site visits and activities where applicable. The afternoon sessions in particular are pupil-centred, designed around each child’s individual profile. During the day we also pause for reflection, and emotional regulation, and all transitions between sessions are carefully planned out as well.

The school consists of eight classrooms, each equipped with an interactive screen, individual desks and group work space areas, sink and kitchen area and storage. Children will have use of laptops and technological devices. The school also has specialist rooms, which are art and design; drama and music with a recording studio; food technology; science lab; sports hall and fitness suite; 2 soft play areas; sensory room; 1:1 workrooms across the school; and a library. Outside the school there is an outside play area and climbing frame for primary pupils, and a MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) with a sensory trail and plenty of outside space.

If parents/carers need to request transport for their child to and from school, then they must apply via the Essex County Council website.

This process can take up to six weeks, so please ensure you apply in plenty of time. 

We also support parental drop off and collections and have dedicated space outside the front of the school during this time.

At The Sir Geoff Hurst Academy, we see our school uniform as a key part of our identity; however, it is also designed to provide our children with comfort and, where necessary, meet any sensory needs they may have. We have planned our uniform to be as cost-effective as possible.

The core uniform consists of the school sweatshirt, embroidered with the school logo. The sweatshirt supplier has been carefully chosen to try and get the softest material possible. In addition to the sweatshirt, we ask that your child wears navy/black or dark grey trousers, a red polo or cotton shirt, and footwear can be black shoes or trainers. We ask that children do not wear boots. Our PE kit consists of black shorts and/or tracksuit trousers, and a plain white t-shirt with the logo if you wish.

However, if you feel that your child has particular sensory needs that may need accounting for within our uniform expectations, then please get in touch, and we can be flexible around them as required.

School uniform is available to purchase from One Stop School Gear - a local provider in Chelmsford. 

We are able to offer all of our pupils a range of choices of hot school meals, or they are welcome to bring in their own packed lunch. Our school meals also cater for specific diets and lifestyle choices, including vegan and religious requirements at request. The school also provides a free breakfast for all of our pupils, as our ‘soft start’ nurture breakfast time is an important part of our provision, where everyone starts the day together and we are able to check in emotionally with our pupils. The children have their breakfasts and lunches in the classroom with their teaching team, as this supports our ethos of building family-style relationships with them.

Looking after our pupil’s welfare is at the centre of everything that we do at The Sir Geoff Hurst Academy. All of our staff are available to support any of our pupils at any time, and show absolute care, compassion and understanding. We are able to help our pupils with a whole range of pastoral issues, such as poor mental health matters, school refusal, bullying, teenage angst and relationship matters. Your child’s safeguarding is paramount to us, and our staff are vigilant and well-trained to be able to signpost and guide you and your child to get the right support for their needs outside of education if required. We also have excellent working relationships with a wide range of local services and organisations, which means we can offer an expanded pupil welfare service across the school.

The residential area will consist of three ‘houses’, located on two floors. Each house has five individual bedrooms with an ensuite or bathroom. Children can bring posters, photos and soft toys for their bedrooms to help them feel at home.

The facilities will include bathrooms with baths and showers, an open-plan kitchen and a lounge area. Children can enjoy large screen TVs, computers, Xboxes, PlayStations and further games in The Youth Club.

Residentially, the pupils also have access to a Children's VIP room, where they can meet visitors, as well as Skype facilities for contacting their family and friends during the school week.

They will also be offered extra-curricular activities within the local community outside of school hours.