For Parents & Carers
Working Together
At Duke’s Aldridge Academy, we believe that a strong partnership between home and school is essential to a young person’s success.
Parents and carers know their children best, and we value the important role you play in supporting their education. By working together, communicating openly and sharing high expectations, we can ensure that every student feels supported, attends regularly, works hard and makes the most of the opportunities available at Duke’s.
This page brings together key information and resources to help families throughout their child’s time at the academy.
Staying in Touch
Good communication between home and school matters. We want parents and carers to know what is happening at Duke’s and to be able to contact us when they need support.
Our regular Parent Update shares academy news, celebrations, important dates, reminders and information about upcoming events.
Parents and carers should also ensure that we always have their most up-to-date telephone number, email address and emergency contact details.
MyChildAtSchool (MCAS)
MyChildAtSchool (MCAS) is an important way for parents and carers to stay connected with their child’s education.
Through MCAS, families can access key information about their child and academy life. We encourage all parents and carers to download the app, activate their account and check it regularly.
If you need help accessing MCAS, please contact the academy.
Attendance and Punctuality
Every day at school matters.
Excellent attendance gives students the best possible opportunity to learn, build strong relationships and achieve their potential. Missing school means missing learning, and regular absence can quickly create gaps that become difficult to close.
Students should arrive at the academy by 8.38am, ready to begin the day on time.
We ask parents and carers to make attendance and punctuality a priority and to contact us as soon as possible if their child is unable to attend school.
Uniform and Equipment
We are proud of Duke’s and want our students to take pride in themselves and their academy.
Students are expected to arrive every day wearing the correct academy uniform and with the equipment they need for learning. Our uniform has been designed to be smart, practical and affordable, with branded items kept to a minimum.
Parents and carers can find full details of our uniform and equipment expectations on the academy website.
Supporting Learning at Home
Parents and carers make an enormous contribution to their child's learning.
Simple routines can make a significant difference: encouraging excellent attendance, ensuring homework is completed, providing a suitable place to study, discussing what your child is learning and encouraging regular reading.
As students approach GCSEs, families also play an important role in supporting revision, attendance at additional sessions and establishing good study habits.
Safeguarding and Wellbeing
Keeping children safe is everyone's responsibility.
Our safeguarding team works closely with students, families and external agencies to ensure that children receive appropriate support when they need it.
If you are worried about the safety or wellbeing of a child, we encourage you to contact the academy and speak to a member of our safeguarding team.
Students can also access pastoral and wellbeing support within the academy, including support provided through our partnership with Place2Be.
Free School Meals
Your child may be entitled to Free School Meals, and we strongly encourage families to check their eligibility.
Registering can benefit your family directly, but it can also provide additional funding to the academy to support your child's education.
Even if your child does not intend to have a school meal every day, we encourage eligible families to register.
Supporting Your Child's Future
We want every Duke’s student to have ambitious plans for their future.
Throughout their time with us, students receive careers education and opportunities to encounter employers, universities, colleges, apprenticeships and different professions.
Parents and carers are important partners in these conversations. We will share information about options, careers events and opportunities so that families can make informed decisions together.
Parent and Carer Events
Throughout the year, we invite families into the academy for parents' evenings, information sessions, performances, celebrations, transition events and other activities.
These provide opportunities to meet staff, understand your child's progress and learn more about how you can support them.
Details of upcoming events are shared through our Parent Update and academy communications.
When You Need Help
We know that families sometimes experience challenges, and we want parents and carers to feel comfortable asking for help.
Whether your concern relates to learning, attendance, wellbeing, friendships, behaviour or circumstances at home, please contact us. Where we cannot provide the support directly, we will work with families and appropriate external organisations to help identify the right support.
Working in Partnership
The relationship between students, families and the academy is at the heart of a successful education.
We ask our parents and carers to support the high expectations we have for attendance, punctuality, behaviour, uniform and learning. In return, we commit to knowing and supporting your child, providing a safe and ambitious education, communicating with you and celebrating their successes.
Together, we can ensure that every young person at Duke’s has the opportunity to thrive.