Year 8
This page has been put together for parents/carers of Year 8 students, to provide the information needed to understand and support your child’s learning at this stage in their academic career.
We have high expectations for all students and this includes consistently demonstrating excellent behaviour, engagement and independence in their learning. We also believe students who are successful have a high attendance, are punctual to school and to all their lessons. We expect students to wear the school uniform correctly and with pride. We expect them to be brilliant ambassadors for the school – both internally and externally.
This is an important year for your son/daughter as they will be looking to build on the information they received last year before going into Year 9 when their GCSE options are made. It is crucial that students put their full effort into their work to ensure that they are able to make informed choices when they pick their options at the end of Year 9.
We will consistently challenge and support students to ensure that they develop into young adults that the school, parents and local and wider community can be proud of. I look forward to working with you over the coming year.
Miss Harrison (Head of Year 8)
harrisonn@chancellors.herts.sch.uk
Key Staff
Mr D Croston – Headteacher
Mrs S Reilly – Deputy Headteacher
Miss A English - Assistant Headteacher
Miss N Harrison – Head of Year 8
Mrs P Smith – Pastoral Assistant
Mr D Toye – Pastoral Assistant
Form Tutors
| 8A | Miss C Males |
| 8B | Miss K Shahzad |
| 8H | Mr M Arenas |
| 8M | Miss C Powell and Mr H Jin |
| 8S | Miss T Pollard |
| 8W | Mrs C Brough |
| 8Y | Mr E Munday |
Form Tutors should be the first port of call if there is a pastoral issue regarding your son/daughter. Please contact their subject tutor if there is an issue specific to that subject.
To email a member of staff, please use their surname followed by their first initial (John Smith = smith) and then add @chancellors.herts.sch.uk
Attendance
For any attendance issues or to report your son/daughter absent, you should contact the school via phone on 01707 650702.
Research clearly shows that achievement is directly linked to attendance, and it is absolutely vital that students attend school at all times, apart from in extreme circumstances. Students with a high level of attendance invariably perform better in class and in examinations. Put simply, your son or daughter’s attendance will affect the level of progress they make.
With an attendance record of 90% across the year, that student would have missed the equivalent of one half day a week. This is a huge amount of work missed and does not give them the best opportunity to succeed.
This really does highlight the direct impact that excellent or poor attendance can have on the qualifications that will stay with your son or daughter for life.
Form Time
Students will have form time at the start of each day for 30 minutes. Form time will cover a range of different activities including silent and class reading, well-being tasks, current affairs and discussions regarding student behaviour and attendance. Students will also have one assembly each week.
Form time is an essential part of the school day and students are expected to come to form time fully prepared to learn. Form time is exceedingly valuable and it is imperative that it is not missed through lateness. Students should always have their reading book and should expect regular uniform and equipment checks carried out by their form tutor and/or Head of Year.
Homework
As students enter year 8, the time expected to spend on homework will increase to 45 minutes. However, more emphasis may be on preparing for assessments through effective revision. Students should expect at least one homework per week for each subject. Failure to hand in or complete homework to an acceptable standard will result in sanction.
Students can expect for the majority of their homework to be set via Google Classroom. It is here where students can view tasks before completing, contact their teachers directly and if required submit online.
Written homework will not necessarily be set on every occasion. Tasks may involve reading, oral work or an investigation. Additionally, it is an expectation that all KS3 students should be completing 30 minutes reading a day for pleasure. There is a homework club that runs every day from 3.10pm-4.00pm in the library. Most subjects offer a breaktime help club if additional support is needed.
We believe that setting high expectations for all students is fundamental in enabling them to achieve, enjoy and excel. This also develops a lasting, positive attitude to learning.
Extra-curricular Timetable
There are lots of clubs at Chancellor's, some of which run at break times and some after school.
Teachers are always on hand to support students if needed, and most subjects already have after school or lunch time help sessions in place.
PE practice and fixture timings can be found under Sport in the School Life and Extra-Curricular tab on the website. Details regarding Drama, Music, Art and other extra-curricular clubs can also be found here. There are also posters around the school for all the clubs on offer at lunchtime and after school.
Key Dates
For key dates please see the Chancellors School calendar. Up to date information regarding key dates will be sent to parents as and when they are needed.
8 September 2025 - Year 8 First Day
18 September 2025 - Open Evening
4 June 2026 - Year 8 Parents Evening
15 - 19 June 2026 - Year 8 Internal Exams
