Q: I have been offered a place at Hartland High School. How do I accept it?

A: To accept your school place, log into your Parents’ Portal account. This is the same platform that is used to make school applications.

Q: Will my child visit the school for a transition day?

A: Yes. We will be inviting all students that have accepted a place to start with us in September 2025 to attend their Transition Day in July. The exact date will be confirmed closer to the time. Throughout the day you will spend time with your tutor and teaching staff, build new friendships and experience the daily routines and opportunities at our fantastic school. We look forward to welcoming you!

Q: Will my child be in the same tutor group as their friends?

A: We have students joining us from many different primary schools. Students will be allocated to a number of different groups throughout the day and may be with a different group of students in lessons. It is likely, therefore, that students from the same primary school will be with other students they know at some point during the day. 

Q: My child has additional needs. What extra help will they get?

A: At Hartland High School every child will be included, and we have very high expectations of all our students, whatever their additional needs. Our SENCO will meet with the SENCO of your child’s primary school to make sure that we understand your child’s individual needs and to plan for any support that needs to be put in place to allow your child to access a full and varied curriculum. For more details on SEND at Hartland High School, please visit the SEND page of our website.

Q: Will my child be able to take part in any clubs?

 A: At Hartland High School we are not only committed to achieving excellent educational outcomes, but also to the development of character. Children are exposed to a varied Enrichment Programme each academic year with offers from a range of departments in school and more. There is something for everyone to get involved in! It is essential that our children are given these fantastic opportunities to take part in performing arts, sport, academic pursuits and more to build character and confidence on their own personal climb up their mountain to the very best universities or careers of their choosing.

Q: Will my child have homework?

A: All our students have homework, which builds as students move through the school. Year 7s will use Sparx Reader. This is an online platform which helps students become confident and accurate readers, by enabling them to read a selection of novels online, with comprehension questions. More information about Sparx Reader is available here. To support students with their homework, we run an after school homework club from 3-4pm three days a week.

Q: Where will I be able to buy school uniform?

A: Our uniform is supplied by a specialist uniform company called SWI. Uniform can be purchased here: https://www.swischoolwear.co.uk/school/john-madejski-academy-cu-0003814

Our uniform policy is available on our school website. Details can also be found in the School Community Guide.

Q: I have heard that you are very strict about school uniform. Is this true?

A: Hartland High School students are the smartest students in Reading. We are very proud of our school and what we represent and we hope our students wear their uniforms with pride. All students wear full uniform. If for any reason students are missing some uniform in the morning, we will loan the missing uniform for the day to ensure they are ready for lessons. Students will leave a deposit for the uniform, which they collect when the uniform is returned at the end of the day. Blazers are a compulsory item but may be removed during lessons. Jumpers are optional. Uniforms are also equalisers: we make our expectations very clear so that they can be consistently applied and unfairness avoided. Uniform also allows us to support families who may otherwise struggle to purchase clothes for their children to wear to school.

Q: What equipment will I need?

A: At the start of year 7 we provide all students with a clear 30cm pencil case and all the equipment they require. The only exception to this is the Casio scientific calculator which we ask students to bring themselves. These are an initial investment, but will last throughout your child’s time at school when properly looked after. More details about our equipment can be found in the School Community Guide.

Q: Which scientific calculator should I buy?

A: We recommend the Casio FX-83GT-CW Scientific calculator

Q: Will my child have to do tests or exams?

A: Year 6 students will complete reading assessments and a short maths assessment as part of their transition. This allows us to plan effectively ahead of their September start. These are not something for students to worry about, but we ask that they try their best so that we start the year with accurate performance data.

Q: I’ve heard that students who disrupt learning are taken out of class. Is this true?

A: Learning in a disruptive free classroom is a commitment we make to all students at Hartland High School. If you choose to disrupt someone else’s learning, the teacher will give you a warning and will remind you of the expectation. If you choose to disrupt learning for a second time, you will be asked to leave the lesson and to report to a supervised study area; you will not be permitted to return to class that day. Repeated removal from class will trigger additional support.

 Q: How will my child be rewarded?

A: At Hartland High School we recognise that rewarding positive behaviour builds strong foundations for a community that works together towards accessing the very best universities in the country or a career of your choosing. 

Everyday at Hartland High School we focus on rewarding good behaviour and character. Every lesson students are rewarded for effort and perfect answers with merits by their teachers, worth one positive point. Each lesson one student, who has completed exemplary work, receives a Golden Ticket, worth five positive points for their hard work. At social times, staff notice excellent character and behaviour and sign students’ positive Ready for Learning cards, each signature contributing to their total positive point score. 

Every week the students and tutor groups who have received the top positive points in each year group are recognised and rewarded in assemblies. And every unit the students who have received the most positive points in each year group will have the opportunity to participate in Rewards Experiences as part of our celebration fortnight. The reality of this is that not everyone will access a rewards experience; however we very much hope that all students will do so over the course of the year. 

Q: What happens if my child is absent from school?

A: Excellent attendance is key to a student’s success, both academically and socially. We expect all students to meet our minimum target for attendance of 95%. If a student’s attendance falls below this, we meet with home to offer support and to explain the consequences of a failure to improve. We work closely with Reading Borough Council Education Welfare Service to make sure that parents and carers fulfil their statutory obligation to send their child to school regularly.

Q: Can my child bring a bike to school?

A: Yes. We encourage students to walk or cycle to school to stay healthy. Students may lock their bikes up in our bike racks, using a traditional bike lock. Students may not cycle on the school premises and should observe safe cycling rules on the roads as they approach and leave school.