Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: I have been offered a place at John Madejski Academy. How do I accept it?

A: To accept your school place, you need to log onto the school admissions portal via the Brighter Futures for Schools website. You would use this portal to apply for your child’s secondary school places. When you log onto the portal, you have the option to accept or withdraw your child’s place here at John Madejski Academy. Please use the link below to log on to the school admissions portal.

Brighter Futures for Children Admissions Portal

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 during the Summer Term. Information will be provided at the start of the Summer Term. 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. Throughout the day, students will be allocated to various groups and may be with different students in each lesson. However, it is likely that students from the same primary school will be together at some point during the day.

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

A: At John Madejski Academy, every child will be included, and we have very high expectations for all our students, this means that we work to make certain that every child can attend every lesson at JMA. Our SENCO will meet with the SENCO of your child’s primary school to ensure we understand your child’s individual needs and to plan the necessary support to help your child access a full and varied curriculum.

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

A: At John Madejski Academy, we are committed not only to achieving excellent educational outcomes but also to the development of character. Each academic year, children are exposed to a varied Enrichment Programme, with offerings from a range of departments and more. There is something for everyone to get involved in!

It is essential that our students have these fantastic opportunities to take part in performing arts, sport, academic pursuits, and more. These activities help build character and confidence as they climb their personal mountain towards the very best universities or careers of their choosing.

Q: Will my child have homework?

A: There will be homework, however we are currently working on our homework plan for 25/26. We will write to parents in due course about this. 

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

A: Our uniform is supplied by a specialist uniform company called SWI.  Uniform should be purchased online via their website https://www.swischoolwear.co.uk

Information regarding purchasing uniform will be provided via the Transition Handbook.

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

A: All students are in full uniform for all lessons. 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 collect and return the missing item of uniform from the Pastoral Team. Please note that if any borrowed uniform is not returned after the school has contacted home, then we will charge for the replacement. The uniform policy can be found here. We believe in pride and we want children to feel proud of their school. We also want all children to feel part of a collective, and so we insist that everyone wears school uniform and unfortunately, if children are not in the correct uniform, they cannot attend lessons. 

Q: What equipment will I need?

A: All students need a suitable bag to carry books and their equipment. Y7 students are given a mini whiteboard, a mini whiteboard pen, a whiteboard eraser and an Independent Learning book. These must be brought to school every day along with a 30 cm clear pencil case containing the correct equipment and a scientific calculator.  We check students have all their equipment with them each morning during TTRP (Tutor Time Reading Programme) and will loan any missing equipment out to students to ensure they are fully prepared for the day (except for calculators). 

Q: Which scientific calculator should I buy?

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

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

A: All students joining John MAdejski Academy complete assessments regularly so that we can check on their progress and plan any additional support, such as numeracy or literacy interventions. Reading tests are key to making sure that teachers plan work that challenges students at an appropriate level. Y6 students will complete reading assessments and a short maths assessment as part of their transition.

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 John Madejski Academy. If a student chooses to disrupt someone else’s learning, the teacher will remind them of the rules and give them a warning. If they choose to disrupt learning for a second time, they will be asked to leave the lesson and to report to a supervised study area, and we will contact their family. Here, trained staff will work with the children in order to prepare them for learning. Repeated removal from class will trigger additional support.

  Q: How will my child be rewarded?

A: John Madejski Academy 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 John Madejski Academy we focus on rewarding good behaviour and character. Every lesson, students are rewarded for effort and perfect answers with merits given by their teachers. There isn’t a limit to the number of merits a student can be rewarded with in a lesson. Every lesson, one student who has completed exemplary work receives a Golden Ticket, worth 5 merits for their hard work. At social times, staff notice excellent character and behaviour and sign students positive RfL cards, each signature contributing to their total merit point score. 

Every week the students and tutor groups who have received the most merit points in each year group are recognised and rewarded in assemblies. And full term, the students who have received the most merits 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 Brighter Futures for Children 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 shed, 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. Electric bikes and scooters are not permitted on the school site. Students must wear a helmet when cycling to school.